RADIATION TREATMENT DEVICE

Abstract

A radiation treatment device comprises a radiation source layer comprising a radiation source and a controller. The radiation source is configured to emit radiation with a wavelength in the range 822 nm to 1322 nm. In a preferred embodiment, the device configured to emit radiation with a wavelength of 1067 to 1077 nm.

Claims

1. A radiation treatment device comprising: a radiation source layer comprising a radiation source; and a controller; wherein the radiation source is configured to emit radiation with a wavelength in the range 822 nm to 1322 nm.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. A radiation treatment device according to claim 1 wherein the radiation source is configured to emit radiation with a wavelength in the range 1047 to 1097 nm.

5. A radiation treatment device according to claim 4 wherein the radiation source is configured to emit radiation with a wavelength in the range 1062 to 1082 nm.

6. A radiation treatment device according to claim 5 wherein the radiation source is configured to emit radiation with a wavelength in the range 1067 to 1077 nm.

7. A radiation treatment device according to claim 1 wherein an irradiance of the radiation source is in the range 10 mW/cm.sup.2 to 10 W/cm.sup.2.

8. A radiation treatment device according to claim 1 wherein an irradiance of the radiation source is in the range 50 mW/cm.sup.2 to 2 W/cm.sup.2.

9. A radiation treatment device according to claim 1 wherein the radiation source comprises a light emitting diode.

10. A radiation treatment device according to claim 1 wherein the radiation source comprises a xenon lamp.

11. A radiation treatment device according to claim 1 wherein the radiation source comprises a laser diode.

12. A radiation treatment device according to 1 comprising a microprocessor for controlling the radiation source.

13. (canceled)

14. A radiation treatment device according to claim 1 further comprising a backing layer.

15. A radiation treatment device according to claim 14 wherein the backing layer comprises a flexible material.

16. A radiation treatment device according to claim 14 wherein the backing layer comprises or further comprises an inflexible material.

17. A radiation treatment device according to claim 1 wherein the device comprises attachment means for attaching the device to a subject's skin.

18. A radiation treatment device according to claim 1 wherein the device comprises a wearable device.

19. A radiation treatment device according to claim 1 wherein the device comprises air channels for allowing air flow through the device.

20. A radiation treatment device according to claim 1 wherein the device comprises an intranasal device.

21. A radiation treatment device according to claim 1 further comprising at least one sensor to detect at least one of the subject's respiratory rate, respiratory effort, blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature or blood oxygen saturation.

22. A method of using radiation treatment device, the radiation treatment device comprising a radiation source layer comprising a radiation source, and a controller, wherein the radiation source is configured to emit radiation with a wavelength in the range 822 nm to 1322 nm, the method comprising the steps of: applying the radiation treatment device to a subject; and activating the radiation source to emit radiation.

23. A method according to claim 22 further comprising the steps of: selecting parameters for operation of the radiation source inputting the parameters for operation of a radiation source into the control unit of the radiation treatment device; and activating the radiation source to emit radiation in accordance with the input parameters.

24.-29 (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] FIG. 1 is a graph showing levels of measured cytokines and growth factors for mice inoculated with MRSA and treatment with radiation at a wavelength of 1072 nm (S. Y. Celine Lee et al., Enhancement of cutaneous immune response to bacterial infection after low-level light therapy with 1072 nm infrared light: A preliminary study, J. Photochem. Photobiol. B: Biol. (2011), doi:10.1016/j.jphotobio1.2011.08.009).

[0042] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a light treatment device according to an embodiment the invention.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a method of using the light treatment device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a method of using the light treatment device according to a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a schematic diagram of a light treatment device 1 for treatment of a subject. The term “light” is not intended to confer any limitations of the wavelength of radiation emitted by the light treatment device. For the purposes of the specification, references to light are also intended to include references to radiation. The light treatment device 1 comprises a light source layer 10, a controller 20, a backing layer 30 and an adhesive layer 40.

[0046] The light source layer 10 comprises a light source 11. The light source 11 may be any suitable light source, for example an LED, xenon lamp or laser diode. In the illustrated embodiment, the light source layer 10 comprises a single light source 11, but it is envisaged that a plurality of light sources 11 may be provided. Where there is a plurality of light sources 11, these may be configured so that the light emitted by a light source 11 overlaps with an adjacent light source 11.

[0047] The light source 11 may be configured to emit light with a wavelength between 400 nm and 1600 nm with an irradiance of between 10 mW/cm.sup.2 and 10 W/cm.sup.2. In a preferred embodiment, the light source comprises multiple LEDs, each configured to emit a wavelength of between 1050 nm and 1300 nm with an irradiance of between 50 mW/cm.sup.2 and 2 W/cm.sup.2. In some embodiments, the light source 11 may be configured to provide an output period of irradiation of between 1 ms and 100 ms, and a repetition rate of between 50 Hz and 2500 Hz for a duration of between 1 second and 100 seconds.

