Fluorescent Handpiece Integrating Waveguide and Dye Circulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cosmetic and dermatologic treatments using non-coherent fluorescent light or intense pulsed light face issues with dye quenching, bleaching, and heating, leading to reduced efficacy and a large, complex system for dye circulation, which complicates the treatment process and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

A fluorescent handpiece that incorporates a nonlinear waveguide and a system for circulating a fluorescent substance, allowing for modulated electromagnetic radiation delivery to biological tissue, reducing quenching, bleaching, and heating, while being more compact, efficient, and safer than traditional laser systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If a fluorescent substance is circulated through a separate base unit to mitigate quenching, bleaching, and heating, then the useful lifetime of the dye is extended, but the system becomes large and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuseful lifetime of the dyeVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the fluorescent substance circulation system directly into the handpiece, merging previously separate components (base unit, waveguide, and dye circulation system) into a single integrated device. This eliminates the need for a separate base unit while maintaining the beneficial effects of dye circulation for extending dye lifetime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fluorescent substance circulation system is nested within the handpiece structure, with the waveguide serving as both the optical delivery mechanism and the circulation pathway. The circulation system is embedded within the existing handpiece components, reducing overall system size and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Temperature

If the fluorescent substance is circulated through a separate base unit to cool the dye, then heating is mitigated and useful lifetime is extended, but the volume of circulating dye and system size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating of the fluorescent substanceVSAvoidsystem volume

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling function is merged with the circulation system by integrating the circulation pathway directly into the waveguide structure. The same waveguide that delivers optical energy also serves as the circulation channel, eliminating the need for separate cooling infrastructure and reducing system volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a thin-film or micro-channel circulation system within the waveguide, allowing efficient heat dissipation through the waveguide walls without requiring large-volume circulation reservoirs. The flexible integration of cooling channels within the waveguide structure minimizes system volume while maintaining effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Duration of action of stationary object

If a large volume of fluorescent substance is circulated to mitigate quenching and bleaching, then the useful lifetime of the dye is extended, but the system becomes larger and more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuseful lifetime of the dyeVSAvoidvolume of circulating dye

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the circulation flow rate and pathway design to achieve effective dye refreshment with minimal volume. By adjusting circulation parameters (flow rate, circulation frequency) and optimizing the waveguide geometry, the system extends dye lifetime without requiring large volumes of circulating fluorescent substance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution extends the usable lifetime of the fluorescent substance, enhances treatment efficacy, and reduces risks associated with eye safety and system complexity, providing a more robust and cost-effective method for treating various dermatological conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a nonlinear waveguide, receives electromagnetic radiation from the source, and delivers modulated electromagnetic radiation to the biological tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNonlinear optics:

Implementation Method 2

a fluorescent substance... transforming a first predetermined wavelength band of light to a second predetermined pulsed wavelength band of light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS9192779B2Fluorescent handpiece

Publication Date: 2015.11.24 GUSTAVSSON NEVADA HOLDING LLC

AI summary

A handpiece can treat biological tissue using electromagnetic radiation, which can be substantially fluorescent light. The handpiece includes a source of electromagnetic radiation and a waveguide. The waveguide is adjacent the source, receives electromagnetic radiation from the source, and delivers the electromagnetic radiation to the biological tissue. The handpiece also includes a system for moving a fluorescent substance through the waveguide. The fluorescent substance includes a fluid base and a fluorescing agent and is capable of modulating at least one property of the electromagnetic radiation. A method is described for removing the fluorescing agent from the fluorescing substance and replacing it with a second, different fluorescing agent.