Patent Application
20220016435
Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to photobiomodulation therapy devices, and systems including multiple photobiomodulation therapy devices. Certain embodiments relate to light therapy devices configured to emit at least one of red and infrared light, as well as systems including multiple light therapy devices, where one light therapy device is configured to operate in a lead mode and another light therapy device is configured to operate in a follow mode.
Photobiomodulation therapy (or light therapy) is a therapeutic technique that uses low-level wavelengths of light to improve health and treat a variety of health conditions, including skin issues, such as wrinkles, scars, and persistent wounds, among many other conditions. Photobiomodulation therapy uses non-ionizing light sources, including lasers, light emitting diodes, and/or broadband light, in the visible (400-700 nm) and infrared (700-1100 nm) electromagnetic spectrum. Photobiomodulation is a nonthermal process involving endogenous chromophores eliciting photophysical (i.e. linear and nonlinear) and photochemical events at various biological scales. Similar to how plants use sunlight to heal and grow, humans and animals are able to harness these wavelengths of light and turn them into cellular energy. This treatment stimulates the body's natural healing processes.
Currently, there are a number of photobiomodulation therapy devices available on the market. However, many of these devices are too small and require multiple sessions to treat large areas. As a result, there is a need for a photobiomodulation therapy system that can treat several areas in fewer treatments.
The disclosure includes a light therapy device comprising a housing comprising a front bezel and a back portion detachably coupled to the front bezel, a printed circuit board assembly coupled to the housing, and at least one LED electrically coupled to the printed circuit board assembly, wherein the at least one LED is arranged and configured to emit light through at least one aperture of the front bezel. In some embodiments, the front bezel is configured to create a gradient to pull heat from the printed circuit board assembly and thereby act as a heat sink for the light therapy device. The front bezel may be comprised of aluminum. In some embodiments, an interior surface of the front bezel is coated with a white surface finished to thereby reflect light.
The light therapy device may further comprise at least one lens coupled to the front bezel, the at least one lens positioned to cover at least a portion of the at least one aperture such that the light travels from the at least one LED through the at least one lens. The device may further comprise at least one reflector coupled to the front bezel, wherein the at least one reflector surrounds at least a portion of the at least one LED to thereby reflect the light emitted from the at least one LED. In some embodiments, each LED of the at least one LED comprises a multi-die chip LED. The multi-die chip LED comprises four LEDs. In many embodiments, the four LEDs comprise two crimson LEDs and two infrared LEDs. The at least one LED may be dimmable.
In some embodiments, the printed circuit board assembly comprises the at least one LED and a control board. The control board may include at least one integrated circuit driver. In some embodiments, the light therapy device further comprises a rechargeable battery that includes a protection circuit module. The light therapy device may be configured to simultaneously charge the rechargeable battery and emit light from the at least one LED.
In some embodiments, the light therapy device further comprises a rubber handle coupled to a side portion of the housing and configured to enable a user to hold the light therapy device. The housing may define a soap-bar shape ergonomic form factor.
The light therapy device may be arranged and configured to operate in a recovery plus mode, wherein when the light therapy device operates in the recovery plus mode, the at least one LED may be arranged and configured to emit pulsed near infrared light. In some embodiments, the light therapy device is arranged and configured to operate in an ambient mode, wherein when the light therapy device operates in the ambient mode, the at least one LED is arranged and configured to emit ambient light. The light therapy device may be arranged and configured to operate in an alarm clock mode, wherein when the light therapy device operates in the alarm clock mode, the at least one LED is arranged and configured to emit ambient light at at least one of a predetermined time and upon an occurrence of a predetermined condition. When the light therapy device operates in the alarm clock mode, the at least one LED may be arranged and configured to emit ambient light of increasing intensity.
The light therapy device may be at least substantially waterproof.
The disclosure includes a light therapy system comprising a housing, a printed circuit board assembly coupled to the housing, and at least one LED electrically coupled to the printed circuit board assembly, wherein the at least one LED is arranged and configured to emit light through at least one aperture of the housing, wherein the at least one LED is arranged and configured to pulse at a predetermined frequency and at a predetermined duty cycle.
The light therapy system may further comprise a control panel coupled to the housing and operatively coupled to at least one of the printed circuit board assembly and the at least one LED. In some embodiments, the control panel further comprises a power button arranged and configured to operatively control power to the light therapy device. The control panel may further comprise a pulse button arranged and configured to operatively control the pulse of the at least one LED. In some embodiments, the control panel further comprises at least one of a mode button, a play/pause button, and a time button, wherein the mode button is arranged and configured to select a mode for light emission from the at least one LED, the play/pause button is arranged and configured to at least one of start and stop light emission from the at least one LED, and the time button is arranged and configured to select a time period for light emission from the at least one LED. The control panel may further comprise at least one indication light, wherein the at least one indication light is arranged and configured to indicate at least one of a power status, a red light emission status, an infrared light emission status, and a pulse status.
In some embodiments, the control panel comprises a controller board arranged and configured to operate the control panel, the controller board communicatively coupled to a mobile application on a remote computing device, the mobile application arranged and configured to operate the light therapy device by sending at least one command to the controller board. The control panel may further comprise a beeper function arranged and configured to emit a sound after a predetermined amount of time.
In many embodiments, the light therapy device is a first light therapy device arranged and configured to operate in a lead mode, the system further comprising a second light therapy device arranged and configured to operate in a follow mode. The first light therapy device may be arranged and configured to enter the lead mode upon pressing the power button for at least a predetermined amount of time. In some embodiments, when the first light therapy device is in the lead mode and the second light therapy device is in the follow mode, the second light therapy device is configured to be controlled via the control panel of the first light therapy device. When the first light therapy device is in the lead mode, the control panel may be active and when the second light therapy device is in the follow mode, a control panel of the second light therapy device may be inactive.
In some embodiments, the printed circuit board assembly comprises the at least one LED and at least one integrated circuit driver. The light therapy system may further comprise a medical grade power supply unit at least one of electrically and communicatively coupled to the power button, the power supply unit configured to output about 48 volts of power. In some embodiments, the medical grade power supply unit is electrically coupled to at least one insulation displacement connector configured to receive at least one of power and data from a plurality of electrical wires coupled to the medical grade power supply unit.
The disclosure includes a light therapy system comprising a first light therapy device. In some embodiments, the first light therapy device comprises a first housing, a first printed circuit board assembly coupled to the first housing, a first plurality of LEDs electrically coupled to the first printed circuit board assembly, wherein the first plurality of LEDs is arranged and configured to emit at least one of red light and near-infrared light through at least one aperture of the first housing, and a first control panel coupled to the first housing, the first control panel comprising a first plurality of buttons, wherein the first light therapy device is configured to receive a first user input via the first control panel. The first light therapy device may be arranged and configured to operate in an independent mode, a follow mode, and a lead mode. In some embodiments, when the first light therapy device operates in the in the independent mode, the first light therapy device performs operations as instructed by the first control panel. When the first light therapy device operates in the follow mode and a second light therapy device operates in the lead mode, the first light therapy device may perform operations as instructed by the second light therapy device. When the first light therapy device operates in the lead mode and the second light therapy device operates in the follow mode, the second light therapy device performs operations as instructed by the first light therapy device.
