Closed-Loop Light Therapy Control via Nitric Oxide Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current light therapy systems for pain management in injuries, such as those caused by osteoarthritis, lack precision and convenience in adjusting light intensity, leading to inadequate pain relief and potential side effects.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that monitor Nitric Oxide levels at the injury site by detecting Meth-hemoglobin levels, generating a controlling signal based on these levels, and adjusting the dosage of light therapy accordingly to provide more accurate and convenient pain relief with minimal side effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If light therapy intensity is adjusted by intermittent manual switching, then the therapy can be administered, but the adjustment is inconvenient and inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight dosage accuracyVSAvoidadjustment convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors Nitric Oxide levels at the injury site and uses this feedback to automatically adjust light therapy dosage, replacing manual switching with closed-loop control that achieves both high precision and operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The light therapy system autonomously adjusts its own dosage based on real-time Nitric Oxide level monitoring, eliminating the need for manual intervention and achieving self-optimized therapy delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If drug therapy is used to reduce pain, then pain relief is achieved, but serious side effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain reliefVSAvoidside effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical drug therapy with physical light therapy that stimulates Nitric Oxide production, eliminating pharmacological side effects while maintaining pain relief benefits through a non-invasive physical mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts light therapy parameters based on Nitric Oxide levels to optimize pain relief while avoiding excessive dosage that could cause adverse effects, achieving therapeutic window maintenance without drugs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach allows for precise adjustment of light therapy, enhancing pain relief by increasing circulation, reducing nerve irritation, and decreasing inflammation, thereby improving the effectiveness of injury therapy while minimizing adverse effects.

Implementation Method 1

The monitoring unit (21) monitors a Nitric Oxide level of an injury by detecting a Meth-hemoglobin level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption Spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

When light is applied at a surface of an injury, light is absorbed into blood vessels and stimulates the production of Nitric Oxide at the site of injury

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotochemical effect: Photodissociation

Data Source

PatentUS9149646B2Method and apparatus for controlling a process of injury therapy

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A method and apparatus for controlling a process of injury therapy includes monitoring a Nitric Oxide level of the injury, generating a controlling signal by comparing the Nitric oxide level with a predefined threshold, and adjusting a dosage of light for the injury therapy according to the controlling signal.