GLASSES PROVIDED WITH A PHOTON SOURCE, SYSTEM COMPRISING SUCH GLASSES AND USE OF SUCH GLASSES IN PHOTOTHERAPY

Abstract

The invention relates to a glasses provided with a light source for illuminating at least a portion of the eye of a subject wearing the glasses and relates to a system comprising such a glasses. The invention further relates to a system comprising the glasses of the invention and further comprising an external device provided with a processor as well as a computer program which, in use, causes the processor to control the at least one light source in the glasses in accordance with a predetermined program, wherein preferably the desired program is chosen by a wearer of the glasses. The invention also relates to a glasses case. The invention also relates to the glasses of the invention for use in a method of treatment of Parkinson's Disease by phototherapy.

Claims

1. A method for treating a patient with a phototherapy, wherein the patient is suffering from a neurodegenerative disease, the method comprising: delivering photons with a photon energy of between 2.82 eV and 2.43 eV on the retina of an eye of the patient subjected to said phototherapy, wherein the delivering is done with glasses provided with a frame for positioning on the ears and the nose of the patient, the frame comprising a nose frame part, the nose frame part comprising a nose frame side portion; two transparent spectacle glasses enclosed in the frame, and at least one light source for emitting light and integrated in the frame, the light source comprising a photon source emitting the photons with the photon energy of between 2.82 eV and 2.43 eV, wherein the glasses are constructed such that during the treatment each spectacle glass is positioned in front of an eye of the patient, the nose frame side portion faces the eye and at least partially reflects to the eye direct or indirect incident light originating from the light source, and the photons are directly and/or indirectly delivered to the eyes substantially from above the spectacle glass.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the neurodegenerative disease is Parkinson's Disease.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the treatment is performed or repeated until any one of the symptoms of the neurodegenerative disease, preferably Parkinson's Disease, selected from bradykinesia, pain, akinesia, sleep disturbance, depressed mood, sadness, disturbed melatonin levels during daytime, and/or dystonia, is treated, delayed and/or reduced.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the photon source has an emission peak wavelength of about 468 nm.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient is allowed to perform an activity during the treatment such as walking or reading.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein photons emitted by the photon source are delivered at the retina of said patient at least once daily for between about 15 minutes and 60 minutes, preferably for about 30 minutes.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein photons emitted by the photon source are delivered at the retina of said patient once daily for about 30 minutes, the delivery of the photons starting between about 0 minutes and four hours of the time of after awakening from overnight sleep, preferably between 30 minutes and 2 hours.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient is treated for a time period of at least one week, preferably at least one month, more preferably at least one year, most preferably for the rest of the lifespan of the patient.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the photon source emits photons with a photon energy of between 2.76 eV and 2.48, preferably between 2.67 eV and 2.58 eV, more preferably of about 2.65 eV.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the photon source emits photons with an emission peak wavelength of between 450 nm and 500 nm, preferably between 464 nm and 480 nm, most preferably with an emission peak wavelength of about 468 nm.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the photon source is adapted to emit photons with a full width at half maximum spectral bandwidth of between 16 nm and 35 nm, preferably between 19 nm and 33 nm, more preferably between 20 nm and 27 nm, most preferably between 24 nm and 26 nm.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the glasses are configured to deliver between 36 lux and 50 lux at the level of an eye the patient, preferably being about 40 lux, and/or deliver between 4 lux and 6 lux at the level of the retina of the eye of the patient.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is one of a light emitting diode, an organic light emitting diode, or a phosphorescent organic light emitting diode, and comprises the photon source, and is preferably a light emitting diode comprising the photon source.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the photon source is a p/n semiconductor material consisting of a p-layer and an n-layer, wherein the p-layer is InGaN and the n-layer is InGaN,

