Patent Publication Number: US-2012035689-A1

Title: Heat and light-emitting pad

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is related to U.S. patent application titled “SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING BACK PAIN DURING REST,” attorney docket 552.4 filed even date here within. This application is also related to U.S. patent application titled “INTEGRATED SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING BACK PAIN DURING REST,” attorney docket 552.6 filed even date here within. This application is also related to U.S. patent application titled “WORN HEAT AND LIGHT-EMITTING DEVICE,” attorney docket 552.7 filed even date here within. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This invention relates to the field of pain relief and more particularly to a system for the deliver of heat and infrared light to a user for the relief of pain. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is known that exposure to heat and certain wavelengths of light are useful to temporarily increase local circulation, reduce pain and to enhance healing as detailed in Michlovitz and Nolan, Modalities for Therapeutic Intervention (4th Ed.), F.A. Davis Company (2005). Recent inventions have used light and/or heat as a therapeutic device for the relief of pain. In particular, it has been shown that infra-red and near infra-red light of certain wavelengths possess therapeutic qualities. Exposure to certain wavelengths of light is known to alleviate various effects that sun exposure, gravity, pollution and chemicals have on the skin. 
     LED Devices that emit infrared wavelengths of light are well known and are capable of providing sufficient light for therapeutic effects to persons exposed to the light under certain conditions. Additionally, such LED Devices also emit heat, which also provide therapeutic effects such as reducing pain in certain situations. Existing stand-alone LED devices do not provide for sufficiently convenient at-home applications of infrared light and heat. For example, cable-connected devices are available having multiple LED arrays for the irradiation of a user&#39;s leg or foot, but the cable causes problems as the user moves. Likewise, battery powered devices also having multiple LED arrays for the irradiation of a user&#39;s foot or leg improve upon this problem, but the batteries cause an issue by presenting hard bulges that exert pressure on the user when the user rests in certain positions. 
     What is needed is a system that will irradiate a locale of a user with heat and light while the user rests. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes a system, method and apparatus for directing light and heat towards an area of pain of a person while the person rests on a section of furniture (e.g., sleeps on a mattress). The light and heat is provided by an array of LEDS that are arranged to form a sheet that is thin enough to, preferably, fit comfortably between a person and, for example, a bed or other furniture. 
     In one embodiment, a treatment pad for providing heat and light to a person for the purpose of treating pain is disclosed. The treatment pad includes an array of LEDS mounted to a circuit board and held by a bendable sponge material. A controller is electrically interfaced to the LEDS and selectively provides power to the LEDS. A power switch is electrically interfaced to the controller, instructing the controller to start and stop providing power to the LEDS. A source of electrical power is connected to the controller. 
     In another embodiment, a method of reducing pain in a person is disclosed including providing a treatment pad that includes an array of LEDS mounted to a circuit board and held by a bendable sponge material with a controller electrically interfaced to the LEDS, selectively providing power to the LEDS. A power switch is electrically interfaced to the controller for instructing the controller to start and stop providing power to the LEDS and a source of electrical power connected to the controller. The method continues with placing the treatment pad on a surface with the array of LEDS facing away from the surface then resting on the treatment pad by a person for a period of time, during which the array of LEDS emit light and heat. 
