Patent Application
20250229099
The present invention relates to a light radiation system, a light radiation method, a light measurement method, and a light measurement device.
In recent years, the effects of light on a human body have been examined from various perspectives, and reports based on new findings have been made. For example, it has been reported that circadian rhythm is improved by exposure to sunlight (Non-Patent Document 1), light emitted from light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, a liquid crystal display that uses an LED as a backlight, or the like has a significant effect on the body and mind (Non-Patent Document 2), violet light prevents myopia and suppresses an onset of myopia (Patent Document 1), and the like. In particular, the present inventors have recently reported on the effects of violet light on myopia. For example, in Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 3, it is proposed that light having a specific wavelength is effective in preventing and suppressing the progression of myopia, and there are great expectations in recent years with the number of persons with myopia still increasing worldwide.
Opsin 5 (OPN5) is known as a photoreceptor protein, and research on visual functions and non-visual functions in humans and animals is underway (Non-Patent Document 4).
As shown in
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. The present invention aims to provide a light radiation system, a light radiation method, a light measurement method, and a light measurement device.
According to this first light radiation system, each light source is set in terms of any one of the above, making it possible to radiate light having a wavelength in a wavelength region overlapping the peak wavelength of the OPN5 absorption spectrum to an irradiated subject. As a result, the first light radiation system is advantageous to activation of OPN5 present in the retina of the person who is the irradiated subject. A preferred mode of the setting is a mode in which one or two or more conditions selected from the installation position, the radiation direction of the light, the wavelength range of the light, the irradiance of the light, the radiation time frame of the light, and the radiation duration of the light of each of the one or two or more light sources are regulated.
According to this second light radiation system, the spectrum of the light received by the irradiated subject is set so that the received effective spectral irradiance is 0.2% or more of the reference effective spectral irradiance. In this light radiation system, the spectrum of light received by the irradiated subject may be selected as appropriate on the basis of the technical common knowledge of those skilled in the art regarding a light source that radiates light having wavelengths in a wavelength region overlapping a peak wavelength of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, bringing the received effective spectral irradiance to 0.2% or more of the reference effective spectral irradiance, and one or two or more conditions selected from the installation position, the radiation direction of the light, the wavelength range of the light, the irradiance of the light, the radiation time frame of the light, and the radiation duration of the light of each of the one or two or more light sources may be regulated. As a result, the second light radiation system is advantageous to the activation of OPN5 present in the retina of the person who is the irradiated subject. The light having the irradiance that is a percentage within the above-described range is calculated on the basis of the light spectrum measured at the irradiated subject or a position around the irradiated subject.
Further, examples of a modification of the second light radiation system include a light radiation system including one or two or more light sources that radiate light having a wavelength in a wavelength region overlapping a peak wavelength of an OPN5 absorption spectrum. A spectrum of the light received by an irradiated subject is set so that, with regard to a received effective spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) calculated as a product of a spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) of each wavelength in a wavelength region of 280 nm to 500 nm of the light and a relative absorbance of data of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, on a per wavelength basis, a received effective irradiance (W/m2) obtained by integration in the wavelength region is, with regard to a reference effective spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) calculated as a product of a spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) of a sunlight spectrum defined by AM1.5G and a relative absorbance of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, on a per wavelength basis, 0.2% or more of a reference effective irradiance (W/m2) obtained by integration in the wavelength region.
Further, examples of a modification of the second light radiation system that differ from the above include a light radiation system including one or two or more light sources that radiate light having a wavelength in a wavelength region overlapping a peak wavelength of an OP N5 absorption spectrum. A spectrum of the light received by an irradiated subject is set so that, with regard to a received effective spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) calculated as a product of a spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) of each wavelength in a wavelength region of 280 nm to 500 nm of the light and a relative absorbance of data of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, on a per wavelength basis, a received effective dose (J/m2) obtained by multiplying a received effective irradiance (W/m2) obtained by integration in the wavelength region by the radiation duration (seconds) is, with regard to a reference effective spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) calculated as a product of a spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) of a sunlight spectrum defined by AM1.5G and a relative absorbance of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, on a per wavelength basis, 0.2% or more of a received reference effective dose (J/m2) obtained by multiplying a reference effective irradiance (W/m2) obtained by integration in the wavelength region by the radiation duration (seconds).
According to this third light radiation system, the installation position, the radiation direction of the light, the wavelength range of the light, the irradiance, the radiation time frame, and the radiation duration of each light source are regulated on the basis of the results obtained through comparison by the light measuring means. As a result, the third light radiation system is advantageous to the activation of OPN5 present in the retina of the person who is the irradiated subject.
In the first to third light radiation systems, preferably the light is light including 380 nm that is the peak wavelength of the OPN5 absorption spectrum and, more preferably the light is light having a wavelength of 400 nm or less or 410 nm or less. It should be noted that light having a wavelength of 400 nm or less or 410 nm or less is light having a low relative luminous efficiency, and thus such light is advantageous to facilitating long-period radiation directed toward a person in a case in which the light is constituted solely by wavelengths of 400 nm or less or 410 nm or less or, even if the light includes wavelengths of 400 nm or greater or 410 nm or greater, or the spectral irradiance or the irradiance in the wavelength region is lower than the spectral irradiance or the irradiance in the wavelength region of 400 nm or less or 410 nm or less.
In the first to third light radiation systems, the one or two or more light sources are disposed at one or two or more positions selected from a position where the light is radiated toward an irradiated subject who is a radiation target, a position in a field of view of the irradiated subject, a position along the subject's visual line, a position where the light is radiated to the irradiated subject as diffused light diffused by a diffusing material, and a position where the light is radiated to the irradiated subject as reflected light reflected by a reflecting material.
In the first to third light radiation systems, for each of the one or two or more light sources, (i) in a case in which the light source is provided at a position where the light is radiated toward the irradiated subject, the irradiance of the light is regulated in accordance with a distance and/or an angle from the light source to the irradiated subject, (ii) in a case in which the light source is provided at a position in the field of view of the irradiated subject or a position in the visual line direction from the irradiated subject side, the irradiance of the light is regulated in accordance with the distance and/or the angle from the light source to the irradiated subject, (iii) in a case in which the light source is provided at a position where the light is radiated to the irradiated subject as the diffused light diffused by the diffusing material, the irradiance of the light is regulated in accordance with a distance and/or an angle from the light source and the diffusing material to the irradiated subject, or a diffusion angle and/or a transmittance of the diffusing material, and (iv) in a case in which the light source is provided at a position where the light is radiated to the irradiated subject as the reflected light reflected by the reflecting material, the irradiance of the light is regulated in accordance with a distance and/or an angle from the light source and the reflecting material to the irradiated subject, or a reflection angle and/or a reflectance of the reflecting material.
In the first to third light radiation systems, each of the one or two or more light sources may be selected, as non-limiting examples, from a structure-attached light source attached to a floor (including underfoot), a wall, a ceiling (including a suspended ceiling), or other structure; an installation-attached light source attached to a desk, a table, a partition (divider, screen), a shelf, a desktop member, a personal computer (PC), a display, a PC keyboard, a television, an audio device, or other equipment or installation; a built-in or attached light source of a portable PC, a tablet, a smartphone, or other mobile terminal; a body-accessory-attached light source detachably mounted or attached to a vision correcting aid, eye protective equipment, face protective equipment, neck hanging accessory, ear hooking accessory, head-attached equipment, or other body accessory; and a functional device-attached light source attached to a functional device for augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or mixed reality (MR) (including goggles, a headset, and other functional devices).
In the first to third light radiation systems, the one or two or more light sources are regulated in orientation or position manually or automatically.
In one mode of the third light radiation system, a received effective spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) found from a product of the spectral data of the light and the data of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, on a per wavelength basis, is calculated.
