LIGHT THERAPY DEVICE

Description

DOMAIN OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a phototherapy device using circularly polarized monochromatic light. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Phototherapy is a technique based on exposing a part of the human body to light to induce beneficial effects, particularly for medical, paramedical, physiotherapeutic, energetic or aesthetic applications.

[0003] In this field, there is known patent application WO200628461A2 concerning a method and system for illuminating a part of the human body comprising components that fit around a body part, or are located at a particular point on or adjacent to the human body. In this invention, the body part is exposed to light having a wavelength within a first wavelength range and then to light having a wavelength within a second wavelength range. This invention does not specify the width of the first and second wavelength ranges. Furthermore, this prior art does not provide any means for polarizing the light.

[0004] We also know of patent application EP2243513A1 concerning a method and device for phototherapy designed to match the anatomical details of the human body in order to simultaneously expose regions of the human body surface to light. Although this device could be designed to transmit light with specific frequency and polarization characteristics, this prior art does not address circularly polarized light in the field of phototherapy.

[0005] We also know of application EP1715918 concerning a phototherapy device comprising a light source, a light guide adapted to bring the light into the input of a stylus to project a beam of light onto living tissue and comprising a blade at the output of a polarizer arranged to impose on the light a determined direction (D, L) of polarization.

[0006] Finally, we are aware of patent application KR100818550 concerning a pen-shaped laser device for scalp contact, designed to facilitate hair growth treatments without damaging the hair, by irradiating laser beams directly onto the scalp. This device comprises a laser, an optical fiber, a polarizer that converts the parallel laser beam into linearly polarized light, and a phase-delay device that converts the linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light. The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and increase the effectiveness of phototherapy. To this end, the object of the invention is a phototherapy device for delivering circularly polarized light with a very low ellipticity ratio, in order to achieve improved performance in medical, paramedical, physiotherapeutic, energy, or aesthetic treatments based on the use of light. SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention relates to a phototherapy device as defined in the accompanying claims.

[0008] By design, this device delivers circularly polarized light.

[0009] In one embodiment, the light source includes a light generator and a beam collimation optic to collimate the light at the output of the generator.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the light generator of the device according to the invention is a portable light source integrated into the stylus, for example, an LED light source. Using a portable light source integrated into the stylus eliminates the need for cables and results in a quieter device. Alternatively, the light generator of the device is a generator connected to the stylus via a fiber optic cable. Such generators, connected to the stylus via a fiber optic cable, are standard light generators commonly used in the medical field and can be generators using a xenon lamp or low- or high-intensity laser generators emitting low- or high-power laser light.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the optical block is an interchangeable tip. This ensures the flexibility and versatility of the device, which can be quickly adapted to different applications by changing the optical block and, consequently, the wavelength and polarization direction characteristics of the transmitted circularly polarized light.

[0012] In the present invention, circularly polarized light has an ellipticity of less than or equal to 3%. This very low ellipticity rate is associated with improved performance in medical, physiotherapeutic, paramedical, or aesthetic treatments based on the use of light.

[0013] Preferably, the wavelength λ 0 is between 400 nm and 700 nm in order to transmit light with a wavelength in the visible range while avoiding undesirable effects related to infrared and ultraviolet radiation.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the wavelength λ 0 of the light is chosen from the following: 400 or 440 nm or 700 nm, and the light is left-circularly polarized, which is particularly suitable for the treatment of traumatic conditions of bone and tendino-ligamentous tissues.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the wavelength λ0 of the light is chosen from the following: 400 or 440 nm or 700 nm; and the light is circularly polarized to the right, which is particularly suitable for the treatment of post-traumatic inflammatory conditions of bone and tendino-ligamentous tissues.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the wavelength λ0 of the light is chosen between 400 and 550 nm or between 550 nm and 700 nm, and the light is circularly polarized to the right or left; which is particularly suitable for regulating acid-base balance and / or regulating redox balance.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the wavelength λ 0 of the light is chosen from the following: 400 nm, 470 nm, 500 nm, 616 nm or 694 nm; which is particularly suitable for pain treatment.

