Wearable light stimulation systems and methods

Abstract

Light stimulation systems and methods for elevating testosterone levels in male patients.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A light stimulation system for providing irradiance therapy to an individual, the light stimulation system comprising:
 a structure carrying a plurality of light emitters configured to emit at least one selected wavelength between 400 nm and 850 nm, wherein the structure is configured to be positioned in a wearable undergarment of the individual to irradiate a groin of the individual; and   a controller configured to activate the plurality of light emitters to provide a selected irradiance in a duty cycle consisting of an ON and OFF sequence, wherein ON intervals total at least 5 minutes over at least a 30 minute period and where the plurality of light emitters provides an irradiance in the range of 20 mW/cm 2  to 200 mW/cm 2 .   
     
     
         3 . The light stimulation system of  claim 2 , wherein the ON intervals total at least 5 minutes per hour over at least a 2 hour period. 
     
     
         4 . The light stimulation system of  claim 2 , wherein the ON intervals total 10 minutes per hour over at least a 1 hour period. 
     
     
         5 . The light stimulation system of  claim 2 , wherein the irradiance is from 20 mW/cm 2  to 200 mW/cm 2 . 
     
     
         6 . The light stimulation system of  claim 2 , wherein the irradiance is from 50 mW/cm 2  to 150 mW/cm 2 . 
     
     
         7 . The light stimulation system of  claim 2 , wherein the irradiance is from 80 mW/cm 2  to 120 mW/cm 2 . 
     
     
         8 . The light stimulation system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of light emitters comprise an array of 2 to 200 LEDs. 
     
     
         9 . The light stimulation system of  claim 8  wherein the array is carried by a flexible substrate. 
     
     
         10 . The light stimulation system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of light emitters comprise side-emitting optical fibers. 
     
     
         11 . The light stimulation system of  claim 10 , wherein the optical fibers are carried in a fabric. 
     
     
         12 . The light stimulation system of  claim 11 , wherein the fabric is separate from the wearable garment. 
     
     
         13 . The light stimulation system of  claim 11 , wherein the fabric is integrated in the wearable garment. 
     
     
         14 . The light stimulation system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to modulate operating parameters of the plurality of light emitters, consisting of (i) at least one selected wavelength, (ii) irradiance, and (iii) duty cycle. 
     
     
         15 . The light stimulation system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to activate the ON and OFF sequence with an ON interval ranging from 1 millisecond to 30 minutes and an OFF interval ranging from 1 millisecond to 10 minutes. 
     
     
         16 . The light stimulation system of  claim 2 , further comprising a temperature sensor coupled to the structure. 
     
     
         17 . The light stimulation system of  claim 16 , wherein the controller is adapted to modulate operating parameters of the plurality of light emitters in response to signals from the temperature sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The light stimulation system of  claim 2 , further comprising a portable module carrying the controller and a power source, wherein the plurality of light emitters are operatively connected to the module. 
     
     
         19 . The light stimulation system of  claim 2 , further comprising a cooling mechanism configured to be carried by the wearable garment and comprising at least one of a Peltier element, a flat flexible polymer heat pipe and a heat sink element. 
     
     
         20 . The light stimulation system of  claim 2 , further comprising a sensing mechanism configured to be carried by the wearable garment, wherein the sensing mechanism is selected from the group of: pulse oximeters, impedance sensors and capacitance sensors. 
     
     
         21 . The light stimulation system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of light emitters are spaced apart from a perimeter of the structure by at least 5 mm.