CN109350861B

CN109350861B - Device for treating and/or diagnosing motor-related neurological disorders

Info

Publication number: CN109350861B
Application number: CN201811168241.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: K·W·萨瓦格; D·N·阿达玛斯; G·L·威力斯
Original assignee: HDK HOLDINGS LLC
Current assignee: HDK HOLDINGS LLC
Priority date: 2012-05-31
Filing date: 2012-12-05
Publication date: 2022-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 2032-12-05
Also published as: CN104661706B; CN109350861A; CN104661706A

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to devices for treating and/or diagnosing motor-related neurological conditions. The light therapy device is configured to expose the subject to light tailored to address and/or diagnose at least one motor-related neurological condition. Blue-green light and green light are useful for treating motor-related neurological disorders or symptoms thereof. Deep red light and near infrared radiation can facilitate repair of retinal cells and/or optic nerves that may be responsible for motor-related neurological conditions. Amber, orange and red light enables early diagnosis of motor-related neurological conditions.

Description

Device for treating and/or diagnosing motor-related neurological disorders

The application is a divisional application of an invention patent application named 'device for treating and/or diagnosing motor-related neurological diseases' with Chinese application number 201280074570.4 and application date PCT application PCT/US2012/068045 of 2012, 12 and 05.

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to devices that expose a subject to light of wavelengths tailored to diagnose and/or have a therapeutic effect on one or more motor-related neurological conditions. Such a light exposure device may be configured to customize the light sensed by the eyes of the subject.

Disclosure of Invention

The phototherapy device of the present invention employs a light source. In some embodiments, the light therapy device comprises a light emitting device comprising a light source, electronic components for operating the light source, and a housing for carrying the light source and the electronic components. In addition, the light emitting device may include a controller in combination with one or more electronic components to enable a user to control the operation of the light source. The controller may provide the user with basic control over the light sources, i.e. the ability to turn the light sources on and off. In addition, the controller may also provide the user with the ability to perform more complex functions, including but not limited to one or more of the following: the ability to adjust the intensity of light emitted by the light source, the ability to adjust one or more colors of light emitted by the light source, including the ability to customize one or more spectra of light emitted by the light source, and the ability to control the duration of operation of the light source.

In some embodiments, the controller of the light emitting device may include one or more processing elements, e.g., a preprogrammed microcontroller, one or more microprocessors, etc. The processing element of the light emitting device is in communication with the electronic components of the light emitting device and indirectly with the light source. Thus, the processing element may control the operation of the light source. In embodiments of the invention in which the controller of the light emitting device comprises a processing element, the light emitting device may further comprise associated input and output elements, and in some embodiments, a communication element.

In other embodiments, the light therapy devices of the present disclosure include one or more filters for limiting one or more wavelengths of light (including visible light) to which the subject is exposed. The filter may be configured for use in conjunction with a light source (e.g., a light emitting device, a standard light source, etc.), and in some embodiments, may be configured to be coupled to or otherwise assembled to the light source. Alternatively, the filter may be configured to be used at a location remote from the light source, while still controlling the amount of light of the various wavelengths to which the object may be exposed.

In one aspect, the invention includes a light therapy device configured to emit light tailored to address a motor-related neurological condition. In various embodiments, such light therapy devices may expose a subject to visible light having at least one intensity peak at a wavelength that will treat, treat a symptom of, facilitate repair of, or facilitate repair of neural cells that may be responsible for a motor-related neurological condition. The at least one intensity peak may include above-ambient or above-average ambient amounts of light at their respective wavelengths. The emitted or to which the subject is exposed visible light may lack above-ambient or above-average ambient amounts of light (i.e., it may include ambient, average ambient, below-ambient, or below-average ambient amounts of light) that is unable to treat the motor-related neurological condition, is unable to treat symptoms of the motor-related neurological condition, is unable to facilitate repair of retinal cells that may be helpful to the motor-related neurological condition, or is unable to facilitate repair of neural cells that may be responsible for the motor-related neurological condition. Optionally, the emitted or visible light to which the subject is exposed may lack above-ambient or above-average ambient amounts of light (i.e., it may include ambient, average ambient, below-ambient or below-average ambient amounts of light) that inhibits or modulates the production of specific neurochemicals, such as monoamines or amines, or induces neuroendocrine responses.

Examples of wavelengths for treating motor-related neurological conditions or symptoms thereof include, but are not necessarily limited to, blue-green wavelengths of light and green wavelengths of light, also referred to herein for brevity as "blue-green light" and "green light". Without limiting the scope of the invention, "green light" refers to narrower bandwidth light (i.e., light of a single wavelength of visible green light or visible green light of a narrow wavelength range) as well as broader spectrum light (e.g., white light, a mixture of other polychromatic light (i.e., colors), etc.) having intensity peaks at one or more wavelengths of green light. "blue-green light" also includes narrower bandwidth light and polychromatic light having an intensity peak at one of the wavelengths of the blue-green light. More specific examples of light that will address motor-related neurological conditions or their symptoms include above-ambient amounts of light having a wavelength of 490nm to 570nm or 520nm to 570 nm. Most portions of the light (i.e., the number of photons, irradiance, etc.) may include one or more wavelengths within any of these ranges; that is, the light may be enhanced with one or more of these wavelengths. The light may also be devoid of ambient or higher amounts of visible light at other wavelengths than ambient.

The wavelengths of deep red light and near infrared light (e.g., 650nm or more to 900nm, etc.) can stimulate mitochondrial repair, and thus cellular repair, including retinal cells and/or neural cells of which mitochondria are a part. Light can also address many motor-related neurological conditions by stimulating the repair of retinal cells and/or neurons of the substantia nigra of the eye using light.

