Portable light delivery apparatus and methods

• US 20030187486A1
• Filed: 03/29/2002
• Published: 10/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Henry C. Savage Jr, Kent W. Savage
• Inventors: Savage, Kent W., Savage, Henry C. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 6,955,684 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/89
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0626 Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0645 Applicators worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0618 Psychological treatment

Abstract

A portable light delivery device for delivering light to the blood supply of a human body through a non-ocular area of skin on the body includes an attachment member, a portable light delivery unit connected to the attachment and a portable power supply. The portable light delivery provides one or more wavelengths of light within a specifically-determined range of intensity and a specifically determined angle of illumination. A portable control unit may be included on the light delivery device for selectively controlling the light delivery unit. A programming device associated with the control unit selectively changes the programming of the controller. The light delivery device is portably secured to a region of the body having a substantial amount of blood vessels near the surface thereof to deliver light to the blood supply of the body for treating mood disorders, seasonal affective disorder and disorders involving circadian rhythm and sleep.

Claims

1. A portable light-emitting device for delivering light to the blood supply of a human body of a subject through a non-ocular area of skin on the body, comprising:

(a) an attachment for securing the light-emitting device to a portion of the human body;

(b) a portable light delivery unit connected to the attachment for providing light to the blood supply through the skin of the portion of the human body; and

(c) a portable power supply connected to the light delivery unit.

2. The portable light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the portable light delivery unit is an LED array.

3. The portable light-emitting device of claim 2, wherein the LED array provides light having one or more wavelengths within a specifically-determined range.

4. The portable light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the LED array provides light within a specifically-determined range of light intensity.

5. The portable light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the LED array provides light within a specifically-determined angle of light illumination.

6. The portable light-emitting device of claim 1, and further comprising a pad on the panel to provide a cushion between the light delivery unit and the body.

7. The portable light-emitting device of claim 1, and further comprising waterproofing material over the light delivery unit and the portable power supply.

8. The portable light-emitting device of claim 1, and further comprising a portable controller unit for selectively controlling the light delivery unit.

9. The portable light-emitting device of claim 8, wherein the portable controller unit is programmable.

10. The portable light-emitting device of claim 9, wherein the portable control unit includes a portable programming device on the light delivery unit to selectively input programming to the portable control unit.

11. The portable light-emitting device of claim 9, wherein the portable control unit comprises a linking device for connecting to a programming unit that is separate from the portable control unit.

12. The portable light-emitting device of claim 11, wherein the power supply is rechargeable and wherein the linking device includes a device to connect to the power supply for recharging the power supply.

13. The portable light-emitting device of claim 8, wherein the portable controller unit includes a device to switch the light delivery unit off and on in multiple duty cycles during the time that light is provided to the blood supply.

14. The portable light-emitting device of claim 1, wherein the portable light delivery unit is a plurality of LED light units connected together to provide light to the body of the subject.

15. A method of delivering light to the blood supply of a human body through a non-ocular area of skin on the body, comprising:

(a) securing a portable light delivery unit to a portion of the human body;

(b) providing light to the blood supply through the skin of the portion of the human body by means of the portable light delivery unit; and

(c) providing power to the portable light delivery unit by means of a portable power supply connected to the portable light delivery unit.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the light is provided by a portable LED array having one or more wavelengths within a specified range.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the light is provided to the knee of the subject.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the light is provided to the abdominal area of the subject.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the light is provided to the neck area of the subject.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the light is provided to the arm area of the subject.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the light is provided to the facial area of the subject.

22. The method of claim 15, and further comprising attaching a portable controller to the portable light delivery unit.

23. The method of claim 22, and further comprising controlling the amount of time during which the light is provided to the exposed area of skin.

24. The method of claim 22, and further comprising controlling the intensity of the light provided to the exposed area of the skin.

25. The method of claim 22, and further comprising attaching a portable programming device to the portable controller.

26. The method of claim 25, and further comprising selectively programming the portable controller to deliver light to the subject at selected times and intensities

27. The method of claim 15, wherein the portable light delivery unit delivers light within a specific circular angle to the exposed area of the skin.

28. The method of claim 15, wherein the portable light delivery unit delivers light in multiple duty cycles wherein the light is repeatedly turned on and off during a period that light is delivered to the blood supply.

29. The method of claim 15, wherein the light is delivered by the portable light delivery unit to the blood supply of the body to treat seasonal affective disorder.

30. The method of claim 15, wherein the light is delivered by the portable light delivery unit to the blood supply of the body to treat mood disorders.

31. The method of claim 15, wherein the light is delivered by the portable light delivery unit to the blood supply of the body to treat circadian rhythm sleep disorders.