Light emitting apparatuses for treating and / or diagnosing motor related neurological conditions

Abstract

To provide an apparatus that emits light that is tailored to diagnose motor related neurological conditions and / or have a therapeutic effect on them.SOLUTION: Light emission apparatuses 10 emit light that is tailored to address and / or diagnose at least one motor related neurological condition. Blue green light and green light are useful for treating motor related neurological conditions or their symptoms. Deep red light and near infrared radiation may facilitate the repair of retinal cells and / or neurons that may be responsible for motor related neurological conditions. Amber, orange and red light enable the early diagnosis of motor related neurological conditions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 491,864, entitled "LIGHT-EMITTING APPARATUSES FOR TREATING AND / OR DIAGNOSING MOTOR-RELATED NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS," filed May 31, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to devices that emit light. In particular, the present invention relates to devices that emit light that is tailored to diagnose and / or have a therapeutic effect on movement-related neurological disorders. The light therapy devices of the present invention can be configured to direct light to a patient's eye. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] The light emitting device of the present invention includes a light source, electrical components for operating the light source, and a housing for mounting the light source and the electrical components. Additionally, the light emitting device may include a control that cooperates with one or more of the electrical components to allow a user to control the operation of the light source. The control may provide the user with basic control over the light source, i.e., the ability to turn the light source on and off. Additionally, the control may provide the user with the ability to perform more complex functions, including, but not limited to, one or more of the following: the ability to adjust the intensity of the light emitted by the light source, the ability to adjust the color(s) of the light emitted by the light source, including the ability to adjust the spectrum(s) of the light emitted by the light source, and the ability to control the duration for which the light source is operated.

[0004] In some embodiments, the control of the lighting device of the present invention can include one or more processing elements, such as a pre-programmed microcontroller, one or more microprocessors, etc. The processing elements of the lighting device of the present invention communicate with the electronics of the lighting device and indirectly with the light source. The processing elements can thereby control the operation of the light source. In embodiments in which the control of the lighting device of the present invention includes a processing element, the lighting device can also include associated input and output elements, and in some embodiments, can include communication elements.

[0005] In one aspect, the present invention includes a light emitting device configured to emit light tailored to address a movement-related neurological disorder. In various embodiments, such a light emitting device can emit visible light having at least one intensity peak at a predetermined wavelength that will treat a movement-related neurological disorder, symptoms of a movement-related neurological disorder, and / or promote repair of retinal cells that may contribute to a movement-related neurological disorder and / or repair of neurons that may be involved in a movement-related neurological disorder.

[0006] Examples of wavelengths that treat movement-related neurological disorders or symptoms thereof include, but are not limited to, blue-green wavelengths of light and green wavelengths of light, which for simplicity are also referred to herein as "blue-green light" and "green light," respectively. Without limiting the scope of the present invention, "green light" can refer to a narrow bandwidth of light (i.e., light of a single wavelength of visible green light or light of a narrow range of wavelengths of visible green light), as well as to broader spectrum light (e.g., white light, a mixture of other polychromatic light (i.e., multi-colors of light), etc.) with intensity peaks at one or more wavelengths of green light. Additionally, "blue-green light" can refer to light and polychromatic light with intensity peaks at one or more wavelengths of blue-green light.

[0007] Wavelengths of deep red and near infrared light (e.g., 650 nm to 900 nm, etc.) can activate mitochondrial repair and therefore the repair of cells, including retinal cells and / or neurons of which mitochondria are a part. Light can also address many cases of movement-related neurological disorders by using light to activate the repair of retinal cells and / or neurons of the substantia nigra of the eye.

[0008] The light emitting device can be configured to emit visible light (e.g., blue-green light and / or green light, deep red light and / or near infrared radiation, etc.) at levels (e.g., intensity, photon density, irradiance, etc.) to treat one or more movement-related neurological disorders or symptoms thereof. In various embodiments, one or more therapeutic wavelengths of light can be administered at levels that exceed the corresponding levels of such wavelengths under standard indoor environmental lighting, referred to herein as "ambient levels." In some embodiments, one or more therapeutic wavelengths of light can be administered at levels that exceed the average levels of those wavelengths of light under standard indoor lighting. These average levels are referred to herein as "average ambient levels."

[0009] A light emitting device configured to provide treatment for one or more movement-related neurological disorders can be configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light that alleviate (e.g., enhance, exacerbate, etc.) symptoms of one or more movement-related neurological disorders at a lower intensity than the environment. The exacerbating wavelengths could be considered to include visible red wavelengths and also include one or more of the visible orange and amber wavelengths of light. In some embodiments, such a light emitting device can emit therapeutic light and further emit the exacerbating wavelengths of light at a lower intensity than the environment. In other embodiments, such a light emitting device can emit therapeutic light without emitting or substantially without emitting one or more exacerbating wavelengths of light.