The light emitting device may be configured to treat one or more motor-related neurological conditions or a grade of a symptom thereof (e.g., intensity, photon density, irradiance, etc.) emits visible light (e.g., blue-green and/or green light, deep red light, and/or near infrared radiation, etc.). In various embodiments, light of one or more therapeutic wavelengths may be given at a level that exceeds the corresponding level of such wavelengths of standard indoor ambient lighting (such level is referred to herein as "ambient level"). In some embodiments, light of one or more therapeutic wavelengths may be given at a level that exceeds the average level of these wavelengths of light illuminated in a standard room. These average ratings are referred to herein as "average environmental ratings".

A light emitting device configured to provide treatment for one or more motor-related neurological conditions may be configured to emit light at one or more wavelengths at which insufficient intensity counteracts (e.g., enhances, worsens, etc.) the symptoms of the one or more motor-related neurological conditions. The wavelengths of worsening symptoms include visible red wavelengths, and may also be considered to include light of one or more visible orange and amber wavelengths. In some embodiments, such light emitting devices may emit therapeutic light while emitting light at a symptom exacerbating wavelength of insufficient intensity. In other embodiments, such light emitting devices may emit therapeutic light without emitting or substantially without emitting light at one or more symptom exacerbating wavelengths. In some embodiments, the insufficient intensity may be light at a symptom worsening wavelength that is below ambient or environmental intensity. In other embodiments, even a symptom exacerbating wavelength of light above ambient intensity may be insufficient to exacerbate symptoms of the motor-related neurological condition. This may be the case: the symptom worsening wavelength of light constitutes only a fraction (e.g., less than one-third of the total light intensity, etc.) of the total light emitted by the light emitting device or the light to which the subject is exposed.

In some embodiments where the light emitting device is configured to emit light at one or more therapeutic wavelengths at a level above ambient, the light emitting device may emit ambient amounts of light, emit light at a level below ambient, or emit substantially no light outside the range of therapeutic wavelengths. In some embodiments, the light source may be configured to emit light at one or more symptom exacerbating wavelengths at or below ambient levels. In other embodiments, the light emitting device may emit therapeutic light at one or more wavelengths above the ambient level while emitting substantially no light at the at least one symptom ameliorating wavelength or at least one symptom ameliorating wavelength that emits substantially no light. Thus, the light source may be configured to emit light that substantially comprises or even consists of one or more wavelengths of light that address at least one motor-related neurological condition and one or more wavelengths of light that do not ameliorate or exacerbate symptoms of at least one motor-related neurological condition.

In another aspect, the light emitting device of the present invention may be configured to facilitate early diagnosis of motor-related neurological conditions. Various embodiments of such devices may emit amber, orange, and/or red light at a level intensity above ambient, or at such wavelengths that are sufficient to exacerbate the level or intensity of symptoms of motor-related neurological conditions. In some embodiments, light of one or more symptom worsening wavelengths of intensity above ambient may be administered to a subject exhibiting some symptoms (including early symptoms) that may be indicative of a motor-related neurological condition but that does not provide a definitive diagnosis of the motor-related neurological condition. In other embodiments, sufficient intensity for worsening the symptoms of the motor-related neurological condition may be lower than ambient or ambient intensity of the worsening symptom wavelength of light, such as when the worsening symptom wavelength of light constitutes a sufficient amount (e.g., more than one-third, most portion, etc.) of the total light emitted by the light emitting device or of the light to which the subject is exposed. When administered to such a subject, symptom-exacerbating light of one or more wavelengths of sufficient intensity may cause the subject's symptoms to be more pronounced, or may cause the subject to temporarily exhibit symptoms not previously manifested, which may enable early diagnosis of motor-related neurological conditions. When one or more symptom exacerbating wavelengths of light of sufficient intensity are administered to a subject predisposed to one or more motor-related neurological conditions, at least one symptom of the motor-related neurological condition may be exhibited, which may enable a diagnosis of the motor-related neurological condition in asymptomatic subjects.

In embodiments where the light emitting device is configured for diagnostic purposes, for example, to emit one or more wavelengths that cause a subject predisposed to or believed to have at least one motor-related neurological condition to exhibit at least one symptom of the motor-related neurological condition, the light source of the diagnostic device may be configured to emit wavelengths that substantially include or even consist of one or more symptom-ameliorating wavelengths of light and light that does not cancel out of the symptom-ameliorating wavelengths. Such a diagnostic device may not emit any wavelengths of light that are therapeutic for the at least one motor-related neurological condition, substantially no wavelengths of light that are therapeutic for the at least one motor-related neurological condition, or even any wavelengths of light that are therapeutic for the at least one motor-related neurological condition in below-ambient amounts.

Other features and advantages of the various aspects of the invention, as well as other aspects of the invention, will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the following description, drawings, and appended claims.

Drawings

In the figure:

FIG. 1 is a representation of an embodiment of a light emitting device configured to deliver at least one wavelength of light to provide a therapeutic effect to a subject suffering from at least one motor-related neurological condition in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate differently arranged light sources having light emitting elements of different colors or bandwidths;

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a light emitting device including a light source emitting polychromatic light; and

fig. 4-6 illustrate some embodiments of filters that may be used to control the amount of light of one or more wavelengths to which an object is exposed.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 provides a schematic representation of a light emitting device 10 incorporating the teachings of the present invention. In general, the light emitting device 10 of the present invention includes a light source 30 and one or more controllers associated with the light source 30. The light source 30 may include one or more light emitting elements 32, each of which may include any suitable type of light emitting device known in the art (e.g., a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a fluorescent lamp, a Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL), etc.). In general, the light emitting elements 32 of the light source 30 may be configured to each emit light of one or more desired wavelengths at an intensity or photon density above ambient.

