Performance of a light applicator for photodynamic therapy in the oral cavity: calculations and measurements

Phys Med Biol. 1997 Sep;42(9):1689-700. doi: 10.1088/0031-9155/42/9/002.

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an experimental therapy for the treatment of superficial cancer using laser light. In PDT a uniform light distribution is usually required for an optimal therapeutic effect. To irradiate part of the oral cavity uniformly for PDT, two prototype applicators were built, each for a different lower jaw. The applicators made use of the light transmitted through the wall of a cavity of diffusely reflecting material. The radiant exitance of the applicators was measured at 632.8 nm. For the radiant exitance of M of the two applicators, a uniformity ratio, UR = Mmax/Mmin < 2 was found, which was considered reasonable for clinical applications. Calculations predict that the UR can be improved by decreasing the thickness of the cavity wall.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Biophysical Phenomena
  • Biophysics
  • Computer Simulation
  • Equipment Design
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Humans
  • Light
  • Models, Anatomic
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Mouth / anatomy & histology
  • Mouth Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Photochemotherapy / instrumentation*