Phototherapy light engine

Abstract

Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for delivering phototherapy to a subject. A phototherapy light engine is combined with other components to form a phototherapy system that provides phototherapy treatment to a subject. A phototherapy system may be implemented as a hand held system comprising the light engine that is configured to communicate with a remote computing device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A phototherapy light engine comprising:
 a. a thermally conductive core substrate having a first and a second surface;   b. a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for emitting light comprising phototherapeutic component wavelengths, the plurality of LEDs configured to couple with said first surface of said thermally conductive core substrate, said thermally conductive core substrate for absorbing heat from said plurality of LEDs;   c. a plurality of light reflectors functionally coupled to said plurality of LEDs for reflecting said emitted light, thereby directing said light toward a skin surface for treatment of a phototherapy subject;   d. a window positioned to cover at least part of said first surface of said thermally conductive core substrate;   e. a collar coupled to said first surface of said thermally conductive core substrate, said collar adapted to engage the skin surface and to limit escape of the emitted light from the skin surface and a surrounding area; and   f. a heat sink coupled to said second surface of said thermally conductive core substrate, wherein said heat sink is configured and adapted to conduct heat away from said thermally conductive core substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The phototherapy light engine of  claim 1 , wherein said thermally conductive core substrate comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         3 . The phototherapy light engine of  claim 1 , wherein said heat sink is functionally coupled to a fan. 
     
     
         4 . The phototherapy light engine of  claim 1 , wherein said heat sink is functionally coupled to a thermally conductive enclosure. 
     
     
         5 . The phototherapy light engine of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of contact pads coupled to at least one of said plurality of LEDs and to said first surface of said thermally conductive metal core substrate, for conducting heat from said plurality of said LEDs to said thermally conductive core substrate, said plurality of contact pads having an area that is larger than an area of at least one of the LEDs. 
     
     
         6 . The phototherapy light engine of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of LEDs comprises one or more bare die LEDs. 
     
     
         7 . The phototherapy light engine of  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of optically transmissive covers in direct contact with said bare die LEDs without an air gap therebetween, for reducing optical losses from internal refraction between said bare die LEDs and air. 
     
     
         8 . The phototherapy light engine of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of LEDs emit light in a therapeutic range comprising a UVB frequency range. 
     
     
         9 . The phototherapy light engine of  claim 8 , wherein said UVB frequency range is about 300-320 nanometers. 
     
     
         10 . The phototherapy light engine of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of said plurality of light reflectors is positioned at the perimeter of the plurality of LEDs, and surrounds the plurality of LEDs. 
     
     
         11 . The phototherapy light engine of  claim 1 , wherein one of said plurality of reflectors is cone shaped and is positioned and configured to reflect light emitted from exactly one of said plurality of LEDs. 
     
     
         12 . The phototherapy light engine of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of light reflectors comprise an aluminum reflector surface for reflecting the emitted light toward the skin surface. 
     
     
         13 . The phototherapy light engine of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing configured for housing at least one of said thermally conductive core substrate, said heat sink, said plurality of LEDs, said plurality of light reflectors, said window and said collar. 
     
     
         14 . The phototherapy light engine of  claim 13 , wherein said window is positioned within said housing so that a portion of a sidewall of said housing extends beyond said position of said window. 
     
     
         15 . The phototherapy light engine of  claim 1 , wherein said window is adapted to filter some of the emitted light to block and/or attenuate light in certain wavelengths. 
     
     
         16 . The phototherapy light engine of  claim 14 , wherein said portion of said sidewall of said housing that extends beyond said position of said window is coupled to a reflective surface for reflecting light inward and toward the skin surface. 
     
     
         17 . The phototherapy light engine of  claim 1 , wherein said collar comprises a soft bio-compatible material. 
     
     
         18 . A phototherapy system comprising
 a. a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for emitting light comprising phototherapeutic component wavelengths, the LEDs configured to couple to a thermally conductive core substrate for absorbing heat emitted from said LEDs;   b. a current driver configured to drive said plurality of LEDs;   c. a microprocessor coupled to said multichannel current driver, wherein said microprocessor controls said current output of said multichannel current driver; and   d. a user interface coupled to said microprocessor, wherein said user interface is configured to provide said user with control over said plurality of LEDs.   
     
     
         19 . The phototherapy system of  claim 18 , wherein said thermally conductive core substrate comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         20 . The phototherapy system of  claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of reflectors functionally coupled to said plurality of LEDs for reflecting said emitted light, thereby directing said light toward a skin surface for treatment of a phototherapy subject. 
     
     
         21 . The phototherapy system of  claim 18 , further comprising a heat sink coupled to said thermally conductive core substrate for conducting heat away from said thermally conductive core substrate. 
     