In some embodiments, the first plurality of buttons comprises a first button, a second button, and a third button. The first button may be configured to activate and deactivate the first light therapy device, the second button may be configured to control a light mode of the first plurality of LEDs, and the third button may be configured to control a waveform of the first plurality of LEDs. In some embodiments, the first light therapy device is configured to reset upon receiving a button press of the first button and the second button simultaneously for a first predetermined amount of time. The first predetermined amount of time may be at least four seconds. In some embodiments, the first light therapy device is configured to operate in the follow mode upon receiving a button press of the second button and the third button simultaneously for a second predetermined amount of time. The second predetermined amount of time may be at least three seconds.
The light therapy system may further comprise a second light therapy device. In some embodiments, the second light therapy device comprises a second housing, a second printed circuit board assembly coupled to the second housing, a second plurality of LEDs electrically coupled to the second printed circuit board assembly, wherein the second plurality of LEDs is arranged and configured to emit at least one of red light and near-infrared light through at least one aperture of the second housing, and a second control panel coupled to the second housing, the second control panel comprising a second plurality of buttons, wherein the second light therapy device is configured to receive a second user input via the second control panel. The second light therapy device may be arranged and configured to operate in an independent mode, a follow mode, and a lead mode. When the second light therapy device is arranged and configured to operate in the independent mode, the second light therapy device may perform operations as instructed by the second control panel. In some embodiments, when the second light therapy device operates in the follow mode and the first light therapy device operates in the lead mode, the second light therapy device performs operations as instructed by the first light therapy device, and when the second light therapy device operates in the lead mode and the first light therapy device operates in the follow mode, the first light therapy device performs operations as instructed by the second light therapy device.
The second plurality of buttons may comprise a first button, a second button, a third button, and a fourth button. In some embodiments, the first button of the second plurality of buttons is configured to activate and deactivate the second light therapy device, the second button of the second plurality of buttons is configured to control a light mode of the second plurality of LEDs, the third button of the second plurality of buttons is configured to control a waveform of the second plurality of LEDs, and the fourth button of the second plurality of buttons is configured to start and pause light emission from the second plurality of LEDs. The second light therapy device may be configured to operate in the lead mode upon receiving a button press of the second button and the fourth button simultaneously for a first predetermined amount of time. The first predetermined amount of time may be at least three seconds.
In some embodiments, when the first light therapy device is operating in the follow mode and the second light therapy device is operating in the lead mode, the first light therapy device is communicatively coupled to the second light therapy device via a wireless communication protocol. The second control panel may be communicatively and operatively coupled to the first light therapy device via the wireless communication protocol such that the first light therapy device and the second light therapy device are controlled by the second control panel.
The first light therapy device and the second light therapy device may be electrically and communicatively coupled via at least one cable. In some embodiments, the first plurality of buttons comprises a first power button configured to activate and deactivate the first light therapy device and a first mode button configured to control a light mode of the first plurality of LEDs, and he second plurality of buttons comprises a second power button configured to activate and deactivate the second light therapy device and a second mode button configured to control a light mode of the second plurality of LEDs.
In some embodiments, the first light therapy device is configured to reset upon receiving a button press of the first power button and the first mode button simultaneously for a first predetermined amount of time. The first light therapy device may be configured to operate in the follow mode upon the first power button receiving a first button press, a second button press, and a third button press and hold for the first predetermined amount of time. In some embodiments, a first display screen of the first control panel is configured to display an indication that the first light therapy device is in the follow mode after the first power button receives the second button press.
The second light therapy device may be configured to reset upon receiving a button press of the second power button and the second mode button simultaneously for a first predetermined amount of time. In some embodiments, the second light therapy device is configured to operate in the lead mode upon the second power button receiving a first button press and a second button press and hold for the first predetermined amount of time. A second display screen of the second control panel may be configured to display an indication that the second light therapy device is in the lead mode after the second power button receives the first button press.
The disclosure includes a method of operating a light therapy system comprising a first light therapy device and a second light therapy device. In some embodiments, the method comprises powering on, via a first power button, the first light therapy device, wherein the first light therapy device comprises a first housing, a first printed circuit board assembly coupled to the first housing, a first plurality of LEDs electrically coupled to the first printed circuit board assembly, wherein the first plurality of LEDs is arranged and configured to emit light through at least one aperture of the first housing, and a first control panel coupled to the first housing, the first control panel comprising a first plurality of buttons, wherein when the first light therapy device is powered on, the first light therapy device is configured to operate in an independent mode. The method may further comprise configuring, via the first plurality of buttons, the first light therapy device to operate in a follow mode.
In some embodiments, the method comprises powering on, via a second power button, the second light therapy device, wherein the second light therapy device comprises a second housing, a second printed circuit board assembly coupled to the second housing, a second plurality of LEDs electrically coupled to the second printed circuit board assembly, wherein the second plurality of LEDs is arranged and configured to emit light through at least one aperture of the second housing, and a second control panel coupled to the second housing, the second control panel comprising a second plurality of buttons, wherein when the second light therapy device is powered on, the second light therapy device is configured to operate in the independent mode. The method may further comprise configuring, via the second plurality of buttons, the second light therapy device to operate in a lead mode. In some embodiments, when the first light therapy device operates in the independent mode, the first light therapy device performs operations as instructed by the first light therapy device, when the second light therapy device operates in the independent mode, the second light therapy device performs operations as instructed by the second light therapy device, and when the second light therapy device operates in the lead mode and the first light therapy device operates in the follow mode, the first light therapy device performs operations as instructed by the second light therapy device.
The first light therapy device and the second light therapy device may be communicatively and operatively coupled via a wireless communication protocol. In some embodiments, the method comprises configuring the first light therapy device to reset in response to receiving a button press of the first power button for a first predetermined amount of time while substantially simultaneously receiving a button press of a light mode button of the first plurality of buttons for the first predetermined amount of time. The method may comprise configuring the first light therapy device to operate in the follow mode in response to receiving a button press of the light mode button of the first plurality of buttons for a second predetermined amount of time while substantially simultaneously receiving a button press of a waveform button of the first plurality of buttons for the second predetermined amount of time.
In some embodiments, the method comprises configuring the second light therapy device to reset in response to receiving a button press of the second power button. The method may comprise configuring the second light therapy device to operate in the lead mode in response to receiving a button press of a play/pause button of the second plurality of buttons for the second predetermined amount of time while substantially simultaneously receiving a button press of a light mode button of the second plurality of buttons for the second predetermined amount of time. In some embodiments, the first predetermined amount of time is at least four seconds and the second predetermined amount of time is at least three seconds.
