Copper Ion-Doped Carbon Dots for Deep-Tissue Photodynamic Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photodynamic therapy methods face challenges such as limited tissue penetration of lasers, complex operation processes, and low singlet oxygen quantum yield, making them unsuitable for deep tumors and patients with photosensitizer allergies, and requiring cumbersome array multipoint irradiation.
Innovation Solution
Copper ion-doped carbon dots (Cu-CDs) are synthesized using copper nitrate and acrylic acid through in situ polymerization, pyrolysis, and carbonization, followed by extraction and purification, allowing for efficient generation of singlet oxygen under visible and near-infrared light, enhancing photodynamic therapy efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional photodynamic therapy using lasers is used, then tumor treatment can be achieved, but the laser cannot penetrate deeply into tissue and requires complex array multipoint irradiation for deep tumors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the photosensitizer by using copper ion-doped carbon dots with tailored optical properties that enable absorption in the visible to near-infrared region, allowing deeper tissue penetration compared to traditional lasers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the photosensitizer function from the laser system itself and embeds it in the carbon dot material, which can be administered systemically and accumulates in tumors, eliminating the need for complex irradiation systems
2Manufacturing precision
If copper-nitrogen co-doped carbon dots are synthesized by reaction of disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and copper chloride, then copper ions and nitrogen atoms are doped, but metal sodium ions are also present and the process requires photothermal and photodynamic synergistic therapies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the unwanted metal sodium ions from the doping process and uses only copper ions and nitrogen atoms, simplifying the composition control and eliminating the need for complex synergistic therapy protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simpler, more direct synthesis method using copper nitrate and acrylic acid that produces the desired copper-nitrogen doped carbon dots without requiring complex multi-step processes or multiple therapy modalities
3Manufacturing precision
If the same copper-nitrogen co-doped carbon dots are used, then copper ions and nitrogen atoms are doped, but the singlet oxygen quantum yield is not high and single photodynamic therapy is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the doping parameters by using copper nitrate as the copper source and controlling the nitrogen content through the acrylic acid polymerization process, achieving high singlet oxygen quantum yield while maintaining precise compositional control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure where copper ions are doped within the carbon dot matrix with nitrogen-containing functional groups, enhancing the singlet oxygen generation capability while maintaining compositional precision
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
Cu-CDs demonstrate high singlet oxygen quantum yield, stability, and ease of dispersion in various solvents, simplifying the photodynamic therapy process, with improved treatment outcomes for tumors and skin diseases, and reduced side effects.
Implementation Method 1
Cu-CDs have been used as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy... efficient generation of singlet oxygen under visible and near-infrared light
Implementation Method 2
using copper nitrate as a dopant to generate a complex of polyacrylic acid and copper ions as a precursor by an in situ polymerization
Implementation Method 3
performing pyrolysis and carbonization to generate carbonized products
Data Source
AI summary
Copper ion-doped carbon dots (Cu-CDs) and a preparation method thereof are disclosed. The preparation method includes the following steps: using copper nitrate as a dopant to generate a complex of polyacrylic acid and copper ions as a precursor by an in situ polymerization; standing overnight, and performing repeated suction filtration to collect filter residues; then, performing pyrolysis and carbonization to generate carbonized products, dispersing in ultrapure water, taking a supernatant, and then performing extraction and purification to obtain the CDs. When the Cu-CDs prepared by the present invention are used in photodynamic therapy, photothermal/photodynamic synergistic therapy is not required, and the Cu-CDs are suitable for the therapeutic process of skin cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, brain glioma, as well as some skin diseases and ophthalmological diseases.