Experiments indicate that when special tumor-fighting drugs are illuminated with LEDs, the tumors are more effectively destroyed than with conventional surgery. The entire light source and cooling system is only the size of a medium suitcase. NASA funded contracts through the Small Business Innovation Research Program to demonstrate the feasibility of using LEDs in cancer treatment. Ala. The LEDs developed for Marshall Center by Quantum Devices, Inc. of Barneveld, Wis., were first intended for use in food growth experiments in space. In the new application, they form the tip of a new nine-inch neural probe.
Lasers are also very expensive and lose power in their fiberoptic cables.
The LED probe can be used for hours at a time and remains cool to the touch. The entire LED unit can be purchased for a fraction of the cost of a laser. Dr. Whelan has obtained Food and Drug Administration approval to use the LED probe in the removal of children's brain tumors on a trial basis. Photofrin II attaches to the unwanted tissues and permeates into them, leaving the surrounding tissues unaffected. Dr. Whelan then places the new solid-state LED probe near the affected tissue to illuminate the tumor and activate the Photofrin II drug.