Light Diffusing Device for Photodynamic Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light delivery devices for photodynamic therapy often result in uneven light distribution along the light emitting section, leading to inconsistent activation of photosensitizers and reduced effectiveness in treating diseased tissue while preserving normal tissue.
Innovation Solution
A light diffusing device with an optical fiber where the cladding is selectively removed to progressively increase the surface area of the core fiber distally, creating a more even distribution of light emission from the distal to the proximal end, ensuring consistent light delivery across the treatment area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If cladding is removed uniformly along the optical fiber to create light emission, then light emission area is increased, but light distribution becomes uneven with higher intensity at proximal areas and lower intensity at distal areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform cladding removal patterns where the degree of cladding removal varies along the length of the optical fiber. Specifically, less cladding is removed at proximal areas and more cladding is removed at distal areas, creating locally different light emission characteristics that compensate for the natural attenuation of light along the fiber, thereby achieving more uniform overall light distribution.
2Device complexity
If light is delivered through a standard optical fiber, then light delivery is simple, but light distribution is uneven along the emitting section
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical fiber into multiple sections along its length, with each section having different cladding removal characteristics. This segmentation allows different portions of the fiber to contribute differently to light emission, with proximal sections having more cladding intact and distal sections having more cladding removed, thereby achieving uniform light distribution while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
3Illumination intensity
If more photosensitizing agent is activated at proximal areas, then light emission is enhanced, but normal tissue damage increases due to uneven distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of cladding removal extent along the length of the optical fiber to control light emission characteristics. By progressively increasing the degree of cladding removal from proximal to distal areas, the system adjusts the light emission parameter to compensate for natural light attenuation, ensuring uniform photosensitizer activation and minimizing harmful effects on normal tissue through even light distribution.
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
This solution enables safer and more precise photodynamic therapy by ensuring even light distribution, increasing the quantity of light available at the distal end and reducing intensity variations, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing damage to normal tissue.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber defining a longitudinal dimension, a lateral dimension and a distal end
Implementation Method 2
a progressively distally increasing surface area of core fiber is exposed, resulting in an even distribution of light emitted from the light emitting section
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~2B
AI summary
A light diffusing device for use in photodynamic therapy has a progressively distally increased exposed amount of core fiber defining a light emitting section. Excessive light energy emission is thus prevented access to proximal locations and provides an increased amount of available light energy at distal locations, thus permitting an even emission of light energy along the light emitting section.