Abstract: An illuminator for photodynamically diagnosing or treating a surface includes a plurality of panels. The illuminator further includes a plurality of light sources, each mounted to one of the plurality of panels. The plurality of light sources are configured to irradiate the surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light. The illuminator also includes a heat source configured to emit heat to a patient. The heat increases the generation of a photoactivatable agent and thus shortens the time needed to complete photodynamic therapy.

Abstract: An applicator for dispensing a solution having two or more components includes a hollow body having a head provided at one end of the hollow body for dispersion of the solution and a breaking mechanism attached to the hollow body. The breaking mechanism includes at least one projection extendable into an interior of the hollow body. The applicator further includes a plurality of ampoules placed in the interior of the hollow body. The plurality of ampoules contains the two or more components. Upon activation of the breaking mechanism, the at least one projection applies a force to the plurality of ampoules such that the plurality of ampoules break and release the two or more components to form the solution.

Abstract: A method of enhancing penetration of a topical composition of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) into tissue for photodynamic therapy includes topically applying ALA to a treatment area to be treated with photodynamic therapy. The method further includes, after the ALA is applied to the treatment area, covering the treatment area with a low density polyethylene barrier. The treatment area is covered with the low density polyethylene barrier prior to light treatment to minimize transepidermal water loss from the treatment area.

Abstract: An adjustable illuminator for photodynamically diagnosing or treating a surface includes a plurality of first panels and at least one second panel. The plurality of first panels have wider widths and the at least one second panel has a narrower width. The narrower width is less than the wider widths. The illuminator further includes a plurality of light sources, each mounted to one of the plurality of first panels or the at least one second panel and configured to irradiate the surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light. The plurality of first panels and the at least one second panel are rotatably connected. The at least one second panel is connected on each side to one of the plurality of first panels. The second panel acts as a “lighted hinge” to reduce or eliminate optical dead spaces between adjacent panels when the illuminator is bent into a certain configuration.

Abstract: A method of enhancing penetration of a topical composition of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) into tissue for photodynamic therapy includes topically applying ALA to a treatment area to be treated with photodynamic therapy. The method further includes, after the ALA is applied to the treatment area, covering the treatment area with a low density polyethylene barrier. The treatment area is covered with the low density polyethylene barrier prior to light treatment to minimize transepidermal water loss from the treatment area.

Abstract: A method of performing photodynamic therapy is provided. The method includes applying, to the skin of a patient, a topical composition. The topical composition includes 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) hydrochloride, and a vehicle comprising at least one chelating agent to enhance accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) in the skin. The method further includes incubating the topical composition, and following incubation, applying, to the skin, heat from a heat source for at least a first time period.

Abstract: A method of enhancing penetration of a topical composition of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) into tissue for photodynamic therapy includes topically applying ALA to a treatment area to be treated with photodynamic therapy. The method further includes, after the ALA is applied to the treatment area, covering the treatment area with a low density polyethylene barrier. The treatment area is covered with the low density polyethylene barrier prior to light treatment to minimize transepidermal water loss from the treatment area.

Abstract: Dermal neurofibroma, in particular Neurofibromatosis Type I (NF1) leads to progressive tumor proliferation with no known mechanism to inhibit growth. The present invention relates to the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for attenuating tumor growth in NF1 patients. More particularly the invention provides a method of treating dermal neurofibroma comprising topically applying a pharmaceutical composition comprising a photosensitizer to the affected area of a patient, incubating the affected area, and irradiating the affected area with a light of suitable wavelength as per the photosensitizer used, wherein the treatment is characterized by inhibiting the progression of tumor growth and/or reduction in tumor size and/or increased mortality rate of the neurofibroma cell.

Abstract: An adjustable illuminator for photodynamically diagnosing or treating a surface includes a plurality of first panels and at least one second panel. The plurality of first panels have wider widths and the at least one second panel has a narrower width. The narrower width is less than the wider widths. The illuminator further includes a plurality of light sources, each mounted to one of the plurality of first panels or the at least one second panel and configured to irradiate the surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light. The plurality of first panels and the at least one second panel are rotatably connected. The at least one second panel is connected on each side to one of the plurality of first panels. The second panel acts as a “lighted hinge” to reduce or eliminate optical dead spaces between adjacent panels when the illuminator is bent into a certain configuration.

