Antibacterial Photodynamic Therapy Device with Sidewall Light Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photodynamic therapy devices are ineffective in treating bacterial infections in areas like the nose, mouth, and throat due to limited illumination and the risk of spreading bacterial infestation during rinsing, and they cannot be used in all body cavities effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring an optical fiber light source that emits light through its sidewalls, a tubular structure for precise delivery of the photosensitizer, and a rinsing/suction system to confine the treatment area and prevent bacterial spread, with optional ultrasonic nebulization and adaptable designs for specific body regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a light fiber is used to illuminate body cavities, then the illumination area is limited, but the treatment coverage is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the treatment system into separate functional components: a light delivery system with optical fibers for illumination and a separate photosensitizer delivery system (spray bottle, nebulizer, or catheter) for dye administration. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function - the light fiber provides focused illumination while the separate delivery system ensures comprehensive photosensitizer distribution throughout the body cavity, thereby increasing overall treatment coverage without compromising illumination quality.
2Quantity of substance
If excess dye is rinsed away, then the photosensitizer is removed, but bacterial infestation spreads to other body cavities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controlled rinsing system that uses a rinsing agent delivered through a dedicated delivery system to remove excess photosensitizer. This intermediary rinsing process allows selective removal of unbound dye while the contained delivery system prevents the rinsing agent and dislodged bacteria from spreading to other body cavities, thus eliminating the harmful effect of bacterial dissemination while maintaining the benefit of excess dye removal.
3Manufacturing precision
If the photosensitizer is released in the spatial vicinity of the treatment area, then treatment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a multi-functional delivery system that can operate in multiple modes: it can deliver photosensitizer via spray bottle for general application, nebulizer for aerosolized distribution, or catheter for targeted insertion into body cavities. This universal design allows the same basic device structure to adapt to different treatment requirements and body cavities, achieving precise localized photosensitizer release without requiring entirely different devices for each application scenario.
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 targeted and effective photodynamic therapy by ensuring the photosensitizer is concentrated in the treatment area, minimizing bacterial spread and allowing for precise dosing and illumination, thus enhancing treatment efficacy while preventing the dissemination of pathogens.
Implementation Method 1
the light means being an optical fiber which emits the light in the desired frequency through its side walls
Implementation Method 2
a light wave can be absorbed by a suitable chromophore. The chromophore absorbs the photon energy of the light beam
Implementation Method 3
The excited state can decay back to its ground state, releasing energy in the form of fluorescence
Implementation Method 4
it can convert to a triplet state, in which it can donate the energy to another triplet molecule. Such a molecule in the ground state is oxygen. The energy transport now leads from the triplet state of the dye to the oxygen, which is excited and raises the oxygen to the highly toxic singlet oxygen state
Implementation Method 5
a suction device which largely sucks up the rinsing agent and the excess dye dissolved therein
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Device for carrying out antibacterial photodynamic therapy, characterized in that the device comprises lighting means and means for releasing the photosensitizer, the means for releasing the photosensitizer being designed such that the photosensitizer is released in close proximity to the body region to be treated.