Shapeable Light Therapy Device and Method

Abstract

Methods, devices and systems for delivering light therapy to human or non-human animal subjects. Included are shapeable light therapy devices which are formable into different shapes suitable for delivery of therapeutic light to different regions of the subject's body and will retain the desired shape without a need for the use of a strap or other shape-retaining apparatus. Also included are light therapy devices that, in at least some modes of operation, deliver light that is not visible to the human eye and which include indicator(s) to indicate to a user and/or to the subject being treated when non-visible light is actually being emitted.

1 .- 60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . A system for delivering light therapy to a body part or a human subject, said system comprising:
 a) a light emitting pad which comprises;
 a flexible pad having a rear portion and a front portion, the front portion having a central aperture formed in, a periphery of the front portion being joined to a periphery of the rear portion; 
 a flexible circuit board having a multiplicity of light emitting diodes arranged in rows on a front side thereof; and 
 a translucent shield or barrier; 
 wherein peripheral portions of the flexible circuit board and translucent shield or barrier are captured between the front portion and rear portion inboard of where the periphery of the front portion is joined to a periphery of the rear portion such that the flexible circuit board and translucent shield or barrier are held together in a stacked array with the light emitting diodes being positioned to cast light through the central aperture and translucent shield or barrier, while also allowing the flexible circuit board and translucent shield or move relative to one another in a manner that allows the light emitting pad to be formed into a C shape while the light emitting diodes continue to emit light through the central aperture and translucent shield; 
   b) a controller/user interface configured to receive user input for controlling: a) power on/off, b) selection of a type of light to be delivered, and c) setting a treatment time; and   c) a power supply.   
     
     
         62 . A system according to claim  1  wherein the light emitting diodes emit at least red and blue light. 
     
     
         63 . A system according to  claim 61  wherein ends of the light emitting pad are configured to rest upon a flat underlying surface while the pad as arched over a body part. 
     
     
         64 . A system according to  claim 61  wherein the controller/user interface is configured to allow a user to select a type of light treatment wherein the emitted light is primarily red. 
     
     
         65 . A system according to  claim 61  wherein red light emitting diodes emit red light having a wavelength of, or of about, 640 nm. 
     
     
         66 . A system according to  claim 61  wherein the controller/user interface is configured to allow a user to select a type of light treatment wherein the emitted light is primarily blue. 
     
     
         67 . A system according to  claim 61  wherein the controller/user interface is configured to allow a user to select either a type of light treatment wherein the emitted light is primarily red or a type of light treatment wherein the emitted light is primarily blue. 
     
     
         68 . A system according to  claim 61  further comprising a translucent shield or barrier which extends over the front of the flexible circuit board. 
     
     
         69 . A system according to  claim 61  wherein the light emitting diodes include light emitting red light has a wavelength of, or of about, 640 nm. 
     
     
         70 . A system according to  claim 61  wherein the rear and front portions of the flexible pad are formed of foamed plastic. 
     
     
         71 . A method for using a system according to any of  claims 61  through  69 , said method comprising the steps of:
 positioning the light emitting pad in proximity to a body part of a subject; 
 using the controller/user interface to select a type of light treatment; and 
 using the controller/user interface to turn on the light emitting pad thereby causing the light emitting diodes to cast light through the central aperture and onto the body part. 
 
     
     
         72 . A method according to  claim 71  further comprising using the controller/user interface to select a type of light to be delivered. 
     
     
         73 . A method according to  claim 71  further comprising forming the light emitting pad into a C shape.