Why OLEDs are the ideal technology for photobiomodulation therapy applications

What is Photobiomodulation Therapy?
According to the North American Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy, Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) is:
"a type of light therapy that utilises non-ionising morphological light sources within the visible and infrared spectrum, which include lasers, LEDs and broad spectrum light sources. It is a non-thermal process that involves endogenous chromophores triggering photophysical (i.e., linear and non-linear) and photochemical events at various biological scales. This process produces beneficial therapeutic effects including, but not limited to, pain or inflammation relief, immunomodulation, and promotion of wound healing and tissue regeneration."

Essentially, exposing a wound or injury to red and infrared light energises our cells, relieves pain and promotes faster healing.

There are two clinically proven spectral ranges that are most effective in these types of treatments: 630-670 nm (visible red light) and 810-880 nm (near infrared light). The wavelength of light determines the depth of penetration into the tissue, so it is important to evaluate the appropriate wavelength for a particular condition.

Origins of Light Therapy
The use of light to treat wounds and inflammation has a long history. in 1903, Niels Ryberg Finsen was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his research into the effects of light on his own rare autoimmune disease. He carried out this research after finding that the disease improved with sun exposure.

The risk of this approach is that overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of sunlight can cause various types of skin and genetic damage. Doctors need to apply light in a more tightly controlled manner, so they have turned to lasers and inorganic LEDs.

 Photobiomodulation Therapy Therapeutic Apparatus - Joov Go 2.0
Photobiomodulation Therapy Treatment Appliance - Joov Go 2.0
Applications of Photobiomodulation Therapy
Photobiomodulation therapy is currently being used for a range of applications and treatments, particularly in cases where patients have difficulty healing from trauma. Such patients include those with advanced diabetes, autoimmune diseases such as lupus, and those undergoing cancer treatment. Many medical devices are in development, and numerous studies have shown that photobiomodulation therapy can help such patients heal wounds more quickly and safely than the self-healing process. One study showed that photobiomodulation therapy significantly reduced the incidence of severe acute radiation dermatitis in head and neck cancer patients.

Other uses of photobiomodulation therapy are for competitive athletes and skin care. Athletes who use photobiomodulation therapy before and after competition can speed muscle recovery, reduce the risk of injury, and improve performance. In addition, masks that emit red light are used to treat acne and improve tone. These products were initially particularly favoured in Asia and have begun to be used worldwide.

I have even tried photobiomodulation therapy myself! About a year ago, I had surgery. For a fortnight after the surgery, I exposed the wound area to red light every day with a small machine. I cut the time needed for recovery at least in half compared to how long my doctor said it would take. Now, in the absence of research, it's hard to conclude if this is entirely attributable to the red light exposure, but at least this method is safe, has no known negative side effects, and has been shown in clinical studies to relieve pain and speed up wound healing.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Photobiomodulation Therapy LightStim Pro Panel
Photobiomodulation Therapy - LightStim Pro Panel
Why are OLEDs ideal for photobiomodulation therapy?
Most photobiomodulation therapies today are performed using inorganic LEDs or lasers. However, OLED lighting brings some unique benefits and advantages to this type of light therapy, including:

OLEDs do not emit UV wavelengths and can safely irradiate the skin for extended periods of time.
OLED panels have an ultra-thin form factor and can be produced on flexible substrates, opening up more possibilities for wearable, customisable and adaptable photobiomodulation therapy therapies.
The use of fluorescent OLED (PHOLED) technology results in high efficiency, reducing power requirements and excessive heat, which is important for wearable applications, and can run off batteries.
OLEDs emit light uniformly across the entire panel surface, eliminating the need for components such as diffusers or circuit boards for power distribution.
OLEDs dissipate heat evenly across the entire panel surface, allowing them to operate at low temperatures and feel comfortable and safe near the skin.
Enabling wearable patches with OLED technology makes it possible to perform more treatments at home without having to visit a medical facility.

OLEDs are UV-free light sources
As mentioned earlier, light therapy research began with the effects found with prolonged sun exposure. However, sun exposure increases the risk of sunburn as well as other skin problems, cancelling out the benefits of pain relief.

With OLED lighting, none of this is an issue; OLED panels do not emit UV wavelengths and are IEC certified as posing no photobiological risk to the eyes or skin.

Slim, flexible OLEDs expand potential for wearable photobiomodulation therapy
As with masks used to treat acne and other cosmetic skin problems, the future of photobiomodulation therapy is in the use of simple, lightweight devices that can be easily worn to deliver light.

OLED lighting panels are ultra-thin in profile, with emissive layers and electronics as thin as a hair, and an overall panel thickness of only 0.5 mm. OLEDs can be housed on virtually any substrate and are already commercially available on flexible glass and plastics, which are unbreakable by dropping and offer patient safety advantages for applications with direct skin contact.

With the development and expansion of flexible OLED technology, panels can be easily integrated into masks, caps or patches placed close to the body, tailored to the patient's body shape and reconfigured on a case-by-case basis to treat a wide range of health issues.

Sample of Flexible OLED Lighting - OLEDWorks LumiCurve Wave
Sample of flexible OLED lighting - OLEDWorks LumiCurve Wave
OLEDs are cool to the touch during operation.
Many photobiomodulation therapy treatments require approximately 20 minutes or more of light exposure for optimal results.

OLED lighting provides uniform light and is extremely efficient when using fluorescent OLEDs. This means that energy and heat are distributed evenly across the entire panel surface, dissipating heat better and delivering a cool-to-the-touch experience. In other words, OLEDs can be placed close to the skin without causing discomfort due to heat generation.

OLED lighting offers the advantages of comfort, skin safety, and form-factor customisation, making it ideal for use in photobiomodulation therapy therapeutic devices. I look forward to seeing the positive impact that OLED lighting and photobiomodulation can have on patients' quality of life, given the benefits that can be derived from the increased adoption of such therapies for a wide range of diseases and injuries.