In various embodiments, the light source 30 of the light emitting device 10 is configured to emit light at one or more wavelengths above the ambient level or intensity, photon density, or irradiance tailored to address one or more motor-related neurological conditions. In some embodiments, the light emitted by the light source 30 may be tailored to address one or more of the cardinal symptoms of the motor-related neurological condition. The light emitted by the light source 30 may also be tailored to address one or more secondary symptoms of motor-related neurological conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, insomnia, somnolence, etc.). Additionally, the light emitted by the light source 30 may be tailored to exclude or at least include insufficient levels or intensities of wavelengths of light that may exacerbate one or more major or minor symptoms of motor-related neurological conditions. In some embodiments, the insufficient level or intensity may be light of a wavelength below the worsening symptom of the environment or environmental level or intensity. In other embodiments, for example, where the symptom-exacerbating wavelength of light constitutes all of the light emitted by the light-emitting device or only a small portion of the light to which the subject is exposed (e.g., less than one-third of the total light intensity, etc.), even light above the environmental level or intensity of the symptom-exacerbating wavelength may be insufficient to exacerbate the symptom of the motor-related neurological condition.

For purposes of this disclosure, for reference, a level of light of various wavelengths is considered "above ambient" when the level exceeds the same level of light of the same wavelength present in standard indoor lighting. Conversely, for purposes of this disclosure, a level of various wavelengths of light is considered "below ambient" when the level is below the same level of light of the same wavelength that is present in standard room lighting. Standard indoor lighting is commonly referred to as "white light", more precisely as "polychromatic light", having an intensity of 50 to 500lux. The term "ambient", when applied in the context of a level of one or more wavelengths of light, may refer to a level of various wavelengths of light present in a particular type of polychromatic light at one ambient intensity (e.g., 50lux, 500lux, intensities between 50 and 500lux, etc.), or an average level of various wavelengths present in one or more types of polychromatic light at two or more ambient intensities, or a higher or lower level of one or more wavelengths of light at an upper or lower end of a range of ambient intensities of polychromatic light from one or more light sources.

At about 50lux, standard indoor lighting (incandescent and/or fluorescent) has a 3.70 × 10 ¹³ Photon/cm ² Total photon density per second and 13.2. Mu.W/cm ² (or 1.32X 10) ^-5 W/cm ² ) Total irradiance of. The blue to green portion of the spectrum (e.g., 460nm to 570nm, etc.) of standard room lighting of about 50lux has a 1.35 × 10 ¹³ Photon/cm ² Photon density of 5.1. Mu.W/cm ² Irradiance of. These values, as well as photon density and irradiance for the narrower wavelength range of blue to green in standard indoor lighting at an intensity of about 50lux, are included in the following table:

TABLE 1

The amber to red (e.g., 570nm or more to 640nm, etc.) portion of the spectrum of about 50lux standard room lighting has an intensity of about 24lux, 2.04 x 10 ¹³ Photon/cm ² Photon density per second and 6.7. Mu.W/cm ² Irradiance of. About 50lux standard chamberThe irradiance of the amber to red light of the spectrum of the interior illumination exceeds the irradiance of the blue to green "effective" spectrum of the standard interior illumination of about 50 lux.

At about 500lux, the total photon density for standard room lighting is 3.69 × 10 ¹⁴ Photon/cm ² S, total irradiance of standard indoor lighting 133.5 μ W/cm ² . At about 500lux, the blue to green portion of the standard room lighting spectrum has a 1.53 x 10 ¹⁴ Photon/cm ² Photon density/s and 58.4. Mu.W/cm ² Irradiance of. These values, as well as photon density and irradiance for the narrower wavelength range of blue to green in standard indoor lighting with an intensity of about 500lux, are included in the table below:

TABLE 2

The amber to red portion of the spectrum for about 500lux standard room lighting has an intensity of about 225lux, 1.85 × 10 ¹⁴ Photon/cm ² Photon density per second and 60.4. Mu.W/cm ² Irradiance of. The irradiance of the amber to red light in about 500lux standard indoor lighting exceeds the irradiance of the blue to green "effective" spectrum of about 500lux standard indoor lighting.

Based on the foregoing, when "ambient" includes an average level of one or more bandwidths of light in polychromatic light of about 50lux and a level of one or more of the same bandwidths of light in polychromatic light of about 500lux, the ambient levels of bandwidths shown in tables 1 and 2 may include the ambient values of standard indoor lighting determined in table 3.

TABLE 3

The amber to red portion of the spectrum of ambient standard room lighting has an intensity of about 125lux, 1.03 × 10 ¹⁴ Photon/cm ² Photon density of 33.6. Mu.W/cm ² Spoke ofThe illumination intensity. The irradiance of the amber to red light of the spectrum of the average intensity standard room lighting exceeds the irradiance of the blue to green "effective" spectrum of the average intensity standard room lighting.

In the case of averaging, as another definition of "ambient" light may include polychromatic light within an intensity, photon density, and/or irradiance or energy range, as well as levels of light within various bandwidths of the polychromatic light within that range. When the levels of light of various wavelengths exceed the same level of light of the same wavelength in the environmental range, the levels may be considered "above ambient". Conversely, when the level of light at various wavelengths is below the same level for the same wavelength of light present in the ambient range, the level may be considered "below ambient". For purposes of the present invention, the lower end of the "ambient" level may include levels for each of the wavelength ranges present in about 50lux of polychromatic light, while the upper end of the "ambient" level includes levels for the various wavelength ranges present in about 500lux of polychromatic light. With this definition of environment, a sub-ambient level may include a level below about 50lux, and a higher-ambient level may include a level above about 500lux.

For reference, incandescent indoor lighting with a total ambient intensity of about 50 to 500lux consists primarily of amber and red wavelengths of light, along with some green light. Green light constitutes only a small portion of the spectrum of the incandescent room lighting output. Thus, the intensity of the green wavelengths present in incandescent indoor lighting is significantly below 200lux. Fluorescent room lighting has the identifying characteristics of mercury with three intensity peaks: a first peak in the cyan-dark blue range (435 nm-436 nm), a second peak in the green-yellow range (540 nm-560 nm), and a third peak at a red wavelength of 580nm to 640 nm. The intensity of fluorescent room lighting is only about 50lux to about 500lux relative to incandescent room lighting. Of course, the deep blue and green-yellow peaks of this light are lower than the total intensity of the output light of fluorescent room lighting.

