Jacketed Side-Emitting Optical Fiber for Light Therapy Wearables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light therapy garments incorporating side-emitting optical fibers face challenges such as fiber damage from bending, excessive force, and repetitive use, which affect wearer comfort and the garment's practical functionality.

Innovation Solution

A light therapy wearable is designed with a side-emitting light tube featuring a side-emitting optical fiber with a jacket made from a light-transmissive silicone material, providing a durometer of at least 50 A and an outer diameter at least seven times the core diameter of the optical fiber, which enhances flexibility and protection against mechanical stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If side-emitting optical fibers are used in light therapy garments, then light therapy function is provided, but the fibers are damaged from bending and mechanical stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber durabilityVSAvoidmechanical stress damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a protective jacket around the optical fiber before it is installed in the garment. This jacket acts as a pre-installed protective layer that cushions the fiber against mechanical stress, bending, and damage during normal garment wear and movement, preventing damage before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible shells by using a soft, flexible jacket material that surrounds the optical fiber. This flexible shell protects the fiber from mechanical damage while allowing the garment to move and bend naturally during wear, maintaining both protection and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Illumination intensity

If larger optical fibers are used to provide sufficient light output, then light therapy effectiveness is improved, but wearer comfort deteriorates due to bulkiness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight outputVSAvoidwearer comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible, soft jacket that allows the optical fiber to be positioned close to the skin without causing discomfort. The jacket material is chosen to be soft and flexible, enabling the garment to conform to the body's contours while protecting the fiber, thus maintaining wearer comfort even with sufficient light output fibers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the protective layer by specifying a jacket with a durometer of at least 50A, which indicates a specific hardness range that balances protection with comfort. This parameter selection ensures the jacket is soft enough for wearer comfort while providing adequate protection for the fiber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If larger optical fibers are used, then light output is sufficient, but spacing between adjacent sections must be increased reducing garment flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight outputVSAvoidgarment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible jacket allows the optical fiber sections to be positioned closer together without causing discomfort or damage. The soft nature of the jacket enables the garment to maintain flexibility and conform to body movements even with adequate spacing between light-emitting sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If protective measures are added to protect optical fibers, then fiber durability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber durabilityVSAvoidgarment structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the protective function with the garment structure itself by integrating the protective jacket into the overall garment design. Rather than adding separate protective elements, the jacket is incorporated as part of the garment's construction, combining protection with wearability in a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution allows for a more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing light therapy garment that can be handled like a typical garment, while minimizing light loss and preventing damage to the optical fibers during wear and use.

Implementation Method 1

The side-emitting optical fiber can include a core made from a synthetic polymeric material... The jacket is made from a light-transmissive material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical fiber transmission: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentUS12329984B2Light therapy wearable with jacketed side-emitting optical fiber

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 ZUKO INC

AI summary

A light therapy wearable includes a fabric panel and a side-emitting light tube affixed to or held against the fabric panel. The side-emitting optical light tube includes a side-emitting optical fiber and a jacket surrounding the side-emitting optical fiber. The side-emitting optical fiber includes a core and cladding surrounding the core. The core is made from a synthetic polymeric material. The jacket is made from a transparent or translucent material and has a durometer of at least 50 A and an outer diameter at least seven times a core diameter of the side-emitting optical fiber.