Flexible Light Therapy Pad for Large-Area Deep Tissue Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light therapy devices are limited in their ability to effectively deliver light energy to large areas of the body and penetrate to desired depths for therapeutic benefits, particularly in flexible and conformable configurations.
Innovation Solution
A deformable light emitting pad with flexible circuitry and a power source that can deliver 2-10 Joules per cm. sq. of light energy to target treatment zones up to 25 mm below the skin surface, using red, blue, or near-infrared LEDs, and can be shaped to conform to body parts for comprehensive light therapy delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid light therapy device is used, then the light delivery structure is stable and easy to manufacture, but the device cannot conform to body contours for comprehensive light therapy delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible circuit board as the substrate for mounting LED arrays, replacing rigid printed circuit boards. This flexible substrate allows the light therapy device to conform to curved body surfaces while maintaining electrical connectivity and structural integrity. The flexible nature enables comprehensive light delivery to body contours without requiring complex mechanical articulation mechanisms.
2Area of stationary object
If the light therapy device covers large body areas, then comprehensive treatment is achieved, but the light energy penetration depth to target tissues is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The light therapy device is divided into multiple LED array modules that can be independently controlled. Each module delivers concentrated light energy to specific treatment zones, ensuring sufficient penetration depth. The segmented structure allows the device to cover large body areas while maintaining high light intensity at each segment through independent operation and optimized LED spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light therapy device can be configured with different LED wavelengths, intensities, and patterns tailored to specific treatment requirements. This local optimization ensures that each area receives appropriate light energy for effective penetration and therapeutic effect, rather than using a uniform configuration across the entire device surface.
3Power
If high power LEDs are used to increase light energy delivery, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but the device generates excessive heat affecting skin safety
Solution Approach 1:
The light therapy device operates LED arrays in pulsed or intermittent cycles rather than continuous operation. This periodic activation allows heat dissipation between pulses while maintaining high peak power delivery during active periods. The duty cycle can be adjusted to balance therapeutic effectiveness with thermal management, preventing excessive heat accumulation on the skin.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal management components such as heat sinks, thermal interface materials, and cooling channels are introduced as intermediaries between the high-power LEDs and the skin. These intermediaries conduct and dissipate heat away from the treatment area, allowing high power LED operation without directly transferring excessive heat to the patient's skin.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the light therapy device is made flexible and deformable, then conformability to body parts is improved, but the structural stability and light emission consistency are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible circuit board maintains consistent electrical traces and LED positioning even when deformed to conform to body surfaces. The rigid positioning of LEDs relative to each other on the flexible substrate ensures uniform light emission patterns and spacing, preserving light emission consistency while enabling body contour adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible circuit board is pre-configured with precisely positioned LED mounting locations and electrical connections before device assembly. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the device is deformed to fit body contours, the relative positions and emission characteristics of LEDs remain consistent, maintaining uniform light therapy delivery across different body surfaces.
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 enables efficient delivery of light therapy to extensive body areas with controlled penetration depths, enhancing therapeutic outcomes such as ATP upregulation, and offers flexible, customizable application for various treatment modes.
Implementation Method 1
using red, blue, or near-infrared LEDs
Data Source
AI summary
Battery powered light therapy systems capable of delivering 2-10 Joules per cm. sq. of light energy to a target treatment zone covering more than 700 sq. cm. of body surface area such that the light penetrates to a depth of 2 to 8 mm below a skin surface of the target treatment zone.