Release Title:

NASA Photo #9709987:

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.

Photo by Emmett Given, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

NASA Photo #9709987:

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 is approximately 9 inches long and is 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.

Photo by Emmett Given, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

NASA Photo #9709985:

The Light Emitting Diodes probe is being prepared for use in 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.

Photo by Emmett Given, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

NASA Photo #9709986

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.

Photo by Emmett Given, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

NASA Photo #9709988

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. This LED technology was developed for NASA space-based plant growth facilities by Quantum Devices. The probe was adapted for photodynamic cancer therapy under a NASA Small Business Innovative Research program grant.

Photo by Emmett Given, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

NASA Photo #9709989:

Dr. Harry Whelan of the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, tests special lighting technology originally developed for NASA space-based plant growth experiments and now used for treatment of cancerous tumors. The LED research project is funded by a NASA Small Business Innovative Research program grant. Whelan is a native of Milwaukee.

Photo by Emmett Given, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

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