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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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, Scoplariopsis brevicaulis, Fusarium  spp.,  Aspergillus  spp.,  Alternaria, Acremonium, Scytalidinium dimidiatum , and  Scytalidinium hyalinum.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 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 .