DEVICE FOR TREATING PATIENTS BY PHOTOTHERAPY

Abstract

A device for the treatment of patients by phototherapy includes a first multiple-use portion, formed of a flexible textile structure, including radiation generators formed by knitting and integrating optical fibers. At least one end of the optical fibers is connected to a light source, and the optical fibers are integrated in the knit stitches or positioned in partial wefts in the knit, to emit light due to the exceeding of their limiting bending angle, according to the so-called “macro-bending” technology. A second single-use portion, removably associated with the first portion, is intended to come into contact with the treated patient, and capable of diffusing towards the latter the light emitted by said first portion.

Claims

1. A device for the treatment of patients by phototherapy, comprising: a first multiple-use portion formed of a flexible textile structure, comprising radiation generators formed by knitting and integrating optical fibers, at least one end thereof being connected to a light source, said optical fibers being integrated in knit stitches, or positioned in partial wefts in the knit, to emit light due to the exceeding of their limiting bending angle, according to the so-called “macro-bending” technology; a second single-use portion removably associated with said first portion, configured to come into contact with the treated patient, and capable of diffusing towards said patient the light emitted by said first portion.

2. A device for the treatment of patients by phototherapy according to claim 1, wherein the first multiple-use portion comprises a dorsal wall and a ventral wall, each wall being provided with a lower portion, said respective lower portions forming an hinge connecting said walls to each other and each wall comprising at the level of their upper end a cutout capable of defining a neck-line type opening, configured to enable a patient's head to emerge out of said device, while limiting leaks of the light emitted by said first portion towards the head, on which dorsal and ventral walls the light generators are arranged.

3. A device for the treatment of patients by phototherapy according to claim 2, wherein the second single-use portion is formed of a double pocket, each of the two pockets being configured to slip on the ventral and dorsal walls of said first multiple-use portion, an inner surface of said second portion, configured to come into contact with the patient, being continuous.

4. A device for the treatment of patients by phototherapy according to claim 3, wherein the inner surface of the second single-use portion, configured to come into contact with a patient's back, is provided with a burying prevention system formed of a band intended to pass between patient's legs, and having a free end reversibly attachable to said patient.

5. A device for the treatment of patients by phototherapy according to claim 3, wherein free ends of one of the two pockets of the second single-use portion are provided with reversible attachment means capable of cooperating with the other pocket, and configured to limit leaks of the light emitted by said device towards the patient's head.

6. A device for the treatment of patients by phototherapy according to claim 1, wherein the first single-use portion is formed from a laminated bilayer membrane complying with the Oekotex 100 class-1 standard.

7. A device for the treatment of patients by phototherapy according to claim 6, wherein the inner layer of the multiple-use portion is a thin white breathable impermeable membrane configured to orient the light towards the patient and of preventing leaks to the outside of the device, and wherein the external layer of said multiple-use portion is dark-colored and blocks light likely to pass through the inner membrane towards the outside of said device.

8. A device for the treatment of patients by phototherapy according to claim 1, wherein the second single-use portion is made of a multi-material, the multi-material having an inner surface configured to come into contact with the patient, the multi-layer material configured to let the light emitted by said first multiple-use portion diffuse, the outer surface thereof which is in contact with said first multiple-use portion being impermeable.

9. A device for the treatment of patients by phototherapy according to claim 1, wherein the second single-use portion integrates a RFID-type emitter, configured to be activated by the light source to which the optical fibers are connected, and configured to control the presence of said single-use portion on the device and/or the occurrence of the prior use of said single-use portion for change of the single-use portion.

10. A device for the treatment of patients by phototherapy according to claim 1, wherein the light is formed of a LED, OLED diode or of a laser emitting blue light having a wavelength in the range from 420 to 500 nanometers.

11. A device for the treatment of patients by phototherapy according to claim 1, wherein a structure of the first multiple-use portion defines a light-emitting surface enabling to illuminate at least 60% of the surface area of the patient's body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] The foregoing features and advantages of the present invention will now be discussed in the following non-limiting description of a specific embodiment, in relation with the accompanying drawings.

[0051] FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective representation of the device of the invention.

[0052] FIG. 2 is a simplified representation of the first multiple-use portion of the device of the invention in open position.

[0053] FIG. 3 is a simplified representation in partial cross-section of the device of the invention in semi-open position.

[0054] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the device of the invention with the burying prevention means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The flexible phototherapy treatment device of the invention has thus been schematically shown in the drawings. Basically, it appears, in a way, in the form of a sleeping bag or jumpsuit, since it is mainly intended to be used for newborns. It is formed of two flexible structures, reversibly associated with each other:

[0056] a first so-called multiple-use structure (200), and in practice integrating three light or radiation generators (204, 205, 206; 304, 305, 306), described in further detail in relation with FIGS. 2 and 3;

[0057] and a second “disposable”, and thus single-use, structure (103; 303, 307; 403, 407), particularly meant for hygiene purposes on the one hand, and for the patient's comfort on the other hand. Typically, it is a cover, since it is meant to protect said first structure, particularly against the newborn's feces and urines.

