Intelligent Light Therapy System

Abstract

Light therapy systems for example for the ambulant treatment of hyperbilirubinemia. An intelligent wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy disposed in a wearable light module housing arranged to be worn on the body of a patient for illuminating, during use of the module, the skin of the patient with light of a wavelength corresponding to the light therapy.

Claims

1. A modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy, the light module being disposed in a wearable light module housing arranged to be worn under the clothing on the body of a patient for illuminating, during use of the module, the skin of the patient with light of a wavelength corresponding to the light therapy, the light module comprising: an OLED foil or substrate, comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in a light emission plane on an emission side of the wearable light module housing facing, during use, towards the skin of the patient; a driver unit, arranged for driving the plurality of LEDs) on the substrate; a power supply, arranged for powering the light module; a low-power wireless communication unit, arranged for remote communication with at least the light module; a local data storage unit, arranged for locally storing data; and a processing unit, arranged for controlling the plurality of LEDs by control of the driver unit, and for logging data related to driving the driver unit, and for access to the local data storage and the data stored therein, by means of the low-power wireless communication unit.

2. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one sensor unit disposed in the wearable light module housing and comprising at least one sensor for determining patient data and/or system data and transmitting the data to the processing unit for storage thereof in the local data storage unit.

3. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is arranged, by means of the low-power wireless communication unit, for wireless communication with at least one sensor unit disposed in a separate wearable sensor module housing, for receiving the data from the sensor module and for storage thereof in the local data storage unit of the light unit.

4. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is arranged for determining one or more configuration variables of the wearable light module; and wherein the configuration variables are selected from the group consisting of: amount of LEDs on the substrate, distribution of the LEDs in the light emission plane, duty cycle of the LEDs, power consumption of the plurality of LEDs, temperature of the wearable light module, power level of the power supply, status of a communication link between the communication units of the wearable light module and the control device, emitted wavelength of the plurality of LEDs, type of LEDs on the substrate, and dimensions of the wearable light module.

5. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 1, wherein the OLED foil or substrate comprises OLEDs.

6. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 1, wherein the power supply comprises a battery; and wherein the battery is arranged to be charged by a flexible connection.

7. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 1, wherein the low-power communication unit is arranged for wired communication.

8. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 1, wherein the low-power communication unit is arranged for wireless communication.

9. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 1, wherein the low-power communication unit is arranged for communicating over a wide area network; and wherein the communicating over the wide area network is performed over a point-to-point secure tunnel.

10. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 1, wherein the housing of the light module is composed of a a material having a Shore 00 hardness between 30 and 90.

11. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 1, wherein the housing of the light module is composed of a flexible material having a Young's modulus less than 2 GPa.

12. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is arranged to receive a therapeutic program selection; and wherein the driver unit is controlled by the processing unit in accordance with the therapeutic program.

13. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 12, wherein the processing unit is arranged to receive a configuration variable setting of the therapeutic program; and wherein the driver unit is controlled by the processing unit in accordance with the configuration variable setting.

14. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 2, wherein the patient data determined by the at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of body temperature, skin temperature, skin color, heartbeat rate and blood pressure.

15. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 14, wherein the determined patient data are compared by the processing unit with at least one threshold value for signaling an alarm upon exceeding the threshold value.

16. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 1 further comprising a thermal interface arranged for heat dissipation from the plurality of LEDs to the environment.

17. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 1 further comprising a unique identification value stored on the light module, for identification of the light module and for remote determining configuration variables of the wearable light module; and wherein the configuration variables are selected from the group consisting of: amount of LEDs on the substrate, distribution of the LEDs in the light emission plane, duty cycle of the LEDs, power consumption of the plurality of LEDs, temperature of the wearable light module, power level of the power supply, status of a communication link between the communication units of the wearable light module and the control device, emitted wavelength of the plurality of LEDs, type of LEDs on the substrate, and dimensions of the wearable light module.

18. (canceled)

19. An intelligent wearable sensor module for ambulatory light therapy, the sensor module being disposed in a wearable sensor module housing arranged to be worn on the body of a patient and comprising: a power supply, arranged for powering the sensor module; at least one sensor for determining, during use of the module, patient data; and a low-power communication unit for transmitting the patient data to the processing unit of an intelligent wearable light module according to claim 1.

20. An intelligent control device for ambulatory light therapy, comprising: a power supply, arranged for powering the control device; a low-power communication unit, arranged for remote communication with at least one modular wearable light module according to claim 1, a processing unit, arranged for control of the at least one modular wearable light module through the small low-power communication unit.

