Abstract: Methods of detecting and treating rapidly growing exogenous cells, such as Protista, or parasites, that preferentially accumulate a photoactivatable porphyrin in which 5-aminolevulinic acid or precursor thereof is administered to the patient, or contacted to the exogenous cells, in an amount sufficient to induce synthesis fluorescence and/or photosensitizing concentrations of a protoporphyrin IX in the exogenous cells, followed by exposure of the exogenous cells to light of photoactivating wavelengths.

Abstract: Colored 5-aminolevulinic acid crystals useful for photodynamic therapy Eire disclosed. Preferably the colored 5-aminolevulinic acid crystals have the color imparted by irradiation of the crystals, such as gamma radiation. The colored ALA crystals are preferably pharmaceutically pure and sterile and can be contained in a sealed sterile container. Also disclosed is sterile aqueous ALA solution which includes the colored ALA crystals contained in water. Also disclosed is a method for preparing colored ALA crystals which includes exposing non-irradiated ALA crystals to a radiation source at a dose sufficient impart a color which is different than any color present in the non-irradiated crystals. Preferably the irradiation is sufficient to sterilize the ALA crystals.

Abstract: An apparatus for photodynamic therapy (PDT) includes a cover (22) shaped to engage skin tissue (12) and a fiber optic panel (31) housed within the cover (22). Hydrogel (26) is located within the cover (22) and is in intimate physical and optical contact with the fiber optic panel (31) for optically coupling light from the fiber optic panel (31) to the skin tissue (12). The hydrogel (26) engages the stratum corneum (14) and hydrates and softens the stratum corneum (14) to enhance its optical transmissiveness to facilitate the transmission of light therethrough and to enhance its chemical transmissiveness to facilitate the transmission therethrough of photopharmaceuticals (28, 54) for treatment of a dermal lesion 10.

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 event 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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing, mixing and applying ALA as a treatment for lesions. The apparatus comprises a deformable container enclosing a hermetically sealed compartment of essentially anhydrous ALA which is shielded from exposure to air and moisture, and a liquid diluent. The liquid diluent may be in a second compartment. The deformable container is squeezed to crush the compartments and mix the essentially anhydrous ALA with the liquid diluent. The ALA may be delivered from the deformable container through a point applicator for controlling and precisely directing the application during treatment.

Abstract: Colored 5-aminolevulinic acid crystals useful for photodynamic therapy are disclosed. Preferably the colored 5-aminolevulinic acid crystals have the color imparted by irradiation of the crystals, such as gamma radiation. The colored ALA crystals are preferably pharmaceutically pure and sterile and can be contained in a sealed sterile container. Also disclosed is sterile aqueous ALA solution which includes the colored ALA crystals contained in water. Also disclosed is a method for preparing colored ALA crystals which includes exposing non-irradiated ALA crystals to a radiation source at a dose sufficient impart a color which is different than any color present in the non-irradiated crystals. Preferably the irradiation is sufficient to sterilize the ALA crystals.

Abstract: An illuminator for photodynamic therapy includes a bulb, a condenser lens assembly and a filter assembly. The filter assembly includes the following components in an optical path: (1) a high-pass filter to filter out light having wavelengths below a first wavelength value; (2) a low-pass dichroic filter to filter out light having wavelengths above a second wavelength value; and (3) a dichroic mirror which reflects light having wavelengths between the first wavelength value and the second wavelength value and which transmits infrared light. An exit lens assembly directs light transmitted through the high-pass filter and the low-pass dichroic filter and reflected by the dichroic mirror onto a patient for photodynamic therapy. The condenser lens assembly and the exit lens assembly scramble the beam to ensure that the patient is illuminated with light which is highly uniform in both intensity and spectral characteristics (color) throughout the illuminated area.

Abstract: A novel lipomelanin sunscreen complex includes melanin linked to a lipid to form a lipomelanin. One or more ultra-violet-light absorbing compounds can be added to form a lipomelanin sunscreen complex. A method for making the complex includes the oxidization of DOPA in the presence of a lipid and one or more ultra-violet absorbing compounds to form a mixture and precipitating the complex from the mixture by the addition of acid. The lipomelanin sunscreen complex provides protection against harmful ultra-violet radiation. The level of UV protection may be varied according to the presence and properties of the ultra-violet absorbing compounds in the complex.

Abstract: A novel lipomelanin sunscreen complex includes melanin linked to a lipid to form a lipomelanin. One or more ultra-violet-light absorbing compounds can be added to form a lipomelanin sunscreen complex. A method for making the complex includes the oxidization of DOPA in the presence of a lipid and one or more ultra-violet absorbing compounds to form a mixture and precipitating the complex from the mixture by the addition of acid. The lipomelanin sunscreen complex provides protection against harmful ultra-violet radiation. The level of UV protection may be varied according to the presence and properties of the ultra-violet absorbing compounds in the complex.

Abstract: An article of manufacture for photodynamic therapy of a dermal lesion located at a dermal treatment site on skin including the stratum corneum, transparent hydrogel for covering the dermal treatment site and containing hydration agent and photopharmaceutical, the transparent hydrogel couples the hydration agent to the stratum corneum to hydrate and soften the stratum corneum to enhance its optical transmissiveness to facilitate the transmission of light therethrough and to enhance its chemical transmissiveness to facilitate the transmission therethrough of the photopharmaceutical for treatment of the dermal lesion; and light delivery means are included for delivering light through the transparent hydrogel and the hydrated stratum corneum to photoactivate the photopharmaceutical to treat the dermal lesion.

Abstract: Method of applying photodynamic therapy to dermal lesion located at a dermal treatment site in skin which includes the stratum corneum, including the steps of hydrating the stratum corneum at the dermal treatment site to enhance the chemical and optical transparency of the stratum corneum at the dermal treatment site and to enhance the passage therethrough of photopharmaceutical and light, introducing photopharmaceutical into the treatment site through the hydrated stratum corneum, and introducing light into the treatment site through the hydrated stratum corneum to photoactivate the photopharmaceutical to treat the dermal lesion.

Abstract: Combination controller and patch for photodynamic therapy of a dermal lesion located at a dermal treatment site on skin including stratum corneum, the controller is optically connected to the patch and the patch includes hydrogel containing hydration agent and photopharmaceutical, the patch covers the site and the hydrogel engages and couples the hydration agent to the stratum corneum to hydrate and soften the stratum corneum to enhance its optical transmissiveness to facilitate the transmission of light therethrough and to enhance its chemical transmissiveness to facilitate the transmission therethrough of the photopharmaceutical for treatment of the dermal lesion, light delivery apparatus are included in the patch for receiving light from the controller and for delivering light through the hydrogel and the hydrated stratum corneum to the site to photoactivate the photopharmaceutical at the site to treat the dermal lesion.

Abstract: An illuminator for photodynamic therapy includes a bulb, a condenser lens assembly and a filter assembly. The filter assembly includes the following components in an optical path: (1) a high-pass filter to filter out light having wavelengths below a first wavelength value; (2) a low-pass dichroic filter to filter out light having wavelengths above a second wavelength value; and (3) a dichroic mirror which reflects light having wavelengths between the first wavelength value and the second wavelength value and which transmits infrared light. An exit lens assembly directs light transmitted through the high-pass filter and the low-pass dichroic filter and reflected by the dichroic mirror onto a patient for photodynamic therapy. The condenser lens assembly and the exit lens assembly scramble the beam to ensure that the patient is illuminated with light which is highly uniform in both intensity and spectral characteristics (color) throughout the illuminated area.