1211 results about "Light treatment" patented technology

A modified vacuum assisted wound closure system adapted for concurrent applications of phototherapy having a foam pad for insertion substantially into the wound site and a wound drape for sealing enclosure of the foam pad at the wound site. The foam pad includes an optical pigtail, whereby desired wavelength of light may be directed into and about the wound site. The foam pad is placed in fluid communication with a vacuum source for promotion of fluid drainage. The foam pad is made of a highly reticulated, open-cell polyurethane or polyether foam for good permeability of wound fluids while under suction and is also embedded with an optical pigtail. The optical pigtail comprises an optical fiber that has been formed to fan into a plurality of sections. The fibers of the most distal fanned sections, which are implanted in the foam pad at its base, are provided with tiny optical slots, oriented away from the foam pad and toward the wound site. Each optical slot is made by stripping the cladding from the optical fiber in the desired areas of the fanned sections to form slot radiators. Because it is necessary to trim the foam pad in preparation for therapy, the optical fibers comprise plastics, such as acrylic or styrene. Upon placement of the pad, having the optical pigtail embedded therein, the wound drape is firmly adhered about the VAC therapy suction hose as well as the extending optical fiber to prevent vacuum leakage.

A photo-therapy device emits photo-therapeutic radiation to treat. living tissue. The device incorporates an array of emitters, the photo emissions of which is dependent on their temperature. Temperature feedback is provided to a voltage supply that supplies current to the emitters, to regulate the voltage supply level and the temperature of the emitters. Additionally, the wavelength of the radiation is dependent on the temperature of the emitters, so the wavelength is moved closer to an optimum wavelength for absorption by the tissue by controlling the temperature of the emitters. Furthermore, the useful life of the emitters is extended by pulsing the emitters on and off by sequentially applying an activation signal to one group of emitters at a time. Also, the device can operate on a wide range of voltage input levels since it utilizes a switching regulator, which can convert a voltage level in the range to the level required to drive the array of emitters. The photo-therapeutic infrared light may be used to treat insect bites and to relieve headaches in human beings. The infrared light emitters may be incorporated into a mouthpiece for treating gum tissues.

An apparatus and method for phototherapy are described in which laser light or other radiation is projected from within a catheter, through a balloon member, and toward the surface of tissue. The light reflected from body fluids or the tissue surface is captured by a collecting device located within the catheter, e.g., within the balloon member, and the intensity of the reflected light is ascertained. The apparatus and method provides for accurately positioning the apparatus against the tissue treatment site.

The invention is directed to therapy devices for providing therapeutic light to a target region of tissue within a nasal cavity. The devices are adapted to include a light source communicating with a distal end of the first insertion member, wherein light from the light source illuminates a target region of tissue within a nasal cavity posterior to a limen nasi of the nasal cavity, and further wherein the insertion member is configured to prevent illumination of a region of tissue anterior to the limen nasi. The devices are further adapted to be positioned within the nasal cavity by a user without observing the location of the distal tip.

A light therapy system provides for self-alignment or positioning with respect to a joint of a subject. The light therapy system can provide light therapy to a body part of a subject. The therapy system has a main body configured to be placed adjacent a target site and an activatable light emitting system is coupled to the main body. The light emitting system is capable of delivering a therapeutic amount of light energy to the target site when the main body is placed adjacent the target site.

A method and apparatus is described for treating a target body surface using a radiation applicator. The therapeutic treatment apparatus adapted to conform to a patients body. The treatment apparatus comprises a plurality of light sources coupled with a flexible substrate, a light integrator in at least a portion of the optical path between the light source and the patient's body surface, a power supply, and a controller.

A thin film electroluminescent (TFEL) phototherapy device based on high field electroluminescence (HFEL) or from organic light emitting devices (OLED), consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention has a battery and a charging circuit coupled to the battery, so that when connected to a source of current acts to charge the battery. A TFEL panel produces light when voltage from the power source (battery or AC source) is applied. A processor such as a microprocessor is used to control the application of voltage from the power source to the TFEL panel under control of a control program. A housing is used to contain the battery, the charging circuit and the processor and carry the TFEL panel on an outer surface thereof. In one embodiment, the housing incorporates a removable cover that uncovers a household electrical plug useful for supplying charging current to the charger. In use, a method of carrying out phototherapy, consistent with certain embodiments of the invention involves diagnosing a condition of an affected area of tissue that can be treated with phototherapy. A treatment protocol is determined including, for example, a treatment light intensity, a treatment time, a light modulation characteristic and a treatment light wavelength suitable for treating the condition. The affected area is then irradiated with light from the TFEL panel in accord with the treatment protocol.

A device to treat infections, diseases, and disorders. The device can be used to treat part of a larger organism such as using the device to kill cancerous cells in humans or animals or to kill parasites. The invention can also may be used to treat fungal and bacterial nail infections of the hands and feet which are difficult to treat with oral and topical drugs.

