Upconversion Nanoparticles for Deep Tissue Photobiomodulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for photobiomodulation and photodynamic therapy face challenges in differentiating between normal cells and target cells, and in delivering treatment deep within tissues without invasive techniques.
Innovation Solution
A kit and method using nanoparticles that convert initiation energy into higher energy radiation, allowing for precise modification of target structures associated with biological activities, and the use of energy modulation agents to enhance the treatment effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If conventional light sources are used for photobiomodulation, then treatment can be applied to surface tissues, but the light cannot penetrate deep within tissues to reach target structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses upconversion nanoparticles as intermediaries that absorb low-energy infrared light (which penetrates deep into tissue) and convert it to high-energy visible or UV light (which activates the photosensitizer). This mediator approach allows deep tissue penetration without requiring direct delivery of high-energy light to the target, thereby reducing side effects while achieving deep tissue treatment.
2Reliability
If high energy light is used to activate photosensitizers deep in tissue, then treatment efficacy improves, but differentiation between normal cells and target cells becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs photosensitizers that are selectively targeted to specific cell types (such as cancer cells) through biochemical recognition mechanisms. Only the cells containing the targeted photosensitizer will respond to the activated light, enabling precise local treatment. The upconversion nanoparticles concentrate the high-energy light activation exactly where the photosensitizer is located, ensuring that only target cells are affected while normal cells remain unaffected.
3Length of stationary object
If invasive techniques are used to deliver treatment deep within tissues, then treatment depth improves, but patient comfort and treatment complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/invasive delivery methods with a photochemical approach. Instead of physically inserting devices or fibers into deep tissues, the system uses intravenously administered photosensitizers that naturally accumulate in target cells, combined with external infrared light irradiation and upconversion nanoparticles to activate treatment at depth. This substitutes mechanical intrusion with optical and biochemical mechanisms, eliminating invasiveness while achieving deep tissue treatment.
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 method enables precise and non-invasive modulation of biological activities, reducing side effects and improving treatment efficacy for conditions such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, and tissue injuries.
Implementation Method 1
upconversion has also been shown where lower energy light is converted to higher energy light. Typically, this process is a multi-photon absorption process where two or more photons are used to promote an excited electronic state in a host medium which in turn radiates at a wavelength of light that has a higher energy than the energy of the incident light
Implementation Method 2
workers have studied the phenomenon of photoluminescence, which is the ability of certain solids, known as phosphors, to emit light when driven or charged by an external energy source
Implementation Method 3
there is another type of phosphor which can store energy for long periods of time in certain energy states. Relaxation from these energy states at a later time can be stimulated by less energetic photons. The effect of this phenomenon is that energy is stored in the form of trapped electron-hole pairs for later use
Implementation Method 4
certain infrared phosphors can actually operate at high speeds and are capable of converting pulsed infrared light to the visible range (violet through red). This 'upconversion' occurs at the expense of the original charging illuminating light and can actually exhibit optical gain
Data Source
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Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
Products, compositions, systems, and methods for modifying a target structure which mediates or is associated with a biological activity, including treatment of conditions, disorders, or diseases mediated by or associated with a target structure, such as a virus, cell, subcellular structure or extracellular structure. The methods may be performed in situ in a non-invasive manner by placing a nanoparticle having a metallic shell on at least a fraction of a surface in a vicinity of a target structure in a subject and applying an initiation energy to a subject thus producing an effect on or change to the target structure directly or via a modulation agent. The nanoparticle is configured, upon exposure to a first wavelength lambda1, to generate a second wavelength Iambda2 of radiation having a higher energy than the first wavelength lambda1. The methods may further be performed by application of an initiation energy to a subject in situ.