Abstract: The invention relates to a method of photoeradication of cellular and acellular organisms including the steps of providing a surface acting agent in association with a cellular or acellular organism, the surface acting agent disorienting a membrane structure so that said membrane no longer functions as an effective osmotic barrier; providing a photosensitive material in association with the cellular or acellular organism; and applying light in association with the cellular or acellular organism to cause a disruption of the organism. The method according to the present invention may be utilized in invitro and invivo treatment protocols for infections, sterilization procedures, cancer cell eradication, virus and fungus eradication, spore eradication, and biofilm organism eradication. Additional aspects of the invention include particular combinations of photosensitive materials and surfactants for use in photodynamic therapies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of photoeradication of cellular and acellular organisms including the steps of providing a surface acting agent containing benzalkonium chloride in association with a cellular or acellular organism, the surface acting agent disorienting a membrane structure so that said membrane no longer functions as an effective osmotic barrier; providing a photosensitive material in association with the cellular or acellular organism; and applying light in association with the cellular or acellular organism to cause a disruption of the organism. The method according to the present invention may be utilized in invitro and invivo treatment protocols for infections, sterilization procedures, cancer cell eradication, virus and fungus eradication, spore eradication, and biofilm organism eradication. Additional aspects of the invention include particular combinations of photosensitive materials and surfactants for use in photodynamic therapies.

Abstract: A light diffusing device for use in photodynamic therapy has a progressively distally increased exposed amount of core fiber defining a light emitting section. Excessive light energy emission is thus prevented access to proximal locations and provides an increased amount of available light energy at distal locations, thus permitting an even emission of light energy along the light emitting section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of photoeradication of cells at a tissue site, such as an infection or sterilization site or cancer cell activity site, including applying a solution such as methylene blue, toluidene blue, polymyxin B, SDS, or other surfactants and combinations thereof to the tissue site and exposing the tissue site with a light having a light wavelength and light dosage and a light dosage rate. The solution may have a concentration of methylene blue between 5 ?g/ml to about 100 ?g/ml. The wavelength may range from about 610 nm to about 670 nm. The light dosage may range from about 0 J/cm2 to about 200 J/cm2. The light dosage rate may range from about 0 mw/cm2 to about 150 mw/cm2. Treatable organisms include candida albicans, escherechia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus pneumoniae, and clostridia.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light emitting treatment device including one or more light members which are configured to emit energy for photodynamic therapy at a treatment field. The treatment device may be made of a polymeric material configured to conform to a body surface. The light members may be disposed in a substantially uniform array and be configured to emit energy in a substantially uniform pattern. The light emitting treatment device may provide light variable feedback to a control apparatus. The light emitting treatment device may further include a heat dissipating layer, a layer of gold or gold alloy, or a layer of adhesive disposed on at least one of the one or more surfaces. Methods of using the treatment device are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of photoeradication of cellular and acellular organisms including the steps of providing a photosensitive material and pyrrolnitrin in association with a cellular or acellular organism and applying light in association with the cellular or acellular organism to cause a disruption of the organism. The method according to the present invention may be utilized in invitro and invivo treatment protocols for infections, sterilization procedures, cancer cell eradication, virus and fungus eradication, spore eradication, and biofilm organism eradication. Additional aspects of the invention include particular combinations of photosensitive materials, pyrrolnitrin, and optional surfactants for use in photodynamic therapies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating an infection or sterilization including applying a dye such as methylene blue, toluidene blue, polymyxin B, or combinations thereof to the area of infection or area to be sterilized and exposing the area of infection or area of sterilization with a light having a light wavelength and light dosage and a light dosage rate. The dye may have a concentration ranging from about 10 &mgr;g/ml to about 500 &mgr;g/ml. The wavelength may range from about 610 nm to about 670 nm. The light dosage may range from about 0 J/cm2 to about 200 J/cm2. The light dosage rate may range from about 0 mw/cm2 to about 150 mw/cm2. The treatable infections include staphylococcus, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, enterococcus, streptococcus, Pseudomanus aeruginosa, Hemophilus influenzae, or E-coli. The invention also relates to an infection treatment kit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical device including a tube and expandable member and one or more light sources disposed in an elongated member disposed in the tube. The light sources emit energy for photodynamic therapy through a window to the treatment area. The treatment device may further include a heat and/or light dissipating layer, such as a layer of gold alloy paint, or other light blocking material.

Abstract: A method for differentiating between normal tissue and tumor tissue within a tissue field. The method includes the application of a photosensitizer solution to the tissue field and the subsequent illumination and measurement of fluorescent intensity across the tissue field. The measurement of relative fluorescent intensity across the tissue field provides information relating to the existence or nonexistence of tumor tissue. Solution concentrations of methylene blue and or toluidene blue are utilized to provide the greatest differentiability between normal tissue and tumor tissue within the tissue field.

Abstract: A medical apparatus including implantable elongate probes for emitting diffused light energy within the interior of a tissue body to provide a uniform light dosage to the tissue body. In one particular embodiment, the probes may include a plurality of LEDs or VSCEL devices interspaced along the probe shaft. The invention further provides an planar or shaped alignment grid for aligning one or more probes within the tissue body.