     In another embodiment, an apparatus for providing heat and light to a person for the purpose of treating pain is disclosed including a device for emitting both heat and light, the device forming a sheet. Also included is a device for controlling power to the device for emitting both the heat and the light and a device for initiating and stopping the power. The devices are enclosed in a material such as cloth and connected to a source of electrical power. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a second perspective view of a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a third perspective view of the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a fourth perspective view of the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a second cross-sectional view of the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a third cross-sectional view of the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a first cross-sectional view of the second embodiment in use. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a first cross-sectional view of the second embodiment in use. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of a fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of a fourth embodiment in use. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary control system of all embodiments. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a cutaway side plan view of an exemplary LED array and control system of all embodiments. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary LED array and control system of all embodiments. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a cutaway side plan view of an exemplary LED array and control system of the first embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
     Throughout this description, a mattress (bed) is used as an example of furniture. This is but an example and it is anticipated that the present method, apparatus and system be used in conjunction and/or integrated into any type of human-supporting or contact furniture such as pillows, chairs, recliners, couches, sofas, futons, car/vehicle seats etc. It is further anticipated that the present method, apparatus and system be applied to other devices/systems that normally contact the human body such as bicycle seats, motorcycle seats, arm rests, head rests, etc. When integrated into, for example, a pillow, the pillow is, for example, placed behind the back when the person is sitting in a chair for back pain or against the neck for neck pain. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a first embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, an array of LEDS  22  is integrated into a treatment pad  16  that is positioned on, for example, a bed/mattress  10 . The LEDS  22  are connected by a circuit board  84  and held in a soft, rubber/plastic holder  17  (see  FIG. 16 ). In some embodiments, the thin pad  16 , LEDS  22  and circuit board  84  are enclosed in a cloth cover for protection. The LEDS are powered through a cable  18  connected to a power supply/controller (see  FIG. 13 ). The power supply/controller provides a controlled amount of electrical energy to the array of LEDS  22 , causing the LEDS  22  to emit light at one or more wavelengths, preferably including infrared or near infrared. Additionally, the LEDS  22  produce heat. Both the light and heat provide therapeutic effect to a person in contact with the thin pad  16  of LEDS  22  when in contact with the person. It is anticipated that, for relief of back pain, the person positions themselves such that the person&#39;s back or lower back is located directly over the thin pad  16  of LEDS  22  (see  FIGS. 9 and 10 ). The invention is anticipated to perform equally as well with other parts of the human body. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a second perspective view of a second embodiment is shown. This embodiment includes a modular section within furniture such as a mattress  10 . In such, a cavity  12  is made/formed/left in the furniture/mattress  10  into which an option module  30 / 20  is fit. In such, for deployment of the furniture/mattress  10  without the array  20  of LEDS  22 , a blank insert  30  is placed in the cavity. Therefore, when the furniture/mattress  10  is covered (e.g., with a sheet  16 —see  FIG. 7 ) and the cavity  12  is filled with the blank insert, it is difficult to detect by a person using the furniture/mattress  10 . Alternately, when the array  20  of LEDS  22  is to be used, the blank insert  30  is removed and the array  20  of LEDS  22  is inserted into the cavity  12  of the mattress/furniture  10 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the entire array  20  is populated with LEDS  22 , preferably infrared or near-infrared LEDS  22  or a mixture of infrared or near-infrared LEDS  22  and/or visible light LEDS  22 . Any wavelength of LEDS  22  is anticipated. In embodiments in which the furniture/mattress  10  is a mattress  10 , it is anticipated that the mattress  10  comprise any known mattress material currently used in the industry, including foam rubber (e.g., latex foam), memory foam (visco-elastic memory foam material) and the like. Memory foam material is often made from synthetic polyurethane foam material with the addition of certain types of chemicals which increase the weight or density of the foam, as known in the industry. It is further anticipated that the mattress  10 , in some embodiments, is an air mattress  10  and, therefore, the mattress  10  is completely sealed and air-tight around the cavity  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a third and fourth perspective view of the second embodiment is shown. In this the array  24  of LEDS  22  is populated with LEDS  22  towards one end of the array  24  and the array  24  is passive at the opposite end (absent of active LEDS). In such, when a shorter person uses the array  24 , for example to relieve lower back pain, the array  24  is positioned in the mattress as shown in  FIG. 3  and the active LEDS  22  are positioned toward the head of the bed  11 , thereby aligning with the shorter person&#39;s lower back. Alternately, as shown in  FIG. 4 , when a taller person uses the array  24 , for example to relieve lower back pain, the array  24  is turned 180 degrees within the mattress so that the active LEDS  22  are positioned away from the head of the bed  11 , thereby aligning with the taller person&#39;s lower back. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment is shown. In this view, the blank insert  30  is snuggly fit within the cavity  12  (e.g. a tight fit limiting or reducing movement/sliding along any axis). In some embodiments, a hole or slot  14  connects the cavity with the bottom of the furniture/mattress  10  for running cables  26  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a second cross-sectional view of the second embodiment is shown. In this view, the array  20  of LEDS  22  is snuggly fit within the cavity  12  (e.g. a tight fit limiting or reducing movement/sliding along any axis). In some embodiments, an electrical cable  26  from the LEDS  22  to a controller  70  and/or power supply  74  (see  FIGS. 12 and 13 ) exits through the hole or slot  14  connects the cavity with the bottom of the furniture/mattress  10  for running cables  26 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a third cross-sectional view of the second embodiment is shown. In this view, the array  20  of LEDS  22  is positioned within the cavity  12 . In some embodiments, an electrical cable  26  from the LEDS  22  to a controller  72  and/or power supply  74  (see  FIG. 13 ) exits through the hole or slot  14  that connects the cavity with the bottom of the furniture/mattress  10  for running cables  26 . In this view, a cloth cover  16  is positioned over the array  20  of LEDS  22 . Studies have shown that by increasing the power and/or duration of activity of the LEDS  22 , sufficient heat and light penetrate layers of cloth  16  such as sheets, bedding, etc, and provide relief for pain such as lower back pain. Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the sheet  16  (for example) covers the LEDS  22  and the user positions their body such that the area in pain rests on top of the sheet  16  where the LEDS  22  lay beneath. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a perspective view of a third embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, a set of LEDS  22  are integrated directly into furniture/mattress  18 . The LEDS  22  are fitted into holes or apertures of the mattress  18  and are in a fixed position relative to the head  11  of the mattress. Again, as in  FIG. 7 , it is anticipated that in some embodiments, a cloth cover  16  is positioned over the LEDS  22  and the power and/or duration of activity of the LEDS  22  is increased, providing sufficient heat and light to penetrate the layers of cloth  16  such as sheets, bedding, etc, and provide relief for pain such as lower back pain. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a first and second cross-sectional view of the second embodiment in use is shown. In this the array  24  of LEDS  22  is populated with LEDS  22  towards one end of the array  24  and the array  24  is passive at the opposite end. In such, when a shorter person  5  uses the array  24 , for example to relieve lower back pain, the array  24  is positioned in the mattress  10  as shown in  FIG. 9  and the active LEDS  22  are positioned toward the head of the bed  11 , thereby aligning with the shorter person&#39;s  5  lower back. Alternately, as shown in  FIG. 10 , when a taller person  6  uses the array  24 , for example to relieve lower back pain, the array  24  is positioned in the mattress  10  so that the active LEDS  22  are positioned away from the head of the bed  11 , thereby aligning with the taller person&#39;s  6  lower back. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , perspective views of a fourth embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, an array  52  of LEDS  22  and power sources  74  are integrated into a wearable device  56  that attaches to a person&#39;s body  54  with a belt  58  and fastener  59 . The belt  58  and fastener  59  are any such device as known in the industry and the exemplary hook and loop fastener  59  is one possible fastener. Other belt  58  lengths, widths and shapes are anticipated as well as other fasteners  59  such as buckles, buttons, snaps, etc. 
     In some embodiments, the array  52  of LEDS  22  and power sources  74  (e.g. batteries  74 ) are covered with a cloth material  51  such as nylon, silk, polyester, cotton, etc. As previously discussed, the power and/or duration of activity of the LEDS  22  is/are increased, providing sufficient heat and light to penetrate the layer of cloth  51  to provide relief for pain such as lower back pain as shown in  FIG. 12 . It is anticipated that the wearable device  56  of this embodiment is adaptable in size and shape to be worn on other parts of the body  54  such as feet, ankles, knees, legs, other areas of the back, neck, arms, hands and head. By situating the power source  74  (e.g. batteries  74 ) within the back area of the wearable device  56 , heat emitted from the batteries as they discharge provides additional heat to, for example, the person&#39;s  54  back (see  FIG. 12 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , a schematic view of an exemplary control system of all embodiments is shown. In this example, each LED  22  in the array  20  is current limited by an individual resistor  70 . To illuminate the LEDS  22 , a voltage is supplied by the controller  72  and the value of the resistors  70  determines the current flowing through each LED  22  and hence, the power output of each LED  22 . The lower the resistance of each resistor  70 , the higher the power output of its corresponding LED  22 . This is an example of how such LEDS  22  are provided with a predetermined amount of power and other methods are well known using various combinations of LEDS  22  connected in series and/or parallel with various combinations of resistors  70  or other current controlling devices. In some embodiments, the current is directly controlled by the controller  72 , eliminating the need for resistors  70 . Any known system for providing a controlled amount of power to the LEDS  22  is anticipated here within. 
