Quantum Dot Therapeutic Patch for Continuous Low-Power Treatment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing therapeutic devices using lasers or nanocrystals for treating painful and inflammatory pathologies are limited by high intensity requirements, short treatment durations, and the need for external irradiation, making them ineffective for continuous, ultra-low power treatments of internal pathologies.

Innovation Solution

A therapeutic device comprising a laminar support element with a mixture of quantum dots, such as graphene or perovskite quantum dots, that emit photons in specific wavelengths when stimulated by body heat or electromagnetic radiation, allowing for continuous, ultra-low power treatment without external irradiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If high intensity laser light or infrared lamps are used for therapeutic treatment, then therapeutic effects are achieved, but the treatment cannot be continuous and requires bulky equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission powerVSAvoidtreatment duration
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the power parameter from high intensity (150-1500W infrared lamps, 50W excitation sources) to ultra-low power (0.1-10 µW/cm²), enabling continuous treatment. This is achieved by using quantum dots with high quantum yield that can emit therapeutic photons at very low power levels, fundamentally altering the power requirement parameter of the treatment system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a portable copy of the therapeutic function by transferring the light emission capability from bulky laser machines to thin-film quantum dot patches. The quantum dots replicate the therapeutic photon emission function at ultra-low power, making the treatment device portable and suitable for continuous wear without requiring connection to external power sources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Object-affected harmful factors

If nanocrystals are dispersed to allow ambient light passage, then skin tolerance is improved, but therapeutic effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin irritationVSAvoidtherapeutic effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating zones of different quantum dot concentrations within the patch. Areas with higher quantum dot density provide stronger therapeutic effect, while areas with lower density or different particle sizes provide varying levels of light transmission. This spatial variation in concentration allows simultaneous optimization of both therapeutic effectiveness and skin tolerance in different regions of the same patch

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Use of energy by moving object

If quantum dots require external light irradiation to function, then emission is controllable, but continuous treatment of internal pathologies is impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy activationVSAvoidtreatment applicability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the quantum dot patch universally applicable by enabling it to function with multiple energy activation sources. The quantum dots can be excited by ambient light, body heat (infrared radiation), or other electromagnetic radiation, allowing the same patch to treat both external skin conditions and internal pathologies without requiring different devices. This multi-functionality is achieved by selecting quantum dots with broad absorption spectra that respond to various energy sources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 long-term therapeutic effects with minimal electrical expenditure, reducing pain and inflammation, and promoting neuro-muscular and postural modulation, while being non-invasive and tolerable for continuous use.

Implementation Method 1

quantum dots...capable of emitting photons in the reference wavelength...when stimulated by at least infrared, light or ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 2

These and other objects are all attained by the device of this invention according to the attached claims. Explanation of the invention The therapeutic device for painful and/or inflammatory pathologies and for a neuro-muscular and postural modulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUpconversion:

Implementation Method 3

The human body is known to be sensitive to electromagnetic radiation. One example of this sensitivity is demonstrated by the human body's ability to respond to sunlight through the synthesis of particular molecules. For example, stimulation of the human body in sunlight promotes the synthesis of vitamin D

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotosynthesis-like reaction: Photosynthesis

Implementation Method 4

For a long time, infrared irradiation of people's skin has been used for physiotherapy applications with an emission frequency in the low infrared, i.e. between 760-1500 nm, exploiting the thermogenetic effect and with very high emission powers generated by 150-1500W infrared lamps

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation absorption: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4051377B1Therapeutic device for painful inflammatory pathologies and for neuro-muscular and neuro-postural modulation
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 FONTANA SRL
  • EP4051377B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4051377B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4051377B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The therapeutic device of the invention consists of a support to be placed on the skin of a patient and made of specific nanocrystals, which when properly activated, produce electromagnetic emissions that have beneficial effects on inflammatory, painful pathologies, and neuro-muscular and postural modulations of the patient.