[0018] In one embodiment of the device according to the present invention, the light is left circularly polarized and of wavelength λ 0 chosen from the following: 400 nm, 420 nm, 440 nm, 470 nm, 500 nm or 700 nm; which is particularly suitable for the aesthetic field of anti-aging.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a device for applying light to the energy networks and acupuncture points of the meridians described in traditional Chinese medicine. DEFINITIONS

[0020] In the present invention, the terms below are defined as follows: THE "hydrogen potential" Or "pH" is the negative of the decimal logarithm of the molar concentration of hydronium ions H3O+. It is between 0 and 14. "dihydrogen potential" Or "rH2" is the opposite of the decimal logarithm of the activity of molecular hydrogen H2. It is between 0 and 42. "Ellipticity" is the ratio ( Imax-Imin ) / IMAX expressed as a percentage; IMAX And Imin being respectively the maximum and minimum values ​​of the optical power of light, measured using a polarimeter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The present invention relates to a phototherapy device using circularly polarized monochromatic light and will be better understood upon reading the figure 1 which illustrates, but is not limited to, the invention.

[0022] As illustrated in the figure 1 , Device D comprises a light source and a stylus 1 including a stylus body 11 and an optical block (not visible). In one embodiment, the light source comprises a light generator 2 and optics for collimating the light beam. In the embodiment shown in figure 1 , The light generator 2 is a xenon generator connected to the stylus via a fiber optic cable 3. In an alternative representation shown in figure 2 , Light generator 2 is a portable LED light source integrated into the stylus. In this variant, stylus 1 includes a battery, preferably a rechargeable one.

[0023] In the embodiment shown in figure 1 , The optical block is contained in an interchangeable tip 12. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the optical block is integrated into the stylus 1.

[0024] The optical assembly comprises an interference filter, a polarizer, and a quarter-wave plate. The interference filter is a narrow-bandpass type, centered on a wavelength λ₀ with an accuracy of ±2 nm and having a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 10 nm or less. Interposing the interference filter in the path of the light beam blocks or significantly attenuates all light radiation except that within the filter's characteristic narrow bandwidth. The polarizer and quarter-wave plate are arranged sequentially in the direction of propagation of the light beam emitted by the light source, resulting in circularly polarized light. The interference filter is positioned either before or after the polarizer and quarter-wave plate.Preferably, the interference filter is arranged before the polarizer and the quarter-wave plate so as not to alter the polarization of the light. The polarizer only allows the component of the incident light radiation that has a polarization parallel to the characteristic axis of the polarizer to pass through. The light exiting the polarizer is thus linearly polarized. The quarter-wave plate according to the present invention is a zero-order quartz retarding plate that introduces a delay (phase shift) between the two components of the electric field of the incident light along the two axes of said plate. The delay introduced by said quarter-wave plate is equal to one-quarter of λ₀ for incident radiation having a wavelength λ₀, so as to transform the incident linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light.In the present invention, circularly polarized light is understood to be light in which the tip of the electric field vector describes an elliptical path in a plane perpendicular to the direction of propagation of said light. Due to the use of a narrow-bandpass filter centered on the wavelength λ₀, the elliptical path is close to a circle. The elliptical path is an ellipse with a very low ellipticity, less than or equal to 3%.

[0025] By direction of polarization we mean the direction of travel of said elliptical trajectory by the electric field vector, the direction being right or left depending on the positioning of the two axes of the quarter wave plate.

[0026] The ellipticity of circularly polarized light in the present invention is calculated using a polarimeter comprising a rotating retarder plate as follows: the polarimeter is illuminated with the phototherapy device D according to the present invention; several measurements of the optical power of the light reaching the polarimeter are taken by varying the angle of the rotating retarder plate; the ellipticity is calculated as the ratio (Imax-Imin) / IMAX expressed as a percentage; IMAX And Imin where are respectively the maximum and minimum values, or the two orthogonal values ​​of the measured optical power. Ellipticity is between 0% and 100%, the first case (0%) corresponding to light with perfectly circular polarization and the second case (100%) corresponding to light with perfectly linear polarization.

[0027] Advantageously, the device D according to the invention includes an interchangeable tip 12. In this embodiment, each interchangeable tip 12 comprises an optical block arranged to transmit light having a different wavelength λ₀ and right- or left-handed circular polarization. This configuration allows the wavelength and polarization characteristics of the circularly polarized light transmitted by the device D to be changed quickly and easily, in order to adapt it to different applications. By different applications, we mean applications of phototherapy to different pathological or physiological conditions.

[0028] Advantageously, the stylus 11 of the device D according to the present invention is positioned near the part of the human body to be exposed to circularly polarized light using a stylus holder. The stylus holder comprises a sliding support, a flexible stylus positioning arm, and a stylus clip. Several stylus holders are possible in order to expose different parts of the human body to circularly polarized light simultaneously.