As an option to characterize light according to its level and intensity relative to environmental levels, light administered to a subject for diagnosis or treatment of motor-related neurological conditions (or for any other purpose) may be characterized according to the relative proportions or ratios of specific wavelengths, bandwidths, and/or intensity peaks. Without limitation, when the light emitted by the light source has a particular effect, the intensity or irradiance of the wavelength(s) of light responsible for that effect may constitute a particular proportion or ratio (e.g., greater than one-third, greater than one-half, greater than two-thirds, 95% or more, etc.) of the total light emitted by the light source. The following table compares the ratio of red to non-red visible light for five (5) available light sources (BRITE LITE 6, LITEBOOK LITE, CRI LITE, BRITE LITE 3, and NORTHSTART) relative to two light Sources (SPECTRAMAX) that have been configured to incorporate the teachings of the present disclosure.

TABLE 4

The data from table 4 indicates that, of the total intensity of visible light emitted by the first SPECTRAMAX sample that provides a therapeutic effect for motor-related neurological conditions, the amount of red light emitted is only 11.6% of the amount of all other wavelengths of visible light emitted, and the level of red light emitted is only 40% of the level of blue-green light emitted. The second SPECTRAMAX also provides an effective therapy for motor-related neurological conditions and emits red light equal to 33% of all other wavelengths of visible light and red light equal to 94% of blue-green light. The light source may be useful for treating motor-related neurological conditions when the amount of red light emitted by the light source is at most 33% of the amount of all other wavelengths of visible light emitted by the light source and/or the amount of red light emitted by the light source is at most 95% of the blue-green light emitted by the light source.

When light is administered (i.e., visually) to the eye of a subject at above-ambient levels, light in the range of blue wavelengths (e.g., a minimum wavelength of 460nm, etc.) to blue-green wavelengths (e.g., a minimum wavelength of 490nm, etc.) to green wavelengths (e.g., a maximum wavelength of 570nm, etc.) has a positive or beneficial effect on motor-related neurological conditions and their symptoms, including primary and secondary symptoms. See, FOR example, international patent application entitled "METHODS FOR preventing and treating MOTOR-related NEUROLOGICAL disorders" filed on 3.12.2012 under application No. PCT/IB2012/002553, "method FOR PREVENTING AND TREATING MOTOR-related NEUROLOGICAL disorders," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Administration of light comprising intensity peaks above ambient centered at any position in the blue-green to green wavelength range is believed to be beneficial to subjects suffering from motor-related neurological conditions.

Visual administration of light of any of these wavelengths above the level of the environment may stimulate a dopaminergic response in the subject, which in some instances may alter the level or activity of one or more monoamines (e.g., melatonin, serotonin, dopamine, derivatives and/or analogs thereof, etc.), reestablish chemical equilibrium in the brain of the subject (e.g., stabilize (e.g., decrease, etc.) melatonin produced by the subject, stabilize (e.g., increase, etc.) dopamine and/or serotonin produced by the subject, etc.), the degree of reconstruction and/or stabilization being based on the wavelength and/or level of light administered to the subject. Light therapy utilizing devices incorporating teachings of the present invention stimulates dopaminergic responses that restore or provide a hierarchical balance of one or more monoamines (e.g., melatonin, serotonin, dopamine, etc.) in the brain of a subject. For simplicity, the terms "melatonin," "serotonin" and "dopamine" are used herein to include analogs or derivatives of melatonin and melatonin, serotonin and serotonin, and dopamine, respectively. The amount or grade of one or more monoamines in the subject can be adjusted in a manner that addresses the motor-related neurological condition. Adjustment of the monoamine level in the subject includes, but is not necessarily limited to, adjusting or balancing the melatonin or serotonin level at a particular time of day (e.g., later in the afternoon, earlier in the evening, etc.).

When visually administered to a subject at a sufficient level, light in the range of amber wavelengths (e.g., wavelengths greater than 570nm, etc.) to red wavelengths (e.g., maximum wavelengths 650nm, 750nm, etc.) may exacerbate at least one of any neurological condition associated with exercise or any symptom of a neurological condition associated with exercise that the subject may suffer from. See, for example, the' 553PCT application. In particular, exposure to amber, orange, and red wavelengths of light may cause a subject susceptible to and/or suffering from a motor-related neurological condition to exhibit one or more symptoms of the motor-related neurological condition, but not significantly exhibiting the one or more symptoms of the motor-related neurological condition. Further, when the eyes of the subject are exposed to a sufficient level of amber to red wavelengths of light (e.g., light having a wavelength of greater than 570nm to 650nm, greater than 570nm to 750nm, etc.), the dopamine activity of the subject's body may be temporarily inhibited (e.g., melatonin produced by the subject may be elevated, dopamine produced by the subject may be inhibited, etc.). Light of a worsening symptom wavelength above ambient levels or intensities may be sufficient to worsen the symptoms of the motor-related neurological condition. In some embodiments, such as when the symptom-worsening wavelength of light constitutes a sufficient amount (e.g., more than one-third, a majority portion) of all light emitted by the light-emitting device to which the subject is exposed, the sufficient level or intensity may be lower than the environmental level or intensity of the ambient or symptom-worsening wavelength of light.

Wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation above 650nm (including visible and infrared radiation) can promote or stimulate mitochondrial repair. In the eye, promotion or stimulation of mitochondrial repair may contribute to the repair of damaged retinal cells that may be at least partially responsible for, and thus, at least partially avoid and/or reverse, motor-related neurological conditions. In substantia nigra (substantia nigra), the enhancement or stimulation of mitochondrial repair may contribute to the repair of damaged nerve cells responsible for, and thus, at least partially reverse, motor-related neurological disorders.

