Phototherapy Device and System

Abstract

Physically flexible radiation-emitting probes and associated illumination methods and systems for delivering radiation or light to the interior of a lumen or cavity. Light-emitting devices are immersed in a flowing liquid coolant within a probe to provide high light output power, and convoluted electrical power buss structures provide physical flexibility of a probe about a longitudinal axis. The probes can be configured for delivering light to the interior of any lumen including for performing therapeutic medical procedures at locations in body lumens including the interior of the human gastrointestinal tract.

1 . An apparatus for delivering radiation, comprising 
 (a) a flexible shaft, the flexible shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, at least two internal channels extending from the distal end to a location closer to the proximal end and in fluid communication with each other at a location proximate to the distal end, at least one of the at least two channels adapted for coupling with a source of a coolant; and    (b) a plurality of radiation emitting devices disposed within at least one of the channels, at least a portion of the shaft proximate to the radiation emitting devices being transmissive of at least a portion of radiation capable of being emitted by the plurality of radiation emitting devices.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of radiation emitting devices are at least partially in contact with the coolant flowing from the coolant source, the coolant being substantially electrically nonconductive and transmissive of at least a portion of radiation capable of being emitted by the plurality of radiation emitting devices.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of radiation emitting devices comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of radiation emitting device emits radiation substantially within a band of wavelengths adapted to treat diseased tissue.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the band of wavelengths is substantially centered between approximately 400 nanometers and 410 nanometers.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of radiation emitting devices emits radiation substantially within a band of wavelengths adapted to modify the rate of a chemical reaction.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the coolant has a boiling temperature below approximately 45 degrees Celsius.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the coolant comprises a liquid selected from the group consisting of fluorinated organic compound, silicone oil, hydrocarbon oil and deionized water.  
   
   
       9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is made of a substantially biocompatible polymer.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft contains optically scattering material.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible shaft has a substantially circular cross-section.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible shaft is transmissive of at least a portion of radiation capable of being emitted by the plurality of radiation emitting devices.  
   
   
       14 - 39 . (canceled)  
   
   
       40 . An apparatus, comprising 
 (a) at least one array comprising: 
 (i) a first flexible conductive buss and a second flexible conductive buss, the first buss and the second buss being substantially parallel and not directly in contact with each other, at least one of the first buss and the second buss forming a plurality of convolutions;  
 (ii) a plurality of platforms disposed between the first buss and the second buss, the platforms being connected to the first buss by a first member and to the second buss by a second member; and  
 (iii) a plurality of electronic devices, each disposed on one of the plurality of platforms, and electrically coupled to the first buss and the second buss; and  
   (b) a flexible shaft, the flexible shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and an outer surface defining at least one groove extending from a location near the distal end to the proximal end; and    (c) a flexible sheath proximate the shaft, the sheath and the at least one groove defining at least one channel, the at least one array disposed in the at least one channel.    
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein the electronic devices are light emitting devices.  
   
   
       42 . A system for delivering light, comprising 
 (a) a light emitting probe, comprising: 
 (i) a flexible shaft, the flexible shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, at least two internal channels extending from the distal end to a location closer to the proximal end and in fluid communication with each other within the shaft at a location proximate to the distal end; and  
 (ii) a plurality of light emitting devices disposed within at least one of the channels;  
 (iii) a plurality of electrical leads adapted for electrically coupling the plurality of light emitting devices to a source of electrical power;  
   (b) a coolant system coupled to at least one channel providing a coolant for flowing through the at least two channels, the coolant and at least a portion of the shaft proximate to the light emitting devices being transmissive of at least a portion of light capable of being emitted by the plurality of light emitting devices; and    (c) an electrical power supply coupled to the plurality of electrical leads providing a source of electrical power for energizing the plurality of light emitting devices.