Movable Light Source for Photodynamic Therapy Wound Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photodynamic therapy devices are not easily adaptable for treating large wounds or areas with complex geometries, such as chronic wounds or skin ulcers, due to their weight, mobility issues, and difficulty in achieving uniform light distribution, which limits their effectiveness and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A device with a movable light source guided by a linear mechanism, integrated distance sensors, and a display system that allows for precise alignment and irradiation of large areas, using a photosensitizer like HELBO Blue Kutan, which is applied to the wound and activated with light of specific wavelength and energy density to kill microorganisms efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed light source arrangement is used in the irradiation unit, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different wound positions and geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is made movable within the irradiation unit through a guide device with linear guidance, allowing dynamic repositioning along a linear path. This enables the light source to adapt to different wound positions and geometries while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
2Reliability
If the irradiation unit is made heavy for stable positioning, then positioning stability is improved, but mobility and ease of handling deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: a movable irradiation unit with light source, a positioning device for stable placement, and a guide device for light source adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the positioning device provides stability while the irradiation unit remains manageable in weight for easy handling.
3Illumination intensity
If a single fixed light source position is used, then the device is simple to operate, but it cannot achieve uniform light distribution over large wound areas
Solution Approach 1:
The light source can be dynamically repositioned along a linear guide path to different locations within the irradiation unit. This allows the operator to adjust the light source position to achieve optimal and uniform light distribution across large or irregularly shaped wound areas, while the guide device maintains operational simplicity through constrained linear movement.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the light source is fixed in the irradiation unit, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot be adapted to complex wound geometries
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than manufacturing multiple fixed-position irradiation units for different wound types, the invention uses a single manufacturable design with a movable light source guided along a linear path. This dynamic capability allows one device to adapt to various wound geometries without increasing manufacturing complexity significantly.
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 device enables reliable and efficient photodynamic therapy for large wound areas with high germ killing efficacy, reducing treatment time and costs, while avoiding resistance development and side effects associated with traditional antibiotics, promoting faster wound healing and cost savings in healthcare.
Implementation Method 1
The principle of action of photodynamic therapy (PDT) or antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is based on the physical effect of energy transfer to a light-activated substance, which is also referred to as a photosensitizer or photosensitizer, after a selective action and / or staining of the microorganisms
Implementation Method 2
The principle of action of photodynamic therapy (PDT) or antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is based on the physical effect of energy transfer to a light-activated substance
Implementation Method 3
The irradiation unit contains a camera, which is used to take pictures of the wound area before and during the therapy
Implementation Method 4
distance sensors are provided for monitoring the distance between the irradiation unit and the wound area
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for photodynamic therapy and/or for killing or reducing microorganisms, comprising an irradiation unit (2) having at least one light source (10.1, 10.2, 10.3), by means of which a photosensitizer applied onto a wound region (44) to be treated is activated by irradiation. The device further comprises a camera arranged in the irradiation unit (2) for capturing images of the wound and a positioning device (6), by means of which the irradiation unit can be oriented relative to the wound region (44). The invention further relates to a method for operating such a device. The aim of the invention is to provide an effective wound therapy that can be controlled according to the respective circumstances with relatively low technical complexity and/or easy handling. According to the invention, the light source or light sources (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) can be moved in the irradiation unit (2) by means of a guide device (12) and by means of a drive unit (19) and sequentially positioned in at least two different irradiation positions (14) of the wound region (44). The camera image captured by means of the camera (28) and represented on a display (20) is superimposed with a displayed grid (46), which corresponds to the irradiation positions (14) of the light source or light sources (10.1, 10.2, 10.3). The display (20) is designed such that the irradiation fields to be irradiated by means of the light sources (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) can be marked in the display (20) with marking means (51).