[0010] In some embodiments where the light emitting device is configured to emit one or more therapeutic wavelengths of light at levels above ambient, the light emitting device can emit one or more symptom-exacerbating wavelengths of light at or below ambient levels. In other embodiments, the light emitting device can emit one or more wavelengths of therapeutic light at levels above ambient and still emit substantially no wavelengths of light that enhance at least one symptom of the light, or no wavelengths of light that enhance at least one symptom of the light. Thus, the light source can be configured to emit light that consists solely of, or even consists of, one or more wavelengths of light that address at least one movement-related neurological disorder and light that does not reveal or exacerbate the symptoms of at least one movement-related neurological disorder.

[0011] In another aspect, the light emitting device of the present invention can be configured to facilitate early diagnosis of a movement-related neurological disorder. In various embodiments of such devices, amber, orange and / or red light is emitted at above ambient levels. One or more symptom-aggravating wavelengths of light can be administered at above ambient levels to a patient exhibiting some symptoms (including early symptoms) that may be indicative of a movement-related neurological disorder, but which do not provide a definite diagnosis of a movement-related neurological disorder. Administering one or more symptom-aggravating wavelengths of light at above ambient levels to such a patient can make the patient's symptoms more pronounced or can cause the patient to temporarily exhibit previously undisplayed symptoms, thereby allowing for an earlier diagnosis of a movement-related neurological disorder. When higher than ambient levels of light with one or more symptom-exacerbating wavelengths are administered to a susceptible patient, one or more movement-related neurological disorders may manifest as at least one symptom of a movement-related neurological disorder, thereby enabling a diagnosis of a movement-related neurological disorder in an otherwise asymptomatic patient.

[0012] In embodiments in which the light emitting device is configured to emit one or more wavelengths that cause a patient to exhibit at least one symptom of a movement-related neurological disorder for diagnostic purposes, e.g., if the patient is suspected to be predisposed to or suffering from at least one movement-related neurological disorder, the light source of the diagnostic device can be configured to emit light that consists solely of, or even consists of, the wavelengths of light that enhance the one or more symptoms, along with wavelengths of light that do not overwhelm the wavelengths that enhance the symptoms. Such a diagnostic device may not emit any wavelengths of light that are capable of curing at least one movement-related neurological disorder, may not emit substantially any wavelengths of light that are capable of curing at least one movement-related neurological disorder, or may not emit even substantially less than ambient amounts of any wavelengths of light that are capable of curing at least one movement-related neurological disorder.

[0013] Other features and advantages of the various aspects of the invention, as well as other aspects of the invention, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a light emitting device according to the present invention, wherein the light emitting device is configured to provide at least one wavelength of light that provides a therapeutic effect to a patient suffering from at least one movement-related neurological disorder. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 illustrates a light source in which light emitting elements of different colors or bandwidths are differently configured. [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 illustrates a light source in which light emitting elements of different colors or bandwidths are differently configured. [Figure 2C] FIG. 1 illustrates a light source in which light emitting elements of different colors or bandwidths are differently configured. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a light emitting device including a light source that emits polychromatic light. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] FIG. 1 provides a schematic diagram of a light emitting device 10 incorporating the teachings of the present invention. Broadly speaking, the light emitting device 10 of the present invention includes a light source 30 and one or more controls associated with the light source 30. The light source 30 may include one or more light emitting elements 32, each of which may be any suitable type of light emitting device known in the art, such as a light emitting diode (LED), a fluorescent lamp, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), or a combination of both. Collectively, the light-emitting elements 32 of the light source 30 can include: It can be configured to emit light of one or more desired wavelengths, each at an intensity or photon density higher than the environment.

[0016] In various embodiments, the light source 30 of the light emitting device 10 is configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light tuned to address one or more movement-related neurological disorders at a level or intensity, photon density, or irradiance higher than the environment. In some embodiments, the light emitted by the light source 30 can be tuned to address one or more first stage symptoms of a movement-related neurological disorder. Also, the light emitted by the light source 30 can be tuned to address one or more second stage symptoms of a movement-related neurological disorder (e.g., anxiety, depression, insomnia, hypersomnia, etc.). Additionally, the light emitted by the light source 30 can be tuned to exclude, or at least include at a lower amount than the environment, wavelengths of light that may exacerbate one or more first stage or second stage symptoms of a movement-related neurological disorder. It is possible.

[0017] For reference, a level of various wavelengths of light is considered, for purposes of this disclosure, to be "higher than ambient" when that level exceeds the same level of the same wavelength of light present in standard indoor lighting. Conversely, for purposes of this disclosure, a level of various wavelengths of light is considered to be "lower than ambient" when that level is lower than the same level of the same wavelength of light present in standard indoor lighting. Standard indoor lighting is generally so-called "white light" or, more precisely, referred to as "polychromatic light" with an intensity of 50 lux to 500 lux. The term "ambient" refers to one or more of the following: or levels of wavelengths, can refer to the level of various wavelengths of light present in a particular type of polychromatic light at one environmental intensity (e.g., 50 lux, 500 lux, and intensities between 50 lux and 500 lux), the average level of various wavelengths of light present in one or more types of polychromatic light at two or more environmental intensities, or the upper and lower levels of one or more wavelengths at the upper and lower ends of a range of environmental intensities of polychromatic light from one or more sources.

