Device and method for providing phototherapy to the brain

Abstract

A therapy apparatus for treating a patient's brain is provided. The therapy apparatus includes a light source having an output emission area positioned to irradiate a portion of the brain with an efficacious power density and wavelength of light. The therapy apparatus further includes an element interposed between the light source and the patient's scalp. The element is adapted to inhibit temperature increases at the scalp caused by the light.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 682,379, filed Oct. 9, 2003, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein and which is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 287,432, filed Nov. 1, 2002, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. The present application also claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 502,147, filed Sep. 11, 2003 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 585,055, filed Jul. 2, 2004, both of which are incorporated in their entireties by reference herein. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 682,379 also claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 442,693, filed Jan. 24, 2003, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 487,979, filed Jul. 17, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 502,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a therapy apparatus for treating a patient's brain by directing light of an efficacious power density and wavelength onto the brain through the scalp. The apparatus includes a light source and an element interposed between the light source and the patient's scalp to inhibit temperature increases at the scalp. The apparatus can also include a controller for adjusting the light source in response to real-time feedback information. The invention also provides a method for treating a patient's brain by introducing light of an efficacious power density and wavelength onto the brain through the scalp. The method can include applying low-level light therapy to the brain no earlier than several hours following a stroke. The invention also provides a method for providing a neuroprotective effect in a patient who has experienced an ischemic event in the brain by administering a neuroprotective effective amount of light energy no less than about two hours following the time of the ischemic event. The therapy apparatus and method can help to improve brain health and treat brain tissue disorders."

Problems solved by technology

The consequence of stroke is a loss of function in the affected brain region and concomitant loss of bodily function in areas of the body controlled by the affected brain region.

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet, level of physical activity and high cholesterol increase the risk of stroke, and thus stroke is a major cause of human suffering in developed nations.

Until recently, stroke treatment was restricted to providing basic life support at the time of the stroke, followed by rehabilitation.

However, streptokinase does not appear to improve the patient's outlook unless administered early (within three hours of stroke).

TPA when administered early appears to substantially improve prognosis, but slightly increases the risk of death from hemorrhage.

In addition, over half of stroke patients arrive at the hospital more than three hours after a stroke, and even if they arrive quickly, a CT scan must first confirm that the stroke is not hemorrhagic, which delays administration of the drug.

However, the effect of nimodipine is reduced if administered beyond six hours after a stroke and it is not useful for ischemic stroke.

In addition, drug therapy includes the risk of adverse side effects and immune responses.

However, endarterectomy is highly invasive, and risk of stroke recurrence increases temporarily after surgery.

However, such procedures have extremely limited availability and increase the risk of embolic stroke.

Other surgical interventions, such as those to repair an aneurysm before rupture remain controversial because of disagreement over the relative risks of surgery versus leaving the aneurysm untreated.

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