The first light therapy device and the second light therapy device may be electrically and communicatively coupled via at least one cable. In some embodiments, the method further comprises configuring the first light therapy device to reset in response to receiving a button press of the first power button for a predetermined amount of time while substantially simultaneously receiving a button press of a light mode button of the first plurality of buttons for the predetermined amount of time. The method may comprise configuring the first light therapy device to operate in the follow mode in response to receiving a first button press of the first power button and receiving a second button press of the first power button. In some embodiments, the method comprises displaying, by a first display screen of the first control panel, an indication that the first light therapy device is in the follow mode. The method may further comprise receiving a third button press and hold of the first power button for the predetermined amount of time.
In some embodiments, the second light therapy device is configured to reset in response to receiving a button press of the second power button while substantially simultaneously receiving a button press of a light mode button of the second plurality of buttons for the predetermined amount of time. The method may further comprise configuring the second light therapy device to operate in the lead mode in response to receiving a first button press of the second power button. In some embodiments, the method comprises displaying, by a second display screen of the second control panel, an indication that the second light therapy device is in the lead mode. The method may further comprise receiving a second button press and hold of the second power button for the predetermined amount of time. In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of time is at least four seconds.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages are described below with reference to the drawings, which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the invention. In the drawings, like reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout similar embodiments. For ease of viewing the figures, not all features may be labeled in each drawing.
Although certain embodiments and examples are disclosed below, inventive subject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses, and to modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, the scope of the claims appended hereto is not limited by any of the particular embodiments described below. Additionally, the structures, systems, and/or devices described herein may be embodied as integrated components or as separate components.
For purposes of comparing various embodiments, certain aspects and advantages of these embodiments are described. All such aspects or advantages are not necessarily achieved by any particular embodiment. For example, various embodiments may be carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other aspects or advantages as may also be taught or suggested herein.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a variety of photobiomodulation therapy devices. Of the embodiments described herein are devices of different sizes and comprising different numbers of red and/or infrared LEDs.
The front bezel 14 may comprise any number of pegs, such as two pegs, three pegs, four pegs, five pegs, six pegs, seven pegs, eight peds, nine pegs, ten pegs, eleven pegs, twelve pegs, and thirteen or more pegs. Each peg of the at least one coupling peg 17 may define the same length. As shown in
The front bezel 14 may include at least one aperture 22. As will be discussed further with reference to
Due to the use of the front bezel 14 as a heat sink 24, in many embodiments, the device 10 does not require the use of one or multiple fans or ventilation openings for the release of heat. As such, the device 10 may be considered substantially waterproof. In some embodiments, the device 10 meets the requirements for an Ingress Protection Code rating of 22, also known as an IP22 rating. An IP22 rating may indicate that the device 10 is “Protected from touch by fingers and objects greater than 12 millimeters” and “Protected from water spray less than 15 degrees from vertical,” as defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission.
Referring now to
The at least one reflector 30 may comprise the portion of the front bezel 14 surrounding each LED of the at least one LED 20 and each lens of the at least one lens 28. For example, going back to
The device 10 may include a total of twelve LEDs in the at least one LED 20. Each LED of the twelve may comprise one multi-die chip LED 32. As such, the total number of LED die coupled to the PCBA 18 may comprise forty-eight LED die. In some embodiments, the at least one LED 20 comprises at least one 4-in-1 LED in a 3030 package. Stated differently, each LED of the at least one LED 20 defines a width of 3.0 mm and a length of 3.0 mm. Each LED of the at least one LED 20 may define a height of about 1.8 mm. The red and infrared LEDs may define a cross pattern as shown in
In some embodiments, the at least one LED is configured to emit light at wavelengths other than 660 nm and 850 nm. For example, at least one die in the multi-die chip LED 32 may be configured to emit light at any of the following colors: royal blue, blue, yellow-green, and amber. The corresponding emission spectra may include 380-500 nm for royal blue light, 400-520 nm for blue light, 400-710 nm for yellow-green light and 475-800 nm for amber light. In addition, at least one LED die may be configured to emit light at a wavelength greater than 850 nm. Regardless of the emission spectrum, the at least one LED 20 may be dimmable. A user may be able to select a custom wavelength for light emission from the at least one LED 20.
Turning now to
The handle 42 may be configured to couple to at least one side portion 44 of the housing 12, as shown in
In some embodiments, the handle 42 is comprised of a flexible material such as rubber. The handle 42 may comprise an inflexible (or rigid) material. The handle 42 may comprise a combination of materials. For example, an area around the narrow opening configured to receive the protrusion to thereby couple the handle 42 to the housing 12 may comprise a flexible material while the rest of the handle 42 comprises an inflexible material. In some embodiments, the handle 42 comprises a textured surface. The handle 42 may comprise a substantially smooth surface. Example dimensions of the handle 42 are as follows: about 68 mm height, about 3 mm thickness, about 153 mm outer length, and about 27 mm width. Any of the dimensions of the handle 42 may be greater or lesser than the listed example dimensions. The handle 42 may couple to any portion of the housing 12, including, but not limited to, the front bezel 14, the back portion 16, a corner portion, and a top portion.
In many embodiments, the device 10 includes at least one user control located on the housing 12. The at least one user control may be located on a side portion 44 of the housing 12. The at least one user control may comprise at least one button and at least one indicator, such as a LED. The at least one user control may be at least one of operatively and electrically coupled to the control board 34. In some embodiments, the at least one user control comprises at least one of a power button, a status LED, a pairing button, and a pairing LED. The power button and status LED may be located on one side portion 44 of the housing 12, and the pairing button and pairing LED may be located on the other side portion 44 of the housing 12. The at least one user control shown in
In some embodiments, the power button is configured to turn the device 10 on, turn the device 10 off, and reset the device 10. The pairing button may be used to enable and disable an airplane mode, as well as to pair the device 10 to a remote computing device, via a Bluetooth connection, for use with a mobile application. The Bluetooth connection may comprise a Bluetooth 5.0 connection. In many embodiments, the device 10 is configured to retain Bluetooth pairing to a remote computing device after a power on/off cycle. At least one of the at least one user control and the remote computing device may be configured to initiate at least one operational mode of the device 10. In some embodiments, the at least one operational mode comprises at least one of a Recovery Plus Mode, an Ambient Mode, and an Alarm Clock Mode.
When the device 10 is arranged and configured to operate in the Recovery Plus Mode, the at least one LED 20 may be configured to emit pulsed infrared light. In many embodiments, the at least one LED 20 is configured to emit substantially continuous red light in the Recovery Plus Mode. The pulsed infrared light may be emitted at a single frequency. In some embodiments, the infrared light is pulsed at varying frequencies throughout the duration of the Recovery Plus Mode. “Varying” frequencies may comprise frequencies between 0 and 100 Hz, emitted at different duty cycle percentages. For example, the Recovery Plus Mode may include pulsing infrared light at 25 Hz and at 50% brightness for two minutes, increasing the frequency to 50 Hz at 75% brightness for two minutes, then reducing the frequency to 35 Hz and 40% brightness for two minutes. The Recovery Plus Mode may comprise any combination of frequency and brightness per duty cycle. The infrared light may be pulsed for a certain amount of time; for example, the infrared light may be emitted for two seconds every five seconds. The infrared light may be pulsed for a shorter or longer duration than two seconds. In some embodiments, the Recovery Plus Mode comprises pulsing red light and substantially continuous infrared light. The Recovery Plus Mode may include pulsed or continuous emission of infrared and/or near infrared light. The duration of a treatment session using Recovery Plus Mode may be selected by a user of the device 10 via at least one of the mobile application and the at least one user control. The Recovery Plus Mode may help facilitate cellular recovery by encouraging the removal of waste products from cells during a “quench period” in the cellular recovery process. The device 10 may be configured to automatically shut off at the end of a Recovery Plus Mode session. A user may manually shut off the device 10.
