Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for prophylactic application of near-infrared optical energies and dosimetries to photo-biologically inhibit accelerations or intensifications in biofilm production, after a bacterial or fungal pathogen is challenged with an antibiotic or antifungal agent. This photo-biologic minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (PMBIC) of infrared light will lower the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) necessary of an antibiotic and/or antifungal molecule necessary to decrease bacterial and fungal pathogens in human tissues. These systems and methods will only target undesirable microbial cells.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of providing photo-chrono-therapy to a wound site in a human or animal subject, the method including: determining or receiving subject circadian and/or ultradian cycle information indicative of a biological rhythm(s) of the subject; and based on the subject cycle information, delivering a photo-chrono-dose of infrared treatment light to the wound site with wavelengths within at least one infrared wavelength range and having a dosimetry configured to promote healing at the wound site.

Abstract: An optical delivery apparatus is disclosed including: an optical fiber extending between a distal end having a distal end face and a proximal end having a proximal end face, an optical element positioned to receive the light emitted from the distal end face and direct the light to an illumination region; and a non-metallic housing containing the optical fiber and the optical element and maintaining the relative position of the optical fiber and the optical element.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for Near Infrared Microbial Elimination Laser Systems (NIMELS) including use with medical devices are disclosed. The medical devices can be situated in vivo. Suitable medical devices include catheters, stents, artificial joints, and the like. NIMELS methods, systems, and apparatus can apply near infrared radiant energy of certain wavelengths and dosimetries capable of impairing biological contaminants without intolerable risks and/or adverse effects to biological moieties other than a targeted biological contaminant associated with traditional approaches described in the art (e.g., loss of viability, or thermolysis). Lasers including diode lasers may be used for one or more light sources. A delivery assembly can be used to deliver the optical radiation produced by the source(s) produced to an application region that can include patient tissue. Exemplary embodiments utilize light in a range of 850 nm-900 nm and/or 905 nm-945 nm at suitable NIMELS dosimetries.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for applying near-infrared optical energies and dosimetries to alter the bioenergetic steady-state trans-membrane and mitochondrial potentials (??-steady) of all irradiated cells through an optical depolarization effect. This depolarization causes a concomitant decrease in the absolute value of the trans-membrane potentials ?? of the irradiated mitochondrial and plasma membranes. Many cellular anabolic reactions and drug-resistance mechanisms can be rendered less functional and/or mitigated by a decrease in a membrane potential ??, the affiliated weakening of the proton motive force ?p, and the associated lowered phosphorylation potential ?Gp. Within the area of irradiation exposure, the decrease in membrane potentials ?? will occur in bacterial, fungal and mammalian cells in unison. This membrane depolarization provides the ability to potentiate antimicrobial, antifungal and/or antineoplastic drugs against only targeted undesirable cells.

Abstract: Optical methods and devices are provided for the reduction of the lipid content of adipocytes without significant heat or intolerable adverse effect on the cells and their surrounding tissues. The optical method and device can be used to irradiate adipose tissue through the skin with non-thermal and non-destructive effects by application of near infrared (NIR) irradiation at selected wave bands in selected ranges to affect modulation of innate enzymatic processes involved in lipolysis, lipogenesis, leptin secretion, adiponectin secretion, and/or glucose absorption.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for Near Infrared Microbial Elimination Laser Systems (NIMELS) including use with medical devices are disclosed. The medical devices can be situated in vivo. Suitable medical devices include catheters, stents, artificial joints, and the like. NIMELS methods, systems, and apparatus can apply near infrared radiant energy of certain wavelengths and dosimetries capable of impairing biological contaminants without intolerable risks and/or adverse effects to biological moieties other than a targeted biological contaminant associated with traditional approaches described in the art (e.g., loss of viability, or thermolysis). Lasers including diode lasers may be used for one or more light sources. A delivery assembly can be used to deliver the optical radiation produced by the source(s) produced to an application region that can include patient tissue. Exemplary embodiments utilize light in a range of 850 nm-900 nm and/or 905 nm-945 nm at suitable NIMELS dosimetries.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for applying near-infrared optical energies and dosimetries to alter the bioenergetic steady-state trans-membrane and mitochondrial potentials (??-steady) of all irradiated cells through an optical depolarization effect. This depolarization causes a concomitant decrease in the absolute value of the trans-membrane potentials ?? of the irradiated mitochondrial and plasma membranes. Many cellular anabolic reactions and drug-resistance mechanisms can be rendered less functional and/or mitigated by a decrease in a membrane potential ??, the affiliated weakening of the proton motive force ?p, and the associated lowered phosphorylation potential ?Gp. Within the area of irradiation exposure, the decrease in membrane potentials ?? will occur in bacterial, fungal and mammalian cells in unison. This membrane depolarization provides the ability to potentiate antimicrobial, antifungal and/or antineoplastic drugs against only targeted undesirable cells.

