Patent Publication Number: US-2009227996-A1

Title: Skin treatment phototherapy method

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/941,506, filed Nov. 16, 2007, for SKIN TREATMENT PHOTOTHERAPY METHOD, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/199,971, filed Aug. 9, 2005, for SKIN TREATMENT PHOTOTHERAPY DEVICE, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/522,060, filed Aug. 9, 2004, for PORTABLE LED DEVICE FOR SKIN CONDITIONS, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/593,152, filed Dec. 15, 2004, for PORTABLE LED LIGHT THERAPY DEVICE FOR SKIN CONDITIONS, all of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The embodiments disclosed herein will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only typical embodiments, which will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a phototherapy device used in the treatment of skin conditions; 
       FIG. 1B  is a side elevation view of the phototherapy device of  FIG. 1A ; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a phototherapy device and a recharging base station; 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a phototherapy device used in the treatment of skin conditions as shown in an open configuration; 
       FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the phototherapy device of  FIG. 3A  as shown in a closed configuration; 
       FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a phototherapy device used in the treatment of skin conditions; 
       FIG. 4B  is an alternative perspective view of the embodiment of the phototherapy device of  FIG. 4A ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a combination desk lamp device and phototherapy device; and 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a system for treating various skin conditions with a phototherapy device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference is now made to the figures in which like reference numerals refer to like elements. For clarity, the first digit of a reference numeral indicates the figure number in which the corresponding element is first used. While the various aspects of the embodiments disclosed are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that the systems and methods disclosed can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In some cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail. Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It will also be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. 
     For this application, the phrases “connected to” and “coupled to” refer to any form of interaction between two or more entities, including mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fluid, and thermal interaction. Two components may be coupled to each other even though they are not in direct contact with each other. 
       FIG. 1A  represents one embodiment of a phototherapy device  100  used in the treatment of various skin conditions, as shown from a perspective view.  FIG. 1B  represents the phototherapy device  100  as shown from a side elevation view. Referring collectively to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the phototherapy device  100  has a housing  102  that may include a handle  104  in the shape of a handheld pen-like structure. At an output end  106  of the phototherapy device  100 , a light emitting diode (“LED”)  108  is located such that light emitting from the LED  108  may be directed substantially collinear with the device&#39;s longitudinal axis. In alternative embodiments, more than one LED  108  may be located at the output end  106  of the pen phototherapy device  100 . 
     The LED  108  may be activated when a user depresses a button  110  or switch disposed on the exterior of the housing  102 . Once activated, the LED  108  emits light in a narrow range of wavelengths. Since the LED  108  emits a narrow range of wavelengths, often the light emitted is considered monochromatic. LEDs  108  typically use less power, produce less heat, and have a longer life span than most incandescent lamps. Furthermore, LEDs  108  are often an inexpensive alternative to wavelength selection compared to lamp and filter systems. Furthermore, the compactness and portability of an LED phototherapy device  100  are typically superior to alternative lamp and filter designs. 
     According to one embodiment, the LED  108  is a multi-color LED in a single LED package, which is capable of emitting more than one discrete range of wavelengths. For example, in one embodiment the multi-color LED  108  is a bi-color, or bi-polar LED producing two discrete ranges of wavelengths. The multi-color LED  108  may produce a narrow band of wavelengths in the red portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum as well as a narrow band of wavelengths in the blue portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum. The red wavelengths may range between 630 nanometers and 680 nanometers, while the blue wavelengths may range between 400 nanometers and 470 nanometers. In one embodiment, the red band is between 650 to 670 nanometers and the blue band is between 405 to 420 nanometers. 
     The multi-color LED  108  may be capable of producing just red wavelengths at one time, or just blue wavelengths, or both red and blue wavelengths simultaneously. In other embodiments, the multi-color LED  108  is a tri-color LED producing three discrete ranges of wavelengths. As would be apparent to those having skill in the art, a multi-color LED  108  may be used which can produce more than three discrete wavelengths as the advancement of technology permits. 
     The LED phototherapy device  100  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  may be used to treat a variety of skin conditions. The output end  106  of the device  100  is directed toward or placed on a region of skin having a particular skin condition so that the skin may be treated with LED light therapy. The depicted phototherapy device  100  is small and portable so that small focused light may be directed, for example, around the eyes of a user or other small specific areas where skin conditions may exist that larger light devices may not be able to treat. 
     The phototherapy device  100  produces specific wavelengths to treat a number of skin conditions. For example, for the treatment of acne both blue wavelengths (400 to 470 nanometers) and red wavelengths (630 to 680 nanometers) may be used. Furthermore, for the treatment of acne, the phototherapy device  100  may provide twice as much exposure to blue wavelengths than to red wavelengths in a single treatment event. Relative exposures of red and blue wavelengths may be determined through a quantifiable value such as light intensity or duration of exposure. 
