Self-Adhesive Bandage With Surface-Embedded Light Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bandages with embedded LEDs have the absorbent pad material shading the light, reducing its effectiveness in illuminating the surface.
Innovation Solution
Interweaving side-emitting fiber optic strands or embedding LED chips into the absorbent pad's outer surface, allowing light to illuminate the surface without obstruction, and incorporating a flexible circuit board with a magnetically activated switch, battery, timer, and relay for timed light delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional bandages with embedded LEDs use absorbent pad material to cover the light source, then the bandage provides absorbency function, but the absorbent pad material shades the light and reduces illumination effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source from the conventional embedded LED position and relocates it to the outer surface of the absorbent pad. This allows the light to be emitted directly from the surface without being shaded by the absorbent pad material, while the absorbency function is maintained through the pad's inherent properties. The light source is positioned to illuminate outward rather than being obscured by surrounding materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the light source from a conventional embedded position (internal dimension) to an outer surface position (external dimension). This dimensional change allows light to be emitted in the outward direction without obstruction, while the absorbent pad continues to perform its function from the same structural position, effectively separating the light emission path from the light-shading problem.
2Duration of action of moving object
If LEDs are embedded deep in the bandage, then the light can be delivered to the wound area, but the absorbent pad material blocks and shades the light before it reaches the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source from the deep embedded position within the bandage structure and relocates it to the outer surface of the absorbent pad. This eliminates the shading effect caused by the absorbent pad material while maintaining the timed light delivery function through the integrated circuit board and control mechanisms. The light source is positioned to emit directly outward without obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a timer and control circuitry that activates the light source at predetermined times. The light source is positioned on the outer surface to ensure that when activated, the light is immediately effective without being blocked. The preliminary positioning of the light source on the surface, combined with timed activation, ensures both duration and intensity requirements are met.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the absorbent pad is made opaque to provide coverage, then the bandage provides protective coverage, but light cannot penetrate through to illuminate the surface effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source from within the opaque absorbent pad material and positions it on the outer surface. This allows the absorbent pad to maintain its opaque protective coverage function while the light source, positioned externally, illuminates the surface without being blocked by the opaque material. The light emission path is separated from the protective coverage function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attempting to penetrate light through the opaque absorbent pad material (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by positioning the light source on the outer surface to emit light outward. This reversal of the light delivery direction eliminates the need for light penetration through opaque material while maintaining both protective coverage and effective illumination.
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 solution ensures consistent light infusion to the surface, providing photodynamic sanitation and potential pain management, effectively preventing microbial growth and treating infections, while maintaining standard absorbency performance.
Implementation Method 1
interweaving side emitting fiber optic strands or embedding LED chips into the absorbent pad's outer surface
Implementation Method 2
embedding LED chips into the absorbent pad's outer surface
Implementation Method 3
magnetically activated switch
Data Source
AI summary
A Band-Aid type self-adhesive bandage whose absorbent pad outer surface is photodynamically sanitized while maintaining standard absorbency performance.