[0018] At approximately 50 lux, standard indoor lighting (incandescent and / or fluorescent) is 3.70 x 10 13 photons / cm 2 / s and an overall photon density of 13.2 μW / cm 2 (or 1.32×10 -5 W / cm 2 ) for a standard indoor light of about 50 lux, the blue-green (e.g., 460 nm to 570 nm) portion of the spectrum has an overall irradiance of 1.35 × 10 13 photons / cm 2 / s photon density and 5.1 μW / cm 2 These values, as well as the photon density and irradiance in the narrower wavelength range from blue to green in standard indoor lighting having an intensity of about 50 lux, are included in the table below.

[0019] [Table 1]

[0020] The amber to red (for example, 570 nm to 640 nm) portion of the spectrum for standard indoor lighting of about 50 lux has an intensity of about 24 lux, or 2.04 × 10 13 photons / cm 2 / s photon density and 6.7 μW / cm 2 The irradiance of amber-red light in standard indoor lighting, which is about 50 lux, exceeds the irradiance of the "useful" spectrum of blue-green light in standard indoor lighting, which is about 50 lux.

[0021] At approximately 500 lux, the overall irradiance of standard indoor lighting is 3.69 x 10 14 photons / cm 2 / s, and the overall irradiance of standard indoor lighting is 133.5 μW / cm 2 At approximately 500 lux, the blue-green portion of the spectrum for standard indoor lighting is 1.53 × 10 14 photons / cm 2 / s photon density and 58.4 μW / cm 2 These values, as well as the photon density and irradiance in the narrower wavelength range from blue to green in standard indoor lighting having an intensity of about 500 lux, are included in the table below.

[0022] [Table 2]

[0023] The amber to red portion of the spectrum for standard indoor lighting of about 500 lux has an intensity of about 225 lux, or 1.85 x 10 14 photons / cm 2 / s photon density and 60.4 μW / cm 2 The irradiance of amber-red light in standard indoor lighting at about 500 lux exceeds the irradiance of the blue-green "useful" spectrum of standard indoor lighting at about 500 lux.

[0024] Based on the foregoing, when an "environment" includes an average of a level of one or more bandwidths of light in polychromatic light at approximately 50 lux and a level of the same bandwidth(s) of light in polychromatic light at approximately 500 lux, the environmental levels of the bandwidths set forth in Tables 1 and 2 may include the environmental values ​​for standard indoor lighting identified in Table 3.

[0025] [Table 3]

[0026] The amber to red portion of the spectrum for a standard indoor lighting environment has an intensity of approximately 125 lux, or 1.03 x 10 14 photons / cm 2 / s photon density and 33.6 μW / cm 2 The irradiance of amber-red light in standard indoor lighting at average intensity exceeds the irradiance of the blue-green "useful" spectrum of standard indoor lighting at average intensity.

[0027] As an alternative to defining "environment" in terms of averages, "environmental" light can include polychromatic light within a given range of intensity, photon density and / or irradiance, or energy, as well as given levels of light within various bandwidths of polychromatic light within such ranges. A level of various wavelengths of light can be considered "above ambient" when that level exceeds the same level of the same wavelength of light in a given ambient range. Conversely, a level of various wavelengths of light can be considered "below ambient" when that level is lower than the same level of the same wavelength of light present in that given ambient range. For purposes of this disclosure, the lower end of the "ambient" level can include the predetermined levels of each wavelength range present in polychromatic light of about 50 lux, while the upper end of the "ambient" level includes the predetermined levels of the various wavelength ranges present in polychromatic light of about 500 lux. According to this definition of ambient, a level below ambient would include a level below about 50 lux, while a level above ambient would include a level above about 500 lux.

[0028] As a reference point, incandescent indoor lighting has an overall ambient intensity of about 50 lux to about 500 lux, composed primarily of amber and red wavelengths of light, along with some green light. Green light makes up only a small portion of the spectrum output from incandescent indoor lighting. Thus, the intensity of the green wavelengths present in incandescent indoor lighting is significantly less than 200 lux. Fluorescent indoor lighting has the characteristic properties of mercury and has three intensity peaks; the first peak is in the deep blue to deep blue range (435 nm to 436 nm), the second peak is in the green to yellow range (540 nm to 560 nm), and the third peak is in the red wavelengths of 580 nm to 640 nm. Similar to incandescent indoor lighting, the intensity of fluorescent indoor lighting is only about 50 lux to about 500 lux. The deep blue and green-yellow peaks of such light are, of course, not as strong as the overall intensity of light output from fluorescent indoor lighting.

