ATARI: A Terahertz tricorder for lAseR-assIsted wound healing

ATARI：用于激光辅助伤口愈合的太赫兹三录仪

• 批准号: 570479-2021
• 负责人: Naccache, RafikR
• 金额: $ 36.13万
• 依托单位: Concordia University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Alliance Grants
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=748412
• 关键词: ATARI; Terahertz; tricorder; lAseR; assIsted

Wound healing remains a very complex process and reducing healing time while minimizing tissue scarring are important medical goals. Laser-assisted wound healing is emerging as an appealing concept in surgical medicine, holding the promise of suture-less surgeries. Recently, nanoparticle-assisted low-dose photothermal therapies have garnered attention as they can facilitate wound healing while requiring lower laser power. However, these therapies are still in their infancy and have not been employed in the clinical setting since rapid elevation in temperature due to laser absorption and concomitant heat generation can cause significant photothermal tissue damage. Therefore, cutting-edge diagnostic tools are indispensable to monitor the temperature and minimize damage. The goal of this interdisciplinary project is to develop an innovative technique combining nanoheating, which locally delivers therapeutics to accelerate wound healing, with a non-invasive/non-ionizing diagnostic tool driven by terahertz radiation. Together with three industrial partners, Swift Medical, Nanobrand, and TeTechS, we will (i) study nanoparticle functionalization and design to improve targeting of heat deposition and clustering/diffusion of nanoparticles and the creation of hotspots within tissues; (ii) investigate how to circumvent competing processes such as excessive blood coagulation by functionalizing drugs on the nanoparticle surface using thermosensitive linkages; (iii) develop a smart real-time terahertz 3-D imaging and temperature sensing system for monitoring temperature evolution and photothermal damage during wound healing. Such a platform will offer an unprecedented method for wound healing of delicate tissues such as the cornea, nerves and blood vessels. Our discoveries will push forward fundamental research in laser-assisted regenerative nanomedicine to gain a stronger foothold within clinical settings and have the potential to revolutionize the topical surgical practices related to the treatment of wounds and skin cancers. The commercialization of the resulting technology will ultimately lead to breakthroughs for the Canadian society in nature/technology/health sectors and improve the health of millions of Canadians.

伤口愈合仍然是一个非常复杂的过程，并减少了愈合时间，而最小化组织疤痕是重要的医疗目标。激光辅助伤口愈合正在作为手术医学中有吸引力的概念，并拥有无缝合手术的希望。最近，纳米颗粒辅助的低剂量光热疗法引起了人们的注意，因为它们可以促进伤口愈合，同时需要较低的激光功率。但是，这些疗法仍处于起步阶段，并且由于激光吸收和伴随的热量产生的温度迅速升高可能会造成严重的光热组织损伤，因此尚未在临床环境中使用。因此，最先进的诊断工具是必不可少的，可以监测温度并最大程度地减少损害。这个跨学科项目的目的是开发一种结合纳米作用的创新技术，该技术在当地提供了可促进伤口愈合的治疗方法，并通过Terahertz辐射驱动的非侵入性/非离子化诊断工具。我们将与三个工业伙伴分别（Swift Medical，Nanobrand和Tetechs）一起研究纳米颗粒功能化和设计，以改善纳米颗粒的热量沉积和聚类/扩散的靶向，以及在组织中创建热点； （ii）研究如何通过在纳米粒子表面上使用热敏感性在纳米颗粒表面上功能化药物来规避竞争过程； （iii）开发一种智能的实时Terahertz 3-D成像和温度传感系统，用于监测伤口愈合过程中温度演化和光热损伤。这样的平台将提供一种前所未有的方法，用于伤口脆弱的组织，例如角膜，神经和血管。我们的发现将推动激光辅助再生纳米医学的基础研究，以在临床环境中获得更强的立足点，并有可能彻底改变与伤口和皮肤癌的治疗相关的局部手术实践。所得技术的商业化最终将导致加拿大社会在自然/技术/卫生领域的突破，并改善数百万加拿大人的健康。