1.27 um Oxygen Laser for Singlet Oxygen Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cancer treatment methods using laser beams of 1.2 to 1.3 um wavelength for generating singlet oxygen are inefficient due to the need for precise wavelength matching and narrow linewidth, leading to complex and expensive systems, or low efficiency when using quantum dot lasers with wider linewidths.

Innovation Solution

A cancer treatment apparatus utilizing a light source that generates 1.27 um wavelength radiation, which matches the absorption spectrum of oxygen molecules, allowing for efficient excitation of oxygen into the singlet state, and using an oxygen molecule laser or amplified spontaneous emission to produce high-power, flexible, and focused radiation for cancer treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a Raman laser with wavelength conversion is used to generate a laser beam of 1.2 to 1.3 um wavelength, then singlet oxygen can be generated in cancer cells, but the system becomes complicated and expensive due to the need for line narrowing and wavelength stabilization modules

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesinglet oxygen generation efficiencyVSAvoidlaser system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complicated wavelength conversion process (Raman conversion) and the associated line narrowing and stabilization modules. Instead, it directly uses a laser source that naturally emits at the required 1.27 um wavelength, removing the unnecessary complexity while maintaining singlet oxygen generation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of converting a laser wavelength to reach 1.27 um (the conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by directly using a laser source that naturally emits at 1.27 um. This reverses the traditional wavelength conversion methodology and achieves simpler system design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If a laser beam with wide wavelength width of about ± 0.5 nm is used to cover the entire area around 1.27 um, then wavelength matching is simplified, but the efficiency of singlet oxygen generation becomes extremely poor due to overwhelming power at non-absorption wavelengths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewavelength matching easeVSAvoidsinglet oxygen generation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the wavelength parameter from a wide bandwidth (± 0.5 nm) to a narrow bandwidth that precisely matches the oxygen absorption line at 1.27 um. This parameter optimization ensures that the laser power is concentrated at the effective absorption wavelength, maximizing singlet oxygen generation efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If a quantum dot laser with linewidth of around 1 nm is used to generate singlet oxygen, then the laser can be adjusted to oscillate at 1.27-micrometer wavelength, but the efficiency of singlet oxygen generation becomes quite low because the linewidth is much wider than the oxygen absorption line width

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaser wavelength adjustabilityVSAvoidsinglet oxygen generation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the laser linewidth parameter to be as narrow as possible, matching the oxygen absorption line width. This is achieved by selecting appropriate laser sources and configuring the optical system to provide narrow linewidth emission at 1.27 um, thereby maximizing the overlap between laser spectrum and oxygen absorption spectrum

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 apparatus efficiently generates singlet oxygen, enabling effective cancer treatment with high-power, focused 1.27 um radiation that can penetrate deep into the body, treating multiple patients simultaneously and reducing treatment time.

Implementation Method 1

this light having a wavelength of 1.27 um being generated from singlet oxygen molecules... the oxygen molecule in the singlet state emits a photon corresponding to the energy of its excited level, and the oxygen molecule in the ground state strongly absorbs the photon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the singlet oxygen molecule emits near-infrared light (hereinafter referred to as 1.27 um wavelength radiation or 1.27-micormeter wavelength radiation) with a wavelength of 1.27 um

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence emission: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 3

a treatment apparatus based on a treatment method of generating a laser beam of a wavelength of 1.2 to 1.3 um and irradiating the laser beam directly to a cancer cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser beam propagation: Laser

Implementation Method 4

The laser light of this wavelength may excite the oxygen molecules around the cancer cells to be in a singlet state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical focusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 5

the dissolved oxygen near the cancer cells is transferred from the drug molecules in the triplet state to the excited singlet state O2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy transfer:

Data Source

PatentEP3878508A1Cancer treatment system
Publication Date: 2021.09.15 TAKEHISA KIWAMU
  • EP3878508A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3878508A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3878508A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a cancer treatment system including: a radiation source configured to produce 1.27-micrometer wavelength radiation, wherein the 1.27-micrometer wavelength radiation is generated from singlet oxygen. The radiation source may be an oxygen laser or an amplified spontaneous emission generator. The 1.27-micrometer wavelength radiation may be a laser or an amplified spontaneous emission.