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BR-112015001636-B1 - PORTABLE PHOTOTHERAPY DEVICE

BR112015001636B1BR 112015001636 B1BR112015001636 B1BR 112015001636B1BR-112015001636-B1

Abstract

PORTABLE PHOTOTHERAPY DEVICE. A portable phototherapy device is disclosed that is capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength and intensity sufficient to obtain a desired phototherapeutic effect for a subject, without being in direct physical contact with said subject. The device is portable, capable of being flattened, folded, rolled, compressed, or otherwise collapsed to a size smaller than its operating size. The device may be of any size or shape and may optionally comprise a supporting structure. The device may be powered by a variety of sources, including one or more batteries. The device may be configured to deliver sufficient electromagnetic radiation to obtain one or more of a variety of desired phototherapeutic effects.

Inventors

  • DONNA J. BREZINSKI

Assignees

  • DONNA J. BREZINSKI

Dates

Publication Date
20260317
Application Date
20130312
Priority Date
20120726

Claims (17)

  1. 1. Portable phototherapy device adapted for the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia characterized in that it comprises: (a) a floor section of essentially rectangular shape, said floor having a foldable flap attached along at least a portion of one side of the floor, the flap exhibiting one or more fastening elements along its length; (b) a cover section attached to said floor section along the side of the floor section opposite said foldable flap, said cover section extending from a proximal end attached to said floor section to a distal edge, said cover section exhibiting one or more fasteners near its distal end, capable of engaging with corresponding fasteners on said foldable flap to securely but reversibly join said distal end of the cover section to said foldable flap, said cover section being dimensioned such that the junction of said distal end of the cover section with the foldable flap attached to said floor section forms an arched shell over the floor section defining an assembled configuration having an inner surface facing the section (a) a floor and an external surface; (b) a plurality of light sources fixed to the inner surface of said enclosure, said plurality of light sources being capable of emitting light with a wavelength of 400–550 nm; (c) a source of electrical power; (d) circuits that operationally connect said power source to said plurality of light sources; (e) one or more structural support elements affixed to said cover section that are flexible and rigid enough to support said cover section in an arched shell configuration; wherein the inner surface of said enclosure comprises a reflective surface; and wherein said floor sections, folding flap and cover sections are of a flexible material, such that when said fasteners are not fastened, said floor section flap and cover section together with said affixed plurality of light sources and structural support elements are capable of being flattened or rolled or compacted to a disassembled size smaller than the operational size, and wherein, in the assembled configuration, said plurality of light sources is capable of transmitting light with sufficient intensity and wavelength to provide a desired phototherapeutic effect to a child positioned on the floor section without said plurality of light sources of said device being in direct physical contact with said child subject.
  2. 2. Portable phototherapy device, according to claim 1, characterized in that said floor section and said cover section comprise a layer of fabric.
  3. 3. Portable phototherapy device, according to claim 1, characterized in that said floor section is detachably attached to said cover section.
  4. 4. Portable phototherapy device, according to claim 1, characterized in that said plurality of light sources is distributed throughout the inner surface of said shell.
  5. 5. Portable phototherapy device, according to claim 4, characterized in that the plurality of light sources are LEDs.
  6. 6. Portable phototherapy device, according to claim 5, characterized in that said light source is capable of emitting blue light.
  7. 7. Portable phototherapy device, according to claim 6, characterized in that said light source is capable of emitting light with a wavelength of about 450 to about 470 nm.
  8. 8. Portable phototherapy device, according to claim 1, characterized in that said power source is not line power.
  9. 9. Portable phototherapy device, according to claim 8, characterized in that the power source is a battery.
  10. 10. Portable phototherapy device, according to claim 9, characterized in that said battery is rechargeable.
  11. 11. Portable phototherapy device, according to claim 10, characterized in that said battery is a 12-volt battery.
  12. 12. Portable phototherapy device, according to claim 8, characterized in that the energy source is photovoltaic.
  13. 13. Portable phototherapy device, according to claim 1, characterized in that said circuits comprise electrical wiring.
  14. 14. Portable phototherapy device, according to claim 13, characterized in that said circuits further comprise an on/off switch.
  15. 15. Portable phototherapy device, according to claim 1, characterized in that said structural support comprises one or more structural supports selected from the group consisting of poles, rods, tubes, slats, springs and wire.
  16. 16. Portable phototherapy device, according to claim 15, characterized in that said support structure comprises flexible rods.
  17. 17. Portable phototherapy device, according to claim 15, characterized in that said support structure is detachably attached to said cover section.

