Singlet Oxygen Device for Periodontal Pathogen Destruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating periodontal infections, such as Scaling and Root Planning, face challenges with bacterial resistance and recurrent infections, especially in deep periodontal pockets, requiring multiple visits and lacking effective site-specific bacterial destruction.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a superhydrophobic photodynamic therapy (PDT) approach that generates singlet oxygen using a hand-piece with a conical tip coated with sensitizer particles, which converts triplet oxygen to singlet oxygen upon light exposure, allowing for precise delivery to deep periodontal pockets while protecting the sensitizer from external fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional treatment methods like Scaling and Root Planning are used, then treatment can be performed with simple procedures, but they fail to effectively destroy bacterial biofilms in deep periodontal pockets and allow bacterial resistance to develop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single hand-piece device: oxygen delivery, light delivery, and sensitizer application are integrated into one tool that can be inserted into periodontal pockets. This merging allows effective singlet oxygen generation for bacterial destruction while maintaining operational simplicity for the clinician.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces singlet oxygen as an intermediary substance that mediates between the applied treatment and bacterial biofilms. The sensitizer converts triplet oxygen to singlet oxygen upon light exposure, creating a highly reactive intermediate that selectively destroys bacterial cell walls and membranes, overcoming bacterial resistance mechanisms.
2Reliability
If treatment agents are applied to destroy pathogens, then bacterial destruction can be achieved, but surrounding healthy tissue is also damaged due to inappropriate cytotoxicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the singlet oxygen generation precisely at the treatment site within the periodontal pocket. The hand-piece delivers oxygen and light only where needed, and the sensitizer is activated locally by light exposure. This localized action ensures that only bacterial biofilms in the target area are destroyed while surrounding healthy tissue remains unaffected.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by transforming triplet oxygen into singlet oxygen through photoactivation of the sensitizer. This change in the physical state of oxygen creates a highly reactive species with different chemical properties that selectively targets bacterial cell structures. The singlet oxygen's short lifetime and high reactivity ensure it acts only locally before decomposing back to triplet oxygen, preventing damage to surrounding tissues.
3Reliability
If multiple treatment visits are required for deep periodontal pockets, then thorough treatment can be attempted, but treatment time and patient burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous useful action by allowing the hand-piece to be inserted deep into periodontal pockets and activated continuously for the duration of the treatment session. The singlet oxygen generation proceeds continuously as long as oxygen flow and light activation are maintained, enabling complete eradication of bacterial biofilms in deep pockets during a single visit without requiring multiple appointments.
4Reliability
If sensitizer particles are exposed to external fluids like saliva, then sensitizer can be activated, but sensitizer stability and effectiveness are reduced due to fluid contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensitizer from direct contact with external fluids by delivering it through the hand-piece only to the treatment site within the periodontal pocket. The sensitizer remains protected within the device until activation, and any excess or deactivated sensitizer can be removed with the device. This extraction approach maintains sensitizer stability while allowing effective activation at the target site.
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 effective eradication of bacterial biofilms in deep periodontal pockets during a single visit, reducing recurrence and combining disinfection with photobiomodulation for healing and inflammation relief.
Implementation Method 1
a sensitizer that converts triplet oxygen to single oxygen upon exposure to light
Implementation Method 2
The conical tip is detachable from the hand-piece and comprises: a cylindrical substrate with an internal surface that is at least partially coated with particles that comprise a sensitizer, wherein the sensitizer converts triplet oxygen to singlet oxygen upon exposure to light
Implementation Method 3
a hydrophobic barrier that separates the sensitizer particles from the opening, thereby protecting the sensitizer from contacting an external fluid
Implementation Method 4
an optical fiber that conveys light to the conical tip
Implementation Method 5
a gas supply tube that conveys oxygen to the conical tip
Data Source
AI summary
A device for generating singlet oxygen is provided. The device has a sensitizer that converts triplet oxygen to single oxygen upon exposure to light. The device is configured to keep the sensitizer from contacting external fluids.