As previously indicated, the light source 30 of the light emitting device 10 may be configured to emit one or more predetermined, relatively narrow bandwidths or wavelength ranges of light. The light source 30 may be configured to address a motor-related neurological condition, or at least one or more major and/or minor symptoms of such a condition. The light source 30 may be configured to emit light that causes the subject to make a neurological or neuroendocrine response. The light emitted by the light source 30 may have a therapeutic effect on one or more motor-related neurological conditions or their symptoms. The light emitting device 10 of the present invention may be configured to stimulate a dopaminergic response that may stabilize the level of one or more monoamines in the body of the subject (e.g., by affecting melatonin, serotonin and/or dopamine, etc. produced by the subject). The reduction in the grade of a particular monoamine may be due to stimulation of the subject's body to reduce the production of those monoamines or any other means. Similarly, the increase in the grade of other monoamines may be due to stimulation of the subject's body to increase the production of those monoamines. For example, light of a particular wavelength may stimulate dopamine, serotonin, etc., while suppressing or reducing melatonin production. Thus, in some embodiments, the light source 30 of the light emitting device 10 may be configured to emit light that provides a desired change in the monoamine level of the subject.

In some embodiments, the light source 30 may be configured to emit light at a level above ambient that actively addresses a motor-related neurological condition or any symptom of such condition (e.g., light having at least one bandwidth of at least one intensity peak centered at a range of 460nm to 570nm (inclusive), a range of 490nm to 570nm (inclusive), a range of 520nm to 570nm (inclusive), and so forth). The desired therapeutic effect may be achieved by visually exposing the subject to at least one bandwidth of light at a level above ambient having at least one intensity peak centered in a range of blue to green light (e.g., 460nm to 570nm, inclusive), blue-green to green light (e.g., 490nm to 570nm, inclusive), or green light (e.g., 520nm to 570nm, inclusive). The at least one intensity peak may include the strongest peak of visible light to which the subject is exposed. As another option, the majority of the light (majpriority) to which the subject is exposed may be within one or more of the blue to green, blue-green to green, or green light ranges, and thus may be considered as one or more "accents" to the visible light of these colors. As a non-limiting example, the light therapy device may be configured to expose the subject to light tailored to stimulate a dopaminergic response, which may result in a change in the level of one or more monoamines in the subject or a balance of dosing (e.g., a decrease in melatonin level, an increase in dopamine level, and/or an increase in serotonin level, etc.).

These embodiments of light source 30 may also be configured to emit ambient level light, sub-ambient level light, or substantially no light outside of the treatment range. In a more specific embodiment, the light source 30 may be configured to emit light at or below ambient levels that may exacerbate a motor-related neurological condition or one or more symptoms thereof. As a further more specific example, the light source 30 may be configured to emit ambient or sub-ambient levels of light that may inhibit dopaminergic activity of the body of the subject. Still more particularly, the light source 30 may be configured to emit light at or below ambient levels that may increase melatonin levels or decrease dopamine or serotonin levels in the subject. Light with a bandwidth of higher than ambient dose with intensity peaks centered above 570nm to 650nm, above 570nm to 750nm, etc. is known to exacerbate motor-related neurological disorders or their symptoms, as well as to suppress dopaminergic activity, and is believed to be able to increase melatonin levels or reduce dopamine or serotonin levels.

On the other hand, the light emitting device 10 may include a light source 30, the light source 30 being configured to exacerbate one or more motor-related neurological conditions or symptoms thereof experienced by the subject. Without limitation, the light source 30 may be configured to temporarily suppress the dopaminergic response of the subject (e.g., increase melatonin activity in the subject, decrease levels of dopamine in the subject, decrease dopamine activity, etc.). One or more motor-related neurological conditions can be exacerbated by visually exposing the subject to light having at least one bandwidth of peaks centered over a range of 570nm to 750nm, inclusive. This effect may also be achieved by ambient or sub-ambient levels of light having at least one bandwidth of a peak in the range of 570 to 750nm, when isolated from the range of 460 to 570nm or producing a higher ratio of light than the range of 460 to 570 nm. In some embodiments, such a light source 30 may be configured to not emit light at a level above ambient that may be therapeutic for any motor-related neurological condition or symptom thereof. In other embodiments, such a light source 30 may be configured to emit light at a higher ratio of 570nm to 750nm than of 460nm to 570 nm. Either of the above conditions is useful for stimulating melatonin production in a subject, thereby increasing the response of melatonin in the subject's body.

In another embodiment, the light source 30 may be configured to stabilize the level of one or more monoamines in the subject by selectively exposing the subject to light that may increase the level of one or more monoamines in the subject (while possibly decreasing the level of one or more other monoamines in the subject) or to light that may decrease the level of one or more monoamines in the subject (while possibly increasing or balancing the level of one or more other monoamines in the subject).

The light emitting device 10 may include a light source 30 that enables early detection of one or more motor-related neurological conditions. As described above, visual exposure of a subject to amber to red wavelengths of light (e.g., 570nm or more to 650nm, 570nm or more to 750nm, etc.) may result in a subject who is predisposed to or has suffered from a motor-related neurological condition, but still does not exhibit significant symptoms of the condition. By emitting above-ambient levels of such light as described above, the light source 30 may cause one or more symptoms of a motor-related neurological condition of the subject to manifest. Thus, the light emitting device 10 of the present invention may include a light source 30 that enables early diagnosis of a motor-related neurological condition that a subject is predisposed to, or that a subject has suffered from, yet has not yet exhibited significant symptoms.

