# US 10,369,376 B2 · Phototherapy apparatuses and methods

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- Number: US 10,369,376 B2
- Document ID: US10369376B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/143,277
- Filed: 2016-04-29
- Published: 2017-11-02
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2016-04-29
- Assignees: Neolight LLC
- Applicants: NeoLight LLC
- Inventors: Sivakumar Palaniswamy; Deepakshyam Krishnaraju
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369376B2

## CPC

- A61N 5/0621: {Hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice treatment}
- A61F 7/007: {characterised by electric heating}
- A61F 7/08: Warming pads, pans or mats; Hot-water bottles
- A61F 2007/0071: {using a resistor, e.g. near the spot to be heated}
- A61N 2005/0638: {with a specially adapted support surface}
- A61N 2005/0661: {ultraviolet}
- A61N 2005/0662: {Visible light}
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)

## Abstract

A phototherapy treatment apparatus and methods are provided. In particular, the present disclosure provides a phototherapy treatment apparatus configured to diffusely transmit light emitted from a light source to a patient.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A phototherapy treatment method comprising:
placing a patient on a top surface of a bed having at least one of a translucent or transparent material; generating light from a light source;
directing the generated light at one of a plurality of side surfaces of the bed so that the generated light transmits through the material of the bed to produce total internal reflection of the generated light; and
transmitting the generated light through a plurality of microstructures located on the top surface of the bed such that the light exits the plurality of microstructures having a more diffusive distribution so as to enhance the treatment of an ailment of the patient placed on the bed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The phototherapy treatment method of claim 1, which includes transmitting the light generated by the light source through a transition device structured to at least one of (i) focus, (ii) scatter or (iii) diffuse the light rays.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The phototherapy treatment method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of microstructures are arranged on the top surface of the bed.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The phototherapy treatment method of claim 1, further comprising:
placing the light source in contact with a heat sink to dissipate heat generated by the light source.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The phototherapy treatment method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of microstructures include at least one of voids, cracks, or char particles.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The phototherapy treatment method of claim 5, further comprising:
forming the plurality of microstructures via one or more of CNC machining, laser engraving, sand blasting, and chemical engraving.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The phototherapy treatment method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of microstructure include greater than approximately 1000 cracks per square inch.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The phototherapy treatment method of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the bed defines inwardly sloped channel to intersect the light transmitted from the one of the plurality of side surfaces and through the material of the bed, and wherein the inwardly sloped channel is configured to concentrate the light that exits the plurality of microstructures and increase an area of the patient exposed to the light.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The phototherapy treatment method of claim 1, further comprising:
covering the surface of the bed with a cover pad having at least one of a transparent or translucent material, the cover pad being sealingly engages to the surface of the bed to prevent liquid from contacting the light source and to provide a cushion to the patient.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The phototherapy treatment method of claim 1, wherein the light source is configured to generate light having a wavelength between approximately 350 nanometers and 550 nanometers.