Method and apparatus for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia with light-activated drug therapy

Abstract

A photoreactive agent and a drug therapy device including a support member configured to pass through a urethra having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal internal lumen. A light generator carried by the support member, potted within the lumen, and positioned within the urethra to deliver light to the prostate. The light generator generates a light band with a peak at a preselected wavelength. A power source external to the support member powers the light generator. The positioning element locates the support member within the urethra. A transparent/translucent, integral window is positioned proximate to the prostate and allows light to pass through. The window extends 360 degrees radially from the support member. The light generator has at least LEDs or LOs having a dimension of approximately 0.3 mm×0.3 mm×0.1 mm (length×width×thickness).

We claim: 
     
         1 . A transurethral light-activate drug therapy system for the treatment of prostate conditions in a male animal having an enlarged prostate, comprising:
 a photoreactive agent comprising mono-L-aspartyl chlorine e6; and   a transurethral light activate drug therapy device comprising:
 a flexible elongated support member configured to pass through a urethra of the male animal, the elongated support member having a proximal end and a distal end; 
 at least one longitudinal internal lumen through a majority of a length of the elongated support member; 
 a light delivery device having a light generator carried by a distal region of the support member and potted within the lumen, the light generator and a light emitting region are configured to be positioned within the urethra to deliver light to the prostate, wherein the light generator is configured to generate a light band with a peak at a preselected wavelength of about 664 nm radially at 360 degrees; 
 a power source external to the support member, in flexible electrical communication with the light generator; and 
 a positioning element carried by the support member, 
   wherein:
 the positioning element is configured to locate the support member within the urethra; 
 a majority of the portion of the support member inserted into the urethra of the male animal does not permit light from the light generator to pass through; 
 a transparent or translucent, integral window along a portion of the length of the support member that is proximate to the prostate when the distal end of the support member is positioned in the bladder of the male animal and allows light from the light generator to pass through the window, and the window extends 360 degrees radially from the support member; 
 the length of the light generator is at least as long as a majority of the length of the window; 
 a majority of the length of the light generator is fixed in place within the window; 
 when the support member is completely removed from the urethra, the light generator is completely removed from the urethra; and 
 wherein the light generator comprises at least one or more of a light emitting diode (LED), and solid-state laser diode (LO) having a dimension of approximately 0.3 mm×0.3 mm×0.1 mm (length×width×thickness). 
   
     
     
         2 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy system of  claim 1  wherein the window comprises embedded light scattering elements. 
     
     
         3 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy system of  claim 2  wherein the array of LEDs is configured to provide from approximately 5 mW to 55 mW per centimeter of array length. 
     
     
         4 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy system of  claim 1  wherein the array of LEDs or LOs is fixed at a selected location within the catheter during treatment. 
     
     
         5 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fixation device at the distal end of the catheter, wherein the fixation device is sized to be inserted into the bladder of the male animal in a delivery configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy system of  claim 5 , wherein the fixation device comprises a balloon for releasably retaining the catheter in the urethra of the patient during treatment. 
     
     
         7 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy system of  claim 5  wherein the fixation device is a balloon, umbrella, tines, and/or disk. 
     
     
         8 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy system of  claim 5  wherein the fixation device is retractable. 
     
     
         9 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy system of  claim 1 , further comprising echogenic markings on the distal end of the catheter or on the light source or both. 
     
     
         10 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy system of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning indicia on the proximal end of the catheter. 
     
     
         11 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein light generator produces light energy in a range from 50 J/cm to 1000 J/cm. 
     
     
         12 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy system of  claim 11 , wherein light generator produces light energy of approximately 200 J/cm. 
     
     
         13 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein each of LEDs or LOs is introduced into a corresponding separate compartment. 
     
     
         14 . The transurethral light-activated drug therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein each of LEDs or LOs is potted in a potting material that is electrically insulating and substantially optically transparent to light emitted from the light generator.