Implantable Light Diffuser for Bone Tissue Photodynamic Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light diffusers for medical applications, such as photodynamic therapy, are expensive to produce, difficult to clean and sterilize, and pose a risk of spreading diseased cells due to their disposable nature and need for invasive placement and removal, which limits their effectiveness in delivering homogeneous light to tissue structures.
Innovation Solution
A light diffuser produced using a thermoplastic material implanted in bone tissue via mechanical oscillation, which interpenetrates the bone structure to create a light-scattering surface, allowing for homogeneous light distribution without the need for pre-drilling or removal, and can be adapted for various applications by modifying the implantation method or using artificial porous shaping materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If known diffusers are manufactured by modification of light conductor distal end or by placing end-pieces, then light scattering function is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the light scattering function from complex manufactured diffusers and integrates it directly into the bone tissue through a simple implantable diffuser element. The diffuser element is implanted in the bone and allows light to be scattered through the bone matrix itself, eliminating the need for complex end-piece modifications or surface treatments of light conductors.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone tissue acts as an intermediary medium that scatters light. The diffuser element is implanted in the bone and utilizes the bone's natural optical properties to scatter light, rather than requiring artificial scattering surfaces or particles. This intermediary approach simplifies the diffuser design while maintaining effective light scattering.
2Ease of operation
If diffusers are designed as disposable items for minimally invasive treatment, then ease of operation is improved, but cleaning and sterilization become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser element is designed as a simple, inexpensive implantable component that can be easily placed and removed. Its simplicity allows for straightforward sterilization procedures compared to complex diffusers, while still maintaining the benefits of minimally invasive placement. The element can be sterilized by standard medical procedures and disposed of or retained based on treatment requirements.
3Reliability
If diffusers are placed into tissue for treatment, then light delivery to target area is improved, but risk of spreading diseased cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser element is implanted locally in the bone tissue at the specific treatment site. It provides localized light scattering exactly where needed for photodynamic therapy, without requiring extensive tissue disruption or invasive placement. This localized approach minimizes the risk of spreading diseased cells while maintaining effective light delivery to the target area.
4Stability of the object's composition
If light is scattered in many directions for homogeneous illumination, then light distribution homogeneity is improved, but light intensity in specific directions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The bone tissue's porous structure serves as the light scattering medium. The trabecular bone matrix naturally scatters light in multiple directions, creating homogeneous illumination throughout the treated area. The porous structure provides the necessary scattering without requiring additional materials or complex designs, maintaining effective light distribution while preserving bone integrity.
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
The method enables the creation of a cost-effective, reusable, and flexible light diffuser that reduces the risk of cell spread by integrating with bone tissue, providing homogeneous light distribution and potential additional functions like wound tamponing, suitable for both medical and technical applications.
Implementation Method 1
When an implant consisting of a thermoplastic material is implanted in bone tissue by means of mechanical oscillation, in particular ultrasound
Implementation Method 2
At these points the thermoplastic material liquefies and is pressed into uneven patches and pores (trabecular chambers) of the bone tissue
Implementation Method 3
The light scattering surface structure scatters the light supplied by the light conductor in the bone tissue in a very homogenous manner
Data Source
AI summary
A light diffuser, which is particularly suitable for introducing diffuse light into a tissue, is produced by interpenetration of a diffuser material in a liquid state into a boundary layer of a porous shaping material, by which process a diffuser surface is formed having a surface structure which represents essentially a negative of the pore structure of the shaping material and includes undercut structures induced by a surface tension. The light diffuser is e.g. produced by introducing a diffuser blank including material that is liquefiable through mechanical vibration into the shaping material and simultaneously stimulating it with mechanical vibrations, such that the liquefiable material liquefies at least there where it is in contact with the shaping material and is pressed into the shaping material. An in situ production of the diffuser is particularly advantageous for photodynamic therapy in bone tissue.