Intramedullary Blue Light Fiber for Uniform Bone Infection Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for bone infections, such as osteomyelitis, often require systemic antibiotic use, which can be ineffective against drug-resistant bacteria and do not provide site-specific targeting, leading to potential overuse and complications.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing anti-microbial blue light delivered via optical fibers, which can be inserted through a catheter, disperses light energy evenly to kill bacteria, viruses, or fungi within bones, using specific wavelengths and configurations to ensure effective treatment without systemic drug use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If systemic antibiotics are used to treat bone infections, then the treatment can be administered broadly, but it becomes ineffective against drug-resistant bacteria and causes overuse complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transitioning from systemic antibiotic administration to localized photodynamic therapy directly at the infection site. Optical fibers are inserted into the bone to deliver blue light energy specifically to the infected area, activating photosensitizers locally to produce singlet oxygen that kills pathogens without affecting the entire body, thus overcoming drug resistance and reducing overuse complications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical mechanism of systemic antibiotics with an optical mechanism. Blue light energy activates photosensitizing agents through photodynamic therapy, generating singlet oxygen that mechanically and chemically destroys bacterial cell membranes and DNA, providing a non-antibiotic-based approach that bypasses drug resistance mechanisms.
2Reliability
If optical fibers are used to deliver light energy for antimicrobial treatment, then site-specific targeting is achieved, but the light energy must be dispersed evenly to ensure effective treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the light delivery system into multiple optical fibers that can be inserted at different locations within the bone. Each fiber acts as an independent light delivery channel, and the collective arrangement of multiple fibers enables comprehensive coverage of the infection site while maintaining even energy distribution through spatial segmentation of the treatment zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from point-source light delivery to distributed linear light delivery along the optical fiber length. The light energy is dispersed evenly over the length of the optical fibers in both longitudinal and circumferential directions, creating a two-dimensional treatment zone that ensures uniform coverage throughout the bone infection site.
3Illumination intensity
If cladding is removed from optical fibers to achieve even light dispersion, then light energy distribution is improved, but the structural integrity of the optical fiber is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by removing cladding only from specific segments of the optical fiber rather than the entire length. This selective cladding removal creates controlled light emission zones at strategic locations where light dispersion is most needed, while preserving the structural integrity and protective functions of the cladding in other regions, thus balancing light delivery effectiveness with fiber strength.
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
Provides a site-specific, targeted treatment for bone infections, effectively killing pathogens while minimizing exposure to antibiotics, and is effective against drug-resistant strains.
Implementation Method 1
one or more optical fibers sized to pass through the inner lumen of the delivery catheter and being configured to directly deliver light energy to provide an antimicrobial effect to the tissue
Implementation Method 2
The one or more optical fibers are configured to disperse the light energy evenly over a length of the one or more optical fibers in both longitudinal and circumferential directions
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices and methods for controlled intramedullary delivery of light (frequencies from about 380 nm to about 500 nm) to treat tissue or bones disorders, including osteomyelitis, by a flexible fiber are provided, where the light is delivered in a circumferential fashion around the fiber, and where the energy delivered from the fiber is of a similar average intensity at the front end and back end of the fiber, and in between. The methods and systems deliver intramedullary light to the canal over long lengths via a minimally invasive pathway to a bone. The methods and systems deliver and maintain a light delivery system within the canal of the bone to provide single or multiple doses of light to kill, eliminate, remove or reduce bacteria, viruses, fungus and pathogens, without removal of the light fiber system, thereby providing single or multiple treatments.