21. The intelligent control device for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 20, wherein the power supply is arranged for powering a power supply of at least one modular wearable light module according to claim 1.

22-24. (canceled)

25. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 1, wherein the power supply comprises a battery; wherein the battery is arranged to be charged by a one or more of a foil, by solar power, and induction; wherein the low-power communication unit is arranged for one of: wired communication via a flexible connection selected from the group consisting of a foil and a flexible wire; wireless communication selected from the group consisting of a wireless mesh network, a Zigbee network and MyriaNed; or communicating over a wide area network selected group the group consisting of the internet and a public (mobile) telephone network.

26. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 1, wherein the housing of the light module is composed of a a material having a Shore 00 hardness between 40 and 60.

27. The modular wearable light module for ambulatory light therapy according to claim 1, wherein the housing of the light module is composed of a flexible material having a Young's modulus less than 0.01 GPa.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0085] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustrating a light therapy system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0086] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a light module of a first type in a first configuration according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0087] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a light module of a second type in a second configuration according to an embodiment of the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0088] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a light therapy system according to a first example of the invention. The light therapy system is an intelligent wearable ambulatory light therapy system. This means that the system can be used outside the walls of the hospital or professional care in a home environment, such in a save manner. The system comprises two different types of devices, i.e. the control device 10 and one or more light modules 20A, 20B, 20 . . . , 20Z. Each device 10, 20A-Z has its own separate housing. Preferably all parts 10, 20A-Z communicate with each other wirelessly, via a low-power mesh network, and/or wired as requested.

[0089] Each wearable light module is arranged to be worn under the clothing on a body of a patient in such a way that it can for illuminating, during the use of the system, the skin of said patient with light of a certain wavelength and intensity that corresponds to the therapy applied. This could be for example be a blue light in a wavelength around 490 nm, which is in particular suitable for bilirubin defects such as neonatal jaundice. The light modules can be attached in a special garment in which each module is fixed to the inside of the garment. The position in the garment can be defined by a pocket at the inside of the garment, which is able to receive the light module therein. The garment can however also be attached by Velcro or other suitable fixation means. During therapy the garment can then be worn by the patient with a high level of comfort. To this end the wearable light module is also able to resist water and dust, and has for example a liquid ingress protection level 3, 4, 5, or even up to level 6 and level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or even level 6 solid particle protection, both according to standard international protection marking, IP code enabling sterilisation and/or disinfection

[0090] Each housing of the light module 20A-Z comprises several parts or units. Each module has a battery unit 201A that is disposed within the housing. The battery can be a removable battery or, preferably, a fixed non-removable rechargeable battery that can be recharged via a charge interface 102 on the control device 10 or via on the light module integrated solar cells.

[0091] The light module comprises a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes, LED's (LED strips, separate LEDs or OLEDs). One module can comprise any number of separate LEDs e.g. 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256 or even more. The LEDs are disposed on a substrate, which provide fixation of the LEDs and provide electrical circuitry to drive the LEDs. In case of OLEDs the size of the foil can be chosen. As such, each module further comprises a LED driver 202A-Z. The LED driver drives the plurality of LED's (LED strips, separate LEDs or OLEDs) and is arranged to pulse the LEDs on an off by applying power periodically or intermittently.

[0092] The driver 202A-Z can be arranged for pulse-width-modulation and duty cycle of the LEDs, and/or driving said LEDs via a controlled DC-current.

[0093] The configuration of the light modules can differ. For example, one module 20A could contain 65 separate LEDs with a wavelength around 490 nm and another module 20B could contain 120 LEDs with a wavelength around 450 nm, and another module OLDs, etc. The number or area of LEDs to be activated is according the stored therapy program. Moreover, each module could have different dimensions. As such, modules could be numbered or coded from which number one can determine the configuration. For example PJ110XS could be a code for a light module configured especially for prenatal jaundice therapy, consisting of 110 LED, in an extra small form factor suitable for infants. Where PJO45 could be the code for an OLED of 4 by 5 cm.

[0094] Light modules are further arranged to determine patient data via a sensor unit 203A-Z. The sensor unit can be a sensor for measuring patient parameters like the heartbeat of the patient, the skin temperature, the skin colour, etc. or system data, such as the light intensity. The sensor can be a sensor known in the art for determining temperature-on-skin, or to determine a heartbeat. In order for the sensor to be able to determine skin colour, the sensor can be present in the light module in the form of a photo cell, CCD image sensor, CMOS image sensor or a spectroscopic sensor or implemented in a separate sensor unit for measuring irradiation reflectance and calculate changes.