Abstract: Optical methods and devices are provided for the reduction of the lipid content of adipocytes without significant heat or intolerable adverse effect on the cells and their surrounding tissues. The optical method and device can be used to irradiate adipose tissue through the skin with non-thermal and non-destructive effects by application of near infrared (NIR) irradiation at selected wave bands in selected ranges to affect modulation of innate enzymatic processes involved in lipolysis, lipogenesis, leptin secretion, adiponectin secretion, and/or glucose absorption.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for Near Infrared Microbial Elimination Laser Systems (NIMELS) including use with medical devices are disclosed. The medical devices can be situated in vivo. Suitable medical devices include catheters, stents, artificial joints, and the like. NIMELS methods, systems, and apparatus can apply near infrared radiant energy of certain wavelengths and dosimetries capable of impairing biological contaminants without intolerable risks and/or adverse effects to biological moieties other than a targeted biological contaminant associated with traditional approaches described in the art (e.g., loss of viability, or thermolysis). Lasers including diode lasers may be used for one or more light sources. A delivery assembly can be used to deliver the optical radiation produced by the source(s) produced to an application region that can include patient tissue. Exemplary embodiments utilize light in a range of 850 nm-900 nm and/or 905 nm-945 nm at suitable NIMELS dosimetries.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for Near Infrared Microbial Elimination Laser Systems (NIMELS) including use with medical devices are disclosed. The medical devices can be situated in vivo. Suitable medical devices include catheters, stents, artificial joints, and the like. NIMELS methods, systems, and apparatus can apply near infrared radiant energy of certain wavelengths and dosimetries capable of impairing biological contaminants without intolerable risks and/or adverse effects to biological moieties other than a targeted biological contaminant associated with traditional approaches described in the art (e.g., loss of viability, or thermolysis). Lasers including diode lasers may be used for one or more light sources. A delivery assembly can be used to deliver the optical radiation produced by the source(s) produced to an application region that can include patient tissue. Exemplary embodiments utilize light in a range of 850 nm-900 nm and/or 905 nm-945 nm at suitable NIMELS dosimetries.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for applying near-infrared optical energies and dosimetries to alter the bioenergetic steady-state trans-membrane and mitochondrial potentials (??-steady) of all irradiated cells through an optical depolarization effect. This depolarization causes a concomitant decrease in the absolute value of the trans-membrane potentials ?? of the irradiated mitochondrial and plasma membranes. Many cellular anabolic reactions and drug-resistance mechanisms can be rendered less functional and/or mitigated by a decrease in a membrane potential ??, the affiliated weakening of the proton motive force ?p, and the associated lowered phosphorylation potential ?Gp. Within the area of irradiation exposure, the decrease in membrane potentials ?? will occur in bacterial, fungal and mammalian cells in unison. This membrane depolarization provides the ability to potentiate antimicrobial, antifungal and/or antineoplastic drugs against only targeted undesirable cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions useful for the treatment of periodontal disease exploiting optical and thermal emissions of near-infrared laser systems and fibers in order to target chromophore-stained biofilm while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for Near Infrared Microbial Elimination Laser Systems (NIMELS) including use with medical devices are disclosed. The medical devices can be situated in vivo. Suitable medical devices include catheters, stents, artificial joints, and the like. NIMELS methods, systems, and apparatus can apply near infrared radiant energy of certain wavelengths and dosimetries capable of impairing biological contaminants without intolerable risks and/or adverse effects to biological moieties other than a targeted biological contaminant associated with traditional approaches described in the art (e.g., loss of viability, or thermolysis). Lasers including diode lasers may be used for one or more light sources. A delivery assembly can be used to deliver the optical radiation produced by the source(s) produced to an application region that can include patient tissue. Exemplary embodiments utilize light in a range of 850 nm-900 nm and/or 905 nm-945 nm at suitable NIMELS dosimetries.