In the mode of the third light radiation system, a reference effective spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) found from a product of a spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) of each wavelength in a sunlight spectrum defined by AM1.5G and the OPN5 absorption spectrum, on a per wavelength basis, is calculated and compared with the received effective spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm). Further, one mode of the third light radiation system may be a mode in which the respective spectral data of the spectral data of the light and the data of the OPN5 absorption spectrum are standardized, and overlapping portions are subsequently compared. In this case, the overlapping portions are preferably large.
In the third light radiation system, the spectral data of the light is compared in all or part of a wavelength region of the OPN5 absorption spectrum. In this application, “all” refers to a wavelength region within a range of 280 to 500 nm, and “part” refers to a wavelength region specified as desired from the entire wavelength region, such as a wavelength region within a range of 360 to 400 nm or 370 to 390 nm, for example.
In the third light radiation system, one mode of the comparison in the wavelength region may be a mode in which the received effective spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) is integrated in the wavelength region to obtain a received effective irradiance (W/m2), the reference effective spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) is similarly integrated in the same wavelength region to obtain a reference effective irradiance (W/m2), and the received effective irradiance and the reference effective irradiance thus obtained are compared. With this comparison, the third light radiation system is advantageous to quantitatively evaluating changes in the body that occur by the absorption of light by OPN5 present in the retina of the person.
In the mode, preferably the received effective irradiance is set to 0.2% or more of the reference effective irradiance.
Furthermore, one mode of the third light radiation system may be a mode in which a received effective dose (J/m2) obtained by multiplying the received effective irradiance (W/m2) by the radiation duration (seconds) and a received reference effective dose (J/m2) obtained by multiplying the reference effective irradiance (W/m2) by the radiation duration (seconds) are compared. With this comparison, the third light radiation system is advantageous to quantitatively evaluating the changes in the body that occur by the absorption of light by OPN5 present in the retina of the person.
In the mode, preferably the received effective dose is set to 0.2% or more of the received reference effective dose.
In the third light radiation system, the measurement is performed by a measurement unit. The measurement unit is not particularly limited in mode as long as measurement is possible. Non-limiting examples of the measurement unit include a mode such as being provided to eyeglasses, an earphone, a wristwatch, a chest badge, or other article worn on a body, worn on the body itself, or attached to an installation near or around the body, on the basis of a form of each of the one or two or more light sources that radiate the light.
This light radiation method further comprises a light measuring means for measuring the spectral data of the light and comparing the spectral data of the light and the data of the OPN5 absorption spectrum. A received effective spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) found from a product of the spectral data of the light and the data of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, on a per wavelength basis, is calculated.
According to this invention, the spectral data of the received light is measured and the measured spectral data of the light and known OPN5 absorption spectral data stored in advance are compared, and thus the obtained comparison results are evaluated, making it possible to help clarify a relationship between light radiation and visual functions and non-visual functions (including a relationship with myopia progression suppression).
In this light measurement method, the comparison is performed by a calculation unit, and a received effective spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) found from a product of the spectral data of the light and the data of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, on a per wavelength basis, is calculated in the calculation unit.
In this light measurement method, a reference effective spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) found from a product of a spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) of a sunlight spectrum defined by AM1.5G and the OPN5 absorption spectrum, on a per wavelength basis, is calculated and compared with the received effective spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm).
According to this invention, it is possible to conduct a generalized evaluation of a degree (for example, percentage: %) of the actual received effective spectral irradiance relative to the common reference effective spectral irradiance, regardless of a measurement region or a measurement time. As a result, it is possible to utilize the measurement method in an objective evaluation of whether light radiation is related to physical effects on the basis of the comparison results.
In this light measurement method, the spectral data of the light is compared in all or part of a wavelength region of the OPN5 absorption spectrum.
According to this invention, even in a case in which the received light includes various spectral data, a comparison is conducted with all or part of the wavelength region of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, making it possible to apply the method to an evaluation in which the wavelength region of the light is specified using a filter or the like. As a result, the method can be utilized as a measurement method of clearly defining whether the physical effects changed by the light radiation are related to the received effective spectral irradiance across the entire wavelength region of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, related to the received effective spectral irradiance in a specific wavelength region of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, or the like. It should be noted that, for example, as a method of specifying a wavelength region of light by using a filter or the like, it is also possible to specify a specific wavelength region such as that of violet light or the like having the wavelength region of 360 to 400 nm, for example, and thus utilize the method in verification of detailed effects specifying a wavelength region and the like as well. In this application, “all” refers to a wavelength region within a range of 280 to 500 nm, and “part” refers to a wavelength region specified as desired from the entire wavelength region, such as a wavelength region within a range of 360 to 400 nm or 370 to 390 nm, for example.
In this light measurement method, during comparison in the wavelength region, the received effective spectral irradiance is integrated in the wavelength region to obtain a received effective irradiance (W/m2), the reference effective spectral irradiance is similarly integrated in the same wavelength region to obtain a reference effective irradiance (W/m2), and the received effective irradiance and the reference effective irradiance thus obtained are compared.
In this light measurement method, a received effective dose (J/m2) obtained by multiplying the received effective irradiance (W/m2) by a radiation duration (seconds) and a received reference effective dose (J/m2) obtained by multiplying the reference effective irradiance (W/m2) by the radiation duration (seconds) are compared. With this comparison, the light measurement method is advantageous to quantitatively evaluating the changes in the body that occur by the absorption of light by OPN5 present in the retina of the person.
In this light measurement method, the measurement is performed by a measurement unit, and the measurement unit may be provided to eyeglasses, an earphone, a wristwatch, a chest badge, or other article worn on a body, worn on the body itself, or attached to an installation near or around the body, on the basis of a form of each of the one or two or more light sources that radiate the light. According to this invention, attachment in the above-described mode is selected and performed as desired on the basis of an installation form (light source form, light source installation position, and the like) of the light source that radiates the light, and thus is not likely to interfere with daily life and makes it easy to measure the spectrum of the light received by the eyes and the body. It should be noted that, in the light measurement method, the measurement unit need not necessarily be installed, and may be an independent measurement device.
This invention is a device that executes the light measurement method of the above-described (5). As a non-limiting mode thereof, among the measurement unit, the calculation unit, and the output unit constituting the device, at least the measurement unit is built into the light measurement device, but the calculation unit and the output unit may be built into the light measurement device or may not be built into the light measurement device but rather provided in an external device or external equipment.
According to a first light radiation system of the present invention, each light source is set, making it possible to radiate light having a wavelength in a wavelength region overlapping a peak wavelength of an OPN5 absorption spectrum to an irradiated subject. As a result, the first light radiation system is advantageous to activation of OPN5 present in a retina of a person who is the irradiated subject.
According to a second light radiation system of the present invention, it is possible to radiate light in which a received effective spectral irradiance is 0.2% or more of a reference effective spectral irradiance to the irradiated subject. As a result, the second light radiation system is advantageous to the activation of OPN5 present in the retina of the person who is the irradiated subject.
According to a third light radiation system of the present invention, an installation position, a radiation direction of the light, a wavelength range of the light, an irradiance, a radiation time frame, and a radiation duration of each light source are set on the basis of the results obtained through comparison by a light measuring means. As a result, the third light radiation system is advantageous to the activation of OPN5 present in the retina of the person who is the irradiated subject.
According to a light radiation method of the present invention, the light to be radiated is regulated on the basis of a comparison between spectral data of the light obtained by receiving the radiated light and OPN5 absorption spectral data, and thus the light radiation method is advantageous to the activation of OPN5 present in the retina of the person who is the irradiated subject.