[0029] Light within the range of blue wavelengths (e.g., minimum wavelength, such as 460 nm) to blue-green wavelengths (e.g., minimum wavelength, such as 490 nm) to green wavelengths (e.g., maximum wavelength, such as 570 nm) when administered to a patient's eye (i.e., with respect to the eye) at levels higher than the environment has a positive or beneficial effect on symptoms, including movement-related neurological disorders and both primary and secondary symptoms thereof. For example, see "METHODS FOR See U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 491,860, filed May 31, 2011, entitled "PREVENTING AND TREATING MOTOR-RELATED NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS" (the "'860 Application"), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. It is believed that administration of light including a higher than ambient intensity peak centered anywhere within the blue-green to green range of wavelengths should benefit patients suffering from motor-related neurological conditions.

[0030] Administration of any of these wavelengths of light to the eye at levels higher than ambient can activate a dopaminergic response in the patient's body, which in some cases can alter the levels or activity of one or more monoamines (e.g., melatonin, serotonin, dopamine, derivatives and / or analogs of the foregoing), and can restore chemical balance in the patient's brain (e.g., moderate (e.g., decrease) the patient's production of melatonin, moderate (e.g., increase) the patient's production of dopamine and / or serotonin, etc.), with the extent of restoration and / or moderation depending on the wavelength(s) and / or level(s) of light administered to the patient. Light therapy using a device incorporating the teachings of the present invention can activate a dopaminergic response, thereby restoring or bringing about a balance in the levels of one or more monoamines (e.g., melatonin, serotonin, dopamine, etc.) in the patient's brain. For simplicity, the terms "melatonin," "serotonin," and "dopamine," as used herein, include melatonin and melatonin analogs or derivatives, serotonin and serotonin analogs, and dopamine and dopamine analogs or derivatives, respectively. The amount or level of one or more monoamines in a patient's body may be modulated to address movement-related neurological disorders. Modulating the levels of monoamines in the patient's body can include, but is not limited to, modulating or balancing the levels of melatonin or serotonin at certain times of the day (e.g., toward the evening, in the early evening, etc.).

[0031] Light in the range of amber wavelengths (e.g., wavelengths longer than 570 nm) to red wavelengths (e.g., maximum wavelengths of 650 nm, 750 nm, etc.), when administered to a patient ocularly at higher than ambient levels, can exacerbate any movement-related neurological disorder from which the patient may be suffering, or at least one symptom of any such movement-related neurological disorder. See, e.g., the '860 application. Specifically, exposure to amber, orange and red wavelengths of light can cause patients who are susceptible to movement-related neurological disorders and / or who are suffering from, but have not yet manifested, one or more movement-related neurological disorders to develop one or more symptoms of the movement-related neurological disorder. Additionally, when the patient's eyes are exposed to amber to red wavelengths of light (e.g., light having wavelengths greater than 570 nm to 650 nm, light having wavelengths greater than 570 nm to 750 nm, etc.) at levels higher than the environment, dopaminergic activity by the patient's body can be temporarily inhibited (e.g., melatonin production by the patient can be increased, dopamine production by the patient can be inhibited, etc.).

[0032] Wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation longer than 650 nm, including visible light and infrared radiation, can promote or activate mitochondrial repair.In the eye, promoting or activating mitochondrial repair can promote the repair of damaged retinal cells, the damage of which may be at least partially involved in movement-related neurological diseases, and therefore at least partially involved in the avoidance and / or reversal of movement-related neurological diseases.In the substantia nigra, promoting or activating mitochondrial repair can promote the repair of damaged neurons involved in movement-related neurological diseases, and therefore at least partially reversal of movement-related neurological diseases.

[0033] As previously indicated herein, the light source 30 of the light emitting device 10 according to the present invention is configured to emit light in one or more predetermined relatively narrow frequency bandwidths or wavelength ranges. The light source 30 may be configured to address a movement-related neurological disorder or at least one or more primary and / or secondary symptoms of such a disorder. In such an embodiment, the light source 30 may be configured to emit light at a level above the ambient that addresses the movement-related neurological disorder or any of its symptoms in a positive manner (e.g., at least one bandwidth of light with an intensity peak centered in the range of 460 nm to 570 nm, in the range of 490 nm to 570 nm, in the range of 520 nm to 570 nm, etc.). Also, such an embodiment of the light source 30 may be configured to emit light at ambient or subambient levels that may exacerbate the movement-related neurological disorder or one or more of its symptoms (e.g., a bandwidth of light with an intensity peak centered in the range of 570 nm to 650 nm, in the range of 570 nm to 750 nm, etc.).

[0034] The light emitting device 10 of the present invention can be configured to activate a dopaminergic response, thereby moderate the levels of one or more monoamines in the patient's body (e.g., by affecting the production of melatonin, serotonin and / or dopamine by the patient). The light source 30 of such a light emitting device 10 can be configured to emit light that causes a desired change in the patient's monoamine levels.

