Dermoscopy Illumination Device Using Polarized Orange Light
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current dermoscopy devices using white light struggle to visualize deep pigmentation structures due to blue tinted light being absorbed superficially, limiting the detection of skin cancers and other skin diseases.
Innovation Solution
The use of a dermoscopy device with an array of LEDs that includes cross-polarized white light and polarized orange light in the 581-600 nm range, enhancing penetration depth and reducing glare, allowing for improved visualization of deeper skin structures and pigmentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If white light with blue tint is used for illumination, then surface illumination is achieved, but blue light is absorbed superficially and cannot penetrate deep into skin tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the illumination light from blue-tinted white light to orange light (580-620 nm). This parameter change allows the light to penetrate deeper into skin tissue (1-2 mm) while maintaining illumination capability, resolving the contradiction between surface illumination and penetration depth.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If polarized light is used to reduce surface reflection, then glare is reduced, but light penetration depth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines polarization with orange light wavelength parameter change. The orange light polarization reduces surface glare while the longer wavelength enables deeper penetration (1-2 mm) compared to conventional polarized white light, resolving both the glare reduction and penetration depth requirements.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional white light LEDs are used, then broad spectrum illumination is provided, but blue light component causes superficial absorption and poor visualization of deep pigmentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic blue light component from the broad spectrum white light and replaces it with orange light (580-620 nm). This extraction eliminates the superficial absorption issue while maintaining illumination capability, enabling clear visualization of deep pigmentation structures that were previously hidden.
4Length of stationary object
If transillumination technique is used with direct skin contact, then deeper structures can be viewed, but the technique is different from surface illumination and requires direct contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the illumination device universal by enabling both surface illumination and transillumination modes with the same orange light LED array. The device can illuminate the skin surface for general examination and also provide transillumination for viewing deeper structures without requiring separate devices or techniques, improving ease of operation.
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 device enables deeper imaging of skin pigmentation and blood vessels, improving early detection of skin cancers by utilizing orange light, which penetrates between 1-2 mm below the skin surface, while reducing surface glare.
Implementation Method 1
Different colored light penetrates to different depths in human skin tissue. Specific color wavelengths are absorbed differently by different components of the skin tissue. Orange light penetrates between 1-2 mm below the skin surface.
Implementation Method 2
Dermoscopy devices that use light along with magnification can utilize polarizers or liquid-glass interface to reduce surface reflection and see deeper in to the skin.
Implementation Method 3
a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are concentrically positioned around a magnifying lens to assist in lighting of a magnified image
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination device used in dermoscopy for enhanced imaging and illumination of the skin for medical examination and treatment. An array of LEDs encircle a magnifying lens assembly. One set of surrounding LEDs provides cross-polarized white light to aid in canceling the reflected light from the skin and creating less glare. Another set of surrounding LEDs provides non-polarized white light for traditional immersion fluid dermoscopy or for non-polarized viewing of the skin. A third set of surrounding LEDs provides polarized colored light, wherein the wavelength color is selected at a color wavelength that maximizes the viewing of skin pigment regions which is important for early detection of skin cancers and other skin diseases. In one embodiment, the colored LEDs comprise orange light at a wavelength in the range of 581 nm to 600 nm wavelengths.