According to a light measurement method and a light measurement device of the present invention, the spectrum of the received light is measured and the measured spectral data of the light and the known OPN5 absorption spectral data stored in advance are compared, and thus the obtained comparison results are evaluated, making it possible to expect clarification of the relationship between light radiation and visual functions and non-visual functions (including the relationship with myopia progression suppression). Such obtained comparison results can be utilized as basic data for evaluating the relationship between received light and OPN5 activation, particularly can be calculated and quantified on the basis of a degree of overlap between the measured light spectral data and the known OPN5 absorption spectral data, and thus can be utilized for objective evaluation of whether light radiation is related to physical effects.
Hereinafter, a light radiation system, a light radiation method, a light measurement method, and a light measurement device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments below, and can be modified to various modes as long as the gist of this application is included.
Hereinafter, components of each aspect of the above-described invention will be described in detail. It should be noted that each component is related to the respective aspects of the present invention and thus, in the following, will be described in order thereof and not in the order of the aspects.
Opsin 5 (OPN5) is a photoreceptor protein and is present in the human retina. As shown in
The OPN5 absorption spectrum is an absorption spectrum in which, given 1 as the absorbance at the peak of 380 nm, a wavelength range corresponding to an absorbance of 0.1 or higher is within a range of approximately 300 nm to approximately 440 nm, a wavelength range corresponding to an absorbance of 0.5 or higher is within a range of approximately 340 nm to approximately 420 nm, a wavelength range corresponding to an absorbance of 0.7 or higher is within a range of approximately 350 nm to approximately 410 nm, and a wavelength range corresponding to an absorbance of 0.8 or higher is within a range of approximately 360 nm to approximately 400 nm, as shown in
In the present invention, the light radiated from the light source or the light received by the irradiated subject includes light having a wavelength in a wavelength region overlapping the peak wavelength of the OPN5 absorption spectrum. The peak wavelength of the OPN5 absorption spectrum is 380 nm, as described above. Here, “light having a wavelength in a wavelength region overlapping the peak wavelength” may be any light having a wavelength in a wavelength region including the peak wavelength (380 nm) of the OPN5 absorption spectrum shown in
It should be noted that the “light having a wavelength in a wavelength region including the peak wavelength (380 nm) of the OPN5 absorption spectrum” may be, for example, light including a wavelength range of ±20 nm of the peak wavelength (380 nm) of the OPN5 absorption spectrum or light partially overlapping the peak wavelength. This means that the radiated light is more preferably light having a peak within the wavelength range of 380 nm ±20 nm, but may be light having a wavelength in a wavelength region that does not have a peak, but emits light within the range. Further, “light including” is light radiating wavelengths of 360 to 400 nm including 380 nm ±20 nm, and “light partially overlapping” means light at least overlapping 380 nm, for example, including a wavelength region of 370 to 400 nm, 360 to 390 nm, 365 to 395 nm, or the like. It should be noted that the present inventors refer to light having a wavelength within the wavelength range of 360 nm to 400 nm as violet light, and thus, hereinafter, the light having a wavelength within this wavelength range may be described as violet light.
“Radiated” means that the light emitted from the light source is radiated to the person who is the irradiated subject. A radiated mode may be a mode in which the light source is directed toward the irradiated subject who is the radiation target, and the light emitted from the light source is directly radiated to the irradiated subject; a mode in which the light emitted from the light source at a position in a field of view of the person who is the irradiated subject or at a position along the subject's visual line is radiated to the irradiated subject; or a mode in which the light source is not directed toward the irradiated subject, and the light emitted from the light source is radiated as diffused light or reflected light to the irradiated subject. “Received light” refers to the light received by the person who is the irradiated subject. The irradiance and the absorption spectrum of the received light are measured by a measurement device attached to the person or a position around the person. It should be noted that, in this application, the irradiated subject, the person, and the eyes of the person have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.
For humans, it is said that light having a wavelength of less than 315 nm has a negative effect on the eyes, and thus a lower limit of the wavelength of the light is preferably 340 nm, 350 nm, or 360 nm. The wavelength among these that serves as the lower limit depends on the irradiance of the light in the lower limit region. If the irradiance of the light near the lower limit is small, the wavelength may be less than 340 nm. However, preferably the light is within a lower limit range of 340 nm, 350 nm, or 360 nm, and more preferably the light is within a lower limit range of 350 nm or 360 nm. It should be noted that, in the OPN5 absorption spectrum shown in
The light is preferably light having an upper-limit wavelength of 400 nm or less or 410 nm or less. Light having such a wavelength is light having a low relative luminous efficiency. Light having a low relative luminous efficiency is light that is not too glaring and/or light that is not too bright. “Light that is not too glaring” is light that is not glaring for the person who is the irradiated subject. Even if such light is radiated, the person will not recognize or will find it difficult to recognize the glare, and thus such light is advantageous to facilitating long-period radiation directed toward the person. “Light that is not too bright” is light having low illuminance. “Radiation of light having a wavelength of 400 nm or less or 410 nm or less and having a low relative luminous efficiency” include cases in which the light is radiated from a light source that does not emit or substantially does not emit light exceeding 400 nm or exceeding 410 nm. As such a light source, violet light of 360 nm to 400 nm or light of 350 nm to 410 nm is particularly preferred. Further, even in a case in which the light is radiated from a light source including a filter that blocks light having a wavelength exceeding 400 nm or exceeding 410 nm or a case in which light having a wavelength exceeding 400 nm or exceeding 410 nm is emitted, it is possible to radiate light having a wavelength of 400 nm or less or 410 nm or less.
The relative luminous efficiency, according to “Change of Brightness of Colored Lights Measuring by the Direct Comparison Method” (Masanori Takase, Katsunori Okajima, Keiji Uchikawa, and Mitsuo Ikeda, Japanese Journal of Optics, Vol. 19, No. 3, 1990), for example, can be measured using methods such as a direct comparison method, a flicker photometry method, an iteration method, a minimally distinct border (MDB) method, and an absolute threshold method. The standard CIE relative luminous efficiency function is described as mainly determined using the flicker photometry method, and typically is evaluated using the direct comparison method and the flicker photometry method. It should be noted that the data for the relative luminous efficiency (spectral luminous efficiency) is listed in Appendix Table 8 of “https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/download?law_unique_id=404M50000400080_20161001_000000000000000&file_type=PDF_H1.” The relative luminous efficiency (relative luminous efficiency in a bright location) is standardized by light having a wavelength of 555 nm (green light) and, from this table, for example, a relative luminous efficiency of 0.01 or less corresponds to a wavelength region of less than 430 nm on the short wavelength side. Thus, humans perceive green light as the brightest, and the sensation of brightness decreases whether the wavelength increases or decreases from that point. The relative luminous efficiency is obtained by, given 1 as the brightness at a wavelength of 555 nm, expressing the brightness of other wavelengths having the same energy as comparison values.
<Expression of OPN5 gene or activation of OPN5>
Regarding the gene expression of OPN5, a prior art document (WO2020/027305A1 in which the present inventors are included sets forth that quantification of OPN5 gene expression is possible, and a degree of gene expression can be evaluated by utilizing such quantification. Evaluation is, as described above, performed using, as a comparative reference value, the value in a case in which light having a wavelength of 360 to 400 nm corresponding to an absorbance of 0.8 or higher of the OPN5 absorption spectrum is not radiated. The degree of gene expression relative to the comparative reference value is then evaluated as gene expressivity. The radiation conditions and effects on disease are comprehensively evaluated, making it possible to determine the desirable radiation conditions and installation position of the light source. The light radiation device according to the present invention is used from the perspective of expressing the OPN5 gene when determining the radiation conditions and the installation position of the light source in a case of irradiating the retina with light, making it possible to expect effects on various diseases.
