Apparatus and method for providing a multi-stage light treatment

• US 8,852,254 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2006
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lucian Moscovici
• Original Assignee: Lucian Moscovici
• Inventors: Moscovici, Lucian
• Primary Examiner(s): Farah, Ahmed M
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHENG, WILLIAM C
• Application Number:
  US11/884,299
• Publication Number:
  US 20080103561A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,152 Days
• Field of Search: 128/898, 607 88- 94
• US Class Current: 607/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0662 Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0618 Psychological treatment

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for treating psychiatric disorders, mood disorders and circadian rhythm disorders with a multi-stage light protocol are disclosed. The presently disclosed multi-stage light protocol provides a synergistic treatment including up to 4 types of therapies: bright light therapy, extended sleep deprivation therapy, dawn simulation therapy and short to medium wavelength light therapy. According to some embodiments, the first stage of the protocol includes a first time window of 20 minutes during which, for a majority of the time, the light intensity is between 50 lux and 2000 lux. According to some embodiments, the second stage of the protocol includes a second time window of at least 90 minutes during which, for every 10 minute period within the second time window, for a majority of the time, the light intensity is exceeds 100 lux. According to some embodiments, the third stage of the protocol includes a third time window of 60 minutes during which, for a majority of the time, the light intensity exceeds 2000 lux In some embodiments, the light is provided by apparatus including a plurality of LEDs. Typically, the light includes white light having a broad spectrum. In some embodiments, the light further includes light having a medium wavelength, for example, wavelengths between 520 nm and 535 nm.

Claims

1. A method of providing a multi-stage light protocol, the method comprising:

operating a light source to emit at least broad spectrum white light during first, second and third stages of light emission such that, for a predetermined distance of about 45 cm from the light source;

i. the first stage of light emission includes a simulated dawn process wherein the intensity of light gradually at the predetermined distance increases from substantially zero lux to between about 500 lux and about 1200 lux over a period of between about 20 minutes and about 90 minutes;

ii. the second stage of light emission is subsequent to the first time window and includes a second time window of at least 90 minutes such that;

A. for every 45 minute sub-window within the second time window, the light intensity at the predetermined distance, for a majority of the time of the sub-window, is equal to at least a second minimum value of at least about 500 lux;

B. for a majority of the time of the second time window, the light intensity at the predetermined distance is equal to at most 2,000 lux; and

C. for a majority of the time of the second window, light emitted from the light source comprises at least about 20% and at most about 60% colored light having a wavelength between 520 and 535 nm; and

iii) the third stage of light emission is subsequent to the second time window and includes a third time window of at least 20 minutes such that, for a majority of the time of the third time window, the light intensity at the predetermined distance is equal to at least a high-intensity minimum value of at least about 5000 lux.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said low-intensity minimum value is about 100 lux.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said low-intensity minimum value is about 200 lux.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said low-intensity minimum value is about 400 lux.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said low-intensity maximum value is about 1500 lux.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said low-intensity maximum value is about 1000 lux.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein a duration of said second time window is at least 120 minutes.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said second minimum value is about 750 lux.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said second minimum value is about 1000 lux.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said second minimum value is about 1500 lux.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the first, second and third stages are carried out such that an elapsed time between a beginning of said first time window and a beginning of said third time window is at most a maximum elapsed time value of 8 hours.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the first, second and third stages are carried out such that an elapsed time between a beginning of said first time window and a beginning of said third time window is at most a maximum elapsed time value of 6 hours.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said light source includes a plurality of LEDs, at least some said LEDS being white LEDS and at least some said LEDs being colored LEDS.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein a duration of said third time window is 40 minutes.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein a duration of said third time window is 60 minutes.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein a duration of said third time window is 75 minutes.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein said high-intensity minimum value is about 7500 lux.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein said high-intensity minimum value is about 9500 lux.

19. The method of claim 1 for treating at least one of a psychiatric disorder, a mood disorder, a circadian rhythm disorder, non-seasonal depression, binge eating, and seasonal depression.

39. The method of claim 1 wherein the simulated dawn process of the first stage is carried out so that the intensity of light gradually at the predetermined distance increases from substantially zero lux to between about 500 lux and about 1200 lux over a period of between about 30 minutes and about 75 minutes.

20. Apparatus comprising:

a) a light source configured to emit at least broad spectrum white light; and

b) a controller pre-programmed to control the light source so as to carry out effect first, second and third stages of light emission such that, for a predetermined distance of about 45 cm from the light source;

i. the first stage of light emission includes a simulated dawn process wherein the intensity of light gradually at the predetermined distance increases from substantially zero lux to between about 500 lux and about 1200 lux over a period of between about 20 minutes and about 90 minutes;

ii. the second stage of light emission is subsequent to the first time window and includes a second time window of at least 90 minutes such that;

A. for every 45 minute sub-window within the second time window, the light intensity at the predetermined distance, for a majority of the time of the sub-window, is equal to at least a second minimum value of at least about 500 lux;

B. for a majority of the time of the second time window, the light intensity at the predetermined distance is equal to at most 2,000 lux; and

C. for a majority of the time of the second window, light emitted from the light source comprises at least about 20% and at most about 60% colored light having a wavelength between 520 and 535 nm; and

iii) the third stage of light emission is subsequent to the second time window and includes a third time window of at least 20 minutes such that, for a majority of the time of the third time window, the light intensity at the predetermined distance is equal to at least a high-intensity minimum value of at least about 5000 lux.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the controller is operative to carry out the simulated dawn process of so that the intensity of light gradually at the predetermined distance increases from substantially zero lux to between about 500 lux and about 1200 lux over a period of between about 30 minutes and about 75 minutes.

22. Apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said low-intensity minimum value is about 100 lux.

23. Apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said low-intensity minimum value is about 200 lux.

24. Apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said low-intensity minimum value is about 400 lux.

25. Apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said low-intensity maximum value is about 1500 lux.

26. Apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said low-intensity maximum value is about 1000 lux.

27. The apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said controller is pre-programmed such that a duration of said second time window is at least 120 minutes.

28. Apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said second minimum value is about 750 lux.

29. Apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said second minimum value is about 1000 lux.

30. Apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said second minimum value is about 1500 lux.

31. Apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said controller is pre-programmed to carry out said first, second and third stages such that an elapsed time between a beginning of said first time window and a beginning of said third time window is at most a maximum elapsed time value of 8 hours.

32. Apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said controller is operative to effect said first, second and third stages such that an elapsed time between a beginning of said first time window and a beginning of said third time window is at most a maximum elapsed time value of 6 hours.

33. Apparatus of claim 20, wherein said light source includes a plurality of LEDs, at least some said LEDS being white LEDS and at least some said LEDs being colored LEDS.

34. Apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said controller is configured such that a duration of said third time window is 40 minutes.

35. Apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said controller is configured such that a duration of said third time window is 60 minutes.

36. Apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said controller is configured such that a duration of said third time window is 75 minutes.

37. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said high-intensity minimum value is about 7500 lux.

38. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said high-intensity minimum value is about 9500 lux.