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PDD/AF
Blue light introduced through specially designed endoscopes makes objects visible in the course of an examination that would remain undetected in conventional light: With Photodynamic Diagnosis (PDD) and Autofluorescence technology (AF), early malignant changes can be clearly delineated against healthy tissue. For this purpose, light of a specific spectral composition is introduced into the body via an almost zero-loss endoscopic light guide system.
The core component of the PDD unit is the D-Light C system from KARL STORZ. D-Light C generates diagnostic light for endoscopic tissue characterization. In In the fluorescence mode, malignant tissue can be differentiated from benign tissue following administration of a suitable fluorescence marker (induced fluorescence). Under the (blue) stimulus light of the D-light C system, tumorous areas fluoresce in red, while normal tissue exhibits a blue color. Flat neoplastic lesions such as dysplasia and carcinoma in situ, which can remain undetected in normal or unspecifically inflamed mucous membrane, are easily recognizable, as are small papillary tumors. With pure white light such differentiation is not possible making early detection less likely.
In the autofluorescence process, substances under the mucous membrane are stimulated by light of a specific wavelength and are temporarily excited to a higher energy level. When they subsequently return to their ground state, this energy is released again in the form of light at a different wavelength from that used for stimulation. This phenomenon is referred to as autofluorescence, because no externally introduced substances are involved – the pathologically relevant tissue appears as dark areas.
KARL STORZ marketed the first system for photodynamic diagnostics as early as 1995. A system consists of components designed in relation to each other: The high-power light source D-LIGHT C, special telescopes and a particularly sensitive endoscopic camera. PDD is dependent on the use of suitable and permitted marker substances.
As a result of successful experience, this technology was modified and a system for tissue-characteristic autofluorescence marketed in 1998. The great advantage of this system lies in the fact that no marker substances are required. The field of application is the early diagnosis of bronchial carcinomas.
Further fields of application for PDD and AF, such as ENT, neurosurgery, laparoscopy and gynecological indications are currently being evaluated and will follow in the future.
The core component of the PDD unit is the D-Light C system from KARL STORZ. D-Light C generates diagnostic light for endoscopic tissue characterization. In In the fluorescence mode, malignant tissue can be differentiated from benign tissue following administration of a suitable fluorescence marker (induced fluorescence). Under the (blue) stimulus light of the D-light C system, tumorous areas fluoresce in red, while normal tissue exhibits a blue color. Flat neoplastic lesions such as dysplasia and carcinoma in situ, which can remain undetected in normal or unspecifically inflamed mucous membrane, are easily recognizable, as are small papillary tumors. With pure white light such differentiation is not possible making early detection less likely.
In the autofluorescence process, substances under the mucous membrane are stimulated by light of a specific wavelength and are temporarily excited to a higher energy level. When they subsequently return to their ground state, this energy is released again in the form of light at a different wavelength from that used for stimulation. This phenomenon is referred to as autofluorescence, because no externally introduced substances are involved – the pathologically relevant tissue appears as dark areas.
KARL STORZ marketed the first system for photodynamic diagnostics as early as 1995. A system consists of components designed in relation to each other: The high-power light source D-LIGHT C, special telescopes and a particularly sensitive endoscopic camera. PDD is dependent on the use of suitable and permitted marker substances.
As a result of successful experience, this technology was modified and a system for tissue-characteristic autofluorescence marketed in 1998. The great advantage of this system lies in the fact that no marker substances are required. The field of application is the early diagnosis of bronchial carcinomas.
Further fields of application for PDD and AF, such as ENT, neurosurgery, laparoscopy and gynecological indications are currently being evaluated and will follow in the future.