Abstract: An adjustable illuminator for photodynamically diagnosing or treating a surface includes a plurality of first panels and at least one second panel. The plurality of first panels have wider widths and the at least one second panel has a narrower width. The narrower width is less than the wider widths. The illuminator further includes a plurality of light sources, each mounted to one of the plurality of first panels or the at least one second panel and configured to irradiate the surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light. The plurality of first panels and the at least one second panel are rotatably connected. The at least one second panel is connected on each side to one of the plurality of first panels. The second panel acts as a “lighted hinge” to reduce or eliminate optical dead spaces between adjacent panels when the illuminator is bent into a certain configuration.

Abstract: A method of enhancing penetration of a topical composition of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) into tissue for photodynamic therapy includes topically applying ALA to a treatment area to be treated with photodynamic therapy. The method further includes, after the ALA is applied to the treatment area, covering the treatment area with a low density polyethylene barrier. The treatment area is covered with the low density polyethylene barrier prior to light treatment to minimize transepidermal water loss from the treatment area.

Abstract: This present invention and its embodiments relates to methods for reducing pain during photodynamic therapy of actinic keratosis. The present invention also relates to methods of treating actinic keratosis with reduced pain during photodynamic therapy of actinic keratosis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treating diseases and disorders of the skin (e.g., acne) with heat-enabled photodynamic therapy (HEPT).

Abstract: An adjustable illuminator for photodynamically diagnosing or treating a surface includes a plurality of first panels and at least one second panel. The plurality of first panels have wider widths and the at least one second panel has a narrower width. The narrower width is less than the wider widths. The illuminator further includes a plurality of light sources, each mounted to one of the plurality of first panels or the at least one second panel and configured to irradiate the surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light. The plurality of first panels and the at least one second panel are rotatably connected. The at least one second panel is connected on each side to one of the plurality of first panels. The second panel acts as a “lighted hinge” to reduce or eliminate optical dead spaces between adjacent panels when the illuminator is bent into a certain configuration.

Abstract: A method of enhancing penetration of a topical composition of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) into tissue for photodynamic therapy includes topically applying ALA to a treatment area to be treated with photodynamic therapy. The method further includes, after the ALA is applied to the treatment area, covering the treatment area with a low density polyethylene barrier. The treatment area is covered with the low density polyethylene barrier prior to light treatment to minimize transepidermal water loss from the treatment area.

Abstract: An illuminator for photodynamically diagnosing or treating a surface includes a plurality of panels. The illuminator further includes a plurality of light sources, each mounted to one of the plurality of panels. The plurality of light sources are configured to irradiate the surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light. The illuminator also includes a heat source configured to emit heat to a patient.

Abstract: A method of enhancing penetration of a topical composition of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) into tissue for photodynamic therapy includes topically applying ALA to a treatment area to be treated with photodynamic therapy. The method further includes, after the ALA is applied to the treatment area, covering the treatment area with a low density polyethylene barrier. The treatment area is covered with the low density polyethylene barrier prior to light treatment to minimize transepidermal water loss from the treatment area.

Abstract: A method of administering 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) to a patient uses an adjustable illuminator for photodynamically diagnosing or treating a surface and which includes a plurality of first panels and at least one second panel. The plurality of first panels have wider widths and the at least one second panel has a narrower width. The narrower width is less than the wider widths. The illuminator further includes a plurality of light sources, each mounted to one of the plurality of first panels or the at least one second panel and configured to irradiate the surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light. The plurality of first panels and the at least one second panel are rotatably connected. The at least one second panel is connected on each side to one of the plurality of first panels. The second panel acts as a “lighted hinge” to reduce or eliminate optical dead spaces between adjacent panels when the illuminator is bent into a certain configuration.

Abstract: A method of enhancing penetration of a topical composition of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) into tissue for photodynamic therapy includes topically applying ALA to a treatment area to be treated with photodynamic therapy. The method further includes, after the ALA is applied to the treatment area, covering the treatment area with a low density polyethylene barrier. The treatment area is covered with the low density polyethylene barrier prior to light treatment to minimize transepidermal water loss from the treatment area.

Abstract: A method of enhancing penetration of a topical composition of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) into tissue for photodynamic therapy includes topically applying ALA to a treatment area to be treated with photodynamic therapy. The method further includes, after the ALA is applied to the treatment area, covering the treatment area with a low density polyethylene barrier. The treatment area is covered with the low density polyethylene barrier prior to light treatment to minimize transepidermal water loss from the treatment area.