Device Providing Body Temperature Regulation and/or Therapeutic Light Directed to Vasculature

Abstract

One bracelet embodiment provides therapeutic blood irradiation at a first wrist region using a first module, and body temperature regulation/irradiation at a second wrist region using a second module. A connector couples one end of the modules together, while an attachment band releasably couples the second ends together, for attachment to the wrist. The first module includes first and second distributed pluralities of lights respectively emitting 850 and 660 nm wavelengths, and a third plurality emitting 630 nm, 532 nm, and 450 nm wavelengths, positioned in a row substantially parallel to the arm of the user. The second module includes first and second rows of lights on first and second sides of a cooling unit, each emitting 405 nm wavelengths, with the two rows positioned for penetration to the radial and ulnar arteries. The bracelet includes a microprocessor, LED screen, and firmware for displaying a GUI permitting treatment protocol selections.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A therapeutic device, comprising: a band adapted to be worn or applied to a user's skin; and a first plurality of light sources carried on the band, the first plurality of light sources positioned to direct light energy toward the users skin along at least a substantial portion of the band, such that each of the first plurality of light sources are oriented substantially perpendicular to the user's skin. 
     
     
         2 . The therapeutic device according to  claim 1  wherein said first plurality of light sources comprise light sources configured to emit wavelengths of light within the range of about 350 nm to about 1000 nm. 
     
     
         3 . The therapeutic device according to  claim 1  wherein said first plurality of light sources comprises light sources configured to emit: 850±20 nm, 660±20 nm, 630±20 nm, 532±20 nm, and 450±20 nm wavelengths of light. 
     
     
         4 . The therapeutic device according to  claim 1  further comprising a second plurality of light sources carried on a second portion of the band, and positioned to direct light energy toward a second portion of the user's skin. 
     
     
         5 . The therapeutic device according to  claim 4  wherein said second plurality of light sources comprise light sources configured to emit wavelengths of light within the range of about 350 nm to 425 nm. 
     
     
         6 . The therapeutic device according to  claim 4  wherein said second plurality of light sources comprise light sources configured to emit 405±5 nm wavelengths of light. 
     
     
         7 . The therapeutic device according to  claim 4  further comprising means for cooling the user's skin surface. 
     
     
         8 . The therapeutic device according to  claim 7  wherein each of said first and second plurality of lights are a type of light from the groups of light types consisting of: LEDs, quantum dots, and laser diodes or other such light-emitting sources. 
     
     
         9 . A wearable therapeutic device, comprising: a plurality of light sources carried on a substrate and positioned to direct light energy toward a user's skin along a substantial contact surface area with the user's skin; means for cooling the plurality of light sources and/or the user's skin; a power source for providing electrical power to the plurality of light source; and means for a user wearing the wearable therapeutic device. 
     
     
         10 . The therapeutic device according to  claim 9  wherein said first plurality of light sources comprise light sources configured to emit wavelengths of light within the range of about 350 nm to about 1000 nm. 
     
     
         11 . The therapeutic device according to  claim 9  wherein said first plurality of light sources comprise light sources configured to emit 850±20 nm, 660±20 nm, 630±20 nm, 532±20 nm, and 450±20 nm wavelengths of light. 
     
     
         12 . The therapeutic device according to  claim 9  further comprising a second plurality of light sources carried on a second portion of the band, and positioned to direct light energy toward a second portion of the user's skin. 
     
     
         13 . The therapeutic device according to  claim 12  wherein said second plurality of light sources comprise light sources configured to emit wavelengths of light within the range of about 350 nm to 425 nm. 
     
     
         14 . The therapeutic device according to  claim 12  wherein said second plurality of light sources comprise light sources configured to emit 405±5 nm wavelengths of light. 
     
     
         15 . The therapeutic device according to  claim 9  further comprising means for cooling the user's skin surface. 
     
     
         16 . The therapeutic device according to  claim 9  wherein each of said first and second plurality of lights are a type of light from the groups of light types consisting of: LEDs, quantum dots, and laser diodes. 
     
     
         17 . A bracelet comprising:
 a first treatment module comprising a first plurality of light sources configured to emit a first plurality of selective wavelengths of light away from a first side of said first treatment module;   a second treatment module comprising a second plurality of light sources configured to emit a selective wavelength of light away from a first side of said second treatment module;   a connector band configured to flexibly couple said first treatment module to said second treatment module; and   an attachment band fixedly secured to said first treatment module, and configured for a portion thereof to be releasably coupled to said second treatment module; and   wherein said second plurality of light sources are positioned in a first row and a second row in said second treatment module, said first and second rows oriented to substantially overlie the radial and ulnar arteries of the user, respectively.   
     
     
         18 . The bracelet according to  claim 17  wherein said first plurality of light sources of said first treatment module comprises light sources configured to emit 850±20 nm and 660±20 nm wavelengths of light, for each of said wavelengths to be substantially distributed over roughly 25 square centimeter area. 
     
     
         19 . The bracelet according to  claim 18  wherein said first plurality of light sources of said first treatment module further comprises light sources configured to emit 630±20 nm, 532±20 nm, and 450±20 nm wavelengths of light, oriented in a row to be substantially perpendicular to a line between said connector band and said attachment band, and substantially centered within said 25 square centimeter area. 
     
