FEEDBACK-CONTROLLED METHOD FOR DELIVERING PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY AND RELATED INSTRUMENTATION

摘要

A method for delivering photodynamic therapy (PDT) while performing dose metric monitoring and treatment feedback-driven control is presented. Photodynamic therapy is initiated with irradiation of light at a first irradiance. A set of fluorescence and reflectance spectroscopic measurements are taken at prescribed intervals during the therapy of the treatment region. Spectra are analyzed to determine dose metrics of the therapy such as fluorescence photobleaching of the sensitizer and blood oxygen status and optical properties of the treatment region. This information is then used to determine an optimal fluence rate given those parameters and the region is irradiated with a second irradiance. This process is continued until either the entire prescribed fluence is delivered to the region or a predetermined extent of photosensitizer bleaching is achieved.