LED-Based Lighting for Treating Mucositis 

Quantum Devices, Inc. 

Barneveld, WI 

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs), originally developed for NASA Space Shuttle plant growth experiments, are being used to treat mucositis, severe oral and digestive tract sores resulting from high-dose chemotherapty.

• Modified design and developed a larger area LED light source suitable for wound healing.
• In addition to the work being performed at the Medical College of Wisconsin, clinical trials are ongoing at several other facilities: Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y.; Instituto de Oncologia Pediatrica, in Sao Paulo, Brazil; Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago; University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago; Hospital Sirio Libanes in Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem.
• Treatment improves patients' ability to eat and drink and may also reduce the risk of infections.
• Efforts reveal that mucositis can sometimes be prevented from developing if initial light therapy session coincides with first chemotherapy treatment.
• Because the treatment has been so successful, oncologists in trial efforts have reported that they are uncomfortable with denying the light therapy to a control group of chemotherapy/ radiation patients.

• Results of multi-clinical trials expected to move the product forward as a FDA-approved device. Once approved, the company will be able to market the technology to any facility that aids in healing mucositis.
• Commercial version of the LED light source now called SpectraLife
• Company has submitted a new technology report to MSFC, and has filed for a provisional patent to protect intellectual property.

• Technology could be used in the microgravity to keep minor wounds (what would be termed as "minor wounds" on Earth) from becoming mission-catastrophic.
• Principal investigator approached the Commander of the USS Salt Lake City about installing a tri-wavelength LED source onboard the vessel to improve the wound-healing process for crew members.
• In Special Operations, LEDs could be used for improved wound healing, as well as speeding deconditioned personnel to full-duty performance. LED usage has been approved by the Naval Special Warfare Command.

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Biological/Physical Sciences , Biomedical/medial , Life Sciences

Curator: SBIR Support             10/12/04