     
         20 . The bracelet according to  claim 19  wherein said second plurality of light sources of said second treatment module comprises light sources configured to emit 405±5 nm wavelengths of light. 
     
     
         21 . The bracelet according to  claim 20  wherein said bracelet is configured to use a total of 415 mW to be substantially equally distributed among said light sources to emit said light at said 850 nm and said 660 nm wavelength ranges; and to use a total of 335 mW to be substantially equally distributed among said light sources to emit said light at said 630 nm, said 532 nm, said 450 nm, and said 405 nm wavelength ranges. 
     
     
         22 . A bracelet configured for therapeutic blood irradiation of at least at a first wrist region of a user and for body temperature regulation at a second wrist region of the user, said bracelet comprising:
 a first treatment module comprising one or more light sources configured to emit one or more selective wavelengths of light away from a first side of said first treatment module;   a second treatment module comprising means for cooling proximate to a first side of said second treatment module;   a connector band configured to flexibly couple said first treatment module to said second treatment module; and   an attachment band having a first end fixedly secured to said first treatment module, and configured for a portion thereof to be releasably coupled to said second treatment module.   
     
     
         23 . The bracelet according to  claim 22  wherein said one or more light sources of said first treatment module are configured to provide said therapeutic blood irradiation over at least 25 square centimeters. 
     
     
         24 . The bracelet according to  claim 23  wherein said one or more light sources are preferably configured to emit said selective wavelengths of light to be at 850±20 nm, 660±20 nm, 630±20 nm, 532±20 nm, and 450±20 nm. 
     
     
         25 . The bracelet according to  claim 24  wherein said one or more light sources are configured to emit said light at said 850 nm and said 660 nm wavelength ranges using a total of 415 mW, and to emit said light at said 630 nm, said 532 nm, said 450 nm, and said 405 nm wavelength ranges using a total of 335 mW. 
     
     
         26 . The bracelet according to  claim 25  wherein said one or more light sources comprises a plurality of lights sources configured to emit said 850 nm wavelength range of light, a plurality of lights sources configured to emit said 660 nm wavelength range of light, and a plurality of lights sources configured to emit said 630 nm, 532 nm, and 450 nm wavelength ranges of light. 
     
     
         27 . The bracelet according to  claim 26  wherein said plurality of lights sources configured to emit said 850 nm wavelength range of light are distributed in three rows to provide irradiation over a substantial portion of said at least 25 square centimeters; wherein said plurality of lights sources configured to emit said 660 nm wavelength range of light are distributed in three rows to provide irradiation over a substantial portion of said at least 25 square centimeters; and wherein said plurality of lights sources configured to emit said 630 nm, 532 nm, and 450 nm wavelength ranges of light are positioned in a row oriented to be substantially perpendicular to a line between said connector band and said attachment band. 
     
     
         28 . The bracelet according to  claim 27  wherein said TEC unit is substantially centered in said second treatment module; and wherein said second treatment module comprises a first row of light sources on a first side of said TEC unit, and a second row of light sources on a second side of said TEC unit, with each of said rows oriented to be substantially perpendicular to a line between said connector band and said attachment band, each of said light sources of said first and second rows configured to emit light at a wavelength of 405±5 nm. 
     
     
         29 . The bracelet according to  claim 28  wherein said connector band comprises means for adjusting a length of said connector band; and wherein a portion of said attachment band is configured to be adjustably coupled to said second treatment module, to accommodate different wrist sizes. 
     
     
         30 . The bracelet according to  claim 29  an LCD screen, and a microprocessor coupled to said, LCD screen TEC and said light sources, and firmware configured to display a graphic user interface (GUI) on said LCD screen, to permit selection from one or more preprogrammed treatment protocols and a customized treatment option, said customized treatment configured to permit selection of a treatment time, a cooling temperature, and a light intensity for each of said wavelengths. 
     
     
         31 . The bracelet according to  claim 30  wherein said first side of said first module comprises a contoured surface configured to conform to the posterior aspect of the wrist; and wherein said first side of said second treatment module comprises a contoured surface configured to conform to the anterior aspect of the wrist. 
     
     
         32 . The bracelet according to  claim 31  further comprising a gasket positioned around a side of said TEC, and thermally conductive material positioned proximate to said TEC on at least a portion of said first side of said second treatment module. 
     
     
         33 . The bracelet according to  claim 32  further comprising a peel and stick disposable cushion configured to be releasably secured to said first side of said second treatment module. 
     
     
         34 . The bracelet according to  claim 33  wherein said connector band is further configured to electrically couple said second treatment module to said first treatment module. 
     
     
         35 . The bracelet according to  claim 34  further comprising a heat sink configured to draw heat away said thermoelectric cooling unit towards a second side of said second treatment module. 
     
     
         36 . The bracelet according to  claim 35  wherein said bracelet is configured to be powered by a 2000 mAh, 7.4 V lithium polymer battery to provide at least one hour of said body temperature regulation and therapeutic blood irradiation; and wherein a power density of said therapeutic light is below 80 mW/cm 2 .