The activation of OPN5 can also be evaluated as in the case of gene expression. It should be noted that, in the evaluation of OPN5 activation, brain waves that respond to radiation of light can be measured to evaluate the degree of activation. In fact, in the same prior art document as that described above (WO2020/027305A1 and https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4426/11/6/557) as well, specific brain activity (brain waves) has been observed in response to radiation of light having a wavelength of 360 to 400 nm, and thus OPN5 activation can be evaluated by the generation of brain waves. OPN5 is a photoreceptor called a Gi-type G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and therefore, in a case in which activity is measured at a cellular level, cells are cultured and exposed to light, and an increase in the intracellular level of K+ ions and an increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) are measured. It should be noted that a paper (https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1012498107) also sets forth that OPN5 is activated by light having a wavelength of 380 nm, causing K+ influx and an increase in intracellular cAMP, which elevates the signal. The light radiation device according to the present invention is used from the perspective of activating the OPN5 when determining the radiation conditions and the installation position of the light source in a case of irradiating the retina with light, making it possible to expect effects on various diseases.
As illustrated in
<Light source>
The light source is not particularly limited as long as the light source radiates light having a wavelength within the wavelength range described above. “Radiates light having a wavelength within the wavelength range” means that the emission spectrum of the light source itself may be within the wavelength range described above (for example, light of 360 nm to 400 nm or 350 nm to 410 nm) or, even if the emission spectrum of the light source itself exceeds the upper limit of the wavelength range described above, may be within the wavelength range described above through a shielding filter. Further, as shown in
For example, light of 360 nm to 400 nm or 350 nm to 410 nm overlaps the absorption spectrum of OPN5 having a peak at 380 nm, and has a low relative luminous efficiency and is not glaring, and thus is advantageous to that, even when the light is radiated to the eyes of a person as direct light, as diffused light, or as reflected light, the light is relatively unobtrusive and can activate OPN5 present in the retina of the person, for example.
It should be noted that, in a case in which light is radiated toward the eyes of the person who is the irradiated subject, a light source that emits only light of 400 nm or less or 410 nm or less that is not glaring is desirably used. However, in a case of a light source disposed so as to not radiate light toward the eyes of the person, the light source may include light having a wavelength exceeding 400 nm or exceeding 410 nm (white light and the like) along with the light of 400 nm or less or 410 nm or less, or may be obtained by combining a light source of 400 nm or less or 410 nm or less and a light source that emits light having other wavelengths.
The light emitted from the light source may be constant light or flickering light. In the case of flickering light, ongoing flickering light may be continuously applied, or may be applied at intervals of several seconds, tens of seconds, several minutes, or the like.
One or two or more light sources are provided. Each light source may be in a mode selected from the group consisting of a structure-attached light source attached to a floor (including underfoot), a wall, a ceiling (including a suspended ceiling), or other structure; an installation-attached light source attached to a desk, a table, a partition (divider, screen), a shelf, a desktop member, a personal computer (PC), a display, a PC keyboard, a television, an audio device, or other equipment or installation; a built-in or attached light source of a portable PC, a tablet, a smartphone, or other mobile terminal; a body-accessory-attached light source detachably mounted or attached to a vision correcting aid, eye protective equipment, face protective equipment, neck hanging accessory, ear hooking accessory, head-attached equipment, or other body accessory; and a functional device-attached light source attached to a functional device for augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or mixed reality (MR) (including goggles, a headset, and other functional devices). Each light source is, in accordance with a form thereof, built into or attached to a structure, a device, an installation, a mobile terminal, a body accessory, a functional device, or the like, and the light emitted from the light source can be radiated to the person as direct light, as diffused light, or as reflected light.
Such a light source form may be an installation-attached light source attached as is inside housing such as a private home, a public or shared building such as a school building, a government building, a company building, and a gymnasium, or in a structure covered by a roof but without walls, or may be an installation-attached light source attached to furniture or other installations. Further, the light source may be a portable light source that can be installed on a mobile terminal such as, for example, a portable personal computer, a tablet, or a smartphone that can be carried by a person. Furthermore, the light source may be a wearable light source attached to, for example, a vision correcting aid, eye protective equipment, face protective equipment, neck hanging accessory, ear hooking accessory, head-attached equipment, or the like that can be worn by a person. It should be noted that the wearable light source that can be worn by a person may be an eyeglasses-installed light source in which a light source is attached to eyeglasses that can be worn by a person, regardless of whether the eyeglasses have a vision correction function, an attachment light source attachable to and detachable from such eyeglasses, or may be a light source attached to goggle-type device for functional use, augmented reality (AR) use, virtual reality (VR) use, or mixed reality (MR) use.
“One or two or more light sources” means one or two or more light sources selected from the various light sources described above (installation-type light source, body-accessory-type light source, functional device-installed light source). In a case of one light source, the light source is desirably disposed so that the light emitted from the light source is directed toward the eyes.
Regarding specific installation forms of the installation-type light source, as illustrated in
Further, as illustrated in
For example, light such as light having a wavelength of about 400 nm or less that is not glaring is typically light that is less likely to be reflected on walls, floors, and the like, and thus the light source is desirably disposed at a position that directly radiates the light toward the irradiated subject. On the other hand, even in a case in which the light is not radiated directly toward the irradiated subject, a) the light source can be disposed at a position in the field of view of the irradiated subject or a position in the visual line direction as viewed from the irradiated subject side, b) the light source can be disposed at a position that radiates the light to the irradiated subject as diffused light diffused by a diffusing material or, c) by providing a special reflecting material that reflects light having a wavelength of 400 nm or less as appropriate, the light source can be disposed at a position that radiates the light to the irradiated subject as reflected light reflected by such a reflecting material. For example, for deskwork, the light source is desirably installed at a position in a direction directly in front of the eyes, at a field-of-view position, or at a position in the visual line direction of the person who is the irradiated subject. However, even in a case in which installation at these positions is not possible or is difficult, preferably the diffusing material or the reflecting material is provided and the light is diffused or reflected by the diffusing material or the reflecting material, thereby radiating diffused light or reflected light to the eyes of the person who is the irradiated subject. Preferably, the light is radiated to the eyes of the person using one or two or more of such means in combination. The diffusing material can be selected from various diffusing materials on the basis of diffusion angle properties and transmittance properties. The reflecting material, with utilization of a special reflecting material that reflects the light described above that is less likely to be reflected as a fixed, movable, or portable type, has the advantage of increasing a degree of freedom in light source installation locations.
Preferably, the installation-type light sources have, in all cases, a mode of advance installation with the orientation of light in the direction of the eyes, or a mode of installation at positions in the field of view or positions in the visual line direction is preferred. Further, the installation orientation and position of each light source may be manually or automatically regulated, and the angle of the light emitted from each light source may be manually or automatically regulated. The orientation or position of each light source is manually or automatically regulated, making it possible to change the orientation and the position in which the light is radiated directly or by reflection toward the irradiated subject as desired. As a result, effective activation of OPN5 can be expected. “Regulated in orientation” means regulation by rotation in each three-dimensional direction of X, Y, and Z as desired, and “regulated in position” means regulation by movement in each of the three-dimensional directions of X, Y, and Z as desired. “Manual operation” can be exemplified by an angle adjustment adapter or the like capable of finely adjusting an attachment stand of the light source in a vertical direction, a vertically inclined direction, a horizontal rotation direction, and the like as with a camera adjustment adapter, for example. “Automatic operation” can be exemplified by a mechanism capable of automatically adjusting the angle adjustment adapter described above or the like by a motor drive. It should be noted that, in the case of manual operation, an operator performs the adjustment manually. However, in the case of automatic operation, examples include a case in which the angle adjustment adapter is provided with a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera or the like to detect the position of the irradiated subject and then automatically adjust by the motor drive. Further, the light source provided with a tracking system that detects the eyes or movement of the person and radiates the light is also effective. Using a light source that can be caused to swing in various directions or that has wide directional angles of emission is also effective. It should be noted that, in a case in which a diffusing material or a reflecting material is utilized, regulations such as changing the light source position may be made, or regulations such as changing a type of the diffusing material or an installation angle of the reflecting material may be made.
