It turns out Band-Aids have more potential than simply keeping germs out of a cut—and we aren’t even talking about the Neosporin upgrades or the water-resistant kind. A U.K. company, Polymertronics, has figured out how to make Band-Aid-like bandages glow, emitting light that could treat skin cancer.
One way to kill skin cancer is to zap it with light—a method called photodynamic therapy. When a specific wavelength of light hits cancerous cells, oxygen forms around the cells until it kills them. Currently, patients must visit a hospital or clinic to receive photodynamic therapy. But the new glowing bandages, made of plasters embedded with light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), will allow skin cancer patients to treat themselves at home, making treatment faster and more accessible.
Here’s how it works:
When the OLED-filled strip is placed on the skin with a topical photosensitive cream, voltage is applied from an external power source, causing the OLEDs to light up, and the treatment begins.
The company hopes to bring this device to market in a few years — but first it must first undergo human trials. (Any volunteers?)
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Image: Polymertronics Limited
May 4th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
What a breakthrough!
May 5th, 2009 at 1:38 am
There is another company working on the same basic idea, called Lumicure:
http://www.oled-info.com/lumicure
Ron
May 7th, 2009 at 11:36 am
A promising, innovtive approach. Do you need a US scientists to be involved over here in the US with aspects of development? Contact me. Rex, PhD
May 7th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Why a small band aid?
If you really had skin cancer – you would apply that to your whole body. After all – you will want to get every spot not just the one identified cyst.
I think that the “lite-suit” is going to be the next step.
May 9th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Aspirn will remove skin lesions. Takes about a week, depending on the depth of the offending spot. I’ve tried it, and it works, and a skin cancer doctor has confirmed that it will work. Aspirin is an acid, and, kept moist, it burns the lesion off, a layer at a time. It’s a lot cheaper than the usual treatments, and works as well or better.
September 22nd, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Nice post! Very complete and detail information. That
January 10th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
It’s nice to know that you guys are helping educate the world about cancer. Thanks for the post.