Light Applicator With Scattering Body for Isotropic Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light applicators for photodynamic therapy (PDT) are limited by the non-isotropic light distribution from thin, flexible laser light guides, which are costly and complex, making them unsuitable for effective, tissue-sparing, and cost-effective interstitial or percutaneous treatments, especially for voluminous pathological tissues.
Innovation Solution
A light applicator with a miniaturized LED at the distal end, featuring a needle tip and a light-transparent scattering body for isotropic light distribution, eliminating the need for a laser light guide and allowing for stiffening with a rigid or flexible electrical conductor, enabling more efficient and cost-effective PDT with reduced tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a thin, flexible laser light guide is used for interstitial PDT, then the applicator can be inserted into tissue, but the light output is strongly focused distally rather than isotropic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable plastic light guide instead of a reusable laser light guide. The plastic light guide is inexpensive to manufacture and can be discarded after single use, eliminating the need for expensive laser sources and complex optical systems while achieving adequate light delivery for the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the light guide by using a plastic material with different optical properties than traditional laser light guides. The plastic light guide has a larger numerical aperture and different light propagation characteristics that enable more isotropic light distribution when combined with the diffuser element
2Reliability
If a rigid channel guide is used to guide the flexible light guide to pathological tissue, then the light guide can reach the target, but large resistances from healthy and pathological tissue limit the penetration depth
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable plastic light guide with its integrated needle tip is designed to be self-contained and inexpensive. This allows the entire assembly to be discarded after single use, eliminating the need for expensive reusable rigid channel guides while maintaining the ability to reach pathological tissue through tissue-piercing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the light guide function with the tissue-piercing needle function into a single integrated disposable applicator. The plastic light guide is formed with an integrated needle tip, combining two separate functions (light delivery and tissue penetration) into one component, simplifying the overall system and reducing the need for separate rigid channel guides
3Reliability
If an expensive laser system is used for PDT, then effective light delivery can be achieved, but the cost prevents implementation as a disposable item
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive laser system with an inexpensive plastic light guide that can be manufactured as a disposable item. The plastic light guide is produced through injection molding or similar low-cost manufacturing processes, enabling single-use applications without the high costs associated with laser systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified version or copy of the laser light guide function using plastic material. Instead of using the complex and expensive laser system, a plastic light guide is designed that replicates the essential light delivery function at a fraction of the cost, suitable for disposable application
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 light applicator provides homogeneous, isotropic illumination with reduced tissue damage and lower costs, allowing for disposable use and simultaneous treatment of large pathological areas with multiple applicators, improving treatment efficacy and reducing the risk of missed lesions.
Implementation Method 1
a light-transparent scattering body (71) for scattering the light from the LED
Implementation Method 2
a needle tip (71) which is partially arranged distally from the LED and tapers distally to a point
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a light applicator (5) for examining and/or treating an organic body, wherein the light applicator (5) has a distal insertion section (11) with an LED (19) at the distal end for piercing tissue (17) of the organic body, wherein the insertion section (11) has a needle tip arranged at least partially distal to the LED (19) and tapering distally with a light-transparent scattering body (71) for scattering the light of the LED (19).