Light emitting panel assemblies

• US 7,077,544 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2003
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC (Rambus Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Solid State Opto Limited (Global Lighting Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Parker, Jeffery R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US10/430,605
• Publication Number:
  US 20030202338A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,169 Days
• Field of Search: 362/31, 362/26, 362/235, 362/249, 362/252, 362/1, 362/2, 362/231, 362/311, 362/603, 362/612, 362/613, 362/619, 362/623, 362/625, 362/628, 362/630, 362/631, 362/632, 362/633, 362/634, 362/804, 607/88, 607/90
• US Class Current: 607/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 using white LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/02 for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/063 comprising light transmitting means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0621 Hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice treatment
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/10 comprising photoluminescent material
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0018 Redirecting means on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/002 by shaping at least a portion of the light guide, e.g. with collimating, focussing or diverging surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0021 for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0028 Light guide, e.g. taper
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0031 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0036 2-D arrangement of prisms, protrusions, indentations or roughened surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0043 provided on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/006 to produce indicia, symbols, texts or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0061 to provide homogeneous light output intensity
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 : Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/804 : Surgical or dental spotlight

Abstract

A phototherapy device includes a transparent member and one or more light sources mounted in relation to the transparent member for directing light through the transparent member for distribution of the light to a body part of a patient receiving phototherapy. The light source may comprise an array of LEDs supported by a base having supports for positioning the transparent member in relation to the LEDs. Also a gap may be provided between the light source and transparent member to facilitate in dissipating heat produced by the light source. Further the transparent member may be curved to fit a body part of a patient receiving phototherapy.

Claims

1. A phototherapy device comprising a transparent member, an array of light sources mounted on a circuit in spaced relation from the transparent member for directing light through the transparent member for delivering light to a body part of a patient receiving phototherapy, and a gap between the light sources and the transparent member that is open to the atmosphere to insulate the body part of the patient when in contact with an exterior surface of the transparent member from the heat produced by the light sources during phototherapy.

2. The phototherapy device of claim 1 further comprising a base for the circuit, and structural supports on the base for supporting the transparent member in relation to the circuit and the light sources.

3. The phototherapy device of claim 1 wherein the circuit and the transparent member are similarly curved.

4. A phototherapy device for phototherapy treatment of a patient comprising a substrate, a light source affixed to the substrate, and a transparent member overlying the light source in spaced relation therefrom to provide an open gap between the light source and the transparent member for mixing of the light before passing through the transparent member and to insulate a body part of the patient receiving phototherapy when in contact with an exterior surface of the transparent member from the heat produced by the light source during phototherapy, the transparent member having a concave exterior surface that is contacted by the body part of the patient receiving phototherapy.

5. The phototherapy device of claim 4 wherein an array of light sources is mounted in relation to the transparent member.

6. The phototherapy device of claim 5 further comprising a base for supporting the array of light sources, and supports on the base for positioning the transparent member in relation to the light sources.

7. The phototherapy device of claim 6 wherein the base has a curved surface to which an array of light sources is affixed that corresponds to the concave curvature of the exterior surface of the transparent member.

8. The phototherapy device of claim 4 wherein the light source comprises an array of LEDs.

9. A phototherapy device for phototherapy treatment of a patient comprising a substrate, a light source affixed to the substrate, and a transparent member overlying the light source in spaced relation therefrom to provide an air gap that is open to the atmosphere between the light source and the transparent member for mixing of the light before passing through the transparent member and to insulate a body part of the patient receiving phototherapy when in contact with an exterior surface of the transparent member from the heat produced by the light source during phototherapy.

10. The phototherapy device of claim 9 wherein the light source comprises one or more LEDs affixed to the substrate.

11. The phototherapy device of claim 10 wherein the light source comprises an array of LEDs affixed to the substrate.

12. The phototherapy device of claim 10 wherein the substrate comprises a circuit.

13. The phototherapy device of claim 9 wherein the transparent member comprises a film or window.

14. The phototherapy device of claim 13 wherein the film or window comprises a diffuser or lens.

15. The phototherapy device of claim 9 further comprising structural supports for supporting the transparent member in spaced relation from the light source.

16. The phototherapy device of claim 9 wherein the transparent member has at least one lens.

17. The phototherapy device of claim 9 wherein the transparent member is flexible.

18. The phototherapy device of claim 9 wherein the transparent member is in the shape of a pad or blanket.

19. The phototherapy device of claim 18 wherein the pad or blanket is flexible.

20. The phototherapy device of claim 9 wherein the light source comprises a plurality of different colored LEDs.

21. The phototherapy device of claim 20 wherein the LEDs are selectively operable to produce any desired colored light output distribution.

22. The phototherapy device of claim 9 wherein the light source comprises a plurality of white LEDs.

23. The phototherapy device of claim 9 wherein the light source comprises a combination of white LEDs and different colored LEDs.

24. A phototherapy device for phototherapy treatment of a patient comprising a substrate, a light source affixed to the substrate, and a transparent member overlying the light source in spaced relation therefrom to provide an open gap between the light source and the transparent member for mixing of the light before passing through the transparent member and to insulate a body part of the patient receiving phototherapy when in contact with an exterior surface of the transparent member from the heat produced by the light source during phototherapy, the transparent member having a concave exterior surface to fit the body part of the patient receiving phototherapy, and the light source comprising an array of LEDs affixed to the substrate in spaced relation from each other, and the substrate having a curved shape corresponding to the concave curvature of the exterior surface of the transparent member for supporting the LEDs equidistant from the transparent member.

25. A phototherapy device comprising a transparent member, an array of light sources mounted in relation to the transparent member for directing light through the transparent member for distribution of the light to a body part of a patient receiving phototherapy, the transparent member having a concave exterior surface to fit the body part of the patient receiving phototherapy, a base for supporting the array of light sources, supports on the base for positioning the transparent member in relation to the light sources, and a gap between the array of light sources and the transparent member open to the atmosphere to insulate the body part of the patient receiving phototherapy when in contact with the exterior surface of the transparent member from the heat produced by the light sources during phototherapy.