Integrated UV Light Therapy and Fluid Management Endoscope

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current UV light therapy methods for treating medical conditions are time-consuming, require frequent visits to medical facilities, and need trained personnel, as they involve drawing and illuminating a small amount of blood, which limits their accessibility and convenience.

Innovation Solution

A system combining a light guide transmission device with UV bulbs, an optical capturing device, and a fluid delivery/suction device, controlled by a single controller, allowing for direct UV light application to tissues and blood, along with fluid management, enabling portable and versatile treatment options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If UV light therapy is applied through blood illumination in a medical facility, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but treatment time and frequency of visits increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidtreatment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines UV light therapy, optical imaging, and fluid delivery/suction into a single integrated endoscopic apparatus. This merging allows the system to perform multiple functions simultaneously during a single procedure, eliminating the need for separate blood illumination treatments and reducing the number of medical facility visits required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, enabling it to deliver UV light therapy, capture optical images, and manage fluid delivery and suction all through one device. This universal design allows the system to replace multiple specialized devices and procedures, thereby reducing treatment time and visit frequency while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.

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

2Reliability

If UV light therapy is administered in a medical facility with trained personnel, then treatment quality is improved, but accessibility and convenience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment qualityVSAvoidaccessibility and convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By merging UV light therapy, imaging, and fluid management into a single endoscopic apparatus, the system can be operated more autonomously with minimal trained personnel. The integrated design allows for easier deployment in various settings, improving accessibility while maintaining treatment quality through consistent, controlled UV light delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus incorporates automated fluid delivery and suction systems that reduce the need for manual intervention by trained personnel. The system can autonomously manage fluid dynamics during the procedure, allowing for easier operation and broader accessibility without sacrificing treatment quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate devices are used for light therapy, imaging, and fluid management, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges light guide transmission, optical capturing, and fluid delivery/suction functionalities into a single integrated apparatus. This consolidation maintains functional versatility by preserving all necessary capabilities while reducing the number of separate components, thereby simplifying the overall device architecture and reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If UV light is delivered through a complex multi-device system, then therapeutic capability is improved, but portability and ease of deployment deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic capabilityVSAvoidportability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By combining all therapeutic and diagnostic functions into a single endoscopic apparatus, the system significantly improves portability. The integrated design eliminates the need to transport and coordinate multiple separate devices, making the system lighter and easier to deploy in various clinical settings while maintaining full therapeutic capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This system allows for efficient and convenient application of UV light to tissues and blood, enhancing oxygenation, toxin destruction, and immune system boosting, while reducing the need for frequent medical visits and trained personnel, thereby improving treatment accessibility and effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

A portion of the casing is opened to connect to one end of a light guide cable such that the UV light is channeled into and through the light guide cable to a light guide terminating end

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission through optical fiber: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

The optical capturing device is operable to receive an image from a lens positioned at an optical cable terminating end

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection and transmission: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2243514B1Apparatus for the combined application of light therapy, optic diagnosis and fluid to tissue
Publication Date: 2011.04.13 PEREZ THOMAS
  • EP2243514B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2243514B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2243514B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one embodiment there is provided a system for light therapy. The system includes a light guide transmission device having at least one UV bulb for dispersing UV light a light guide cable to a light guide terminating end, an optical capturing device operable to receive an image from a lens positioned at an optical cable terminating end, and a fluid delivery/suction device along a flexible hose. Each of the cables being inserted into a probe cable having a tip adapted for use internally or externally with a patient. Further the system includes a single controller in communication with and for controlling the functionality of the light guide transmission device, the optical capturing device, and the fluid delivery/suction device.