PATIENT PORTABLE DEVICE FOR PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY

摘要

A patient portable photodynamic therapy device securable to a patient includes a lightweight rechargeable battery and a light source, such as an LED or a cold cathode fluorescent (CCF) tube powered thereby. The light source is coupled in light channeling relation to a proximal portion of a biocompatible optical fiber, which includes a distal portion with an optional diffuser that uniformly distributes light as it exits the distal portion. The light channeling between the light source and an optical fiber may be accomplished through any number of lens, including a totally internally reflective (TIR) lens. The distal end of the optical fiber is optionally provided with an anchoring balloon that can be inflated after the optical fiber is properly positioned at a treatment site within a patient's body. The balloon securely lodges the distal portion within the tissue at the treatment site, and is deflated to facilitate the removal of the optical fiber once the treatment is complete.