Optical Guide Angled Facets Light Handpiece

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handpieces for light flash treatments, such as hair removal and photorejuvenation, face challenges in achieving high surface energy density at the output with efficient electrical energy usage, leading to reduced lamp lifespan and limited treatment area.

Innovation Solution

A handpiece design featuring a flat or partially flat entry and exit face with angled facets in the optical guide, a porous ceramic reflector, and a cooling system, which allows for increased surface energy density and reduced glare, enabling faster treatments with lower electrical energy input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a conventional optical guide with constant angle side faces is used, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but the surface energy density at the output is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface energy densityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The optical guide transitions from a static structure with constant angle side faces to a dynamic structure where the angle of side faces varies along the length. The angle increases from the input face toward the output face, creating an optimized light concentration path that increases surface energy density at the output while remaining manufacturable through precision machining or molding techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If higher electrical energy is sent to the flash lamp, then greater treatment energy is available, but the lamp lifespan is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment energyVSAvoidlamp lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the optical parameters of the system by implementing an optical guide with variable angle side faces. This optical design improvement allows for more efficient light transmission and concentration, achieving the same treatment energy output with lower electrical energy input to the flash lamp, thereby extending lamp lifespan while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If the optical guide has a smaller output cross section, then surface energy density increases, but the treatment area is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface energy densityVSAvoidtreatment area
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention resolves the contradiction between surface energy density and treatment area by utilizing the dimensional space along the length of the optical guide. The variable angle side faces create a gradual transition in the cross-sectional area from input to output, allowing the light to be concentrated along the propagation path while maintaining a sufficiently large output face area for adequate treatment coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Device complexity

If the flash lamp is positioned inside the optical guide, then the structure is compact, but maintenance and replacement are difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidlamp maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the flash lamp from the interior of the optical guide and positions it externally at the input end. This separation allows the flash lamp to be easily accessed, maintained, and replaced without disassembling the optical guide structure, while the optical guide itself remains as a separate, stable component. The lamp is positioned to illuminate the input face of the optical guide, maintaining functional integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design achieves higher surface energy density and extended treatment areas with reduced electrical energy consumption, prolonging lamp life and facilitating easier maintenance by positioning the flash lamp externally.

Implementation Method 1

The handpiece has a porous ceramic reflector to reflect the light emitted by the flash lamp towards the entrance face

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

an optical guide (17) having an entrance face (19) and an exit face (20), the optical guide having a lateral surface extending between the entrance and exit faces, the lateral surface forming with a longitudinal axis of the optical guide an angle which increases on approaching the exit face

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP1749495B1Handpiece for a treatment apparatus using flashes of light
Publication Date: 2012.10.17 EUROFEEDBACK
  • EP1749495B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP1749495B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1749495B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The piece has an optical waveguide (17) covered with opaque coating and comprising an input surface (19) for receiving light from a flash lamp and output surface (20) applied against a skin, where the output surface is widened less than the input surface. A gel is interposed between the output surface and skin. The waveguide has a lateral surface provided between the input surface and output surface and arranged to reflect the light towards the output surface. The lateral surface comprises lateral sides (24) with a portion that makes an angle with an axis (X) of the waveguide.