[0035] The light source 30 can be configured to emit light that has a therapeutic effect on one or more movement-related neurological disorders or symptoms thereof. , by activating the patient's body to reduce the production of these monoamines, or in any other manner. Similarly, an increase in the levels of other monoamines may occur by activating the patient's body to increase the production of these monoamines. For example, certain wavelengths of light may activate dopamine, serotonin, etc., while suppressing or reducing the production of melatonin. Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the desired therapeutic effect may be achieved by exposing the patient to at least one bandwidth of light with an intensity peak centered in the range of blue-green light (e.g., from 460 nm to 570 nm), blue-green to green light (e.g., from 490 nm to 570 nm), or green light (e.g., from 520 nm to 570 nm), at above ambient levels with respect to the eye. Further activation of the patient's dopaminergic response may be achieved using a light source 30 configured to emit light (e.g., light in the range of from 570 nm to 750 nm) that can suppress dopaminergic activity by the patient's body, at ambient or below ambient levels. As a non-limiting example, the light emitted by light source 30 can activate a dopaminergic response, thereby altering the levels or balancing the ratios of one or more monoamines in the patient's body (e.g., decreasing melatonin levels, increasing dopamine and / or serotonin levels, etc.).

[0036] In some embodiments, such light source 30 can be configured to not emit at higher than ambient levels of any wavelengths of light that may exacerbate the desired therapeutic effect by altering the levels of monoamines in the patient's body, such as, for example, by increasing the levels of melatonin or decreasing the levels of dopamine or serotonin in the patient's body.

[0037] In another aspect, the light emitting device 10 can include a light source 30 configured to exacerbate one or more movement-related neurological disorders or symptoms thereof suffered by the patient. Without limitation, the light source 30 can be configured to temporarily suppress dopaminergic responses by the patient (e.g., increase melatonergic activity in the patient's body, decrease the level of dopamine in the patient's body, decrease dopaminergic activity, etc.). One or more movement-related neurological disorders can be exacerbated by exposing the patient to at least one bandwidth of light with a peak centered in the range from 570 nm to 750 nm with respect to the eye. This effect can also be achieved using light with at least one bandwidth of light peaking in the range of 570 nm to 750 nm, at ambient or subambient levels, when the light produces a ratio of light that is isolated from or higher than the range of 460 nm to 570 nm. In some embodiments, such light source 30 can be configured to not emit light at ambient levels that can cure any of the movement-related neurological disorders or symptoms thereof. In other embodiments, such light source 30 can be configured to emit light where the ratio of light between 570 nm and 750 nm is greater than the ratio of light between 460 nm and 570 nm. Any of these concepts can help activate melatonin production by the patient and thus enhance the melatonergic response in the patient's body.

[0038] In yet another embodiment, the light source 30 may be configured to moderate the levels of one or more monoamines in the patient's body by selectively exposing the patient to light that may increase the levels of one or more monoamines in the patient's body (while possibly decreasing the levels of one or more other monoamines in the patient's body) or to light that may decrease the levels of one or more monoamines in the patient's body (while possibly increasing or balancing the levels of one or more other monoamines in the patient's body).

[0039] The light emitting device 10 can include a light source 30 that allows for early detection of one or more movement-related neurological disorders. As mentioned above, by exposing a patient's eye to amber to red wavelengths of light (e.g., 570 nm to 650 nm, 570 nm to 750 nm, etc.), a patient who is susceptible to or has a movement-related neurological disorder but has not yet manifested symptoms of the disorder can be made to manifest the symptoms of the disorder. By emitting such light at a level higher than the environment, the light source 30 can be made to manifest one or more symptoms of the movement-related neurological disorder in such a patient. Thus, the light emitting device 10 of the present invention can include a light source 30 that allows for early diagnosis of a movement-related neurological disorder to which a patient is susceptible or from which a patient already has an otherwise unmanifested movement-related neurological disorder.

[0040] The light source 30 of the light emitting device 10 incorporating the teachings of the present invention can be configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light that can activate mitochondrial repair. It is currently believed that by activating retinal repair, one or more wavelengths of light emitted by the light emitting device 10 of the present invention can repair damaged retinal cells and / or damaged neurons. It is currently believed that repair of damaged retinal cells can at least partially prevent and / or reverse movement-related neurological disorders. It is also currently believed that repair of damaged neurons, such as neurons of the substantia nigra, can at least partially reverse movement-related neurological disorders. In some embodiments, such light sources 30 can be configured to emit light with wavelengths longer than 750 nm, which light can include deep red (visible) light and some infrared radiation (e.g., infrared radiation with wavelengths of about 900 nm or less).

[0041] The lighting device 10 of the present invention may include a light source 30 that emits only light that will produce a single result (such as, for example, one of the functions described above), or the light source 30 may be configured with selective light that allows a user to select a desired function from a plurality of functions (such as, for example, any combination of the functions described above).

