Phototherapeutical apparatus and method for the treatment and prevention of diseases of body cavities

Abstract

A phototherapeutical apparatus and method are described. The apparatus includes an ultraviolet light source, an optical guidance system, and a patient interface. The patient interface is insertable at least partially into a body cavity and is operable to apply the guided ultraviolet light to a tissue surface of a body cavity. The method includes providing the phototherapeutical apparatus, preparing for the application of the phototherapeutical apparatus, inserting the patient interface at least partially into a body cavity, and applying the ultraviolet light by the patient interface to a tissue surface of a body cavity, wherein the tissue of the body cavity has an inflammatory or a hyperproliferative disease. The inflammatory diseases include rhinitis, sinusitis and rhinosinusitis. A photochemotherapeutical method is also described, using photosensitizing substances, such as psoralen before treatment with ultraviolet light. The phototherapeutical method is also effective for the prevention of inflammatory or hyperproliferative diseases.

1 . A phototherapeutical apparatus, comprising: 
 a multiwavelength light source configured to generate ultraviolet light with a wavelength in the range of about 280 nm to about 400 nm; and    a patient interface configured to receive the ultraviolet light from the multiwavelength light source and configured to be inserted at least partially into a nasal cavity.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the multiwavelength light source comprises a source of UVA light.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the multiwavelength light source comprises a source of UVB light.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the multiwavelength light source comprises a source of UVA light and a source of UVB light.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the multiwavelength light source is selected from the group consisting of a fluorescent lamp, an ultraviolet light emitting diode, a dye laser, an arc lamp, and an electric discharge lamp.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the multiwavelength light source comprises a quartz bulb.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the multiwavelength light source comprises an ultraviolet LED.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the multiwavelength light source comprises electrodes defining a discharge volume of about 0.1 mm 3  to about 1 mm 3 .  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wavelength is about 308 nm.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a source of visible light coupled to the patient interface.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a power supply in communication with the multiwavelength light source.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the multiwavelength light source provides a dose in the range of about 20 and about 1000 mJ/cm 2 .  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a concave mirror configured to reflect at least a portion of the ultraviolet light generated by the multiwavelength light source.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a focusing lens configured to focus at least a portion of the ultraviolet light generated by the multiwavelength light source.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an optical filter configured to filter at least a portion of the ultraviolet light generated by the multiwavelength light source.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a targeting light source coupled to the patient interface, wherein the targeting light source is configured to provide a targeting light.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a dichroic mirror configured to direct at least a portion of the ultraviolet light and the targeting light.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a handgrip, wherein the multiwavelength light source is coupled into the handgrip.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the patient interface comprises a lens.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the patient interface comprises a head and a tube and the head is coupled to the tube with a fastener.  
   
   
       21 . A phototherapeutical apparatus, comprising: 
 a multiwavelength light source configured to generate ultraviolet light with a wavelength in the range of about 280 nm to about 320 nm; and    a patient interface configured to receive the ultraviolet light from the multiwavelength light source and configured to be inserted at least partially into a nasal cavity.    
   
   
       22 . A phototherapeutical apparatus, comprising: 
 a multiwavelength light source configured to generate ultraviolet light with a wavelength in the range of about 320 nm to about 400 nm; and    a patient interface configured to receive the ultraviolet light from the multiwavelength light source and configured to be inserted at least partially into a nasal cavity.    
   
   
       23 . A phototherapeutical apparatus, comprising: 
 a multiwavelength light source configured to generate ultraviolet light with a wavelength in the range of about 310 nm to about 350 nm; and    a patient interface configured to receive the ultraviolet light from the multiwavelength light source and configured to be inserted at least partially into a nasal cavity.    
   
   
       24 . A phototherapeutical apparatus, comprising: 
 means for generating ultraviolet light with a wavelength in the range of about 280 nm to about 400 nm; and    means for receiving the ultraviolet light from the means for generating ultraviolet light, wherein said means for receiving the ultraviolet light is configured to be inserted at least partially into a nasal cavity.