A device is provided, in direct skin contact, surrounding an injured area for the treatment, reduction of joint inflammation, edema and excitation of neural and muscular stimulation associated with human and mammal tissues. This therapeutic light source includes a multiplicity of light emitting diodes (LED's) found in the ranges of 350 nm to 1000+ nm and fiber optic connections. A neoprene type material or other non-allergenic material is used to set the LED's and fiber optics in layers consisting of contact with the skin to few centimeters from the skin tissue. Distance will vary from contact or near contact with devices to several millimeters of separation. Each LED array is independently controlled allowing for optimal modulation of light frequencies and wavelengths. Technology is integrated allowing for biomedical feedback of tissue temperature and other statistical information. A low voltage, portable power supply, is integrated into the device as well as an analog / digital, input / output connection device. The design will be created for continuous wear, flexibility and comfort.

Phototherapy treatment devices include a light emitter that is adapted to be placed in close proximity to a wound for applying light / heat energy to the wound to aid in the healing process. The light emitter may comprise a light guide that receives light from a light source or a light source that is affixed to a substrate used to position the light source over the wound.

In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a housing, an emitter, and an electronic circuit. The housing is configured to fit within a patient's mouth. The emitter is at least partially encased within the housing. The emitter is configured to emit an effective amount of light to the alveolar soft tissue when the housing is disposed within the mouth. The electronic circuit is operatively coupled to the emitter. The electronic circuit is configured to control the emitter when the housing is disposed within the mouth and the apparatus is in use during orthodontic treatment. The apparatus and its use for regulating tooth movement or maintaining or improving oral tissue health are disclosed herein.

Devices with high-power light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for use in human and / or animal phototherapy applications are disclosed. The phototherapy device includes a number of select LEDs for emitting a desired range or ranges of wavelengths of high intensity light for use in treatment. Additionally, the phototherapy treatment includes one or more methods for providing a treatment appropriate to the condition desired to be treated. The phototherapy device provides a diversity of high power light settings, intensity levels, and selectable time intervals.

A light therapy device (40) for delivering light energy to treat medical conditions in tissues (200) includes a light source (300) with one or more light emitters, which provides input light (305). A light coupling means comprised of one or more optical fibers (310) for coupling the input light into a bandage portion (100) comprising a flexible optical substrate (50). A light extraction means (30) directs a portion of the input light out of the bandage and towards one or more localized areas of the tissues. A semi-permeable transparent membrane (400), attached directly or indirectly to the substrate, controls a flow of moisture and moisture vapor to and from the tissues. A controller (16) means controls a light dosage emitted from the light therapy device.

Metallotetrapyrrolic compounds having photherapeutic properties useful in photodetection and phototherapy of target issues, particularly porphyrins and azaporphyrins that including gallium in the central pyrrolic core. Also disclosed are methods of using metallotetrapyrrolic compounds for the treatment or detection of cardiovascular disease.

A light therapy device (40) for delivering light energy to a portion of a patient's body comprises a light source (115). The light source comprises one or more light emitters (122) for providing input light. A light coupling means (80) directs the input light into a light guide (140). A flexible optically transparent light guide material comprises the light guide. A light extraction means (75) is applied to a surface of the light guide material. The light extraction means is positioned to provide light therapy treatment to one or more localized areas of the patient's body. A control means controls a light dosage relative to intensity, wavelength, modulation frequency, repetition, and timing of treatments.

Light treatments of sebaceous gland disorders with 5-aminolevulinic acid and photodynamic therapy are disclosed. A preferred treatment includes topical application of 5-aminolevulinic acid to the skin followed by light exposures with repeated treatment at various intervals. At low doses of ALA and photodynamic therapy (PDT) in single or multiple treatments, improvement in the sebaceous gland disorder, e.g., acne, provides the discovery that diminishment in sebum secretion and the eradication of bacteria occurs. At high doses of ALA and a single high energy PDT treatment, permanent changes to the sebaceous gland and sebum secretion have been discovered.

A device is disclosed which is therapeutically beneficial to the well-being of living organisms such as humans, animals, and / or plant life, using photon or light waves. The device is intended to lie against the skin or surface, near the skin / surface, and / or from a distance ranging up to several feet from the skin / surface. The device is intended to be used for: general relaxation and detoxification of an organism; stimulating the healing process in an organism which is ill, diseased or injured; aiding in the elimination of pain and inflammation in an organism; stimulating / sedating the acupressure meridian system of an organism and rebalancing the electromagnetic energy-field surrounding the organism.

