Flexible Pad Light Therapy for Sleep and Sexual Wellness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pharmacological sleep aids often come with addictive properties, dangerous side effects, and difficulties in counteracting their effects in emergency situations, and they do not address the underlying sleep quality issues effectively, especially as people age.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising flexible pads with light sources emitting specific wavelengths of light (300-1300 nanometers) to contour areas over the carotid artery, femoral artery, or perineum, controlled by processing circuitry to emit light for a predetermined period, promoting sleep and sexual wellness without invasive methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pharmacological sleep aids are used, then sleep induction is achieved, but addictive properties and dangerous side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmacological chemical intervention with a physical/optical system using light-emitting diodes to deliver specific wavelengths of light to target body regions. This substitution eliminates the harmful chemical side effects and addiction potential of medications while maintaining sleep induction effectiveness through photobiomodulation of the nervous system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium between the external environment and the body's sleep-regulating systems. By using light-emitting diodes to deliver specific wavelengths through flexible pads to target regions (carotid artery, femoral artery, perineum), it mediates sleep induction without the harmful direct chemical intervention of pharmacological agents
2Duration of action of moving object
If sleep-inducing medications are taken, then sleep is promoted, but morning sleepiness and confusion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces medication-based sleep promotion with a physical light therapy system that stimulates the body's natural sleep-wake cycles through photobiomodulation. This approach promotes sleep without residual sedative effects that cause morning sleepiness and confusion, as it works with rather than suppresses natural physiological processes
3Reliability
If pharmacological options are used for sleep, then sleep aid is provided, but effectiveness worsens with age
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of sleep intervention from chemical pharmacology to physical photobiomodulation. By using specific wavelengths of light (red and near-infrared) that can penetrate tissue and stimulate cellular function in the nervous system, it provides an age-independent mechanism that does not suffer from the age-related tolerance and reduced effectiveness seen with pharmacological options
4Object-affected harmful factors
If light therapy is used to promote sleep, then non-pharmacological benefit is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible pads containing light-emitting diodes that can be applied directly to the skin over target regions. This flexible film approach simplifies the device structure compared to rigid optical systems, enables direct skin contact for effective light delivery, and allows the complex light therapy function to be delivered through a simple, wearable form factor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional device where the same light-emitting diode system can be applied to different target regions (carotid artery, femoral artery, perineum) to address various sleep and sexual wellness needs. This universal approach consolidates multiple potential treatments into a single device platform, reducing overall system complexity
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 apparatus effectively increases or modulates sleep-related hormone production, improving sleep quality and sexual wellness without the side effects associated with pharmacological options, enhancing overall health and safety by providing a non-invasive, non-pharmacological therapy.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of light sources is a plurality of light emitting diodes configured to emit light having wavelengths between 300-1300 nanometers
Implementation Method 2
certain wavelengths of light can help an individual fall asleep more easily and effectively. For example, there is a theory that red light aids in melatonin production and/or modulation
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method for promoting sleep. The apparatus for promoting sleep may comprise at least one flexible pad configured to contour an area of skin over a target region, the target region including at least one of a group consisting of a carotid artery, a femoral artery, and a perineum, the at least one flexible pad having a plurality of light sources and a controller having processing circuitry in communication with the plurality of light sources, the processing circuitry configured operate the plurality of light sources or a predetermined period of time to increase, decrease or modulate sleep related hormone production in the target region.