Examples of mobile terminal-installed light sources include light sources that can be attached to a mobile terminal such as a portable personal computer, a tablet, and a smartphone, but such a light source may be one that can be installed on mobile terminals other than these. Similar to the installation-type light source, the mobile terminal-installed light source is preferably installed or the like in advance so that the orientation of the light is in the direction of the eyes. Further, similar to the above-described installation-type light source, the installation position of the light source may be changed manually or automatically, and the angle of the light emitted from the light source may be changed manually or automatically. As described above, the light source provided with a tracking system is also effective, and using a light source that can be caused to swing in various directions or that has wide directional angles of emission is also effective.
The body-accessory-type light source includes an attachment light source or the like attachable to or detachable from a vision correcting aid, eye protective equipment, face protective equipment, neck hanging accessory, ear hooking accessory, head-attached equipment, or the like, but may be a light source other than these as long as the light source can be worn on the body. Similar to the above-described light sources, the body-accessory-type light source is also preferably installed or the like in advance so that the orientation of the light is in the direction of the eyes. It should be noted that the body-accessory-type light source is positioned at a short distance from the eyes and thus, in comparison with the light sources described above, there is no need to change the installation position. However, the installation position may be changed manually or automatically as necessary, and the angle of the light emitted from the light source may be changed manually or automatically.
The functional device-installed light source is a light source attached to a functional device (goggles, headset, or the like) for AR, VR, MR, or the like, but may be a light source that can be installed on equipment other than these. The functional device-installed light source, similar to the above-described body-accessory-type light source, is positioned at a short distance from the eyes and thus, in comparison with the light sources described above, there is no need to change the installation position. However, the installation position may be changed manually or automatically as necessary, and the angle of the light emitted from the light source may be changed manually or automatically.
<Radiation form>
The light emitted from the light source is radiated toward a person, particularly preferably toward the eyes. “Radiated” refers to the light emitted from the light source being radiated to the person, and the light emitted from the light source may be radiated directly to the person by directing the light source toward the person, the light emitted from the light source at a position in the field of view or a position in the visual line direction may be radiated or, even without directing the light source toward the person, the light emitted from the light source may be radiated as diffused light or reflected light. “Directly or by reflection” means that the light may be radiated directly from the light source toward the person (preferably the eyes) or may be radiated by reflection by a reflecting material. Further, “radiated directly” also includes the meaning in which the light is the diffused light diffused by the diffusing material and the diffused light is radiated to the eyes. Furthermore, as described above, the orientation or position of the light source may be regulated manually or automatically, making it possible to change, as desired, the mode in which the light is efficiently radiated directly or by reflection toward the person.
In such a radiation form of the light, preferably (i) in a case in which the light source is provided at a position where the light is radiated toward the irradiated subject, the irradiance of the light is regulated in accordance with a distance and/or an angle from the light source to the irradiated subject, (ii) in a case in which the light source is provided at a position in the field of view of the irradiated subject or a position in the visual line direction from the irradiated subject side, the irradiance of the light is regulated in accordance with the distance and/or the angle from the light source to the irradiated subject, (iii) in a case in which the light source is provided at a position where the light is radiated to the irradiated subject as the diffused light diffused by the diffusing material, the irradiance of the light is regulated in accordance with a distance and/or an angle from the light source and the diffusing material to the irradiated subject, or a diffusion angle and/or a transmittance of the diffusing material, and (iv) in a case in which the light source is provided at a position where the light is radiated to the irradiated subject as the reflected light reflected by the reflecting material, the irradiance of the light is regulated in accordance with a distance and/or an angle from the light source and the reflecting material to the irradiated subject, or a reflection angle and/or a reflectance of the reflecting material. The irradiance of the light is regulated by each of such (i) to (iv), making it possible to deliver light having the irradiance necessary to activate OPN5 to the person.
The reflecting material is a member that reflects the light radiated in the present invention in a specific direction. For example, light having a wavelength of 400 nm or less or 410 nm or less is not reflected by a reflecting material that reflects normal white light. Therefore, a special reflecting material that reflects light having a wavelength of 400 nm or less or 410 nm or less is provided, making it possible to reflect the light by the reflecting material and radiate the light toward the person even in a case in which such light is not directly radiated toward the person or cannot be directly radiated due to installation constraints.
In a case in which the light source cannot be disposed at a position that allows the light to be directly radiated toward the eyes due to installation circumstances of the light source, the special reflecting material described above is installed at an appropriate position, making it possible to radiate the reflected light toward the eyes. For example, for the deskwork illustrated in
The reflecting material can be installed by applying resist ink onto a plate material or a wall. Specifically, examples include a high ultraviolet reflective white resist ink manufactured by Okamoto Glass Co., Ltd, and the like. In an experiment in which a reflecting material formed by applying the white resist ink at a thickness of 20 μm onto a glass substrate is irradiated with NSPU510CS (shell-type LED, peak wavelength: 375 nm) manufactured by Nichia Corporation at an irradiance of 69 μW/cm2 and a distance of 10 cm from the reflecting material, the reflectance can be increased by approximately 2.9 times.
In a case in which sunlight is used as the light source, even when violet light enters a room through a glass window that allows violet light to pass therethrough, or sunlight is allowed to enter a room directly through an open window, according to the results of measurements taken with the window open (in a mode of the visual line being directed outside the open window) by the present inventors, the intensity of violet light at a point one meter inside the room decreases sharply from 326 μW/cm2 at the window to 67 μW/cm2 and, to allow the violet light to reach further into the room, it is sufficient to use wall and floor materials having high reflectance or to increase a diffusibility of the window glass. To this end, the window glass itself is made to diffuse violet light compositionally or structurally, or sheets with such a function are applied to the window glass, allowing the violet light to diffuse further into the room and reach the eyes of persons sitting at desks away from the window as well.
It should be noted that, as the diffusing material, materials with distinctive characteristics in terms of diffusion angle properties and transmittance properties are commercially available, making it possible to select from various diffusing materials on the basis of such properties.
Regarding the directionality of the light, desirably the light source is installed and the diffusing material or the reflecting material is installed so that the light reaches an orientation of the face (eye line) in particular. A height of the light source is also an important factor. For example, preferably the light source is installed at a position based on a behavioral pattern in the office or the home, and is regulated in height and direction. As a means for increasing the directionality, preferably the light source is installed so that the light emitted from the light source is directed directly toward the eyes, or the light source is installed at a position in the field of view or a position in the visual line direction so that the light emitted from the light source is readily directed toward the eyes. For example, in a case in which variation in a visual-line axis is relatively small (for example, during deskwork such as illustrated in
It should be noted that diffusing materials with distinctive characteristics in terms of diffusion angle properties and transmittance properties are commercially available, making it possible to select from various diffusing materials on the basis of such properties.
Next, the light measurement method and the light measuring means will be described. The light measurement method and the light measuring means are different in categorical expression, but have the same meaning and content, and thus hereinafter may simply be referred to as the light measuring means. This light measuring means may include the light radiation system according to the present invention.
In the present invention, the light measuring means for measuring the spectral data of the light irradiated from the light source and received by the person who is the irradiated subject and comparing the spectral data of the light with OPN5 absorption spectral data is preferably provided. Thus, with the light measuring means, it is possible to measure the spectral data of the received light and compare the measured spectral data of the light with known OPN5 absorption spectral data stored in advance and thus, by examining the obtained comparison results (also called comparison data), help clarify the relationship between light radiation and visual functions and non-visual functions (including a relationship with myopia progression suppression). The obtained comparison results can be utilized as basic data for examining and evaluating the relationship between the received light and the activation of OPN5, particularly can be compared and quantified on the basis of a degree of overlap between the measured light spectral data and the known OPN5 absorption spectral data, and thus can be utilized for objective evaluation of whether light radiation is related to physical effects. Through such utilization, for example, the light measuring means can be utilized for evaluating what wavelength range of light, irradiance level, radiation time frame, and radiation duration are effective in relation to the physical effects of OPN5.
