Apparatus and methods using visible light for debilitating and/or killing microorganisms within the body

• US 20040039242A1
• Filed: 04/02/2003
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LumeRx, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Seedling Enterprises, LLC
• Inventors: Levin, Philip, Arcangeli, Robert, Tolkoff, Marc Joshua
• Application Number:
  US10/406,137
• Publication Number:
  US 20040039242A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2261 with scattering, diffusion or dispersion of light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0609 Stomach and/or esophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/063 comprising light transmitting means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0656 Chemical light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0661 ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0662 Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0663 Coloured light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0603 for treatment of body cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0624 for eliminating microbes, germs, bacteria on or in the body

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices and methods for killing and/or debilitating pathogenic microorganisms, such as the H. pylori bacteria within a patient'"'"'s body. A light source is provided that emits electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths within the visible spectrum. The light source can be internal and/or external to the patient'"'"'s body. For embodiments having a light source external to the body, a light guide is provided for transferring electromagnetic radiation from the light source to a location within the patient'"'"'s body. The light guide has a proximal end optically coupled to the light source and a distal end dimensioned for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body. A delivery element is also provided to optically couple electromagnetic radiation from the light to a location with a patient'"'"'s body.

Claims

1. An apparatus for killing or debilitating pathogenic microorganisms within a patient'"'"'s body, the apparatus comprising:

a light source external to the body emitting electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths within the visible spectrum;

a light guide having a proximal end optically coupled to the light source and a distal end dimensioned for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body, the light guide transferring electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths within the visible spectrum therethrough; and

a delivery element optically coupled to the distal end of the light guide for directing to a location with a patient'"'"'s body electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths within the visible spectrum.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microorganisms are bacteria.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the bacteria are H. pylori bacteria.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source further emits electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths within the ultraviolet spectrum.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of a laser, a laser diode, a light emitting diode, a lamp, and combinations thereof.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the lamp is selected from the group consisting of an incandescent lamp, a florescent lamp, an arc lamp, and combinations thereof.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adapter optically coupled between the light source and the proximal end of the light guide.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the adapter is selected from the group consisting of a lens, a prism, a mirror, a fiber optic splice, a 1:

N optical coupler, a connector, and combinations thereof.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light guide is selected from the group consisting of single strand fiber optic cable, multi strand fiber optic bundle, a gas-filled channel, a fluid-filled channel, a sequence of reflectors, and combinations thereof.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the delivery element is selected from the group consisting of a lens, a prism, a mirror, a balloon, gas, liquid, fluid sprays, fiber fountains, frustrated total internal reflection pads, optically transmissive coatings, optically active materials, and combinations thereof.

11. A method for killing or debilitating pathogenic microorganisms within a patient'"'"'s body, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a light source external to the body, the light source emitting electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths within the visible spectrum;

optically coupling the electromagnetic radiation into a light guide;

directionally coupling the electromagnetic radiation from the light guide to a location with a patient'"'"'s body.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the microorganisms are H. pylori bacteria.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of providing a light source further comprises providing a light source emitting electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths within the ultraviolet spectrum.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of enlarging the location within the patient'"'"'s body.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the enlarging step comprises inserting an expanding element selected from the group consisting of a gas, a fluid, a mechanical support, a balloon, and combinations thereof.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of sensitizing the pathogenic microorganisms to the directed electromagnetic radiation.

17. An apparatus for killing or debilitating pathogenic microorganisms within a patient'"'"'s body, the apparatus comprising:

a light source dimensioned for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body, the light source emitting electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths within the visible spectrum; and

a delivery element optically coupled to the light source, for delivering a portion of the coupled visible light to a location within a patient'"'"'s body.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of a laser diode, a light emitting diode, an incandescent lamp, a florescent lamp, an arc lamp, a flash lamp, and combinations thereof.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising an energy source external to the body, wherein the energy source energizes the light source.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising a tether coupled between the light source and the energy source for coupling energy therebetween.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the energy source is selected from the group consisting of a battery, a power supply, a capacitive storage circuit, an electrical transformer circuit, electromagnetic radiation, beamed electromagnetic energy, beamed acoustic energy, and combinations thereof.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the delivery element comprises the light source.

23. A method for killing or debilitating pathogenic microorganisms within a patient'"'"'s body, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a light source dimensioned for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body, the light source emitting electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths within the visible spectrum;

energizing the light source; and

directionally coupling at least a portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation to a location containing pathogenic microorganisms within a patient'"'"'s body.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the microorganisms are H. pylori bacteria.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the location within the patient'"'"'s body includes at least a portion of a naturally-occurring body cavity.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of providing a light source further comprises providing a light source emitting electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths within the ultraviolet spectrum.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of sensitizing the pathogenic microorganisms to the directed electromagnetic radiation.

28. An apparatus for killing or debilitating pathogenic microorganisms within a patient'"'"'s body, the apparatus comprising:

a light-emitting material emitting electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths within the visible spectrum; and

means for directing at least a portion of the light-emitting material to a location within a patient'"'"'s body, the location containing pathogenic microorganisms.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the light-emitting material is selected from the group including phosphorescent liquids, chemiluminescent compounds, sono-luminescent compounds;

microwave-activated compounds, fluorescent materials, and combinations thereof.

30. A method for killing or debilitating pathogenic microorganisms in the treatment of an infectious ailment within a patient'"'"'s body, the method comprising:

providing a light-emitting material emitting electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths within the visible spectrum; and

delivering at least a portion of the light emitting material to a target area containing pathogenic microorganisms within a patient'"'"'s body.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the target area includes at least a portion of a naturally-occurring body cavity.

32. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of directing at least a portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation to at least a portion of the target area.

33. A method for killing or debilitating H. pylori within a patient'"'"'s stomach, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a light source emitting electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths within the visible spectrum; and

optically coupling the electromagnetic radiation from the light source to a location within a patient'"'"'s stomach.