Abstract: A system and process for thermolytic eradication of bacteria and biofilm in the root canal of a human tooth involve an elongated and flexible optical probe and a laser oscillator that provides the probe with low infrared energy. The optical probe is sufficiently long for insertion into substantially the entire length of the root canal of the tooth. The optical probe causes lateral dispersion of the radiation from the probe throughout the root canal. The radiation is provided at an energy density and for a period of time that are necessary to selectively target bacteria and live biofilm in the dentinal tubules of an entire root canal system, at once, thereby (1) inhibiting creation of a blackbody “hot tip”, and (2) inducing laser interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) within the root-canal space.

Abstract: A dual wavelength laser in the low infrared electromagnetic spectrum is disclosed for destruction of bacteria via photo-damage optical interactions through direct selective absorption of optical energy by intracellular bacterial chromophores. The dual wavelength (NIMELS) laser includes an optical assembly and all associated components necessary for the housing of two distinct diode laser arrays (870 nm diode array and 930 nm diode array) that can be emitted through an output connector and wavelength multiplexer as necessary. With this preferred design, the dual wavelengths (870 nm and 930 nm) can be emitted singly, or multiplexed together to be conducted along a common optical pathway, or multiple optical pathways, to achieve maximal bacterial elimination.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for applying near-infrared optical energies and dosimetries to alter the bioenergetic steady-state trans-membrane and mitochondrial potentials (??-steady) of all irradiated cells through an optical depolarization effect. This depolarization causes a concomitant decrease in the absolute value of the trans-membrane potentials ?? of the irradiated mitochondrial and plasma membranes. Many cellular anabolic reactions and drug-resistance mechanisms can be rendered less functional and/or mitigated by a decrease in a membrane potential ??, the affiliated weakening of the proton motive force ?p, and the associated lowered phosphorylation potential ?Gp. Within the area of irradiation exposure, the decrease in membrane potentials ?? will occur in bacterial, fungal and mammalian cells in unison. This membrane depolarization provides the ability to potentiate antimicrobial, antifungal and/or antineoplastic drugs against only targeted undesirable cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for applying near-infrared optical energies and dosimetries to alter the bioenergetic steady-state trans-membrane and mitochondrial potentials (??-steady) of all irradiated cells through an optical depolarization effect. This depolarization causes a concomitant decrease in the absolute value of the trans-membrane potentials ?? of the irradiated mitochondrial and plasma membranes. Many cellular anabolic reactions and drug-resistance mechanisms can be rendered less functional and/or mitigated by a decrease in a membrane potential ??, the affiliated weakening of the proton motive force ?p, and the associated lowered phosphorylation potential ?Gp. Within the area of irradiation exposure, the decrease in membrane potentials ?? will occur in bacterial, fungal and mammalian cells in unison. This membrane depolarization provides the ability to potentiate antimicrobial, antifungal and/or antineoplastic drugs against only targeted undesirable cells.

Abstract: Optical therapeutic treatment devices, systems, apparatus, methods, and techniques are disclosed. Embodiments can include a housing extending along a central axis X, an elongated fiber guide coupled to the housing and adapted to receive an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end, a reflector assembly within the housing and extending along the central axis X. The distal end of the optical fiber can includes a carbonized tip within the reflector assembly. The reflector assembly is adapted to reflect the optical energy emitted from the distal end and propagating radially with respect to the central is, so that the reflected optical energy propagates at least in part along a propagation axis parallel to the central axis. Embodiments can utilize free space optics/transmission. Further embodiments can utilize NIR radiation (e.g., including 870 and 930 nm) that is suitable to cause free radical formation in microbes.

Abstract: Dual wavelength laser energy in the near infrared electromagnetic spectrum is described as destroying bacteria via photo-damage optical interactions through direct selective absorption of optical energy by intracellular bacterial chromophores. Use of various dual wave length laser systems include use of optical assembly including two distinct diode laser ranges (including 870 nm and 930 nm) that can be emitted to achieve maximal bacterial elimination without intolerable heat deposition. Related processes for medical procedures are also described.