Further, on the basis of the obtained comparison results, in a case in which the light cannot be sufficiently radiated to the irradiated subject, it is possible to regulate one or two or more conditions selected from the installation position, the radiation direction of the light, the wavelength range of the light, the irradiance of the light, the radiation time frame of the light, and the radiation duration of the light of each of the one or two or more light sources. As a result, the light measuring means is advantageous to the activation of OPN5 present in the retina of the person who is the irradiated subject. It should be noted that the “spectral data of the light” is data obtained from a spectrum of the light measured by a measurement unit provided at the position of the eyes of the irradiated subject or a position around the eyes. The light measuring means constituting the system may be disposed integrally within the system with the light radiating means described above, or may be disposed at a separate location as a separate body through a communicating means. Furthermore, the measurements carried out by the light measuring means are performed within the system, but the comparison may be conducted by displaying the results at a separate location as a separate body through the communicating means or by performing comparison calculations. The light measuring means as a separate body may be a measuring means that performs measurement and comparison at each time of measurement and comparison, and indicates the results for regulating the light radiation. In a case in which the comparison is performed by providing a calculation unit, the measurement unit and the calculation unit may be always disposed within the system to perform continuous or on-demand measurement and comparison, or may be disposed within the system when needed to perform on-demand measurement and comparison.
It should be noted that the “light” in the “spectral data of the received light” means the spectral data of light including not only the light radiated from the light source but also all light from sources other than the light source to be measured, but indoors is mainly the spectral data of the light radiated from the light source. Further, this light measuring means is not limited to the mode as long as the light entering the eyes of the person can be accurately measured, and a typical light spectrum measurement device can also be used. However, a device worn on the person or attached to a member worn on the person is particularly preferred. The comparison is performed by the calculation unit, but may be performed by a calculation unit built into the light measurement method, or may be performed by transmitting to an external calculation unit not built into the light measurement method.
The comparison results can be displayed on a display device or output as data. A portion that performs such a display or output may be referred to as an output unit. It should be noted that the portion can also be called a display unit. This output unit, similar to the calculation unit described above, may be disposed within the same system or device, or may be disposed at a separate location as a separate body through the communicating means. The output unit as a separate body may be one that outputs (displays or outputs data related to) the comparison results, may be one always disposed within the system to perform continuous or on-demand output, or may be one disposed within the system when necessary to perform on-demand output.
As an example of the light measuring means, as illustrated in
This light measuring means 21 can measure the received light spectral data by the measurement unit 22, and compare the measured light spectral data with the OPN5 absorption spectral data by the internal or external calculation unit 23. Thus, the obtained comparison results are examined, making it possible to help clarify the relationship between light radiation and visual functions and non-visual functions (including the relationship with myopia progression suppression). In particular, the degree of overlap between the measured light spectral data and the OPN5 absorption spectral data stored in advance or the like is quantified through comparison calculation, making it possible to utilize the results for objective evaluation of the physical effects through OPN5. Through such utilization, for example, the light measuring means can be utilized for evaluating what wavelength range of light, irradiance level, radiation time frame, and radiation duration are effective in relation to the physical effects of OPN5. It should be noted that the light in the “received light spectral data” is not limited to light from the light source in the light radiation method described above, and means the light spectral data including that of all measured light. Further, this light measurement method is preferably capable of accurately measuring the light entering the eyes of the person and, in particular, is preferably one worn on the person or attached to a member worn on the person.
As shown in
Further, in the calculation unit, as illustrated in
Specifically, for example, the reference effective spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) found from the product of the spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) of the sunlight spectrum defined by AM1.5G and a relative absorbance of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, on a per wavelength basis, is calculated. Additionally, the spectrum of the light received by the irradiated subject is calculated, as the received effective spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm), as the product of the spectral irradiance of each wavelength of the wavelength region of 280 nm to 500 nm of the light and a relative absorbance of data of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, on a per wavelength basis. With a comparison between the calculated reference effective spectral irradiance and the calculated received effective spectral irradiance, the received effective spectral irradiance can be regulated within a range of 0.2% or more of the reference effective spectral irradiance. Such a range can be considered a range within which the radiation conditions of the light can be regulated to radiate realistic light to the irradiated subject. It should be noted that, with a lower limit of the range being less than 0.2%, the radiation of the light is not enough, and thus sufficient effects may not be obtained. On the other hand, an upper limit of the range can be set to 4,000%.
The above-described range is based on the reference effective spectral irradiance found from the product of the spectral irradiance of the sunlight spectrum defined by AM1.5G and the OPN5 absorption spectrum, on a per wavelength basis, and is obtained by comparing the reference effective spectral irradiance with the received effective spectral irradiance calculated as the product of the spectral irradiance (spectral irradiance of each wavelength in the wavelength region of 280 nm to 500 nm) of the spectrum of the actually received light and the relative absorbance of the data of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, on a per wavelength basis, as [Received effective spectral irradiance]/[Reference effective spectral irradiance]×100. Such a comparison allows for a generalized evaluation of the degree (percentage: %) of the actual received effective spectral irradiance relative to the common reference effective spectral irradiance. On the basis of the calculated results, it is possible to clearly define the objective relationship with the physical effects through OPN5.
It should be noted that “AM1.5G” is sunlight data that has been adopted at the standard level in solar cell development and the like, and “AM” means air mass. This AM1.5G has been standardized by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) as indicated at the URL “https://unit.aist.go.jp/rp-envene2022/PV/ja/about_pv/output/measure.html,” and the data is published at “https://tinystones.net/pv/pv04.html” (the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) of the United States Department of Energy; “https://www.nrel.gov/grid/solar-resource/spectra.html”).
From
As described above, an effective irradiance integrated within the wavelength range of 280 to 500 nm was 57 W/m2 for sunlight and 3.3 W/m2 for violet light. For such values, examples of minimum values include 0.01 W/m2/nm for the effective spectral irradiance, 0.1 W/m2 for the effective irradiance, and 1,000 J/m2 for the effective dose. Further, examples of maximum values include 10 W/m2/nm for the effective spectral irradiance, 2,200 W/m2 for the effective irradiance, and 21.6 MJ/m2 (M stands for million) for the effective dose. It should be noted that the effective irradiance is a value in a case of radiance for three hours.
The light spectral data can be calculated by comparison in all or part of a specific wavelength region of the OPN5 absorption spectrum. Thereby, even in a case in which the received light includes various light spectral data, it is possible to calculate the light spectral data by comparison with all or part of the wavelength region of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, and thus apply the method to any evaluation in which the wavelength region of the light is specified using a filter or the like. As a result, the method can be utilized as a measurement device for clearly defining whether the physical effects through OPN5 are related to the received effective spectral irradiance across the entire wavelength region of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, related to the received effective spectral irradiance in a specific wavelength region of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, or the like. It should be noted that, for example, as a method of specifying a wavelength region of the light by using a filter or the like, it is also possible to specify a specific wavelength region such as that of violet light or the like having the wavelength region of 360 to 400 nm, for example.
In the example described above, the spectral irradiance of the spectrum of the light actually received is set as the spectral irradiance of each wavelength in the wavelength region of 280 nm to 500 nm, but the wavelength range may be set within a specific range. For example, in the calculation unit, during comparisons in the wavelength region, the received effective spectral irradiance may be determined by integration in the wavelength region (W/m2), and integration of the received effective irradiance and integration of the reference effective spectral irradiance in the same wavelength region may be performed. The results may then be compared and evaluated.