[0029] In general, the wavelength λ₀ is between 400 and 700 nm. Preferably, λ₀ is equal - ie equal to plus or minus 2 nm - to one of the following wavelengths: 400 nm, 420 nm, 440 nm, 470 nm, 484 nm, 500 nm, 520 nm, 532 nm, 550 nm, 568 nm, 580 nm, 600 nm, 616 nm, 630 nm, 660 nm, 694 nm, 700 nm.

[0030] For each wavelength, the right- or left-hand direction of the circularly polarized light is selected according to the condition being treated. For example, in the context of thyroid gland treatment, a wavelength λ₀ of 616 nm is preferable; in this particular case, the light is right-circularly polarized in the presence of high thyroid hormone levels and left-circularly polarized in the presence of low thyroid hormone levels.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, the wavelength λ 0 of the light is chosen from the following: 400 nm, 470 nm, 500 nm, 616 nm, 694 nm or 700 nm, which is particularly suitable for pain treatment.

[0032] In the treatment of acute and chronic pain, the wavelength of circularly polarized light is chosen from the following: 400 nm, 470 nm, 500 nm, 616 nm, 694 nm, or 700 nm. Preferably, λ₀ is equal to 616 nm or 694 nm in cases of pain due to bursitis and / or tendinitis; while λ₀ is preferably 500 nm or 616 nm in cases of premenstrual pain.

[0033] In a particular case, the phototherapy device D according to the present invention is a phototherapy device adapted for regulating bioelectronic parameters such as hydrogen potential (pH), dihydrogen potential (rH2), and electrical resistivity (ρ). The regulation of bioelectronic parameters includes the regulation of acid-base balance via alkalinization (increasing pH values) or acidification (decreasing pH values) and the regulation of redox balance via oxidation (increasing rH2 values) or reduction (decreasing rH2 values). In this particular case, the device D according to the present invention is designed for the application of (i) right-hand circularly polarized light having a λ0 between 400 and 550 nm in the presence of a pH value between 6.2 and 7.2 and an rH2 value between 15 and 22; and / or (ii) right-circularly polarized light with a λ0 between 550 nm and 700 nm in the presence of a pH value between 6.2 and 7.2 and an rH2 value between 22 and 33; and / or (iii) left-circularly polarized light with a λ0 between 400 nm and 550 nm in the presence of a pH value between 7.2 and 9.4 and an rH2 value between 15 and 22; and / or (iv) left-circularly polarized light with a λ0 between 550 nm and 700 nm in the presence of a pH value between 7.2 and 9.4 and an rH2 value between 22 and 33.

[0034] In another specific case, the device D according to the present invention is for an aesthetic application. Aesthetic applications are understood to mean, for example, the treatment of signs of skin aging, such as those caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays. In this case, the light transmitted by the device D is left-hand circularly polarized, and the wavelength λ₀ is selected from the following: 400 nm, 420 nm, 440 nm, 470 nm, 500 nm, or 700 nm.

[0035] Signs of skin aging include, but are not limited to, a decrease in the percentage of collagen in the dermis, a decrease in the percentage and / or length of oxytalan and elaunin fibers, a decrease in glycosaminoglycans, an increase in the concentration of free radicals, and an increase in the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) such as MMP-1.

[0036] Preferably, the circularly polarized light delivered by the device of the present invention is left-hand circularly polarized light having a wavelength λ0 selected from 400 nm, 440 nm and 700 nm, for use in the treatment of traumatic conditions of bone and tendino-ligamentous tissues.

[0037] In other specific cases, the optical block of device D according to the invention is arranged to transmit left-circularly polarized light having a wavelength chosen from the values ​​specified in parentheses: application of light to disorders of the musculoaponeurotic tissue (440 nm, 470 nm, 500 nm or 580 nm); application of light in disorders of connective tissue (500 nm or 700 nm); application of light in algodystrophy and myofascial syndromes (400 nm, 440 nm, 470 nm, 500 nm, 580 nm, 616 nm or 700 nm); application of light in cases of lower back pain and neck pain without inflammatory etiology (400 nm, 520 nm, 580 nm, 616 nm or 700 nm); application of light in the treatment of hypothyroidism (400 nm, 440 nm, 616 nm, 660 nm or 700 nm); and application of light in the treatment of metabolic syndromes and liver diseases (500nm, 520nm, 532nm or 550nm).

