Illuminator for photodynamic therapy
First Claim
1. A method of photodynamically diagnosing or treating a contoured surface of a patient, comprising:
- injecting 5-aminolevulinic acid into the patient; and
irradiating the contoured surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light from a plurality of light sources generally conforming to the contoured surface,wherein the plurality of light sources comprises fluorescent tubes.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for photodynamic therapy or photodynamic diagnosis using an illuminator comprising a plurality of light sources generally conforming to a contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light. The light sources may comprise generally U-shaped fluorescent tubes that are driven by electronic ballasts. Adjustment of the ballast voltage controls the output power of the tubes. The tubes are supported by a sheet-metal or plastic housing and are covered by a polycarbonate shield which directs cooling airflow within the unit and prevents glass-patient contact in the vent of tube breakage. An aluminum reflector located behind the tubes increases both the output irradiance and the uniformity of the output distribution. The spacing of the U-shaped tubes is varied to increase the output at the edges of the illuminator to make the output more uniform. Also, different portions of the tubes are cooled at different amounts, to improve uniformity. A light sensor monitors output from the U-shaped tubes to provide a signal for adjusting the output from the tubes.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of photodynamically diagnosing or treating a contoured surface of a patient, comprising:
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injecting 5-aminolevulinic acid into the patient; and irradiating the contoured surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light from a plurality of light sources generally conforming to the contoured surface, wherein the plurality of light sources comprises fluorescent tubes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of photodynamically diagnosing or treating a contoured surface of a patient, comprising:
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injecting 5-aminolevulinic acid into the patient; and irradiating the contoured surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light from a plurality of light sources generally conforming to the contoured surface, wherein the contoured surface is irradiated with substantially uniform intensity light substantially entirely within the blue region. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of photodynamically diagnosing or treating a surface of a patient, comprising:
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injecting 5-aminolevulinic acid into the patient; and irradiating the surface with visible light from a fluorescent tube, comprising Europium doped phosphor Sr2P2O7;
Eu, configured to illuminate the patient. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification