# US 10,369,377 B2 · Phototherapy apparatuses and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,377 B2 - Document ID: US10369377B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/882,485 - Filed: 2018-01-29 - Published: 2018-06-14 - 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/US10369377B2 ## 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 apparatus comprising: a bed including (i) at least one of a transparent or a translucent material, (ii) a surface having a plurality of microstructures, and (iii) a plurality of side surfaces; a housing holding the bed; and a light source supported by the housing, the light source being positioned in the housing so that the light generated by the light source is directed at one of the plurality of the side surfaces and is transmitted through the transparent or translucent material of the bed and through the plurality of microstructures such that the light exits the plurality of microstructures having a more diffusive distribution, thereby enhancing the treatment of an ailment when a patient is lying on the bed, and wherein the surface is a top surface, and the bed includes an incident surface formed by one of the plurality of side surfaces, and wherein the light source and the incident surface are positioned in the housing such that the light generated by the light source is directed at the incident surface at an angle so as to produce total internal reflection of the light transmitted through the bed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surface of the bed is a top surface, and which includes a bottom surface, wherein the light generated by the light source is directed at one of the plurality of the side surfaces of the bed such that the light transmitted through the transparent or a translucent material of the bed and exits from the plurality of microstructures at the top surface of the bed. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 1, which includes a heat sink supported by the housing, the heat sink contacting the light source so as to dissipate heat generated by the light source. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 1, which includes a heat dissipation system structured and arranged to dissipate heat from the phototherapy apparatus, the heat dissipation system including a heat sink, a fan and a vent. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bed includes a reflective material constructed and arranged to enhance reflection of the light transmitted through the material of the bed. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surface of the bed is flat or slopes inwardly to define channel that concentrates the light that exits the plurality of microstructures so as to increase an area of a patient body exposed to the light when the patient is lying on the bed. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of microstructures include at least one of voids, cracks, or chars particles. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 7, wherein the plurality of microstructures are manufactured via of one or more of CNC machining, laser engraving, sand blasting, and chemical engraving. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of microstructures include greater than 1000 cracks per square inch. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of microstructures includes a plurality of voids with a diameter between 20 micrometers and 200 micrometers. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 10, wherein a center-to-center distance between the plurality of voids is greater than two times the diameter of the plurality of voids and less than ten times the diameter of the plurality of voids. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 1, which includes a cover pad having at least one of a transparent or translucent material, the cover pad sealingly engaged to the surface of the bed to prevent liquid from contacting the light source and to provide a cushion to the patient when the patient is lying on the bed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source generates light having a wavelength in the range of 350 nanometers and 550 nanometers. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes that are configured to emit light having a wavelength between 350 nanometers and 550 nanometers. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 1, which includes a control unit configured to control an intensity of the light generated by the light source. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 15, wherein the control unit includes a display for displaying one or more of (i) temperature, (ii), treatment time, or (iii) intensity of the of light output by the light source. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surface having the plurality of microstructures defines an average roughness between 1 micrometer and 20 micrometers. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surface having the plurality of microstructures defines an average absolute slope between 2 and 15. ### Claim 19 A phototherapy treatment apparatus comprising: a bed including (i) at least one of a transparent or a translucent material, (ii) a surface having a plurality of microstructures, and (iii) a plurality of side surfaces, wherein the surface is formed integrally with the bed; a housing supporting the bed; and a light source constructed and arranged to generate light that is directed at one of the plurality of side surfaces and through the transparent or translucent material of the bed and through the plurality of microstructures such that the light exits the plurality of microstructures having a more diffusive distribution, thereby enhancing the treatment of an ailment when a patient is lying on the bed, and wherein the surface is a top surface, and the bed includes an incident surface formed by one of the plurality of side surfaces, and wherein the light source and the incident surface are positioned in the housing such that the light generated by the light source is directed at the incident surface at an angle so as to produce total internal reflection of the light transmitted through the bed. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 19, which includes a heat source, the heat source operable to aid in treating abnormally low body heat of a patient when the patient is lying on the bed. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 19, wherein the bed includes a first layer and a second layer, and which includes a heat source sandwiched between the first and second layers, the heat source operable to aid in treating abnormally low body heat of a patient when the patient is lying on the bed. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 21, wherein the heat source includes a resistance heater. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 22, wherein the resistance heater includes at least one of a transparent or translucent material. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The phototherapy apparatus of claim 19, wherein the bed includes a plurality of unit cells constructed and arranged to enhance the portability of the apparatus, and wherein the plurality of unit cells are (i) detachably coupled to each other, or (ii) secured to each other via a flexible filler material that enables bending or folding of the phototherapy treatment apparatus. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 19, wherein the plurality of microstructures include greater than 1000 cracks per square inch. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 19, wherein the plurality of microstructures includes a plurality of voids with a diameter between 20 micrometers and 200 micrometers. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 26, wherein a center-to-center distance between the plurality of voids is greater than two times the diameter of the plurality of voids and less than ten times the diameter of the plurality of voids. ### Claim 28 (depends on 19) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 19, wherein the surface having the plurality of microstructures defines an average roughness between 1 micrometer and 20 micrometers. ### Claim 29 (depends on 19) The phototherapy treatment apparatus of claim 19, wherein the surface having the plurality of microstructures defines an average absolute slope between 2 and 15.