     As discussed previously, in applications in which a cloth  16 / 51  is situated between the user and the LEDS  22 , the power to the LEDS  22  is increased to provide greater heat and light output to overcome the loss inserted by the cloth  16 / 51 . This is accomplished in any way known in the industry including selecting lower resistance values of the resistors  70  or increasing the voltage output of the controller  72 , etc. 
     The controller  72  provides power to the LEDS  22  during an active period. It is anticipated that the controller  72  provide power to the LEDS  22  for a pre-determined period of time from minutes up to continuously, as needed to address the user&#39;s specific pain. It is also anticipated that the controller  72  provide any known sequencing of power levels and timing as needed to address the specific pain. For example, for certain pain/healing operations, it is desired to alternate heat/cool and the controller  72  provides power for one period, thereby providing heat, and no or little power for another period, thereby removing the heat. Additionally, the controller  72 , in some embodiments, provides pulse width modulation to control the power to the LEDS in which, the greater the pulse width, the greater the power supplied to the LEDS and the greater the light and heat intensity. In this embodiment, the pulse width and frequency is either fixed or variable. 
     For completeness, a power source  74  is shown, as known in the industry. Any known power source  74  is anticipated, including, but not limited to, a battery pack, a rechargeable battery pack and a power supply such as a power brick for converting household electric power into a DC voltage. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , a cutaway side plan view of an exemplary LED array control system of all embodiments is shown. In the preferred embodiment, the LEDS  22  are held in holes of a material  80 , preferably a soft, sponge-like material that also conducts heat to provide a more even heat should one LED  22  heat more than another LED  22 . The LEDs are physically and electrically interfaced to a circuit board  84  situated between the belt  58  and the LEDs  22 /material  80 . Other components such as the controller  72  and resistors  70  (if needed) are preferably mounted on the circuit board  84 . Also connected to the circuit board  84  is a power switch  82  for signaling the controller  72  to enter an operating mode. Responsive to the user operating the power switch  82 , the controller provides power to the LEDS  22 . For example, after the user operates the power switch  82 , the controller  72  provides power to the LEDS  22  for a fixed amount of time and then removes power to the LEDS  22  for another fixed amount of time, repeating this sequence for a pre-determined number of cycles. Although any switch  82  is anticipated, a proximity switch  82  is preferred to reduce the chance of the user inadvertently tripping the switch while wearing the belt  56 . The proximity switch  82  preferably has hysteresis requiring the user to touch the proximity switch  82  for a time period before the operating mode is entered and requiring the user to again touch the proximity switch  82  for a time period before shutting off power. To inform the user that the operating mode has been entered or the system is shut off, a sounder  87  (see  FIG. 15 ) is provided in some embodiments, preferably emitting one sound or sequence for entering the operating mode and another for power off. 
