Pulsed Light Irradiation Device for Inflammatory Tissue Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photodynamic therapy devices are cumbersome, costly, and cause significant side effects and pain due to high power densities and thermal loads, limiting their effectiveness and accessibility for treating inflammatory tissue diseases, especially for home use.
Innovation Solution
A compact, cost-efficient device emitting light pulses of 600-660 nm wavelength with a pulse frequency of 1-10 Hz and energy for frequency doubling within the tissue, reducing pain and side effects by generating UVB radiation for disease inhibition, using light-emitting diodes with a power stage capable of ≥ 50 mW/cm² peak power density and a modulator with a pulse duty factor ≤ 0.6 for efficient treatment of inflammatory diseases like psoriasis and melanomas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high power densities are used to achieve effective treatment, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but patient pain and side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pulsed light irradiation with specific duty cycles (1-10 Hz) instead of continuous irradiation. This periodic action allows the tissue to recover between pulses, reducing thermal accumulation and pain while maintaining effective treatment through the cumulative effect of repeated pulses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter to 600-660 nm (red light) which has different absorption characteristics compared to traditional wavelengths. This parameter change enables effective treatment at lower power densities by improving light penetration and reducing thermal load on the tissue.
2Loss of time
If continuous irradiation is used to treat tissue, then treatment duration is reduced, but thermal load and cooling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pulsed irradiation with duty cycles between 1-10 Hz, which allows thermal dissipation between pulses while maintaining effective treatment. The periodic on-off pattern prevents thermal accumulation compared to continuous irradiation, reducing the need for active cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous treatment effectiveness through repeated pulses that collectively deliver the required energy dose. While individual pulses are separated in time, the cumulative effect of multiple pulses achieves the same treatment outcome as continuous irradiation without the thermal penalties.
3Measurement precision
If complex control systems with sensors are added, then irradiation precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the device monitors its own performance and automatically adjusts irradiation parameters. The system uses built-in sensors to detect tissue response and self-regulates the light delivery, eliminating the need for complex external control systems and reducing overall device complexity.
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 device achieves effective treatment of inflammatory diseases with reduced pain and minimal side effects, allowing for shorter treatment durations and broader applications, including home use, by optimizing power density and pulse frequency for two-photon absorption and frequency doubling within the tissue.
Implementation Method 1
the power stage for generating the light pulses is designed with an energy which causes frequency doubling of the light pulses in the irradiated tissue
Implementation Method 2
the power stage for generating the light pulses is designed with an energy which causes frequency doubling of the light pulses in the irradiated tissue when treating inflammations without sensitization
Implementation Method 3
which causes frequency doubling of the light pulses in the irradiated tissue when treating inflammations without sensitization, or which causes a breaking up of a photosensitizer in the photodynamic therapy
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for irradiating tissue (G) with light pulses (L), comprising a housing (2), at least one light source (3) for emitting the light pulses (L) with a wavelength (?) of from 600 nm to 660 run, a modulator (4) and a power stage (6) for generating the light pulses (L), and with an activating element (5). For creating a device (1) which is as small, as cost-efficient and as effective as possible, by which as good a therapy success as possible is achieved in various applications, the modulator (4) is designed for generating the light pulses (L) with a pulse frequency (f) of from 1 to 10 Hz, and the power stage (6) is designed for emitting the light pulses (L) with an energy which causes breaking up of the photosensitizer in the photodynamic therapy and evokes a frequency doubling or a two-photon absorption (TPA) in the tissue (G) when treating inflammations without a sensitizer.