[0038] Alternatively, the circularly polarized light delivered by the device of the present invention is right circularly polarized light having a wavelength λ0 selected from 400 nm, 440 nm and 700 nm, for use in the treatment of post-traumatic inflammatory conditions of bone and tendino-ligamentous tissues.

[0039] In other specific cases, the optical block of device D according to the invention is arranged to transmit right-hand circularly polarized light having a wavelength λ0 chosen from the values ​​specified in parentheses: application of light in the treatment of allergies - mast cell degranulation (568 nm or 580 nm); application of light in inflammatory tendino-ligamentous disorders (600 nm, 616 nm or 660 nm); application of light in the treatment of algodystrophy (580 nm, 616 nm, 660 nm or 700 nm); application of light to hyperthyroidism (600 nm, 616 nm, 660 nm or 700 nm); application of light in viral disorders - herpes, shingles, influenza, dengue fever (580 nm or 600 nm); application of light in disorders of positive over-electronization (600 nm); application of light in cardiovascular diseases, pancreatic diseases, diabetes, hormonal imbalances, inflammatory syndromes and burns (440 nm, 500 nm, 580 nm, 600 nm, 616 nm or 660 nm).

[0040] The present invention also relates to a device for applying circularly polarized light to energy networks and acupuncture points on the main meridians as described in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In this case, λ₀ is equal to: 400 nm for application to the kidney meridian; 440 nm for application to the lung meridian; 500 nm for application to the pericardium meridian; 600 nm for application to the triple burner meridian; 616 nm for application to the heart, spleen, and pancreas meridian; 660 nm for application to the stomach and large intestine meridian; and 700 nm for application to the bladder and small intestine meridian. Finally, for application in the liver meridian and / or in the gallbladder meridian, λ 0 is chosen from 500 nm, 520 nm, 532 nm and 550 nm or from 550 nm, 568 nm and 580 nm, respectively.In the device for applying circularly polarized light to the meridians, the light is left-handed circularly polarized when applied to the left branches of said meridians, or right-handed circularly polarized when applied to the right branches of said meridians. This phototherapy device for stimulating the main meridians is adaptable for other applications in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine, such as the stimulation of the extraordinary vessels, all points of whose pathways correspond to the same wavelengths (λ) as the main meridians, as do their opening, stimulation, or regulating points.

[0041] No thermal effect is associated with the use of this phototherapy device D when the light power of the light transmitted by this device D is less than 1 milliwatt. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0042] There figure 1 is a photograph showing an embodiment of the device (D) according to the invention, in which the light source is a xenon generator (2) connected to the stylus (1) via a fiber optic cable (3), and the optical block is an interchangeable tip (12) fitted onto the stylus body (11). figure 2Figure 1 is a representation showing an embodiment of the device (D) according to the invention, in which the light source is an LED (2) incorporated in the stylus (1), and the optical block (12) is fitted onto the stylus (1). A rechargeable battery is included in the stylus. A charging dock (14) allows the battery included in the stylus to be recharged. The charging dock (14) shown here allows for the simultaneous charging of 9 styluses. EXAMPLES

[0043] The present invention will be better understood by reading the following examples which illustrate the invention in a non-limiting way. Example 1 : evaluation of the effectiveness of the phototherapy device in reducing pain in patients. Materials and Methods

[0044] The following study is conducted to compare pain, quantified using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, in patients before and after exposure to circularly polarized light transmitted by the device according to the present invention. Pain is quantified using the VAS as follows: No pain: VAS equal to 0; Mild pain: VAS between 1 and 3; Moderate pain: VAS between 4 and 7; Severe pain: VAS between 8 and 10

[0045] Specifically, in this study, 105 patients with tendinitis (32 patients), bursitis (21 patients), or myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) (52 patients) were included and randomized into three groups. The wavelengths λ₀ of circularly polarized light, the number of exposures, and the pathological conditions of the patients included in the study are specified for each group in the following table: Wavelengths λ0 (nm) Number of exposures at each λ 0 Pathology Tendinitis Bursitis SDM Group 1 694 ; 616 2 20 16 0 Group 2 470 ; 400 1 0 0 35 Group 3 / 0 (negative control) 12 5 17 Results :

