Componentry and devices for light therapy delivery and methods related thereto

Abstract

The invention comprises componentry and devices for light therapy application to a patient in need thereof. The present invention relates to controllers for light therapy devices, light delivery elements, light guides, light guide arrangements configured to deliver personalized light therapy to one or more patients, with related componentry, dosage, and configurations of light therapy delivery elements (e.g., bandages, garments, braces, inserts etc.) suitable to deliver light therapy to one or more patient body areas and associated tissues, as well as sensors for monitoring treatment progress and dosage optimization. Methods of delivering light therapy to a patient and treatment of associated medical indications are also set out herein. Personalized LLLT dosage configurations and telemedicine LLLT treatment platforms and systems are also provided herein.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 16 / 110,688, filed Aug. 23, 2018, which claims priority to, and the benefit of, PCT Application No. PCT / US / 2017 / 043988 (hereafter “the PCT '988 application”), filed Jul. 26, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The PCT '988 application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62 / 494,065 filed on Jul. 27, 2016; 62 / 496,714 filed on Oct. 27, 2016; 62 / 498,401 filed on Dec. 27, 2016, 62 / 499,612 filed on Jan. 31, 2017; and 62 / 499,674 filed on Feb. 3, 2017. The PCT '988 application also claims priority to U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 15 / 645,467, filed Jul. 10, 2017. The disclosures of each of these applications are incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention comprises componentry and devices for light t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a wearable and comfortable device for treating the vaginal cavity area. The device can be used for a longer period of time and provides better treatment results compared to previous methods. The device can also be used for rejuvenation and enhancing the internal and external structures of the female genital area. The device includes a light therapy delivery liner that is sized and shaped for the comfort of the patient. The liner can be easily fitted with undergarments and can be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as dilation without applied light therapy. The technical effects of the invention include improved wearability, comfort, safety, and conformability to the treated vaginal cavity area.

Problems solved by technology

Although LLTT has been recognized to be efficacious to treat a wide variety of indications, LLLT nonetheless remains underutilized as a therapy for several reasons.

First, since the underlying biochemical mechanisms are poorly understood today, many use cases remain anecdotal and reported results are largely empirical in nature.

A less than optimal choice of parameters can result in reduced effectiveness of the treatment, or even adverse therapeutic outcomes.

The multiplicity of treatment variables that can affect LLLT treatment effectiveness likely contributes to the dearth of unambiguous and repeatable results that allow a LLLT treatment to be prescribed regularly in clinical settings.

Indeed, many of the published results on LLLT treatments actually demonstrate negative clinical efficacy, possibly because of an inappropriate choice of light source and dosage for the patients being treated.

Outside of these thresholds, the light is either too weak to have any effect, or is so strong that its harmful effects outweigh its benefits.

For example, it has been reported that too low of a dose does not promote biological effects, and doses that are too high result in the inhibition of cellular functions.

Notwithstanding this knowledge, to date, there has been no meaningful resolution of dosage parameters for specific medical indications.

Delivery systems associated with LLLT treatment have not lent themselves to well-defined dose application of LLLT to a patient in need of treatment.

Lasers have typically been difficult to implement outside of the clinical setting due to need to generate and reliably deliver an effective dose of laser light to a patient.

Moreover, the periodic and longitudinal nature of LLLT treatment has made it generally infeasible to treat people cost effectively.

Until recently, lasers and the associated componentry have been expensive and have required mains power to generate suitable energy to power the componentry.

Notwithstanding these myriad of proposed LLLT treatment implementations, which include both “cold laser” and LED light sources, wearable LLLT treatment devices have not been widely introduced for use by patients for treatments of pain, wounds, and other forms of therapeutic activity.

Moreover, there is no remote communications capability incorporated into the LaserWRAP device nor are there any sensor means to collect data for treatment compliance, progress or dosage effectiveness monitoring.

As a result, there is no way for a provider to monitor patient usage and treatment progress after the LLLT treatment starts, nor is there any way for the provider to manage, such as by modifying the dosage during a longitudinal treatment that occurs outside of a healthcare facility.

There also is no way to collect data during the treatment regimen related to the progression of treatment.

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