Wearable UVB Illumination Device with Light Diffusion Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultraviolet phototherapy devices for Vitamin D synthesis face challenges in achieving uniform light distribution and durability, leading to potential side effects and inefficiencies, particularly due to the degradation of light-emitting materials and the large size of gas discharge lamp-based systems.
Innovation Solution
A wearable illumination device with a housing and a light diffusion panel that uses a small number of inorganic LEDs, a flexible substrate, and a heat sink, along with a control unit to manage light emission and prevent overheating, ensuring uniform UVB light distribution and minimizing side effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If gas discharge lamps are used for ultraviolet phototherapy, then the light source can provide sufficient UVB irradiance, but the device becomes large in size and requires a distance of more than 1 meter from the skin for uniform irradiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light source into multiple small LED elements arranged in an array rather than using a single gas discharge lamp. This segmentation allows the device to be compact while still providing sufficient total UVB irradiance through the combined output of multiple LEDs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from point-source gas discharge lamps to a planar LED array configuration. This dimensional change from 3D point source to 2D surface distribution enables uniform irradiation at close distances while maintaining a compact device form factor
2Illumination intensity
If gas discharge lamps are used for ultraviolet phototherapy, then sufficient UVB irradiance can be achieved, but uniform light distribution is difficult to obtain and light is lost to the ambient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs individual LED elements with specific emission characteristics arranged in a controlled pattern, allowing each element to contribute to localized irradiation that collectively provides uniform coverage. This local quality control prevents light loss to ambient by directing illumination precisely where needed
Solution Approach 2:
The LED array design serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sufficient total UVB irradiance, ensures uniform distribution across the treatment area, and minimizes light loss to ambient through its compact form factor that places the light source close to the skin
3Volume of moving object
If inorganic LEDs are used as ultraviolet light source, then the device can be made portable and compact, but the light-emitting material degrades due to irradiation of ultraviolet light or high energy photons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inorganic LED materials with specific crystal structures and compositions that exhibit enhanced resistance to ultraviolet-induced degradation. The composite material approach combines multiple layers and materials to protect the light-emitting region while maintaining compact device dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent acknowledges the limited lifetime of inorganic LEDs due to material degradation but compensates by designing a compact, portable device that can be replaced or recharged. The short operational life is acceptable given the portability benefit and the ability to replace the light source module
4Productivity
If ultraviolet light is concentrated on a specific area of the skin, then the treatment is more efficient, but it causes erythema, pigmentation or skin cancer due to excessive energy dose
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the LED array to provide uniform irradiance distribution across the treatment area rather than concentrating light on specific spots. Each LED element contributes to the overall uniform coverage, ensuring that no local area receives excessive energy dose that could cause skin damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates control mechanisms that monitor and regulate the UVB irradiance delivered to the skin. By providing feedback on the total energy dose administered, the system can adjust the irradiation parameters to maintain efficient Vitamin D synthesis while preventing harmful effects from excessive exposure
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 provides efficient and safe synthesis of Vitamin D with reduced side effects, such as erythema, by ensuring uniform UVB light exposure and maintaining a portable form factor, while minimizing material and production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a light diffusion panel located between the light source and the skin, and configured to equalize an irradiance of the ultraviolet light reaching the skin by causing diffusion of the ultraviolet light radiated from the light source
Implementation Method 2
a light source installed in an inner part of the housing to radiate an ultraviolet light for inducing Vitamin D in the body
Implementation Method 3
Inorganic light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are known as good examples
Implementation Method 4
a heat sink, along with a control unit to manage light emission and prevent overheating
Data Source
AI summary
A system for inducing synthesis of Vitamin D in a body includes a wearable illumination device formed in a structure that is wearable on the body, and including a plurality of light sources configured to radiate an ultraviolet light to a skin of a worn part; and a control device connected to the plurality of light sources and configured to drive the plurality of light sources to radiate the ultraviolet light, wherein the wearable illumination device includes a light diffusion panel configured to equalize an irradiance of the ultraviolet light reaching the skin by causing diffusion of the ultraviolet light radiated from the plurality of light sources.