Method and apparatus for regulating light administered at a patient treatment site

• US 20060095100A1
• Filed: 10/29/2004
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mok, Thye Linn, Kuan, Yew Cheong, Tan, Kheng Leng, Pang, Siew It, Lee, Kian Shin, Ou, Wen Ya, Oon, Su Lin, Abdul Karim, Norfidathul Aizar, Mohd Afif, Fakhrul Arifin, Yoganandan, Sundar A/L Natarajan
• Application Number:
  US10/977,925
• Publication Number:
  US 20060095100A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/89
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2075 mixing three wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/063 comprising light transmitting means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0651 Diodes
• 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

Abstract

In one embodiment, apparatus is provided with at least one solid-state light emitter, at least one fiber optic light guide, at least one photosensor, and a control system. Each of the at least one fiber optic light guide has a first end that is independently positionable with respect to the solid-state light emitter(s) to receive the light emitted by the solid-state light emitter(s). Each photosensor is positioned to receive light emitted from a second end of one of the light guides. The control system is operably associated with the solid-state light emitter(s) and the photosensor(s) to regulate the light output of the light emitter(s) in accordance with measurements received from the photosensor(s).

Claims

1. Apparatus for regulating light administered at a patient treatment site, comprising:

at least one solid-state light emitter to be positioned adjacent the treatment site;

at least one fiber optic light guide, each having a first end to receive light emitted by the solid-state light emitter(s);

at least one photosensor, each positioned to receive light emitted from a second end of one of the light guides; and

a control system, operably associated with the solid-state light emitter(s) and the photosensor(s), to regulate the light output of the light emitter(s) in accordance with measurements received from the photosensor(s).

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the solid-state light emitter(s), photosensor(s) and control system are battery-operated.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one solid-state light emitter comprises a plurality of solid-state light emitters that emit two or more different wavelengths of light.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the solid-state light emitter(s) and fiber optic light guide(s) are independently positionable with respect to each other.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the solid-state light emitter(s) and fiber optic light guide(s) are attached to a common substrate.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the solid-state light emitter(s) are coupled to the control system via an elongate flexible member.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least two different photosensors have differently filtered inputs and measure different wavelengths of light.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one solid-state light emitter comprises red, green and blue light emitters;

wherein different photosensors measure red, green and blue wavelengths of light; and

wherein the control system separately regulates the intensities of the red, green and blue light emitters in accordance with the measurements received from the photosensors.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the light emitters comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the solid-state light emitter(s) comprise one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one fiber optic light guide is a single fiber optic light guide.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one photosensor comprises a plurality of photosensors, each measuring a different wavelength of light, and each positioned to receive light from the single fiber optic light guide.

13. Apparatus for regulating light administered at a patient treatment site, comprising:

at least one solid-state light emitter;

at least one fiber optic light guide, each having a first end that is independently positionable with respect to the solid-state light emitter(s) to receive light emitted by the solid-state light emitter(s);

at least one photosensor, each positioned to receive light emitted from a second end of one of the light guides; and

a control system, operably associated with the solid-state light emitter(s) and the photosensor(s), to regulate the light output of the light emitter(s) in accordance with measurements received from the photosensor(s).

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one solid-state light emitter comprises a plurality of solid-state light emitters that emit two or more different wavelengths of light.

15. A method, comprising:

positioning at least one solid-state light emitter adjacent a patient treatment site;

positioning a first end of at least one fiber optic light guide to receive light emitted by the solid-state light emitter(s);

via a control system,

activating the solid-state light emitter(s);

activating at least one photosensor to measure light emitted from a second end of one of the fiber optic light guides; and

regulating the light emitted from the solid-state light emitter(s) in accordance with the measurements taken by the photosensor(s).

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the control system regulates the intensity of light emitted from the solid-state light emitter(s), in accordance with a light intensity measurement obtained from a single photosensor.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the control system regulates the color of light emitted from the solid-state light emitter(s), in accordance with light intensity measurements obtained from plural photosensors.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising, positioning the first end of the at least one fiber optic light guide adjacent the solid-state light emitter(s).

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising, positioning the first end of the at least one fiber optic light guide adjacent the treatment site.

20. A method for activating a photoreactive agent at a patient treatment site, comprising:

applying a photoreactive agent to the treatment site, the photoreactive agent being activated by one or more wavelengths of light;

positioning at least one solid-state light emitter, capable of emitting said one or more wavelengths of light, adjacent the treatment site;

positioning a first end of at least one fiber optic light guide to receive light emitted the solid-state light emitter(s); and

activating a control system to,

activate the solid-state light emitter(s);

activate at least one photosensor to measure light emitted from a second end of one of the fiber optic light guides; and

tune the light emitted from the solid-state light emitter(s) to said one or more wavelengths, in accordance with the measurements taken by the photosensor(s).