[0042] In embodiments in which the light emitting device 10 is configured to produce a single result, the light source 30 may be configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light at levels above ambient that can achieve the desired result. These wavelengths of light are referred to herein as "desired wavelengths." Additionally, the light source 30 may be configured not to emit any wavelengths of light at levels above ambient that may counteract the desired result (i.e., the light source 30 may emit such wavelengths at ambient levels or such wavelengths at levels below ambient), which wavelengths of light are referred to herein as "undesired wavelengths." In some embodiments, the only wavelengths of light that can be emitted by the light source 30 at levels above ambient are the desired wavelengths. In other embodiments, the light source 30 may be configured to emit only the desired wavelengths of light.

[0043] The light emission characteristics of the light source 30 can be well defined by the light emitting element(s) 32 of the light source 30. Various embodiments of the light emitting element 32 that emit one or more relatively narrow bandwidths of light can be used in the light source 30 of a lighting device incorporating the teachings of the present invention. Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the light emitting element 32 can include a light emitting diode (LED). The LED can be configured to emit a predetermined narrow bandwidth of light that includes various desired wavelengths. The LED can also be configured to not emit undesirable wavelengths of light, to emit undesirable wavelengths of light at levels below ambient or to emit undesirable wavelengths of light at levels that do not exceed ambient levels of such wavelengths.

[0044] Alternatively, the light emitting element(s) 32 may convert the desired wavelength of light into one or more other wavelengths. The light emitting element 32 may emit light of a long wavelength along with the light of the long wavelength. Such a light emitting element 32 is referred to in the art as a "polychromatic light source." The other wavelengths of light emitted by the light emitting element(s) 32 may include undesirable wavelengths or may consist of harmless and / or other useful wavelengths of light. In embodiments in which the light emitting element(s) 32 emit light of one or more undesirable wavelengths at undesirably high levels (e.g., emissions of any of such wavelengths, ambient levels of such wavelengths, higher than ambient levels of such wavelengths, etc.), the light source 30 may include one or more filters 34 to attenuate the emissions of one or more undesirable wavelengths from the light emitting device 10. As is known in the art, the filters 34 may be selected based on the wavelengths of light that they attenuate.

[0045] Some embodiments of a lighting device 10 incorporating the teachings of the present invention are configured to be used to perform multiple functions (e.g., any combination of the functions discussed above), and the light sources 30 of such lighting devices 10 may be configured to allow a user to select from a number of functions a desired function.

[0046] As a non-limiting example, the light emitting device 10 may include a light source 30 comprising two or more sets 33a, 33b, etc. of light emitting elements 32, as shown in FIG. 2A. Each set 33a, 33b, etc. may include light emitting elements 32a, 32b, etc. that perform a different function than the light emitting elements 32a, 32b, etc. of every other set 33a, 33b, etc. (collectively referred to as "light emitting elements 32"). In an illustrated embodiment, the light emitting elements 32 may be arranged in an array on the emitting surface 31 of the light source 30, with the light emitting elements 32a, 32b, etc. from different sets 33a, 33b, etc., respectively, interspersed or intermingled with each other. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the light emitting elements 32 may be arranged in alternating rows or columns, with each row or column consisting of or consisting primarily of a single type of light emitting elements 32a, 32b, etc. As another alternative embodiment, each different type of light emitting element 32a, 32b, etc. may be grouped together, as depicted in FIG. 2C.

[0047] In some embodiments, one set 33a of light-emitting elements 32a can be configured to address a movement-related neurological disorder or one or more symptoms of such a disorder. Another set 33b of light-emitting elements 32b can be configured to facilitate diagnosis of a movement-related neurological disorder. Another optional set 33c of light-emitting elements 32c can be configured to repair cellular damage (e.g., mitochondrial damage, etc.) to retinal cells and / or neurons that may cause a movement-related neurological disorder.

[0048] As another example, the light emitting device 10 may be configured to moderate the levels of one or more monoamines in the patient's body. Such a light-emitting device 10 may include a light source 30 comprising one set 33a of light-emitting elements 32a that emit light that can treat a movement-related neurological disease or a symptom thereof, such as by activating a dopaminergic response by the patient's body (e.g., decreasing melatonin levels or melatonergic activity (e.g., by activating the patient's body to suppress or slow down the production of melatonin and / or increase the production of serotonin); increasing dopamine levels (e.g., by activating the patient's body to increase the production of dopamine); etc.), and another set 33b of light-emitting elements 32b that can worsen a movement-related neurological disease or a symptom thereof (e.g., increasing melatonin levels or melatonergic activity or decreasing serotonergic activity (e.g., by activating the patient's body to produce more melatonin and / or decrease serotonin); decreasing dopamine levels (e.g., by activating the patient's body to stop or slow down dopamine production), etc.).

[0049] The light-emitting device 10 may perform different functions at discrete times (e.g., diagnosing a movement-related neurological disorder / addressing a movement-related neurological disorder or symptoms thereof; increasing or decreasing the levels of certain monoamines, etc.), or at least portions thereof performing two or more functions by the light-emitting device 10 may be performed simultaneously (e.g., addressing a movement-related neurological disorder / promoting cellular repair, etc.).

