Flexible Light Treatment Head Hinge Apparatus Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible light treatment heads are often biased, flimsy, and not adaptable to larger contoured areas, causing discomfort and limited repairability, and are not designed for effective deep penetration of light over non-planar body parts.
Innovation Solution
A flexible light treatment head with a hinge apparatus allowing for concave and convex flexing, unbiased and rotatable hinge joints, and a modular design with light source modules and a control module, enabling adjustable curvature and easy maintenance, along with a strap system for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If flexible light treatment heads are made larger to treat contoured areas, then the treatment area coverage is improved, but the structural stability and rigidity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The light treatment head is divided into multiple modular light source modules that can be connected in various configurations. Each module is a self-contained unit with its own light emitting elements, allowing the overall treatment head to achieve large treatment area coverage while maintaining structural stability through modular construction rather than requiring a single large rigid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible circuit boards and flexible structural components to connect the light source modules. These flexible elements allow the treatment head to conform to contoured body areas while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to support the light emitting elements and ensure stable light delivery to the treatment area.
2Stability of the object's composition
If flexible light treatment heads are made rigid to maintain structure, then the structural stability is improved, but the ability to conform to contoured body parts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light treatment head incorporates flexible joints and movable connections between light source modules, allowing the structure to dynamically adapt its shape and curvature to match contoured body parts. This dynamic flexibility enables the treatment head to maintain structural stability while conforming to various anatomical surfaces for effective treatment.
3Ease of operation
If flexible light treatment heads are designed to be lightweight and flexible, then the comfort is improved, but the structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light treatment head utilizes composite material construction, combining lightweight flexible materials with strategically placed structural reinforcement elements. This composite approach maintains patient comfort through lightweight flexible construction while providing sufficient structural strength to support the light emitting elements and ensure reliable operation during treatment.
4Productivity
If light treatment heads are made larger for deep penetration treatment, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment head employs segmented modular light source modules that can be independently configured and connected. This segmentation allows the system to achieve large treatment areas for deep penetration effectiveness while managing device complexity through standardized modular units rather than requiring a single complex large-scale structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular light source modules are designed with universal interfaces and standardized configurations, allowing the same basic module type to serve multiple functions and be arranged in various patterns. This universality reduces overall device complexity by using repeated standardized components rather than requiring unique custom-designed elements for each treatment configuration.
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 flexible design allows for effective light penetration over contoured areas without additional mechanical support, reducing discomfort and enhancing repairability by allowing the light treatment head to maintain contact with the skin and enabling easy diagnosis and replacement of faulty components.
Implementation Method 1
a hinge apparatus along a flexing edge thereof
Implementation Method 2
low intensity light radiating in the area of the patient's condition
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A flexible light treatment head comprising one or more light source modules interconnected by a hinge apparatus along a flexing edge thereof. The light source modules have light emitting elements, such as LEDs or LASERs. The hinge apparatus comprises one or more hinges. Each hinge has a head wiring channel disposed to form a continuous wiring channel along the hinge apparatus. A head wiring channel is also provided for routing wires into the light source module.