Photodynamic Therapy Device for Tumor Distribution Confirmation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current photodynamic therapy methods lack the ability to confirm the distribution state of photosensitive substances in tumor cells before or after treatment, which is essential for optimizing treatment effectiveness and determining the need for additional treatment.

Innovation Solution

A photodynamic therapy treatment support device that includes a light source emitting a specific wavelength of light capable of generating fluorescence from photosensitive substances without causing tumor cell necrosis, and a distribution information output unit to provide information on the fluorescence distribution state, allowing for confirmation of photosensitive substance accumulation before or after treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If light of specific wavelength bandwidth is continuously emitted to cause photochemical reaction and necroses of tumor cells, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but the ability to confirm photosensitive substance distribution before treatment is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidphotosensitive substance distribution information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using a low-energy light source to excite photosensitive substances and generate fluorescence before the actual treatment. This allows the distribution state of photosensitive substances to be confirmed in advance without initiating the necrotizing photochemical reaction, thus resolving the contradiction between obtaining distribution information and ensuring treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If light of specific wavelength bandwidth is emitted to generate fluorescence from photosensitive substance, then distribution state can be confirmed, but tumor cell necrosis may be caused

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotosensitive substance distribution informationVSAvoidtumor cell necrosis

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the energy level of the emitted light. A low-energy light source is used to generate fluorescence for distribution confirmation, while a high-energy light source is reserved for the actual treatment. This parameter differentiation allows the system to obtain distribution information without causing harmful necrosis, as the excitation energy remains below the threshold for photochemical reaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If continuous light emission is used for photodynamic therapy, then treatment progress can be monitored, but the treatment process cannot be paused for distribution confirmation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment progress informationVSAvoidtreatment duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by separating the treatment process into distinct phases: a pre-treatment phase for distribution confirmation using low-energy light, and a treatment phase for necrotizing tumor cells using high-energy light. This segmentation allows the system to pause between phases, enabling distribution confirmation before initiating or continuing the treatment, thus resolving the contradiction between monitoring progress and pausing for confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 the confirmation of photosensitive substance distribution in tumor cells without advancing the treatment process, thereby optimizing treatment planning and assessing treatment effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

light having energy capable of generating fluorescence from the photosensitive substance without causing necroses of the tumor cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

light of a specific wavelength bandwidth is continuously emitted. This causes fluorescence emission from the photosensitive substance and a photochemical reaction to generate active oxygen (singlet)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotochemical reaction: Photo-oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS20230127647A1Photodynamic therapy treatment support device

Publication Date: 2023.04.27 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

A photodynamic therapy treatment support device is provided with a light source and a distribution information output unit. The light source irradiates a photosensitive substance administered to a body of a subject with light of a specific wavelength bandwidth having energy capable of generating fluorescence from the photosensitive substance without advancing necroses of tumor cells. The distribution information output unit outputs information on a distribution state of the fluorescence generated from the photosensitive substance, based on the fluorescence generated from the photosensitive substance.