     In some embodiments, the LEDS  22  and power sources  74  (not visible in  FIG. 14 ) are covered with a cloth material  51  such as nylon, silk, polyester, cotton, etc. As previously discussed, the power and/or duration of activity of the LEDS  22  is/are increased, providing sufficient heat and light to penetrate the layer of cloth  51  to provide relief for pain such as lower back pain. It is anticipated that the wearable device  56  of this embodiment is adaptable in size and shape to be worn on other parts of the body  54  such as feet, ankles, knees, legs, other areas of the back, neck, arms, hands and head. By situating the power source  74  (e.g. batteries  74 ) within the back area of the wearable device  56 , heat emitted from the batteries as they discharge provides additional heat to, for example, the person&#39;s  54  back (see  FIG. 12 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , a top plan view of an exemplary LED array and control system of all embodiments is shown. In the preferred embodiment, the LEDS  22  are held in holes of a material  80 , preferably a soft, sponge-like material that also conducts heat to provide a more even heat should one LED  22  heat more than another LED  22 . The LEDs are physically and electrically interfaced to a circuit board  84  situated between the belt  58  and the LEDs  22 /material  80 . Other components such as the controller  72  and resistors  70  (if needed) are preferably mounted on the circuit board  84 . The power source  74  (e.g. batteries  74 ) is electrically connected to the circuit board  84  the power source  74  (e.g. batteries  74 ) is situated within the back area of the wearable device  56 . In some embodiments, the power source  74  is located near the circuit board  84  so that as the batteries  74  discharge, heat emitted provides additional heat to, for example, the person&#39;s  54  back (see  FIG. 12 ). 
     Also connected to the circuit board  84  is a power switch  82  for signaling the controller  72  to enter an operating mode. Responsive to the user operating the power switch  82 , the controller provides power to the LEDS  22 . For example, after the user operates the power switch  82 , the controller  72  provides power to the LEDS  22  for a fixed amount of time and then removes power to the LEDS  22  for another fixed amount of time, repeating this sequence for a pre-determined number of cycles. Although any switch  82  is anticipated, a proximity switch  82  is preferred to reduce the chance of the user inadvertently tripping the switch while wearing the belt  56 . The proximity switch  82  preferably has hysteresis requiring the user to touch the proximity switch  82  for a time period before the operating mode is entered and requiring the user to again touch the proximity switch  82  for a time period before shutting off power. To inform the user that the operating mode has been entered or the system is shut off, a sounder  87  (see  FIG. 15 ) is provided in some embodiments, preferably emitting one sound or sequence for entering the operating mode and another for power off. 
     The power source  74  is charged through a power connector  85  that is connected to an external power source (not shown) such as a wall-wart as known in the industry. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , a cutaway side plan view of an exemplary LED array control system of the first embodiment is shown. In the preferred implementation, the LEDS  22  are held in holes of a material  17 , preferably a soft, sponge-like material that also conducts heat to provide a more even heat should one LED  22  heat more than another LED  22 . The LEDs are physically and electrically interfaced to a circuit board  84 . Other components such as the controller  72  and resistors  70  (if needed) are preferably mounted on the circuit board  84 . Also connected to the circuit board  84  is a power switch  82  for signaling the controller  72  to enter an operating mode. Responsive to the user operating the power switch  82 , the controller provides power to the LEDS  22 . For example, after the user operates the power switch  82 , the controller  72  provides power to the LEDS  22  for a fixed amount of time and then removes power to the LEDS  22  for another fixed amount of time, repeating this sequence for a pre-determined number of cycles. Although any switch  82  is anticipated, a proximity switch  82  is preferred to reduce the chance of the user inadvertently tripping the switch while wearing the belt  56 . The proximity switch  82  preferably has hysteresis requiring the user to touch the proximity switch  82  for a time period before the operating mode is entered and requiring the user to again touch the proximity switch  82  for a time period before shutting off power. To inform the user that the operating mode has been entered or the system is shut off, a sounder  87  (see  FIG. 15 ) is provided in some embodiments, preferably emitting one sound or sequence for entering the operating mode and another for power off. 
     In some embodiments, the LEDS  22  and electronics  70 / 72 / 82 / 84  are enclosed within a cloth material  90  such as nylon, silk, polyester, cotton, etc. As previously discussed, the power and/or duration of activity of the LEDS  22  is/are increased, providing sufficient heat and light to penetrate the layer of cloth  90  to provide relief for pain such as lower back pain. It is anticipated that any number of LEDS  22  be present to cover a suitable area of the user&#39;s body. In some embodiments, power is provided by a power cable  18  connected to an external power source such as a power brick or wall-wart, as known in the industry. 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
     It is believed that the system and method and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.