NIR Therapy Waveguide with Collimated Uniform Light Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional NIR light therapy devices are inflexible, cause discomfort, and can lead to patient injury due to heat generation and ineffective targeting of deep tissue, making them unsuitable for a wide range of patients.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide system with a flexible silicone material, reflective coating, and integrated cooling system to deliver NIR light safely and effectively to the skin surface, minimizing heat and ensuring uniform light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rigid NIR light therapy devices are used, then light delivery to body tissue is achieved, but unwanted pressure is applied to the body region causing patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible waveguide made of silicone material that can conform to various body contours. The waveguide includes a flexible housing with light-emitting elements embedded within, allowing it to adapt to different body regions without applying excessive pressure. The flexible construction maintains reliable light delivery while eliminating the pressure-related discomfort associated with rigid devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable light-emitting elements that can be dynamically positioned and controlled. The flexible waveguide can be adjusted to different shapes and configurations to suit various patient anatomies, enabling the device to maintain effective light delivery while adapting to individual patient needs and reducing unwanted pressure on specific areas.
2Stability of the object's composition
If inflexible materials are used in NIR light therapy devices, then structural stability is maintained, but the device becomes unsuitable for a wide variety of patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a flexible silicone waveguide that can be molded into various shapes and configurations. This flexible construction allows the device to adapt to different patient anatomies including adults, children, and infants, while the material properties maintain sufficient structural stability to support the light-emitting elements and ensure reliable light delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs composite construction combining flexible silicone material with embedded light-emitting diodes and optical components. This composite approach maintains structural stability through the integrated assembly while the flexible silicone exterior provides adaptability to various patient body types and contours.
3Reliability
If NIR light is delivered to body tissue, then therapeutic treatment is achieved, but heat is generated through absorption by hair and tissues causing discomfort and potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates active cooling elements and thermally conductive materials that convert the harmful heat generated by NIR light absorption into beneficial thermal management. The cooling system actively removes excess heat from the treatment area, preventing thermal injury while maintaining the therapeutic effects of the NIR light. The flexible waveguide also distributes heat more evenly across the treatment surface, reducing localized hot spots.
4Ease of operation
If conventional NIR light therapy devices target superficial tissue, then ease of light delivery is achieved, but deep tissue treatment is ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple light-emitting elements arranged in a three-dimensional configuration within the flexible waveguide. This spatial arrangement enables light to be delivered from multiple angles and depths, allowing effective penetration to deep tissue while maintaining ease of operation through a single wearable device application. The multi-dimensional light delivery overcomes the limitation of superficial-only treatment.
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 system provides comfortable, adaptable NIR light therapy that effectively targets deep tissue, reducing discomfort and heat-related issues, suitable for various patient groups.
Implementation Method 1
an extraction portion comprising a plurality of extraction features adapted to redirect light received from the light entry portion
Implementation Method 2
The light entry portion includes an aspherical lens. The light entry portion can further include a light channel so that light entering the aspherical lens is dispersed and passes along the light channel
Implementation Method 3
In some embodiments, at least one outer surface of the waveguide can further comprise reflective coating adjacent thereto
Data Source
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Figure 1C
AI summary
A near-infrared (NIR) light therapy device having at least one NIR light source and a waveguide having i) a NIR light input surface and ii) a NIR light emitting surface. The waveguide includes a lens feature forming the NIR light input surface. The lens feature is configured to at least substantially collimate treatment NIR light from the at least one NIR light source and convey substantially collimated light in a first direction through the waveguide. The waveguide also includes a plurality of extractive surfaces on a surface of the waveguide that is configured to reflect the substantially collimated light through the light emitting surface to a subject. The plurality of extractive surfaces is also configured to create a substantially uniform NIR light output across the light emitting surface.