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: Nasal colonisation with pathogenic bacteria continues to present challenges for patients undergoing surgical procedures, and the physicans that treat them. Many physicians and scientists have discussed different ways to improve nasal decolonization in the last 100 years. Various embodiments include a medical kit composed of items specifically tailored to assist in the photo-biologic eradication of bacteria in the human nares.

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: 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: Systems and methods for treating a pathogenic bacterial infection are provided. The treatment may include introducing bioluminescent bacteria into a lung of a human or animal subject, and performing photodynamic therapy on the lung using light emitted from the bioluminescent bacteria.

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: 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: A kit for treating an antimicrobial resistant biological contaminate at a treatment site is disclosed which includes a diffuser tip adapted to receive near infrared therapeutic light from a light delivery system and diffuse the light to illuminate at least a portion of the treatment site; a quantity of an antimicrobial; agent; instructions to use the antimicrobial agent in conjunction with the therapeutic light to potentiate the antimicrobial agent to treat the biological contaminate, and suitable packaging.

Abstract: Methods and devices for Live Biofilm Targeted Thermolysis (LBTT) are disclosed. The disclosed LBTT methods can be used for thermolysis and coagulation of the live periodontal Biofilm with incandescent light and a targeting agent as heat sink. A delivery assembly can be used to deliver the incandescent light generated through the secondary quantum optical and thermal emissions from a carbonized near infrared diode laser delivery fiber, otherwise known as a “hot tip,” to an application region that includes live biofilm. With this novel targeted approach of exploiting the incandescent hot tip's radiant energy (i.e. its optical and thermal emissions), the physical nature of the targeted live biofilm in the periodontal pocket is changed from a mucinous liquid-gel, to a semi-solid coagulum, which then facilitates its removal from the effected pocket, with traditional mechanical SRP periodontal techniques.

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: 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: 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 and devices for Live Biofilm Targeted Thermolysis (LBTT) are disclosed. The disclosed LBTT methods can be used for thermolysis and coagulation of the live periodontal Biofilm with incandescent light and a targeting agent as heat sink. A delivery assembly can be used to deliver the incandescent light generated through the secondary quantum optical and thermal emissions from a carbonized near infrared diode laser delivery fiber, otherwise known as a ‘hot tip,’ to an application region that includes live biofilm. With this novel targeted approach of exploiting the incandescent hot tip's radiant energy (ie. its optical and thermal emissions), the physical nature of the targeted live biofilm in the periodontal pocket is changed from a mucinous liquid-gel, to a semi-solid coagulum, which then facilitates its removal from the effected pocket, with traditional mechanical SRP periodontal techniques.