The network "Optical Technologies in Photodynamics (OTPD)" is a nationwide acting sub-network of the Strategic Partnership for Sensor Technologies (SPS) and financed within the Central Innovation Program for small and medium-sized Businesses (Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand, ZIM) of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. The OTPD network supports the competence of the Strategic Partnership for Sensor Technologies in the fields of chemistry and medical technology.


The Photodynamic Technologies

In the field of photodynamic technologies the interaction between light and matter is used for gentle, precise procedures that offer a wide range of applications in the areas diagnostics, sensor technology and therapy. The focus is on the absorption of light by photosensitive dies and the subsequent reactions. These methods promise an enormous market potential, especially for biological and medical applications, but also for non-medical areas such as environmental technologies.


The Objectives

The goal of the OTPD network is the successful and innovative advancement of optical technologies in photodynamics. This encompasses for example

• inactivation of multi-resistant bacteria at home or in clinical environments
• fluorescence diagnostics of tumors
• photodanymical destruction of tumors
• precise and efficient destruction of blood vessels in therapies against blood vessel malformations (e.g. port-wine stain) and blood vessel deformities (e.g. spider veins)
• visualization of oxygen partial pressure in tissue, detected by a planar sensor foil

These applications promise an enormous market potential. Currently seven companies and three institutions are members of the OTPD network. The expansion of the network concerning the key aspects as well as the number of members is envisioned for the near future.


The Services

The OTPD network initiates, defines and conducts joint technology and funded projects together with its partners. This accelerates the technology transfer between the partners and promotes innovation management activities. The OTPD network offers its members a wide range of services to achieve these objectives. Furthermore the OTPD members have access to many services of the Strategic Partnership for Sensor Technologies, for example the free participation at events, use of the Fachkräftepool or the consulting and support for cooperative and funded projects.