Abstract: A lamp using solid-state light emitting sources is configured to be used in a conventional socket. The lamp includes a flexible substrate on which are mounted a plurality of light emitting sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) in spaced-apart array. In one embodiment, a flexible substrate configured as a generally rectangular panel formed into a cylindrical shape includes a plurality of conductive traces to which the LEDs are connected both mechanically and electrically. The flexible substrate is then enclosed within a light transmissive translucent cover that is attached to a base in which is disposed a power supply. The base is shaped and configured to be threaded into a conventional incandescent light socket and includes a center terminal through which AC line power is supplied to the power supply. The power supply provides an appropriate voltage and current to energize the light sources so that they produce a white light that is emitted radially outward around a longitudinal axis of the lamp.

Abstract: A photodynamic therapy (PDT) device utilizing a non-coherent light source to activate a photoreactive agent for treating a diseased site in a patient's eye. When activated, the photoreactive agent causes a desired change in the diseased tissue of the treatment site. In one embodiment, the photoactive agent is preferentially absorbed by the diseased tissue at the treatment site, and the light from the PDT device is directed generally at the site. In another embodiment, the photoactive agent is less selectively absorbed by the diseased tissue, and the light from the PDT device is focused onto the diseased treatment site. The device preferably focuses the light emitted by a source using totally internally reflective (TIR) lenses, convergent lenses, divergent lenses, and/or deformable lenses.

Abstract: A flexible patch provided with a plurality of light sources mounted in spaced-apart array on its undersurface and covered with an optically transparent polymer material. The light sources are energized with an electrical current supplied by a flexible polymer battery, which is preferably rechargeable. Electrical current is conveyed through a lead that extends from the flexible battery to the flexible patch and then through an electrical circuit that includes a plurality of conductive traces formed using a conductive ink applied to the surface of a flexible substrate that supports the light sources. The thickness of the flexible patch at its maximum is less than 1.0 millimeters. The light sources can be separately grouped, and the electrical current supplied to each group individually controlled to achieve a desired light intensity and/or duration exposure to the light therapy over different portions of the undersurface of the flexible patch and different portions of the treatment site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively engaging and disengaging an anchor to fix a medical device at a selected site within a patient's body. A shape memory alloy (SMA) such as Nitinol is used to fabricate one or more anchors for the medical device. The shape memory effect exhibited by the SMA is thermally activated. One embodiment of the anchor has a substantially circular shape when at its martensite temperature and reverts to an elliptical shape at its austenite temperature. Another embodiment is a substantially straight strip at its martensite temperature and has an end that curls to engage tissue when at its austenite temperature. Still another embodiment includes a pair of anchors that extend outwardly from each side of an elongate probe at their austenite temperature and retract inwardly against the sides of the probe at their martensite temperature. The change in the shape of the SMA elements tends to anchor the medical device or probe at the treatment site.

Abstract: Flexible probes are arranged to achieve a desired light distribution pattern for administering light therapy at a treatment site in a patient's body. The flexible probes (20, 20', 92) each include a flexible substrate on which are mounted light emitting devices (30) in spaced-apart array. An optically transparent, biocompatible envelope (36) encloses the flexible substrate and components mounted thereon. In one embodiment, a link (44) couples a pair of the flexible probes together in parallel alignment for insertion at the treatment site. Thereafter, the probes are moved relative to each other within the link to achieve the desired light distribution pattern. In another embodiment, the flexible probes include flexible leaders (70, 72) attached to their distal ends, which terminate in suture tabs (74) that can be affixed to tissue adjacent the treatment site.

Abstract: A plurality of light sources that emit light having a long wavelength are energized for an extended period of time to increase the likelihood of two photon absorption by cells that have preferentially absorbed a photoreactive agent such as psoralen. The cells are preferably microscopic metastatic cancer cells that are diffusely distributed throughout a treatment site, for example, within an organ. The plurality of light sources are arranged in a spaced-apart array, mounted on a support plate that includes a plurality of conductive traces. A plurality of such arrays are preferably mounted to a flexible sheet that can conform to an outer surface of an organ being treated. Because the light emitted by the light sources is in the infrared or near infrared waveband, it penetrates deeply into the tissue at the treatment site.

Abstract: A magnet used for concentrating a medical substance carried by a magnetic fluid at an internal treatment site. The magnet is inserted through an opening in a patient's body and advanced to the internal treatment site. Although an electromagnet is used in one alternative embodiment, the magnet is preferably a super neodymium or other rare earth permanent magnet having a high field strength. A probe that includes the magnet is coated with a biologically inert material, such as a TEFLON.TM. polymer. Alternatively, a plurality of such magnets can be employed. In the preferred embodiment, a magnetic fluid that includes particles coated with a photoreactive agent is injected into the patient's body, preferably, immediately adjacent to or inside the treatment site. The particles in the magnetic fluid are attracted to the magnet at the treatment site, and the concentration of the photoreactive agent absorbed into the tissue around the magnet at the internal treatment site is enhanced.

Abstract: A flexible probe constructed using a flexible circuit having a small cross-sectional profile. In the various disclosed embodiments of the flexible circuit, a flexible substrate includes a plurality of conductive traces that extend along opposite surfaces of the substrate. Light emitting devices (or other electronic devices) are mounted at spaced-apart intervals along the length of the conductive traces using a conductive adhesive/solder. A conductor couples a terminal on the outwardly facing side of each of the light emitting devices to the conductive trace that is disposed on the opposite side of the substrate. In one embodiment, this conductor comprises a short conductive bar that extends between the terminals of pairs of the light emitting devices that are mounted on opposite sides of the flexible substrate so that the pair of light emitting devices are connected in series.

