Wearable Light Device for Antigen Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antigen delivery methods require patients to wait for extended periods or return to medical centers for light-induced activation of endocytic vesicles, leading to potential human errors and inconsistencies in treatment timing, which can affect antigen delivery reliability.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device equipped with a light source and control system that automatically varies light output over time to activate endocytic vesicle rupture, allowing patients to administer and deliver antigens without medical center intervention, ensuring consistent and reliable antigen delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a free-standing light source operated by specialist medical staff is used, then the light-induced rupture of endocytic vesicles can be activated, but the patient must wait for extended periods or return to the medical centre, leading to potential human errors and delays in treatment timing
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device enables the patient to self-administer the light therapy at home without requiring specialist medical staff or return visits to the medical centre. The device autonomously controls the light emission timing and duration, allowing the patient to complete the full treatment cycle independently, thus eliminating human error and delays while maintaining treatment reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The device is pre-programmed with the optimal treatment protocol including the delayed light activation timing (after 6-48 hours) and light emission duration. This preliminary configuration ensures that the light is activated at the correct time to coincide with peak photosensitising agent activity in the endocytic vesicles, eliminating timing errors that would occur with manual operation
2Loss of time
If the light source is activated immediately after antigen and photosensitising agent administration, then treatment time is reduced, but the antigen and photosensitising agent have not had sufficient time to reach the target cells and form endocytic vesicles
Solution Approach 1:
The device implements a periodic action pattern where the light source remains inactive during the initial 6-48 hour period to allow cellular uptake and vesicle formation, then activates at the optimal time when photosensitising agent activity peaks. This timed periodic activation ensures both sufficient preparation time and maximum treatment effectiveness without requiring extended waiting periods
Solution Approach 2:
The control system incorporates a pre-configured timing protocol that acts as a feedback mechanism, automatically delaying light activation until the optimal time point is reached. This ensures the light is activated precisely when the photosensitising agent is at peak concentration in the endocytic vesicles, maximizing antigen delivery effectiveness while minimizing total treatment time
3Power
If the output of the light source is maintained at high intensity throughout the activation cycle, then the light-induced rupture can be activated, but the antigen and photosensitising agent may not have had sufficient time to reach the target cells
Solution Approach 1:
The control system employs periodic action by keeping the light source at zero output during the initial 6-48 hour period, then switching to high intensity output at the optimal time point. This temporal separation ensures that high power light activation occurs only after sufficient time for cellular uptake and vesicle formation, maintaining antigen delivery reliability while achieving effective rupture activation
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 device ensures precise and reliable antigen delivery by automating the light-induced rupture process, reducing human error and enabling antigen delivery in remote areas or without medical center access, while providing a convenient and controlled treatment experience for patients.
Implementation Method 1
activating light-induced rupture of endocytic vesicles in target cells of a patient so as to effect delivery of an administered antigen
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A device (1) for activating light-induced rupture of endocytic vesicles in target cells of a patient so as to effect delivery of an administered antigen to cytosol in the target cells, is described. The device is adapted to be worn by a patient over a region of skin where an antigen and a photosensitising agent have been or are to be administered. The device comprises a rear surface (11) that is rounded or otherwise configured to be worn against the patient's skin. It has a retaining part for retaining the device in place over the region of the patient's skin during an activation cycle, which may be a strap (3a, 3b) or an adhesive layer. A light source, such as an LED, is arranged to illuminate the patient's skin from the rear of the device. A control system is configured to vary the output of the light source with respect to time in accordance with a pre-configured output sequence, which includes an initial stage where the output of the light source is set to be zero or generally below that which could deliver a light dose that can activate light-induced rupture of endocytic vesicles (so as to allow time for the antigen and photosensitising agent to reach the target cells), and a later stage where the output is set to deliver a light dose which can activate light-induced rupture of the endocytic vesicles (for effecting the delivery of the administered antigen to the cytosol of the target cells).