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the light source further comprises a light emitting diode capable of emitting red with a wavelength of between 660 nm and 700 nm.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the frame above the spectacle glass comprises at least one light guiding element adapted to indirectly deliver light originating from the at least one light source substantially from above the spectacle glass to the eyes.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the light guiding element has an upper side comprising notches, and wherein each notch preferably extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the light guiding element.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein each notch has a respective depth, and the respective depths increase in size from a distal edge of the frame to proximal the nose frame part, wherein the increase in respective depths of the notches proximal to the nose frame part is preferably even, and/or wherein a respective distance between a centerpoint of two adjacent notches is constant for each notch.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the support frame upper portion comprises the light guiding element.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the spectacle glasses are filter lenses for filtering blue light and/or UV light, or the spectacle glasses are filter lenses for filtering red light.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0109] FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a glasses;

[0110] FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of a glasses;

[0111] FIG. 3 shows an exploded rear view of the glasses shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0112] FIG. 4 shows an exploded front view of the glasses shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; FIG. 5 shows an exploded side view of the glasses shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0113] FIGS. 6a and 6b show a light guiding element for another embodiment of the glasses;

[0114] FIG. 7 shows a perspective rear view of a glasses; and

[0115] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a nose frame part and light guiding elements being a single part.

[0116] In the figures, corresponding parts have the same reference number.

EXEMPLIFYING EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0117] The glasses is now explained by an embodiment as shown in the incorporated figures.

[0118] The FIGS. 1-5 show a glasses 1 comprising two transparent spectacle glasses 3a, 3b contained by a frame 5. The spectacle glasses 3a, 3b comprise the shape of conventional spectacle glasses. The spectacle glasses 3a, 3b can be made as colored spectacle glasses. Optionally, the spectacle glasses are filter lenses for filtering of blue light and/or UV light, or the spectacle glasses are filter lenses for filtering of red light. The spectacle glasses can be releasably connected to the frame 5, such that the user can exchange the filter lenses for filtering blue light and/or UV light for filter lenses for filtering red light, or, when desired, for conventional spectacle glasses.

[0119] The frame 5 further comprises two frame legs 7a, 7b. In the FIGS. 1 and 2 the glasses 1 is shown in use position in which the glasses 1 can be worn by an individual. Each spectacle glass 3a, 3b is positioned in front of one of the two eyes of an individual by frame 5 positioned at the ears and the nose of said individual. The glasses shown in the figures can be provided as sun glasses with spectacle glasses 3a, 3b for sun glasses.

[0120] The frame 5 further comprises a support frame 9 for supporting spectacle glasses 3a, 3b. The support frame 9 is connected at a first extremity 11 (left extremity in FIG. 1) with a first frame side part 12 and connected at a second extremity 13 (right extremity in FIG. 1) with a second frame side part 14. The frame side parts 12, 14 are connected to frame legs 7a, 7b at an extremity distal from support frame 9.

[0121] The glasses 1 is provided with two light sources (not shown), wherein the first light source in the first frame side part 12 is incorporated into an extremity thereof located near the spectacle glass 3a, whereas the second light source in the second frame side part 14 is incorporated into an extremity thereof located near the spectacle glass 3b.

[0122] The light sources are light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which LEDs can emit red and/or blue light. The blue light has a wavelength of 480-500 nanometer or a wavelength of 440-510 nm, preferably between 450 nm and 500 nm, more preferably between 464 nm and 480 nm, most preferably, the blue light has an emission peak wavelength of about 468 nm. The red light has a wavelength of 660-700 nanometer. It is possible to provide the glasses 1 with blue-light emitting LEDs, only. With the LEDs a light treatment can be performed with the glasses 1, for inhibiting or stimulating the wearer's production of melatonin/cortisol. In one embodiment, the glasses of the invention comprises at least one light source comprising at least four blue-light emitting LEDs. In an alternative embodiment, the glasses of the invention comprises at least one light source comprising two blue-light emitting LEDs. Said two blue-light emitting LEDs preferably have an emission peak wavelength of 468 nm, and preferably, with the glasses of the invention comprising said two blue-light emitting LEDs about 40 lux can be delivered at the level of the eye of the wearer of the glasses, when the photon source of said LEDs is emitting photons, and preferably about 4 lux to 6 lux can be delivered at the level of the retina of said wearer of the glasses.

