Animal phototherapeutic system

Abstract

Light-based systems and methods are provided with targeted antibacterial action for mouth care in animals such as dogs. In various embodiments, the device includes a substantially impermeable shell. The shell has an outer surface. The outer surface has at least one substantially transparent region. The device further includes at least one light-emitting diode disposed within the shell. The at least one light-emitting diode is adapted to emit light having a wavelength between about 400 nm and about 1,000 nm when powered. The at least one light-emitting diode is configured to provide an average light intensity of between about 10 and about 50 mW/cm2 across the at least one substantially transparent region of the outer surface. The device further includes a power source disposed within the shell. The device further includes a switch at least partially disposed within the shell and adapted to control current flow from the power source to the at least one light-emitting diode.

1 . A device comprising:
 a substantially impermeable shell, the shell having an outer surface, the outer surface having at least one substantially transparent region;   at least one light-emitting diode disposed within the shell, the at least one light-emitting diode being adapted to emit light having a wavelength between about 400 nm and about 1,000 nm when powered, the at least one light-emitting diode being configured to provide an average light intensity of between about 10 and about 50 mW/cm 2  across the   at least one substantially transparent region of the outer surface;   a power source disposed within the shell;   a switch disposed at least partially within the shell and adapted to control current flow from the power source to the at least one light-emitting diode.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one light-emitting diode is adapted to emit light having a wavelength between about 400 nm and about 700 nm when powered. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one light-emitting diode is adapted to emit light having a wavelength between about 400 nm and about 500 nm when powered. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one light-emitting diode is adapted to emit light having a wavelength of about 455 nm when powered. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the shell comprises a handle portion and a diffuser portion, the at least one substantially transparent region being located on the diffuser portion and the power source being disposed within handle portion. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an inductive coupling port electrically coupled to the power source. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor being operatively coupled to the switch. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the pressure sensor is adapted to activate the switch upon detection of pressure exceeding a predetermined value. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a strain sensor, the strain sensor being operatively coupled to the switch. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the strain sensor is adapted to activate the switch upon detection of strain exceeding a predetermined value. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an IR receiver, the IR receiver being operatively coupled to the switch. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , the IR receiver being adapted to activate the switch or deactivate the switch upon detection of an IR control signal. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an RF receiver, the RF receiver being operatively coupled to the switch. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , the RF receiver being adapted to activate the switch or deactivate the switch upon receipt of a control signal. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one light-emitting diode is disposed within the diffuser portion. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one light-emitting diode is disposed within the handle portion. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a reservoir containing a flavoring agent or a medication. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the reservoir is in fluid communication with a pump adapted to dispose the contents of the reservoir on the outer surface. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 1 , the at least one light-emitting diode being configured to provide an average light intensity of about 25 mW/cm 2  across the at least one substantially transparent region of the outer surface. 
     
     
         28 . A method comprising:
 providing a device to a non-human animal, the device comprising
 a substantially impermeable shell, the shell having an outer surface, the outer surface having at least one substantially transparent region, 
 at least one light-emitting diode disposed within the shell, and 
 a power source disposed within the shell; 
 powering the at least one light-emitting diode from the power source, the at least one light-emitting diode thereby emitting light having a wavelength between about 400 nm and about 1,000 nm with an average light intensity of between about 10 and about 50 mW/cm 2  across the at least one substantially transparent region of the outer surface of the device.