Method and apparatus for managing photophobia and migraine photophobia

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018177976-A1
Application number	US-201615736555-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 17, 2016
Priority date	Jun 19, 2015
Publication date	Jun 28, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for producing narrow-band radiation in the green region of the visible spectrum are described. The narrow-band radiation may be used to aid subjects experiencing photophobia. In some cases, subjects may experience a reduction in pain (e.g., migraine photophobia) when using the narrow-band radiation.

First claim

1 . A narrow-band light source comprising:
an optical source configured to emit visible radiation at a characteristic wavelength only in a wavelength range between 510 nm and 550 nm having a bandwidth no larger than 20 nm full-width-half-maximum; and optical components arranged to spread the radiation over an area that is at least one foot in diameter.

2 . The narrow-band light source of claim 1 , wherein the optical source is configured to produce a luminance between approximately 1 cd/m 2 and approximately 70 cd/m 2 at a specified working distance from the narrow-band light source.

3 . The narrow-band light source of claim 1 , wherein the optical source is configured to produce a luminance between approximately 1 cd/m 2 and approximately 5 cd/m 2 at a specified working distance from the narrow-band light source.

4 . The narrow-band light source of claim 1 , wherein the narrow-band light source is configured as a desk lamp or floor lamp and the specified working distance is between 1 foot and 3 feet.

5 . The narrow-band light source of claim 1 , wherein the narrow-band light source is configured as a ceiling lamp and the specified working distance is between 3 feet and 10 feet.

6 . The narrow-band light source of claim 1 , wherein the optical components comprise at least one diverging lens.

7 . The narrow-band light source of any one of claim 1 , wherein the optical components comprise at least one diffusing optic.

8 . The narrow-band light source of claim 1 , wherein the optical components comprise a slab waveguide.

9 . The narrow-band light source of claim 1 , wherein the optical source comprises one or more laser diodes.

10 . The narrow-band light source of claim 1 , wherein the optical source comprises one or more light-emitting diodes.

11 . The narrow-band light source of claim 1 , wherein the optical source comprises phosphor or fluorescent material that converts shorter wavelength radiation to radiation having the characteristic wavelength.

12 . The narrow-band light source of claim 1 , further comprising a power supply.

13 . The narrow-band light source of claim 12 , wherein the power supply comprises:
a power converter; and a voltage-controlled current source.

14 . A narrow-band light source comprising an optical source configured to emit visible radiation at a characteristic wavelength only in a wavelength range between 510 nm and 550 nm and with a luminance between approximately 1 cd/m 2 and approximately 70 cd/m 2 at a specified working distance from the narrow-band light source.

15 . The narrow-band light source of claim 14 , wherein a bandwidth of the visible radiation is no larger than 20 nm full-width-half-maximum.

16 . The narrow-band light source of claim 14 , wherein the optical source comprises one or more laser diodes.

17 . The narrow-band light source of claim 14 , wherein the optical source comprises one or more light-emitting diodes.

18 . The narrow-band light source of claim 14 , wherein the optical source comprises phosphor or fluorescent material that converts shorter wavelength radiation to radiation having the characteristic wavelength.

19 . The narrow-band light source of claim 14 , wherein the optical components comprise at least one diverging lens.

20 . The narrow-band light source of claim 14 , wherein the optical components comprise at least one diffusing optic.

21 . The narrow-band light source of claim 14 , wherein the optical components comprise a slab waveguide.

22 . The narrow-band light source of claim 14 , further comprising a power supply.

23 . The narrow-band light source of claim 22 , wherein the power supply comprises:
a power converter; and a voltage-controlled current source.

24 . Narrow-band eyeglasses comprising:
a frame; two lenses; shielding attached to the frame and arranged to block light that would bypass the two lenses and enter a user's eyes; and optical filters formed on the two lenses and configured to transmit a visible wavelength range only between 510 nm and 550 nm.

25 . The narrow-band eyeglasses of claim 24 , wherein the transmitted visible wavelength range has a bandwidth no larger than 20 nm full-width-half-maximum.

26 . The narrow-band eyeglasses of claim 24 , wherein a luminance for the transmitted visible wavelength range is no greater than 70 cd/m 2 for either daylight or a standard lit room.

27 . The narrow-band eyeglasses of claim 24 , wherein a luminance for the transmitted visible wavelength range is no greater than 5 cd/m 2 for either daylight or a standard lit room.

28 . The narrow-band eyeglasses of claim 24 , wherein the optical filters comprise multi-layer coatings.

29 . The narrow-band eyeglasses of claim 24 , wherein the optical filters comprise multi-layer dielectric bandpass interference filters.

30 . The narrow-band eyeglasses of claim 24 , wherein the optical filters comprise metal-dielectric multi-layer blocking filters.

31 . The narrow-band eyeglasses of claim 24 , wherein the optical filters comprise colored glass.

32 . The narrow-band eyeglasses of claim 24 , further comprising microchannels formed in the two lenses that limit the acceptance angle of light passed by the two lenses.

33 . The narrow-band eyeglasses of claim 24 , wherein the optical filters comprise optical attenuators.

34 . A method comprising:
providing an enclosed environment for a subject; blocking visible radiation from the enclosed environment; and lighting the enclosed environment with radiation at a characteristic wavelength only in a wavelength range between 510 nm and 550 nm with a bandwidth no larger than 20 nm full-width-half-maximum.

35 . The method of claim 34 , further comprising producing a luminance between approximately 1 cd/m 2 and approximately 70 cd/m 2 at a location of the subject.

Assignees

• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Ct Inc

Inventors

• Burstein Rami

Classifications

• F21S6/005

  with a lamp housing maintained at a distance from the floor or ground via a support, e.g. standing lamp for ambient lighting · CPC title

• A61M21/02 Primary

  for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia (for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021) · CPC title

• F21Y2115/30

  Semiconductor lasers · CPC title

• F21S6/003

  for task lighting, e.g. for reading or desk work, e.g. angle poise lamps · CPC title

• G02C2202/10

  Optical elements and systems for visual disorders other than refractive errors, low vision · CPC title