[0095] The light modules further comprise a wireless communication unit 204A-Z. With the wireless communication unit the module is arranged for wireless communication with at least the control device and preferably with other modules as well. The communication is performed according to a short-range communication protocol with low energy emission levels, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or mesh type wireless personal area network such as Zigbee, MyriaNed network or other IEEE 802.15 conforming protocol. Herewith new born or infants are not subjected to too high energy levels, Alterably the communication is done via a flexible wired connection.

[0096] The light modules comprise a dedicated local storage for local buffering and a register for storing a unique identification value. This unique identification value could alternatively also be stored within the wireless communication module 204A-Z for example in the form of a unique network address. From the unique identification value the control device can determine for example therapy program, amount and type of LEDs, and form factor. This way the control device 10 is aware of the capabilities of the module and can execute a therapeutic program in accordance therewith.

[0097] The control device 10 comprises to this end a communication unit 104 to communicate with all modules via communication units 204A-Z thereof. In accordance with the communication protocol supported by these communication units 204A-Z, the communication unit of the control device is also able to communicate, e.g. Zigbee, MyriaNed, Bluetooth, WiFi, 3G, 4G etc. or even wired.

[0098] The light modules and/or control device comprise a local storage for storing system data and/or patient data. A further advantage of the local storage is that this provides a buffer to prevent data loss when the modules and/or control device suffer from connection loss. The buffer is thus in accordance with a certain preferred maximum time duration in which the connection can be lost.

[0099] The control device 10 further comprises a power unit 101 that powers the control device and can consist of a power line connector and/or internal battery. Optionally the control device may also power the separate light modules (not shown).

[0100] The batteries of the light modules can also be charged via a charge unit or interface 102. This can be performed by plugging in a cable or attaching the light module to the charge unit 102, by putting the module 20A-Z in a specific receiving part of the control device such that it can connect and charge the battery, or even via an inductive charging unit.

[0101] The control device is furthermore comprised of a processing unit 103. The processing unit is arranged to control all parts of the control device itself e.g. the communication with the light modules via the communication unit 104. The processing unit 103 has furthermore the purpose of storing all relevant data obtained within the system itself, i.e. system parameters or system variables such as battery information and run time. But the processing unit 103 is also able to store all relevant patient data obtained via sensor unit(s) 203 of the light modules. In an advanced embodiment the processing unit can make all patient data and system data for local or remote download. The local download can be performed via for example an USB interface (not shown), the remote download can be performed via a secure internet connection for example. To this end the communication unit 104 of the control device is arranged for communication over the internet, and/or mobile telecommunication network, and/or wireless telecommunication network.

[0102] The processing unit 103 of the control device can preferable also be arrange to transmit and receive configuration parameters. This way the control device can be monitored and control remotely, for example by a central medical centre wherein medical staff can live monitor the therapy or perform pre-, or post-therapy checks. Through a secure app (software application on a mobile device) the authorised doctor can monitor and control the system with a smartphone or PC. Moreover, the light therapy system, in every embodiment of the invention as described, can preferably not only be arranged to provide live monitoring for the patient by medical specialists, but is also arranged to be controlled by the medical specialist from a remote location, for example to increase or decrease light intensity, duration, etc. or to abort the therapy and de-activate the module(s). In an advanced embodiment, the system can also be arranged to operate autonomously, hence wherein the system can change configuration such as light intensity, duration, etc. or even de-activate upon exceeding a predefined threshold value. In yet an even more advanced embodiment the system can be arranged to set the thresholds autonomously or change the thresholds when considered necessary and/or safe.

[0103] In FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrations are shown of different types of configurations of the light therapy modules. In FIG. 2 a light therapy module 20A is shown that can be connected to the control device of the system as indicated in FIG. 1. To this end the module also comprises a communication unit 204A, which is powered by a battery 201A or by a power connection to the processing unit (as this is optional it is not shown). The module also has one sensor unit 203A, (comprising one or more sensors). The module 20A of FIG. 2 comprises a large amount of individual LEDs 205A-1 . . . 205A-5 . . . 205A- . . . The individual LEDs are, by way of example, only partly shown. The substrate to which the LEDs are fixed, can for example comprises a 1020 LED matrix having 10 rows and 20 columns of LEDs, which can be driven simultaneously, on an individual basis or on a row or column basis. FIG. 3 shows a different configuration wherein the LEDs are disposed on the substrate in an X character layout. Not shown is where the whole area is covered by an OLED foil.

[0104] The skilled person will appreciate that several other configurations and layouts are also applicable, and although not described in detail these also fall within the scope of the appended claims.