Handheld LED Treatment Device with Interchangeable Emitter Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light-emitting devices for dentistry and medicine, particularly UV-C applications, are cumbersome due to their large size and tethered design, making it difficult to apply UV light effectively in small spaces such as orthopedic surgery openings and dental surgeries, where different treatment parameters like wavelength, intensity, and duration are required for various applications.
Innovation Solution
A handheld device with interchangeable emitter heads capable of emitting a broad range of wavelengths (200-1400 nm), featuring removable and disposable tips, a control module, and safety sensors, allowing for customizable treatment protocols and safe operation, enabling UV-C, UV-A, and blue light emission without being tethered to a base.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV-C light is produced using traditional bulbs or lamps, then disinfection capability is achieved, but device size becomes large and requires tethering to a base
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable components: a handheld emitter unit with LED light sources and interchangeable tips, and a separate base unit. This segmentation allows the emitter to be small and wireless while the base houses supporting components, resolving the contradiction between disinfection capability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The emitter unit is designed with interchangeable tips and multiple LED wavelengths (UV-C, UV-A, blue light) to perform multiple functions: disinfection, resin curing, and implant treatment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable disinfection capability.
2Reliability
If traditional UV-C bulbs are used, then disinfection function is provided, but the device becomes unwieldly for use in small spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The emitter is designed as a compact handheld unit with interchangeable tips of various sizes and shapes, allowing selection of appropriate tip dimensions for specific application spaces. This segmentation enables effective disinfection in small spaces while maintaining reliable UV-C function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different tips with specific geometries are designed for different application locations and space constraints. The ability to select locally optimized tips ensures ease of operation in various small spaces while maintaining effective disinfection coverage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple treatment wavelengths are provided, then versatility for different applications is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple LED types emitting different wavelengths (UV-C for disinfection, UV-A for resin curing, blue light for implant treatment) are integrated into a single emitter unit. This universal design provides versatility for multiple dental and medical applications while managing device complexity through unified control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The emitter incorporates interchangeable tips that can be selected and swapped based on the specific treatment required. This dynamic reconfiguration capability provides wavelength and geometry versatility without requiring multiple fixed complex emitter designs.
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 device provides a convenient, versatile, and safe means to disinfect, cure resins, and increase bioactivity of implants, with interchangeable heads and tips allowing for various applications, while ensuring safe operation through proximity and timing controls, enhancing usability in confined spaces.
Implementation Method 1
The device comprises a handle, a plurality of emitter heads, and a base. In one embodiment the device comprises removable emitter heads each containing one or more treatment LEDs
Implementation Method 2
electromagnetic radiation in the UV-C range, about 100-280 nm, kills certain bacteria and other microorganisms
Implementation Method 3
UV-A and blue light are used to cure certain resins, such as synthetic resins that are used in dentistry as restorative material or adhesives
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held light treatment device configured with interchangeable emitter heads that are pre-programmed with desired treatment protocols and updated from a remote store of treatment protocols. The device comprises a handpiece, a plurality of emitter heads, and a base. The removable emitter heads each contain one or more treatment LEDs, a tracking light, a task light, a proximity sensor, and a control module. A tip is attached to the emitter head, either removably or integral therewith. In one embodiment, the tip is integral with the emitter head and emits light to the side of the device, perpendicular to the handpiece. The device is prohibited from emitting light when too far from a surface. Some embodiments have disposable tips of various shapes that attach to the emitter heads, which permits a single device to direct the emitted energy at nearly any direction and be used in a variety of applications.