Segmented Filter for IPL Device Thermal Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dermatological treatment apparatuses using intense pulse light (IPL) face issues with filters cracking due to thermal stress from increased light energy and shorter pulse separation, which limits power output and treatment speed.
Innovation Solution
A filter arrangement with multiple light energy filtering portions, positioned to reduce thermal stress, allowing higher power output and faster operation, utilizing a xenon flash lamp and a high pass filter with a cut-on value between 470-650nm to prevent harmful wavelengths from reaching the skin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the time between pulses is reduced to increase treatment speed, then productivity is improved, but the filter is more susceptible to cracking due to thermal stress
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into multiple separate filter portions (first filter portion, second filter portion, etc.) arranged in series within the light path. This segmentation distributes the thermal stress across multiple components rather than concentrating it in a single filter, allowing the system to operate at higher pulse frequencies without causing filter damage.
2Power
If the light power output is increased to improve treatment effectiveness, then productivity is improved, but the filter temperature increases causing mechanical stress and potential cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system is segmented into multiple filter portions that share the thermal load. Each filter portion experiences reduced individual thermal stress compared to a single filter handling the entire light power, enabling higher overall power output without exceeding the thermal tolerance of individual filter components.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple filter portions act as intermediaries in the light path, collectively managing the thermal energy distribution. The series arrangement of filters creates intermediate stages for heat dissipation, preventing any single filter from experiencing excessive temperature rise.
3Ease of operation
If the time between pulses is reduced to enhance usability, then ease of operation is improved, but the filter cooling time is insufficient leading to thermal stress accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the filter into multiple portions, the system can sustain higher pulse frequencies because the thermal burden is distributed. Each filter portion has sufficient time to cool between pulses even at reduced pulse separation intervals, maintaining filter integrity while improving operational speed and usability.
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 higher power output and reduced pulse separation, allowing for faster and safer dermatological treatments without filter cracking, enhancing usability and treatment speed.
Implementation Method 1
absorption filters which absorb the harmful wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
dichroic filters which reflect the harmful wavelengths
Implementation Method 3
a capacitor is discharged over a Xenon flash lamp such that the flash lamp emits an intense pulse of light energy
Implementation Method 4
cracking due to mechanical stresses induced by the significant increase in temperature caused by the light energy
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The present invention relates to a dermatological treatment apparatus. Such dermatological treatments include but are not limited to hair removal, treatment of acne and lesions and also skin rejuvenation. The apparatus comprises a housing; a light emitting source provided in the housing arranged to emit light energy along an energy pathway to external of the device; and a filter arrangement positioned in the energy pathway having at least a first and a second light energy filtering portion together combining to span across the energy pathway for filtering the light energy passing to external of the device.