Abstract:
The design, development, and testing of a light therapy device designed to be used for laboratory
sleep disorder research and the efficacy of light therapy are expounded in detail in this
study. Disorders of sleep, especially those caused by irregular circadian rhythms, are a major
public health concern. Even while light therapy showed promise as a non-pharmacologic
treatment, there is a necessity for equipment that provides controlled and reproducible light
delivery for clinical and research applications. The need for controlled and reproducible light
exposure amounts to solid scientific inquiry, which this light therapy equipment provided. The
product emits primarily blue light of a wavelength of 460–480 nm, which has been reported to
stimulate melanopsin receptors in the eye and effectively regulate the human biological clock.
Some of the important therapeutic features of the design include an intensity-adjustable light
that conforms to the 10,000 lux clinically accepted norm. In order to achieve even light distribution
and deliver a homogenous light field, special internal reflectors and diffusion lenses
were incorporated. The device also has an ergonomic design, which emphasises portability and
lightness. This makes fundamental research on the control of circadian rhythm feasible and
renders it very applicable to use in lab animals. To ensure the device is durable and dissipates
heat effectively, it is built with materials like ABS plastic and anodised aluminum. Some important
safety features like an automatic shut-off timer to avoid overexposure and active thermal
control, are designed into the equipment. A lux meter was used for light intensity calibration, a
spectrometer for wavelength accuracy check, and a beam profiling camera for spatial distribution
check as part of the thorough pre-testing protocol. This protocol proved that the equipment
complied with and exceeded accepted therapy standards. The findings depict the potential role
of the therapy device in circadian rhythm studies through ensuring that it is capable of emitting
accurate, consistent, and safe light for exposure. This study brings new avenues for sleep health
studies, optimising treatment duration, and achieving deeper insights into the influence of light
on biological rhythms through the introduction of a non-invasive, reliable tool in light therapy.
