Near infrared microbial elimination laser systems (nimels)

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.

1 . A method of reducing the level of a biological contaminant in a target site without an intolerable adverse effect on a biological moiety, comprising the step of irradiating the target site with an optical radiation having a first wavelength from about 865 nm to about 875 nm, or a second wavelength from about 925 nm to about 935 nm, or both wavelengths, and at a NIMELS dosimetry. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biological contaminant comprises bacteria, fungi, or molds. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the biological contaminant is a selected from the group consisting of  Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton, Candida, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Fusarium  spp.,  Aspergillus  spp.,  Alternaria, Acremonium, Scytalidinum dimidiatum,  and  Scytalidinium hyalinum.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claims 1 , wherein the biological contaminant is  E. coli.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biological contaminant is  Staphylococcus  or MRSA. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation is provided for a time (Tn) of from about 50 to about 450 seconds. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the NIMELS dosimetry provides an energy density from about 200 J/cm 2  to about 700 J/cm 2 . 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the NIMELS dosimetry provides an energy density from about 275 J/cm 2  to about 500 J/cm 2 . 
     
     
         9 . A therapeutic system comprising:
 an optical radiation generation device configured and arranged to generate optical radiation substantially in a first wavelength range from about 865 nm to about 875 nm or a second optical radiation range having a wavelength from about 925 nm to about 935nm, or both wavelength ranges;   a delivery assembly for causing the optical radiation to be transmitted through an application region; and   a controller operatively connected to the optical radiation generation device for controlling dosage of the radiation transmitted through the application region at a NIMELS dosimetry, whereby the time integral of the power density of the transmitted radiation per unit area is below a predetermined threshold of a NIMELS dosimetry.   
     
     
         10 . A therapeutic system according to  claim 9 , wherein the optical radiation source includes a diode laser configured and arranged to produce an output in the near infrared region to be delivered to one or more anatomical regions simultaneously. 
     
     
         11 . A therapeutic system according to  claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured and arranged to control the radiation to be an output of a succession of radiation pulses or a continuous wave. 
     
     
         12 . A therapeutic system according to  claim 9 , wherein the controller comprises a dosimetry calculator which is preprogrammed to calculate dosage needed for treatment of the treatment site. 
     
     
         13 . A therapeutic system according to  claim 12 , wherein the dosimetry calculator further comprises an imaging system for imaging the treatment site and generating the anatomic data of the treatment site. 
     
     
         14 . A therapeutic system according to  claim 9 , wherein the delivery assembly comprises one or more optical fibers configured and arranged to receive radiation from the optical radiation generation device and deliver the radiation to a medical device disposed in tissue of a patient (in vivo). 
     
     
         15 . A therapeutic system according to  claim 14 , wherein the medical device is a stent. 
     
     
         16 . A therapeutic system according to  claim 14 , wherein the medical device is an artificial joint. 
     
     
         17 . A therapeutic system according to  claim 14 , wherein the medical device is a catheter. 
     
     
         18 . A therapeutic system according to  claim 14 , wherein the medical device is selected from the group consisting of an IV catheter, a central venous line, an arterial catheter, a peripheral catheter, a dialysis catheter, an external fixator pin, peritoneal dialysis catheter, an epidural catheter, a chest tube, and a gastronomy feeding tube. 
     
     
         19 . The therapeutic system of  claim 9 , wherein the optical radiation is provided for a time (Tn) of from about 50 to about 450 seconds. 
     
     
         20 . The therapeutic system of  claim 9 , wherein the NIMELS dosimetry provides an energy density from about 200 J/cm 2  to about 700 J/cm 2 .