Phototherapy method

• US 8,069,857 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2006
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
• Inventors: Chung, Dong-Chune Christopher, Totah, Abraham John, Joe, Wesley Chung, Chiu, Edmond Ming Wai, Brude, David John, Flaherty, Bryan Patrick, Mince, William Loyd
• Primary Examiner(s): FARAH, AHMED M
• Application Number:
  US11/423,698
• Publication Number:
  US 20070100400A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,003 Days
• Field of Search: 607 88- 92, 128/898
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0637 in a horizontal position
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0621 Hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice treatment

Abstract

A method of providing phototherapy to a patient. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of placing a patient on a rigid support surface of a phototherapy device, the support surface being adapted to support the patient without substantial deformation; transmitting light from a light source through a first portion of the support surface to the patient; and limiting light transmission from the light source through a second portion of the support surface.

Claims

1. A method of providing phototherapy to a patient, comprising:

placing a patient on a rigid support surface of a phototherapy device, the support surface comprising a mask adapted to permit light transmission from the light source through a first portion of the support surface and to limit light transmission from the light source through a second portion of the support surface and being adapted to support the patient without substantial deformation;

transmitting light from a light source through the first portion of the support surface to the patient, wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting light from a portion of the light source that corresponds substantially to the location of the patient on the support surface;

limiting light transmission from the light source through the second portion of the support surface; and

sensing the location of the patient on the support surface.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sensing step comprises activating a pressure-sensitive switch, coupled to a portion of the light source, by placing the patient on the support surface of the phototherapy device.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting light from the portion of the light source that is coupled to the activated pressure-sensitive switch.

4. A method of providing phototherapy to a patient, comprising:

placing a patient on a support surface of a phototherapy device;

transmitting light from a light source through a first portion of the support surface to the patient; and

limiting light transmission from the light source through a second portion of the support surface;

wherein the limiting step comprises using a thermochromic material to control light transmission through the support surface.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the transmitting step further comprises bringing a first region of the thermochromic material to a first temperature and the limiting step further comprises bringing a second region of the thermochromic material to a second temperature;

wherein the first temperature is greater than the second temperature.

6. A method of providing phototherapy to a patient, comprising:

placing a patient on a rigid support surface of a phototherapy device, the support surface comprising a mask adapted to permit light transmission from the light source through a first portion of the support surface and to limit light transmission from the light source through a second portion of the support surface and being adapted to support the patient without substantial deformation;

transmitting light from a light source through the first portion of the support surface to the patient;

limiting light transmission from the light source through the second portion of the support surface; and

automatically sensing the presence of a patient on the support surface prior to the transmitting step.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the sensing step comprises sensing the location of the patient on the support surface and the transmitting step comprises transmitting light from a portion of the light source that corresponds substantially to the location of the patient on the support surface.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the transmitting step comprises displacing a transparent fluid in the fluid-filled pad to a first portion of the fluid-filled pad and transmitting light from the light source through the first portion of the fluid-filled pad.

8. A method of providing phototherapy to a patient, comprising:

placing a patient on a rigid support surface of a phototherapy device, the support surface being adapted to support the patient without substantial deformation, wherein the placing step comprises placing the patient on a fluid-filled pad on the support surface;

transmitting light from a light source through a first portion of the support surface to the patient; and

limiting light transmission from the light source through a second portion of the support surface, wherein the limiting step comprises displacing an opaque fluid in the fluid-filled pad to a second portion of the fluid-filled pad and limiting light from the light source through the second portion of the fluid-filled pad.