[0046] For each group, the percentage of patients experiencing pain intensity quantified according to the VAS scale before and after exposure to circularly polarized light is indicated in the following table: Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Before After Before After Before After Absence of pain 0 25 0 34.3 0 14.7 Mild pain 0 44.4 2.9 40 5.9 26.5 Moderate pain 66.7 27.8 57.1 22.9 64.7 44.1 Severe pain 33.3 2.8 40 2.9 40 14.7 Percentage of patients experiencing a reduction in pain 86 85.7 41

[0047] In conclusion, a significant decrease (p=0.0001) in pain intensity was observed in patients exposed to circularly polarized light via the device according to the invention (groups 1 and 2) compared to the control group (group 3). Example 2 : evaluation of the effectiveness of the phototherapy device in reducing the signs of skin aging. Materials and Methods

[0048] The following tests are performed to evaluate the effects of circularly polarized light on skin aging markers in an experimental skin aging model. ex vivobased on the survival of human skin explants. These markers are measured on control skin explants (group 1); on skin explants exposed to UV light (group 2); and on skin explants exposed to UV light and circularly polarized light from the device according to the invention (group 3). Unless otherwise specified in the table below, the wavelength λ₀ of the circularly polarized light used in group 3 is 500 nm.

[0049] The following immuno-histological markers of skin aging are evaluated: surface area covered by collagen fibers; level of MMP-1 expression; length of oxytalan and elaunin fibers; level of CD44 expression; quantity of glycosaminoglycans in the superficial and reticular dermis; level of Ki67 expression.

[0050] The biochemical marker of skin aging assessed is the concentration of nitrites. Results

[0051] The average values ​​of the immuno-histological and biochemical markers for the 3 groups of skin explants are shown in the following table: Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Collagen (% surface area) (λ 0 = 420 nm) 87.5 ± 4.6 77.75 ± 7.55 87.35 ± 3.85 MMP-1 (semi-quantitative value) 13.4 ± 5.6 28 ± 7.3 16.4 ± 9 CD44 (semi-quantitative value) 3.4 ± 0.35 1.3 ± 0.2 2.3 ± 0.54 Oxytalan fiber length (µm) (λ0 = 694 nm) 64.4 ± 13.4 39.5 ± 12 60.4 ± 20 Length of elaunin fibers (µm) (λ 0 =694 nm) 140.4 ± 38.1 102.5 ± 48.8 141.1 ± 40.5 Glycosaminoglycans in the superficial dermis (semi-quantitative value) (λ 0 =694 nm) 1.1 ± 0.5 0.7 ± 0.9 1.4 ± 1 Glycosaminoglycans in the reticular dermis (semi-quantitative value) (λ0 = 694 nm) 1.2 ± 0.7 0.46 ± 0.6 1.5 ± 1 Ki67 (semi-quantitative value) 3.74 ± 2.44 3 ± 1.3 5.8 ± 3.6 Nitrites (µM) 6 ± 1.75 6.85 ± 1.9 5.6 ± 1.7

[0052] The UV-induced effect is significantly attenuated following exposure to circularly polarized light in the following skin aging markers (p-value<0.05): surface area covered by collagen fibers; length of oxytalan and elaunin fibers; glycosaminoglycans in the reticular dermis.

Claims

1. A phototherapy device (D) comprising: a. a light source ; and b. a stylus (1) comprising i. a stylus body (11) ; and ii. an optical block comprising: - an interference filter centered on a wavelength λ0, - a polarizer, and - a quarter-wave plate for the wavelength λ0, characterized in that the interference filter has a full width at half maximum less than or equal to 10 nm and the circularly polarized light exhibits an ellipticity less than or equal to 3%.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a light generator (2) and optics for collimating light beam.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the light generator (2) is a portable light source integrated into the stylus (1) or a generator connected to the stylus (1) via a fiber optic cable (3).

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the optical block is an interchangeable tip (12).

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wavelength λ0 is ranging from 400 nm to 700 nm.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a. the wavelength λ0 of the light is selected from the following : 400 or 440 nm or 700 nm; and b. the light is left circularly polarized.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a. the wavelength λ0 of the light is selected from the following : 400 nm or 440 nm or 700 nm; and b. the light is right circularly polarized.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a) the wavelength λ0 of the light is selected between 400 and 550 nm or between 550 nm and 700 nm; and b) the light is right or left circularly polarized.

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wavelength λ0 of the light is selected from the following: 400 nm, 470 nm, 500 nm, 616 nm, or 694 nm.

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the light is left circularly polarized and has a wavelength Xo selected from the following: 400 nm, 420 nm, 440 nm, 470 nm, 500 nm, or 700 nm.