METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC AND COMPOSITE PULSED HEATING AND PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY TREATMENT

摘要

The present invention achieves efficient diagnosis and treatment of cancerous cells. The method and apparatus of the invention simultaneously provide photodynamic therapy and pulsed heating of the tumor, which accelerate the photochemical reaction and coagulate the bloodt thus limiting the supply of blood to the tumor. The apparatus of the present invention includes either a linear flashlamp in a housing with a straight reflector, or a bent flashlamp with a cone reflector, or any other light source suitable for the desired use. When used for diagnostic purposes, interchangeable interference filters provide a spectral region of 350 to 500 nm with a peak at 400 nm. The apparatus also includes an interchangeable filter which filters radiation with wavelengths shorter than 520 nm. Another interchangeable filter provides either a spectral region of 600 to 700 nm or a spectral region of above 600 nm. The produced light beam may be directed to the target through either a flexible light guide or a shorter quartz light guide, or directly from the output of the light source.