Fig. 1: The design, function and demonstrative application of the light scattering photonic device, illuminative cardiac patch (iCarP) for large area, deep illumination on internal organs and tissues.
From: A biodegradable, flexible photonic patch for in vivo phototherapy
a Structure and key components of iCarP. An air gap was created between the tapered optical fiber (TOF) and the waveguiding patch substrate. The diffraction by TOF, dual refractions on TOF/air and air/patch interfaces of the air gap contribute to significantly greater light scattering, particularly, lateral illumination compared to configurations of flat-end optical fiber without air gap, and TOF without air gap. b Comparison between illumination effects by optical fiber only (on top or inside myocardium) and iCarP. ICarP supports noninvasive, deep, and large-area illumination. c, d Illumination on intramyocardially injected chlorella by iCarP induces in situ photosynthesis in infarcted myocardium and its application in myocardial infarction treatment.