Abstract: An implantable probe having a non-metallic insulating base, non-metallic conductive traces supported by the base, and a plurality of non-metallic light sources supported by the base and coupled to the conductive traces. The conductive traces and the light sources are fabricated from a conductive polymer, which does not cause any artifacts if the implantable probe is left at the treatment site while it is imaged. Further, the implantable probe includes an envelope that is transparent and hermetically encloses the base, the pair of conductive traces, and the light sources. At least a portion of the envelope is optically transparent, enabling light emitted by the light sources to illuminate an adjacent treatment site. The conductive traces and the base are substantially flexible, enabling the probe to be flexed without breaking when the implantable probe is advanced within the body to the treatment site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying beat to a treatment site prior to effecting photodynamic therapy. The perfusion of a drug into abnormal tissue in a tumor (12) is enhanced by heating the treatment site at which the tumor is disposed using a heat source (26) mounted on a fixture (20, 34) separate from a light source (28) on a probe used to effect the photodynamic therapy. Alternatively, the heat source and light source may comprise different types of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in an array on a probe (14) disposed at the treatment site. Also mounted on the fixture is a temperature sensor (30), which produces a signal indicative of the temperature at the treatment site. In response to this signal, a controller (24/36) controls the heat source to prevent vascular damage. In addition to enhancing the perfusion of a photoreactive agent into the treatment site, heating the tissue at the site prior to initiating the PDT greatly enhances the efficacy of this treatment.

Abstract: A plurality of embodiments for a flexible probe used to provide photodynamic therapy (PDT) and to effect other medical procedures at an internal treatment site inside a patient's body. Each of the embodiments of the flexible probe (100, 108, 130, 158, 182, 190, 220, 280, 370, 390, 440, 460, 520) includes a flexible substrate (102, 184, 196, 222, 250, 282, 412, 462, 482, 502, 522) on which are disposed conductive traces (414, 466, 468, 488, 490, 504, 506, 524, 526) electrically connected to leads through which electrical current and signals are conveyed. A plurality of light sources (104, 192, 256, 286, 418, 436, 470, 492, 508, 542) or other micro-electronic circuits are connected to the conductive traces and mounted on the flexible substrate. Each of the embodiments of the flexible probes is enclosed within a transparent, biocompatible polymer envelope (106, 110, 464, 522).

Abstract: An implantable probe having an elongated sheath with provision for remotely positioning a device disposed within the elongated sheath. In one embodiment, the device is a circuit board, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) such as Nitinol is used to fabricate one or more actuators that are coupled to the circuit board. The shape memory effect exhibited by the SMA actuator is thermally activated. Electrical current is selectively applied to the actuator to resistively heat the SMA to a temperature sufficient to change its shape. When the shape of the SMA changes, the actuator moves the circuit board or other device longitudinally within the elongated sheath so that the light emitted is directed to a different portion of a treatment site. In another embodiment, the circuit board is rotated about its longitudinal axis within the sheath.

Abstract: A plurality of embodiments for a flexible probe used to provide photodynamic therapy (PDT) and to effect other medical procedures at an internal treatment site inside a patient's body. Each of the embodiments of the flexible probe (100, 108, 130, 158, 182, 190, 220, 280, 370, 390, 440, 460, 520) includes a flexible substrate (102, 184, 196, 222, 250, 282, 412, 462, 482, 502, 522) on which are disposed conductive traces (414, 466, 468, 488, 490, 504, 506, 524, 526) electrically connected to leads through which electrical current and signals are conveyed. A plurality of light sources (104, 192, 256, 286, 418, 436, 470, 492, 508, 542) or other micro-electronic circuits are connected to the conductive traces and mounted on the flexible substrate. Each of the embodiments of the flexible probes is enclosed within a transparent, biocompatible polymer envelope (106, 110, 464, 522).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for administering intracorporeal photopheresis to blood flowing in a patient's body to destroy an undesirable component in the blood, where the undesirable component has absorbed a photoreactive agent having a characteristic light absorption waveband. The apparatus includes an implantable housing that is adapted to be placed transcutaneously within a patient's body. An inlet and outlet for a fluid path through the housing are provided and are coupled to a patient's circulatory system so that they convey blood into and out of the housing. Light sources disposed within the housing(or externally disposed and coupled to the housing by optical fibers) emit light having a waveband substantially equal to the absorption waveband of the photoreactive agent. A portion of the fluid path within the housing is optically transparent so that blood is irradiated with light from the light source.

Abstract: An illuminated fabric article (10) includes a flexible substrate sheet (34) to which conductive ink traces (38) and lights (20) attach. The substrate sheet (34) has a low resilience so as not to press against skin (12) after it wrinkles or otherwise deforms to accommodate body (14) curves and movement. A cloth material having a thin flexible polymer film (40) applied over a woven cloth backing (42) represents one example of a suitable substrate sheet (34). A conductive ink which remains flexible after curing is applied to the substrate sheet (34) to form the conductive traces (38), which convey electrical energization to the lights (20). Each light (20) attaches to the substrate sheet (34) and to the conductive traces (38) through the use of a non-conductive adhesive patch (64) and two conductive adhesive patches (66). The lights (20) on the substrate sheet (34) are arranged to be visible from an exterior side (28) of a textile ( 26) so that they may be visually perceived from a distance.

Abstract: An electrolytic chlorine generator for chlorinating a body of water employing a container for housing salt brine and having an anode chamber, an open ended cathode chamber mounted to the anode chamber, and a membrane material which divides the anode chamber from the cathode chamber and means for conducting a part of the flowing water from the main body of water to the cell for chlorination purposes.