[0123] The support frame 9 comprises a nose frame part 15. The nose frame part 15 is that portion of the frame 5 which is located around the nose when the glasses 1 is worn by a user. The nose frame part 15 comprises a nose contact surface, a nose frame front side portion 19 directed away from the wearer, an inner surface 16 for supporting a part of the spectacle glass as well as a nose frame side portion 17 facing the eye when the glasses 1 is worn. In the presented glasses 1 the nose contact surface and the nose frame front side portion 19 seamlessly form one piece. The support frame 9 comprises also a support frame upper part 23 which is positioned above the eyes of the wearer when the glasses 1 is worn correctly, and which extents in between frame legs 7a, 7b of the glasses 1. At its center, the support frame upper part 23 is connected with the nose frame part 15.

[0124] As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the support frame upper part 23 of the glasses 1 is provided with two plate-shaped elongated light guiding elements 25, 26 integrated therein. The light emitted by the LEDs is guided indirectly to the eyes with the light guiding elements 25, 26. An extremity 27, 29 of each light guiding element 25, 26, that is directed away from the nose frame part 15, is in connection with the LEDs in the frame side parts 12, 14 such that the artificial light of the LEDs is emitted indirectly to the eyes from above via the plate-shaped light guiding elements 25, 26 integrated in the support frame upper part 23. It is possible that in the glasses 1 no artificial light is emitted directly from a LED to the eyes of a user, such that the light treatment executed with the glasses 1 is only using indirect light. This way, for the wearer the comfort of the glasses 1 during a light treatment is enhanced. In one embodiment, the surface of the plate-shaped elongated light guiding element that faces downwardly, when the glasses are worn, is only transparent for photons at one or more discrete portions of said surface. This way, photons delivered by the photon source comprised by the light source in the glasses of the invention, can be directed to pre-determined portions of the eye and to predetermined portions of the retina of the eye of the wearer of the glasses. In an alternative embodiment, the complete surface of the plate-shaped elongated light guiding element that faces downwardly, when the glasses are worn, is transparent for photons. This way, the photons emitted by the photon source comprised by the light source in the glasses of the invention are delivered efficiently to the eye and the retina of the wearer of the glasses over the whole length of the light guiding element located above the eye of the wearer of the glasses, with less loss of energy (photons) when compared to a partially non-transparent light guiding element.

[0125] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the glasses of the invention, wherein the nose frame part 15 and the light guiding elements 25 and 26 form a unit 28 with a nose frame part and two light guiding elements. FIG. 8 shows such a unit 28 with a nose frame part and two light guiding elements, according to the invention, wherein the separate parts building up unit 28, namely the nose frame part 15 and the light guiding elements 25 and 26, are indicated. In unit 28 with a nose frame part and two light guiding elements the nose frame part 15 connects the light guiding elements 25 and 26 such that a single part is formed. The application of the unit 28 with a nose frame part and two light guiding elements in a glasses of the invention alternative to a nose frame part 15 and light guiding elements 25 and 26, is optional according to the invention.

[0126] The sides of the support frame 9 that are facing the eyes of the wearer and that are positioned below the light guiding elements 25, 26, such as for example the nose frame side portion 17, reflect the artificial light that is coming indirectly from the light guiding elements 25, 26, to the eye of the user. The other sides of the support frame 9 located below the light guiding elements 25, 26, that are facing the eye when in use, can be provided in the same manner as the nose frame side portion 17, such that the amount of light emitted to the eyes is increased. These sides of support frame 9 comprise support frame sides 35, 36 facing the eyes, which extents in the glasses 1 between the nose frame side portion 17 and the support frame upper part 23. The reflecting sides of the support frame 9 can comprise inner surfaces that surround the spectacle glass 3a, 3b, such as the inner surface 16 of the nose frame part and the other inner surfaces 38, 39 of the support frame 9 located below the light guiding elements 25, 26.

[0127] In addition, the glasses 1 is provided with a soft lining 40 for enhancing the comfort of the wearer of the glasses 1. Then, it is possible to provide at least the sides of the lining that are facing the eyes as reflecting lining in order to reflect the incident indirect light from the light guiding elements 25, 26 on said sides of the lining, when in use, to the eyes.