When the device 10 is arranged and configured to operate in the Ambient Mode, the at least one LED 20 may be configured to emit ambient light. In many embodiments, the at least one LED 20 is configured to emit substantially continuous red light in the Ambient Mode. The Ambient Mode may be configured to operate for any duration selected by a user; for example, ten minutes, twenty minutes, thirty minutes, sixty minutes, etc. The device 10 may be configured to automatically shut off after the preselected duration for Ambient Mode. A user may manually shut off the device 10. In many embodiments, the Ambient Mode is configured such that the at least one LED 20 emits substantially continuous red light at 50% of maximum brightness. The user may select a desired brightness level for Ambient Mode. Though used for “ambient” light purposes, during the Ambient Mode, the user may experience any of the various benefits provided by exposure to red light.
When the device 10 is arranged and configured to operate in the Alarm Clock Mode, the at least one LED 20 may be configured to emit ambient light upon at least one of a predetermined condition and at a predetermined time. It should be noted that the ambient light emitted in the Alarm Clock Mode may comprise the same light emitted in the Ambient Mode—substantially continuous red light emitted at 50% brightness. The ambient light emitted in the Alarm Clock Mode may include a ramp-up sequence before reaching a predetermined brightness level (e.g., 50%), wherein the at least one LED 20 is configured to emit light of increasing intensity over a predetermined period of time. For example, the at least one LED 20 may be configured such that, upon (or before) the predetermined condition and/or at (or before) the predetermined time, the at least one LED 20 is configured to turn on and emit red light at 10% brightness with a gradual increase to 50%. The user may select the beginning brightness and the duration of the ramp-up sequence, as well as the peak brightness level.
For example, the user may program the Alarm Clock Mode such that the device 10 is configured to emit red light at 50% brightness at 6:30 AM every morning, Monday-Friday. Beginning at 6:20 AM on Monday-Friday, the at least one LED 20 may be configured to emit red light at 10% brightness. The at least one LED 20 may be configured to gradually increase the brightness such that at 6:25 AM, the at least one LED 20 emits red light at 25% brightness. The at least one LED 20 may continue gradually increasing the brightness over the next five minutes such that at 6:30 AM, the red light is emitted at 50% brightness. A user may forgo the ramp-up sequence and instead configure the device 10 to turn on and immediately emit red light at the predetermined brightness at the predetermined time.
In some embodiments, the Alarm Clock Mode is configured such that the at least one LED 20 emits ambient light upon a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition may comprise a variety of conditions. For example, a remote computing device of the user may be communicatively coupled to the device 10 such that a mobile application on the remote computing device is configured to trigger the at least one LED 20. In some embodiments, the mobile application comprises a sleep tracking application configured to trigger the at least one LED 20 after a predetermined amount of sleep. The sleep tracking application may be configured to trigger the at least one LED 20 upon detection that the user is in a “light” phase of sleep, which may make it easier and more pleasant for the user to wake up.
As another example, the mobile application may be communicatively coupled to a smart device of the user's home, such as a coffee maker. In some embodiments, the mobile application is configured to trigger the at least one LED 20 upon completion of brewing at least one of a pot and a cup of coffee. The mobile application may be configured to trigger the at least one LED 20 upon starting to brew at least one of a pot and a cup of coffee. The mobile application may be coupled to another smart device, such as a smart thermostat. In some embodiments, the mobile application is configured to trigger the at least one LED 20 when the smart thermostat reaches a predetermined temperature.
“Triggering” the at least one LED 20 may comprise starting a ramp-up sequence. In some embodiments, “triggering” the at least one LED 20 comprises immediately emitting ambient light at the predetermined brightness (e.g., 50%). The Alarm Clock Mode may be configured to automatically shut off the at least one LED 20 after a predetermined amount of time. For example, the at least one LED 20 may be configured to shut off thirty minutes after at least one of the predetermined time and the occurrence of the predetermined condition. The user may manually turn off the device 10.
As previously mentioned, the at least one LED 20 may comprise a dimmable LED. A dimming feature may be included in any or all of the Recovery Plus Mode, the Ambient Mode, and the Alarm Clock Mode. The dimming feature may also be integrated into a light therapy session using the device 10. In some embodiments, regardless of the Mode, the at least one LED 20 may ramp-up from off to full (or a predetermined) brightness in a ten second period. When the device 10 is turned off and/or at the end of a treatment session, the at least one LED 20 may ramp-down from the existing brightness level to off in a ten second period. The ramp-up and/or ramp-down period may comprise more or fewer than ten seconds.
In some embodiments, at least one of the Recovery Plus Mode, the Ambient Mode, and the Alarm Clock Mode includes a beeper function. The device 10 may be configured to emit a sound (e.g., “beep”) as an indication of progress of a session using at least one of the stated Modes. For example, during the Recovery Plus Mode, the device 10 may be configured to beep at the beginning of a session, when two minutes remain in the session, and at the conclusion of the session. The device 10 may be configured to emit a sound as an indication of progress in a “regular” session that does not use one of the stated modes. Beeper functionality, including the volume of the sound emitted, the type of sound emitted (e.g., beep, chirp, chime, or the like), the number of times the sound is emitted (e.g., single beep vs. double beep), and when the sound is emitted (e.g., start of a session, halfway through a session, five minutes remaining, one minute remaining, end of session, every two minutes during a session, etc.) may be customizable based on preferences of the user. Beeper functionality may be programed via the device 10, using the at least one user control, or via a mobile application on the remote computing device. A user may choose to forgo the beeper function so that the device 10 does not emit any sound during operation. Referring now to
In many embodiments, the device 10 is configured to couple to a cradle of the charging stand 48.
In many embodiments, the device 10 is at least one of mechanically and electrically coupled to the charging stand 48 via a bottom portion 49 of the housing 12, as shown in
The device 10 may be configured for non-stand charging. Stated differently, in some embodiments, the rechargeable battery 38 of the device 10 is configured to receive a charge from a source other than the charging stand 48. In some embodiments, the bottom portion 49 comprises at least one input port configured to electrically couple to a charging cable. The charging cable may be configured to provide 9V at 2 Amps of DC input power. In some embodiments, the charging cable comprises a portion of a 9V, 2 A, AC-DC power adapter. The power adapter may comprise a medical grade (Class II) power adapter. As such, the device 10 may be considered a Class II medical device. The power adapter may include at least one of the following features: an AC input voltage of 100-240V and 50-60 Hz; a DC line cable length of about 120 cm, and a DC jack measuring about 5.5 mm with a positive center pin measuring about 2 mm. The power adapter may meet UL/cUL (Underwriter Laboratories, USA and Canada), FCC (Federal Communications Commission), TUV (Technischer Überwachungsverein), and EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) safety approvals. In some embodiments, the charging cable is configured to couple to the charging stand 48 in order to provide power to the stand 48.
