Abstract:
An improvement in a light therapy device including multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned in a handheld portable device is disclosed. Where the housing and the LEDs are configured to have direct contact with the skin or tissue of the user without any intermediary materials, and light the surface and underlying layers of tissue for photodynamic stimulation of the cells. Two iterations of the device utilize light known to have a bactericidal effect in the case or acne or Rosacea. The devices are fabricated from an injection molded plastic housing. The housing contains an arrangement of 36-72 LEDs on a circuit board in an arrangement to provide even lighting over the skin or tissue surface.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Provisional Application 60/995,479 filed Sep. 27, 2007, Provisional Application 60/995,696 filed Sep. 28, 2007, Provisional Application 60/995,703 filed Sep. 28, 2007 and Provisional Application 60/995,705 filed Sep. 28, 2007. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to light therapy and more particularly to a therapy system utilizing light emitting diodes as a source of bio-stimulative non-coherent non-monochromatic light. 
     This invention relates to improvements in medical devices for topical photodynamic therapy (POT) treatment to patient&#39;s, and particularly to a rigid surface (circuit board) containing light emitting diodes (LEDs) as a source of bio-stimulative non-coherent non-monochromatic light, which is placed in contact or in close proximity with the patient&#39;s skin or tissue, and a method for making that apparatus. 
     Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98. 
     Several products have been available. Exemplary examples of patents covering these products are disclosed herein. 
     Nonmonochromatic light as defined wavelengths has produced beneficial bio-stimulative effects and has been known to trigger specific biological functions, such as, increased rate of metabolism, photo-repair and cell division. Stimulation occurred, however, With light emitted in specific wavelengths. 
     While the exact mechanism by which the beneficial bio-stimulative effects have been achieved is not precisely known, several theories have been put forth. It has been put forth. It has been suggested that non-monochromatic light emitted in the range of 460 to 940 nm penetrates body tissue and is absorbed, reflected and scattered to excite molecules within cells and tissue to thereby accelerate repair and regeneration. It is known however that light in the range of 460 nm TO 465 nm has a bactericidal effect thereby relieving the appearance of bacteria induced acne. 
     A further theory suggested that different cells had different photoreceptors, which responded to only particular wavelengths of light. This theory supported the phenomenon that the application of only certain wavelengths of light resulted in bio-stimulative effects and the resulting stimulation of the dermis and an increase of collagen and elastin production. 
     Light therapy has utilized lasers with relatively low power and bio-stimulative treatment utilizing lasers has been referred to as “soft” laser therapy. In such applications, low level laser energy radiation has been successfully employed to stimulate wound healing and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and skin ulcers. 
     It has been previously theorized that the properties of laser radiation, which resulted in the beneficial bio-stimulative effects of soft laser therapy, were the monochromaticity and coherence of laser radiation. 
     It occurred to applicants that if bio-stimulative light effects could be compounded by combining into one device  4  different wavelengths of light each with known benefits, that the effects could be greater than if each wavelength was applied separately and close proximity of the LEDs were such that this promoted uniform coverage of the target area to receive all wavelengths simultaneously. 
     Published U.S. Patent application 2006/0020308 that was published on Jan. 26, 2006 to James Scott Muldner discloses a light therapy device heat management device. The disclosed device uses transmitted thermal energy with different colored LED&#39;s to stimulate skin. While this product uses a combination of light and heat, the heat is generated from heating pads and the heat is blown through the device to heat the skin. While this patent discloses heating along with the light therapy the heating is generated from a thermal heater as opposed to generating heat by overdriving the lighting (LED&#39;s). 
     Published U.S. Patent application 2008/0103563 that was published on May 1, 2008 to Steven D. Powell discloses a light therapy personal care device. The device combines light therapy with an exfoliating pad or a razor. While this invention uses light therapy there is no heating of the skin that will open pores to further improve skin condition. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,275 issued Aug. 5, 2003 to Jana Sullivan discloses a device and method for therapeutic treatment of living organisms. The device is a plurality of different colored LED&#39;s in combination with a heating or cooling pad. While this patent discloses heating with LED&#39;s the heating is from a separate thermal pad that is placed on the skin prior to or after the light therapy. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,503 issued Oct. 25, 1994 to Dale E. Bertwell et al discloses a light therapy device with LED&#39;s that are heated with resistors. The LED&#39;s conduct the heat from the resistors to the skin. While this patent discloses light therapy with heating the heating is provided with resistors and conducted through the LED&#39;s. 
     What is needed is a light therapy device that creates heat by overdriving the LED so the LED&#39;s generate thermal heat that is conducted onto a user&#39;s skin. The proposed device provides this solution in a handheld and mountable device. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the LED light therapy device to comprises a system for light therapy which utilizes non-coherent light generated by an array of conventional light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are confined within a bandwidth of 460 nm to 940 nm. The diode array is configured in a matrix to direct the light onto a diffuse area of the user without utilizing an optical system or any intermediary material. The LEDs rest directly, or in close proximity, on the user&#39;s skin. 
