Wireless Implantable Illumination for Deep-Tissue Photodynamic Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is limited by the low penetration of light through biological tissue, restricting its therapeutic depth to less than a centimeter, even at near-infrared wavelengths, and current methods for light delivery are not compatible with long-term implantation, preventing the use of PDT for suppressing tumor recurrence or tailoring light doses to tumor responses.
Innovation Solution
A wireless photodynamic therapy system comprising an implantable illumination device with a light source and a receiver antenna that wirelessly receives radiofrequency power, allowing for deep tissue light activation, and a dosimetry module to control and monitor the light dose, enabling on-demand light delivery and spatial-temporal control of therapeutic doses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If light is delivered through optical fibers inserted through surgery or endoscopy, then light can be delivered to deeper tissue regions, but long-term implantation is not compatible and only a single light dose can be delivered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical optical fiber delivery system with a wireless electromagnetic power transmission system. An implantable illumination device is wirelessly powered through tissue using electromagnetic induction, eliminating the need for surgical insertion of optical fibers and enabling long-term implantation for multiple treatment sessions
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable illumination device serves multiple functions: it can be wirelessly powered through tissue, store energy in an onboard capacitor, and deliver multiple light doses over an extended period, making it a universal solution for both deep tissue penetration and long-term therapeutic application
2Length of stationary object
If light penetration through biological tissue is increased to achieve deeper therapeutic depth, then therapeutic depth is improved, but light delivery remains limited to less than a centimeter even at near-infrared wavelengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electromagnetic fields as an intermediary to power the implantable illumination device through tissue without direct light delivery. The electromagnetic field penetrates tissue to induce current in the implantable device, which then generates light at the target site, bypassing the limitation of direct light penetration through tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from direct optical delivery (one-dimensional light path through tissue) to wireless electromagnetic power transmission (three-dimensional field penetration), allowing energy to reach the implantable device through tissue in a different dimensional space, thereby achieving deep tissue activation without direct light penetration limits
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 system enables effective light delivery deep in tissues, suppressing tumor activity and inducing reactive oxygen species production, overcoming the depth limitations of conventional PDT and allowing for tailored and repeatable therapy.
Implementation Method 1
a receiver antenna coupled to the light source and configured to extract power from a radiofrequency power signal incident on the implantable illumination device
Implementation Method 2
a light source configured to emit light having a spectrum which overlaps with an absorption peak of an absorption target
Data Source
AI summary
Wirelessly powered photodynamic therapy devices are disclosed and systems and methods using such devices are also disclosed. In an embodiment, a photodynamic therapy system comprises: an implantable illumination device comprising a light source configured to emit light having a spectrum which overlaps with an absorption peak of an absorption target and a receiver antenna coupled to the light source and configured to extract power from a radiofrequency power signal incident on the implantable illumination device; and a transmitter comprising an antenna, a powering module configured to generate a drive signal which causes the antenna to generate the radiofrequency power signal, and a dosimetry module coupled to the antenna and configured to detect a radiofrequency signal backscattered from the implantable illumination device and determine an indication of the power extracted by the implantable illumination device from the radiofrequency signal backscattered from the implantable illumination device.