Adjustable illuminators and methods for photodynamic therapy and diagnosis

Abstract

An illuminator for photodynamically diagnosing or treating a surface includes a plurality of panels. The illuminator further includes a plurality of light sources, each mounted to one of the plurality of panels. The plurality of light sources are configured to irradiate the surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light. The illuminator also includes a heat source configured to emit heat to a patient. The heat increases the generation of a photoactivatable agent and thus shortens the time needed to complete photodynamic therapy

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of photodynamically treating a patient for actinic keratosis, comprising:
 applying a topical composition comprising 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) to an actinic keratosis lesion on the skin of a patient;   after applying the ALA, applying heat to the skin of the patient for a first time period; and   after the first time period, for a second time period simultaneously (1) applying heat to the skin of the patient and (2) illuminating the skin of the patient with light.   
     
     
         2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the topical composition comprises a 5-aminolevulinic acid salt. 
     
     
         3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the topical composition comprises about 20% 5-aminolevulinic acid salt. 
     
     
         4 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the topical composition comprises about 10% 5-aminolevulinic acid salt. 
     
     
         5 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the illuminating comprises illuminating with a dose of light of about 10 J/cm 2 . 
     
     
         6 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the illuminating comprises illuminating with a dose of light of about 20 J/cm 2 . 
     
     
         7 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the illuminating comprises illuminating with an irradiance density of 20 mW/cm 2 . 
     
     
         8 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the illuminating comprises illuminating with blue light. 
     
     
         9 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the illuminating comprises illuminating with red light. 
     
     
         10 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein applying the topical composition comprises applying the ALA to actinic keratosis lesions on the face of the patient. 
     
     
         11 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein heat and light illumination are simultaneously applied for about 20 minutes. 
     
     
         12 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein heat and light illumination are simultaneously applied for about 10 minutes. 
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein heat is applied via at least one heating pad. 
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein heat is applied by directing warm air towards the patient. 
     
     
         15 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein heat is applied using at least one infrared light source. 
     
     
         16 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein heat is applied to reach a skin temperature of about 40° C.±2° C. 
     
     
         17 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first time period is about 5 minutes and the second time period is about 10 minutes. 
     
     
         18 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first time period is about 5 minutes. 
     
     
         19 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the second time period is about 10 minutes.