Non-Mechanical Optical Switch for Radiation Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), and photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) systems face limitations such as limited penetration depth, bulky and heavy equipment, mechanical inefficiencies, and inability to switch between different modes effectively, leading to reduced reliability and increased size, noise, and inefficiencies in light distribution and measurement.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing non-mechanical optical switches and combiners for efficient distribution and switching of radiation between diagnostic and therapeutic modes, allowing for compact, reliable, and high-speed operation with minimal mechanical wear, reducing noise and improving patient comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If mechanical beamsplitter systems are used to distribute light to multiple fibres, then light distribution is achieved, but the system becomes bulky, heavy, and mechanically complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical beamsplitter systems with optical switches that have no moving parts. The optical switching mechanism uses optical fields to control light distribution among multiple fibres, eliminating mechanical components entirely. This substitution resolves the contradiction by removing the source of mechanical wear and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the light distribution function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the light distribution function from bulky mechanical beamsplitter assemblies and implements it through compact optical switching circuits. By separating the switching function from mechanical support structures and using integrated optical components, the system achieves the same light distribution capability with significantly reduced size and weight.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical components are used for switching between diagnostic and therapeutic modes, then mode switching is achieved, but noise increases and patient comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switching mechanisms with all-optical switching circuits that control the distribution of diagnostic and therapeutic radiation without moving parts. The optical switching uses light fields to route radiation between different modes, eliminating mechanical noise generation while maintaining fast and reliable mode switching capability.
3Reliability
If multiple fibres are used for interstitial PDT treatment, then complete tumour coverage is achieved, but light flux measurement becomes mechanically complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement systems with optical switching circuits that enable electronic control and measurement of light flux in each fibre. The optical switching mechanism allows sequential or simultaneous monitoring of light delivery to multiple fibres without requiring mechanical movement, simplifying the measurement system while ensuring complete tumour coverage through coordinated multi-fibre treatment.
4Ease of operation
If open beam paths are used for light measurement, then light detection is simplified, but light loss increases and measurement precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light measurement function with the light delivery fibres by using the same fibres for both transmission and detection. Optical switching circuits enable the fibres to be dynamically configured for either delivering therapeutic light or measuring transmitted light, eliminating the need for separate open beam paths and reducing light loss while maintaining measurement capability.
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
Enables interactive, interstitial photodynamic and photothermal therapy and diagnosis with improved reliability, reduced size, and enhanced optical parameters, allowing for efficient and precise treatment and diagnosis of tumors, especially in deeper tissues.
Implementation Method 1
A radiation distributor for use in a system for photodynamic therapy (PDT) and/or photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) and/or photothermal therapy (PTT) has a first number of radiation inputs and a second number of radiation outputs, wherein the radiation distributor distributes radiation from the first number of radiation inputs to the second number of radiation outputs
Implementation Method 2
Each operation mode selection module may comprise an optical combiner. An optical combiner may be a passive device
Implementation Method 3
The limited penetration in the tissue of the activating red radiation is a big drawback of PDT
Implementation Method 4
dose calculations of the absorptive and scattering properties of the tissue
Implementation Method 5
The tumour area is then irradiated with non-thermal red light, normally from a laser, leading to excitation of the sensitizer to a more energetic state
Implementation Method 6
Through energy transfer from the activated sensitizer to the oxygen molecules of the tissue, the oxygen is transferred from its normal triplet state to the excited singlet state
Implementation Method 7
the weak light, which originates from the fibres that collected the light which is administered to the tissue, is measured
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for interactive therapy and diagnosis of a human or animal comprising at least one first radiation source for emission of a diagnostic radiation, at least one second radiation source for emission of a therapeutic radiation, and at least one radiation conductor adapted to conduct radiation to a tumor site at or in said human or animal. A non-mechanical operation mode selector directs the therapeutic radiation and/or the diagnostic radiation to the tumor site through the radiation conductors. The operation mode selector means is preferably a non-mechanical optical switch and/or an optical combiner. The system may be used for interactive interstitial photodynamic tumor therapy.