[0058] The light generator is formed of at least two knit textile structures (204, 205, 206; 304, 305, 306), sewn on a membrane (208, 209; 308, 309), defining a dorsal wall (209, 205, 206; 309, 305, 306) and a ventral wall (208, 204; 308, 304) coupled to each other at the level of their respective lower end and thus forming a hinge (210, 310).

[0059] The light generator is, as already mentioned, formed of a knit implementing the Rachel warp or crocheting knit technology integrating optical fibers, according to a weave such that their bending exceeds their limiting bending angle, to emit said light in the bending plane. For this purpose, the optical fibers are either totally integrated into the knit stitch to obtain an intense point-like light, or positioned in a partial weft with a constant pitch, to obtain a homogeneous light having a substantially uniform intensity across the entire surface of said textile.

[0060] The knit integrating the optical fibers is typically made of polyester. However, any other material may be implemented, such as linen, cotton, polyamide, etc.

[0061] The membrane (208, 209; 308, 309) having these light generators sewn thereon is for example a bilayer comprising:

[0062] an inner layer formed of a thin, while, shiny or matt, impermeable and breathable membrane, first intended to direct the light generated by the light generator towards the patient, and to prevent leaks of light towards the outside of the device, such as for example, a waterproof-breathable membrane having a typical thickness in the range from 50 to 400 micrometers; this membrane may for example be made of polyurethane;

[0063] and an outer layer, advantageously dark-colored, to block the little light likely to diffuse through the inner layer, for example, formed of a polyester textile having a density in the range from 75 to 250 g/m.sup.2.

[0064] The inner layer advantageously complies with the Oekotex 100 class 1 or the like standard https://www.oeko-tex.com/fr/business/certifications_and_services/ots_100/ots_100_product_classes/ots_100_product_classes.html; Product class textiles and textile toys for babies and children up to and including 3 years old, for example, undergarments, jumpsuits, sheet, bedding products, fabric animals, etc.

[0065] The dorsal and ventral walls of this membrane are attached to each other by sewing at the level of a hinge area (210, 310).

[0066] The optical fibers integrated in the knit textile structures forming the radiation generators are gathered in a bundle (111, 211, 311) of optical fibers, each of said optical fibers being connected (112, 212) to a LED-, OLED-, or laser-type light source (not shown), having a wavelength corresponding to the latest spectrum recommendations for the treatment of jaundice; currently, this spectrum is typically in the range from 420 to 500 nanometers, but the invention is capable of adapting to other medical recommendations.

[0067] As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, and to guarantee the absence of any contact between the free optical fibers, that is, those which are not integrated in the radiation generators, and the newborn, the bundle of said optical fibers is surrounded with a sleeve (113, 213, 313) which ends at the level of the connection or hinge area (210, 310) between the dorsal portions and of the ventral portion defining said first multiple-use structure.

[0068] The free upper ends of the walls, respectively dorsal and ventral, of said first multiple-use structure exhibit a cutout (214) defining, when they are reversibly attached to each other via said second single-use structure (see hereafter) a neck line from which the infant's head is likely to emerge. For this purpose, the single-use structure has equivalent cutouts (114, 414) provided with a hook and loop fastening system (of Velcro® type), in order to, on the one hand, prevent the infant's head from penetrating into the space defined by said dorsal and ventral ails, avoiding the risks for the infant to bury within this space, and on the other hand to prevent the light generated in said space from coming out thereof, and accordingly from illuminating the newborn's head, and thus particularly their eyes

[0069] According to the invention, this first structure or multiple-use portion is intended to removably receive a second single-use structure, typically disposable. The latter defines two pockets (303, 307) intended to slip on at the level of the two dorsal and ventral walls of said first multiple-use portion, and thus of dimensions substantially corresponding, at least widthwise and to within the clearance, to the dorsal and ventral walls of the multiple-use structure to ease the slipping into said pockets. However, and as can be well observed in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the inner surface (101, 301, 401) of this disposable portion is continuous, to preserve the multiple-use portion from any soiling (urine, feces) A dorsal pocket (307) and a ventral pocket (303) are thus defined. Due to the implementation of this second single-use disposable portion, hygiene conditions are optimized and problems of cleaning and of risk of contamination of the essential structure of the device, that is, of the light generator, are avoided.

[0070] This disposable portion or cover is typically made of a multi-material, typically integrating a non-woven and a waterproof-breathable layer generally having light passage properties of from 80 to 100% in its entirety, enabling the light emitted by the light generators to diffuse through towards the infant.