     In order to treat wrinkles in the skin, blue, red and yellow wavelength bands may be used. The blue and red wavelength ranges are 400 to 470 nanometers and 630 to 680 nanometers, respectively. The yellow band of wavelengths may be between 530 nanometers and 600 nanometers. 
     In treating rosacea a yellow range of wavelengths may be used between 530 and 600 nanometers. 
     In treating sun spots, a yellow range of wavelengths (530 to 600 nanometers) may be used. For alternative forms of sun damage, a red band (630 to 680 nanometers) may be employed. 
     Blue light (between 400 and 470 nanometers) may be used to treat and kill bacteria that may cause various forms of skin blemishes, such as acne. 
     Inflammation may be treated by exposing affected skin to red wavelengths (630 to 680 nanometers) and also to infrared wavelengths, which may range from about 800 nanometers to about 1000 nanometers. As discussed above, the two wavelength ranges may be produced by a single multi-color LED  108  or by two separate LEDs, or an array of LEDs as would be apparent to those having skill in the art. 
     Lesions in the skin may be treated by illuminating the affected area with red wavelengths (630 to 680 nanometers) and infrared wavelengths (800 to 1000 nanometers). 
     Canker sores may also be treated by irradiating the sore to red and infrared wavelengths (630 to 680 nanometers and 800 to 1000 nanometers, respectively). A typical one time treatment of canker sores may have a duration of exposure between 5 and 15 minutes, with an intensity of approximately 105 mW/cm 2 . However, multiple applications may be necessary in certain situations. 
     Skin blemishes may be treated through exposure to red, blue and yellow wavelengths. As discussed above the wavelength ranges may be 630 to 680 nanometers for red, 400 to 470 nanometers for blue, and 530 to 600 nanometers for yellow. 
     LEDs  108  that emit a band of wavelengths in the green portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum may also be used in treating sun spots, rosacea and wrinkles. The wavelength range associated with green light may range between 500 nanometers and 530 nanometers. LED light therapy may also be used in treating dead skin and other skin problems. 
     The phototherapy device  100  shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  may also include a lens  112  at its output end  106  to diffuse ultra violet light or other harmful rays that may inadvertently be emitted from the device  100 . Furthermore, the LED  108  may be removable from the device  100  and can be replaced with another color LED or another multi-color LED for treatment of a different skin condition. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , another embodiment of a phototherapy device  200  is depicted from a side elevation view. The phototherapy device  200  is similar to the device disclosed in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , however the phototherapy device  200  of  FIG. 2  comprises a rechargeable power supply, such as a rechargeable battery (not shown). The rechargeable battery may be disposed inside the housing  202  of the device  200 . 
     The phototherapy device  200  is depicted as being cradled in a recharging base station  214 . In the cradle position depicted, the base station  214  may have contact points that are in electronic communication with contact points of the phototherapy device  200 . The base station  214  is also connected to an AC power supply through a power cord  216 . Alternatively, the phototherapy device  200  may be recharged using an AC adapter. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  show another embodiment of a phototherapy device  300  used in the treatment of various skin conditions. In  FIG. 3A  the device  300  is shown in an open configuration from a perspective view.  FIG. 3B  shows the device  300  in a closed configuration from a perspective view. 
     The phototherapy device  300  includes a first panel  320  that is hingedly coupled to a second panel  322  in a clamshell-like arrangement. In the open configuration, the internal faces  324  of each panel  320 ,  322  are exposed to a user, and the first  320  and second  322  panels are arranged at an angle with respect to each other. The angle between panels  320 ,  322  may be adjustable. In the configuration shown in  FIG. 3A , the angle is greater than 90 degrees. 
     The first  320  and second  322  panels may hingedly move from the open configuration to the close configuration where the panels  320 ,  322  are located substantially parallel to and adjacent each other. The internal faces  324  are no longer exposed to a user in the closed configuration. According to the embodiment depicted, the first  320  and second  322  panels are similarly sized, in that their internal faces  324  have approximately the same area. 
     The first panel  320  may include an array of LEDs  308  disposed on its internal face  324 . In the open configuration, the array  308  is exposed such that it may be used for treatment of a user&#39;s skin. The phototherapy device  300  may optionally include an integrated stand (not shown), so that the device can rest on the stand when in the open configuration, exposing the user to LED light. 
     In one embodiment, the LED array  308  contains a plurality of red and blue LEDs. In some embodiments, each LED is a single color LED, while in other embodiments, multi-color LEDs may be used. In the single color LED embodiment, the red and blue LEDs may be arranged in a checkerboard configuration, where every other LED emits blue wavelengths while all other adjacent LEDs emit red wavelengths. 
