Using light therapy to reduce infections in severe bone fractures
Official title: Adjuvant Photodynamic Therapy to Reduce Bacterial Bioburden in High-Energy Contaminated Open Fractures
Funded at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic · NIH-10924011 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help people with serious open fractures that have bacteria in them by using a special light therapy to reduce infections, which could help them heal better and avoid complications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lebanon, United States) |
| Project start | September 7, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $487,398 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR081952-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10924011 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from high-energy open fractures that are at risk of infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with closed fractures or those who do not have a high risk of infection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) as an additional treatment for patients with high-energy open fractures that are contaminated. The approach aims to reduce the bacterial load in the wound, which is crucial for preventing infections that can lead to serious complications such as prolonged recovery or even limb loss. By optimizing PDT, the researchers hope to enhance current infection prevention strategies, which often include antibiotics and surgical interventions. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of this therapy in an animal model before considering its application in human patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly lower the risk of infections in patients with severe bone fractures, improving recovery outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with Photodynamic Therapy in reducing bacterial infections in various medical contexts, suggesting potential for success in this application.
Where this research is happening
-
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic
Lebanon, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Elliott, Jonathan T — Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic
- Study coordinator: Elliott, Jonathan T
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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.