[0048] In a more preferred embodiment, the light treatment device 1 emits a wavelength of about 1072 nm or 1268 nm at an intensity of 50 mW/cm.sup.2 to 2 W/cm.sup.2 using an LED, and the period of irradiation is a minimum of 10-15 ms with a repetition rate of 450 Hz and 800 Hz for a duration of at least 30 seconds.

[0049] The light source layer 10 of the illustrated embodiment also comprises a circuit board 12 which may be a flexible printed circuit board. The circuit board is adapted to connect the light source layer 10 to a power source 50 to provide power to the light source layer 10. In alternative embodiments, the backing layer 30 may comprise a or the circuit board. The power source 50 may comprise a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, the power source may comprise an electrical connector adapted to connect the light source layer 10 directly or indirectly to an external power supply. The light source layer may comprise a flexible silicone material. The silicone or other suitable alternative material may have a light dispersive effect.

[0050] The backing layer 30 may host the electrical components of the light treatment device 1. In some embodiment, the backing layer may be the rear of a printed circuit board or may comprise a circuit board, which may be a printed circuit board. In other embodiments, the backing layer may be a generic substrate upon which quantum dots are printed. In addition or alternatively, the light source layer 10 and the light source or sources 11 may comprise the quantum dots.

[0051] The backing layer 30 may be made from any suitable material and is preferably flexible. In a preferred embodiment, the backing layer comprises at least one flexible silicone material, although any other flexible material could be used such as elastomeric materials, cellulosic or aramid filter paper (such as the fibrous materials manufactured by Tyvek® and 3M® or film or thin gauze sheets made from materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene or polycarbonate. The backing layer may comprise a flexible laminate comprising two or more materials as a composite and may comprise a hydrogel. In other embodiments, the backing 30 layer may comprise a combination of flexible material and no flexible material combined to allow flexibility of the backing layer 30 in at least one orientation.

[0052] When the backing layer 30 and/or the light source layer 10 comprises a silicone material, the light source 11 may be an LED embedded in the silicone material. The silicone may provide a light-dispersive effect.

[0053] The light treatment device 1 comprises a controller 20 for user control of the light treatment device 1. The controller 20 may comprise an electrical switch for connecting and disconnecting the power supply from the power source 50 to the light source layer 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the light treatment device 1 comprises a microprocessor 21 and the controller 20 comprises a user interface which allows a user to select the parameters of the light to be emitted. For example, a user may select the desired wavelength, irradiance, pulse characteristics, output period, repetition rate and/or the duration for which light is emitted. The user interface may comprise an LED or LCD screen which may display details of selected or pre-selected parameters. In other embodiment, the interface may also display parameters such as, for example, battery charge information when the light treatment device comprises a rechargeable battery.

[0054] In an embodiment, the microprocessor 21 may be pre-programmed with pre-selected parameters to provide an output period of irradiation of between 1 ms and 100 ms and a repetition rate of between 50 Hz.

[0055] The controller may be connected to the power supply and/or the light source layer 10 via a wired connection. Alternatively, the controller may be connected to the power supply and/or the light source later via a wireless connection, which may comprise a radio connection means.

[0056] In an alternative embodiment, a wireless connection may allow the light treatment device 1 to be controlled by a separate user device, such as a PC or smartphone.

[0057] The light treatment device may comprise at least one sensor for measuring respiratory rate, respiratory effort, blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature and/or blood oxygen saturation. In embodiments comprising such a sensor, the user interface and microprocessor may be adapted to communicate with the at least one sensor. The at least one sensor may be configured to communicate with a separate user device, such as a PC or smartphone.

[0058] The light treatment device 1 may be configured to be worn on or by a subject. The light treatment device 1 may be adhered to the skin of the treatment subject using the adhesive layer 40. The adhesive layer 40 may comprise a substantially flat patch and may comprise a hydrogel. Alternatively, the light treatment device 1 may be attached to a subject using straps which fasten around the subject's body or may comprise a garment such as a vest or neckband. In an alterative embodiment, the light treatment device 1 may comprise an intranasal probe for insertion into the subject's nasal passage.

[0059] In some embodiments, the light treatment device 1 may comprise means for allowing regulation or cooling of the subject's skin, such as airways or forced air conduits.

[0060] FIG. 3 shows a method of using an embodiment of the light treatment device 1. At step 100, the light treatment device is applied to the subject by the operator. (The operator may also be the treatment subject.) The device may be applied to any part of the body which is suitable for treatment with light, including the skin or the nasal passage. At step 400, the operator activates the light source to emit light directly to the treatment area. In this embodiment, the light treatment device 1 may be pre-programmed to emit light within predetermined parameters. While FIG. 3 shows the light treatment device 1 being applied to the subject before the light source 11 is activated, it is possible for these steps to be reversed.

[0061] FIG. 4 shows an alternative method of using an embodiment of the light treatment device 1. In this embodiment, the light treatment device comprises a microprocessor and user interface. The operator applies the light treatment device to the subject at step 100. At step 200, the parameters for operation of the light treatment device, such as wavelength and intensity, may be selected by the operator and input into the device at step 300. The light source may then be activated to deliver the required light therapy to the subject. Again, the steps need not take place in this order and steps 200, 300 and/or 400 may be executed before step 100.