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Ambulight PDT receives CE Mark approval ahead of European launch
The world's first light emitting sticking plaster for the treatment of skin cancer
Ambulight PDT is the world's first skin cancer treatment using a small disposable light emitting sticking plaster ("plaster") worn by the patient. This is used in conjunction with a prescribed pharmaceutical, for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer. This plaster delivers photodynamic therapy treatment ("PDT") directly to the skin lesion site.
Ambulight PDT offers healthcare providers the opportunity to transform patient care by making PDT more accessible and enabling patients to continue with their normal daily routine when undergoing PDT treatment. Pilot clinical trials have also indicated this treatment method has lower pain than conventional techniques whilst still obtaining an equivalent outcome.
Current PDT treatment generally involves a day patient appointment at the hospital where a large static PDT light source is used to treat a limited number of patients. This is inconvenient for the patient and costly for the healthcare provider as it ties up a hospital day bed, as well as restricting the number of patients who can be treated. Ambulight PDT will reduce costs for the healthcare provider by freeing up these beds and improve patient care, freeing up their time to continue with their normal daily lives.
In Europe PDT is often the first line of treatment recommended for non melanoma skin cancer. It is a two-step process involving the application of a pharmaceutical cream which creates a photosensitive daughter compound, followed by controlled exposure to a selective light source which activates the light sensitive chemical and destroys the diseased cells.
The alternative treatment methods to PDT are surgery, use of topical creams and cryotherapy. Each of these can be painful, irritate the skin, leave scarring and can be highly stressful for the patient. PDT treatment is less invasive than surgery and avoids the scarring associated with surgical removal of the lesion which can often require an in-patient hospital stay. Ambulight PDT gives healthcare providers the opportunity to shift treatment from hospitals to primary care such as GP surgeries or office based dermatologists.
15th October 2009
