Illumination devices for inducing biological effects

Abstract

Illumination devices for impinging light on tissue, for example within a body cavity of a patient, to induce various biological effects are disclosed. Biological effects may include at least one of inactivating and/or inhibiting growth of one or more pathogens, upregulating a local immune response, increasing endogenous stores of nitric oxide, releasing nitric oxide from endogenous stores, and inducing an antiinflammatory effect. Wavelengths of light are selected based on intended biological effects for one or more of targeted tissue types and targeted pathogens. Light treatments may provide multiple pathogenic biological effects, either with light of a single wavelength or with light having multiple wavelengths. Devices for light treatments are disclosed that provide light doses for inducing biological effects on various targeted pathogens and tissues with increased efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity. Particular illumination devices are disclosed that provide safe and effective treatments for upper respiratory tract infections, including coronaviridae and orthomyxoviridae.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An assembly comprising:
 a light guide defining a hollow light transmissive pathway configured to receive light from at least one light source; and   a mouthpiece supported by the light guide such that at least a portion of the light guide extends through the mouthpiece, the mouthpiece comprising a biting surface, a first protrusion that extends from only a first portion of the biting surface that is above the light guide, and a second protrusion that extends from only a second portion of the biting surface that is below the light guide, the first and second protrusions configured to engage with back surfaces of teeth and expand an oral cavity of a user to position a portion of the hollow light transmissive pathway within the oral cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the mouthpiece is configured to position the hollow light transmissive pathway in a direction that targets an oropharynx of the user. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the mouthpiece comprises one or more bite guards for protecting and securing the light guide. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a tongue depressor that is configured to depress the user’s tongue for providing the light to the oropharynx. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the tongue depressor is formed by a portion of the light guide. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the tongue depressor comprises a first width at an end of the tongue depressor and a second width at an opposite end that is closer to the mouthpiece, wherein the first width is greater than the second width. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the tongue depressor is further configured to block the light within the hollow transmissive path from reaching the tongue of the user. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the light guide comprises a cylindrical wall that defines the hollow light transmissive pathway, and the tongue depressor extends from a portion of the cylindrical wall. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the light guide is secured to the mouthpiece. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the light guide and the mouthpiece are parts of a single structure. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the mouthpiece and the light guide are configured to be removably attached to an illumination device including the at least one light source. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the mouthpiece and the light guide are configured to facilitate tool-less attachment and separation with the illumination device. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the light guide comprises securing tabs configured to interface with a housing of the illumination device. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the light guide comprises securing protrusions configured to interface with the mouthpiece. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the light guide comprises a wall that defines the hollow light transmissive pathway. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the wall defines a circular cross-section of the hollow light transmissive pathway. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the wall defines a rectangular cross-section of the hollow light transmissive pathway. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the wall defines an elliptical cross-section of the hollow light transmissive pathway. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the wall defines a hexagonal cross-section of the hollow light transmissive pathway. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the wall defines a light-blocking wall for light within the hollow light transmissive pathway.