Tilted Light Guide Assembly for Upper Respiratory Tract Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional treatments for respiratory tract infections, such as those caused by viral and bacterial pathogens, often rely on systemic antimicrobials that can lead to drug resistance and gastro-intestinal distress, and do not effectively address the root cause of infections in the upper respiratory tract.

Innovation Solution

A phototherapeutic illumination device with a light guide assembly and emission-directing structures, including tilted incisor tabs and angled biting surfaces, is used to deliver targeted light to the upper respiratory tract, inactivating pathogens and enhancing the local immune response with specific wavelengths of light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional treatments use systemic antimicrobials, then infections can be treated, but drug resistance and gastro-intestinal distress occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection treatment effectivenessVSAvoiddrug resistance and gastro-intestinal distress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical mechanism of systemic antimicrobials with an optical mechanism using phototherapeutic light delivery. The light guide assembly delivers targeted light energy to the upper respiratory tract, substituting chemical treatment with physical light energy to inactivate pathogens, thereby avoiding drug resistance and gastrointestinal side effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from systemic (whole-body) treatment to localized treatment by delivering light specifically to the upper respiratory tract using the light guide assembly. This local delivery of phototherapeutic energy targets the infection site without exposing the entire body to antimicrobials, reducing harmful systemic effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If conventional treatments manage symptoms, then patient comfort is maintained, but the root cause of infections is not addressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesymptom managementVSAvoidroot cause treatment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and addresses the root cause of infections (pathogens in the upper respiratory tract) directly through localized phototherapeutic treatment, rather than merely managing symptoms. The light guide assembly targets and inactivates pathogens at their source, separating the treatment of cause from the management of effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Illumination intensity

If light guide assembly is positioned in oral cavity, then targeted light delivery is achieved, but precise positioning is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetargeted light deliveryVSAvoidpositioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide assembly is designed to be self-positioning through its engagement with natural anatomical structures (teeth and tongue) of the oral cavity. The device automatically finds and maintains the correct position through its geometric interaction with the mouth anatomy, eliminating the need for complex positioning mechanisms or user skill

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device design allows for easy insertion and automatic positioning through its interaction with the oral cavity anatomy. The light guide assembly naturally settles into the correct position through its engagement with teeth and tongue, creating an equipotential state where positioning is intuitive and requires minimal user effort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

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 effectively reduces microbial load and amplifies host defense systems, potentially reducing the need for traditional antimicrobial medicines and minimizing cytotoxicity, while providing anti-inflammatory effects and promoting tissue viability.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide configured to be optically coupled to at least one light source... configured to transmit light from the at least one light source to a distal end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

deliver targeted light to the upper respiratory tract, inactivating pathogens and enhancing the local immune response with specific wavelengths of light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotochemical effect: Photo-oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS20240307704A1Phototherapeutic illumination devices and light guide assemblies with emission-directing structures

Publication Date: 2024.09.19 KNOW BIO LLC

AI summary

Devices for impinging light on tissue to induce one or more biological effects and more particularly phototherapeutic illumination devices and light guide assemblies with emission-directing structures are disclosed. Emission-directing structures include arrangements of light guides and light guide positioners that may be provided with titled arrangements for directing light emissions toward target tissue. An exemplary light guide may define an optical axis therethrough, and an exemplary light guide positioner may include one or more features that are tilted with respect to the optical axis. Certain tilted features may relate to offset incisor tabs and/or angled biting surfaces that engage within the oral cavity for repeatedly orienting the optical axis in a target direction.