For the comparison of the integration results, the effective irradiance (W/m2) obtained by integrating the obtained results within a specific wavelength range can be compared between, for example, the reference effective irradiance of sunlight and the received effective irradiance of violet light, and contrasted as the received effective irradiance of violet light relative to the reference effective irradiance of sunlight. The results shown in
Furthermore, in the calculation unit, it is possible to evaluate a radiation duration dependency of the light with respect to the effects on the body imparted by the absorption of light by the body through OPN5 by comparing (for example, percentage: %) a received effective dose (J/m2), obtained by multiplying the light effective irradiance (W/m2) by the radiation duration (seconds), and a received reference effective dose (J/m2), obtained by multiplying the reference effective irradiance (W/m2) by the radiation duration (seconds). It should be noted that the dose is the amount of light of exposure per day, regardless of whether the body is exposed to strong light for a short duration (for example, in a case of being briefly exposed to strong flash of light) or exposed to weak light for a long duration. On the other hand, the time of day (time frame) of exposure is not particularly limited, but in practice exposure during the daytime is more effective.
With such evaluations based on the effective irradiance and the effective dose, it is possible to quantitatively evaluate the effects on the body imparted by the absorption of light by the body through OPN5. Such a relationship is clearly defined, making it possible to, for example, evaluate what wavelength range of light, irradiance level, radiation time frame, and radiation duration are effective in relation to the physical effects of OPN5.
The measurement unit can be exemplified by, for example, a sensor 12 illustrated in
Spectral data of light can typically be measured using a spectrometer or an ultraviolet (UV) meter (also called a power meter). A spectrometer can measure and obtain spectral irradiance and, when the result is integrated with respect to the wavelength, the irradiance is found. Integration is performed in a wavelength region of a specific range, making it possible to express the result as the irradiance in the wavelength region, and thus preferably use such a method. On the other hand, a UV meter can directly display the irradiance. For example, a commercially available UVA meter detects light of 320 to 400 nm and displays the irradiance in the wavelength region, which is convenient. However, from a quantitative perspective, a UV meter calibrated in accordance with the used sensor is preferred. Accordingly, a UV meter cannot measure spectral information (wavelength dependency), making application to the various spectral quantities in the present invention difficult. It should be noted that the “dose” is simply determined by multiplying the irradiance by the radiation duration (seconds).
The light radiation device according to the present invention irradiates the eye of a person with light to express or activate the OPN5 gene in the retina of the eye and, as a result, can be useful for setting desirable radiation conditions and the like for various diseases. The light radiation device can be useful for setting desirable radiation conditions and the like for various diseases such as improvement or prevention of depression, suppression or prevention of stress, improvement or increase in concentration, improvement or prevention of Alzheimer's disease, improvement or prevention of dementia and cognitive functions, myopia progression suppression (for example, elongation suppression of an axial length of the eye), onset suppression of myopia, choroidal thickness, effects on cerebral blood flow and the nervous system, and other diseases (testes, skin, and the like).
As for the radiation conditions, to facilitate realization of more effective improvement effects for various diseases, the light radiation device according to the present invention is utilized, making it possible to determine a radiation mode (irradiance, radiation duration, radiation time interval, irradiance change cycle, radiation period, and the like) that can exhibit improvement effects for each disease. In particular, the light radiation device is extremely advantageous for setting a radiance mode (irradiance, radiation duration, radiation time interval, irradiance change cycle, radiation period, and the like) for each targeted disease. Further, the violet light effectively adopted in the light radiation device according to the present invention is preferably flickering light in addition to constant light and thus, for the radiance mode of such flickering light (ON intensity, OFF intensity, radiation time period, peak radiation duration, irradiance change cycle, duty ratio, and the like) as well, the radiation conditions and the like can be evaluated by applying the light radiation device according to the present invention. Furthermore, the light radiation device according to the present invention can clearly define the objective relationship with the effect of expressing or activating the OPN5 gene in the retina, making it also desirable from the perspective of the well-being of the subject in providing effective treatment to those being examined.
Further, when the effects on such diseases are evaluated as well, it is possible to conduct a generalized evaluation of a degree (for example, percentage: %) of the actual received effective spectral irradiance relative to the common reference effective spectral irradiance, regardless of a measurement region or a measurement time. As a result, the light radiation device can clearly define the objective relationship with the effect of expressing or activating the OPN5 gene in the retina, and can be utilized as a device for clearly defining such a relationship.
An operation method of the light radiation device according to the present invention is an operation method for the light radiation device described above (light radiation device that irradiates an eye of a person with light to express or activate a gene of OPN5), and includes a light source arranging process of arranging a light source that radiates light having a wavelength in a wavelength region overlapping an absorption spectrum of the OPN5; an optical data comparing process of comparing in advance or onsite spectral data of the light obtained by receiving the light radiated from the light source arranged in the light source arranging process and data of the absorption spectrum of the OPN5; and a light adjusting process of adjusting radiation conditions of the light on the basis of results obtained by the comparison in the optical data comparing process to express or activate a gene of the OPN5.
This operation method of the light radiation device has constituent elements similar to those described for the light radiation device described above. It should be noted that, in this operation method of the light radiation device, the radiation conditions of the light adjusted in the light adjusting process described above being one or two or more conditions selected from the installation position, the radiation direction of the light, the wavelength range of the light, the wavelength form of the light, the irradiance of the light, the radiation time frame of the light, and the radiation duration of the light of each of the one or two or more light sources, and the light being light having a wavelength range of 360 to 400 nm that overlaps the absorption spectrum of OPN5 are similar to the constituent elements described for the light radiation device described above.
With this operation method, in the light adjusting process in particular, the radiation conditions of the light radiated from the light source are adjusted on the basis of the results obtained by the comparison in the optical data comparing process to express or activate the gene of the OPN5, facilitating adjustment corresponding to the radiation purpose and the like. It should be noted that this light adjusting process need not be carried out by the light radiation device. In this case, the light adjusting process can be carried out and adjustments corresponding to the radiation purpose and the like can be made by a control device (such as a mobile communication terminal equipped with a control computer, such as a smartphone, or a centralized control device) connected as a separate body by a wireless or wired connection. Further, the adjustment in this light adjusting process may include setting firmware, for example, in a manufacturing step so as to meet the radiation conditions of the light in a case in which usage for a specific radiation purpose is known in advance, for example.
The light radiation system includes the first to third modes of (1) to (3) described above.
A first light radiation system according to the present invention includes one or two or more light sources that radiate light having a wavelength in a wavelength region overlapping a peak wavelength of the OPN5 absorption spectrum. One or two or more conditions selected from an installation position, a radiation direction of the light, a wavelength range of the light, an irradiance of the light, an irradiance time frame of the light, and a radiation duration of the light of each of the one or two or more light sources are regulated. According to this first light radiation system, each light source is regulated in terms of any one of the above, making it possible to radiate light having a wavelength in a wavelength region overlapping the peak wavelength of the OPN5 absorption spectrum to an irradiated subject. As a result, the first light radiation system is advantageous to the activation of OPN5 present in the retina of the person who is the irradiated subject.
A second light radiation system according to the present invention includes one or two or more light sources that radiate light having a wavelength in a wavelength region overlapping a peak wavelength of an OPN5 absorption spectrum. A spectrum of the light received by an irradiated subject is regulated so that a received effective spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) calculated as a product of a spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) of each wavelength in a wavelength region of 280 nm to 500 nm of the light and a relative absorbance of data of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, on a per wavelength basis, is 0.2% or more of a reference effective spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) calculated as a product of a spectral irradiance (W/m2/nm) of a sunlight spectrum defined by AM1.5G and a relative absorbance of the OPN5 absorption spectrum, on a per wavelength basis. According to this second light radiation system, the spectrum of the light received by the irradiated subject is regulated so that the received effective spectral irradiance is 0.2% or more of the reference effective spectral irradiance. As a result, the second light radiation system is advantageous to the activation of OPN5 present in the retina of the person who is the irradiated subject. The light having the irradiance that is a percentage within the above-described range is calculated on the basis of the light spectrum measured at the irradiated subject or a position around the irradiated subject.
