Method and apparatus for light-activated drug therapy

Abstract

A prostate treatment system having a light delivery device positionable in a transurethral device for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The light delivery device includes light generator, such as light emitting diodes (LED), laser diodes (LDs) or a diffusion quartz fiber tip connected to a light generator or a light emitting polymer which produces light at a selected wavelength or waveband or alternative sources of suitable light energy. The treatment device may further include a temperature monitoring system for monitoring the temperature at the treatment site. A light-activated drug is administered to the treatment site prior to light activation. The light-activated drug therapy induces cell death of the target tissue. The device provides a minimally invasive transurethral method for treatment of BPH or prostate cancer.

1 . A transurethral light activate drug therapy device for the treatment of prostate conditions comprising:
 an elongated support member configured to pass through the urethra, the elongated support member having a proximal end and a distal end;   a light delivery device having a light generator along the support member and a light emitting region configured to be positioned within the urethra at least proximate to a treatment site, wherein the light generator is configured to generate light at a preselected wavelength or waveband in the range of an activation waveband of a photoactive composition; and   a positioning element carried by the support member, wherein the positioning element is configured to locate the support member within the urethra.   
   
   
       2 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 1 , wherein the light generator comprises at least one or more of a light emitting diode (LED), solid-state laser diode (LD),a light emitting polymer, a laser, a light-emitting transistor, or another light source transmitting fiber through which light can be conducted. 
   
   
       3 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 1  wherein the light generator comprises an array of LEDs having a size from about 0.25 mm to about 1 mm. 
   
   
       4 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 1  wherein the light generator comprises an array of LEDs having a size from about 1 mm to about 5 mm. 
   
   
       5 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 3  or  4  wherein the array of LEDs is configured to provide from about 5 mW to about 50 mW per centimeter of array length. 
   
   
       6 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 3  or  4 , further comprising a power controller configured to pulse the array according to a frequency or according to a timed pattern. 
   
   
       7 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 3  or  4  wherein the array of LEDs has an operational frequency in the range from about 50 Hz to about 5 kHz. 
   
   
       8 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 1  wherein the light generator comprises a laser configured to generate light from along the support member and a light channel configured to transmit the light to the light emitting region. 
   
   
       9 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 7  wherein the light delivery device further includes a diffusion quartz fiber tip. 
   
   
       10 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature monitor electrically coupled to the temperature sensor. 
   
   
       11 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 9  wherein the temperature monitor includes a visual indicator, audible indicator and/or an automatic shut-off when the temperature rises above a preselected value. 
   
   
       12 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 1  wherein the support member comprises a catheter having a first lumen in which the light delivery system is positionable and a second lumen adapted for transmitting a fluid between a location inside a body of a patient to a location outside the body of the patient. 
   
   
       13 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 1 , further comprising echogenic material on or in a fixed relation to the light delivery device in predetermined locations to provide positional information about the light delivery device. 
   
   
       14 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 1  wherein the temperature sensor is a thermocouple electrically connected to a control loop, wherein the temperature sensor measures temperature at the treatment site during treatment. 
   
   
       15 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 1  wherein the light deliver device is fixed to the support member. 
   
   
       16 . A transurethral light-activated drug therapy device for the treatment of prostate diseases comprising:
 a transurethral catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen, wherein the distal end is sized to be inserted in the urethra of a patient;   a balloon at the distal end of the catheter, wherein the balloon is sized to insert in the bladder of a patient in a deflated configuration;   a drain aperture at a distal end of the catheter and open to the first lumen; and   an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or solid-state laser diodes (LDs) carried by the catheter, wherein the array of LEDs or LDs light source produces light at a preselected wavelength or waveband in the range of an activation waveband of a photoactive composition.   
   
   
       17 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 16 , further comprising a monitoring device electrically coupled to the temperature sensor. 
   
   
       18 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 16  wherein the monitoring device further includes an output device, wherein the output device provides a visual indicator, audible indicator or other temperature indicator for the temperature at the treatment site. 
   
   
       19 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 16  wherein the catheter has a selective coating to control where light emits from the distal end. 
   
   
       20 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 16 , further comprising a second lumen in which the array of LEDs or LDs is contained and can move axially within the catheter. 
   
   
       21 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 16  wherein the array of LEDs or LDs is fixed at a selected location within the catheter during treatment. 
   
   
       22 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 16 , further comprising a fixation device for releasably retaining the catheter in the urethra tract during treatment. 
   
   
       23 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 22  wherein the fixation device is a balloon, umbrella, tines, and/or disk. 
   
   
       24 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 22  wherein the fixation device is retractable. 
   
   
       25 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 16 , further comprising echogenic markings on the distal end of the catheter or on the light source or both. 
   
   
       26 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy device of  claim 16 , further comprising positioning indicia on the proximal end of the catheter. 
   
   
       27 . A method for light-activated drug therapy of benign prostate hyperplasia, comprising:
 positioning a support member of a transurethral treatment device in the urethra such that a light emitting region of the transurethral treatment device is at least proximate to a treatment site;   providing a photoreactive agent to the treatment site; and   generating light from a light generator along the support member of the transurethral treatment device and passing the light through the light emitting region, wherein the light has one or more wavelengths or wavebands substantially equal to a waveband of absorption of the photoreactive agent.   
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising monitoring the temperature of the treatment site with a temperature sensor. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising modifying the administration of light therapy based on the temperature at the treatment site. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising releasably fixing the support member prior to administering the light therapy. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising monitoring echogenic marking on a distal end of the support member to position the support member in the urethra tract. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising moving the light emitting region during administration of the light therapy. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising controlling the emission of light from the light generator according to a predetermined pattern. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the support member comprises a catheter, and the method further comprises moving the light generator and the light emitting region along the catheter to position the light emitting region at least proximate to the treatment site. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the light generator and the light emitting region are fixed to the support member, and the method further comprises moving the support member within the urethra to position the light emitting region at least proximate to the treatment site.