Biophotonic materials and uses thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure provides biophotonic materials and methods useful in phototherapy. In particular, the biophotonic materials of the present disclosure include a cohesive matrix, and at least one chromophore, wherein the at least one chromophore can absorb and emit light from within the biophotonic material. The biophotonic materials and the methods of the present disclosure are useful for promoting wound healing and skin rejuvenation, as well as treating acne and various skin disorders.

1 . A biophotonic material, said biophotonic material comprising:
 a cohesive matrix, and   at least one chromophore, wherein the at least one chromophore can absorb and emit light from within the biophotonic material.   
     
     
         2 . The biophotonic material of  claim 1 , wherein the biophotonic material is elastic. 
     
     
         3 . The biophotonic material of  claim 2 , wherein the biophotonic material is a peelable film. 
     
     
         4 . The biophotonic material of  claim 1 , wherein the tear and/or tensile strength of the biophotonic material is greater than an adhesive strength of the biophotonic material to a surface to which it is applied. 
     
     
         5 . The biophotonic material of  claim 1 , wherein the biophotonic material is non-elastic. 
     
     
         6 . The biophotonic material of  claim 5 , wherein the biophotonic material is rigid. 
     
     
         7 . The biophotonic material of  claim 1 , wherein the biophotonic material is substantially translucent. 
     
     
         8 . The biophotonic material of  claim 1 , wherein the biophotonic material has a translucency of at least about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, or about 80% at 460 nm. 
     
     
         9 . The biophotonic material of  claim 1 , wherein the biophotonic material has a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 50 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The biophotonic material of  claim 1 , wherein the biophotonic material has a pre-formed configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The biophotonic material of  claim 10 , wherein the pre-formed configuration is a shape and/or a size corresponding with a shape and/or a size of a body part to which the biophotonic material can be applied. 
     
     
         12 . The biophotonic material of  claim 11 , wherein the body part is selected from a head, scalp, forehead, nose, cheeks, ears, lip, face, neck, shoulder, arm pit, arm, elbow, hand, finger, abdomen, chest, stomach, back, sacrum, buttocks, genitals, legs, knee, feet, nails, hair, toes, boney prominences, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The biophotonic material of  claim 10 , wherein the biophotonic material is a mask. 
     
     
         14 . The biophotonic material of  claim 13 , wherein the mask is a face mask having at least one opening for the eyes, nose or mouth. 
     
     
         15 . The biophotonic material of  claim 10 , wherein the pre-formed configuration is a shape and/or a size corresponding with a shape and/or a size of a light source or lamp to which the biophotonic material can be attached. 
     
     
         16 . The biophotonic material of  claim 1 , wherein the biophotonic material can be removed without leaving substantially any residue on a surface to which the biophotonic material is applied. 
     
     
         17 . The biophotonic material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one chromophore is a fluorophore. 
     
     
         18 . The biophotonic material of  claim 17 , wherein the fluorophore is a xanthene dye. 
     
     
         19 . The biophotonic material of  claim 1 , wherein the cohesive matrix comprises at least one polymer. 
     
     
         20 . The biophotonic material of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is selected from a cross-linked polyacrylic polymer, a hyaluronate, a hydrated polymer, a hydrophilic polymer. 
     
     
         21 . The biophotonic material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one chromophore is within the cohesive matrix. 
     
     
         22 . The biophotonic material of  claim 1 , wherein the cohesive matrix is in particulate form. 
     
     
         23 . A biophotonic material for phototherapy, said biophotonic material comprising at least one chromophore in a carrier medium, wherein the carrier medium can form a cohesive matrix containing the at least one chromophore and wherein the at least one chromophore can absorb and emit light within the cohesive matrix when illuminated with light. 
     
     
         24 . The biophotonic material of  claim 23 , wherein the carrier medium is at least one polymer or a polymer pre-cursor which can form the cohesive matrix by polymerizing, cross-linking or drying. 
     
     
         25 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A container comprising:
 a sealed chamber for holding a biophotonic material, and   an outlet in communication with the chamber for discharging the biophotonic material from the container, wherein the biophotonic material comprises at least one chromophore in a carrier medium which can form a cohesive matrix after being discharged from the sealed chamber.   
     
     
         29 . A container according to  claim 28 , wherein the container is a spray can. 
     
     
         30 . A kit comprising:
 a first component comprising a first chromophore; and   a second component comprising a thickening agent, wherein the thickening agent can form a cohesive matrix when mixed with the first component.   
     
     
         31 . A method for biophotonic treatment of a skin disorder comprising:
 placing a biophotonic material over a target skin tissue, wherein the biophotonic material comprises at least one chromophore and a cohesive matrix; and   illuminating said biophotonic material with light having a wavelength that overlaps with an absorption spectrum of the at least one chromophore;   
       wherein said biophotonic material emits fluorescence at a wavelength and intensity that promotes healing of said skin disorder. 
     
     
         32 . A method for biophotonic treatment of acne comprising:
 placing a biophotonic material over a target skin tissue, wherein the biophotonic material comprises at least one chromophore and a cohesive matrix; and   illuminating said biophotonic material with light having a wavelength that overlaps with an absorption spectrum of the at least one chromophore;   
       wherein said biophotonic material emits fluorescence at a wavelength and intensity that treats the acne. 
     
     
         33 . A method for promoting wound healing comprising:
 placing a biophotonic material over or within a wound, wherein the biophotonic material comprises at least one chromophore and a cohesive matrix; and   illuminating said biophotonic material with light having a wavelength that overlaps with an absorption spectrum of the at least one chromophore;   
       wherein said biophotonic material emits fluorescence at a wavelength and intensity that promotes wound healing. 
     
     
         34 . A method for promoting skin rejuvenation comprising:
 placing a biophotonic material over a target skin tissue, wherein the biophotonic material comprises at least one chromophore and a cohesive matrix; and   illuminating said biophotonic material with light having a wavelength that overlaps with an absorption spectrum of the at least one chromophore;   
       wherein said biophotonic material emits fluorescence at a wavelength and intensity that promotes skin rejuvenation. 
     
     
         35 - 43 . (canceled)