     
         22 . The phototherapy system of  claim 18 , further comprising a thermistor coupled to said thermally conductive core substrate, in communication with said microprocessor for measuring temperature of said plurality of LEDs during operation of said phototherapy system. 
     
     
         23 . The phototherapy system of  claim 18 , wherein said control over said plurality of LEDs comprises control over at least one of: a duration of light emission from said plurality of LEDs; and an intensity of power driven through said LEDs. 
     
     
         24 . The phototherapy system of  claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of contact pads coupled to said thermally conductive metal core substrate for conducting heat from the plurality of LEDs thereto, wherein said plurality of contact pads have an area that is larger than an area of a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         25 . The phototherapy system of  claim 18 , wherein said LEDs are bare die LEDs. 
     
     
         26 . The phototherapy system of  claim 18 , wherein said LEDs emit light in the UVB frequency range. 
     
     
         27 . The phototherapy system of  claim 26 , wherein said frequency range is from about 300-320 nanometers. 
     
     
         28 . The phototherapy system of  claim 20 , wherein said reflectors comprise a reflective aluminum surface. 
     
     
         29 . The phototherapy system of  claim 18 , further comprising a housing for housing at least one of said thermally conductive metal core substrate, said plurality of LEDs, said multichannel current driver, and said microprocessor. 
     
     
         30 . The phototherapy system of  claim 29 , further comprising a window, positioned to cover at least part of said thermally conductive core substrate. 
     
     
         31 . The phototherapy system of  claim 29 , further comprising a window, adapted and configured to filter some of the emitted light to either block or attenuate light in certain wavelengths. 
     
     
         32 . The phototherapy system of  claim 30 , wherein said window is positioned within said housing so that a sidewall of said housing extends beyond said window. 
     
     
         33 . The phototherapy system of  claim 32 , wherein said sidewall of said housing that extends beyond said window is coupled to a reflector. 
     
     
         34 . The phototherapy system of  claim 32 , wherein said housing is coupled to a collar adapted to engage the skin surface and to limit escape of the emitted light from the skin surface and a surrounding area. 
     
     
         35 . The phototherapy system of  claim 34 , wherein said collar comprises a soft bio-compatible material. 
     
     
         36 . The phototherapy system of  claim 18 , further comprising an optical power measurement device positioned between the plurality of LEDs and the optical window for measuring and calibrating light emissions. 
     
     
         37 . The phototherapy system of  claim 18 , further comprising a docking station for charging the phototherapy system. 
     
     
         38 . The phototherapy system of  claim 37 , wherein the docking station further comprises an optical power measurement device positioned and adapted for measuring and calibrating light emissions. 
     
     
         39 . A method for thermally controlling a phototherapy device, said method comprising
 providing a thermally conductive metal core substrate coupled to a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs);   providing a microprocessor that is coupled to said thermally conductive metal core substrate, and wherein said microprocessor comprises a retrievable data storage memory;   providing a thermistor that is either thermally or physically coupled to at least one of said thermally conductive metal core substrate and at least one of said plurality of LEDs, and wherein said thermistor is coupled to said microprocessor;   measuring, with said thermistor, temperature of said LEDs during operation of said phototherapy device; and   adjusting, with said microprocessor, based on said temperature data, at least one of a duration of light emission from said plurality of LEDs and an amount of power supplied to said plurality of LEDs.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising storing, using said retrievable data storage memory, duration of light emission data and amount of power supplied to said plurality of LEDs data. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising adjusting drive conditions of said plurality of LEDs based on previously stored information of light emissions for said phototherapy device in relation to operating conditions of said plurality of LEDs. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising adjusting duration of light emissions based on the temperature of said plurality of LEDs. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising adjusting operating current of said plurality of LEDs based on the temperature of said plurality of LEDs. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein said previously stored information of light emissions for said phototherapy device is obtained from independent measurements of light emissions as a function of temperature and current of said plurality of LEDs. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein said previously stored information of light emissions for said phototherapy device is obtained from measurements of a representative population of said phototherapy devices. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said previously stored information of light emissions is the total accumulated duration of light emissions over the life of said plurality of LEDs. 
     
