Methods, compositions and apparatuses for treating psoriasis by phototherapy

Abstract

Compositions, methods and apparatuses for phototherapy to treat skin disorders. In particular, described herein are methods, compositions, phototherapy dressings for use with phototherapy UV light applicators (sources) and phototherapy UV light applicators to treat skin disorders such as psoriasis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A phototherapy dressing system for treating a skin disorder by ultraviolet (UV) light therapy, the system comprising:
 a frame configured to be worn on a patient's skin, the frame having a highly adhesive bottom surface configured for multi-day wear, the frame further forming an open window region, and the frame comprising one or more attachments configured to couple with a UV light source, wherein the frame is UV blocking; and   a patch configured to be adhesively and removably attached to cover the open window region of the frame, the patch further comprising a vapor occlusive barrier and a a coal tar, or a coal tar extract.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a hydrogel within the patch. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the coal tar or the coal tar extract is within the hydrogel at between 0.025% and 5% (w/v) of the hydrogel. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the patch further comprises a scrim layer coupling the hydrogel layer to the substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a UV light source configured to magnetically couple to the plurality of attachments on the frame and deliver UV light through the window. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises polyurethane. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a unique identifier associated with the phototherapy dressing. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a unique identifier associated with the phototherapy dressing, wherein the unique identifier is one or more of: an RFID tag, an optical code, a magnetic signature, or an alphanumeric code, a capacitance signature and a resistive signature. 
     
     
         9 . A phototherapy dressing system for treating a skin disorder by ultraviolet (UV) light therapy, the system comprising:
 a frame configured to be worn on a patient's skin, the frame having a highly adhesive bottom surface configured for multi-day wear, the frame further forming an open window region through the frame, and the frame comprising one or more attachments, wherein the frame is UV blocking;   a patch configured to be removably attached to cover the open window region of the frame, the patch further comprising a vapor occlusive barrier and a coal tar or a coal tar extract; and   a UV light source configured to attach to the frame.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the coal tar or the coal tar extract is within a hydrogel at between 0.025% and 5% (w/v) of the hydrogel. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the patch further comprises a scrim layer coupling the hydrogel layer to the substrate. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the frame comprises polyurethane. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a unique identifier associated with the phototherapy dressing. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a unique identifier associated with the phototherapy dressing, wherein the unique identifier is one or more of: an RFID tag, an optical code, a magnetic signature, or an alphanumeric code, a capacitance signature and a resistive signature. 
     
     
         15 . A method of delivering ultraviolet (UV) phototherapy to a patient to treat a skin disorder, the method comprising:
 applying a frame to a patient's skin with an adhesive bottom configured for multi-day wear;   attaching a first patch to the frame over an open window on the frame, wherein the patch comprises a coal tar or coal tar extract;   wearing the patch so that the coal tar or coal tar extract contacts the skin;   removing the patch from the frame while the frame remains on the patient's skin;   attaching a UV light source to a plurality of attachment contacts on the frame to secure the UV lights source over the open window on the frame; and   delivering a therapeutic dose of UV light from the UV light source.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising attaching a second patch over the open window on the frame. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein attaching the UV light source comprises magnetically attaching the UV light source. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising identifying a unique identifier associated with the frame prior to delivering the therapeutic dose of UV light. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein attaching the first patch comprises adhesively attaching the first patch. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein delivering the therapeutic dose comprises blocking at least some of the applied UV light by the frame. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein attaching the first patch comprises adhesively attaching the first patch over the open window so that the first patch forms a vapor barrier relative to the patient's skin to reduce or prevent odor.