Back to results
US 8,523,925 B2Granted
Fiber optic phototherapy device
AssigneeLerner Medical Devices, Inc.
InventorsZafirios Gourgouliatos, David Chang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeLerner Medical Devices, Inc.
InventorsZafirios Gourgouliatos, David Chang
Estimating the term…
A phototherapy apparatus for the treatment of skin disease is disclosed including: an at least partially hollow body element; a plurality of light emitting elements enclosed within the body element; and a plurality of elongated light transmitting elements, each of the light transmitting elements having a proximal end detachably affixed to the body element in proximity to one or more of the light emitting elements, and extending to an end distal the body element. For each of the elongated light transmitting elements, at least a portion of light incident from the light emitting elements onto the proximal end is directed through the light transmitting element and emitted from the distal end.
A phototherapy apparatus for the treatment of skin disease comprising:
A treatment system comprising:
A method of treating an area of skin affected by skin disease comprising
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO
From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Skin treatment other than tanning: hair treatment
Apparatus adapted for a specific treatment: skin treatment other than tanning
Using light: using laser light
Using light: comprising light transmitting means, e.g. optical fibres
About 1 year 3 months of term left · ends 15 Jan 2028 (estimated)
This disclosure relates to treatments for inflammatory diseases of the skin, and more specifically to methods for devices and treating ultraviolet light-sensitive dermatoses.
Inflammatory diseases of the skin affect a large portion of the population resulting in significant morbidity. Psoriasis, for example, affects at least 1% of the population. This disease involves an abnormally fast rate of cell proliferation in the basal layer of the epidermis giving rise to red, scaly plaques and bleeding when traumatized (the “Auspitz sign”). Past methods of treatment of skin psoriasis include the application of tars, salicylic acid, steroids, ultraviolet light (phototherapy), and a combination of ultraviolet light, used in conjunction with photoactive compounds (photochemotherapy).
Photochemotherapy involves treatment with ultraviolet radiation of an affected area in combination with a topically or systemically applied medicament that sensitizes the skin to ultraviolet radiation (e.g., psoralen). Typically ultraviolet-A (UV-A) light (so-called long wave UV light) having wavelengths from 310 to 440 nm is used for this purpose. Unfortunately, successful treatment requires that UV radiation must be applied until an erythema (sunburn) is created. In some cases, the eyes of patients systemic undergoing psoralen and topical UV treatment may be sensitized to sunlight for several hours after treatment. In addition, some patients find the medicament difficult to tolerate. Furthermore, this therapy requires 20-25 radiation sessions which result in darkening of the pigmentation of the skin. In addition, treatment of scalp psoriasis in particular has been limited by two other problems. First, patients are reluctant to apply medications regularly which must remain on their scalps for hours at a time. Second, light from conventional treatment devices does not effectively penetrate hair covering the scalp.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary phototherapy device;
FIG. 2 is a view of the parts the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3A and 3B show detailed perspective views of exemplary fibers of the device of FIG. 1;
Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the figures.
Therapeutic device 100 is shown in FIG. 1, and includes a light delivery apparatus including body member 22 and a plurality of light transporting elements, such as optical fibers 24 detachably extending therefrom. The light emitting elements are affixed on a support plate 25. The body member 22 encloses internal light emitting elements (shown in FIG. 2). It also encloses power, supplying element, auditory signal transducer and control network. On the surface of the body there is a status indicator and control buttons assembly 30. On the end opposing the light emitting elements there is detachable cup 26.
As shown in detail in FIG. 2, body member 22 is a substantially rectangular cross section body. That body is partially hollow and houses an array of light emitting elements 36. The optical fibers 24 extend from their proximal ends which are affixed in proximity to array light emitting elements 36, of which light emitting element 10 is a member. Preferably, body member 22 has substantially no UV-transferring abilities, and is formed of a molded resinous material, such as plastic, rubber, and the like.