Photothermal treatment of port-wine stains using erythrocyte-derived particles doped with indocyanine green: a theoretical study

Pulsed dye laser irradiation in the wavelength range of 585 to 600 nm is currently the gold standard for treatment of port-wine stains (PWSs). However, this treatment method is often ineffective for deeply seated blood vessels and in individuals with moderate to heavy pigmentation. Use of optical particles doped with the FDA-approved near-infrared (NIR) absorber, indocyanine green (ICG), can potentially provide an effective method to overcome these limitations. Herein, we theoretically investigate the effectiveness of particles derived from erythrocytes, which contain ICG, in mediating photothermal destruction of PWS blood vessels. We refer to these particles as NIR erythrocyte-derived transducers (NETs). Our theoretical model consists of a Monte Carlo algorithm to estimate the volumetric energy deposition, a finite elements approach to solve the heat diffusion equation, and a damage integral based on an Arrhenius relationship to quantify tissue damage. The model geometries include simulated PWS blood vessels as well as actual human PWS blood vessels plexus obtained by the optical coherence tomography. Our simulation results indicate that blood vessels containing micron- or nano-sized NETs and irradiated at 755 nm have higher levels of photothermal damage as compared to blood vessels without NETs irradiated at 585 nm. Blood vessels containing micron-sized NETs also showed higher photothermal damage than blood vessels containing nano-sized NETs. The theoretical model presented can be used in guiding the fabrication of NETs with patient-specific optical properties to allow for personalized treatment based on the depth and size of blood vessels as well as the pigmentation of the individual’s skin.