Flexible Medical Light Source for Non-Planar Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional light sources are rigid and inflexible, making them unsuitable for conforming to non-planar surfaces, which limits their applicability in medical treatments like phototherapy and photodynamic therapy, and are prone to breaking when folded, leading to inconvenience and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A medical apparatus with a casing and flexible electronic substrate supported by channels in the chassis, allowing the light source and electronics to adapt and conform to non-planar surfaces, maintaining constant distances for improved light homogeneity and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional rigid light sources are used, then structural stability is maintained, but the ability to conform to non-planar surfaces is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible substrate to support the light-emitting elements, allowing the entire assembly to bend and conform to non-planar surfaces while maintaining structural integrity. This flexible base layer enables adaptability without sacrificing the stability of the electronic components mounted upon it.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source is divided into multiple discrete light-emitting elements arranged on the flexible substrate. This segmentation allows the structure to flex at multiple points while each individual element remains stable and functional, resolving the contradiction between overall conformability and local structural stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional rigid light sources are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By using a flexible substrate as the foundation for mounting light-emitting elements, the patent enables the light source to be manufactured in a flat state and then deployed in flexible configurations. This approach maintains relatively simple manufacturing processes while achieving the desired flexibility and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static rigid light sources to dynamic flexible light sources that can adapt their shape during use. The flexible substrate allows the light source to change its configuration dynamically while being manufactured using standard flexible circuit board techniques, balancing manufacturing ease with operational flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional light sources are folded past a certain angle, then conformability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to breaking or disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible substrate is specifically designed to accommodate bending up to certain angles without breaking or causing disconnection of electronic components. This flexible base layer enables adaptability without sacrificing the stability of the electronic components mounted upon it.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible substrate acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and distributes the mechanical stress of bending, preventing direct transmission of stress to the electronic components. This protective design allows the light source to be folded to conform to surfaces while maintaining reliability by preventing breaking or disconnection.
4Illumination intensity
If standalone light sources such as lasers or filtered arc lamps are used, then high light irradiance is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical light sources like lasers and arc lamps with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on a flexible substrate. This substitution maintains the ability to deliver high light irradiance while dramatically reducing system complexity, size, and cost, enabling portable and flexible phototherapy devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses arrays of LEDs with varying wavelengths to achieve different light irradiance levels and spectral compositions. By changing the parameters of the LED array (number of elements, wavelength distribution, intensity control), the system can match the therapeutic effectiveness of traditional high-power sources while maintaining simplicity and flexibility.
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
Enables even illumination on curved body parts, reduces treatment costs by allowing ambulatory use, and prevents electronics damage, making it suitable for therapeutic and cosmetic treatments.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light source
Data Source
AI summary
There is herein described medical apparatus. More particularly, there is herein described medical apparatus capable of adapting and/or conforming to a non-planar surface on a patient's body.