A third light radiation system according to the present invention includes a light radiating means including one or two or more light sources that radiate light having a wavelength in a wavelength region overlapping a peak wavelength of an OPN5 absorption spectrum, a light measuring means for measuring spectral data of the light and comparing the spectral data of the light and data of the OPN5 absorption spectrum. One or two or more conditions selected from an installation position, a radiation direction of the light, a wavelength range of the light, an irradiance of the light, a radiation time frame of the light, and a radiation duration of the light of each of the one or two or more light sources are regulated on the basis of results obtained by the comparison. According to this third light radiation system, the installation position, the radiation direction of the light, the wavelength range of the light, the irradiance, the radiation time frame, and the radiation duration of each light source are regulated on the basis of the results obtained through comparison in the light measurement method. As a result, the third light radiation system is advantageous to the activation of OPN5 present in the retina of the person who is the irradiated subject.
The components of these first to third light radiation systems have already been described, and thus description thereof is omitted below, and elements that have not been described are described below.
In the light radiation system, the received effective spectral irradiance actually received by the eyes is specified, and thus the substantial spectral irradiance of the light received by the eyes is measured through measurement with a light sensor. Examples of the light sensor include GaAsP photodiodes, and these can be selected and applied as desired. Such a light sensor 12 may be, for example, the light sensor 12 installed on eyeglasses as illustrated in
In the light radiation system, the installation form of the light source (including an arrangement form in a case in which a diffusing plate or a reflecting plate is provided as necessary) and the regulation of the light delivered to the eyes are important. Through the installation form of the light source and the regulation of the light described below, it is possible to regulate the light that reaches the eyes. Modes of the regulation of the light include a regulating means related to the radiation conditions of the light and a regulating means for the directionality of the light.
For the “regulating means related to the radiation conditions of the light,” for example, the light emitted from the one or two or more light sources is preferably regulated by one or two or more means selected from setting or changing the wavelength range, setting or changing the irradiance, setting or changing the time frame, and setting or changing the radiation duration.
Regarding “setting or changing the wavelength range,” “setting a specific wavelength range” refers to setting the wavelength range of the light radiated from the light source. Examples include a means such as providing a light source that emits light having a wavelength within a specific wavelength range, or providing a filter that transmits a specific wavelength range in front of the light source to emit light having a wavelength within the specific wavelength range. Further, “changing a specific wavelength range” refers to changing the wavelength range of the light radiated from the light source. Examples include a means such as separately providing light sources that emit light having wavelengths within different wavelength ranges and changing the light source by switching between the light sources, or switching to another filter, in front of the light source, that transmits a specific wavelength range to transmit light having a wavelength within a different wavelength range.
“Setting or changing the irradiance” refers to setting or changing the irradiance of the light emitted from the light source to a desired value. Such setting or changing of the irradiance is preferably performed in accordance with the level of the received effective spectral irradiance received by the eyes. In a case in which sufficient received effective spectral irradiance is received from the perspective of the light effect of OPN5 evaluated on the basis of the light measuring means of the present invention, the radiation may be stopped or the irradiance may be decreased. On the other hand, in a case in which insufficient received effective spectral irradiance is received from the perspective of the light effect of OPN5 evaluated on the basis of the light measuring means of the present invention, the irradiance may be increased. Specifically, for example, in a case in which a violet light source that emits violet light having a wavelength of 360 to 400 nm is used, the lower limit of the irradiance can be set to preferably 0.05 W/m2 (5 μW/cm2), more preferably 0.10 W/m2, and even more preferably 0.2 W/m2. The upper limit of the irradiance can be set to preferably 2,000 W/m2, more preferably 20 W/m2, and even more preferably 10 W/m2. The actual range of the irradiance may be within a range combining the lower limit and the upper limit described above, and the irradiance is preferably set and changed as desired within such a range.
“Setting or changing the time frame” refers to setting or changing the time frame of emitting the light from the light source as desired. The setting or the changing of the time frame is preferably performed in accordance with the time frame in which the light is to be radiated from the perspective of the light effect of OPN5 evaluated on the basis of the light measuring means of the present invention. Specifically, for example, in a case of the evening following sunset, the light within the range of the OPN5 absorption spectrum cannot be obtained from the sun outdoors and thus, in the time frame of the evening following sunset, a setting or a change of radiating light indoors is desirably not performed from the perspective of not disrupting a circadian rhythm. Further, the time frame can be set as desired, and thus may be a regular or an intermittent time frame.
“Setting or changing the radiation duration” refers to setting or changing the radiation duration of emitting the light from the light source as desired. The setting or the changing of the radiation duration is preferably performed in accordance with a length of the radiation duration of the light from the comparison results based on the light measuring means of the present invention. Specifically, for example, the light may be radiated intermittently or discontinuously, for example. It should be noted that, in the case of setting or changing the radiation duration, the irradiance is preferably also set in conjunction thereto.
Regarding the “regulating means for the directionality of the light,” to ensure that the light emitted from the one or two or more light sources is directed toward the eyes, the light emitted from each light source is preferably regulated by one or two or more means selected from installing or changing the light source (including installing or changing the light source in a case in which a diffusing plate or a reflecting plate is provided as necessary); setting or changing the angle of the light emitted from the light source; in a case in which a diffusing material that diffuses the light is provided, installing or changing the diffusion angle of the diffusing material or the light source utilizing the diffusing material; and, in a case in which a reflecting material that reflects the light is provided, regulating the reflection angle of the reflecting material and installing or changing the light source utilizing the reflecting material, for example. This mode is a regulating means for the directionality of the light. “Directionality” is an important factor from the perspective of the light effects of OPN5. For example, in the case of deskwork, the light source is particularly desirably positioned to radiate in the direction of the eyes ahead in the visual line. Further, as illustrated in
Regarding “installing or changing the light source,” “setting or changing the angle of the light emitted from the light source,” “installing or changing the diffusing material that diffuses the light,” and “installing or changing the reflecting material that reflects the light,” in all cases, preferably each light source is installed in advance so that the orientation of the light is in the direction of the eyes and installed so that the orientation can be changed to a desired direction, as mentioned above.
The first to third light radiation systems according to the present invention are advantageous to the activation of OPN5 present in the retina of the person who is the irradiated subject. The implementation of such light radiation systems improves visual functions and non-visual functions, suppresses the progression of myopia (for example, suppresses elongation of an axial length of the eye), suppresses an onset of myopia, and improves a thickness of the choroid, effects on cerebral blood flow and the nervous system, and effects on others (testes, skin, and the like), and can be expected to contribute to the pursuit and development of research in these areas.
Such a light radiation system is a system for effectively achieving a light effect of OPN5 and, for example, is desirable for evaluating myopia progression suppression (for example, elongation suppression of an axial length of the eye), onset suppression of myopia, choroidal thickness, effects on cerebral blood flow and the nervous system, and effects on other diseases (testes, skin, and the like).
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-143754 | Sep 2022 | JP | national |
| 2024-039519 | Mar 2024 | JP | national |
This application is a continuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT/JP2023/033110, filed on Sep. 11, 2023, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-143754, filed on Sep. 9, 2022. This application also claims the benefit of priority to Japan ese Patent Application No. 2024-039519, filed on Mar. 13, 2024. The contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP2023/033110 | Sep 2023 | WO |
| Child | 19074861 | US |
