Biocompatible Optics

描述(申请人提供)：该项目的长期目标是开发一种新型的生物兼容光学设备，用于基于光的治疗、手术和诊断。各种光学技术，如光化学组织粘合和光动力学治疗，需要将光有效地传输到组织深处，但光在组织中的有限穿透性构成了临床应用的严重限制。光纤装置或导管在使光源接近体内目标组织方面非常有用。然而，将光线进一步传递到组织中仍然是一个挑战。在本项目中，提出了一种基于生物可吸收和植入型光传递装置的新方法。这与由玻璃或塑料制成的传统光纤形成了鲜明的对比，这些光纤不具有生物兼容性，因此必须在使用后不久从体内取出。使用生物相容聚合物，我们将开发薄的柔性光波导，并将其用于光化学组织粘合(PTB)应用。制造的生物可降解装置可以插入待粘合组织的界面之间，并在光不能穿透的区域中诱导光化学结合。这些设备最终将被重新吸收，从而消除了移除的需要，因为移除最有可能破坏组织结合。这种方法的安全性和有效性将在皮肤伤口闭合的体外模型和体内动物生物相容性研究中进行评估。虽然该项目最初的重点是用于肺结核的光传输设备，但也设想了各种其他可生物吸收和可植入的光学功能设备，这些设备可以对基于光的治疗、手术和诊断产生深远的影响。因此，该项目预计将产生很大影响，并很可能预示着光医学的新范式。 公共卫生相关性：生物兼容和可生物降解的光学设备将加速和扩大各种基于光的疗法、外科方法和诊断方法的临床采用。室内生物兼容和可生物降解的光网络可用于进行外科修复，监测创伤或手术后的组织状态，并提供加速伤口愈合的光疗法。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term goal of this project is to develop a new class of biocompatible optical devices for light- based therapy, surgery and diagnosis. A variety of optical techniques, such as photochemical tissue bonding and photodynamic therapy, require efficient delivery of light deep into tissues, but the limited penetration of light in tissue constitutes a serious constraint in clinical use. Fiber-optic devices or catheters have been useful in bringing a light source close to the target tissue in the body. However, delivering the light further into the tissue has remained a challenge. In this project, a new approach based on bio-absorbable and implantable light-delivery devices is proposed. This contrasts with conventional optical fibers made of glass or plastic that are not biocompatible and, thus, must be removed from the body soon after use. Using biocompatible polymers, we will develop thin flexible waveguides and use them in a photochemical tissue bonding (PTB) application. The fabricated biodegradable devices can be inserted between the interfaces of tissue to be bonded and induce photochemical bonding in regions into which light can otherwise not penetrate. The devices will be eventually resorbed thus eliminating the need for removal that would most likely damage the tissue bond. The safety and efficacy of this approach will be evaluated in ex-vivo models of skin wound closure and in-vivo animal studies of biocompatibility. While the initial focus of the project is on light delivering devices for PTB, a variety of other bioabsorbable and implantable optical functional devices are envisioned and can make a far-reaching impact in light-based therapy, surgery, and diagnosis. The project is therefore expected to have high impact and might well herald a new paradigm in photomedicine. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Biocompatible and biodegradable optical devices will accelerate and expand the clinical adoption of a variety of light-based therapeutics, surgical approaches and diagnostics. In-dwelling biocompatible and biodegradable optical networks can be used for performing surgical repair, monitoring tissue status following trauma or surgery and to deliver light therapies for accelerated wound healing.