NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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11/13/03: Light emitting diodes bring relief to young cancer patients; NASA technology used for plant growth now in clinical trials

02/06/02: Interactive multimedia units tell NASA technology transfer story at Alabama malls and airports

05/10/01: First commercial plant growth experiment from Wisconsin team gets started on Space Station

12/18/00: NASA space technology shines light on healing

04/27/00: U.S. Space Foundation honors NASA Marshall program manager

03/15/00: Alabama researchers receive more than $1.5 million in NASA materials science grants

09/30/99: First brain cancer surgeries using new space-age probe are successful

10/05/98: NASA research helping in the fight against cancer

11/06/97: Space research shines a light on tumors to save lives

http://www1.msfc.nasa.gov/NEWSROOM/news/video/2000/video00-336.htm

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Healing power of light. Glowing red light emitted by light-emitting diodes or LEDs has been used to grow plants on NASA's Space Shuttle. Researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and several other U.S. and foreign hospitals are using this near-infrared light, now in the second phase of clinical trials, to promote wound healing. (NASA/MSFC photo by B. Himelhoch, Medical Center Graphics Inc.)

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Wound healing device. The wound-healing device made by Quantum Devices Inc. in Barneveld, Wis., is a small 3.5-inch by 4.5-inch (90 by 145-millimeter) portable, flat array of light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. A nurse practitioner places the LED array on the outside of a patient's cheek where it shines for just over a minute each day, promoting wound healing and preventing mouth sores caused by radiation and chemotherapy. Quantum Devices, the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, and researchers at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee are conducting the multi-year project through a contract with the Technology Transfer Department at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. (NASA/MSFC photo by B. Himelhoch, Medical Center Graphics Inc.)

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Light-emitting diodes promote cell growth. Skin, bone and muscle cells grown in cultures are exposed to the same light-emitting diodes used to treat wounds in patients and grow plants in space. Biologists at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee have shown that cells exposed to the near-infrared light grow 150 to 200 percent faster than ground control cells not stimulated by the light. Through a research project funded by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., scientists are trying to learn more about the way cells convert light to energy and identify the wavelengths of light that are most effective at stimulating growth. (NASA/MSFC photo by B. Himelhoch, Medical Center Graphics Inc.)

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Three types of red light. Ellen Buchmann, a molecular biologist at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, is conducting research to investigate how infrared energy from light-emitting diodes influences the growth of cells. Doctors are examining how this infrared energy promotes wound healing. Three rows of glowing light-emitting diodes release energy at specific wavelengths. Different cells, such as skin, bone and muscle cells, respond differently to various wavelengths or energy levels of light. The light can penetrate tissue to a depth of up to 9 inches (23 centimeters). Quantum Devices Inc., of Barneveld, Wis., manufactures the light-emitting diode units as part of a contract through the Technology Transfer Department at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. (NASA/MSFC/T. McMahan)

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The red light from the Light Emitting Diode (LED) probe shines through the fingers of Dr. Harry Whelan, a pediatric neurologist at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Whelan uses the long waves of light from the LED surgical probe to activate special drugs that kill brain tumors. Laser light previously has been used for this type of surgery, but the LED light illuminates through all nearby tissues, reaching parts of tumors that shorter wavelengths of laser light cannot. LED lights were originally developed by Quantum Devices Inc. of Barneveld, Wis., for commercial plant growht experiments aboard NASA's Space Shuttle. (NASA/MSFC/E. Given)

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Simulation of surgical implantation of the Light Emitting Diodes probe at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. The LED probe is approximately 9 inches long and about one-half-inch in diameter. The LED light source consists of 144 tiny pinhead-size diodes that are three-times brighter than the Sun. The probe was developed for photodynamic cancer therapy under a NASA Small Business Innovative Research program grant. (NASA/MSFC/E. Given)

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The approximately 9-inch-long Light Emitting Diodes probe is being prepared for surgery at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. The LED probe consists of 144 tiny pinhead-size diodes and is 9-inches long and about one-half-inch in diameter. The small balloon aids in even distribution of the light source. The LED probe can be used for hours at a time and remains cool to the touch. The probe was developed for photodynamic cancer therapy under a NASA Small Business Innovative Research program grant. (NASA/MSFC/E. Given)

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Neurosurgeons and nurses conduct a simulation of surgical implantation of the Light Emitting Diodes probe at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. The LED probe can be used for hours at a time and remains cool to the touch. The probe was developed for photodynamic cancer therapy under a NASA Small Business Innovative Research program grant. (NASA/MSFC/E. Given)

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Special lighting technology developed for NASA's commercial plant growth experiments in space is helping to treat cancer and save lives on Earth. Ronald Ignatius, president of Quantum Devices Inc. of Barneveld, Wis., demonstrates the Light Emitting Diodes surgical probe. The LED probe, consisting of 144 tiny pinhead-size diodes, is 9-inches long and about one-half-inch in diameter. Quantum Devices Inc., NASA's industry partner, improved the LEDs and is working on new applications for them. Quantum will display the LED probe at the NASA pavilion, as well as at its own exhibit at the National Manufacturing Week show. The probe was developed for photodynamic cancer therapy under a NASA Small Business Innovative Research program grant managed by the Technology Transfer Office at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. (NASA)