LED Matrix for Fat Reduction with Thermally Conductive Cooling Plate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for subcutaneous fat reduction using infrared radiation lack an efficient cooling surface, leading to reduced treatment effectiveness and patient discomfort, as existing cooling methods are either ineffective or require complex systems.
Innovation Solution
An LED matrix with a thermally conductive treatment surface that incorporates temperature sensors and a cooling system to maintain optimal skin temperature, using a thermoelectric element and fluid circulation for efficient heat removal, while allowing for flexible device configuration to conform to body shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a transparent window is placed over the LEDs to cool the skin, then the skin can be cooled, but the cooling effectiveness is limited due to low thermal conductivity of transparent materials
Solution Approach 1:
A thermally conductive plate is introduced as an intermediary between the LEDs and the skin. This plate has high thermal conductivity to efficiently remove heat from the skin while allowing LED light to pass through to treat the adipose tissue. The plate acts as a mediator that enables effective cooling without blocking the therapeutic light.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the cooling surface by using a thermally conductive plate with high thermal conductivity material, rather than using traditional transparent materials with low thermal conductivity. This parameter change enables efficient heat removal from the skin.
2Temperature
If air cooling is used to cool the skin, then cooling can be provided, but an air gap must be maintained between the LEDs and skin which reduces treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The thermally conductive plate serves as a mediator that enables direct contact cooling without requiring an air gap. The plate conducts heat away from the skin through direct contact while allowing light transmission, eliminating the need for air cooling systems that create treatment gaps.
3Reliability
If LEDs are cooled to maintain optimal wavelength for fat cell absorption, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but the skin may become overheated without adequate cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is segmented and directed specifically to the skin-contact surface through the thermally conductive plate, while the LEDs themselves are cooled through their mounting structure. This segmentation allows independent optimization of LED temperature for wavelength stability and skin temperature for comfort and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermally conductive plate acts as an intermediary that preferentially conducts heat away from the skin while allowing the LED cooling to be managed separately. This enables the LEDs to be cooled to optimal operating temperature without directly cooling the skin, as the plate provides the primary cooling path from the skin surface.
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 enables effective heating and destruction of fat cells with minimal heat transfer to surrounding tissues, enhancing treatment efficacy and patient comfort by maintaining the LEDs within a target temperature range and optimizing radiation absorption by fat cells.
Implementation Method 1
One method of heating sub-surface fat cells is by light irradiation using the selective photothermolysis method—using variations in light absorption of different tissue chromophores
Implementation Method 2
Another approach is to place a transparent window over the LEDs and to cool the window... transparent materials typically do not have very high thermal conductivity
Implementation Method 3
A section may include a cooling system that cools both the front plate facing the patient's skin and the LED matrix
Data Source
AI summary
A device that reduces subcutaneous adipose tissue using a matrix of LEDs to heat and destroy fat cells. The surface facing the patient's skin may be a plate of thermally conductive material such as copper or aluminum, with apertures for the LEDs. Fat reduction may be optimized using infrared LEDs with peak spectral power in the range of 920 nm to 950 nm. The device may include multiple light emitting sections connected with flexible couplings so that the device can conform to curved body shapes; treatment surfaces of individual sections may also be curved. Sections may include cooling mechanisms to cool both the LEDs and the plate facing the patient's skin, such as thermoelectric cooling elements and air or water circulation. A user interface may provide monitoring and control of treatment parameters. The device may incorporate ultraviolet LEDs to facilitate removal of an adhesive attaching the device to the patient.