The light source 30 of the light emitting device 10 incorporating teachings of the present invention may be configured to emit light at one or more wavelengths that may stimulate mitochondrial repair. It is presently believed that light of a wavelength emitted by the light emitting device 10 of the present invention can repair damaged retinal cells and/or damaged nerve cells by stimulating retinal repair. It is presently believed that motor-related neurological conditions can be at least partially prevented and/or reversed by repairing damaged retinal cells. It is also presently believed that motor-related neurological conditions can be at least partially reversed by repairing damaged nerve cells, such as nerve cells of the substantia nigra. In some embodiments, such a light source 30 may be configured to emit light having a wavelength above 650nm, which may include deep red (visible) light and some infrared radiation (e.g., wavelengths of infrared radiation below about 1400nm, below about 900nm, etc.).

The light emitting device 10 of the present invention may include a light source 30 that emits only light that will provide a single result (e.g., one of the functions described above, etc.). Alternatively, the light source 30 may be configured to have a selection (e.g., any combination of the above-described functions, etc.) that enables the user to select a desired function from among a plurality of functions.

In embodiments where the light emitting device 10 is configured to provide a single result, the light source 30 may be configured to emit a sufficient level of light at one or more wavelengths to achieve the desired result. The wavelengths of these lights are referred to herein as "desired wavelengths". Additionally, the light source 30 may be configured to not emit light at any wavelength above the ambient level that is likely to offset the desired result (i.e., the light source 30 may emit such wavelengths at ambient levels or below the ambient level), such wavelengths of light being referred to herein as "unwanted wavelengths". In some embodiments, the only wavelength of light that may be emitted by the light source 30 at a level above ambient is the desired wavelength. In other embodiments, the light source 30 may be configured to emit light of only a desired wavelength.

The light emission characteristics of the light source 30 may be defined by one or more light emitting elements 32 of the light source 30. Various embodiments of light emitting elements 32 that emit one or more relatively narrow bandwidths of light may be used in light sources 30 of light emitting devices incorporating teachings of the present invention. Without limiting the scope of the invention, the light emitting elements 32 may comprise Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). The LEDs may be configured to emit light in a predefined narrow bandwidth, which includes a variety of desired wavelengths. The LED may also be configured to emit no light of unwanted wavelengths, to emit light of unwanted wavelengths at a sub-ambient level, or to emit light of unwanted wavelengths at a level that does not exceed an ambient level of such wavelengths.

Alternatively, one or more of the light emitting elements 32 may emit light of a desired wavelength as well as light of one or more other wavelengths. Such light emitting elements 32 are known in the art as "multicolor light sources". Other wavelengths of light emitted by the one or more light emitting elements 32 may include undesired wavelengths, or they may be comprised of harmless and/or other useful wavelengths of light. In embodiments where one or more light emitting elements 32 produce light of one or more undesired wavelengths at an undesirably high level (e.g., arbitrary emissions of such wavelengths, ambient levels of such wavelengths, levels above ambient of such wavelengths, etc.), light source 30 may include one or more filters 34 to attenuate the emissions of one or more undesired wavelengths from light emitting device 10. As is known in the art, the filters 34 may be selected based on the wavelength of light that they attenuate.

One or more filters 34 may also be used in conjunction with the light source 30 to produce one or more narrow bandwidth lights.

Some embodiments of the light emitting device 10 that incorporate the teachings of the present invention are configured for multiple functions (e.g., any combination of the above, etc.). The light source 30 of such a light emitting device 10 may be configured to allow a user to select a desired function from a plurality of functions.

By way of non-limiting example, the light emitting device 10 may include two or

more sets

33a, 33b, etc. of light sources 30 having light emitting elements 32, as shown in FIG. 2A. Each

set

33a, 33b, etc. may include light emitting

elements

32a, 32b, etc. that perform a different function than the

light emitting elements

32a, 32b, etc. (generally, "light emitting elements 32") of each of the

other sets

33a, 33b, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the light emitting elements 32 may be arranged in an array on the emitting surface 31 of the light source, with the

light emitting elements

32a, 32b, etc. from

different groups

33a, 33b, etc. each intersecting or intermixing. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2B, the light emitting elements 32 may be organized into alternating rows or columns, each row or column including or consisting essentially of a single type of light emitting element 32a, 32B, etc. As another alternative, each of the different types of

light emitting elements

32a, 32b may be combined together, as shown in fig. 2C.

In some embodiments, a group 33a of light emitting elements 32a may be configured to address a motor-related neurological condition or one or more symptoms of such a condition. The other group 33b of light emitting elements 32b may be configured to facilitate diagnosis of a motor-related neurological condition. Another optional group 33c of light emitting elements 32c may be configured to repair cellular damage (e.g., mitochondrial damage, etc.) to retinal cells and/or nerve cells that may cause motor-related neurological conditions. In particular embodiments, the light source 30 may be configured to emit sufficient levels of light (e.g., 490nm to 570nm, 520nm to 570nm, etc.) that will address the motor-related neurological condition and light (e.g., above 650nm, etc.) that will repair cellular damage, while emitting insufficient levels of light (e.g., greater than 570nm or less than 650nm, etc.) that will exacerbate the symptoms of the motor-related neurological condition.

As another example, the light emitting device 10 may be configured to stabilize the level of one or more monoamines within the subject. Such a light emitting arrangement 10 may comprise a light source 30 having one group 33a of light emitting elements 32a and another group 33b of light emitting elements 32b, wherein the light emitting elements 32a emit light capable of treating a motor related neurological condition or a symptom thereof, e.g. by stimulating a subject's body response to dopaminergic energy (e.g. resulting in a decrease in melatonin level or melatonin activity (e.g. by stimulating the subject's body to suppress or delay production of melatonin and/or to increase production of serotonin, etc.); resulting in an increase in dopamine level (e.g. by stimulating the subject's body to increase production of dopamine, etc.); the other group 33b of light emitting elements 32b may deteriorate the motor related neurological condition or a symptom thereof (e.g. cause an increase in melatonin level or melatonin activity, or decrease serotonin activity, etc. (e.g. by stimulating the body of the subject to produce more melatonin and/or decrease serotonin, etc.); cause a decrease in dopamine level (e.g. by stimulating the body of the subject to stop or slow down dopamine production, etc.).

