Chemiluminescent light source using visible light for biotherapy

Abstract

The present invention relates to a devices and methods for killing and/or debilitating pathogenic microorganisms in or on a patient's body, such as light-sensitive bacteria including helicobacter pylori and/or propionibacterium acnes . A chemiluminescent light source provides electromagnetic radiation having predetermined wavelengths in the visible spectrum. The light wavelengths are selected for absorption by naturally-occurring photosensitive chemicals produced by the patient's body.

1 . An apparatus for killing and/or debilitating pathogenic microorganisms in or on a body comprising a chemiluminescent light source providing electromagnetic radiation having predetermined wavelengths in the visible spectrum selected for absorption by naturally-occurring photosensitive chemicals produced by the body.  
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined wavelengths are substantially within the spectral region comprising 400 to 690 nanometers.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the chemiluminescent light source comprises: an energizer producing a selected amount of energy for a selected duration; and a wavelength-selectable material energetically coupled to the energizer for producing electromagnetic radiation in response to the coupled energy at one or more selected wavelengths for the selected duration.  
   
   
       4 - 5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the wavelength-selectable material comprises a dye.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the energizer comprises an energy-releasing chemical reaction.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the energy-releasing chemical reaction comprises a fuel-oxidant mixture.  
   
   
       9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a delivery element containing at least a portion of the chemiluminescent light source for delivering at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation to a treatment site.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the delivery element comprises a pad adapted for placement upon the skin of a patient, the pad selectively delivering electromagnetic radiation to the skin.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the chemiluminescent light source comprises a mask for placement upon the face of a patient.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pathogenic microorganism is  propionibacterium acnes  or  helicobacter pylori.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the chemiluminescent light source comprises a liquid.  
   
   
       15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . A method for killing and/or debilitating pathogenic microorganisms in or on a body comprising the steps of: providing a chemiluminescent light source that generates a chemiluminescent reaction to produce electromagnetic radiation at predetermined wavelengths in the visible spectrum; and illuminating pathogenic microorganisms with electromagnetic radiation from the chemiluminescent light source for a selected treatment period to thereby kill and/or debilitate the microorganisms in or on the body.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of providing a chemiluminescent light source comprises the steps of: providing an energizer producing a selected amount of energy over a selected period of time; providing a wavelength-selectable material; and selectively coupling the energizer with the wavelength-selectable material to produce electromagnetic radiation in response to the coupled energy at one or more selected wavelengths for the selected period of time.  
   
   
       18 . A apparatus for killing and/or debilitating  propionibacterium acnes  or  helicobacter pylori  in or on a patient's body comprising a chemiluminescent light source providing electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths substantially within spectral region comprising 400 to 690 nanometers for selectively disabling bacteria.  
   
   
       19 . A method for killing and/or debilitating  propionibacterium acnes  or  helicobacter pylori  bacteria in or on a patient's body comprising the steps of: providing a chemiluminescent light source that generates a chemiluminescent reaction to produce electromagnetic radiation substantially within the spectral region comprising 400 to 690 nanometers; and illuminating the bacteria with electromagnetic radiation from the chemiluminescent light source for a selected treatment period to thereby kill and/or debilitate the bacteria in or on the body.