The bottom portion 49 may include an additional port, such as a mini-USB port, configured to couple the device 10 to a remote computing device in order to receive firmware and/or software updates. The mini-USB, or similar port, may be configured to transfer data from the device 10 to a remote computing device. In some embodiments, the data comprises light therapy session data including the number of sessions, duration of sessions, light emission spectra of sessions, and sessions including at least one of Recovery Plus Mode, Ambient Mode, and Alarm Clock Mode. In some embodiments, the device 10 is configured to store the light therapy session data until the data is retrieved via the mini-USB or similar port. The session data may be stored on a memory chip coupled to the PCBA 18. In some embodiments, the device 10 is configured to share session data with a remote computing device via a wireless connection, such as a Bluetooth connection. The device 10 may be communicatively coupled to the remote computing device via any other suitable wireless connection, such as via at least one of a cellular and WiFi network. The session data may remain on the device 10 even after the data is shared with the remote computing device.
Similar to the charging cable, the charging stand 48 may be configured to provide 9V of power to the device 10 in order to charge the rechargeable battery 38. In some embodiments, the battery 38 is configured to receive 1.5 A of charging current. The battery 38 may be configured to receive 0.5 A of charging current. In some embodiments, the battery 38 is configured to receive a charging current between 0.5 A and 1.5 A. The battery 38 may be configured to receive charging current above 1.5 A. The battery 38 may be configured to receive charging current below 0.5 A. In some embodiments, the status LED discussed with reference to
In some embodiments, the rechargeable battery 38 also includes a plurality of conductor cables 39 and a connector 41, as shown in
In addition, like the at least one LED 20, the at least one LED 108 may comprise a multi-die chip LED. Each multi-die chip LED may comprise four LED die. In some embodiments, two of the four LED die comprise LEDs configured to emit red light at a wavelength of about 660 nm. The other two LED die may comprise LEDs configured to emit infrared light at a wavelength of about 850 nm. In some embodiments, the LED die configured to emit red light are configured to emit red light at a wavelength between 655 nm and 660 nm with an irradiance of about 20 mW/cm2 at 6 inches. The LED die configured to emit infrared light may be configured to emit infrared light at a wavelength between about 840 nm and 870 nm with an irradiance of about 20 mW/cm2 at 6 inches. It should be noted that irradiance measurements are approximate and based on measurements taken at a room temperature of 25° C. The total unit radiant flux may be equal to or greater than 65 W. The total light output may be about 8.09 W.
In some embodiments, the multi-die chip LED comprises part number PBLB-3LQE-MJ produced by ProLight Opto, of Epistar Corp. (Taiwan). In some embodiments, the at least one LED 108 comprises at least one 4-in-1 LED in a 3030 package. Stated differently, each LED of the at least one LED 108 may define a width of 3.0 mm and a length of 3.0 mm. In some embodiments, the at least one LED 108 comprises at least one 4-in-1 LED in a 3535 package. Stated differently, each LED of the at least one LED 108 may define a width of 3.5 mm and a length of 3.5 mm. Each LED of the at least one LED 108 may define a height of about 1.8 mm. The red and infrared LEDs may define a cross pattern. In some embodiments, LEDs configured to emit the light at the same wavelength are located side-by-side or top-to-bottom.
In some embodiments, the at least one LED 108 is configured to emit light at wavelengths other than 660 nm and 850 nm. For example, at least one die in the multi-die chip LED may be configured to emit light at any of the following colors: royal blue, blue, yellow-green, and amber. The corresponding emission spectra may include 380-500 nm for royal blue light, 400-520 nm for blue light, 400-710 nm for yellow-green light and 475-800 nm for amber light. In addition, at least one LED die may be configured to emit light at a wavelength greater than 850 nm. Regardless of the emission spectrum, the at least one LED 108 may be dimmable. A user may be able to select a custom wavelength for light emission from the at least one LED 108.
In many embodiments, both the devices 10, 102 are configured to provide at least one of red and infrared light therapy. It should be noted that the term “infrared light therapy”, as applied to the device 10 and/or the device 102, may include emission of infrared and/or near infrared light.
For red light therapy, the at least one LED 108 may be configured to ramp-up to 25% frequency for a period of time, increase to 50% frequency for a period of time, decrease back to 25% for a period of time, increase back to 50% for a period of time, decrease back to 25% for a final time, then ramp-down to zero emission at the end of the session. As with the infrared emission, the amount of time red light is emitted at each predetermined frequency 112 may be substantially the same throughout the duration of the session. The amount of time may vary during the course of the session.
The predetermined duty cycle 114 may comprise at least one predetermined frequency 112 not shown in
In some embodiments, the PCBA 106 is electrically coupled to a single 48V power harness. The power harness will be discussed further with reference to
In some embodiments, the at least one flexible printed circuit connector 160 shown in
In some embodiments, the power button 118 is configured to operatively control power to the light therapy device 102. The power button 118 may be configured to turn the device 102 on, turn the device 102 off, and put the device 102 in a standby mode. The pulse button 120 may be configured to operatively control the pulse of the at least one LED 108. It should be noted that the term “the pulse” of the at least one LED 108 may indicate that the at least one LED 108 is arranged and configured to alternately emit light and refrain from emitting light. The play/pause button 124 may be configured to at least one of start and stop light emission from the at least one LED 108. The time button may be configured to select a time period for light emission from the at least one LED 108. The time button may also be configured to set a real time clock. The control panel display 130 may be configured to display information regarding a treatment session. The information may include, but is not limited to; a session time (elapsed or remaining), a session mode, a real time clock, and a date. The at least one indication light 128 may be configured to indicate at least one of a power status, a red light emission status, an infrared light emission status, and a pulse status.
In some embodiments, the mode button 122 is configured to select a mode for light emission from the at least one LED 108. The mode for light emission may comprise at least one of a Recovery Plus Mode, an Ambient Mode, an Alarm Clock Mode, a Lead Mode 140 (shown in, and discussed with reference to,
When the device 102 is arranged and configured to operate in the Recovery Plus Mode, the at least one LED 108 may be configured to emit pulsed infrared light. In many embodiments, the at least one LED 108 is configured to emit substantially continuous red light in the Recovery Plus Mode. The pulsed infrared light may be emitted at a single frequency. In some embodiments, the infrared light is pulsed at varying frequencies throughout the duration of the Recovery Plus Mode. “Varying” frequencies may comprise frequencies between 0 and 100 Hz, emitted at different duty cycle percentages. For example, the Recovery Plus Mode may include pulsing infrared light at 25 Hz and at 50% brightness for two minutes, increasing the frequency to 50 Hz at 75% brightness for two minutes, then reducing the frequency to 35 Hz and 40% brightness for two minutes. The Recovery Plus Mode may comprise any combination of frequency and brightness per duty cycle. The infrared light may be pulsed for a certain amount of time; for example, the infrared light may be emitted for two seconds every five seconds. The infrared light may be pulsed for a shorter or longer duration than two seconds. In some embodiments, the Recovery Plus Mode comprises pulsing red light and substantially continuous infrared light. The Recovery Plus Mode may include pulsed or continuous emission of infrared and/or near infrared light. The duration of a treatment session using Recovery Plus Mode may be selected by a user of the device 102 via at least one of the mobile application and the at least one user control. The Recovery Plus Mode may help facilitate cellular recovery by encouraging the removal of waste products from cells during a “quench period” in the cellular recovery process. The device 102 may be configured to automatically shut off at the end of a Recovery Plus Mode session. A user may manually shut off the device 102.
