Abstract
AbstractA homogeneous and reproducible fluence rate delivery during clinical photodynamic therapy (PDT) plays a determinant role in preventing under‐ or overtreatment. The development of a flexible light source able to generate uniform light on all its surface would considerably improve the homogeneity of light delivery. The integration of plastic optical fibers into textile structures offers an interesting alternative. This article aims to describe briefly the technology used to develop light emitting fabrics (LEF) and their use in vitro (CELL‐LEF), in vivo (VIVO‐LEF) for experimental evaluation of PDT. Finally, the use of LEF for clinical applications is given by three examples. For in vitro applications, the CELL‐LEF device allows the illumination of several 96‐well cell culture plates. For the VIVO‐LEF, the system developed for PDT can treat three mice simultaneously with a homogeneous and high irradiance The medical LEF systems developed for PDT in dermatology for the treatment of actinic keratosis demonstrate their superiority thanks to a uniform light distribution due the flexibility of LEF. Interestingly, the technology used for manufacturing LEF is very well known by the textile industry, leading to very competitive production costs. The fact that optical fibers can transmit light from 400 to 1200 nm allows the connection of LEF to different laser sources covering the light spectrum of all photosensitizers used for medical applications. New developments should allow to use the LEF inside cavities such as the pleural or the peritoneal cavities.
Highlights
The different technologies based on optical fibers for large area were described by Mordon et al [1]
Optical fibers are optical structures, which allow incident light, usually from an optical source, to be guided by a series of internal total reflections that occurs under angular conditions, with minimum losses [1]
Total internal reflection occurs for light rays of smaller angles than the angle of acceptation, defined as the minimum angle of incidence to obtain a refracted light ray of angle that satisfies the general angular condition of total reflection ( 1 )
Summary
The different technologies based on optical fibers for large area were described by Mordon et al [1]. Bending light losses within optical fibers are typically characterized with the objective of minimizing them as much as possible, especially for telecommunication or power transmission applications In some cases, they are quantified to measure deformations within materials using fiber optic sensors, and maximized when homogeneous light emitting surfaces are desired [7] By integration of plastic optical fibers within knitted or woven structure, light emission can be obtained over flexible textile surfaces. Figure 8: 3D representation of irradiance distribution over the light emitting fabric surface At last, temperature elevation measurements inside 96 well plate gave the following results 45 minutes of CW illumination: for a well with cells with 5-ALA, an increase of +1.14 °C was measured but it was only +0.88 °C inside a well with cells without 5-ALA [18]. The high flexibility of the light-emitting fabric-based device ensured an optimal conformation of the device to the area to be treated, offering clear advantages over other protocols
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
