Phototherapy system and device

• US 7,131,990 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2002
• Issued: 11/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Chung, Chris, Flaherty, Bryan, Bansal, Vineet
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, III, Henry M
• Application Number:
  US10/265,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20040068305A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,492 Days
• Field of Search: 607 88- 94, 128/898
• US Class Current: 607/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0642 Irradiating part of the body at a certain distance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0663 Coloured light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 Skin treatment other than tanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0621 Hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice treatment

Abstract

A phototherapy system and device is disclosed, including an array of light sources arranged so as to achieve substantially uniform distribution of light on a subject. The light sources can be arranged in a number of configurations, including but not limited to distributions in which the density of lights sources is greater in the periphery than in the center. The present invention also includes a light diffusing panel to increase exposure uniformity, and a targeting mechanism to ensure that the device is properly aligned over the subject.

Claims

1. A phototherapy device, comprising a plurality of phototherapeutic light sources of substantially the same wavelength distributed into an array, wherein the physical placement of said light sources within said array is non-uniform and wherein said array has a peripheral area with a first density of light sources, and a central area with a second density of light sources, and wherein the light sources are distributed so that said first density is higher than said second density.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said light sources are LEDs.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said LEDs emit light with a wavelength in the range of 400–

520 nm.

4. A phototherapy device, comprising a plurality of phototherapeutic light sources of substantially the same wavelength distributed into an array, wherein the physical placement of said light sources within said array is non-uniform and wherein said light sources are arranged as shown in FIG. 9a.

5. A phototherapy device, comprising a plurality of phototherapeutic light sources of substantially the same wavelength distributed into an array, wherein the physical placement of said light sources within said array is non-uniform and wherein said light sources are arranged as shown in FIG. 9b.

6. A phototherapy device, comprising a plurality of phototherapeutic light sources of substantially the same wavelength distributed into an array, wherein the physical placement of said light sources within said array is non-uniform and wherein said light sources are arranged as shown in FIG. 9c.

7. A phototherapy device, comprising a plurality of phototherapeutic light sources of substantially the same wavelength distributed into an array, wherein the physical placement of said light sources within said array is non-uniform and wherein said light sources are arranged as shown in FIG. 9d.

8. A phototherapy device, comprising

an array of phototherapeutic blue light sources having a center;

and

a targeting mechanism for positioning said array of blue light sources on a subject wherein said targeting mechanism comprises an array of red light sources in the center of said array of blue light sources.

9. The phototherapy device according to claim 8, wherein said array of blue light sources has a first intensity and said array of right light sources has a second intensity different from said first intensity.

10. The phototherapy system according to claim 8, wherein said array of red light sources produces a visible area of light on said subject.

11. The phototherapy system according to claim 8, wherein said targeting mechanism comprises an LED.

12. A phototherapy device, comprising:

a first array of phototherapeutic light sources; and

a targeting mechanism for positioning said first array of light sources on a subject;

wherein;

said targeting mechanism comprises a second array of light sources;

said first array emits light of a first color;

said second array emits light of a second color; and

said first color is not the same as second color.

13. A phototherapy device, comprising:

a first array of light sources, wherein the physical placement of said light sources within said first array is non-uniform; and

a targeting mechanism for positioning said array of light sources on a subject;

wherein;

said targeting mechanism comprises a second array of light sources;

said first array emits light of a first color;

said second array emits light of a second color; and

said first color is not the same as second color.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said light sources are LEDs.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein said LEDs emit light with a wavelength in the range of 400–

520 nm.

16. A phototherapy method for treating a condition comprising exposing a subject to light emitted from a plurality of light sources organized into a first array, wherein the physical placement of said light sources within said first array is non-uniform;

positioning said plurality of light sources using a targeting mechanism wherein;

positioned using a targeting mechanism wherein;

said targeting mechanism comprises a second array of light sources;

said first array emits light of a first color;

said second array emits light of a second color; and

said first color is not the same as second color.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said method is used to treat hyperbilirubinemia.

18. A phototherapy method for treating a condition, comprising:

providing a plurality of light sources organized into an array, wherein the physical placement of said light sources within said array is non-uniform;

positioning a subject under said array of light sources using a targeting mechanism;

diffusing light from said light sources; and

exposing said subject to said diffused light from said array.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said method is used to treat hyperbilirubinemia.