Handheld IPL Light Guide for Ophthalmic Spatial Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current handheld intense pulsed light (IPL) devices lack precision and uniformity in light emission, making them unsuitable for ophthalmic applications that require precise treatment areas, such as light stimulation of the lacrimal ducts, where improper placement can be dangerous and ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A handheld IPL device with a light guide protruding from the body, featuring a polyhedron-shaped light guide with specific thickness and surface roughness, combined with a hood and a filter to enhance spatial precision and homogeneous light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional handheld IPL device is used, then the device is simple to operate, but the spatial precision and uniformity of light emission are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the treatment area. The light guide has specific optical properties (transparency, refractive index) that enable it to transmit and distribute light uniformly across the treatment area, thereby achieving precise spatial control without complicating the overall device operation
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide's physical parameters are optimized: thickness between 3-10 mm, refractive index between 1.4-1.7, and specific surface roughness (Ra ≤ 3.2 μm). These parameter changes enable the light guide to achieve uniform light distribution and precise spatial control while maintaining device simplicity
2Area of stationary object
If the treatment area is enlarged to cover more skin surface, then the coverage area increases, but the light emission uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is designed with non-uniform internal structure: the lateral faces have controlled roughness (Ra ≤ 3.2 μm) to scatter light uniformly, while the distal face remains smooth for consistent light emission. This local quality differentiation enables uniform light distribution across large treatment areas
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide extends in the third dimension (thickness 3-10 mm) to provide sufficient light propagation path. This dimensional extension allows light to be distributed uniformly across the treatment area through internal scattering and reflection, maintaining homogeneity even when the treatment area is enlarged
3Stability of the object's composition
If the light guide thickness is increased to improve light distribution, then the light emission uniformity improves, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide thickness is optimized to a specific range (3-10 mm) that provides sufficient light distribution uniformity while limiting device size. Combined with controlled surface roughness (Ra ≤ 3.2 μm) and appropriate refractive index (1.4-1.7), this thickness parameter achieves the best compromise between light uniformity and compact device dimensions
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 achieves improved spatial precision and uniform light emission, ensuring adequate light coverage and safety for precise ophthalmic treatments.
Implementation Method 1
the lateral faces having a roughness with an arithmetic mean deviation Ra less than or equal to 3.2 and greater than 0.2
Implementation Method 2
the light guide having a thickness, between the extremal faces in the emission direction, greater than 6 mm
Implementation Method 3
the hand device includes a filter disposed between the lamp and the light guide, configured to filter at least wavelengths below 580 nm
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a hand-held apparatus for emitting intense pulsed light comprising a body configured to be hand held, said body having an aperture accommodating a treatment interface (8) configured to be placed against a skin, the body housing a lamp (14) suitable for emitting a light pulse through the treatment interface in an emission direction, the treatment interface comprising a light guide (10) that protrudes from the body of the hand-held apparatus, the light guide (10) forming a polyhedron having end faces (10a) that are opposite in the emission direction and side faces (10b) joining said end faces, the light guide (10) having a thickness, between the end faces (10a) in the emission direction, larger than 6 mm, and the side faces (10b) having an arithmetic mean roughness Ra lower than or equal to 3.2.