PDT - Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy is a minimally invasive treatment method developed for use in a wide range of diseases characterized by hyperproliferating cells. Using a photosensitizing drug and laser light, PDT can selectively destroy targeted tissues.

The Diomed 630 PDT Laser is intended for use in Photodynamic Therapy as a source for the photoactivation of PHOTOFRIN® (porfimer sodium) for Injection for:

• palliation of patients with completely obstructing esophageal cancer, or of patients with partially obstructing esophageal cancer who, in the opinion of their clinician, cannot be satisfactorily treated with Nd:YAG laser therapy,
• reduction of obstruction and palliation of symptoms in patients with completely or partially obstructing endobronchial nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and
• treatment of microinvasive endobronchial NSCLC in patients for whom surgery and radiotherapy are not indicated

The three essential components of PDT are:

• A photosensitizing agent
• A non-thermal laser light source
• Oxygen

Treatment

Treatment of disease with Photodynamic Therapy is a two-stage process. The first stage is the intravenous injection of the photosensitizer and after a number of days, or hours, the tumor to be treated is exposed to non-thermal light of the specific wavelength needed to activate the drug. The delay between injection of the sensitizer and its activation is designed to allow the drug to accumulate selectively in the tumor tissue.

The second stage is the delivery of light to the tumor by an optical fiber. The photosensitizing drug retained in the tumor cells is activated by the light and the energy absorbed by the drug is then transferred by a natural conversion, to oxygen within the tissues. This produces a highly reactive form of the oxygen, termed singlet oxygen, which causes lethal damage to cancer cells.

This type of treatment offers some significant advantages, including:

• Minimal side effects relative to conventional treatment
• Minimally invasive therapy
• An increased potential for disease site access, due to the use of lasers, and the flexibility and small size of fiber optics
• Treatment on an outpatient basis

Compared with surgery or radiotherapy, PDT is a relatively benign procedure, which produces good results from a functional standpoint. It is generally well tolerated and can be repeated, so does it not limit future treatment options.

Lasers

Portable, affordable and simple to use, the DIOMED 630 PDT, the only diode laser with FDA clearance for use with PHOTOFRIN® (porfimer sodium) brings Photodynamic Therapy within easy reach of every cancer treatment unit. The Diomed 630 PDT diode laser has considerable ergonomic and operational advantages over Pulsed Dye lasers presently used in Photodynamic Therapy.

Disposables

DCYL 400 series optical diffuser fibers are a light delivery system consisting of a 400µm core silica optical fiber, a proximal SMA-type connector and a distal light diffusing tip. The fiber is designed to distribute light energy uniformly over the specified length of the diffuser tip.

The OPTIGUIDE™ DCYL 400 series fibers are intended for multiple use in conjuction with a sterile single use introducer sheath. All OPTIGUIDE™ DCYL 400 series fibers are intended for use with DIOMED® Coherent® and Laserscope® PDT lasers.

For supply of DCYL 400 series fibers, call Diomed free on 0800 1830221