The light emitting device 10 may perform different functions at discrete points in time (e.g., diagnosing/addressing motor-related neurological conditions or symptoms thereof; inducing a neurological response; inducing a neuroendocrine response; increasing or decreasing the level of a particular neurochemical such as a monoamine, etc.). Alternatively, at least a portion of the performance of two or more functions performed by the light emitting device 10 may be simultaneously achieved (e.g., addressing motor-related neurological conditions/promoting cellular repair, etc.).

The manner in which the different functions are performed by such a light source 30 may be controlled by a processing element 36 (e.g., a microcontroller) of a type known in the art. The processing element 36 of the light source 30 may be pre-programmed to perform a defined set of functions. In some embodiments, the parameters defining the function (e.g., duration of operation; intensity, photon density, and/or irradiance, etc.) may be defined by programming of the processing element 36. In other embodiments, the processing element 36 may be programmed with one or more parameters (e.g., duration of operation, intensity, photon density and/or irradiance, wavelength of light emitted, etc.) that control the manner in which the light source 30 emits light, and thus the function performed by the light emitting apparatus 10. In some embodiments, the processing element 36 and the light source 30 may be configured in a manner that enables the light emitting device 10 of the present invention to emit different spectra of light based on a number of different factors. As a non-limiting example, the processing element 36 and the light source 30 of the light emitting device 10 may be configured such that the light emitting device 10 emits different intensities of different wavelengths of light at different times of the day. Particular embodiments of such light emitting devices 10 may be configured to counteract the effects of natural light at different times of the day (e.g., generate and emit blue-green and/or green light of progressively increasing intensity as time progresses from afternoon to evening; generate and emit amber, orange, and red light of progressively decreasing intensity as time progresses from afternoon to evening, etc.). As another example, the processing element 36 and light source 30 of the light emitting device 10 may be configured such that the light emitting device 10 emits different spectra based on the particular symptom or symptoms experienced by the subject and/or the severity of each symptom.

Turning now to fig. 3, an embodiment of a light emitting device 10 including a light source 30 that produces polychromatic light is depicted. In some embodiments, the polychromatic light may include so-called "white" light emitted by one or more light-emitting elements 32. In other embodiments, a plurality of different colors of light simultaneously emitted by a plurality of differently configured light emitting elements 32 may be mixed to provide multi-colored light. In any case, the polychromatic light emitted by light source 30 includes various wavelengths and/or bandwidths that will perform the various desired functions.

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the particular characteristics of the polychromatic light (e.g., the wavelengths of light included in the polychromatic light, the wavelengths centered on the relative intensity peaks of the particular colors of light, etc.) depend on the source of the polychromatic light (e.g., light-emitting element 32, etc.). The particular characteristics of the polychromatic light from the various light sources may be referred to as "identification characteristics" of the polychromatic light.

The identifying characteristics of the polychromatic light emitted by the light source 30 of the light emitting device 10 may at least partially define the functions that the light emitting device 10 is capable of performing. As an example, a light emitting device 10 comprising a light source 30 that emits polychromatic light peaking in blue, blue-green, and/or green light (i.e., the desired wavelength in this example) may be useful for addressing motor-related neurological conditions, for addressing motor-related neurological conditions or symptoms thereof, or for stimulating a dopamine response in a subject that may result in a change in one or more monoamine levels in the subject. This is particularly true in the following cases: where the magnitude of one or more peaks of desired wavelengths exceeds the magnitude of any undesired wavelengths or peaks of colors (e.g., amber, orange or red light) that may counteract the effectiveness of the desired wavelengths (e.g., blue-green and/or green light), particularly where the relative magnitudes of the peaks of desired and undesired wavelengths are such that polychromatic light is provided at a level above ambient by the desired wavelength of the light and the undesired wavelengths of light are transmitted at an ambient level or below. In some embodiments, the light source 30 of the light emitting device 10 of the present invention may be configured to emit unfiltered polychromatic light.

One or more performed by a light source 30 having a light emitting element 32 emitting polychromatic light the function may also be defined by controlling the wavelength and/or bandwidth of the light emitted by the light source 30. Thus, the light source 30 of the light emitting device 10 of the present invention may include one or more filters 34 that may at least partially block or attenuate light of any wavelength that may counteract one or more desired functions, while allowing the transmission of a therapeutic grade of light of a particular desired wavelength and amount (e.g., intensity, irradiance, etc.), and thus, the emission of such desired wavelength of light from the light source 30. The use of different filters 34 may enable the light emitting device 10 to perform different functions.

Referring back to fig. 1, the light emitting device 10 of the present invention may further include a housing 20 in addition to the light source 30. The housing 20 carries the light source 30. Additionally, the housing 20 may carry one or more components of the light emitting device 10, including, but not limited to, a controller for operating the light source 30 and the power source 50. The light emitting device 10 of the present invention may also include any of a number of other features that may provide it with the desired functionality (e.g., a light-propagating lens, features for diffusing the emitted light, features for converging the emitted light, features for orienting housing 20, etc.).

The housing 20 of the light emitting device 10 incorporating the teachings of the present invention may have any suitable construction. In embodiments where the light-emitting device 10 is configured to emit light under controlled conditions (e.g., in a research facility, medical clinic, etc.) or is intended to be reused in substantially the same location, the housing 20 may be relatively large (e.g., to accommodate a relatively large light source 30, etc.). Such a light emitting device 10 may lack portability due to its size. Thus, the power supply 50 of such a light emitting device 10 may include components that enable the light emitting device 10 to operate under AC power in a manner known in the art.