     From the foregoing, it should be apparent that it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a light therapy system of the general character described which is not subject to the limitations of single wavelength devices. 
     It is an object of the LED light therapy device to provide a light therapy system of the general character described which is lightweight and portable. 
     It is an object of the LED light therapy device to provide a light therapy system of the general character described which is well suited for relatively low cost mass production fabrication and is a still further consideration of the present invention. 
     It is an object of the LED light therapy device to provide a light therapy system of the general character described which is simple in operation and convenient for home use. 
     It is an object of the LED light therapy device to overdrive the LED&#39;s to create heat that is conducted to the skin of the user to provide heat in addition to the light therapy. In some embodiments a single resistor is used to consistently limit the current to all of the LED&#39;s and provide both even illumination and heat. 
     It is another object of the LED light therapy device to provide a light therapy system of the general character described, which produces beneficial bio-stimulative effects. 
     It is another object of the LED light therapy device to provide a light therapy method of the general character described whereby non-coherent and non-monochromatic light within a wavelength range of 460 nm to 940 nm is employed for photo-bio-stimulation. 
     It is still another object of the LED light therapy device to provide a light therapy method of the general character described which utilized non-coherent and non-monochromatic light emanating from conventional light emitting diodes. 
     Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG. 1  shows a cross sectional view of a hand held version of the LED light therapy device. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the device showing the location of the on/off power switch. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view showing an arrangement of the light emitting diodes arranged for multiple purposes. 
         FIG. 4  shows the device in use with a cross section of skin tissue. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the device showing the arrangement of the different wavelength light emitting diodes. 
         FIG. 6  is a table identifying the different colored light emitting diodes for four different intended purposes. 
         FIG. 7  shows an electrical diagram of the device. 
         FIG. 8  shows an electrical diagram of a larger panel of light emitting diodes. 
         FIG. 9  shows a bottom view of the array of five different colored light emitting diodes as identified in the electrical diagram of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a cross sectional view of a hand held version of the LED light therapy device. The device includes an array of 36 to 72 light emitting diodes incorporated in 9-18 parallel circuits of 4 in a series of conventional light emitting diodes configured to emanate an even distribution of light in the following wavelengths 460 nm, 465 nm, 605 nm, 630 nm, 660 nm, 850 nm and 940 nm, depending on the designed intent of the device. The selection for the different wavelength light emitting diodes based upon the intended use is shown and described in more detail with  FIGS. 5 and 6 . While a particular number and array of light emitting diodes has been disclosed more or less light-emitting diodes can be used in other larger or smaller designs. 
     In  FIG. 1  the device is enclosed in a plastic housing  11 . The device is energized by an external AC to DC 9-12 volt 300-500 mA power supply through a connector  12  to a negative lead  13  and a positive lead  14  then to the on/off switch  16  and then through a current limiting resistor  17  and finally to the rigid printed circuit board  18  that holds the different wavelength light emitting diodes  19 . A weight  15  is preferably placed in the handle to provide balance to the device. 
       FIG. 1  comprises a cross sectional view through the device including a printed circuit board  18 . The output of all of the light emitting diodes  19  is directed outward at right angles, or normal, to the circuit board  18  on which they are mounted without lenses, mirrors, reflective surfaces, optical systems or any intermediary material. 
       FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  show a top view and bottom view, respectively, of the device showing the location of the on/off power switch  16  and an arrangement of the light emitting diodes  19  arranged for multiple purposes in the housing  11 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the device in use with a cross section of skin tissue. The device has a housing  11  with an on-off power switch  16 . LED light therapy is the use of specific types of light that give off energy that stimulates your cells, thereby increasing the production of collagen and elastin. In turn, this makes your skin firmer, less wrinkled, and younger looking. This is known as photo rejuvenation. The light emitting diodes  19  give off energy in the form of light  20 . The light emitting diodes  19  are compact, durable, powerful, bright, efficient, and produce rejuvenating effects on the skin. 
     Skin is made up of 3 layers: the Epidermis  30 , the Dermis  31  and the Subcutaneous  32 . The epidermis  30  is the outer layer made up of non-living cells that form your body&#39;s protective cover. These cells are constantly being shed and replaced by new ones. The new cells are made in the lower part of the Epidermis  30 . These are called Keratinocytes which produce the tough, fibrous protein called Keratin 
     The next layer is the dermis  31 . It is thicker and contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. There are two main proteins in the Dermis  31  or second layer of skin. The first main protein is collagen that makes up approximately ¾ of the dermis and is made up of this protein that is responsible for the strength and plumpness of the skin. The second protein is elastin, which is responsible mainly for the elasticity of the skin. 
     The next layer is the subcutaneous  32 , it is the layer that contains the fatty tissues and stores energy, provides warmth and a cushion etc. 
