Device for administering a treatment in a body cavity of a human

• US 20070073362A1
• Filed: 09/23/2005
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Noel Campbell
• Original Assignee: Noel Campbell
• Inventors: Campbell, Noel
• Application Number:
  US11/233,134
• Publication Number:
  US 20070073362A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0605 Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0606 Mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0607 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0611 Vagina
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0662 Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0603 for treatment of body cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent

Abstract

A device for administering a treatment in a body cavity of a human patient has a probe sized for insertion into the cavity. A visible red light source is located in the distal end of the probe for emitting a light having a wavelength within a range of 535 to 785 nanometers in to tissue surrounding the cavity. The proximal end of the probe is connected to a flexible neck having a base. A pair of arms extend laterally from the base for supporting the device on a surface.

Claims

1. A device for administering a treatment in a body cavity of a human comprising:

a probe having a proximal end, and a distal end insertable in a body cavity of a human and having an energy transmissive outer surface,

a flexible neck connected to the proximal end of the probe and having a base,

a pair of arms extending from the base of the neck for supporting the device on a surface, and

an energy source located in the distal end of the probe for emitting radiant energy from the energy transmissive surface.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the energy source is a visible red light source located in the distal end of the probe for emitting visible red light.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the visible red light source comprises a plurality of high intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs).

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the visible red light source emits a light having a wavelength within a range of 535 to 785 nanometers.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein the visible red light source emits light at a wavelength of 662 nanometers.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the probe comprises a light transmissive sheath.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the neck comprises a plurality of relatively movable articulated elements arranged in sequence along a longitudinal direction of the neck.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the probe is sized for insertion into the anus of a human and has a length such that when the proximal end of the probe is outside the body the light transmissive surface is adjacent a location of a prostate gland within the body.

9. A device for administering a treatment to a prostate gland of a human comprising:

a probe having a proximal end, a distal end having a light transmissive outer surface and sized for insertion into the anus of a human and having a length such that when the proximal end of the probe is outside the body the light transmissive surface is adjacent a location of a prostate gland within the body

a flexible neck connected to the proximal end of the probe and having a base,

a pair of arms extending from the base of the neck for supporting the device on a surface, and

a visible red light source located in the distal end of the probe for emitting a light having a wavelength within a range of 535 to 785 nanometers in to tissue around the prostate gland.

10. A device insertable into a body cavity of a human patient for photo-dynamic treatment of cancer using visible red light according to one of the following protocols:

i) a one hour treatment every day, or

ii) a one hour treatment three times a week on alternative days per week.

11. The device of claim 11 when used to treat prostate cancer in male patients.