Veterinary Light Source with Antimicrobial Solution Retainer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antimicrobial solutions for veterinary use are limited in their effectiveness against microbial growth on animal tissues, as they often require optimal temperatures that can be difficult to maintain and may not fully inhibit microbial growth without additional synergistic methods.
Innovation Solution
A device incorporating a solution retainer, a fiber optic cable with light terminations, and a light source emitting specific wavelengths of light, combined with a heating element, to enhance the antimicrobial effect by creating a synergistic effect with antimicrobial solutions applied to animal tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antimicrobial solutions are applied to animal tissues, then microbial growth is inhibited, but the effectiveness is limited and requires optimal temperatures that are difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines light therapy with antimicrobial solution application in a single integrated device. The light source (LED or laser) is positioned to illuminate the tissue while the antimicrobial solution is applied, creating a synergistic effect that enhances microbial destruction without requiring precise temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the antimicrobial treatment by introducing light wavelength (400-500nm blue light) as an additional active parameter. This light parameter works synergistically with the chemical parameter of the antimicrobial solution, allowing the system to achieve better antimicrobial efficacy without relying solely on temperature optimization
2Reliability
If optimal temperatures are maintained for antimicrobial solutions, then microbial growth inhibition is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal control system with an optical system. Instead of using heated applicators or temperature-controlled environments, the invention uses light sources (LEDs or lasers in the 400-500nm range) to activate or enhance the antimicrobial solution's effectiveness, thereby eliminating the need for complex temperature control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts from controlling temperature as the primary parameter to controlling light wavelength and intensity. By using blue light in the 400-500nm range, the system achieves enhanced antimicrobial activity through photochemical mechanisms rather than thermal mechanisms, simplifying the overall device design
3Device complexity
If antimicrobial solutions are used alone, then device simplicity is maintained, but microbial growth inhibition is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two therapeutic modalities—light therapy and chemical antimicrobial treatment—into a single integrated device. The light source and antimicrobial solution delivery system work together to create a synergistic effect that produces superior antimicrobial results compared to either modality alone, while maintaining a unified device structure rather than requiring separate treatments
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 significantly increases the antimicrobial efficacy by combining light of specific wavelengths with antimicrobial solutions, potentially eliminating or reducing microbial growth more effectively than the solutions alone, even at sub-optimal temperatures, thereby providing a more efficient treatment for animal tissues.
Implementation Method 1
a fiber optic cable; a light termination on the fiber optic cable that provides light from the fiber optic cable to the antimicrobial solution
Implementation Method 2
a light source that provides a light of a predetermined wavelength to the fiber optic cable
Implementation Method 3
a heating element that warms the antimicrobial solution
Data Source
AI summary
Veterinary devices with a light source and antimicrobial solution includes a solution retainer adapted to retain an antimicrobial solution against an animal; a fiber optic cable; a light termination on the fiber optic cable that provides light from the fiber optic cable to the antimicrobial solution in the solution retainer; and a light source that provides a light of a predetermined wavelength to the fiber optic cable.