[0128] The light reflecting parts of the glasses 1, such as the sides of the support frame 9 and/or the lining, reflect the incident light for at least 50%, preferably for more than 85%.

[0129] With the glasses of the invention it is possible to project 1 lux at minimum and 6 lux at maximum at the level of the retina, for example between 1 lux and 4 lux, or for example 4 lux to 6 lux, and 36 lux at minimum and 50 lux at maximum at the level of the eye, for example about 40 lux, or alternatively 8 lux at minimum and 10 lux at maximum at the level of the eye. A light intensity of between 4 lux and 6 lux at the level of the retina and between 36 lux and 50 lux at the level of the eye is essential for executing an effective artificial light treatment.

[0130] The FIGS. 6A, 6B show another embodiment of the light guiding element 50. This light guiding element 50 can be assembled in the support frame upper part 23 of the glasses 1 shown in FIGS. 1-5 at the same position as the light guiding element 25, 26.

[0131] The elongated light guiding element 50 is provided with a first LED 51, as well as with a second LED 53. For executing a light treatment, with the light guiding element 50 no further light sources are required in the glasses (not shown). The elongated light guiding element 50 is provided with an upper side 57 partly provided with notches 55, as well as a portion 59 protruding at the bottom side 61.

[0132] The portions of upper side 57 located nearby the LEDs 51, 53 are flat without notches 55. The notches 55 are provided between the flat portions of the upper side. The portion with notches 55 is larger than the two flat end-portions together. The notches 55 extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the elongated light guiding element 50. The cross-section of each notch 55 is triangular. The notches 55 become evenly deeper toward the second LED 53, while the distance between the centers 63 of the consecutive notches remains constant.

[0133] The LEDs 51, 53 emit the artificial light substantially laterally in the light guiding element 50 in the direction indicated by the arrows P1 and P2 to the notches 55. The artificial light is reflected by the notches 55 in the direction indicated by arrows P3 and P4 to the eye of a user.

[0134] In one embodiment, the surface of the flat portion 59 of the elongated light guiding element that faces downwardly (bottom side 61), when the glasses are worn, is only transparent for photons at one or more discrete portions of said surface. This way, photons delivered by the photon source comprised by the light source in the glasses of the invention, can be directed to pre-determined portions of the eye and to predetermined portions of the retina of the eye of the wearer of the glasses. In an alternative embodiment, the complete surface of the flat portion 59 of the elongated light guiding element that faces downwardly (bottom side 61), when the glasses are worn, is transparent for photons. This way, the photons emitted by the photon source comprised by the light source in the glasses of the invention are delivered efficiently to the eye and the retina of the wearer of the glasses over the whole length of the light guiding element located above the eye of the wearer of the glasses, with less loss of energy (photons) when compared to a partially non-transparent light guiding element.

[0135] The light guiding element 50 is preferably made of polycarbonate (e.g., ALCOM pwl 10/1.1 WT1302-05LB). It is possible to add colored or light reflective pigments to the material so that the light can be reflected to the eyes diffusely.

[0136] The frame 5 is provided with a control unit such as a circuit board (PCB) and a battery. The battery that is comprised by the glasses of the invention is for example a rechargeable lithium ion polymer battery known in the art, according to the invention. Optionally, the frame 5 may be provided with a memory storage. These components may be located in the frame side portions 12, 14 or in the frame legs 7a, 7b. Further, the frame may include a communication device (not shown) such as, for example, a USB port such as a microUSB port, for providing a wired connection and/or, for example, a Bluetooth chip for providing a wireless connection.

[0137] The glasses 1 may be part of a system further comprising an external device comprising a processor as well as a computer program which, in use, causes the processor to control the LEDs in the glasses in accordance with a predetermined program.

[0138] It is possible that the glasses is designed so that the support frame of the frame only partially encloses the perimeter of the spectacle glasses.

[0139] It is also possible that at least portions of the surface of the support frame side facing the wearer's eye are designed such that the light to be reflected is diffused. Also, portions of the support frame facing the wearer's eye can be curved such that the light to be reflected is directed to a position in the eye. Further, the side of the support frame facing the wearer's eye may be provided with whitening agents.

