Low Level Light Therapy for Platelet Biogenesis and Lifespan

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for managing thrombocytopenia, characterized by low platelet levels, are inadequate due to the short shelf life of donated platelets and associated risks with transfusions, necessitating a safer and more effective means to enhance platelet regeneration and storage.

Innovation Solution

Employing low-level light (LLL) therapy, either alone or in combination with other drugs and biological agents, to facilitate platelet biogenesis in vivo and extend the lifespan of circulating and stored platelets by applying LLL to bone marrow, liver, or platelet precursors, using devices with controllers and LLL generators to deliver specific parameters of light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If platelet transfusion is performed to manage thrombocytopenia, then platelet levels are improved, but risks of transfusion complications increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatelet levelsVSAvoidtransfusion complications

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables the patient's own bone marrow to regenerate platelets through low-level light therapy stimulation, eliminating the need for external platelet transfusions and their associated risks. The body's hematopoietic system serves itself to produce the required platelets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Low-level light therapy is applied in advance to stimulate bone marrow activity and enhance platelet production before thrombocytopenia becomes critical, preventing the need for emergency transfusions and reducing overall transfusion dependency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If platelet donation is increased to meet rising demand, then availability of platelets is improved, but shelf life limitations cause increased waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatelet availabilityVSAvoiddiscarded platelets

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of relying on external donations with limited shelf life, the invention enables patients to generate their own platelets through bone marrow stimulation, creating an on-demand supply system that eliminates waste from expiration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Low-level light therapy changes the physiological parameters of bone marrow cells, enhancing their proliferative capacity and platelet production rate, thereby increasing the body's natural platelet supply without depending on donated units with fixed shelf life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If low-level light therapy is applied to enhance platelet biogenesis, then platelet production is improved, but treatment time and energy requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatelet productionVSAvoidtreatment duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Low-level light therapy is applied continuously or repeatedly over an extended period to sustain bone marrow stimulation and maintain enhanced platelet production, converting a time-intensive process into a continuous therapeutic regimen that ultimately reduces overall treatment time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

LLL therapy effectively increases ATP synthesis, enhances platelet production, and prolongs the shelf life of stored platelets, reducing the need for transfusions and associated risks by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis and maintaining platelet viability and function.

Implementation Method 1

employing low level light (LLL) to facilitate platelet biogenesis, prolong platelet life in circulation and in storage... LLL can be used to facilitate platelet biogenesis, prolong platelet life in in vivo circulation, and/or in in vitro platelet storage... LLL therapy effectively increases ATP synthesis, enhances platelet production, and prolongs the shelf life of stored platelets, reducing the need for transfusions and associated risks by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotobiomodulation: Photosynthesis

Data Source

PatentUS11623103B2Systems and methods for enhancing platelet biogenesis and extending platelet lifespan with low level light

Publication Date: 2023.04.11 THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods that can apply low level light (LLL) to facilitate platelet biogenesis or extend platelet lifespan. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that LLL can enhance the ATP synthesis by the mitochondria within platelets and/or platelet precursor cells, which, thereby, helps to enhance platelet biogenesis and extend the platelet lifespan. In some instances, LLL can facilitate in vitro and/or in vivo platelet biogenesis. In other instances, LLL can extend platelet lifespan in circulation. In still other instances, LLL can be employed to prolong the shelf-life of stored platelets.