Light Therapy Sheet With Micropatterning For Flexible Light Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light therapy devices are constrained by the placement of light sources at or adjacent to the emission position, limiting the design space for weight, size, and type of light sources, and do not allow for flexible targeting of light intensities and wavelengths on the skin.
Innovation Solution
A light therapy device with a sheet that transmits light through internal reflection, featuring micropatterning on one side to emit light from within, and a light source positioned distally to emit light into the sheet, allowing for flexible placement and dynamic control of light intensity and wavelength distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If light sources are placed at or adjacent to the emission position in conventional light therapy devices, then the device structure is simple, but the design space for weight, size, and type of light sources is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional components: a light source module and a separate emission sheet module. The sheet acts as an independent light transmission medium that can be designed separately from the light source, allowing optimization of each component independently. This segmentation enables the light source to be positioned away from the emission area while maintaining effective light delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet functions as an intermediary medium between the light source and the skin. It receives light from the distal light source, transmits it through internal reflection, and emits it at the treatment location. This intermediary approach decouples the light source placement constraints from the emission requirements, providing design flexibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If light sources are placed at or adjacent to the emission position, then the device is easy to manufacture, but flexible targeting of light intensities and wavelengths on the skin is not allowed
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet incorporates localized emission regions with specific micropatterning that can be tailored to emit light at different intensities and wavelengths at different locations. This allows different portions of the sheet to have different optical properties, enabling targeted therapy for specific skin areas while maintaining a unified device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables dynamic control of light delivery parameters including intensity, wavelength, and spatial distribution. The controller can independently adjust the light source output and the sheet's emission characteristics, allowing real-time adaptation to different treatment requirements without changing the physical device structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If micropatterning is positioned distal from the light source, then design flexibility is improved, but light transmission efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet is pre-configured with micropatterning and optical properties that facilitate efficient light transmission over the distal distance. The internal reflection structures and material composition are designed in advance to minimize light loss, ensuring that even though the light source is positioned away from the emission area, sufficient light intensity is maintained at the treatment location.
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 configuration enables broader design flexibility, efficient light delivery to specific skin areas, and fine-tuning of light intensities and wavelengths for targeted therapeutic effects, such as anti-aging, cell rejuvenation, and skin soothing, without the constraints of traditional light source placement.
Implementation Method 1
a sheet defining two opposing major sides, wherein the sheet is configured to transmit light through the sheet by internal reflection
Data Source
AI summary
Light therapy devices and systems configured to apply light to a portion of skin are described. In an embodiment, the light therapy device comprises a sheet defining two opposing major sides, wherein the sheet is configured to transmit light through the sheet by internal reflection, and wherein a portion of a light emission side of the two opposing major sides is configured to couple with the portion of skin and defines micropatterning configured to emit light from within the sheet; and a light source configured to emit light into the sheet between the two opposing major sides.