When the device 102 is arranged and configured to operate in the Ambient Mode, the at least one LED 108 may be configured to emit ambient light. In many embodiments, the at least one LED 108 is configured to emit substantially continuous red light in the Ambient Mode. The Ambient Mode may be configured to operate for any duration selected by a user; for example, ten minutes, twenty minutes, thirty minutes, sixty minutes, etc. The device 102 may be configured to automatically shut off following the end of the preselected duration of the Ambient Mode session. A user may manually shut off the device 102. In many embodiments, the Ambient Mode is configured such that the at least one LED 108 emits substantially continuous red light at 50% of maximum brightness. The user may select a desired brightness level for Ambient Mode. Though used for “ambient” light purposes, during the Ambient Mode, the user may experience any of the various benefits provided by exposure to red light.
When the device 102 is arranged and configured to operate in the Alarm Clock Mode, the at least one LED 108 may be configured to emit ambient light upon at least one of a predetermined condition and at a predetermined time. It should be noted that the ambient light emitted in the Alarm Clock Mode may comprise the same light emitted in the Ambient Mode—substantially continuous red light emitted at 50% brightness. The ambient light emitted in the Alarm Clock Mode may include a ramp-up sequence before reaching a predetermined brightness level (e.g., 50%), wherein the at least one LED 108 is configured to emit light of increasing intensity over a predetermined period of time. For example, the at least one LED 108 may be configured such that, upon (or before) the predetermined condition and/or at (or before) the predetermined time, the at least one LED 108 is configured to turn on and emit red light at 10% brightness with a gradual increase to 50%. The user may select the beginning brightness and the duration of the ramp-up sequence, as well as the peak brightness level.
For example, the user may program the Alarm Clock Mode such that the device 102 is configured to emit red light at 50% brightness at 6:30 AM every morning, Monday-Friday. Beginning at 6:20 AM on Monday-Friday, the at least one LED 108 may be configured to emit red light at 10% brightness. The at least one LED 108 may be configured to gradually increase the brightness such that at 6:25 AM, the at least one LED 108 emits red light at 25% brightness. The at least one LED 108 may continue gradually increasing the brightness over the next five minutes such that at 6:30 AM, the red light is emitted at 50% brightness. A user may forgo the ramp-up sequence and instead configure the device 102 to turn on and immediately emit red light at the predetermined brightness at the predetermined time.
In some embodiments, the Alarm Clock Mode is configured such that the at least one LED 108 emits ambient light upon a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition may comprise a variety of conditions. For example, a remote computing device 136 of the user may be communicatively coupled to the device 102 such that a mobile application on the remote computing device 136 is configured to trigger the at least one LED 108. In some embodiments, the mobile application comprises a sleep tracking application configured to trigger the at least one LED 108 after a predetermined amount of sleep. The sleep tracking application may be configured to trigger the at least one LED 108 upon detection that the user is in a “light” phase of sleep, which may make it easier and more pleasant for the user to wake up.
As another example, the mobile application may be communicatively coupled to a smart device of the user's home, such as a coffee maker. In some embodiments, the mobile application is configured to trigger the at least one LED 108 upon completion of brewing at least one of a pot and a cup of coffee. The mobile application may be configured to trigger the at least one LED 108 upon starting to brew at least one of a pot and a cup of coffee. The mobile application may be coupled to another smart device, such as a smart thermostat. In some embodiments, the mobile application is configured to trigger the at least one LED 108 when the smart thermostat reaches a predetermined temperature.
“Triggering” the at least one LED 108 may comprise starting a ramp-up sequence. In some embodiments, “triggering” the at least one LED 108 comprises immediately emitting ambient light at the predetermined brightness (e.g., 50%). The Alarm Clock Mode may be configured to automatically shut off the at least one LED 108 after a predetermined amount of time. For example, the at least one LED 108 may be configured to shut off thirty minutes after at least one of the predetermined time and the occurrence of the predetermined condition. The user may manually turn off the device 102.
As previously mentioned, the at least one LED 108 may comprise a dimmable LED. A dimming feature may be included in any or all of the Recovery Plus Mode, the Ambient Mode, and the Alarm Clock Mode. The dimming feature may also be integrated into a light therapy session using the device 102. In some embodiments, regardless of the Mode, the at least one LED 108 may ramp-up from off to full (or a predetermined) brightness in a ten second period. When the device 102 is turned off and/or when a treatment session is finished, the at least one LED 108 may ramp-down from the existing brightness level to off in a ten second period. The ramp-up and/or ramp-down period may comprise more or fewer than ten seconds.
In some embodiments, at least one of the Recovery Plus Mode, the Ambient Mode, and the Alarm Clock Mode includes a beeper function. The device 102 may be configured to emit a sound (e.g., “beep”) as an indication of progress of a session using at least one of the stated Modes. For example, during the Recovery Plus Mode, the device 102 may be configured to beep at the beginning of a session, when two minutes remain in the session, and at the conclusion of the session. The device 102 may be configured to emit a sound as an indication of progress in a “regular” session that does not use one of the stated modes. Beeper functionality, including the volume of the sound emitted, the type of sound emitted (e.g., beep, chirp, chime, or the like), the number of times the sound is emitted (e.g., single beep vs. double beep), and when the sound is emitted (e.g., start of a session, halfway through a session, five minutes remaining, one minute remaining, end of session, every two minutes during a session, etc.) may be customizable based on preferences of the user. Beeper functionality may be programed via the device 102, using the at least one user control, or via a mobile application on the remote computing device. A user may choose to forgo the beeper function so that the device 102 does not emit any sound during operation.