[0140] The LEDs for emitting the blue light and UV light may be provided with filters for filtering the eye-damaging part of the light spectrum of the light emitted by the light source, such as, for example, UV radiation having a wavelength between 10 and 400 nanometer. These filters can also be provided elsewhere in the glasses to prevent a malicious part of the light emitted with the light source from reaching the eye. Preferably, the LEDs for emitting blue light do not emit UV light, according to the invention. This way, exposing the eyes of the wearer of a glasses of the invention to harmful UV light emitted by the glasses is prevented. Preferably, the blue light emitted by the LEDs in the glasses of the invention has a wavelength of between 465 nm and 475 nm, +/−10 nm. More preferably, the blue light emitted by the LEDs in the glasses of the invention has a wavelength of about 468 nm+/−10 nm, said LED providing about 4 lux to 6 lux at the level of the retina of the eye of the wearer of the glasses, and providing about 36 lux to 50 lux at the level of the lens of the eye of the wearer of the glasses, according to the invention. In one embodiment, the glasses of the invention are provided with two to four blue light emitting LEDs, preferably four LEDs, wherein said LEDs for emission of blue light have an emission peak wavelength of about 468 nm and a spectral line half width of about 25 nm. In one embodiment, said four LEDs comprised by the glasses of the invention comprise a photon source capable of delivering 36 lux to 50 lux, preferably about 40 lux, at the level of the eye of the wearer of the glasses, and capable of delivering 4 lux to 6 lux at the level of the retina of the eye of said wearer of the glasses, and capable of emitting photons with an emission peak wavelength of 468 nm. Typically, a LED applied in the glasses of the invention is a LED comprising as the photon source a p/n semiconductor material consisting of a p-layer and an p-layer of InGaN (e.g. product LTST-108TBKT; Lite-on Technology Corporation). In the Table, below, further examples of LEDs applicable in the glasses of the invention are listed. According to the invention, a blue light emitting LED with an emission peak wavelength of about 468 nm and a relatively small full width at half maximum spectral band width of about 18 nm to 37 nm, preferably about 24 nm, is preferred.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE LEDs applicable in the glasses of the invention λ0.5, the Full Width at Half Maximum Emission peak spectral LED (supplier) wavelength (nm) bandwidth (nm) ASMT-AL31 450.0 19.5 (Broadcom - Avago) ASMT-JL-31-NPQ01 452.6 24.0 (Broadcom - Avago) 21.00.01B (XLED, Italy) 454.7 28.0 ASMT-JL11-NM 456.5 25.7 (Broadcom - Avago) ASMT-JB-31-NMP01 459.9 24.0 (Broadcom - Avago) LB-W5SN-GYHZ-25 460.0 32.6 (Osram opto semiconductors) LB-T673-L2P1-35 462.2 20.0 (Osram opto semiconductors) LT-T67C-K1M2-35 465.0 n.d. VAOL-S2SB4 with 468 (minimum dominant λ 35 source color InGaN is 464.0 nm, maximum (VCC optoelectronics) dominant λ is 472.0 nm) LTST-C194TBKT with 468 (minimum dominant λ 25 source color InGaN is 460.0 nm, maximum (Lite-on technology dominant λ is 475.0 nm) corp.) LV-W5AM-JYKY-25 501.7 28.0 (Osram opto semiconductors)

[0141] Alternatively to the application of blue light emitting LEDs, different light sources than such LEDs are also applicable in the glasses of the invention. For example, a photon source such as a blue-light fluorescent dopant comprised by an organic LED (OLED) light source or a photon source such as a deep-blue light phosphorescent dopant comprised by a phosphorescent organic LED (PHOLED) light source, wherein said photon source is capable of emitting blue light, is also applicable for application in the light sources comprised by the glasses of the invention.

