Near infrared microbial elimination laser system

• US 20040126272A1
• Filed: 08/26/2003
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nomir Medical Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nomir Medical Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Bornstein, Eric
• Application Number:
  US10/649,910
• Publication Number:
  US 20040126272A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/40 Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/085 Infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/24 Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0605 Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0644 Handheld applicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0645 Applicators worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/30 by irradiation

Abstract

A dual wavelength laser in the low infrared electromagnetic spectrum is disclosed for destruction of bacteria via photo-damage optical interactions through direct selective absorption of optical energy by intracellular bacterial chromophores. The dual wavelength (NIMELS) laser includes an optical assembly and all associated components necessary for the housing of two distinct diode laser arrays (870 nm diode array and 930 nm diode array) that can be emitted through an output connector and wavelength multiplexer as necessary. With this preferred design, the dual wavelengths (870 nm and 930 nm) can be emitted singly, or multiplexed together to be conducted along a common optical pathway, or multiple optical pathways, to achieve maximal bacterial elimination.

Claims

1. A laser system for destroying bacteria in a bacterial locale, said system comprising:

(a) a housing and a control;

(b) a laser oscillator sub-system within said housing for causing the selective emission under said control of first radiation in a first wavelength range of 865 nm to 875 nm and the selective emission under said control of second radiation at a second wavelength range of 865 nm to 875 nm;

(d) an optical channel for transmission of said first radiation and said second radiation from said laser oscillator sub-system; and

(c) a head for enabling delivery of said first radiation and said second radiation from said laser oscillator sub-system through said optical channel to the site of said bacterial locale;

(d) said first radiation and said second radiation being adapted to generate a chromophore from said bacterial locale and being adapted to cooperate with said chromophore to destroy bacteria in said bacterial locale.

2. The laser system of claim 1, wherein said transmission is simultaneous.

3. The laser system of claim 1, wherein said transmission is alternate.

4. The laser system of claim 1, wherein said transmission is multiplexed;

5. The laser system of claim 1, wherein said head includes an optical egress for said first radiation and said second radiation, and a scaling instrument.

6. The laser system of claim 1, wherein said head includes an optical egress having a frosted tip.

7. The laser system of claim 1, wherein said head includes an optical egress and an otoscope.

8. The laser system of claim 1, wherein said head includes a digit clip and an optical egress therefrom.

9. The laser system of claim 1, wherein said head includes a stocking having an optical ingress from said laser oscillator and an optical egress to the inner surface of said stocking.

10. The laser system of claim 1, wherein said head includes a handle and an optical egress extending therefrom.

11. A laser system for destroying bacteria in a bacterial locale, said system comprising:

(a) a housing and a control;

(b) a laser oscillator sub-system within said housing for causing the selective emission under said control of first radiation narrowly at a first wavelength range of 870 nm and the selective emission under said control of second radiation at a second wavelength range of 930 nm; and

(c) a head for delivering said first radiation and said second radiation from said laser oscillator sub-system to the site of said bacterial locale;

(d) said first radiation and said second radiation being adapted to generate a chromophore from said bacterial locale and being adapted to cooperate with said chromophore to destroy bacteria in said bacterial locale.

12. The laser system of claim 11, wherein said transmission is simultaneous.

13. The laser system of claim 11, wherein said transmission is alternate.

14. The laser system of claim 11, wherein said transmission is multiplexed;

15. The laser system of claim 11, wherein said head includes an optical egress for said first radiation and said second radiation, and a scaling instrument.

16. The laser system of claim 11, wherein said head includes an optical egress having a frosted tip.

17. The laser system of claim 11, wherein said head includes an optical egress and an otoscope.

18. The laser system of claim 11, wherein said head includes a digit clip and an optical egress therefrom.

19. The laser system of claim 11, wherein said head includes a stocking having an optical ingress from said laser oscillator and an optical egress to the inner surface of said stocking.

20. The laser system of claim 11, wherein said head includes a handle and an optical egress extending therefrom.

21. A process for destroying bacteria in a bacterial locale, said process comprising:

(a) energizing a laser to cause the selective emission of first radiation in a first wavelength range of 865 nm to 875 nm and the selective emission of second radiation at a second wavelength range of 865 nm to 875 nm;

(b) establishing a path for the transmission of said first radiation and said second radiation from said laser oscillator sub-system; and

(c) enabling delivery of said first radiation and said second radiation from said laser oscillator sub-system through said optical channel to the site of said bacterial locale;

(d) said first radiation and said second radiation generating a chromophore from said bacterial locale and cooperating with said chromophore to destroy bacteria in said bacterial locale.

22. A process for destroying bacteria in a bacterial locale, said process comprising:

(a) energizing a laser to cause the selective emission of first radiation in the selected wavelength of 870 nm and the selective emission of second radiation in the selective wavelength range of 930 nm;

(b) establishing a path for the transmission of said first radiation and said second radiation from said laser oscillator sub-system; and

(c) enabling delivery of said first radiation and said second radiation from said laser oscillator sub-system through said optical channel to the site of said bacterial locale;

(d) said first radiation and said second radiation generating a chromophore from said bacterial locale and cooperating with said chromophore to destroy bacteria in said bacterial locale.