Abstract: The present invention provides a hand worn smoking device comprising a glove having a burning reservoir for containing substance to be smoked, a reservoir closing feature, a smoke transport pathway, and an oral interface wherein the burning reservoir is connected to the oral interface via the smoke transport pathway allowing the burning reservoir to be in smoke communication with the oral interface during use. The present invention also includes a method of smoking the substance to be smoked using this device.

Abstract: The present invention includes a composition for enhancing the antimicrobial efficacy of photodynamic disinfection against Gram-negative organism that is receptive to paraben potentiation using a composition comprising a photosensitizer and at least one paraben. The present invention also includes a method for photodynamic disinfection comprising applying the composition to a desired treatment area and applying light to the desired treatment area at a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizer so as to inhibit Gram-negative organism located within the treatment area wherein the Gram-negative organism is receptive to paraben potentiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hand worn smoking device comprising a glove having a burning reservoir for containing substance to be smoked, a reservoir closing feature, a smoke transport pathway, and an oral interface wherein the burning reservoir is connected to the oral interface via the smoke transport pathway allowing the burning reservoir to be in smoke communication with the oral interface during use. The present invention also includes a method of smoking the substance to be smoked using this device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photosensitizing composition for treatment of MRSA comprising a photosensitizer and chlorhexidine and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention also provides a method for reducing disease causing microbes comprising: applying the composition comprising a photosensitizer, chlorhexidine at a concentration of more than about 0.01% and less than about 2% v/v, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to a treatment site; and applying light to the treatment site at a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizer so as to reduce the microbes at the treatment site.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photosensitizing composition for treatment of MRSA comprising a photosensitizer and chlorhexidine and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention also provides a method for reducing disease causing microbes comprising: applying the composition comprising a photosensitizer, chlorhexidine at a concentration of more than about 0.01% and less than about 2% v/v, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to a treatment site; and applying light to the treatment site at a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizer so as to reduce the microbes at the treatment site.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photosensitizing composition for treatment of MRSA comprising a photosensitizer and chlorhexidine and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention also provides a method for reducing disease causing microbes comprising: applying the composition comprising a photosensitizer, chlorhexidine at a concentration of more than about 0.01% and less than about 2% v/v, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to a treatment site; and applying light to the treatment site at a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizer so as to reduce the microbes at the treatment site.

Abstract: The present invention presents devices, kits, systems and methods that can be used to otitis externa. For example, a method of present invention includes applying a photosensitizing composition to treatment site within ear cavity where microbes causing otitis externa are located; inserting at least a portion of a light delivery device into the cavity; and applying light to the treatment site at a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizing composition so as to inhibit or eliminate the microbes and/or to reduce inflammation at the treatment site but without causing physiological damage to host tissue within the ear cavity; wherein the light is delivered by the light delivery device to the treatment site and the light delivery device is in light communication with a light source via a waveguide.

Abstract: The present invention includes a composition for enhancing the antimicrobial efficacy of photodynamic disinfection against Gram-negative organism that is receptive to paraben potentiation using a composition comprising a photosensitizer and at least one paraben. The present invention also includes a method for photodynamic disinfection comprising applying the composition to a desired treatment area and applying light to the desired treatment area at a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizer so as to inhibit Gram-negative organism located within the treatment area wherein the Gram-negative organism is receptive to paraben potentiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable photodynamic disinfection light delivery device comprising: two opposing light sources, an energy source to supply energy to the light sources, and a housing for receiving the two light sources and the energy source; wherein (i) the housing includes two members each having a clamp portion for receiving one of the two light sources and an attachment mean connecting the clamp portions; (ii) the clamp portions during photodynamic disinfection surround a catheter disinfection site; and (iii) the two light sources together provide circumferential illumination at least one wavelength that can activate at least one photosensitizer so as to reduce microbes located at the catheter disinfection site.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photosensitizing composition for treatment of MRSA comprising a photosensitizer and chlorhexidine and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention also provides a method for reducing disease causing microbes comprising: applying the composition comprising a photosensitizer, chlorhexidine at a concentration of more than about 0.01% and less than about 2% v/v, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to a treatment site; and applying light to the treatment site at a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizer so as to reduce the microbes at the treatment site.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to inhibit microbes located within a pipeline comprising: applying a photosensitizer composition to a predetermined interior surface area of the pipeline where microbes are located; and applying light to the area at a wavelength that is absorbed by the photosensitizer composition so as to inhibit or eliminate the microbes; wherein the light is applied by a photodynamic disinfection device adapted to provide light to the area. The present invention also provided a photodynamic disinfection device comprising a pipeline inspection gauge (pig) adapted to include a circumferential high energy light source and an energy source wherein the light source is in communication with and powered by the energy source via communication means.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for treating fungal infections, particularly onychomycosis. The method includes: applying a composition includes a photosensitizer, an effective amount of antifungal agent, and a pharmaceutically acceptable delivery system to a locus and irradiating the locus with a light source at a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizer so as to destroy microbes at the locus. The present invention also includes a light delivery device for use in photodynamic treatment of onychomycosis comprising (i) a housing adapted to cover a nail beneath which a locus is situated; (ii) a light source; (iii) an energy source in power communication to the light source; and a controller that controls amount of light to be applied to the locus by the light source.

