Illuminator for photodynamic therapy
An apparatus and method for photodynamic therapy or photodynamic diagnosis using an illuminator comprising a plurality of light sources generally conforming to a contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light. The light sources may comprise generally U-shaped fluorescent tubes that are driven by electronic ballasts. Adjustment of the ballast voltage controls the output power of the tubes. The tubes are supported by a sheet-metal or plastic housing and are covered by a polycarbonate shield which directs cooling airflow within the unit and prevents glass-patient contact in the vent of tube breakage. An aluminum reflector located behind the tubes increases both the output irradiance and the uniformity of the output distribution. The spacing of the U-shaped tubes is varied to increase the output at the edges of the illuminator to make the output more uniform. Also, different portions of the tubes are cooled at different amounts, to improve uniformity. A light sensor monitors output from the U-shaped tubes to provide a signal for adjusting the output from the tubes.
1. A method of photodynamically diagnosing or treating a contoured surface of a patient, comprising:
injecting 5-aminolevulinic acid into the patient; and
irradiating the contoured surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light from a plurality of light sources generally conforming to the contoured surface,
wherein the plurality of light sources comprises fluorescent tubes.
2. The method according to claim 1 , comprising the step of injecting the 5-aminolevulinic acid to treat at least one of basal cell, baso-squamous cell and squamous cell carcinomas.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the 5-aminolevulinic acid is sterilized.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the 5-aminolevulinic acid is admixed with a vehicle just prior to its use.
5. A method of photodynamically diagnosing or treating a contoured surface of a patient, comprising:
injecting 5-aminolevulinic acid into the patient; and
irradiating the contoured surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light from a plurality of light sources generally conforming to the contoured surface,
wherein the contoured surface is irradiated with substantially uniform intensity light substantially entirely within the blue region.
6. The method according to claim 5 , comprising the step of injecting the 5-aminolevulinic acid to treat at least one of basal cell, baso-squamous cell and squamous cell carcinomas.
7. The method according to claim 5 , comprising the step of irradiating the contoured surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light from the plurality of light sources generally conforming to the contoured surface, wherein the spectral output of at least one light source substantially matches the absorption spectrum of protoporphyrin IX.
8. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the 5-aminolevulinic acid is sterilized.
9. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the 5-aminolevulinic acid is admixed with a vehicle just prior to its use.
10. A method of photodynamically diagnosing or treating a surface of a patient, comprising:
injecting 5-aminolevulinic acid into the patient; and
irradiating the surface with visible light from a fluorescent tube, comprising Europium doped phosphor Sr 2 P 2 O 7 :Eu, configured to illuminate the patient.
11. The method according to claim 10 , comprising the step of injecting the 5-aminolevulinic acid to treat at least one of basal cell, baso-squamous cell and squamous cell carcinomas.
12. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the irradiating employs a plurality of fluorescent tubes.
13. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the 5-aminolevulinic acid is sterilized.
14. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the 5-aminolevulinic acid is admixed with a vehicle just prior to its use.