[0050] The manner in which different functions are to be performed by such light source 30 can be controlled using a processing element 36, such as a microcontroller of a type known in the art. The processing element 36 of the light source 30 can be preprogrammed to perform a set of well-defined functions. In some embodiments, the parameters of the well-defined functions (e.g., duration of operation; intensity, photon density and / or irradiance, etc.) can be defined by programming the processing element 36. In other embodiments, the processing element 36 can be programmed with one or more parameters (e.g., duration of operation; intensity, photon density and / or irradiance; wavelength(s) of emitted light, etc.) that control the manner in which light is emitted by the light source 30 and thus the function to be performed by the light emitting device 10. In some embodiments, the processing element 36 and the light source 30 can be configured to enable the light emitting device 10 of the present invention to emit different spectra based on several different factors. As a non-limiting example, the processing element 36 and light source 30 of the lighting device 10 can be configured to cause the lighting device 10 to emit different wavelengths of light at different intensities at different times of the day. Particular embodiments of such lighting devices 10 can be configured to counteract the effects of natural light at different times of the day (e.g., to generate and emit blue-green and / or green light at progressively greater intensities as the time of day progresses from afternoon to evening; to generate and emit amber, orange and red light at progressively lesser intensities as the time of day progresses from afternoon to evening, etc.). As another example, the processing element 36 and light source 30 of the lighting device 10 can be configured to cause the lighting device 10 to emit different spectra based on the particular symptom(s) the patient is suffering from and / or the severity of each symptom.

[0051] 3, an embodiment of a light emitting device 10 is depicted that includes a light source 30 that generates multi-colored light. In some embodiments, the multi-colored light can include so-called "white" light emitted by one or more light emitting elements 32. In other embodiments, multiple different colors of light emitted simultaneously by multiple differently configured light emitting elements 32 can be mixed to form the multi-colored light. Regardless, the multi-colored light emitted by the light source 30 includes various wavelengths and / or bandwidths that will serve multiple desired functions.

[0052] As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the specific characteristics of the polychromatic light (e.g., the wavelengths of light contained therein, the wavelengths at which the relative intensity peaks of certain colors of light are centered, etc.) depend on the source(s) of the polychromatic light (e.g., light-emitting element 32, etc.). These specific characteristics of the polychromatic light from various sources are sometimes referred to as the "signatures" of the polychromatic light.

[0053] The distinguishing characteristics of the polychromatic light emitted by the light source 30 of the light emitting device 10 can at least partially determine one or more functions that the light emitting device 10 can perform. As an example, a light emitting device 10 including a light source 30 emitting polychromatic light having blue, blue-green, and / or green light peaks (i.e., the desired wavelengths in this example) can be useful for addressing a movement-related neurological disorder, addressing a movement-related neurological disorder or symptoms thereof, or activating a dopaminergic response by a patient, thereby altering the levels of one or more monoamines in the patient's body. This can be achieved, in particular, by determining whether the magnitude of the peak at one or more desired wavelengths is greater than the desired wavelength. This is particularly true where the magnitude of the peak of any undesirable wavelength or color of light (e.g., amber, orange or red light) exceeds that which may negate the effectiveness of the desired wavelength(s) (e.g., blue, blue-green, and / or green light), and where the relative magnitudes of the peaks of the desired and undesirable wavelengths allow for polychromatic light to be provided such that desirable wavelengths of light are provided at above ambient levels and undesirable wavelengths of light are provided at or below ambient levels. In some embodiments, the light source 30 of the lighting device 10 of the present invention can be configured to emit unfiltered polychromatic light.

[0054] Also, one or more functions to be performed by the light source 30 comprising the light emitting elements 32 emitting polychromatic light are defined by controlling the wavelength(s) and / or bandwidth(s) of the light emitted by the light source 30. Thus, the light source 30 of the light emitting device 10 of the present invention may include one or more filters 34 that at least partially block or attenuate any wavelength(s) of light that may interfere with the desired function(s) and also allow certain desired wavelengths of light to be transmitted at therapeutic levels, whereby light of such desired wavelengths of light from the light source 30 is transmitted. Using different filters 34 may enable the light emitting device 10 to perform different functions.

[0055] 1, the lighting device 10 of the present invention can include a housing 20 in addition to the light source 30. The housing 20 mounts the light source 30. Additionally, the housing 20 can mount one or more other components of the lighting device 10, including, but not limited to, a control and a power source 50 for operating the light source 30. The lighting device 10 of the present invention can also include any of a variety of other features that can provide a desired functionality for the lighting device (e.g., a light-transmitting lens, features for diffusing the emitted light, features for focusing the emitted light, features for directing the housing 20, etc.).

[0056] The housing 20 of a lighting device 10 incorporating the teachings of the present invention can have any suitable configuration. In embodiments in which the lighting device 10 is configured to provide light emission for a condition being regulated (e.g., in a research facility, at a clinic, etc.) or is intended to be used repeatedly in substantially the same location, the housing 20 can be relatively large (e.g., to accommodate a relatively large light source 30, etc.). Such lighting devices 10 may lack portability due to their size. Accordingly, the power supply 50 of such lighting devices 10 can include components that enable the lighting device 10 to operate under AC power, as known in the art.

