Phototherapy devices and methods

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to phototherapy device members which can be coupled to a light source to deliver light to hard to reach or internalized sites and which include a flexible fiber optic tip member having a core for transmitting light and an elastic tubular connector sleeve for mechanically coupling the flexible tip member to the light source. The present disclosure also relates to phototherapy devices which comprise the light source and the flexible fiber optic tip member. The present disclosure also relates to methods of phototherapy using the phototherapy device such as anti-bactericidal treatment, periodontal treatment, wound healing treatment, anti-fungal treatment, anti-parasitic treatment, anti-viral treatment, skin condition treatment, or treatments to minimize or reduce scarring.

1 . A phototherapeutic device member, comprising:
 a flexible fiber optic tip member having a core for transmitting light, the flexible tip member including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the diameter of the proximal end is greater than the diameter of the distal end, and wherein the proximal end is curved to cause light entering the flexible tip member through the proximal end to converge; and   an elastic tubular connector sleeve, for mechanically coupling the flexible tip member to a light source, wherein the sleeve includes a proximal end having an opening and a distal end having an opening, the proximal end configured to be stretched and mechanically coupled to the light source;   wherein flexible fiber optic tip member is partially disposed within the sleeve, in use, such that the distal end of the flexible fiber optic tip member extends distally through the opening in the distal end of the sleeve, and the proximal end of the flexible fiber optic tip member is disposed within the sleeve and between the proximal and distal ends of the sleeve, thereby positioning the flexible fiber optic tip member near the light source.   
     
     
         2 . The phototherapeutic device member of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible fiber optic tip member is unitarily formed. 
     
     
         3 . The phototherapeutic device member of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible fiber optic tip member is cut from a single block of material. 
     
     
         4 . The phototherapeutic device member of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible fiber optic tip member has a rough outer surface configured to allow a portion of light transmitted through the core to diffuse out through the outer surface. 
     
     
         5 . The phototherapeutic device member of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible fiber optic tip member includes an optical axis extending through the center of the core from the proximal end to the distal end, and wherein light passing through the tip member travels along at least a portion of the optical axis. 
     
     
         6 . The phototherapeutic device member of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible fiber optic tip member core comprises a glass or a polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The phototherapeutic device member of  claim 6 , wherein the core comprises a polycarbonate or a polymethylmethacrylate. 
     
     
         8 . The phototherapeutic device member of  claim 1 , wherein a proximal region of the flexible fiber optic tip member is substantially conical having a base along the proximal end. 
     
     
         9 . The phototherapeutic device member of  claim 1 , wherein a distal region of the tip member is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         10 . The phototherapeutic device member of  claim 1 , wherein an interior surface of the elastic tubular connector sleeve includes a plurality of ribs extending radially inwards configured to grip the light source. 
     
     
         11 . The phototherapeutic device member of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible fiber optic tip member is removable. 
     
     
         12 . The phototherapeutic device member of  claim 1 , wherein a length from the proximal end to a distal end of the flexible fiber optic tip member is between about 10 mm and about 30 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The phototherapeutic device member of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter at the distal end of the flexible fiber optic tip member is between about 500 micron and about 1500 micron. 
     
     
         14 . The phototherapeutic device member of  claim 13 , wherein the diameter varies along the length of the flexible fiber optic tip member. 
     
     
         15 . The phototherapeutic device member of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the flexible fiber optic tip member is convex shaped relative to the proximal portion of the flexible fiber optic tip member. 
     
     
         16 . The phototherapeutic device member of  claim 1 , further comprising a light source and wherein the light source includes one or more light emitting diodes. 
     
     
         17 . The phototherapeutic device member of  claim 1 , further comprising the light source and wherein the light source includes a halogen lamp. 
     
     
         18 . The phototherapeutic device member of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible fiber optic tip member comprises a plurality of bristles at the distal end. 
     
     
         19 . The phototherapeutic device member of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible fiber optic tip member comprises a photoactive agent. 
     
     
         20 .- 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . A method for phototherapy, comprising:
 attaching to a light source a probe member, the probe member having a flexible fiber optic tip member with a core for transmitting light, and an elastic tubular connector sleeve for mechanically coupling the flexible tip member to a light source;   introducing a composition comprising a photoactivating agent into a treatment region;   introducing the flexible tip member in the treatment region; and   activating the photoactivating agent by applying light through the flexible fiber optic tip member to the treatment region.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the flexible fiber optic tip member core comprises a polymer or a glass. 
     
     
         50 .- 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . A fiber optic tip member for transmitting light, the fiber optic tip member being flexible and having a core including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the diameter of the proximal end is greater than the diameter of the distal end, and wherein the proximal end is curved to cause light entering the flexible tip member through the proximal end to converge. 
     
     
         56 . The fiber optic tip member of  claim 55 , wherein the fiber optic tip member is unitarily formed. 
     
     
         57 . The fiber optic tip member of  claim 55 , wherein the fiber optic tip member has a rough outer surface configured to allow a portion of light transmitted through the core to diffuse out through the outer surface.