Dual-Mode LED Carrier for Position-Aware Phototherapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current phototherapy systems for treating jaundice in newborns are inefficient in terms of manufacturing costs and require additional sensors for position detection, leading to increased energy usage and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A phototherapy system utilizing an LED array that can switch between emission and detection modes, allowing LEDs to function as both light sources and sensors, eliminating the need for additional sensors and optimizing energy usage by only illuminating necessary areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional sensors are used to detect subject position, then position detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The LED serves dual functions: as a light source for phototherapy and as a sensor for position detection. By switching between emission mode (for phototherapy) and detection mode (for position sensing), the same component performs multiple functions, eliminating the need for separate sensors and reducing device complexity while maintaining position detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the light source and sensor functions into a single LED component. The LED array is used both to emit therapeutic light and to detect subject position through changes in reflected light, merging what would traditionally be separate components into one integrated system
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors are used to detect subject position, then position detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The LED serves dual functions: as a light source for phototherapy and as a sensor for position detection. By switching between emission mode (for phototherapy) and detection mode (for position sensing), the same component performs multiple functions, eliminating the need for separate sensors and reducing device complexity while maintaining position detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the light source and sensor functions into a single LED component. The LED array is used both to emit therapeutic light and to detect subject position through changes in reflected light, merging what would traditionally be separate components into one integrated system
3Area of stationary object
If LED array illuminates large area, then phototherapy coverage is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system illuminates only the specific local area where the subject is detected rather than uniformly illuminating the entire available area. By using detected position information to control which LEDs are activated, energy is concentrated on the subject's location, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining adequate phototherapy coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination pattern dynamically adapts to the subject's position. As the subject moves, the active LED regions are adjusted to follow and illuminate only the area where the subject is located, rather than maintaining static full-area illumination, thereby reducing energy consumption while preserving coverage
4Area of stationary object
If LED array illuminates large area, then phototherapy coverage is improved, but thermal load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system illuminates only the specific local area where the subject is detected rather than uniformly illuminating the entire available area. By using detected position information to control which LEDs are activated, energy is concentrated on the subject's location, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining adequate phototherapy coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination pattern dynamically adapts to the subject's position. As the subject moves, the active LED regions are adjusted to follow and illuminate only the area where the subject is located, rather than maintaining static full-area illumination, thereby reducing energy consumption while preserving coverage
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
This approach reduces manufacturing costs, increases battery operation time, and allows for higher optical output power, effectively treating jaundice while minimizing energy leakage and thermal load.
Implementation Method 1
a set of LEDs, wherein at least a first subset of LEDs of said set is arranged in or at the LED carrier
Implementation Method 2
an LED emits electromagnetic radiation in the direction of the subject
Implementation Method 3
an LED generates a detection signal in dependence on the electromagnetic radiation incident on the LED
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a phototherapy system comprising an LED carrier (10) for being arranged on or under a subject (100), a set (12; 24, 26; 36) of LEDs (13; 23, 25; 33, 35), wherein at least a first subset (12; 24; 34) of LEDs (13; 23; 33) of said set is arranged in or at the LED carrier (10), a control unit (15) for controlling one or more LEDs (13; 23; 33) of said first subset (12; 24; 34) to switch between an emission mode, in which an LED emits electromagnetic radiation in the direction of the subject, and a detection mode, in which an LED generates a detection signal in dependence on the electromagnetic radiation incident on the LED, and a position determination unit (16) for determining the position of a subject with respect to the LED carrier based on the detection signals of one or more LEDs (13; 23; 33) of said first subset (12; 24; 34) in the detection mode, wherein the control unit (15) is configured to control one or more LEDs (13; 23, 25; 33, 35) to switch into the emission mode based on the determined position of the subject such that their emitted electromagnetic radiation provides phototherapy for the subject. A vital signs determination unit (17) is provided for determining one or more vital signs of the subject from one or more detection signals generated by one or more LEDs of said first subset.