Transcranial Photobiomodulation for Sexual Dysfunction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for sexual dysfunction are often multifactorial in nature and lack scientifically sound non-pharmacological alternatives, particularly for patients with psychiatric and medical comorbidities undergoing pharmacological therapies.

Innovation Solution

The use of photobiomodulation (PBM) with near-infrared light (NIR) for transcranial application, targeting specific wavelengths and dosimetry to enhance cellular energy metabolism and treat sexual dysfunction, including impaired libido, arousal, and orgasm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pharmacological therapies are used to treat sexual dysfunction, then sexual function may be improved, but side effects and interactions with other medications increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of sexual dysfunction treatmentVSAvoidside effects and medication interactions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces pharmacological intervention with a physical therapy modality (photobiomodulation using near-infrared light). This substitution eliminates the need for chemical substances that cause side effects, while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness through direct cellular energy enhancement in the pelvic region

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment empowers the patient's own biological systems to heal and improve sexual function through enhanced cellular metabolism and energy production. The near-infrared light stimulates mitochondria to produce more ATP, enabling the body's self-regulation and natural repair mechanisms to address sexual dysfunction without external chemical intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple medications are prescribed for comorbid conditions, then overall health management improves, but complexity of treatment and risk of interactions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive health managementVSAvoidtreatment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The photobiomodulation device serves multiple therapeutic functions simultaneously. By targeting the pelvic region with near-infrared light, it can address sexual dysfunction, improve local circulation, reduce inflammation, and enhance tissue healing all through a single treatment modality, eliminating the need for multiple separate medications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and isolates the specific therapeutic effect needed for sexual dysfunction from the complex web of multiple medications. By using targeted photobiomodulation to the pelvic region, it removes the unnecessary polypharmacy while retaining the essential therapeutic benefit through a focused, localized treatment approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If alternative medicine approaches are used for sexual dysfunction, then avoidance of pharmacological side effects is achieved, but scientific soundness and efficacy are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepharmacological side effectsVSAvoidscientific soundness of treatment

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs near-infrared light with specific wavelength parameters (typically 780-1500 nm) that have been scientifically determined to optimally penetrate tissue and stimulate mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase. This parameter-based approach transforms alternative therapy into an evidence-based treatment with quantifiable, reproducible biological effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment protocol incorporates dosimetry calculations and treatment parameter optimization based on scientific research into photobiomodulation mechanisms. Treatment duration, intensity, and wavelength are adjusted based on measured outcomes and established biological response thresholds, ensuring scientifically sound and reproducible results

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Demonstrated significant improvement in sexual dysfunction symptoms, with therapeutic effects observed in patients with major depressive disorder and concomitant pharmacological therapies, showing a 55-73% greater improvement in sexual functioning compared to sham treatments.

Implementation Method 1

the NIR is absorbed by mitochondria to increase cellular energy metabolism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotobiomodulation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11577094B2Systems and methods of light therapy for sexual dysfunction

Publication Date: 2023.02.14 THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods for treating sexual dysfunction using transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM) with near infrared light (NIR) are provided. In particular, a device configured for treating a disorder of a subject, the device can have a power source and a light source configured to receive power from the power source to cause the light source to emit near infrared light, wherein the near-infrared light has a wavelength of 600 nm to 1400 nm. The device has a processor and a housing configured to position the light source to deliver the near infrared light to a region of interest of the subject via transcranial photobiomodulation in a dosimetry and duration sufficient to treat the disorder.