Phototherapy method
View Patent ↗A method of providing phototherapy to a patient. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of placing a patient on a rigid support surface of a phototherapy device, the support surface being adapted to support the patient without substantial deformation; transmitting light from a light source through a first portion of the support surface to the patient; and limiting light transmission from the light source through a second portion of the support surface.
1. A method of providing phototherapy to a patient, comprising:
placing a patient on a rigid support surface of a phototherapy device, the support surface comprising a mask adapted to permit light transmission from the light source through a first portion of the support surface and to limit light transmission from the light source through a second portion of the support surface and being adapted to support the patient without substantial deformation;
transmitting light from a light source through the first portion of the support surface to the patient, wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting light from a portion of the light source that corresponds substantially to the location of the patient on the support surface;
limiting light transmission from the light source through the second portion of the support surface; and
sensing the location of the patient on the support surface.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sensing step comprises activating a pressure-sensitive switch, coupled to a portion of the light source, by placing the patient on the support surface of the phototherapy device.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the transmitting step comprises transmitting light from the portion of the light source that is coupled to the activated pressure-sensitive switch.
4. A method of providing phototherapy to a patient, comprising:
placing a patient on a support surface of a phototherapy device;
transmitting light from a light source through a first portion of the support surface to the patient; and
limiting light transmission from the light source through a second portion of the support surface;
wherein the limiting step comprises using a thermochromic material to control light transmission through the support surface.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the transmitting step further comprises bringing a first region of the thermochromic material to a first temperature and the limiting step further comprises bringing a second region of the thermochromic material to a second temperature; wherein the first temperature is greater than the second temperature.
6. A method of providing phototherapy to a patient, comprising:
placing a patient on a rigid support surface of a phototherapy device, the support surface comprising a mask adapted to permit light transmission from the light source through a first portion of the support surface and to limit light transmission from the light source through a second portion of the support surface and being adapted to support the patient without substantial deformation;
transmitting light from a light source through the first portion of the support surface to the patient;
limiting light transmission from the light source through the second portion of the support surface; and
automatically sensing the presence of a patient on the support surface prior to the transmitting step.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the sensing step comprises sensing the location of the patient on the support surface and the transmitting step comprises transmitting light from a portion of the light source that corresponds substantially to the location of the patient on the support surface.
8. A method of providing phototherapy to a patient, comprising:
placing a patient on a rigid support surface of a phototherapy device, the support surface being adapted to support the patient without substantial deformation, wherein the placing step comprises placing the patient on a fluid-filled pad on the support surface;
transmitting light from a light source through a first portion of the support surface to the patient; and
limiting light transmission from the light source through a second portion of the support surface, wherein the limiting step comprises displacing an opaque fluid in the fluid-filled pad to a second portion of the fluid-filled pad and limiting light from the light source through the second portion of the fluid-filled pad.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein the transmitting step comprises displacing a transparent fluid in the fluid-filled pad to a first portion of the fluid-filled pad and transmitting light from the light source through the first portion of the fluid-filled pad.