Focused UVB Phototherapy With 297 nm Spectral Filtering

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Vitamin D deficiency has become prevalent due to indoor lifestyles and reduced sunlight exposure, leading to health issues such as bone softening diseases, autoimmune disorders, and various cancers, with existing supplements posing risks of toxicity.

Innovation Solution

A phototherapeutic apparatus that delivers focused UVB radiation within a predetermined spectrum to promote vitamin D synthesis in the skin, providing high doses in short sessions, adjustable for user-specific characteristics, and limiting exposure to prevent toxicity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If vitamin D supplements are taken to prevent deficiency, then vitamin D levels increase, but risk of toxicity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevitamin D levelVSAvoidtoxicity risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of vitamin D delivery from chemical supplements to photonic radiation (UVB wavelength 290-315 nm). This fundamental parameter change allows the body to synthesize vitamin D endogenously through controlled exposure, avoiding the toxicity risks associated with high-dose supplementation while still achieving therapeutic vitamin D levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical system of oral supplementation with an optical/photonic system that uses UVB radiation to stimulate natural vitamin D synthesis in the skin. This substitution leverages the body's own biochemical pathways rather than introducing exogenous compounds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If sunlight exposure is increased to produce vitamin D, then vitamin D synthesis increases, but skin damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevitamin D synthesisVSAvoidskin damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by filtering the broad solar spectrum to provide only the specific UVB wavelength range (290-315 nm) that is most effective for vitamin D synthesis. This selective spectral composition targets the photochemical reaction in 7-dehydrocholesterol while excluding other UV wavelengths that cause skin damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful UV radiation into a beneficial therapeutic tool by carefully controlling the wavelength spectrum. The UVB radiation that can cause skin damage is transformed into a controlled medical intervention that promotes vitamin D synthesis while minimizing harmful effects through precise spectral filtering

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If UVB radiation is used for vitamin D synthesis, then vitamin D production efficiency increases, but risk of excessive exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevitamin D production efficiencyVSAvoidexcessive exposure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through dosimetry systems that monitor and measure the UVB radiation dose delivered to the patient. This real-time feedback allows the system to track cumulative exposure and adjust treatment parameters to prevent excessive dosing, ensuring safe and effective vitamin D synthesis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the UVB radiation delivery adjustable and controllable rather than fixed. The system can modify exposure duration, intensity, and spectral composition based on individual patient needs, skin type, and treatment progress, allowing optimization of vitamin D production while preventing overexposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 synthesizes vitamin D safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of skin damage and toxicity, while addressing vitamin D deficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a UVB radiation source configured to emit energy within a predetermined spectrum that promotes vitamin D production

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet B radiation: Light

Implementation Method 2

a filter configured to transmit at least a portion of the energy emitted by the UVB radiation source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 3

vitamin D3 is made in the skin when 7-dehydrocholesterol reacts with ultraviolet B ("UVB") light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotochemical reaction: Photosynthesis

Data Source

PatentUS20250269198A1Phototherapeutic apparatus for focused UVB radiation and vitamin d synthesis and associated systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 SOLIUS LABS INC

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to a phototherapeutic apparatus for focused UVB radiation and vitamin D synthesis and associated systems methods. In one embodiment a phototherapeutic apparatus can include a housing at least partially defining an irradiation zone, and an ultraviolet (UV) radiation source carried by the housing. The irradiation zone can be configured to accommodate at least a portion of a human patient. The phototherapeutic apparatus can further include a filter between the UV radiation source and the irradiation zone. The filter can be configured to at least substantially remove UV radiation outside of a predetermined spectrum centered at about 297 nm and having a bandwidth of at most 10 nm.