     Alternatively, other color LEDs may be used, particularly those that are capable of emitting yellow, green and infrared wavelengths. The array of LEDs  308  may also be programmed to emit a combination of wavelengths simultaneously to treat different skin conditions at the same time. Furthermore, the device  300  may also emit different intensities of light. For example, a user may control the intensities of all or some of the LEDs in the LED array  308 . The intensities of each color may also be varied independently. 
     The second panel  322  of the phototherapy device  300  includes a control system for the phototherapy device  300 . The functions of the control system will be discussed in greater detail in conjunction with the discussion accompanying  FIG. 6 . The second panel  322  may include a display  326 , such as an LCD display for prompting a user for input or indicating operating status, etc. The second panel  322  may also include mechanical buttons  328  for receiving user input to control the operation of the phototherapy device  300 . Alternatively, an LCD touch screen, membrane buttons, or voice activation and recognition may be used to receive user input as would be apparent to those having skill in the art. 
     The phototherapy device  300  may also be powered by an internal or external portable power source, such as a battery. The battery power source may provide the LED array  308  with power such that AC power is not required. Alternatively, an AC adapter or direct AC connection may be used in other embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , an alternative embodiment of a phototherapy device  400  used in the treatment of skin conditions is shown. The device  400  is a facial mask having a mask body  430  that is shaped to cover a substantial portion of a user&#39;s face. Covering a substantial portion may consist of covering a user&#39;s nose and mouth region, similar to a dust mask, or it could also encompass a larger region encompassing a user&#39;s cheeks, chin, nose and mouth, similar to a surgical mask. Alternatively, the facial mask could cover a user&#39;s forehead, cheeks and chin. According to the embodiment depicted, the mask body  430  may cover substantially all of a user&#39;s face leaving space for a user&#39;s eyes and breathing orifices for the nose and/or mouth. A harness  431  or similar device may be used to secure the mask body  430  to a user&#39;s face during treatment. 
       FIG. 4A  shows an exterior side  432  of the mask body  430 .  FIG. 4B  shows an interior side  434  of the mask body  430 . The facial mask device  400  includes an LED array  408  that is embedded in the interior side  434  of the mask body  430 , so that the LEDs  408  are positioned to emit light directly toward a user&#39;s skin when wearing the device  400 . In one embodiment, the LED array  408  may include red, yellow and blue LEDs scattered throughout the interior portion of the mask body  430  to treat wrinkles. Alternative LED arrangements and LED types may be incorporated into the facial mask phototherapy device  400  as would be apparent to those having skill in the art, such as including green and infrared LEDs and other color combinations of LEDs. 
     The device  400  may further include a controller  436  in electronic communication with the mask body  430  and LED array  408 . The controller  436  may allow the user to select specific red, yellow or blue wavelengths, or a combination thereof to treat various skin conditions. Additional LED color types may also be used. Alternatively, the controller  436  may be as simple as a device for switching on and off the LED array  408 . The controller  436  may optionally include a display that assists a user in selecting and controlling treatment modes, timers, and other functionality features. For example, treatment modes may include activation of blue LEDs, activation of red LEDs, activation of yellow LEDs, activation of all three colors, or any other combination thereof. The controller  436  may also include a portable power supply to increase the portability of the device  400 . 
       FIG. 5  represents another embodiment of a phototherapy device  500  that is integrated with a desk lamp device  540 , as shown from a perspective view. The desk lamp  540  may include a base  542  and a lamp neck  544  and lamp head  546 . The desk lamp  540  may also include a display  526 , such as an LCD display for prompting a user for input or indicating operating status, etc., similar to the display described in conjunction with  FIG. 3A . 
     Embedded in the lamp head  546  is an LED illumination source  508 , such as an array of LEDs. The desk lamp  540  may produce white light for general lighting purposes from the LED array  508 , or from a different white light source, such as an incandescent lamp or a fluorescent lamp. The desk lamp  540  may also produce wavelength specific light from the LED illumination source  508  for the treatment of various skin conditions. Alternatively, the desk lamp  540  may provide both white light and wavelength-specific light, simultaneously. The LED array  508  may comprise a plurality of multi-colored LEDs. As with the phototherapy devices heretofore described, the phototherapy device  500  of  FIG. 5  may have the capabilities of changing wavelengths to treat various skin conditions as selected by the user. 
     Alternative devices, other than those heretofore disclosed, may also be used in accordance with the LED light therapy principles described. For instance, multi-color LEDs or multiple color LED therapy programs may be incorporated into a device that is large enough to provide LED exposure to most of a user&#39;s body. A user may stand in front of such a device, or alternatively, lie down in a device similar to a tanning bed. Such a device may include a large array of LEDs. 
