SmartPDT - Smartphone Satellite-Based Self-Care Daylight-Photodynamic Therapy

光化性角化病（AK）是一种非常常见的慢性疾病，在英国，大约有四分之一的60岁以上的人受到影响。AK会给患者带来严重的不适和问题，如果不治疗，可能会转化为危及生命的浸润性皮肤癌。对于这种情况，有一种有效且几乎无痛的治疗方法，称为日光光动力疗法（dPDT）。病人对这种治疗的满意度很高，因为它发生在户外日光下，在个人选择的任何位置。尽管这种治疗方法是积极的，但由于担心获得足够的日光来使治疗有效，这种治疗方法只适用于英国各地的少数人。该项目解决了这些限制，是英国初创企业siHealth Ltd和Ninewells医院光生物学部门之间的合作。利用地球观测卫星和智能手机技术，我们的目标是为患者和从业者简化dPDT。我们将使用该技术来协助教育和实时监测，让患者在医疗指导下进行自我治疗。该项目可以促进这种宝贵的治疗方法对这种常见慢性疾病的广泛应用。

Sun-damaged skin in the form of pre-cancerous lesions called Actinic Keratosis (AK), is a very common chronic condition in the UK, which affects around a quarter of people over 60. AK can cause significant discomfort and problems for patients and, if untreated, may transform into life-threatening invasive skin cancer. There is an effective and almost painless treatment for this condition, called daylight Photodynamic Therapy (dPDT). Patient satisfaction with this treatment is high because it takes place in outdoor daylight in any location of the individual's choosing. Despite the positives this treatment is only available to a small number of individuals throughout the UK due to concerns around obtaining enough daylight for the treatment to be effective. This project addresses these limitations and is a collaboration between UK start-up business siHealth Ltd and the Photobiology Unit at Ninewells Hospital. Using Earth Observation satellites and smartphone technology we aim to simplify dPDT for patients and practitioners. We will use the technology to assist with education and real-time monitoring to allow patients to treat themselves, whilst remaining under medical guidance. This project could facilitate wide availability of this invaluable therapy for those with this common chronic disease.