[0142] Such a photon source comprised by an OLED light source is for example a blue fluorescent dopant for example with an emission peak wavelength of about 468 nm, such as for example 3-(9H-[3,9′-bicarbazol]-9-yl)-9H-xanthen-9-one-dibenzo[b,d]furan-2, 8-diylbis(diphenylphosphine oxide) (CCX-I:PPF), according to the invention. Such a photon source comprised by a PHOLED light source is for example a blue phosphorescent dopant for example with an emission peak wavelength of about 468 nm, such as for example an organometallic-iridium(III) complex and benzo(e)pyrene. Of course, many more blue fluorescent dopants and blue phosphorescent dopants for application in blue light emitting OLED light sources and PHOLED light sources, respectively, are known in the art, and are equally applicable in a light source comprised by the glasses of the invention, as long as the application of such photon sources in the glasses of the invention provide for glasses capable of delivering about 40 lux at the level of the eye of the wearer of the glasses and capable of delivering about 4 lux to 6 lux at the level of the retina of the wearer of the glasses, according to the invention.

[0143] It is further possible to provide the glasses with at least a light source integrated centrally in the frame, for direct and/or indirect delivering light to the eyes substantially from above.

[0144] It has been found by the inventors that photons are most efficiently provided to the retina of the eye of a wearer of the glasses of the invention, when photons are delivered essentially from above the eye through the lens of the eye on the retina in the eye. Without wishing to be bound by theory, this observed highest efficiency is achieved since the light sensitive nerve cells of the retina (intrinsic photosensitive retinal ganglion cells) are predominantly located at the bottom side of the eye (when the wearer of the glasses is in upright position). Furthermore, it has been found by the current inventors that melatonin production is efficiently suppressed in the host wearing the glasses of the invention when the at least one light source of the glasses delivers about 40 lux at the level of the lens of the eye of the wearer, according to the invention.

[0145] Preferably, the glasses of the invention comprises as a light source four blue light emitting LEDs, each such a LED having a power of about 0,1 Watt. Preferably, such LEDs comprise a photon source capable of emitting photons with an emission peak wavelength of about 468 nm.

[0146] The frame 5 can be provided with two hinging frame legs. In the position of use of the glasses 1 with unfolded hinging frame legs, the glasses 1 can be worn by a person, such that each spectacle glass 3a, 3b is positioned in front of one of the two eyes of a person aided by frame 5 for positioning on the ears and nose of the person. By hinging the frame legs towards each other in the direction of the spectacle glasses 3a, 3b, the glasses 1 is brought from the unfolded state to a compact folded state, such that it is stored, for example, in a glasses case (not shown).

[0147] The glasses case and the glasses can be provided with Qi technology such that the battery of the glasses is wirelessly chargeable. Furthermore, the glasses case itself can be provided with a battery such that the glasses case without cables can wirelessly charge the battery of the glasses by using the battery of the glasses case.

[0148] An alternative glasses can be provided with two transparent spectacle glasses enclosed in a frame, wherein each spectacle glass is positioned in front of an eye of a person by a frame for positioning on the ears and the nose of said person, the glasses further provided with at least one light source integrated in the frame, wherein above the spectacle glass the frame is provided with at least a light guiding element for indirect delivery of light substantially from above the spectacle glass to the eyes, the light originating from at least one light source. The alternative glasses comprises a light guiding element with notches as herein described and as shown in the Figures. Optionally, the alternative glasses may comprise a frame with a nose frame part, which nose frame part at, at least, a nose frame side portion facing the eye, reflects to the eye at least partially the direct or indirect incident light thereon originating from the light source.

[0149] Case Studies [0150] Glasses of the invention were successfully used for beating jetlag by 120 traveling athletes. [0151] Glasses of the invention were also successfully used by athletes for shifting sleep/wake cycles because of early morning or late evening matches so the optimal peak-performance moments were synchronized with the time of the day. [0152] Glasses of the invention were tested in two companies having employees working during night time, for improving shift work conditions. Alertness improved in most cases and fatigue was less pronounced, showing the effectiveness of the use of the glasses, according to the invention. [0153] Glasses according to the invention are successfully used by many subjects to diminish the symptoms of fatigue and sadness caused by the change of seasons (winter blues).