# US 9,750,918 B2 · Methods and devices for improving sleep performance in subject exposed to light at night

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- Number: US 9,750,918 B2
- Document ID: US9750918B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/250,186
- Filed: 2014-04-10
- Published: 2014-10-16
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2013-04-11
- Assignees: Circadian Zirclight Inc.
- Applicants: Zirclight Inc.
- Inventors: Robert F. Casper; Shadab A. Rahman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750918B2

## CPC

- A61M 21/00: Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
- A61M 21/02: for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia (for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021)
- A61M 2021/005: {images, e.g. video}
- A61M 2205/50: with microprocessors or computers
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

A method and device for improving sleep performance of a subject exposed to an artificially lighted environment at night are provided, which involve selectively substantially blocking retinal exposure of the subject to light of specified wavelengths during the night.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for improving sleep performance in a subject, comprising:
a) exposing the subject to an artificially lighted environment at night, wherein said exposing step causes one or more of the following in the subject:
increased sleep onset latency;
decreasing in total sleep time;
increasing in wake after sleep onset; and
increasing time in slow wave (stage 3 and 4) sleep and
b) improving sleep performance after exposure to the artificially lighted environment by selectively substantially blocking retinal exposure of the subject to light of wavelengths less than 490 nm +/−5 nm during the night, wherein said improving of sleep performance comprises one or more of reducing sleep onset latency, increasing total sleep time, reducing wake after sleep onset, and increasing time in slow wave (stage 3 and 4) sleep.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the method is practiced throughout the night.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said substantial blocking of wavelengths of light is by means of an optical filter.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into eyewear.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into a light cover.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into a coating for a light source.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into a light source.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the subject is exposed to a light source that excludes the blocked wavelengths of light.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8 wherein the light source is a display screen.

### Claim 10

A method for improving sleep performance in a subject, comprising:
a) exposing the subject to an artificially lighted environment at night, wherein said exposing step causes one or more of the following in the subject:
increased sleep onset latency;
decreasing in total sleep time;
increasing in wake after sleep onset; and
increasing time in slow wave (stage 3 and 4) sleep and
b) improving sleep performance after exposure to the artificially lighted environment by selectively substantially blocking retinal exposure of the subject to light of wavelengths less than 480 nm +/−5 nm during the night, wherein said improving of sleep performance comprises one or more of reducing sleep onset latency, increasing total sleep time, reducing wake after sleep onset, and increasing time in slow wave (stage 3 and 4) sleep.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein the method is practiced throughout the night.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein the substantial blocking of wavelengths of light is by means of an optical filter.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into eyewear.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into a light cover.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into a coating for a light source.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into a light source.

### Claim 17 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein the subject is exposed to a light source that excludes the blocked wavelengths of light.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17 wherein the light source is a display screen.

### Claim 19

A method for improving sleep performance in a subject, comprising:
a) exposing a the subject to an artificially lighted environment at night, wherein said exposing step causes one or more of the following in the subject:
increased sleep onset latency;
decreasing in total sleep time;
increasing in wake after sleep onset; and
increasing time in slow wave (stage 3 and 4) sleep and
b) improving sleep performance after exposure to the artificially lighted environment by selectively substantially blocking retinal exposure of the subject to light of wavelengths selected from the group consisting of between 410 nm +/−5 nm and 490 nm +/−5nm; between 415 nm +/−5 nm and 490 nm +/−5 nm; between 420 nm +/−5 nm and 490nm +/−5 nm; between 425 nm +/−5 nm and 490 nm +/−5 nm; between 410 nm +/−5 nm and 480 nm +/−5nm; between 415 nm +/−5 nm and 480 nm +/−5 nm; between 420 nm +/−5nm and 480nm +/−5 nm; and between 425 nm +/−5 nm and 480 nm +/−5 nm during the night, wherein said improving of sleep performance comprises one or more of reducing sleep onset latency, increasing total sleep time, reducing wake after sleep onset, and increasing time in slow wave (stage 3 and 4) sleep.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19 wherein substantial blocking of wavelengths of light is by means of an optical filter.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19 wherein the method is practiced throughout the night.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into eyewear.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into a light cover.

### Claim 24 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into a coating for a light source.

### Claim 25 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21 wherein the optical filter is incorporated into a light source.

### Claim 26 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19 wherein the subject is exposed to a light source that excludes the blocked wavelengths of light.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The method of claim 26 wherein the light source is a display screen.