Abstract: The present invention includes a composition for treating fungal infections, particularly onychomycosis. The composition includes a photosensitizer, an effective amount of antifungal agent, and a pharmaceutically acceptable delivery system.

Abstract: A process of performing photodynamic therapy is provided along with a photosensitizer composition suitable for the process. The photosensitizer composition comprises at least one photoactive ingredient in a chemically reduced state. According to the process, the photosensitizer composition having at least one photoactive ingredient in a chemically reduced state is provided. The photosensitizer composition is applied to tissue or other substrate such that the at least one photoactive ingredient is at or travels to a location adjacent a target medium and the at least one photoactive ingredient is then altered to a photoactive state. The at least one photoactive ingredient is then exposed to light energy for assisting in inhibiting at least one pathogen at the target medium.

Abstract: A composition for photodisinfection of the oral cavity comprising toothpaste and a photosensitizing composition encapsulated within microspheres, wherein the microspheres release the photosensitizing composition into the oral cavity upon contact with liquid and/or force and the photosensitizing composition includes a photosensitizer that upon irradiation of at least one predetermined wavelength will reduce and/or eliminate microbes in the oral cavity. The present invention also includes a method of applying the composition into the oral cavity and applying irradiation to the oral cavity at a wavelength or wavelengths absorbed by the photosensitizing composition so as to reduce or eliminate microbes in the oral cavity.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of treating a wound that includes both disinfecting the wound using light and welding the tissue of the wound using light. In a preferred embodiment, the tissue welding occurs substantially immediately after disinfection. The method includes applying a photosensitizer to the wound, illuminating the wound with light, closing the wound, and illuminating the wound a second time. A solder is optionally applied to wound after the first illumination and before the closing of the wound.

Abstract: The present invention presents devices, kits, systems and methods that can be used to otitis externa. For example, a method of present invention includes applying a photosensitizing composition to treatment site within ear cavity where microbes causing otitis externa are located; inserting at least a portion of a light delivery device into the cavity; and applying light to the treatment site at a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizing composition so as to inhibit or eliminate the microbes and/or to reduce inflammation at the treatment site but without causing physiological damage to host tissue within the ear cavity; wherein the light is delivered by the light delivery device to the treatment site and the light delivery device is in light communication with a light source via a waveguide.

Abstract: The present invention presents devices, kits, systems and methods that can be used for nasal decolonization of microbes and treatment of MRSA, E. coli, and E. fecalis. For example, it includes a method for nasal decolonization of microbes comprising: applying a photosensitizing composition comprising methylene blue to anterior nares; inserting at least a portion of a light delivery device into the nasal cavity; and applying light to the anterior nares at a wavelength ranges from about 650 nm to 680 nm; wherein the light is delivered by the light delivery device to the anterior nares; the light delivery device is in light communication with a light source via a waveguide; and over 90% of the microbes at the anterior nares is eliminated by the nasal decolonization.

Abstract: The present invention presents devices, kits, systems and methods that can be used to deliver and activate a photosensitizing composition in a cavity. For example, a device of the present invention includes a member having a base portion, an insert portion adapted for insertion into the cavity, and a pocket adapted for communication with a waveguide which is connected to a light source for delivering light to the device, wherein the pocket includes a light dispersing section that is adapted for light communication with distal end of the waveguide and desired illumination pattern for photodisinfection of the cavity is provided by at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting of: surface finish of the light dispersing section, geometry of the light dispersing section, surface finish of the member, geometry of the member, and a combination thereof. The present invention can be used for humans, other animals, and inanimate objects.