Description

Cross-reference [0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application US 61/676,137, filed July 26, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Field of Invention [0002] The invention relates to a portable light-emitting device capable of distributing electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to a subject in an amount and wavelength sufficient to achieve a desired effect on the subject. Background of the Invention [0003] Exposure to electromagnetic radiation has a wide variety of effects on subjects. Typically referred to as “photo” treatment or “light” treatment or “phototherapy” or light therapy, a vast array of devices and “treatments” (exposure or dosage regimens) have been developed. Such treatments range from imaging to germicides, to tissue repair or growth, to the treatment of a variety of diseases and disorders. The desired phototherapeutic effect is typically a result of the exposure properties of electromagnetic radiation; including, but not limited to, wavelength, intensity, duration, and frequency of exposure. [0004] Examples of conditions for which phototherapy is considered useful for humans include, but are not limited to; tanning, wound repair, antiseptic treatment, acne, herpes, psoriasis, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), bulimia nervosa, sleep disorders, and skin cancer. [0005] As a specific example, phototherapy has long been effective in treating jaundice (or hyperbilirubinemia). Jaundice is caused by an excessive accumulation of bilirubin in the blood. This condition can quickly become debilitating and life-threatening if left untreated, especially in newborns (affecting 60% of all newborns). Exposing the newborn to certain types of light (blue) is effective in degrading (i.e., converting the compound into a more easily degradable isomer) the excess bilirubin in the blood. Such phototherapy is typically only needed for a few days (until the baby's liver is more able to bioprocess bilirubin). [0006] Current phototherapy devices have several drawbacks that impede their effectiveness and/or range of usefulness. These device drawbacks include their inability to control and direct the quality and quantity of light to the subject for treatment. Problems with undesirable and/or excessive temperature exposure are common. Many phototherapy devices are large, bulky, and difficult to control, requiring special facilities to maintain and operate the phototherapy device. [0007] All these drawbacks are more pronounced when dealing with newborns during phototherapy treatment for jaundice: This class of subjects represents the most defenseless, fragile, and sensitive of those requiring phototherapy. Conventional phototherapy treatment of newborns with jaundice involves placing a baby in an isolette tank or incubator with direct use of high-power lighting. In practice, these devices are less than ideal as they generate an undesirable amount of heat, are bulky, intrusive, and not portable. Furthermore, these devices are easily rendered ineffective when the subject moves around and out of the appropriate exposure area within the isolette, or when the devices are moved by caregivers in the process of caring for the subject but are not then returned to their proper position. [0008] Several developments have been made directed toward wraparound, vest-type or other type of phototherapy devices. Other devices have been developed to position and hold the baby within a phototherapy device. Unfortunately, these devices unduly restrict or confine the baby, resulting in an uncomfortable and stressful experience for the subject. In addition, such garment-type devices physically touch and cover the baby, resulting in reduced air ventilation and blood circulation and, additionally, may compromise hygiene. Furthermore, such garment-type devices prevent any additional topical contact, treatment, monitoring, or care access to the subject that may be necessary or desired. Several phototherapy devices have been suggested and attempted (see, for example, US Patents: 3877437; 4955876; 5339223; 5400425; 5792214; 5835648; 6045575; 6290713; 6596016; 6811563; 6872220; 6955684; 7131990; 7274844; 7305163; 7306620; 7438719; 7686839; 7824435; 8026528; 8048136; 8069857; 8212473; 8246666). [0009] The present invention solves these problems and more. The present invention is an improvement over traditional phototherapy devices because it is portable. The present invention is lightweight, capable of being flattened, folded, rolled, compressed or otherwise collapsed to a size smaller than its operating size. The present invention does not require special facilities for use; and allows for easy transport and shipping, as well as application “at home” or “in the field”. The present invention is not limited or restricted by its power source and can be powered by any number of sources, including line power, battery and photovoltaic. The present invention allows for targeted and uninterrupted phototherapy