[0057] In other embodiments, a more portable lighting device 10 may be desirable. The housing 20 of the lighting device 10 may be configured to at least partially impart portability to the lighting device 10, and in some embodiments, to enable the lighting device 10 to perform its desired function(s) when the housing is held in a user's hand. In various embodiments, such a housing 20 may be easily portable, occupy minimal space during transportation and / or storage, and may be configured to enable the lighting device 10 to be used in a variety of settings or under a variety of circumstances. In addition to including a small housing 20, a portable lighting device 10 may include a correspondingly small, even lightweight light source 30. In some embodiments, the power source 50 of the portable lighting device 10 may include one or more batteries, further imparting portability to the lighting device 10. Portable embodiments of the lighting device 10 according to the present invention may be configured to be positioned on a surface (e.g., a table top, a patient's lap, etc.), to be worn by a patient undergoing light therapy (e.g., from above (e.g., as a visor, hat, etc.), from below, and / or to be attached to a surface (e.g., a surface of a patient's lap, etc.), or ... or may be configured around the periphery of the patient's eye (e.g., wearable on the head to direct light to the patient's eye, such as in glasses), or may have any other suitable configuration.

[0058] In some embodiments, the lighting device 10 can include a processing element (eg, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, etc.) and a light source 30 that produces light.

[0059] In use, the lighting device 10 of the present invention can be configured to direct light towards a patient's eye, thereby administering ocular light therapy. In some embodiments, the patient's eye can be closed while administering ocular light therapy. In other embodiments, the patient's eye can be open while administering ocular light therapy. In further embodiments, the desired ocular light therapy can be administered regardless of whether the patient's eye is open or closed.

[0060] Although the above description contains many specific details, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention or any of the appended claims, but merely as providing information regarding some specific embodiments that may be included within the scope of one or more of the appended claims. Other embodiments of the invention may also be envisioned that are included within the scope of one or more of the appended claims. Accordingly, the scope of each claim is limited only by the words recited therein and the legal equivalents of the elements recited therein. All combinations, additions, deletions and modifications of the embodiments that are included within the spirit and scope of the claims as disclosed herein are hereby encompassed.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for administering light therapy to a patient suffering from a movement-related neurological disorder, comprising:

1. An apparatus comprising: at least one light source for emitting at least one first bandwidth of visible light having an intensity peak at a wavelength that treats a movement-related neurological disorder at an intensity higher than the ambient, while emitting at least one second bandwidth of visible light at an intensity lower than the ambient.

2. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the lower than ambient intensity of the at least one second wavelength of visible light is not sufficient to exacerbate at least one symptom of the at least one movement-related neurological disorder.

3. the at least one first bandwidth includes a plurality of bandwidths of visible light; 3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each first bandwidth has an intensity peak at a wavelength that treats a movement-related neurological disorder.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first wavelength of visible light comprises at least one of a blue-green wavelength of visible light and a green wavelength of visible light.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first wavelength has a peak in the range of 460 nm to 570 nm.

6. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, 4 or 5, wherein the at least one second wavelength of visible light comprises at least one of an amber wavelength of visible light, an orange wavelength of visible light, and a red wavelength of visible light.

7. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, 4 or 5, wherein the at least one second wavelength has a peak in the range of 575 nm to 750 nm.

8. The at least one light source is at least one source of polychromatic light generating at least one first wavelength of said visible light and at least one second wavelength of said visible light; and at least one filter for preventing at least one second wavelength of the visible light generated by the source of polychromatic light from being emitted by the at least one light source.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the source of polychromatic light comprises a source of white light.

10. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source further comprises at least one source of green light.

11. 3. The device of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: at least one light source configured to emit visible light including at least another peak of visible light at an intensity higher than the environment sufficient to exacerbate at least one symptom of at least one movement-related neurological disorder, while emitting the at least one peak of visible light that treats the movement-related neurological disorder at an intensity lower than the environment or not at all.

12. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein a lower intensity of at least one peak of the visible light treating the movement-related neurological disorder than the environment, or the absence of the light altogether, is not sufficient to treat the movement-related neurological disorder.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a control element for causing the light source to selectively emit only one of the visible light including the at least one peak and the visible light including the at least another peak.

14. 1. An apparatus for diagnosing at least one movement-related neurological disorder, comprising: configured to emit visible light including at least one peak having a wavelength that exacerbates a symptom of at least one movement-related neurological disorder at an intensity that will increase a symptom of the at least one movement-related neurological disorder; and 11. An apparatus comprising: at least one light source configured to reduce or prevent emission of visible light including at least another peak having a wavelength for treating the at least one movement-related neurological disorder at an intensity that will treat the at least one movement-related neurological disorder.

15. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one peak has a wavelength greater than 570 nm and the at least another peak has a wavelength less than or equal to 570 nm.

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