IRRADIATION APPARATUS AND TREATMENT

• US 20110288617A1
• Filed: 09/09/2009
• Published: 11/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Photon Therapeutics Limited
• Original Assignee: Anant Sharma
• Inventors: Sharma, Anant
• Granted Patent: US 9,474,811 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0047 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0612 using probes penetrating tissue; interstitial probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/063 comprising light transmitting means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0642 Irradiating part of the body at a certain distance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0644 Handheld applicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0651 Diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0661 ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0603 for treatment of body cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 Skin treatment other than tanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0624 for eliminating microbes, germs, bacteria on or in the body

Abstract

Infections of body tissues, particularly of the eye or of wounds, are treated by brief low-intensity irradiation with ultraviolet radiation in the UVC band. A suitable treatment device contains a light-emitting diode producing UVC radiation at a wavelength of about 265 nm, at a power output of 5 mW, directed on to a zone of tissue about 4 mm in diameter. An optical aiming system indicates the zone of tissue to be irradiated. Irradiation for periods as brief as 1 second has been found effective, which equates to a dose of 4 mJ/cm² delivered to the tissue. Longer periods and higher intensities may be used for more resistant infections. Such irradiation may be delivered endoscopically to treat internal infections or to prevent infection during surgery. The device may be hand held or mounted to an ophthalmic slit lamp or other support.

Claims

1-35. -35. (canceled)

36. Apparatus for treatment of eye tissues, said apparatus comprising a source of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of between 100 nm and 280 nm and means to direct said electromagnetic radiation to a selected zone of eye tissue.

37. Apparatus for treatment of eye tissues as claimed in claim 36, wherein said source is adapted to emit electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of between 240 and 270 nm.

38. Apparatus for treatment of eye tissues as claimed in claim 36, wherein said source has a maximum power output in the range of 0.1 mW to 1 mW.

39. Apparatus for treatment of eye tissues as claimed in claim 36, adapted to produce an irradiation intensity of between 0.01 mW/cm² and 500 mW/cm² over said selected zone of eye tissue.

40. Apparatus for treatment of eye tissues as claimed in claim 36, adapted to produce an irradiation intensity of no more than 5 mW/cm² over said selected zone of eye tissue.

41. Apparatus for treatment of eye tissues as claimed in claim 36, mounted to an adjustable support.

42. Apparatus for treatment of eye tissues as claimed in claim 36, wherein the means to direct the electromagnetic radiation comprises an optical aiming arrangement.

43. Apparatus for treatment of eye tissues as claimed in claim 36, wherein the means to direct the electromagnetic radiation is adapted to position the apparatus at a preselected distance from the selected zone of eye tissue to be irradiated.

44. A method of treating an eye infection, comprising the steps of providing a source of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of between 100 nm and 280 nm, and irradiating a surface of the eye adjacent the infection with said electromagnetic radiation.

45. A method of treating an eye infection as claimed in claim 44, comprising the step of irradiating said surface of the eye adjacent the infection with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of between 240 and 270 nm.

46. A method of treating an eye infection as claimed in claim 44, wherein said source of electromagnetic radiation has a power output in the range of 0.1 mW to 1 mW.

47. A method of treating an eye infection as claimed in claim 44, comprising the step of irradiating a zone of said surface of the eye adjacent the infection having a maximum dimension of no more than 100 mm.

48. A method of treating an eye infection as claimed in claim 44, comprising the step of irradiating said surface of the eye adjacent the infection at a radiation intensity of between 0.01 mW/cm² and 500 mW/cm².

49. A method of treating an eye infection as claimed in claim 44, comprising performing said step of irradiating a surface of the eye adjacent the infection for no more than 600 seconds.

50. A method of treating an eye infection as claimed in claim 44, comprising administering a dose of said electromagnetic radiation of no more than 15 J/cm².

51. A method of treating an eye infection as claimed in claim 44, comprising administering a dose of said electromagnetic radiation of between 0.1 mJ/cm² and 1 J/cm².

52. A method of treating an eye infection as claimed in claim 44, wherein said infection is associated with a wound, comprising the steps of providing a source of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between about 100 nm and 280 nm and irradiating said wound and adjacent tissues with said electromagnetic radiation.

54. A method for treating an infection in eye tissues as claimed in claim 44, comprising the steps of providing at least one source of electromagnetic radiation producing a plurality of wavelengths within the range of 100 nm to 280 nm, and irradiating said eye tissues with said electromagnetic radiation.

55. A method for treating an infection in eye tissues as claimed in claim 44, comprising the steps of providing a modulated source of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of between 100 nm and 280 nm and irradiating said eye tissue with said electromagnetic radiation.

53. A method for obviating formation of scars and adhesions in eye tissues after healing of a wound, comprising the steps of providing a source of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of between 100 nm and 280 nm, and irradiating a wound site with said electromagnetic radiation.