Phototherapy system and device
View Patent ↗A phototherapy system and device is disclosed, including an array of light sources arranged so as to achieve substantially uniform distribution of light on a subject. The light sources can be arranged in a number of configurations, including but not limited to distributions in which the density of lights sources is greater in the periphery than in the center. The present invention also includes a light diffusing panel to increase exposure uniformity, and a targeting mechanism to ensure that the device is properly aligned over the subject.
1. A phototherapy device, comprising a plurality of phototherapeutic light sources of substantially the same wavelength distributed into an array, wherein the physical placement of said light sources within said array is non-uniform and wherein said array has a peripheral area with a first density of light sources, and a central area with a second density of light sources, and wherein the light sources are distributed so that said first density is higher than said second density.
2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said light sources are LEDs.
3. The device according to claim 2 , wherein said LEDs emit light with a wavelength in the range of 400–520 nm.
4. A phototherapy device, comprising a plurality of phototherapeutic light sources of substantially the same wavelength distributed into an array, wherein the physical placement of said light sources within said array is non-uniform and wherein said light sources are arranged as shown in FIG. 9 a.
5. A phototherapy device, comprising a plurality of phototherapeutic light sources of substantially the same wavelength distributed into an array, wherein the physical placement of said light sources within said array is non-uniform and wherein said light sources are arranged as shown in FIG. 9 b.
6. A phototherapy device, comprising a plurality of phototherapeutic light sources of substantially the same wavelength distributed into an array, wherein the physical placement of said light sources within said array is non-uniform and wherein said light sources are arranged as shown in FIG. 9 c.
7. A phototherapy device, comprising a plurality of phototherapeutic light sources of substantially the same wavelength distributed into an array, wherein the physical placement of said light sources within said array is non-uniform and wherein said light sources are arranged as shown in FIG. 9 d.
8. A phototherapy device, comprising
an array of phototherapeutic blue light sources having a center; and
a targeting mechanism for positioning said array of blue light sources on a subject wherein said targeting mechanism comprises an array of red light sources in the center of said array of blue light sources.
9. The phototherapy device according to claim 8 , wherein said array of blue light sources has a first intensity and said array of right light sources has a second intensity different from said first intensity.
10. The phototherapy system according to claim 8 , wherein said array of red light sources produces a visible area of light on said subject.
11. The phototherapy system according to claim 8 , wherein said targeting mechanism comprises an LED.
12. A phototherapy device, comprising:
a first array of phototherapeutic light sources; and
a targeting mechanism for positioning said first array of light sources on a subject;
wherein:
said targeting mechanism comprises a second array of light sources;
said first array emits light of a first color;
said second array emits light of a second color; and
said first color is not the same as second color.
13. A phototherapy device, comprising:
a first array of light sources, wherein the physical placement of said light sources within said first array is non-uniform; and
a targeting mechanism for positioning said array of light sources on a subject;
wherein:
said targeting mechanism comprises a second array of light sources;
said first array emits light of a first color;
said second array emits light of a second color; and
said first color is not the same as second color.
14. The device according to claim 13 , wherein said light sources are LEDs.
15. The device according to claim 14 , wherein said LEDs emit light with a wavelength in the range of 400–520 nm.
16. A phototherapy method for treating a condition comprising exposing a subject to light emitted from a plurality of light sources organized into a first array, wherein the physical placement of said light sources within said first array is non-uniform; positioning said plurality of light sources using a targeting mechanism wherein:
positioned using a targeting mechanism wherein:
said targeting mechanism comprises a second array of light sources;
said first array emits light of a first color;
said second array emits light of a second color; and
said first color is not the same as second color.
17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein said method is used to treat hyperbilirubinemia.
18. A phototherapy method for treating a condition, comprising:
providing a plurality of light sources organized into an array, wherein the physical placement of said light sources within said array is non-uniform;
positioning a subject under said array of light sources using a targeting mechanism;
diffusing light from said light sources; and
exposing said subject to said diffused light from said array.
19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein said method is used to treat hyperbilirubinemia.