In other embodiments, a more portable light emitting device 10 may be desired. The housing 20 of the light-emitting device 10 may be configured to at least partially impart portability to the light-emitting device 10, and in some embodiments, enable the light-emitting device 10 to perform one or more functions desired thereof while in a user's hand. In various embodiments, such a housing 20 may be easily transportable, occupy minimal space when transported and/or stored, and be configured to enable the light emitting device 10 to be used in various settings or in various environments. In addition to comprising a small housing 20, the portable light emitting device 10 may comprise a corresponding small, even light source 30. In some embodiments, the power supply 50 of the portable light emitting device 10 may include one or more batteries, further imparting portability to the light emitting device 10. Movable embodiments of the light emitting device 10 of the present invention may be configured to be positioned on a surface (e.g., a table top, the subject's lap, etc.), worn by the subject receiving light therapy (e.g., head mountable to direct light to the subject's eyes from above (e.g., like a mask or hat, etc.) or from below and/or around the subject's eyes (e.g., like glasses, etc.)) or have any other suitable configuration.

In some embodiments, the light emitting device 10 may include a processing element (e.g., a microprocessor, microcontroller, etc.) and a light source 30 that causes it to emit light.

In use, the light emitting device 10 of the present invention may be configured to direct light towards the eye of a subject and thus provide visual light therapy. In some embodiments, the eye of the subject may be closed while providing the visual light therapy. In other embodiments, the subject may open his or her eyes while providing visual light therapy. In further embodiments, the desired visual light therapy may be provided regardless of whether the subject's eyes are open or closed.

Turning now to fig. 4-6, various embodiments of light therapy devices employing filters are illustrated. Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment in which a filter 70 is configured to be positioned over a standard light source, such as a light bulb 72, for limiting the wavelength of light emitted outside of the light source 72. FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of a filter 80 configured to be placed on a subject's eye to limit the amount of wavelengths or individual wavelengths of light (e.g., natural light, artificial light, etc.) to which the subject's eye is exposed; for example in the form of a lens or a pair of lenses. Fig. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a filter 90 that includes a window that is tinted to limit the wavelength of light (e.g., natural light, artificial light, etc.) to which an object may be exposed.

Each

filter

70, 80, 90 may be configured to customize the exposure of the object to a particular wavelength of light and/or a particular amount of a particular wavelength of light. Without limitation, the

filters

70, 80, 90 may be customized such that the subject is exposed to one or more therapeutic, diagnostic, or recovery wavelengths of light. As previously described, the

filters

70, 80, 90 may be constructed in the following manner: the object is exposed to one or more of some wavelengths of light above ambient, one or more other wavelengths of light below ambient or ambient.

In a more specific embodiment, the

filters

70, 80, 90 may be used to reduce the amount of visible light having a wavelength above 570nm, or at least in the range of 575nm to 640nm, to below ambient levels. A filter that reduces wavelengths above 570nm to below ambient levels may allow ambient or above ambient amounts of light at one or more wavelengths from 490nm to 570nm or from 520nm to 570nm to pass therethrough. In some embodiments, visible light having wavelengths below 520nm may also be filtered out, and ocular light therapy may be limited to one or more wavelengths 520nm to 570nm at ambient or above ambient amounts. Non-limiting examples such as Filters include those available from LEE Filters of Hampshire of UK; those available from GAM Products, inc, of los angeles, california; and those available from cotechsensing ltd of Tedegra, south wales, UK.

While the above description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or of any claims appended hereto, but merely as providing information relating to particular embodiments that may fall within the scope of one or more claims appended hereto. Other embodiments of the invention falling within the scope of one or more of the appended claims may also be modified. The scope of each claim is therefore intended to be limited only by the words used herein and equivalents of the elements recited therein. All combinations, additions, deletions, and modifications that fall within the meaning and scope of the claims, as disclosed herein, are intended to be embraced therein.

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority of international patent application No. PCT/US2012/040284 entitled "LIGHT-EMITTING device FOR use in treating and/OR DIAGNOSING MOTOR-RELATED NEUROLOGICAL disorders" filed on 31/5/2012 pursuant to the patent cooperation convention earlier and entitled "LIGHT-EMITTING device FOR use in treating and/OR DIAGNOSING MOTOR-RELATED NEUROLOGICAL disorders" which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This application is a continuation-in-part application of international patent application No. pct/US 2012/040284.

Claims

1. A visual light therapy system comprising:

at least one light source capable of emitting light in a manner suitable for visual presentation to a subject, the light comprising:

having a thickness of 58.4. Mu.W/cm ² At least one first bandwidth of visible light of the above irradiance, the at least one first bandwidth of visible light having a therapeutic bandwidth comprising at least one wavelength of 460nm to 570 nm; and

has a density of 60.4. Mu.W/cm ² At least one second bandwidth of visible light of irradiance having at least one wavelength of 570nm to 750 nm.

2. According to claim 1The visual light therapy system, wherein the at least one light source is capable of emitting light having a wavelength of 33.6 μ W/cm ² The at least one second bandwidth of visible light of the following irradiance.

3. The visual light therapy system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first bandwidth of visible light has a bandwidth including one or more peaks in the range of 460nm to 570 nm.

4. The visual light therapy system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first bandwidth of visible light has a bandwidth including one or more peaks in a range of 520nm to 570 nm.

5. The visual light therapy system of claim 1, wherein the at least one second bandwidth has one or more peaks in a range of 570nm to 720 nm.

6. A system for addressing a motor-related neurological condition and stimulating mitochondrial repair in a subject, the system comprising:

at least one light source capable of emitting light suitable for visual administration to a subject, the light comprising:

at least one first peak in a first bandwidth of 460nm to 570nm, the at least one first peak having a first intensity capable of addressing a motor-related neurological condition; and

at least one second peak in a second bandwidth of 650nm to 1400nm, the at least one second peak having a second intensity capable of stimulating mitochondrial repair without worsening at least one symptom of a motor-related neurological condition.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one first peak is in a first bandwidth of 520nm to 570 nm.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one second peak is in a second bandwidth of 650nm to 900 nm.