     People need certain wavelengths of light similar to the way plants need sunlight to thrive. Photo Rejuvenation produced by the device  11  translates the process of plant photosynthesis into the workings of human skin cells; thereby stimulating the bodies own cells to build new proteins the same way plants use chlorophyll to convert sunlight into cellular building blocks. 
     Skin and other body tissues have the ability to absorb light and use it as a source of energy to stimulate cellular regeneration. The light rays  20  that are emitted from the device are beneficial for your skin, as they contain no UV rays. The problem with getting these same light rays from the sun is that you also get the harmful UV rays. These harmful rays can do more damage to your skin than good. With light emitting diodes, when the correct wavelengths of light are closely and intensely flowed into the body, collagen and elastin is produced in cells called Fibroblasts  33 . Inside these cells is a smaller cellular structure called Mitochondria. 
     Mitochondria are responsible for converting nutrients into an energy carrier known scientifically as Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). This (ATP) fuels the cell&#39;s activities; it gives the cells the needed energy to do their job. This is the reason Mitochondria are frequently referred to as the powerhouse of the cell. The device  11  sends light rays  20  into the fibroblast cells  33 , which in turn excite the mitochondria into producing in some cases up to 10 times more ATP, but usually 2 to 4 times. This fuels the cell&#39;s activities, which causes more of the needed collagen and elastin to be produced, as well as other needed materials for the skin. The light rays  20  reduce or eliminate wrinkles  34  on the epidermis  30 . 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the device showing the arrangement of the different wavelength light emitting diodes. Depending upon the intended purpose of the device different colored, or wavelength light emitting diodes  21 - 24  are used. In figure five the different colors or the array of light emitting diodes is shown. In  FIG. 6  a table is shown identifying the different colored light emitting diodes  21 - 24  for four different intended purposes including but not limited to skin rejuvenation, reduction of rosacea, reduction of acne and therapeutic application. 
       FIG. 7  shows an electrical diagram of the device. A switch  16  connects the wall transformer power supply  26  to the remainder of the circuit. An AC to 9-12 volt DC power adapter  26  to provide operation of the light emitting diode circuits  21 - 24  powers the light emitting diode array. The AC to DC power adapter  26  provides the voltage and amperage required for optimal output and life of the light emitting diodes  21 - 24 . In the preferred embodiment shown the light emitting diode array includes a plurality of diode circuits connected in parallel  21 - 24  with the diodes of each circuit being series connected. An electrical resistor  17  is positioned so as to current limit the current to the entire circuit board for the purpose or regulating current to the light emitting diodes and maintaining a comfortable operating temperature of the device. The effect of the light emitted is a function of each wavelength. 
     The value of the resistor  17  is carefully selected and tested based upon the light emitting diodes  21 - 24  that are selected and the operating voltage of the light emitting diodes. The selection of the resistor  17  is selected to overdrive the light emitting diodes such that they produce thermal heating. Overdriving the light emitting diodes provides a higher illumination intensity to more deeply penetrate the skin. The selection of the resistor must also be determined to minimize overheating to the skin. In the preferred embodiment the current limiting resistor is selected to cause a deliberate increase in said skin tissue temperature of between 97-106 degrees Fahrenheit when held continuously against or in close proximity to said skin tissue for a 15-minute period. A device made for anti-aging light would have a resistor with a nominal value of 2.0 to 2.8 ohms, a device made for treatment of acne would have a nominal resistor value of 1.8 to 3.0 ohms, a rosacea lamp would have a resistor valued between 1.8 and 3.2 ohms and a therapeutic light would have a nominal resistor of 6.2 to 7.5 ohms. 
     A therapy protocol when using the device requires about 2 to 5 minutes of exposure before relocating the device to another area of concern. This process is repeated in each area. This regimen can be performed daily until the desired appearance of the skin is achieved. 
       FIG. 8  shows an electrical diagram of a larger panel of light emitting diodes and  FIG. 9  shows a bottom view of the array of five different colored light emitting diodes as identified in the electrical diagram of  FIG. 8 . In this circuit an array of resistors  42  is used to minimize the physical thickness of the unit, but a single resistor could also be used. The resistor and light emitting diode circuit is connected to a positive terminal  40  and a negative terminal  41  from a 12 volt DC power supply of about 5.4 Amps. In one preferred embodiment the panel comprises an array  43  of five different colored or wavelength light emitting diodes with  1130  light emitting diodes  21 - 25 . The  1130  light emitting diodes are selected from the following groups of light emitting diodes  226  (460 nm, 465 nm, 605 nm, 630 nm, 660 nm, 880 nm and 940 nm wavelength light emitting diodes) in a repeating pattern as shown in panel  30 . While these quantities and wave lengths of light emitting diodes are disclosed various different ratios and wavelengths are contemplated based upon the application. 
     Thus, specific embodiments of a therapy system utilizing light emitting diodes as a source of bio-stimulative have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.