Philips launch wearable light treatment for psoriasis

[Fred]

I can't see this helping people with a large amount of psoriasis, but it does sound like a good idea for those with the odd stubborn patch. What do you think?

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Philips launches BlueControl, the world’s first wearable blue LED light therapy device to treat

Royal Philips, the global leader in lighting, today announces the launch of Philips BlueControl, a clinically tested wearable medical device that uses blue LED light to control mild to moderate cases of psoriasis vulgaris. It will be prescribed by physicians and available through distributors in The Netherlands, Germany and The UK from October 2014.

Philips conducted two clinical trials in partnership with the University Hospital of Aachen to investigate the efficacy and safety of Philips BlueControl to reduce the symptoms of psoriasis vulgaris. In the second trial that took place over 4 months (completed in June 2014), patients were treated for 12 weeks. The results showed a 50% reduction on average of symptoms according to the Local Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) which measures the severity of psoriasis plaques (thickness, redness and scaling). No negative side-effects of the blue LED light treatment were observed.

Philips BlueControl has been developed to be easily integrated into a patient’s daily routine and reduces the need for physician’s visits. Worn simply by adjusting a strap on affected arms, legs, elbows and knees, the UV-free blue LED light therapy is enabled by 40 high-intensity blue LEDs with tailored light settings. Designed with the patient in mind, the battery-driven device can be used anytime and anywhere.

“Research proves that blue LED light treatment slows down rapid cell division6 and can also reduce inflammation.7 This research has enabled us to develop, for the first time, an unprecedented treatment device that can make a real difference to the lives of sufferers psoriasis vulgaris.” says Matthias Born, Head of Clinical Affairs for Philips’ Light and Health business.

LEDs for medical treatments require special features which exceed those of conventional LEDs, including high intensities and tailored adjustments such as pulsed LED light. Philips BlueControl is the result of rigorous research with clinical and academic partners and a complex optimization procedure to enable medical grade features to be included in a compact, easy-to-use design.

Source: philips.com