LED Array Radiation Delivery for Uniform Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation delivery systems are inefficient, costly, and environmentally hazardous due to their reliance on toxic materials and high voltage requirements, with limitations in wavelength specificity, power control, and spatial uniformity, particularly in medical and therapeutic applications.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional radiation delivery system utilizing an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with a heat sink and a moveable arm for precise wavelength control and power adjustment, capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation between 800-950 nm, with a compact and portable design that includes a positioning system, measuring device, and control system for efficient and uniform radiation delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If mercury arc lamps are used for high intensity uniform illumination, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the system becomes expensive, inefficient, and environmentally hazardous due to toxic materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, long-lived mercury arc lamps with arrays of inexpensive LED components that can be individually replaced. Each LED is a simple, cheap component with no toxic materials, eliminating the environmental hazards associated with mercury lamps while maintaining the ability to provide high intensity illumination through arrays of these components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the light source from gas discharge (mercury arc) to solid-state electroluminescence (LED). This parameter change eliminates toxic mercury vapor, reduces power consumption, and allows for precise wavelength control through selection of different LED materials and designs, thereby resolving the contradiction between illumination intensity and environmental safety.
2Illumination intensity
If mercury arc lamps are used for high intensity illumination, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the system becomes expensive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces energy-inefficient mercury arc lamps with arrays of inexpensive LED components. LEDs convert electrical energy directly to light with minimal heat loss, achieving energy efficiencies of 40-50% compared to the 5-10% efficiency of mercury arc lamps, while the individual LED components remain inexpensive and easily replaceable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy conversion mechanism from thermal radiation and gas discharge to solid-state electroluminescence. This parameter change fundamentally improves energy efficiency by eliminating the inefficient thermal conversion process in mercury lamps and using direct electron-hole recombination in LED materials to produce light with minimal energy loss.
3Power
If arc lamps are used for radiation delivery, then the radiation output is improved, but the system requires high voltage ballasts that can damage sensitive instrumentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces high voltage arc lamp systems with arrays of low-voltage LED components. Each LED operates at safe low voltages (typically 2-4 volts), eliminating the need for high voltage ballasts and associated electromagnetic pulses that could damage sensitive medical or industrial instrumentation, while still achieving high radiation output through the array configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating voltage parameter from kilovolts (arc lamps) to volts (LEDs). This five-order-of-magnitude reduction in voltage eliminates electromagnetic pulse hazards to sensitive instrumentation while maintaining high radiation output through the use of multiple LED elements in arrays, thereby resolving the contradiction between power output and safety.
4Power
If mercury, xenon, or metal halide lamps are used, then the radiation output is improved, but the lamp lifetime is short and requires frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces short-lived arc lamps with arrays of inexpensive LED components. While individual LEDs have limited lifetimes, their low cost allows for easy replacement, and the array configuration allows partial replacement without system shutdown. This approach maintains high radiation output while eliminating the operational disruptions caused by frequent lamp replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal LED array platform that can serve multiple functions and applications. The modular LED array design allows the same basic system to be configured for different wavelength requirements, power levels, and application needs, replacing multiple specialized lamp systems with a single versatile LED-based platform that has extended operational life and reduced maintenance requirements.
5Device complexity
If tungsten halogen sources are used for radiation delivery, then the system is simple, but the output is relatively low particularly for short blue and UV wavelengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single-wavelength tungsten halogen source into multiple LED components, each emitting at specific wavelengths. This segmentation allows the system to provide high output at multiple discrete wavelengths (including blue and UV) simultaneously, overcoming the limitation of tungsten halogen sources while maintaining relative system simplicity through modular LED array configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spectral output parameter by replacing the continuous broad-spectrum tungsten halogen emission with discrete wavelength emissions from LED materials. This parameter change enables high radiation output at specific wavelengths (particularly blue and UV where tungsten halogen is weak) while maintaining system simplicity through the use of standard LED components and arrays.
6Power
If quartz infrared heating lamps are used, then the peak output in the 0.8 to 1 micrometer range is achieved, but the lamps are slow to start and cannot be rapidly pulsed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces slow-response quartz infrared lamps with arrays of inexpensive LED components that can be instantly switched on and off. LEDs respond in nanoseconds to microseconds, enabling rapid pulsing and immediate start-up without the warm-up time required by quartz lamps, while maintaining peak output in the desired wavelength range through appropriate LED material selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal response parameter by replacing thermal inertia-dominated quartz lamp operation with electric-field-controlled LED operation. This parameter change enables instantaneous start-up (no warm-up time) and rapid pulsing at frequencies up to kilohertz, while maintaining peak radiant output in the 0.8-1 micrometer range through selection of appropriate LED materials and drive currents.
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 system provides efficient, cost-effective, and precise electromagnetic radiation delivery with reduced heat generation in the surrounding environment, enabling applications such as medical therapies and tissue ablation with improved power control and spatial uniformity.
Implementation Method 1
The primary radiation source comprises an array of light-emitting diodes, wherein the array of light-emitting diodes comprises at least one light-emitting diode, and wherein electromagnetic radiation emitted by the primary radiation source is emitted through the front face
Implementation Method 2
A multifunctional radiation delivery system utilizing an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with a heat sink
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this invention relate to a flexible, multifunctional apparatus for delivering electromagnetic energy to a target surface. The apparatus may be used in a variety of applications and environments, including but not limited to, medical therapies and treatments. The apparatus comprises at least one primary radiation source, in some embodiments an array of light-emitting diodes, and is capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation in the range from 800 to 950 nanometers. The apparatus comprises a moveable arm for positioning the radiation source relative to the target surface. The apparatus is useful for photothermal therapy in the treatment of medical conditions, including cancer.