Apparatus and method for influencing a condition in a subject
AssigneeUniversite Laval
InventorsMarc Hebert, Louis Lafleur
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to an artificial light system for modulating circadian rhythms, increasing vigilance and influencing light-associated psychological conditions such as seasonal affective disorder. The system of the invention comprises a source of a green and/or red light and a source of blue light both light sources being controlled by a computer to provide predetermined light conditions. More specifically, the computer is programmed to provide pulses of blue light and continuous or pulsed red light, to enhance the efficacy of blue light, reduce blue-light hazard and avoid stroboscopic effect.
Claims27
A method for stimulating the activity of the suprachiasmatic nuclei in a subject, the method comprising:
- providing a first light-emitting source apt to generate a first light having optical parameters known to stimulate an increase in the activity of the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the subject upon eye exposure in continuous emission conditions, said optical parameters including a first spectrum comprised between 420 nm and 540 nm;
- generating the first light using said first light-emitting source in a pulsed regime at a pulsing frequency within a frequency range of about 60 Hz to about 70 Hz;
- and
- exposing the eyes of the subject to the generated pulsed first light;
- wherein said frequency range is selected such that:
- a perception of a stroboscopic effect within said first light by the subject upon said exposing is substantially avoided;
- and
- the stimulation of an increase in the activity of the suprachiasmatic nuclei in the subject resulting from said exposing is about twice as effective as under said continuous emission conditions.
A system to generate light for stimulating the activity of the suprachiasmatic nuclei in a subject upon exposing the eyes of the subject to said light, the system comprising:
- a first light-emitting source apt to generate a first light having optical parameters known to stimulate an increase in the activity of the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the subject upon eye exposure in continuous emission conditions, said optical parameters including a first spectrum comprised between 420 nm and 540 nm;
- a controller operatively coupled to the first light-emitting source, the controller being configured to control said first light-emitting source to generate the first light in a pulsed regime at a pulsing frequency within a frequency range of about 60 Hz to about 70 Hz, wherein said frequency range is selected such that:
- a perception of a stroboscopic effect within said first light by the subject upon said exposing is substantially avoided;
- and
- the stimulation of an increase in the activity of the suprachiasmatic nuclei in the subject resulting from said exposing is about twice as effective as under said continuous emission conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.