APPARATUS AND METHODS USING VISIBLE LIGHT FOR DEBILITATING AND/OR KILLING MICROORGANISMS WITHIN THE BODY

摘要

The present invention relates to the devices and methods for killing and/or debilitating pathogenic microorganisms, such as H. pylori bacteria within a patient's body. A light source (102) is provided that emits electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths within the visible spectrum. The light source can be internal and/or external to the patient's body. For embodiments having an external light source, a light guide (104) is provided for transferring the radiation from the light source to a location within the patient's body. The light guide has a proximal end optically coupled to the light source and a distal end dimensioned for insertion into a patient's body. A delivery element (106) is also provided to optically couple the radiation from the light to a location within a patient's body.