Device and method for providing phototherapy to the brain

Abstract

A therapy apparatus for treating a patient's brain is provided. The therapy apparatus includes a light source having an output emission area positioned to irradiate a portion of the brain with an efficacious power density and wavelength of light. The therapy apparatus further includes an element interposed between the light source and the patient's scalp. The element is adapted to inhibit temperature increases at the scalp caused by the light.

1 . A therapy apparatus for treating a patient's brain, the therapy apparatus comprising: 
 a light source having an output emission area positioned to irradiate a target portion of the brain with light having a wavelength between about 630 nanometers and about 1064 nanometers, the light having an efficacious power density of at least about 1 mW/cm 2  at the target portion; and    a material interposed between the light source and the patient's scalp, the material being substantially transmissive to the light and thermally conductive so as to absorb heat from the scalp.    
     
     
         2 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the light passes through the material prior to reaching the scalp.  
     
     
         3 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the material is adapted to contact the patient's scalp.  
     
     
         4 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the material is attached to the light source and is adapted to conform to the scalp so as to position the light source relative to the scalp.  
     
     
         5 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the material is mechanically adjustable so as to adjust a position of the light source relative to the scalp.  
     
     
         6 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the material is mechanically adjustable so as to fit the therapy apparatus to the scalp.  
     
     
         7 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a bag containing the material, the bag and the material adapted to conform to contours of the scalp.  
     
     
         8 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the material is within an optical path of the light from the source to the scalp.  
     
     
         9 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the material is adapted to reduce back reflections of the light.  
     
     
         10 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the material is adapted to fit to the scalp so as to substantially reduce air gaps between the scalp and the material in the optical path of the light.  
     
     
         11 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the material has a refractive index which substantially matches a refractive index of the scalp.  
     
     
         12 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the material is pre-cooled prior to treatment of the brain.  
     
     
         13 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the material is adapted to apply pressure to at least a portion of the scalp, thereby blanching the portion of the scalp and decreasing absorption of the light by blood in the scalp.  
     
     
         14 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the material is adapted to diffuse the light prior to reaching the scalp.  
     
     
         15 . A method of irradiating a portion of brain tissue of a patient, the method comprising: 
 positioning a light source at a first position and directing light from the light source through a first illuminated area of the patient's scalp to irradiate the portion with light having a power density of at least about 1 mW/cm 2 ; and    moving the light source from the first position to a second position and directing light from the light source through a second illuminated area of the patient's scalp to irradiate the portion with light having a power density of at least about 1 mW/cm 2 , the second illuminated area separated from the first illuminated area by at least one non-illuminated area.    
     
     
         16 . A method of treating a portion of brain tissue of a patient, the method comprising: 
 removing at least a portion of the hair from a patient's scalp from an area of the scalp; and    introducing light having an efficacious power density of at least about 1 mW/cm 2  at the portion of brain tissue by directing light through the area of the scalp, wherein the light has a power density at the scalp below a damage threshold of scalp tissue and has sufficient optical power at the scalp to achieve the efficacious power density at the portion of brain tissue.