     Furthermore, LEDs, such as multi-color LEDs may be embedded into a fabric swath or belt allowing a user to wrap the belt around a specific area of the user&#39;s body for treatment of a particular region of skin. For example, an LED fabric belt may include infrared LEDs, or other colored LEDs to treat chronic or other forms of pain, swelling, inflammation, etc. The fabric device may be wrapped around the affected region of skin to assist in the reduction of swelling, increasing blood flow, or aiding in the body&#39;s process of tissue repair. The LED fabric belt may be in electronic communication with a controller and portable power device. The controller would allow a user to select operation parameters such as time intervals, intensities, and wavelength options. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a control system  650  for treating various skin conditions with an LED phototherapy device. The control system  650  may be incorporated, in part, into a device controller as heretofore described. The control system  650  may receive various forms of user input in order to control various treatment modes of the phototherapy device. 
     For example, a user may provide input  652  indicative of a skin condition that a user desires to be treated by the LED phototherapy device. Examples of various skin condition inputs  652  may include acne, rosacea, wrinkles, inflammation, sun spots or sun damage, bacteria, blemishes, lesions or canker sores. A user may select one or more of a list of skin conditions to be treated and the control system  650  accesses operating parameters stored on a memory device  654  or database in machine readable form. The operating parameters of the phototherapy device that correspond with a particular light therapy treatment may be inputted by a manufacturer or programmer of the device, or alternatively a user may provide adjustment operating parameter input  656  in accordance with a customized LED skin treatment program. 
     The control system  650  accesses the memory device  654  containing multiple operating parameters and selects those corresponding to the skin condition input  652  received. The phototherapy device then runs according to the operating parameters corresponding with the selected skin condition input  652 . One example of an operating parameter output of the control system  650  is a control signal corresponding to the specific wavelengths for treatment  658  of the skin condition selected. Accordingly, if acne is selected by the user, the control system  650  accesses the corresponding operating parameter that indicates both red and blue wavelengths are to be used for treatment. However, if the user selected rosacea as the skin condition to be treated, the wavelengths for treatment  658  may be in the yellow band (530 to 600 nanometers). 
     Another form of output of the control system  650  is the operating parameter that indicates the intensity levels  660  for treatment of the skin condition selected. For example, with the phototherapy device disclosed in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the intensity levels of a multi-color LED may be 105 mW/cm 2 . However, with the phototherapy device disclosed in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , an intensity level output  660  of 92 mW/cm 2  may be provided by the control system  650 . A user may adjust the intensity level output  660  corresponding to a particular skin treatment. The user adjusts that particular operating parameter through input  656  indicating an increase or a decrease in intensity to treat more severe or less severe skin conditions, respectively. Intensity adjustments may be made, for example, in percentage increments such as ±5%, ±10%, ±15%, etc. 
     Another operating parameter that may be controlled is the time interval for treatment  662 . A typical treatment session may last 15 minutes for most skin conditions. However, treatment for canker sores may be less, such as between 5 and 15 minutes, depending upon the user input. Furthermore, certain treatments using the pen device may last for 3 minutes as desired by the user. The time interval for treatment  662  may be controlled by a timer  664 , which may be embodied, for example, as a Real Time Clock (RTC). Once the skin condition input  652  is received and the corresponding operating parameters accessed, the indicated time interval  662  is controlled by the timer  664 . Once the timer  664  reaches the time interval  662  indicated it automatically shuts off LED emission of the phototherapy device. 
     Additionally, the operating parameters corresponding to a skin condition input  652  may include wavelength ratio data  666 . For example, when acne is selected as the skin condition to be treated, the operating parameters corresponding with the treatment of acne would indicate that twice as much exposure to blue wavelengths as compared to red wavelengths is desired. Consequently, the wavelength ratio  666  for acne would be 2:1, blue to red. The relative exposures of red and blue wavelengths may be determined through a quantifiable value such as light intensity or duration of exposure. Therefore, blue LED light may be emitted at twice the intensity of red LED light. Alternatively, the exposure time of blue LED light during a particular treatment interval would be twice as long as red LED light. This may be accomplished by pulsating blue LEDs twice as much as red LEDs, or by activating twice as many blue LEDs than red LEDs, or other methods known to those having skill in the art. 
     Accordingly, a user is able to control the wavelengths emitted, the intensity levels, the time intervals for treatment, and the relative ratio of wavelengths produced by simply selecting a particular skin condition. By selecting the skin condition, the control system  650  causes the LED phototherapy device to provide the appropriate colors, intensity, etc., for that skin condition. 
     The control system may be in electronic communication with a display, such as an LCD display discussed in conjunction with the description of  FIG. 3A . By way of example, the LCD display may show an indication of the skin condition selected by the user and the associated operating parameters. In some embodiments, the display may show a countdown of time left or time elapsed for the particular light therapy treatment. Furthermore, an audible alert, such as a beep, may let the user know when the treatment event has ended. 
     While specific embodiments and applications of phototherapy devices have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention claimed hereinafter is not limited to the precise configuration and components disclosed. Various modifications, changes, and variations apparent to those of skill in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the devices and systems disclosed.