Therapeutic light source and method

• US 6,626,932 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2001
• Issued: 09/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Lotus Global Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Photo Therapeutics Limited (Gadsden Properties, Inc.)
• Inventors: Whitehurst, Colin
• Primary Examiner(s): Boles, Derek
• Application Number:
  US09/835,823
• Publication Number:
  US 20020035386A1
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 607/80, 607/88, 607/70, 607/92, 607/93
• US Class Current: 607/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0636 Irradiating the whole body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0655 Tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 29/00 Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/06 Antihyperlipidemics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/10 for hyperglycaemia, e.g. antidiabetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/00 Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/10 for treating ischaemic or atherosclerotic diseases, e.g. antianginal drugs, coronary vasodilators, drugs for myocardial infarction, retinopathy, cerebrovascula insufficiency, renal arteriosclerosis

Abstract

A light source for therapy, such as photodynamic therapy, comprises one or more low pressure or medium/high pressure discharge tubes. In one aspect, the light source comprises a non-planar array of substantially straight tubes. In another aspect, the light source comprises one or more such tubes mounted in a housing having an aperture allowing part of the patient to be located within the housing.

Claims

1. A light source for therapy or diagnosis of a patient, comprising a non-planar array of substantially straight discharge tubes arranged to emit light substantially in the visible spectrum at an intensity of at least 3 mW/cm² on the patient.

2. A light source as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubes are fluorescent tubes.

3. A light source as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubes are arranged to emit light of wavelengths substantially confined within the range 350 to 500nm.

4. A light source as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tubes are arranged to emit light of wavelengths substantially confined within the range 400 to 450 nm.

5. A light source as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubes are arranged along a surface curved perpendicular to the length of the tubes.

6. A light source as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tubes are mounted on the curved inner surface of a housing arranged to cover at least part of the length of a patient.

7. A light source as claimed in claim 6, wherein the housing is moveable along the length of the patient so as to irradiate a selected part of the length of the patient.

8. A light source as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tubes are mounted on the curved inner cylindrical surface of a housing dimensioned so as to irradiate only the lower half of a standing patient.

9. A light source as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tubes are mounted on the curved inner surface of a housing dimensioned so as to allow a patient to stand within the housing such that substantially the whole length of the patient'"'"'s body is irradiated.

10. A light source as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubes are arranged on at least two planar surfaces set an angle to one another.

11. A light source as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tubes are mounted on the underside of a substantially horizontal surface under which the patient'"'"'s legs rest when the patient is in a sitting position, and on a substantially vertical surface facing the patient'"'"'s lower legs when the patient is in a sitting position.

12. A light source as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tubes are mounted on a first substantially planar member and on a second substantially planar member attached by a moveable joint to the first member.

13. A light source as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first planar member is arranged to irradiate the face of a patient from the front.

14. A light source as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second planar member is arranged to irradiate the scalp of a patient.

15. A light source as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second planar member is arranged to irradiate the face of a patient from the side.

30. A light source according to claim 1, wherein the intensity fluctuation across the treatable area of the patient is approximately 10% or less.

31. A light source according to claim 30, wherein the intensity fluctuation is approximately 6% or less.

33. A light source according to claim 1, including a diffuse reflecting surface arranged to reflect light towards the patient.

39. A light source according to claim 1, wherein said light source is used in the treatment of superficial skin conditions.

40. A light source according to claim 39, wherein the treatment is for cosmetic purposes.

41. A light source according to claim 1, wherein said light source is used in the treatment of one or more of:

actinic/solar keratoses, Bowen'"'"'s disease, superficial basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, intraepithelial carcinoma, mycosis fungoides, T-cell lymphoma, acne and seborrhoea, psoriasis, eczema, nevus sebaceous, viral infections such as herpes simplex, molluscum contagiosum, and warts (recalcitrant, verruca vulgaris or verruca plantaris), alopecia areata or hirsutism.

42. A light source according to claim 41, wherein the condition is superficial.

43. A light source according to claim 39, wherein said light source is used in photodynamic therapy.

44. A light source according to claim 40, wherein said light source is used in photodynamic therapy.

45. A light source according to claim 41, wherein said light source is used in photodynamic therapy.

46. A light source according to claim 43, wherein the affected area of the patient is treated with PpIX.

47. A light source according to claim 44, wherein the affected area of the patient is treated with PpIX.

48. A light source according to claim 45, wherein the affected area of the patient is treated with PpIX.

49. A method of cosmetic treatment of one of a human and animal body, comprising the steps of:

applying a photosensitizer to an area to be treated; and

illuminating the area with light from a light source according to claim 1.

50. A method of medical treatment of one of a human and animal body, comprising the steps of:

applying a photosensitizer to the area to be treated; and

illuminating the area with light from a light source according to claim 1.

16. A light source for therapy or diagnosis of a patient, comprising one or more discharge lamps arranged within a housing, an aperture allowing a part of the patient'"'"'s body to be inserted into the housing, and a concave reflector mounted within a housing and arranged to concentrate light from the one or more lamps onto the part of the patient'"'"'s body when inserted into the housing.

