A 2D imaging dosimeter for photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a promising modality for cancer treatment. Typically, a laser is used to photo-excite a photosensitizer (PS) that subsequently collides with oxygen molecules promoting them to the metastable singlet delta state O2(1Δ). Singlet oxygen molecules are believed to be the species that destroys cancerous cells during PDT. In this paper we describe a novel 2D imaging sensor for photosensitizer fluorescence and singlet oxygen luminescence. We describe our instrument and initial results from both in-vitro and in-vivo studies that indicate that this system may be a valuable dosimeter for both PDT researchers and eventually for clinical application.