Laser Applicator Cooling Plate with Peltier Cell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-intensity laser therapy devices for medical applications face limitations in effectively managing heat generated during treatment, which can lead to thermal damage and reduce the efficacy of laser energy delivery to deep tissue structures.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system integrated into the applicator device, utilizing thermoelectric elements such as Peltier cells and a refrigerating fluid circuit, is employed to maintain the epidermal surface temperature between 15°C and 28°C, ensuring efficient heat removal and maintaining optimal tissue temperature for enhanced laser energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If high intensity laser emission is used for deep tissue treatment, then penetration depth and biological effects are improved, but thermal damage to epidermis and treatment safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling plate is applied to the epidermis before laser irradiation to pre-cool the tissue, creating a thermal buffer that protects against subsequent laser-induced heating. This preliminary cooling action establishes a safety margin that allows higher laser intensities to be delivered without causing thermal damage to the epidermis.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling plate acts as an intermediary thermal management system between the laser emitter and the epidermis. It selectively cools the epidermal layers while allowing the laser energy to penetrate to the deeper target tissues, thereby mediating the thermal interaction and protecting sensitive structures from harmful heat accumulation.
2Reliability
If cooling systems are added to prevent thermal damage, then treatment safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Peltier element replaces traditional mechanical refrigeration systems (compressors, condensers, expansion valves) with a solid-state thermoelectric cooling mechanism. This substitution eliminates moving parts and mechanical complexity while providing efficient, controllable cooling through electrical current application, thereby maintaining treatment safety without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system allows dynamic adjustment of the epidermal temperature parameter during treatment. By controlling the Peltier element current, the system can optimize the cooling effect in real-time based on treatment requirements, providing flexible thermal management that enhances safety without requiring complex fixed-temperature systems.
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
This solution allows for increased safety and efficacy by preventing thermal damage while maximizing the penetration depth and biological effects of the laser radiation, enhancing treatment outcomes for conditions like muscle lesions, arthritis, and low back pain.
Implementation Method 1
the heat removal system comprises at least one thermoelectric element, particularly a Peltier cell, in heat exchange relationship with the cooling plate
Implementation Method 2
the heat removal system comprises a circuit for the circulation of a refrigerating fluid, for example water, in heat exchange relationship with the cooling plate
Implementation Method 3
a laser emitter...configured and arranged so that the laser beam emitted by the emitter passes through the cooling plate
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The applicator device (15) comprises: - a housing (31) comprising a mounting interface (47) for a laser emitter (49); - associated with the housing (31) and solidly connected thereto, a cooling plate (33) with an epidermal contact surface (33.1); - a heat removal system (35) for removing heat from the cooling plate (33).