Title: Molecular oxygen diffusion in a capillary microenvironment during Photodynamic Therapy

Authors: Gemunu S. Happawana; Amaranath Premasiri

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, California State University, Fresno, CA 93740, USA. ' Akon Inc, San Jose, CA, 95131, USA

Abstract: Tumour destruction due to Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is mainly governed by the amount of molecular oxygen present in the tumour. Continuous and effective treatment is based on the availability of a constant level of molecular oxygen. Oxygen is one of the rate-limiting factors in PDT. In this paper an analytical model with the specific features of tissue micro-vascular environment to represent the molecular oxygen diffusion patterns in a capillary bed during the PDT is developed. A thorough understanding of molecular oxygen diffusion in the capillary bed facilitates in defining the dosage required during applications of PDT.

Keywords: PDT; photodynamic therapy; molecular oxygen diffusion; capillaries; tumour destruction; dosage requirements; cancer therapy; cancer treatment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBET.2011.042496

International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, 2011 Vol.7 No.1, pp.28 - 45

Published online: 21 Jan 2015 *

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