Infrared Light Therapy Device Mitigating Reperfusion Injury

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for ischemic events, such as myocardial and cerebral ischemia, face challenges in minimizing reperfusion injury due to the production of reactive oxygen species during the restoration of oxygen and nutrients, which can lead to further tissue damage and death.

Innovation Solution

Applying specific wavelengths of infrared light, including 730-770 nm, 850-890 nm, 880-920 nm, and 930-970 nm, to inhibit cytochrome c oxidase activity before, during, and after reperfusion, thereby reducing the production of reactive oxygen species and mitigating reperfusion injury.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reperfusion is performed to restore oxygen and nutrients to ischemic tissue, then tissue survival is improved, but reperfusion injury occurs due to production of reactive oxygen species

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue survivalVSAvoidreactive oxygen species production
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies light therapy before reperfusion begins to pre-condition the mitochondria and reduce their capacity to generate reactive oxygen species. This preliminary intervention modifies the mitochondrial state in advance, creating a protective effect that manifests during the subsequent reperfusion phase when oxygen is restored to ischemic tissue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful production of reactive oxygen species during reperfusion into a beneficial outcome by using light therapy to modulate mitochondrial function. The same mitochondrial electron transport chain that normally generates harmful free radicals is targeted with specific wavelengths of light to instead produce protective effects, reducing reperfusion injury while maintaining the beneficial reperfusion process.

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

2Object-generated harmful factors

If light therapy is applied to inhibit cytochrome c oxidase during reperfusion, then reactive oxygen species production is reduced, but the mechanism involves complex interaction with mitochondrial electron transport chain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereactive oxygen species productionVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs specific wavelengths of light (e.g., 405 nm, 488 nm, 532 nm, 633 nm) to selectively interact with cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. By changing the optical parameters (wavelength, intensity, duration) of the light therapy, the patent achieves precise modulation of mitochondrial function to reduce reactive oxygen species production without requiring complex mechanical or chemical intervention systems.

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 infrared light treatment significantly reduces cell death, infarct size, and neurological deficits by modulating mitochondrial function, providing cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects by inhibiting cytochrome c oxidase and reducing reactive oxygen species production during reperfusion.

Implementation Method 1

applying light to an ischemic area of tissue before, during, and/or after the initiation of clinical intervention... applying light with the appropriate wavelength or wavelengths to the ischemic area at the appropriate time or times directly or indirectly inhibits cytochrome c oxidase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoinhibition: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2424618B1Light therapy device
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 WAYNE STATE UNIV
  • EP2424618B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP2424618B1 patent drawingFigure 2B
  • EP2424618B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

An exemplary method includes selecting at least one light source configured to generate light at a particular wavelength and applying the light to tissue following an ischemic event. Applying the light to the tissue inhibits cytochrome c oxidase activity. Another exemplary method includes selecting at least one light source configured to generate light at a particular wavelength and applying the light to tissue following an ischemic event and prior to either reoxygenation of the tissue or clinical intervention to reduce cell damage. An exemplary light therapy device includes at least one light source configured to generate light having a wavelength of at least one of approximately 730-770 nm, 850-890 nm, 880-920 run, and 930-970 nm.