Single LED Protection Factor Evaluation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the sun protection factor (SPF) of skin protection agents are harmful to test subjects, involve complex and expensive equipment, and rely on indirect measurements, necessitating the development of a more efficient and safer method for evaluating the protection factor.
Innovation Solution
A compact and cost-effective protection factor evaluation system using a single LED radiation source, a detector unit with a photodiode, and a control/evaluation unit to measure electromagnetic radiation, allowing for in vivo measurements with reduced skin exposure and providing high-quality analysis results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods (ISO 24444, FDA guideline) are used to determine SPF, then the protection factor can be determined, but test subjects are harmed through erythema induction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct measurement on human skin with a copy model - a plastic plate with roughened surface that mimics skin properties. The transmission spectrum is measured on this model and then adapted to in vivo results through scaling, eliminating the need to expose test subjects to harmful UV radiation while still determining SPF accurately
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance - a sunscreen product applied to the plastic plate model - that allows indirect measurement of protection factors. The intermediary model serves as a mediator between the radiation source and the measurement system, enabling SPF determination without direct skin exposure
2Object-affected harmful factors
If in vitro methods (ISO 24443) are used, then test subjects are protected, but the transmission spectrum must be scaled and adapted to in vivo results, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by using a roughened plastic plate surface that better mimics real skin properties. This physical parameter change (surface roughness) allows the in vitro measurements to be more directly comparable to in vivo results, reducing the need for extensive scaling and adaptation while maintaining reliability
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LEDs or complex radiation sources are used, then comprehensive spectral coverage is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single LED serve multiple functions by combining it with a monochromator that can select different wavelengths. This universal approach allows one LED to provide comprehensive spectral coverage across UV and visible ranges, eliminating the need for multiple specialized light sources while maintaining versatility
4Measurement precision
If xenon lamps with monochromators are used, then spectral measurement is achieved, but the devices are expensive and large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex xenon lamp systems with a simpler, more affordable LED-based system. The LED combined with a monochromator provides comparable spectral measurement capabilities at lower cost and with reduced device size, making the system more accessible and practical
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 enables quick, easy, and cost-effective determination of the sun protection factor with reduced skin irradiation exposure, using a single LED and photodiode for compactness and efficiency, and combines in vivo measurements with in-silico/in vitro data for accurate SPF calculation.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation source with exactly one LED
Implementation Method 2
a detector unit with exactly one photodiode
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a protection factor evaluation system for determining a protection factor of a skin protection agent with a radiation source with exactly one LED, a detector unit with exactly one photodiode, a control unit and an evaluation unit. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for determining a sun protection factor of a skin protection agent with the method steps of emitting radiation from precisely one LED of a radiation source, detecting remitted radiation with precisely one photodiode of a detector unit and evaluating the protection factor in an evaluation wavelength range, wherein the protection factor of the protection agent is evaluated from the radiation and a transmission spectrum, and wherein the data of the transmission spectrum for determining the protection factor are in silico and/or in vitro data.