Method of photodynamically diagnosing or treating a contoured surface
A method of photodynamically diagnosing or treating a contoured surface includes topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light from a plurality of light sources generally conforming to the contoured surface. The plurality of light sources may comprise fluorescent tubes.
1. A method of photodynamically diagnosing or treating a contoured surface, comprising:
topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface; 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 , wherein the 5-aminolevulinic acid is in a carrier.
3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
applying 5-aminolevulinic acid in successive applications.
4. The method according to claim 1 , comprising the step of topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface to treat actinic keratosis.
5. The method according to claim 4 , comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use.
6. The method according to claim 1 , comprising the step of topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface to treat acne.
7. The method according to claim 6 , comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use.
8. The method according to claim 1 , comprising the step of topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface to treat photo damaged skin.
9. The method according to claim 8 , comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use.
10. The method according to claim 1 , comprising the step of topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface to treat cancer.
11. The method according to claim 10 , comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use.
12. The method according to claim 1 , comprising the step of topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface to treat warts.
13. The method according to claim 12 , comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use.
14. The method according to claim 1 , comprising the step of topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface to treat psoriasis.
15. The method according to claim 14 , comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use.
16. The method according to claim 1 , comprising the step of topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface to remove hair.
17. The method according to claim 16 , comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use.
18. The method according to claim 1 , comprising the step of topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface to diagnose cancer.
19. The method according to claim 18 , comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use.
20. The method according to claim 1 , comprising the step of topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface to treat a pre-cancerous condition.
21. The method according to claim 20 , comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use.
22. The method according to claim 1 , comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use.
23. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the contoured surface is irradiated with light substantially entirely within the blue region.
24. A method of photodynamically diagnosing or treating a contoured surface, comprising:
topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface; 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 light substantially entirely within the blue region.
25. The method according to claim 1 , comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use.
26. A method of photodynamically diagnosing or treating a contoured surface, comprising:
topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface; and
irradiating the contoured surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light from a plurality of light sources generally conforming to the contoured surface,
wherein said irradiating comprises approximately 1000 seconds of light having a nominal peak wavelength of 417±5 nanometers and a nominal bandwidth of 30 nanometers.