Light-activated therapy to lower bacteria in severe open fractures
Adjuvant Photodynamic Therapy to Reduce Bacterial Bioburden in High-Energy Contaminated Open Fractures
['FUNDING_R01'] · DARTMOUTH-HITCHCOCK CLINIC · NIH-11170536
This project uses a light-activated antibacterial treatment applied during surgery to lower germs in severely contaminated open fractures and help prevent infections.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | DARTMOUTH-HITCHCOCK CLINIC (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LEBANON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11170536 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you had a high-energy open fracture with contamination, researchers would add a photosensitizing agent to the wound and apply a specific light during surgery to kill bacteria. The team will refine the dose, timing, and safety of the photosensitizer-plus-light approach in lab tests and animal models while comparing it to standard care like antibiotics and surgical cleaning. They will also study how the treatment works around metal implants and damaged tissues to reduce the chance of infection. The work is intended to prepare this approach for future use in patients at trauma centers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with high-energy, contaminated open fractures who are undergoing surgical debridement and fixation and who might receive a local antibacterial treatment during surgery.
Not a fit: Patients with simple closed fractures, wounds that are not contaminated, or those with known allergies or sensitivity to photosensitizing drugs or light-based treatments are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lower wound infections after severe open fractures, reducing complications, long hospital stays, and the risk of limb loss.
How similar studies have performed: Light-activated antimicrobial treatments have shown promise in laboratory and some wound-care settings, but applying photodynamic therapy to contaminated open fractures is relatively new and mainly at the preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
LEBANON, UNITED STATES
- DARTMOUTH-HITCHCOCK CLINIC — LEBANON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ELLIOTT, JONATHAN T — DARTMOUTH-HITCHCOCK CLINIC
- Study coordinator: ELLIOTT, JONATHAN T
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.