Phototherapy Patch Thermal Insulation and LED Pulsing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable light therapy devices face challenges in power consumption and heat management, particularly in maintaining effective vasodilation while minimizing battery drain and ensuring user comfort, as they require high power for intense light treatments and often produce heat that can lead to discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A light emitting device with a flexible body and a thermally insulating layer covering the back surface, where the insulation layer has a larger surface area than the flexible body, reducing heat loss and allowing for increased irradiance and treatment duration while minimizing power consumption by pulsing the LED light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high power LEDs are used for intense light therapy, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by pulsing the LED light source instead of continuous operation. The control unit activates the LED in periodic pulses, where the LED emits light at high intensity during pulse periods and remains off during intervals. This periodic operation maintains effective vasodilation treatment while significantly reducing average power consumption and extending battery life between charges.
2Illumination intensity
If high power LEDs are used for intense light therapy, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat generated by high-power LEDs into a beneficial therapeutic effect. Instead of merely dissipating heat through cooling systems, the invention uses the heat to enhance vasodilation and maintain warmth in the treatment area. The insulating layer traps heat within the patch, and the larger surface area insulation distributes warmth evenly, transforming a byproduct into a therapeutic advantage that complements the light therapy effects.
3Duration of action of moving object
If insulation layer is added to retain heat, then treatment duration is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible insulating layer with a larger surface area than the light-emitting area, formed from flexible material that can conform to body contours. This thin film approach provides effective thermal insulation to extend treatment duration without adding significant bulk or complexity. The flexible nature allows the insulation layer to be integrated into the wearable patch design, maintaining comfort and adaptability while retaining heat.
4Temperature
If insulation layer has larger surface area than flexible body, then heat distribution is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the insulating layer into distinct functional zones: a central region corresponding to the light-emitting area and peripheral regions extending beyond the flexible body boundaries. This segmentation allows the insulation layer to be manufactured separately and then attached to the light-emitting device, simplifying the overall manufacturing process. The larger surface area insulation can be cut or molded to match the required geometry and attached using standard bonding methods.
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 solution effectively reduces power consumption, prolongs battery life, maintains skin safety, and enhances the therapeutic effects of vasodilation and pain relief by maintaining warmth and reducing temperature increase rates, making the treatment more predictable and comfortable.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally insulating layer covering the back surface of the flexible body
Implementation Method 2
at least one light source arranged for irradiating an irradiation area of the mammal tissue
Implementation Method 3
light source produce heat
Data Source
AI summary
A light emitting device for application near mammal tissue includes a flexible body having a front surface for facing the mammal tissue and an opposing back surface. The flexible body accommodates at least one light source which is arranged for irradiating an irradiation area of the mammal tissue. A thermally insulating layer covers the back surface of the flexible body. The thermally insulating layer has a larger surface area than the flexible body.