     
         47 . A phototherapy light engine comprising:
 a. a thermally conductive core substrate having a first and a second surface;   b. a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for emitting light comprising phototherapeutic component wavelengths, the plurality of LEDs configured to couple with said first surface of said thermally conductive core substrate, said thermally conductive core substrate for absorbing heat from said plurality of LEDs, wherein said plurality of LEDs comprises one or more bare die LEDs, wherein said plurality of LEDs emit light in a therapeutic range comprising a UVB frequency range, and wherein said UVB frequency range is about 300-320 nanometers;   c. a plurality of light reflectors functionally coupled to said LEDs for reflecting said emitted light, thereby directing said light toward a skin surface for treatment of a phototherapy subject;   d. a window positioned to cover at least part of said first surface of said thermally conductive core substrate, the window adapted to filter some of the emitted light to either block or attenuate light in certain wavelengths;   e. a collar coupled to said first surface of said thermally conductive core substrate, said collar adapted to engage the skin surface and to limit escape of the emitted light from the skin surface and a surrounding area;   f. a heat sink coupled to said second surface of said thermally conductive core substrate, wherein said heat sink is configured and adapted to conduct heat away from said thermally conductive core substrate, and wherein said heat sink is coupled to a thermally conductive enclosure;   g. a plurality of contact pads coupled to at least one of said plurality of LEDs and to said first surface of said thermally conductive metal core substrate, for conducting heat from said plurality of LEDs to said thermally conductive core substrate, said plurality of contact pads having an area that is larger than an area of at least one of the LEDs; and   h. a housing containing at least one of said thermally conductive metal core substrate, said heat sink, said plurality of LEDs, said plurality of light reflectors, said window and said collar, wherein said window is positioned within said housing so that a sidewall of said housing extends beyond said positon of said window, and wherein said collar comprises a soft biocompatible material.   
     
     
         48 . A phototherapy system comprising
 a. a thermally conductive metal core substrate, wherein said thermally conductive metal core comprises aluminum;   b. a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to couple to said thermally conductive metal core substrate, wherein said plurality of LEDs comprises bare die LEDs, wherein said plurality of LEDs emit light in the UVB frequency range, and wherein said frequency range is about  300 - 320  nanometers;   c. a current driver configured to drive said plurality of LEDs;   d. a microprocessor coupled to said current driver, wherein said microprocessor controls said current output of said current driver;   e. a user interface coupled to said microprocessor, wherein said user interface is configured to provide said user with control over said plurality of LEDs, wherein said control over said plurality of LEDs comprises at least one of a duration of light emission from said plurality of LEDs and an intensity of power driven through said LEDs;   f. a wireless receiver coupled to said microprocessor;   g. a plurality of cone shaped reflectors in a one to one relationship with said plurality of LEDs, and wherein one of said plurality of cone shaped reflectors surrounds one of said plurality of LEDs, wherein said plurality of light reflectors comprise aluminum;   h. a heat sink coupled to said thermally conductive metal core substrate;   i. a thermistor coupled to said thermally conductive core substrate, in communication with said microprocessor for measuring temperature of said plurality of LEDs during operation of said phototherapy system;   i. a plurality of contact pads coupled to at least one of said plurality of LEDs and to said first surface of said thermally conductive metal core substrate, for conducting heat from said plurality of LEDs to said thermally conductive core substrate, said plurality of contact pads having an area that is larger than an area of at least one of the LEDs;   j. a housing containing at least one of said thermally conductive metal core substrate, said plurality of LEDs, said current driver, and said microprocessor;   k. a window coupled to said housing and positioned over said plurality of LEDs, wherein said window is adapted to filter some of the emitted light to either block or attenuate light in certain wavelengths, and wherein said window is positioned within said housing so that a sidewall of said housing extends beyond said window; and   l. a collar coupled to said housing, wherein said collar is coupled to a reflector, and wherein said collar comprises a soft bio-compatible material.   
     
     
         49 . A method for thermally controlling a phototherapy device, said method comprising
 providing a thermally conductive metal core substrate coupled to a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs);   providing a microprocessor that is coupled to said thermally conductive metal core substrate, and wherein said microprocessor comprises a retrievable data storage memory;   providing a thermistor that is either thermally or physically coupled to at least one of said thermally conductive metal core substrate and at least one of said plurality of LEDs, and wherein said thermistor is coupled to said microprocessor;   measuring, with said thermistor, temperature of said LEDs during operation of said phototherapy device;   adjusting, with said microprocessor, based on said temperature data, at least one of a duration of light emission from said plurality of LEDs and an amount of power supplied to said plurality of LEDs;   storing, using said retrievable data storage memory, duration of light emission data and amount of power supplied to said plurality of LEDs data; and   adjusting with said microprocessor, a duration of light emission of said plurality of LEDs based on previously stored information of light emissions for said phototherapy device in relation to operating conditions of said plurality of LEDs, wherein said previously stored information of light emissions for said phototherapy device is obtained from independent measurements of light emissions as a function of temperature and current of said plurality of LEDs.