Photodynamic Therapy Light Grouping for Compact Light Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing photodynamic therapy devices face challenges in downsizing due to the requirement for matrix-arrayed optical sensors or scanned photodetectors to accurately detect light intensity, making them bulky.

Innovation Solution

A photodynamic therapy device with a light emitting unit, photodetector, and computing unit that calculates light amount values using distance coefficients and electrical signals from grouped light sources, allowing for accurate detection with a limited number of photodetectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If optical sensors are arrayed in matrix or scanned to detect light intensity distribution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight amount detection accuracyVSAvoidphotodetector arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the light sources into multiple groups and sequentially activates each group while measuring with a single photodetector. This segmentation approach allows accurate detection of each group's light output without requiring a full matrix of photodetectors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic activation of light source groups in sequence. By measuring each group periodically rather than simultaneously, the system achieves complete light intensity distribution data using a single photodetector, eliminating the need for complex parallel photodetector arrays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Device complexity

If a single photodetector is used to detect light from multiple light sources, then device size is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of photodetectorsVSAvoidlight amount detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the light sources into distinct groups and measuring them sequentially, the patent enables a single photodetector to accurately measure the light output of each group. This segmentation prevents signal interference between different light sources, maintaining measurement precision despite using fewer photodetectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary grouping of light sources and pre-determines measurement sequences before actual measurement. This preliminary organization ensures that when measurement occurs, the single photodetector can accurately attribute light signals to specific groups without confusion, maintaining precision without requiring multiple detectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If light sources are activated simultaneously for efficient treatment, then productivity is improved, but difficulty in detecting individual light source output increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapy treatment efficiencyVSAvoidindividual light source detection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments light sources into groups that can be activated simultaneously, while using a single photodetector to measure each group sequentially. This segmentation allows efficient parallel treatment operation while maintaining the ability to detect and measure individual group outputs through controlled sequential measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses measurement results from each light source group to provide feedback for controlling and adjusting the light emission. By measuring each group's output and using this feedback for control, the system maintains detection accuracy even when multiple sources operate simultaneously during therapy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables a compact design by reducing the number of photodetectors required while ensuring precise light amount detection, even for light sources far from the detectors, through group-based light emission and calculation methods.

Implementation Method 1

a photodetector configured to output an electrical signal corresponding to an amount of light received from one or more of the plurality of light sources

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12433987B2Photodynamic therapy device

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 OTSUKA DENSHI CO LTD

AI summary

A photodynamic therapy device of this disclosure includes: a light emitting unit (112, 112) including light sources (110) each belonging to any one of groups; a photodetector (120X, 120Y) configured to output an electrical signal corresponding to an amount of light received from the light sources (110); a light emission control unit (160) configured to sequentially cause the light sources (110) to emit light for each group; and a computing unit (151) configured to calculate, based on a distance coefficient related to a distance between the photodetector (120X, 120Y) and the light sources (110) belonging to the each group, and on a value of the electrical signal output by the photodetector (120X, 120Y) in accordance with light emitted from the light sources belonging to the corresponding group, a group light amount value related to a light amount of the light sources belonging to the each group.