51. A light source according to claim 16, wherein said light source is used in the treatment of one or more of:

actinic/solar keratoses, Bowen'"'"'s disease, superficial basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, intraepithelial carcinoma, mycosis fungoides, T-cell lymphoma, acne and seborrhoea, psoriasis, eczema, nevus sebaceous, viral infections such as herpes simplex, molluscum contagiosum, and warts (recalcitrant, verruca vulgaris or verruca plantaris), alopecia areata or hirsutism.

55. A method of cosmetic treatment of one of a human and animal body, comprising the steps of:

applying a photosensitizer to an area to be treated; and

illuminating the area with light from a light source according to claim 16.

59. A method of medical treatment of one of a human and animal body, comprising the steps of:

applying a photosensitizer to the area to be treated; and

illuminating the area with light from a light source according to claim 16.

17. A light source for therapy or diagnosis of a patient, comprising one or more fluorescent grid lamps each comprising a tube having a plurality of folds in the same plane.

52. A light source according to claim 17, wherein said light source is used in the treatment of one or more of:

actinic/solar keratoses, Bowen'"'"'s disease, superficial basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, intraepithelial carcinoma, mycosis fungoides, T-cell lymphoma, acne and seborrhoea, psoriasis, eczema, nevus sebaceous, viral infections such as herpes simplex, molluscum contagiosum, and warts (recalcitrant, verruca vulgaris or verruca plantaris), alopecia areata or hirsutism.

56. A method of cosmetic treatment of one of a human and animal body, comprising the steps of:

applying a photosensitizer to an area to be treated; and

illuminating the area with light from a light source according to claim 17.

60. A method of medical treatment of one of a human and animal body, comprising the steps of:

applying a photosensitizer to the area to be treated; and

illuminating the area with light from a light source according to claim 17.

18. A light source for therapy of a patient, comprising at least one medium/high pressure discharge lamp and a housing arranged to allow a part of the patient to be brought into close proximity to the at least one medium/high pressure discharge lamp such that light therefrom impinges on said part of the patient with an intensity of at least 3 mW/cm², the light having a bandwidth of less than approximately 160 nm.

19. A light source according to claim 18, wherein the or each medium/high pressure discharge lamp has an arc length of at least 15 mm.

20. A light source according to claim 18, wherein the or each lamp is a medium pressure lamp.

21. A light source according to claim 20, wherein the lamp contains mercury vapour.

22. A light source according to claim 21, wherein the lamp further contains a vapour of one or more elements selected from a group comprising gallium, thallium, cadmium, indium and lead.

23. A light source according to claim 22, wherein the lamp contains a vapour of one or more elements selected from a group comprising cadmium, mercury, caesium, zinc, thallium and potassium.

24. A light source according to claim 23, wherein the lamp contains a rare gas.

25. A light source according to claim 24, wherein the rare gas consists of one or more of a group comprising neon, argon and krypton.

26. A light source according to claim 18, wherein the or each lamp is a high pressure lamp.

27. A light source according to claim 26, wherein the lamp contains sodium vapour.

28. A light source according to claim 27, wherein the lamp further contains xenon.

29. A light source according to claim 27, wherein the lamp further contains mercury.

32. A light source according to claim 18, including a substantially regular array of similar said lamps.

34. A light source according to claim 18, including a housing containing said one or more lamps, and an aperture allowing light from the one or more lamps onto the patient.

35. A light source according to claim 34, wherein said aperture has a transparent or translucent cover.

36. A light source according to claim 35, wherein said cover is arranged to filter part of the output spectrum of the one or more lamps.

37. A light source according to claim 36, wherein the cover comprises or includes a detachable filter.

53. A light source according to claim 18, wherein said light source is used in the treatment of one or more of:

actinic/solar keratoses, Bowen'"'"'s disease, superficial basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, intraepithelial carcinoma, mycosis fungoides, T-cell lymphoma, acne and seborrhoea, psoriasis, eczema, nevus sebaceous, viral infections such as herpes simplex, molluscum contagiosum, and warts (recalcitrant, verruca vulgaris or verruca plantaris), alopecia areata or hirsutism.

57. A method of cosmetic treatment of one of a human and animal body, comprising the steps of:

applying a photosensitizer to an area to be treated; and

illuminating the area with light from a light source according to claim 18.

61. A method of medical treatment of one of a human and animal body, comprising the steps of:

applying a photosensitizer to the area to be treated; and

illuminating the area with light from a light source according to claim 18.

38. A light source for therapy or diagnosis of a patient, comprising a plurality of low pressure discharge lamps mounted within a housing allowing light from the lamps to impinge on the patient, and a transparent or translucent cover over the aperture, the cover comprising or including a detachable filter.

54. A light source according to claim 38, wherein said light source is used in the treatment of one or more of:

actinic/solar keratoses, Bowen'"'"'s disease, superficial basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, intraepithelial carcinoma, mycosis fungoides, T-cell lymphoma, acne and seborrhoea, psoriasis, eczema, nevus sebaceous, viral infections such as herpes simplex, molluscum contagiosum, and warts (recalcitrant, verruca vulgaris or verruca plantaris), alopecia areata or hirsutism.

58. A method of cosmetic treatment of one of a human and animal body, comprising the steps of:

applying a photosensitizer to an area to be treated; and

illuminating the area with light from a light source according to claim 38.

62. A method of medical treatment of one of a human and animal body, comprising the steps of:

applying a photosensitizer to the area to be treated; and

illuminating the area with light from a light source according to claim 38.