Sleep Mask Light Therapy Diffuser for Uniform Eye Radiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light therapy devices for addressing circadian disorders and light deficient disorders are either large and non-portable, or head-mounted and aesthetically unaccepted, lacking the ability to provide therapy during sleep and often discomforting due to direct high luminance light exposure.
Innovation Solution
A sleep mask with a shield, radiation sources, and diffusers that covers the eyes to block ambient radiation, emits therapeutic radiation, and diffuses it into uniform fields, allowing for comfortable light therapy during sleep.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large floor or desk mountable light therapy devices are used, then light therapy effectiveness is improved, but portability and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the light therapy function into a portable wearable unit that can be detached from larger stationary systems. The wearable device contains essential light emitting components that can operate independently or in conjunction with a base station, allowing users to receive light therapy both at home and while traveling.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable light therapy device is designed to serve multiple functions: it can be worn on the head during daytime hours for standard light therapy treatment, and the same device can be worn during sleep hours to provide circadian rhythm regulation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices for different treatment scenarios.
2Ease of operation
If head mountable light therapy devices are used, then portability is improved, but aesthetic acceptance and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device incorporates aesthetic design elements specifically in the portions visible to others, such as cosmetic-grade materials and designs that resemble fashion accessories or jewelry. The functional light emitting components are positioned to be less visible or are designed to blend with the overall aesthetic appearance when worn.
3Reliability
If focused high luminance light sources are used, then light therapy intensity is improved, but comfort and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces diffusing elements as intermediaries between the light emitting diodes and the user's eyes. These diffusers scatter the concentrated light from the LEDs into a broader, softer illumination pattern that maintains therapeutic effectiveness while eliminating the harshness and discomfort of direct focused light beams.
4Reliability
If light therapy devices are designed for daytime use only, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable light therapy device is designed with different operational modes for different time periods: during daytime hours, it provides standard light therapy treatment; during nighttime sleep hours, it switches to a different mode that provides softer, dimmer illumination optimized for circadian rhythm regulation without disrupting sleep. This periodic adaptation to different usage times enhances both effectiveness and versatility.
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
Provides effective light therapy while enhancing comfort by delivering uniform radiation fields to the eyes during sleep, addressing the limitations of existing devices in portability, aesthetics, and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more radiation diffusers are configured to receive radiation emitted by the one or more radiation sources, and to diffuse the radiation emitted by the one or more radiation sources to form one or more fields of uniform radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A sleep mask is configured to provide light therapy to a subject. The sleep mask provides a comfortable delivery mechanism for the light therapy, and may deliver the light therapy to the subject while the subject is asleep, in the process of going to sleep, and/or waking from sleep. In one embodiment, the sleep mask includes one or more of a shield, a strap, a first lighting module, and/or a second lighting module.