Turning now to
The control panel 116 may include an additional port, such as a mini-USB port, configured to couple the device 102 to a remote computing device 136 in order to receive firmware and/or software updates. The device 102 may be configured to receive firmware and/or software updates wirelessly from the remote computing device 136 via a mobile application 134. The mini-USB, or similar port, may be configured to transfer data from the device 102 to a remote computing device 136. In some embodiments, the data comprises light therapy session data including the number of sessions, duration of sessions, light emission spectra of sessions, and sessions including at least one of Recovery Plus Mode, Ambient Mode, and Alarm Clock Mode. In some embodiments, the device 102 is configured to store the light therapy session data until the data is retrieved via the mini-USB or similar port. The session data may be stored on a memory chip coupled to at least one of the controller board 132 and the PCBA 106. In some embodiments, the device 102 is configured to share session data with a remote computing device 136 via a wireless connection, such as a Bluetooth connection. The Bluetooth connection may comprise a Bluetooth 5.0 connection. The device 102 may be communicatively coupled to the remote computing device 136 via any other suitable wireless connection, such as via at least one of a cellular and WiFi network. The session data may remain on the device 102 even after the data is shared with the remote computing device 136.
In many embodiments, the controller board 132 of the control panel 116 is communicatively coupled to a mobile application 134 on the remote computing device 136, as shown in
In many embodiments, when the system 100 includes a plurality of light therapy devices 102, a first light therapy device 102a is configured to operate in a lead mode 140 and a second (or third, fourth, etc.) light therapy device 102b (102c, 102d, etc.) is configured to operate in a follow mode 142.
In some embodiments, the first light therapy device 102a is configured to enter the lead mode 140 upon pressing the power button 118 for at least a predetermined amount of time. The second light therapy device 102b may be configured to enter the follow mode 142 upon pressing the power button 118 for at least a predetermined amount of time. In some embodiments, a button other than the power button 118 is used to configure lead and follow modes 140, 142. For example, the mode button 122 may be used to configure lead and follow modes 140, 142 in the devices 102a, 102b. A plurality of buttons on the control panel 116 may be used to configure lead and follow modes. In some embodiments, the device 102 in lead mode 140 is configured (e.g., lead mode is set) before the device 102 in follow mode 142 is configured (e.g., follow mode is set). The lead mode 140 and follow mode 142 setup may be achieved via the mobile application 134.
In many embodiments, the controller board 132 is also coupled to an insulation displacement connector 150. The controller board 132 may be electrically coupled to a first insulation displacement connector 150a via a plurality of sharpened blades, whereby each sharpened blade of the plurality of sharpened blades penetrates the insulation surrounding each wire of the plurality of electrical wires 152 to thereby electrically and communicatively couple the first insulation displacement connector 150a to the controller board 132. The first light therapy device 102a may be at least one of electrically and communicatively coupled to a second insulation displacement connector 150b in substantially the same manner. The second light therapy device 102b may be at least one of electrically and communicatively coupled to a third insulation displacement connector 150c, and so forth for the third, fourth, and fifth light therapy devices 102c-e. In some embodiments, the system 100 includes more than five light therapy devices 102. The system 100 may comprise n+1 insulation displacement connectors 150, where “n” represents the number of light therapy devices 102.
In some embodiments, the plurality of sharpened blades comprises six sharpened blades, and the plurality of electrical wires 152 comprises six electrical wires 152a-f. The plurality of electrical wires 152 may comprise more or fewer than six electrical wires. For example, the number of electrical wires may be 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, or any other number necessary for the electrical configuration of the system 100. In many embodiments, the number of sharpened blades corresponds to the number of electrical wires in the plurality of electrical wires 152. The number of sharpened blades may be greater than the number of electrical wires in the plurality of electrical wires 152. In such an embodiments, at least one of the sharpened blades is not coupled to an electrical wire.
The plurality of electrical wires 152 is configured to transmit at least one of power and data through a first insulation displacement connector 150a, a second insulation displacement connector 150b, the AC input socket 151, and the power supply unit 148. The first and second insulation displacement connectors 150a, 150b are at least one of electrically and communicatively coupled to one another.
In many embodiments, the plurality of electrical wires 152 carries at least one of power and data through the system 100. Electrical wires 152a, 152b may carry current for power from the AC input socket 151 to the power supply unit 148, thereby electrically coupling the AC input socket 151 and power supply unit 148, as illustrated in
As previously discussed, in some embodiments, the light therapy device 102 comprises a plurality of PCBAs 106. The at least one LED 108 of a first PCBA 106a may comprise sixteen red LEDs and fourteen infrared LEDs. A second PCBA 106b may comprise fourteen red LEDs and sixteen infrared LEDs. Like the first PCBA 106a, a third PCBA 106c may comprise sixteen red LEDs and fourteen infrared LEDs. A fourth PCBA 106d may comprise fourteen red LEDs and sixteen infrared LEDs, like the second PCBA 106b. As such, the pattern may continue with alternating numbers of red and infrared LEDs on each PCBA 106, where every other PCBA 106 comprises substantially the same proportion of each color of LEDs.
That said, in some embodiments, the first button 224a shown in
Similar to other elements of the light therapy device 202, the control panel 214 may be similar to the control panel 116 shown in
In some embodiments, each of the first light therapy device 202a and the second light therapy device 202b is arranged and configured to operate in an independent mode, a follow mode, and a lead mode. When the first light therapy device 202a operates in the independent mode, the first light therapy device 202a may be configured to perform operations as instructed by a first control panel 214a, and when the second light therapy device 202b operates in the independent mode, the second light therapy device 202b may be configured to perform operations as instructed by a second control panel 214b. In some embodiments, when the first light therapy device 202a operates in the follow mode and the second light therapy device 202b operates in the lead mode, the first light therapy device 202a is performs operations as instructed by the second light therapy device 202b (i.e., by the second control panel 214b). When the first light therapy device 202a operates in the lead mode and the second light therapy device 202b operates in the follow mode, the second light therapy device 202b may be configured to perform operations as instructed by the first light therapy device 202a (i.e., by the first control panel 214a). In an embodiment with more than two light therapy devices 202 in the system 200, a single light therapy device 202 may be configured to operate in the lead mode while the remaining light therapy devices 202 are configured to operate in the follow mode.
