Integrated system, method and apparatus for treating back pain during rest

Abstract

An application for a mattress that directs light and heat towards an area of pain of a person while the person rests on the mattress. The light and heat are provided by an array of LEDS that are integrated into the mattress. A controller provides electrical power to the LEDS for providing sufficient heat and light for therapeutic treatment of pain to the person who rests on the mattress above the array of LEDS.

1 . A mattress for providing heat and light to a person for the purpose of treating pain, the system comprising:
 an array of LEDS, the array of LEDS integrated into the mattress, the LEDS positioned in openings of a surface of the mattress to direct the light and the heat towards an area of pain of the person when the person lays on the surface of the mattress;   a controller interfaced to the LEDS for controlling an electric current provided to the array of LEDS; and   a source of the electric current.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the LEDS emit heat and infrared light. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the LEDS emit heat, infrared light and visible light. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sheet situated between the LEDS and the person, the controller increasing the electric current to the array of LEDS to compensate for heat and light loss caused by the sheet. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the mattress is made of memory foam. 
     
     
         6 . A method of reducing pain in a person, the method comprising:
 providing a mattress having an array of LEDS, the array of LEDS integrated into the mattress, the light-emitting edge of the LEDS interfaced with a surface of the mattress to direct the light and the heat towards an area of pain of the person when the person lays on the surface of the mattress; a controller interfaced to the LEDS for controlling an electric power provided to the array of LEDS; and a source of the electric power;   the person resting a portion of the person's body having the pain on the surface of the mattress having the array of LEDS, the LEDS emitting the light and the heat towards the portion of the person's body during a portion of the period of time.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the LEDS emit heat and infrared light. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the LEDS emit heat, visible light and infrared light. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising a sheet situated between the LEDS and the person and the method further comprising the step of increasing the electric power applied to the LEDS to compensate for reductions of the heat and the light introduced by the sheet. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the mattress is made of memory foam. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the period of time is when the person is sleeping and the portion of the period of time is less than or equal to the period of time when the person is sleeping. 
     
     
         12 . A system for supporting and providing heat and light to a person for the purpose of treating pain, the system comprising:
 a mattress;   a means for providing heat and light integrated into the mattress, the means for providing heat and light interfaced with a surface of the mattress to direct the light and the heat towards an area of pain of the person when the person lays on the surface of the mattress;   a means for selectively providing an electric current to the means for providing heat and light; and   a source of the electric current.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein means for providing heat and light emit heat and infrared light. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein means for providing heat and light emit heat, infrared light and visible light. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein means for providing heat and light is an array of infrared LEDS. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein means for providing heat and light is an array of intermixed infrared LEDS and visible light LEDS. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a sheet situated between the means for providing heat and light and the person, the means for selectively providing the electric current increasing the electric current to the means for providing heat and light to compensate for lost heat and lost light caused by the sheet. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the mattress is made of memory foam.