Portable quantum dot electroluminescent (QDEL) light sources for point of care photodynamic treatment of deep wound MDR infections

The objective of this project is to develop portable, flexible quantum dot electroluminescent (QDEL) light sources that will enable point-of-care antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) to treat multi-drug resistant (MDR) deep wound infections. Although aPDT has been demonstrated effective for treating a broad spectrum of bacteria without induction of drug resistance, current laser and LED based light source systems are bulky, rigid, expensive and require administration by medical professionals, thus limiting aPDT’s adoption in the field. QDEL devices can be an effective aPDT light source without those limitations. Through substrate and barrier engineering, we will develop our flexible QDEL light source into a wearable, disposable aPDT system with a scalable size (from ~2X2, 5X5 cm2 in this project to multiple square feet in the future), a thickness of <0.25 mm, a light weight of < 2 g and a low cost of < $15/piece. In-vitro testing with gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Acinetobacter baumannii will demonstrate aPDT efficacy against clinically relevant organisms, paving the way toward a portable bandage type system that could facilitate aPDT strategies to combat MDR bacteria in various scenarios ranging from military hospitals, far-forward field to remote, and at-home self-care.