In some embodiments, the first light therapy device 202a and the second light therapy device 202b are mechanically coupled using any mechanical coupling mechanisms described in any of the patents/applications incorporated herein by reference. Specifically, the first light therapy device 202a and the second light therapy device 202b may be mechanically coupled using the mechanisms shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/027,338, titled PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY DEVICE ACCESSORIES. For example, the mounting system 210 shown in
It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the first power button and the first light mode button are physically spaced on the first control panel 214a in order to prevent an inadvertent reset of the first light therapy device 202a. An inadvertent reset may also be avoided by the first light therapy device 202a requiring a prolonged button press, for example, of at least four seconds. It should also be noted that the dashed circles and block arrows are included in the Figures to emphasize the relevant button(s) for each method step, and are not actually present on the first control panel 214a. Though discussed in terms of the first light therapy device 202a and the first control panel 214a, these statements regarding button spacing, prolonged button press, and the dashed circles and block arrows should also be considered as relevant to the second light therapy device 202b and the second control panel 214b. In addition, these statements may be relevant to both wireless light therapy systems 200, as shown in
In some embodiments, rather than using the first and second power buttons to power on the first and second light therapy devices 202a, 202b, the devices 202a, 202b may be powered on by providing power to the devices 202a, 202b via an AC power cord of each device 202a, 202b. Stated another way, upon plugging in each of the first light therapy device 202a and the second light therapy device 202b, the devices 202a, 202b may be configured to move directly to the reset step. In some embodiments, the reset step for each device 202a, 202b, regardless of intended lead or follow mode status, comprises the reset step 412 shown in
As discussed with reference to the wireless light therapy system 200, in some embodiments, rather than using the first and second power buttons to power on the first and second light therapy devices 202a, 202b, the devices 202a, 202b may be powered on by providing power to the devices 202a, 202b via an AC power cord of each device 202a, 202b. Stated another way, upon plugging in each of the first light therapy device 202a and the second light therapy device 202b, the devices 202a, 202b may be configured to move directly to the reset step. In some embodiments, the reset step for each device 202a, 202b, regardless of intended lead or follow mode status, comprises the reset step 452 shown in
As discussed earlier in the disclosure with particular reference to
In some embodiments, at least one of the buttons on the control panels 214a, 214b of
In some embodiments, rather than using at least one button on a control panel 214 to configure a light therapy device 202 in independent mode, lead mode, and/or follow mode, the system 200 may include a different mechanism to select an operation mode for each light therapy device 202. For example, the system 200 may include a switch configured to select the desired operational mode of each light therapy device 202. In some embodiments, similar to the hardwired system shown in
Any of the components of the light therapy device 10 and the light therapy device 102 may comprise any suitable material or combination of materials. For example, the front bezel 14 of the device 10 may comprise die-cast aluminum, magnesium, or a blend of the two or alloys of the two. The back portion 16 of the device 10 may comprise injection-molded plastic(s). The at least one reflector 30 may comprise clear plastic or glass. The heat sink 158 may comprise aluminum. In many embodiments, the PCBAs 18, 106, comprise a combination of materials.
Various components may comprise any metallic, plastic, or combination material. Metallic materials may comprise steel, aluminum, magnesium, or any other metal or combination of metals. In many embodiments, the components are comprised of durable material(s) configured to withstand everyday wear-and-tear and more significant potential damage, such as being dropped, bumped, knocked against a wall and/or door, etc. The components may comprise any color, whether the natural color of a material (e.g., metallic components may be silver in color) or an applied color (e.g., paint, powder coating, etc.).
None of the steps described herein is essential or indispensable. Any of the steps can be adjusted or modified. Other or additional steps can be used. Any portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in one embodiment, flowchart, or example in this specification can be combined or used with or instead of any other portion of any of the steps, processes, structures, and/or devices disclosed or illustrated in a different embodiment, flowchart, or example. The embodiments and examples provided herein are not intended to be discrete and separate from each other.
The section headings and subheadings provided herein are nonlimiting. The section headings and subheadings do not represent or limit the full scope of the embodiments described in the sections to which the headings and subheadings pertain. For example, a section titled “Topic 1” may include embodiments that do not pertain to Topic 1 and embodiments described in other sections may apply to and be combined with embodiments described within the “Topic 1” section.
The various features and processes described above may be used independently of one another, or may be combined in various ways. All possible combinations and subcombinations are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. In addition, certain methods, events, states, or process blocks may be omitted in some implementations. The methods, steps, and processes described herein are also not limited to any particular sequence, and the blocks, steps, or states relating thereto can be performed in other sequences that are appropriate. For example, described tasks or events may be performed in an order other than the order specifically disclosed. Multiple steps may be combined in a single block or state. The example tasks or events may be performed in serial, in parallel, or in some other manner. Tasks or events may be added to or removed from the disclosed example embodiments. The example systems and components described herein may be configured differently than described. For example, elements may be added to, removed from, or rearranged compared to the disclosed example embodiments.
Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present.
The term “and/or” means that “and” applies to some embodiments and “or” applies to some embodiments. Thus, A, B, and/or C can be replaced with A, B, and C written in one sentence and A, B, or C written in another sentence. A, B, and/or C means that some embodiments can include A and B, some embodiments can include A and C, some embodiments can include B and C, some embodiments can only include A, some embodiments can include only B, some embodiments can include only C, and some embodiments can include A, B, and C. The term “and/or” is used to avoid unnecessary redundancy.
The term “substantially” is used to mean “completely” or “nearly completely”. For example, the disclosure includes, “In some embodiments, the front bezel 14 comprises substantially the entire front portion of the device 10.” In this context, “substantially the entire front portion” means that the front bezel may comprise completely or nearly completely the front portion of the device. The front bezel may comprise at least 80% of the front portion of the device, and fall within the understood meaning of “substantially” as used in this disclosure.
The term “about” is used to mean “approximately”. For example, the disclosure includes, “the power supply unit configured to output about 48 volts of power.” In this context, “about 48 volts” means “approximately” 48 volts. A power output between 45 volts and 51 volts may fall within an acceptable range of “about 48 volts”.
While certain example embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions disclosed herein. Thus, nothing in the foregoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature, characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or indispensable. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions disclosed herein.
The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/460,113; filed Feb. 17, 2017; and entitled THERAPEUTIC LIGHT SOURCE AND HANGING APPARATUS. The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/616,028; filed Jun. 7, 2017; and entitled THERAPEUTIC LIGHT SOURCE AND HANGING APPARATUS. The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2018/018288; filed Mar. 1, 2018; and entitled THERAPEUTIC LIGHT SOURCE AND MOUNTING APPARATUS. The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/167,385; filed Oct. 22, 2018; and entitled PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY SYSTEMS AND METHODS. The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2019/057292; filed Oct. 21, 2019; and entitled PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY SYSTEMS AND METHODS. The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/227,289; filed Dec. 20, 2018; and entitled PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY SYSTEMS AND METHODS. The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/863,247; filed Jun. 18, 2019; and entitled PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY SYSTEMS AND METHODS. The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/872,835; filed Jul. 11, 2019; and entitled PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY SYSTEMS AND METHODS. The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/584,784; filed Sep. 26, 2019; and entitled PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY SYSTEMS AND METHODS. The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/598,033; filed Oct. 10, 2019; and entitled PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY SYSTEMS AND METHODS. The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2019/059845; filed Nov. 5, 2019; and entitled PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY SYSTEMS AND METHODS. The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/904,243; filed Jun. 17, 2020; and entitled PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY SYSTEMS AND METHODS. The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2020/038187; filed Jun. 17, 2020; and entitled PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY SYSTEMS AND METHODS. The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/027,338; filed Sep. 21, 2020; and entitled PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY DEVICE ACCESSORIES. The entire contents of the following application are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/027,472; filed Sep. 21, 2020; and entitled PHOTOBIOMODULATION THERAPY SYSTEMS AND DEVICES.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62872835 | Jul 2019 | US | |
| 62863247 | Jun 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17027472 | Sep 2020 | US |
| Child | 17492174 | US | |
| Parent | 17027338 | Sep 2020 | US |
| Child | 17027472 | US | |
| Parent | 16904243 | Jun 2020 | US |
| Child | 17027338 | US | |
| Parent | 17236950 | Apr 2021 | US |
| Child | 16904243 | US |
