Systems and methods for transcranial light therapy
Systems and methods for transcranial light therapy address the deficiencies inherent in previous light therapy devices. Improved adjustability of the location, placement, and directionality of the applied light, thereby improving efficiency of transcranial light delivery and facilitating customization of fitment of the light therapy devices to users of differently sized and differently shaped human heads and hair is provided. Improved mechanisms and methods for controlling light therapy application at each of a plurality of light application locations are also provided, such that light therapy treatments can be highly customized for each individual and/or therapy purpose. Simultaneous, sequential, or separate ocular visible light therapy is also available, thereby increasing the options for customized therapy modalities. The therapy devices are highly modular, permitting simplified repair and maintenance of device components upon component failure and allowing unnecessary device components to be removed from the device when not being used, thereby increasing user comfort.
1 . A light therapy device, comprising:
a headpiece comprising a top piece oriented in a first orientation and a strap piece oriented in a second orientation pivotally connected to the top piece;
four light arms, each light arm comprising a proximal end and a distal end;
four headpiece-light arm joints, each headpiece-light arm joint being disposed proximate the proximal end of a respective one of the four light arms and connecting the headpiece and the corresponding light arm in such a way that provides rotational and pivotal motion of the corresponding light arm relative to the headpiece;
two temple light supports;
two headpiece-temple light support joints, each headpiece-temple light support joint connecting a respective one of the two temple light supports to the headpiece;
four light arm-light pod joints;
two temple light support-light pod joints;
six light pods, wherein each light arm-light pod joint connects one of four of the light pods to a corresponding one of the four light arms, and wherein each temple light support-light pod joint connects one of two of the light pods to a corresponding one of the two temple light supports; and
a flip-up visible light panel, wherein the visible light panel comprises:
a light bar having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the light bar is selectively and removably connected to a front of the headpiece; and
a visible light panel-light bar joint, wherein the visible light panel-light bar joint is disposed at the distal end of the light bar and connects the visible light panel and the light bar in such a way that provides hinged motion of the visible light panel relative to the light bar.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the headpiece is adapted to rest on a human head.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein each light arm is selectively connected to the light arm joint in such a way that provides sliding translational motion of the light arm relative to the headpiece.
4 . The device of claim 3 , wherein a pin slot joint selectively connects the light arm and the light arm joint to provide the sliding translational motion of the light arm relative to the headpiece.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein each of the headpiece-light arm joints comprises a ball and socket joint.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein each light arm-light pod joints comprises a ball and socket joint providing at least pivotal motion of the light pod relative to the light arm.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein each of the light pods comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”).
8 . The device of claim 7 , wherein each of the light pods comprises three LEDs.
9 . The device of claim 7 , wherein the LEDs are each enclosed within a light tube having a bullet-shaped lens covering that provides direct scalp contact, and wherein the light tubes are internally coated to reflect light from the LEDS and target light delivery through the tip of each light tube or lens covering.
10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the headpiece-temple light support joint comprises a clip.
11 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the temple light support-light pod joint comprises a ball and socket joint.