Pad for use with a phototherapy system

A pad for use with a phototherapy system having an LED phototherapy light source separated from a user, the pad comprising:

• a first plastic layer having a surface facing the user and a transparent central region, the first plastic layer having an average percent light transmission in a 400 nm to 550 nm band of at least 90%, the first plastic layer being defined by a peripheral edge, a pocket portion the first plastic layer having a first disposition and a second disposition;
• and
• a second plastic layer having a central region being defined by a peripheral edge, a pocket portion of the second plastic layer having a first disposition and a second disposition, the second plastic layer peripheral edge opposed to and connected to the first plastic layer peripheral edge on at least two peripheral edges, a first portion of the second plastic layer central region being spaced apart from a first portion of the first plastic layer central region forming a closed cavity filled with a fluid medium, a second portion of the second plastic layer central region being connected to a second portion of the first plastic layer central region forming a thermal bridge and dividing the cavity into a plurality of subcavities, the closed cavity including a fluid having an average percent light transmission in the 400 nm to 550 nm band of at least 85%, wherein the first and second plastic layer and connections therebetween have sufficient strength to withstand an increase in pressure of the fluid medium ranging from 2 times ambient pressure to 5 times ambient pressure during a sterilization time period.

A method of use of a pad with a phototherapy system having an LED phototherapy light source separated from a user and having a treatment area, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming a sealed bag having a first plastic layer having a light-transmitting central region and peripheral edges, the first plastic layer being adjacent to the user and a second plastic layer having a central area and peripheral edges, the first and second plastic layer central regions being spaced apart to form a cavity;
• selecting a light-transmitting fluid medium having an average percent light transmission in a 400 nm to 550 nm band of at least 85%;
• filling the cavity with the light-transmitting fluid medium, the cavity having a thickness ranging from 1 cm to 3 cm;
• forming a fluid-tight seal between the first and second plastic layer peripheral edges;
• positioning the LED phototherapy light source adjacent to the second plastic layer and cooperating with the treatment area;
• and
• treating the treatment area with a light from the LED phototherapy light source, wherein a combination of the sealed bag thickness, the cavity thickness and light-transmitting fluid medium average percent light transmission being adapted to provide a percent light transmission in the 400 nm to 550 nm band have an intensity reduction percentage in a range of 50% to 99% of an initial intensity of the LED phototherapy light source in the 400 nm to 550 nm band at the phototherapy light source to a final intensity of the LED phototherapy light source in the 400 nm to 550 nm band at the user.