Anti-microbial blue light systems and methods

Inventors

Rabiner, Robert A. • Rabiner, Liane J. • DiPoto, Gene P. • O'Leary, Anthony W. • Mogul, Michael P.

Assignees

Abl Medical Inc • IlluminOss Medical Inc

Abstract

Systems, devices and methods for controlled intramedullary delivery of light (frequencies from about 380 nm to about 500 nm) to treat tissue or bones disorders, including osteomyelitis, by a flexible fiber are provided, where the light is delivered in a circumferential fashion around the fiber, and where the energy delivered from the fiber is of a similar average intensity at the front end and back end of the fiber, and in between. The methods and systems deliver intramedullary light to the canal over long lengths via a minimally invasive pathway to a bone. The methods and systems deliver and maintain a light delivery system within the canal of the bone to provide single or multiple doses of light to kill, eliminate, remove or reduce bacteria, viruses, fungus and pathogens, without removal of the light fiber system, thereby providing single or multiple treatments.

Core Innovation

The invention concerns antimicrobial blue light photolysis, in which blue/violet-blue light is delivered to tissue to provide an antimicrobial effect. A catheter is delivered to the tissue, and one or more optical fibers are delivered through the catheter to the tissue. A light source engaging the one or more optical fibers is activated to deliver light energy through the optical fibers to the tissue.

The optical fibers disperse the light energy so that the intensity of the light energy is distributed evenly over a length of the one or more optical fibers in both longitudinal and circumferential directions. The circumferential distribution covers a substantially full circumference, including about 360°, while maintaining an even distribution along the active length.

The disclosed delivery architectures include optical fiber/catheter configurations that promote even dispersion, including removal of cladding to form a helical spiral along the length of the one or more optical fibers and/or inclusion of a diffusive membrane or coating. The document also describes multi-frequency light operation with selectable frequencies to target microbes, and device concepts such as expandable balloon/catheter systems and light-sensitive liquids for photodynamic implants.

Claims Coverage

The document includes three independent claims directed to methods for treating tissue using a catheter-delivered optical fiber system for antimicrobial light energy. Each independent claim centers on even distribution over an optical-fiber length in longitudinal and circumferential directions, with different emphasis on intensity distribution, power selection, or power distribution.

Across the independent claims, the core inventive concept is delivering catheter-delivered optical-fiber light energy to tissue to achieve an antimicrobial effect, while dispersing the light so intensity and/or power is distributed evenly along the fiber length in both longitudinal and circumferential directions. One claim additionally emphasizes selecting a power for the light source based on the even power distribution.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications