Implantable Light-Emitting Circuit Driven by AC Electric Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) for cancer treatment is limited by the need for external light sources, which are ineffective for tumors located deep within the body, leading to discomfort and contamination issues due to the use of lead wires for implanted LED light sources.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that combines intermediate frequency alternating electric fields (TTFields) with photodynamic therapy by using an implantable light-emitting circuit driven by an AC voltage source, eliminating the need for external power sources and lead wires, thereby providing simultaneous light exposure and electric field treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If external light sources are used for PDT, then treatment of superficial tumors is effective, but deep tumors cannot be reached due to light penetration limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces external optical illumination with internally generated light from implantable LEDs. This substitution allows light to be produced at the target site rather than penetrating from outside, overcoming the fundamental limitation of light penetration depth in tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces implantable LED devices as intermediaries that convert electrical energy to optical energy at the tumor site. These LEDs serve as a mediator between the power source and the photosensitizer, enabling light delivery to deep tumors that external sources cannot reach.
2Volume of moving object
If implantable LED light sources are used to treat deep tumors, then treatment depth is improved, but lead wires cause discomfort and contamination issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic lead wires from the system. By using wireless power transfer technology, the harmful connection between external power sources and implanted LEDs is eliminated, removing the source of contamination and discomfort while preserving the benefit of deep tumor treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrical connection (lead wires) with wireless electromagnetic field-based power transfer. This substitution eliminates physical penetration of the skin and associated risks while maintaining the functionality of implantable LED illumination.
3Volume of moving object
If implantable LED light sources with lead wires are used, then deep tumors can be treated, but treatment reliability decreases due to wire dysfunction over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lead wires that cause reliability issues. By eliminating these vulnerable connection points, the system avoids the problems of wire degradation, disconnection, and infection that compromise long-term treatment reliability, while maintaining deep tumor treatment capability through wireless power transfer.
4Ease of operation
If conventional PDT with external light sources is used, then treatment setup is simple, but treatment duration is limited by light source accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary implantation of LED devices before the actual PDT treatment. This allows the light source to be positioned optimally within or near the tumor, enabling prolonged illumination periods that would be impossible with external light sources, while the implantation procedure itself remains a standard surgical step.
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
Enhances treatment efficacy by allowing dual therapeutic effects of TTFields and PDT without the drawbacks of external wiring, offering a high therapeutic index with reduced side effects and improved treatment duration.
Implementation Method 1
a light-emitting circuit adapted to be driven by the AC electric field and being embeddable within the subject's body
Implementation Method 2
Photodynamic Therapy involves the use of light-activated dyes (photosensitizers) that preferably localize in target cells (e.g. in tumors) but not in normal, healthy cells. Photosensitizers utilize energy from treatment light to produce a cytotoxic oxygen species which kills cancerous or diseased cells.
Implementation Method 3
An apparatus that combines intermediate frequency alternating electric fields (TTFields) with photodynamic therapy
Data Source
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AI summary
A light generating circuit is implanted in a subject's body and aimed at a target region such as a tumor. A photosensitizer is introduced into the target region, and an AC electric field is induced in the region. The field causes the light generating circuit to generate light, which activates the photosensitizer; and at certain field strengths and frequencies, the field itself has a beneficial effect. The beneficial effects of the field and the activated photosensitizer are thereby obtained simultaneously.