[0071] This multilayer is typically a bilayer, respectively comprising:

[0072] a surface intended to come into contact with the patient's skin, and thus soft and absorbing, for example of non-woven type or of an absorbing and non-irritating material for example made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) microfibers or of natural material; and

[0073] a surface in contact with the light generators, impermeable to protect the latter from possible soiling (urines, feces) and preserve the hygiene conditions of the device of the invention, for example, a transparent waterproof-breathable membrane; this surface is for example formed of a polyurethane membrane.

[0074] These two surfaces may be laminated together by thermobonding or by a glue array. The assembly thus formed allows a good light transmission in the order of 85 to 98% towards the infant.

[0075] This disposable portion comprises burying prevention means formed of a band (104, 404) originating from the dorsal portion and capable reversibly attaching, typically to the infant's diaper, by means of a hook and loop system. The great ease of positioning of the infant on their back on the dorsal portion of said first multiple-use portion coated with the disposable cover, and then of positioning of this band on the infant's diaper at the desired height to allow their head to emerge out of the device of the invention can thus be imagined.

[0076] Further, the free ends of said disposable portion comprise a cutout intended to define the neck line, similarly to the cutout made at the upper end of the dorsal and ventral walls of the multiple-use structure and for the same purpose, that is, the emergence of the infant's head out of the device of invention (see above).

[0077] Further, the free ends of the dorsal pocket of the disposable portion comprise a flap (415) provided on its inner surface with a reversible hook-and-loop type attachment system, intended to cooperate with the free ends of the outer surface of the ventral pocket, its non-woven material allowing the adherence with the hook and loop system. Any coming out of light is thus avoided at the level of the neck line thus defined, enabling to avoid for the infant to wear glasses or a light-protection band. In other words, the light is confined within the device of the invention when the latter is in place around the infant.

[0078] This design of the disposable or single-use portion thus provides a very high guarantee against the risk of burying of the newborn, who thus cannot sink down in the device due to a double security resulting, on the one hand, from the support band passing between their legs and attached to the diaper by the hook and loop system, and on the other hand, by the closing of the flaps formed at the upper end of the single-use structure, which, once positioned, do not allow the passage of the infant's head into the device.

[0079] The single-use disposable portion further comprises, either on its dorsal portion, or on its ventral portion, a reversible hook-and-loop-type attachment system (416, 417) appearing in the form of bands formed along the two lateral edges of the considered portion, and intended to cooperate with the non-woven surface of the other portion. Thereby, the confinement of light inside of the device of the invention is ensured in cooperation with the previously-described neck line system. Further, due to this reversible attachment mode, the extraction of the infant out of said device in case of emergency is made easy.

[0080] Further, the second single-use portion may advantageously comprise an emitter of RFID, radio tag, or the like type, capable of being activated by the light source then integrating, according to a well known technology, a transceiver adapted to the frequency of the tag.

[0081] This technical solution enables to control the presence or the systematic changing of the single-use portion, guaranteeing, on the one hand, a security of use, and, on the other hand, the general hygiene of the device for the patient.

[0082] The automation already integrated in the device guarantees the lack of activation of the light source in the absence of the disposable portion or when said disposable portion has already been used, to guarantee the hygiene by its presence and to avoid any risk of contamination between infants.

[0083] As a variant, all the hook and loop systems described hereabove may be replaced with other fastening means of snap fastener type or any other fastening system fast and simple to release in a single move, to allow care in case of a vital emergency for the infant.

[0084] Advantageously, the disposable portion is reversibly attached to the multiple-use portion by means of snap fasteners (118, 218) positioned at the respective ends of the dorsal and ventral portions of the disposable portion and of the multiple-use portion.

[0085] The advantage of the phototherapy treatment device according to the invention can be understood.

[0086] First, it complies with all medical requirements in terms of:

[0087] irradiance: treatment efficiency;

[0088] safety of the newborn: no generated heat, presence of a burying prevention system without for all this hindering the ease of extraction of the infant from the device with a simple and fast gesture in case of an emergency;

[0089] absence of light leaks, thus avoiding the discomfort of wearing glasses or a band on the eyes;

[0090] hygiene due to the presence of the second single-use portion, typically forming a disposable cover;

[0091] double security system concerning the burying prevention and the ultra-fast release of the infant from the device, to allow care in case of a vital emergency, whatever its cause.

[0092] The device of the invention further enables to significantly optimize the infant's comfort and well-being:

[0093] indeed, although it is coupled to a light source, the device enables to carry the child, and thus to ensure a parent-to-child contact;

[0094] it can be envisaged to use this device in a home treatment, to thus avoid hospitalizations in pediatric departments and separating the mother from the child since it is then no longer necessary to monitor the child during treatment phases.

[0095] the treatment time may be optimized with respect to the implementation of a conventional tunnel since it becomes for example possible to feed a child during the treatment.