Presently, many variations of light treatment are used in health care. Prime examples are the in-vivo or ex-vivo photodynamic treatment (PDT) of skin diseases, cancer / tumors, psoriasis, mood disorders, bladder infections, promoting wound closure, recovering spinal cord injuries, and countering muscle / bone atrophy. PDT is a treatment that uses a drug, called a photo-sensitizer or photosensitizing agent, and a particular type of light. The invention relates to an improved PDT device.

A wearable hands-free apparatus for providing phototherapy treatment to a number of hair, scalp and skin related conditions includes a head unit (e.g., a headset, headphones, headband, or helmet unit) with earphones to allow the user to listen to an audio program during a treatment. The head unit supports a light emitting canopy band that is fitted with an array of light generating sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes, or infrared lights, that emit light within a particular wavelength range correlating with the treatment of one or more specific hair, scalp and / or skin-related conditions. The light emitting canopy band is specifically designed to conform to the shape of the human scalp for providing complete, uniform and consistent light coverage to the areas of the scalp that are most commonly affected by hair loss in men and women. A handheld control device allows the user to select the desired treatment program and is adapted for connection to a digital audio player device, such as an MP3 player, for delivering audio signals to the earphones.

Oral phototherapy applicators are disclosed that are sized and shaped so as to fit at least partially in a user's mouth with a plurality of bristles of elongate shape coupled to an apparatus body. The applicators can be adapted to brush the user's teeth and further include at least one radiation emitter coupled to the body to provide phototherapeutic radiation to a portion of the oral cavity other than tissue in contact with the bristles. In one embodiment, the applicator include a heat transfer element, such as, for example a fluid pump.

The invention relates to a skin tanning chamber, the improvement comprising at least one light emitting diode emitting a UVA light, such as a UVA LED that emits essentially only UVA. Additionally, multiple LEDs of varying types with various characteristic wavelengths are controlled independently to produce an arbitrary light pattern in an arbitrary sequence over time. The chamber can be rigid or flexible. It can be a bed, booth or incorporated into a flexible form, such as a garment or cloth. In one embodiment, the chamber further comprises at least one LED emitting a UVC light, whereby the UVC light sanitizes the chamber surface. Preferably the LED emitting the UVA light is under independent control from the LED emitting UVC light.

The present invention relates to devices for the sensing of one or more body regions within a larger body zone, and the application of a therapy, preferably photonic therapy, based upon one or more sensor measurements derived from at least one body region. Such applied photonic therapies may be accomplished in an effectively simultaneous fashion while being adjusted independently to each body region. In addition, successive applications of photonic therapy(s) to one or more body regions may be further adjusted based upon one or more successive sensor measurements of the corresponding body regions.

Wearable devices including a hat or cap, eyeglasses, an eye mask, or a face mask deliver light from light-emitting diodes or deliver electroluminescent light from a light source including an electroluminescent wire or flat panel powered by an inverter connected to the hat or cap, the eyeglasses, the eye mask, or the face mask. The delivery of the light is for entertainment or therapeutic purposes. Delivery of therapeutic light to the retinal area or to the skin of the user by a wearable device, without the use of the hands of the user, applies consistent levels of the therapeutic light to relax the user, to remove wrinkles in the skin, and to impart other healing effects. A sufficient amount of lux at appropriate optical wavelengths is generated to be incident for long periods upon the retina of the user or upon the skin of the user for healing effect.

A phototherapy or photobiomodulation process employing the application of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to a living organism, typically a human being. The EMR is generated by one or more strings of LEDs and is programmed to emit one or more wavelengths, typically in the visible and infrared portions of the spectrum, the EMR in each wavelength being delivered in pulses having specified on-times, off-times, photoexcitation frequencies, duty factors, phase delays, and power amplitudes. A system for providing such EMR includes a microcontroller having a pattern library of algorithms, each of which defines a particular sequence of synthesized pulses, and an application pad, preferably flexible, containing the LED strings.

An apparatus and method for the phototherapy of different skin conditions, particularly acne vulgaris and seborrhea. The invention transporting compounds, and / or a methylene blue solution. The apparatus includes at least one narrow spectral band light source with spectral emittance concentrated in the violet / blue spectral band and an optical system for controlling spectra and beam parameters of said light source and a mechanical fixture for holding the said light source at an adjustable distance and direction related to the skin treated area, and an electonic unit to control the duration and power and spectral bands of the emitted radiation.

A phototherapy light cap is a flexible, generally hemispherical cap having a light source to supply suitable dosage requirements of current and future light therapies. The phototherapy light cap may also include a rechargeable battery source, a light source or an array of light sources, a light diffuser and an interface to a recharging source that may be a docking station. A phototherapy light cap may alternatively be an insert for any commercial head dressing, preferably adapted for convenient recharging. Combining the use of a phototherapy light cap with gelatinized therapeutic agents provides a suitable treatment technique for a scalp utilizing phototherapy, heat and any suitable combination of active ingredients such as minoxidil.