[Harwell, Oxfordshire]: SmartPDT®, the new smartphone and web application to support the delivery of daylight–Photodynamic Therapy (daylight-PDT) sessions for Actinic Keratosis has been officially launched by siHealth at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Virtual Congress 2020.
Actinic Keratosis is the most common precancer, affecting 1 in 4 over 60-year olds in Europe, with cases increasing exponentially with an ageing population. When treated with Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), historically this has been undertaken primarily using artificial light within hospitals or clinics.
Daylight-PDT is an alternative method of treating Actinic Keratosis, which has been shown to be associated with much higher levels of patient satisfaction than conventional PDT. Thanks to its use of natural sunlight, daylight-PDT has a higher tolerance threshold, is nearly painless and provides optimal comfort and convenience for patients.
However, daylight-PDT is often viewed with a high level of uncertainty; many believe it is not easy to manage, can increase solar skin damage and is unreliable because of dependence on the weather, despite excellent clinical evidence to indicate otherwise. SmartPDT® has been designed to address and solve many of these concerns.
SmartPDT® increases the opportunities for healthcare providers to offer daylight-PDT as a reliable and safe treatment option for Actinic Keratosis while improving patient satisfaction and outcomes.
Designed to be used by those who are both novice and well-trained in daylight-PDT, SmartPDT®’s web application allows dermatologists and nurses to schedule sessions, accurately track the photosensitizer (Protoporphyrin IX – (PpIX)) and sunlight exposure and manage patient’s treatment in one place.
The mobile application enables patients to access their daylight-PDT treatment session plan, get instructions to self-apply treatment, and provide feedback through a questionnaire and photographs of their lesions. All of this helps to ensure therapy adherence.
SmartPDT® uses HappySun® technology, siHeath’s innovative sensor-less personal solar radiation dosimeter that continually measures the impact of solar radiation on the individual’s skin, according to the applied dermatological topical creams and sunscreens. When combined with the patient’s skin type and treatment plan, this technology ensures for the accurate administration of the PpIX dosage, avoiding the patient’s risk of sunburning.
By giving patients the option to have their daylight-PDT treatment outside of the clinic, SmartPDT® reduces the need for face-to-face interaction. Furthermore, as all procedure and patient feedback information is in one place, SmartPDT lessens the administrative burden put on doctors and their staff – giving them more time for patient care.
Dr Ewan Eadie, Clinical Scientist and Head of Scientific Services for Photobiology and Optical Radiation, Scottish Photodynamic Therapy Centre, Ninewells Hospital of Dundee, NHS Tayside, UK, states “We are really excited about SmartPDT®. Having been involved in the development, we already are experiencing the benefits offered by it – from the way we schedule sessions to how we tailor our patients’ treatments and ensure therapy adherence.“
Professor Sally Ibbotson, Professor of Photodermatology, Head of the Photobiology Unit and Clinical Director of the Scottish PDT Centre at the University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School provided additional insight into the potential impact of SmartPDT®, stating that “this innovative technology will facilitate patient-centred home-based treatment, enabling patients to be increasingly involved in their own treatment delivery in the comfort of their own homes, building confidence for patients and clinicians alike and efficiency in treatment delivery and services. This development in home-based care is of even greater importance in the current climate of the pandemic.”
“After several months of careful design and development in collaboration with a wide range of multi-disciplinary stakeholders and substantial input from doctors, patients and healthcare professionals, it’s great to see SmartPDT going live on the market,” says Emilio Simeone, CEO at siHealth. “Following the initial enthusiastic feedback from Dr Ewan Eadie, Professor Ibbotson and their team, we expect to see more dermatologists, allied healthcare professionals and patients realise the benefits of daylight-PDT treatment thanks to SmartPDT.”
Company Information
siHealth
At siHealth, we exist to empower others around the world to develop a healthy relationship with their environment, creating the right balance between benefits and risks, and use nature as a powerful means for taking care of our health.
We do this by coupling satellite Earth Observation remote sensing and personal smart diagnostic solutions to create innovative decision support systems for the health & wellbeing industries.
Together, we can help you get the best health benefits through a controlled relationship with nature.
Website: siHealth.co.uk
Email: info@siHealth.co.uk
Phone number: +44 (0) 1235 395303
Address: Building R104, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
University of Dundee
The University of Dundee, Scotland, is one of the UK’s leading universities, internationally recognised for its expertise across a range of disciplines including traditional professions, most notably law, medicine and dentistry as well as emerging areas such as life sciences.
Website: www.dundee.ac.uk
Media Contact Information
Stefanie Ghamloush
Marketing & Communications Manager
marketing@sihealth.co.uk
Press pack
SmartPDT promotional product video
How accurate is SmartPDT at determining daylight-PDT light dose video
