Controlled Illumination Optics for Safe Tissue Light Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminating devices lack the ability to control light intensity effectively, leading to potential tissue or cell damage and are not adaptable to individual patient variability in photoreactive protein expression, while also failing to correct optical aberrations and being unsuitable for human use.
Innovation Solution
A device with a light source, photodiode, optical system, controller, and reflectors or beam splitters that adjust light intensity to meet specific conditions, including minimum and maximum intensity, dose, and wavelength requirements, while correcting optical aberrations and ensuring safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high light intensity is provided to activate photoreactive proteins, then activation effectiveness is improved, but tissue heat and phototoxicity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically adjusts light intensity in real-time based on feedback from photodiodes that monitor actual light delivery. The controller modulates the light source to maintain intensity within safe thresholds while ensuring sufficient activation, transitioning between different intensity levels rather than using fixed high intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates photodiodes that continuously measure the actual light intensity reaching the target tissue and feed this information back to the controller. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust the light source output to prevent exceeding safe intensity thresholds while maintaining effective activation levels.
2Device complexity
If fixed light intensity is used, then device simplicity is improved, but adaptability to patient variability and optical aberrations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from fixed intensity to dynamic, adjustable intensity levels. The controller can modify light parameters in real-time based on individual patient characteristics, optical aberrations, and real-time feedback measurements, enabling adaptation without requiring multiple fixed-intensity devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes light parameters (intensity, wavelength, duration) based on measured optical aberrations and patient-specific factors. The system adjusts these parameters dynamically to optimize activation effectiveness for each patient while maintaining safety, rather than using a single fixed set of parameters.
3Ease of operation
If miniaturization is implemented for wearable use, then ease of use is improved, but measurement precision of light intensity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is nested within the compact device structure, with photodiodes integrated into the light delivery pathway. This nested arrangement allows precise measurements to be taken within the miniaturized form factor, enabling accurate intensity monitoring without requiring external bulky measurement equipment.
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 controlled light intensity that meets medical standards, minimizes tissue damage, and adapts to individual patient needs, making it suitable for human use and optogenetic applications.
Implementation Method 1
a photodiode (16) adapted to measure the intensity on a beam of light emitted by the light source (14)
Implementation Method 2
an optical system (18) adapted to convey the light emitted by the light source (14) from an entrance to at least one exit
Implementation Method 3
a controller (20) adapted to command the position of each reflector (30)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention concerns a device 10 for illuminating an object 12 with a controlled light intensity, the light intensity being controlled when the light intensity fulfills a plurality of conditions to be fulfilled, the plurality of conditions comprising a condition relative to the intensity at a given time and a condition relative to the dose during a period of time.