Lighting Devices Modulating Wavelengths to Alter Circadian Rhythms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for altering circadian rhythms through direct stimulation of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) are often inconvenient, unpleasant, and inefficient due to the low photosensitivity and sparse presence of these cells in the retina, requiring high-intensity and prolonged illumination.
Innovation Solution
The approach involves stimulating S-cones, M-cones, and L-cones in the eye, which indirectly excite ipRGCs through neural pathways, utilizing wavelengths optimized for these cones (420-440 nm for S-cones, 534-545 nm for M-cones, and 564-580 nm for L-cones) to achieve more intense excitation of ipRGCs and subsequent stimulation of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), with a focus on sharp increases and decreases in illuminance to maximize ipRGC activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct stimulation of ipRGCs with blue light is used to alter circadian rhythm, then circadian rhythm alteration is achieved, but high light intensity and prolonged illumination are required due to low photosensitivity and sparse presence of ipRGCs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cone photoreceptors (S-cones, M-cones, L-cones) as intermediary cells that mediate the light stimulus to ipRGCs. By stimulating cones first, which are densely present and highly sensitive, they indirectly excite ipRGCs through neural pathways, achieving circadian rhythm alteration at much lower light intensities than direct ipRGC stimulation would require
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the retinal stimulation process into two stages: first stimulating cone photoreceptors with optimized wavelengths (420-440 nm for S-cones, 534-545 nm for M-cones, 564-580 nm for L-cones), then utilizing their neural output to excite ipRGCs. This segmentation allows each cell type to be optimized for its specific function, with cones providing dense, sensitive detection and ipRGCs providing circadian control
2Reliability
If direct stimulation of ipRGCs is used to alter circadian rhythm, then circadian rhythm alteration is achieved, but unpleasant or painful illumination for relatively long periods is required
Solution Approach 1:
By using cone photoreceptors as intermediaries, the system achieves circadian rhythm alteration through indirect stimulation. Cones are densely distributed and highly sensitive, allowing them to respond to much lower light intensities than ipRGCs, thereby eliminating the need for unpleasant or painful illumination while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameters to match the peak sensitivities of different cone types (420-440 nm for S-cones, 534-545 nm for M-cones, 564-580 nm for L-cones) and optimizes the temporal pattern with sharp increases and decreases in illuminance. These parameter changes maximize ipRGC excitation while using comfortable light intensities
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 method allows for more convenient and efficient alteration of circadian rhythms with lower light intensities, achieving larger changes in circadian rhythm by targeting upstream cone photoreceptors, which are more densely present and highly sensitive, thereby synchronizing the internal clock effectively.
Implementation Method 1
illumination of the retina with blue light (e.g., peak wavelength of about 480 nanometers) causes melanopsin excited within a person's ipRGCs to stimulate the SCN via neural pathways
Implementation Method 2
melanopsin excited within a person's ipRGCs to stimulate the SCN via neural pathways
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An example device is configured to emit a first light having a first luminous flux and a peak intensity at a first wavelength that is greater than or equal to 400 nanometers (nm) and less than or equal to 480 urn. The first luminous flux is variable and/or the emission of the first light is interrupted one or more times. The device is also configured to emit a second, light having a second luminous flux and. a peak intensity at a second wavelength, that is greater than or equal to 500 ran and less than of equal to 630 nm. The second Luminous flux is variable and/or the emission of the second light is interrupted one or more times. The first luminous flux is at a maximum at least during a time at which the second luminous flux is not at a maximum.