Matrix-Embedded Photosensitizer for Ophthalmic Phototherapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photodynamic and photothermal therapies for ophthalmic diseases face limitations due to the toxicity and metabolic safety concerns of photosensitizers, which require intravenous injection and have difficulties in timing and maintenance of administration, leading to potential side effects and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A medical material is developed that combines a photosensitizer with a matrix material through copolymerization, surface grafting, or coating, allowing for surgical implantation near the diseased region, enabling localized laser treatment without systemic toxicity and allowing for repetitive use without additional surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If photosensitizers are administered systemically via intravenous injection for photodynamic or photothermal therapy, then the treatment can reach diseased tissues, but the photosensitizers cause systemic toxicity and metabolic safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the treatment system into two separate components: a biocompatible matrix material (such as hydrogel or polymer) and a photosensitizer. The matrix is implanted locally at the diseased site first, and the photosensitizer is administered systemically later, allowing it to accumulate in the matrix rather than distributing throughout the body. This segmentation reduces systemic toxicity while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The matrix material is implanted at the target site before photosensitizer administration. This preliminary action creates a localized reservoir that guides the photosensitizer to the diseased tissue, ensuring concentrated therapeutic effect at the target while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues and reducing systemic toxicity.
2Loss of time
If photosensitizers are administered intravenously with high injection speed for rapid removal, then the treatment timing can be controlled, but the patient's heart and blood vessels experience discomfort and potential harm
Solution Approach 1:
The matrix is implanted beforehand at the target site, eliminating the need for rapid intravenous injection of photosensitizer. The photosensitizer can be administered at a slow, comfortable rate since it will accumulate in the pre-placed matrix rather than requiring rapid distribution and removal through the cardiovascular system, thereby reducing cardiovascular stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The matrix material serves as an intermediary carrier between the photosensitizer and the diseased tissue. Instead of directly injecting photosensitizer into the bloodstream for rapid distribution, the matrix acts as a localized intermediate reservoir that the photosensitizer accumulates in, allowing slow administration without cardiovascular stress.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If photosensitizers are injected directly into diseased tissues, then the treatment can be localized, but the procedure becomes more invasive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment is segmented into two minimally invasive steps: matrix implantation (which can be done via simple injection or implantation) followed by systemic photosensitizer administration. This avoids the complexity and invasiveness of direct tissue injection while achieving localized treatment through the matrix's selective accumulation of the photosensitizer.
Solution Approach 2:
The matrix material serves as an intermediary that enables localization without direct tissue injection. By implanting the matrix first and then administering the photosensitizer systemically, the matrix acts as a selective trap that concentrates the photosensitizer at the target site, achieving localization while avoiding invasive procedures.
4Duration of action of moving object
If conventional photodynamic or photothermal therapy is used, then the treatment can be performed, but additional surgery is needed for repeated treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The matrix material is implanted beforehand and remains in situ at the diseased site, serving as a reusable reservoir. For repeated treatments, the same matrix continues to accumulate photosensitizer from subsequent systemic administrations, eliminating the need for additional surgical implantation procedures and allowing multiple treatments through simple photosensitizer re-administration.
Solution Approach 2:
The implanted matrix serves itself by continuously capturing photosensitizer from systemic circulation. For repeated treatments, the matrix automatically accumulates the photosensitizer again without requiring patient intervention or additional surgical procedures, enabling self-service repeated therapy.
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 approach minimizes systemic toxicity, allows for controlled and repeated treatments, and enhances the safety and efficiency of photodynamic and photothermal therapies for ophthalmic diseases by fixing the photosensitizer in or on a matrix material, ensuring targeted therapy with reduced side effects.
Implementation Method 1
the photosensitizers is used to absorb photons so as to be in the excited state
Implementation Method 2
the energy is passed to the surrounding oxygen so as to result in a singlet-oxygen with a strong activity
Implementation Method 3
The photothermal therapy is based on photothermal transfers, wherein the photothermal agents efficiently convert light energy into heat and produce a high temperature to kill diseased tissue cells
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a medicinal material for light therapy, comprising a matrix material and a photosensitizer, wherein the photosensitizer is dispersed inside the matrix material by copolymerization, is mixed inside the matrix material, or attached to the surface of the matrix material by surface grafting, modification, coating and the like. The present material can kill diseased tissue cells with a radiation under selected wavelength so as to obtain a phototherapy treatment of ophthalmic diseases. The present invention also provides a process for preparing the material and a use in preparing an ophthalmic medical device.