3D Placement Template for Gap-Free Transcutaneous PDT
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transcutaneous photodynamic therapy (PDT) systems require thick, complex, and costly light applicators that are burdensome for patients and cannot be used as disposables, and they struggle to achieve gap-free irradiation of internal organs or organ segments due to limited light penetration.
Innovation Solution
A system with individually placeable, thin, and rigid light applicators, guided by a placement template with a three-dimensional fixing point grid structure, allowing for gap-free irradiation of organs or organ segments by mapping a virtual target point grid structure onto a visible fixing point grid structure outside the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If thick and complex light applicators are used for transcutaneous PDT, then the structural strength and light delivery capability are improved, but the patient burden increases and disposability becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The light applicator is divided into functionally independent segments: a thin insertion portion for transcutaneous piercing and a separate light-emitting applicator tip. This segmentation allows the insertion portion to be minimally invasive while the applicator tip provides the necessary light delivery function, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and patient burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-emitting component is extracted and concentrated at the applicator tip, separated from the insertion portion. This extraction allows the insertion portion to be made extremely thin for minimal patient burden, while the light-emitting function is maintained at the tip where it is most needed for therapeutic effect.
2Reliability
If multiple light applicators are used for gap-free irradiation of internal organs, then the irradiation completeness is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A placement template with a three-dimensional fixing point grid structure is prepared in advance, corresponding to a virtual target point grid structure in the organ. This preliminary arrangement of fixing points guides the insertion of multiple light applicators to ensure gap-free irradiation coverage before the actual therapy begins, simplifying the overall system organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The placement template acts as an intermediary device that bridges the virtual target point grid structure (invisible inside the body) and the physical light applicators. By providing a tangible fixing point grid on the template, it enables precise positioning of multiple applicators without requiring complex real-time imaging or adjustment systems.
3Measurement precision
If a virtual target point grid structure is mapped onto a visible fixing point grid structure, then the positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invisible virtual target point grid structure inside the organ is copied onto a visible fixing point grid structure on the placement template. This copying allows the operator to see and interact with the target positions externally, achieving precise positioning without requiring complex internal imaging or navigation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The three-dimensional virtual target point grid structure is mapped onto a two-dimensional placement template surface through a parallel-displaced fixing point grid structure. This dimensional transformation brings the internal target positions to an external accessible plane, enabling precise positioning with a simple template rather than complex 3D navigation equipment.
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 efficient, minimally invasive, and cost-effective PDT with reduced patient burden by ensuring all target points are irradiated without gaps, using thinner applicators and a simple supply unit, reducing the need for multiple piercings.
Implementation Method 1
light is then applied directly to or even into the pathological tissue by means of a light applicator or several light applicators in order to promote the light-induced formation of oxygen radicals
Implementation Method 2
promote the light-induced formation of oxygen radicals by means of the locally enriched photosensitiser or marker substance and thereby destroy the pathological tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A system, for transcutaneous photodynamic therapy in an organ or organ segment of an organic body, includes a plurality of light applicators, a supply unit and a placement template placeable relative to the organic body for defined orientation of the light applicators. The light applicators include a needle-shaped insertion portion for transcutaneous piercing along a piercing axis, a light-emitting applicator tip at the distal end of the insertion portion, and a fixing point at a proximal distance from the applicator tip. The placement template defines fixing point receptacles for fixing the light applicators with a defined fixing point wherein the receptacles are arranged in accordance with a three-dimensional fixing point grid structure, that corresponds to a virtual organ-specific target point grid structure for the light-emitting applicator tips in the organ that is arranged parallel-displaced relative to the target point grid structure by the distance d along the piercing axis.