Methods, systems, and apparatus for modulating or reducing photophobic responses
Inventors
Blair, Steven M. • Katz, Bradley Jay
Assignees
University of Utah • University of Utah Research Foundation Inc
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Publication Number
US-12383698-B2
Publication Date
2025-08-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
An optical filter may reduce the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses or for modulating circadian cycles by controlling light exposure to cells in the human eye in certain wavelengths, such as 480 nm and 590 nm, and a visual spectral response of the human eye. The optical filter may disrupt the isomerization of melanopsin in the human eye reducing the availability of the active isoform, whereas the attenuation of light weighted across the action potential spectrum of the active isoform attenuates the phototransduction cascade leading to photophobic responses. Embodiments of an optical filter are described. In one embodiment an optical filter may be configured to transmit less than a first amount of light in certain wavelengths, and to transmit more than a second amount of light weighted across the visual spectral response. Methods of use and methods of manufacturing optical filters are also described.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to reducing the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses and/or modulating circadian cycles by controlling exposure of cells in a retina. It uses an optical filter configured relative to a visible spectrum range of 400 nm to 700 nm to control how light reaches receptive cells, including melanopsin ganglion cells, while maintaining transmission across portions of the visual spectrum.
The filter transmits wavelength-averaged light doses or transmission fractions in specified wavelength ranges, including a first wavelength range between 565 nm and 615 nm, a second wavelength range between 454 nm and 506 nm, and a third wavelength range within the visible spectrum between 506 nm and 565 nm. A key aspect is defining figures of merit based on ratios comparing dose or transmission in wavelength bands with and without the optical filter.
The figure of merit is determined using dose experienced by receptive cells of a subject and dose experienced by melanopsin ganglion cells, or using transmission fractions between the melanopsin band and the visual spectrum. The optical filter includes a dye and is constrained to chromaticity coordinates with an x-coordinate between 0.367 and 0.386 and a y-coordinate between 0.359 and 0.376.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides five independent claims that cover an apparatus using an optical filter to reduce photophobic responses and/or modulate circadian cycles. Across the claims, the independent claims include spectral band control, defined figures of merit, performance thresholds, dye inclusion, and chromaticity coordinate constraints.
Retinal exposure control using wavelength-averaged optical filter with dual figures of merit
An apparatus for reducing photophobic responses or modulating circadian cycles by controlling exposure of cells in a retina, using an optical filter configured to transmit wavelength-averaged light across first, second, and third visible-spectrum wavelength ranges and defining FOM1 and FOM2 ratios based on dose comparisons with and without the optical filter, with FOM1 at least 1.3 and FOM2 at least 1.3.
Transmission-fraction-based melanopsin band attenuation with chromaticity-constrained dye filter
An apparatus for reducing the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses by controlling light exposure to melanopsin ganglion cells in a retina, using an optical filter in which an averaged transmission fraction between 454 nm and 506 nm is less than a reference amount and transmission outside that band is greater than a reference amount, with a defined FOM required to be at least 1.3.
Dose-based blue-band versus visual-spectrum figure of merit with dye and chromaticity
An apparatus for reducing the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses by controlling light exposure to melanopsin ganglion cells in a retina, using an optical filter that transmits less than a first amount of light averaged between 454 nm and 506 nm and more than a second amount of light averaged across the remaining visible spectrum, defining a dose-based FOM required to be at least 1.3.
Three-band dosage optical filter with two figures of merit and constrained chromaticity
An apparatus for reducing photophobic responses or modulating circadian cycles by controlling exposure of cells in a retina, using an optical filter configured to deliver a first dosage between 565 nm and 615 nm, a second dosage between 454 nm and 506 nm, and a third dosage between 506 nm and 565 nm, defining FOM1 and FOM2 ratios based on dosage comparisons with and without the optical filter, with both FOM1 and FOM2 at least 1.3.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is an apparatus that uses an optical filter, including a dye, to control retinal exposure using specified wavelength bands, with performance defined by figures of merit derived from dose or transmission comparisons with and without the optical filter and enforced by minimum thresholds. Each independent claim further constrains the filter chromaticity coordinates to x between 0.367 and 0.386 and y between 0.359 and 0.376.
Stated Advantages
Reducing the frequency and/or severity of photophobic responses.
Modulating circadian cycles.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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