Light-emitting textile structure, in particular for medical purposes, and use thereof
View Patent ↗A light-emitting textile structure, which in particular is useful for medical purposes, comprises a flat support ( 2 ) and a plurality of light-emitting elements ( 4 ) fixed thereto. Each light-emitting element comprises a light-supplying optical fiber ( 6 ), to each optical fiber ( 6 ) there being associated exactly one light-emitting element ( 4 ), which comprises at least one output zone formed by a local curvature of the optical fiber. The local curvature is selected in such a way that a lateral exit of light from the optical fiber occurs due to the absence of total reflection.
1. A light-emitting textile structure, in particular for medical purposes, comprising:
a flat flexible support ( 2 ) and a plurality of light-emitting elements ( 4 , 4 a , 4 b ) affixed thereto: wherein each light-emitting element further comprises a light-supplying optical fiber ( 6 , 6 a , 6 b ), said optical fiber not being a woven or integral part of said flexible support, characterized in that to each optical fiber ( 6 , 6 a , 6 b ) there is associated exactly one light-emitting element ( 4 , 4 a , 4 b ) that comprises at least one output zone ( 8 , 8 a , 8 b ) formed by a local curvature ( 12 , 13 ) of the optical fiber by either a fixation stitch or at least one loop.
2. The textile structure according to claim 1 , wherein said light-emitting elements form a pixel-like two dimensional arrangements ( 4 ( 1 , 1 ), 4 ( 1 , 2 ), 4 ( 2 , 1 ), 4 ( 2 , 2 ), 4 ( 3 , 1 ,), 4 ( 3 , 2 )).
3. The textile structure according to claim 1 , wherein said light-emitting elements ( 4 , 4 a , 4 b ) are stitched to the support ( 2 ), wherein said light-emitting elements are not a woven part of said support.
4. The textile structure according to claim 1 , wherein each light-emitting element has two light-supplying optical fibers ends ( 6 , 6 a , 6 b ).
5. The textile structure according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one output zone is formed by a plurality of loops ( 8 , 12 ) of the optical fiber.
6. The textile structure according to claim 1 , which has been coated with a photosensitive substance or a precursor thereof.
7. The textile structure according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one output zone is formed by a local damage or distortion ( 12 ) originating from a fixation stitch ( 10 a ).
8. The textile structure according to claim 1 , wherein said support ( 2 ) is formed by a flexible flat material being either a textile material or a foil.
9. The textile structure according to claim 1 , wherein said support ( 2 ) is removable before use.
10. The textile structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a light-reflecting backside ( 22 ).
11. The textile structure according to claim 1 , further comprising an optically effective layer ( 24 ) independent of said optical fibers at said textile structure's front side.
12. The textile structure according to claim 1 , further including at least one output zone of an optical fiber used as a light collector ( 26 ) in order to lead away light impinging onto the textile structure through the optical fiber( 30 ).
13. The textile structure according to claim 12 , wherein at least one end of said optical fiber is connected to a light detector.