Suprachiasmatic nucleus inducing, melatonin suppressing light emitting device to enhance wake cycle

• US 8,303,635 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2007
• Issued: 11/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Katherine Hurst
• Original Assignee: Katherine Hurst
• Inventors: Hurst, Katherine
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, III, Henry M
• Application Number:
  US11/623,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20080170476A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,121 Days
• Field of Search: 607 88- 94, 128/898
• US Class Current: 607/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0083 especially for waking up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0642 Irradiating part of the body at a certain distance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0648 the light being directed to the eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes

Abstract

A light emitting device to awaken an animal and stimulate the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus in the brain to suppress melatonin secretion. The device can be programmed for an initiation time, color of light, brightness, frequency of pulsating light, and level of gradual intensity. It has the advantage of being silent and does not to disturb other people sleeping in the same room.

Claims

1. A method of awakening an animal, comprising:

a. programming a controller for a light emitting device to emit the light at a selected time, wave length, pulse rate and intensity,

b. emitting the light from the light emitting device at the selected time,

c. emitting the light from the light emitting device at the selected wave length from 400 nm to 700 nm,

d. emitting the light from the light emitting device at the selected pulse rate from 600 pulses/minute to 2 pulses/hour,

e. emitting the light from the light emitting device at the selected intensity from 0 lux to 4,000 lux,

f. exposing the animal to the light from the light emitting device, and

g. awakening the animal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the controller for the light emitting device does not control the pulse rate and the light emitting device emits light pulses at a pre-determined pulse rate.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the controller for the light emitting device does not control the light wave length and the light emitting device emits light at a pre-determined wave length range.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the controller for the light emitting device does not control the light intensity and the light emitting device emits light with a pre-determined intensity.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the light emitting device emits a light with an intensity that is gradually increased from zero to maximum value.