Method of and system for selective cell destruction

Abstract

Method and apparatus for the ionization of living cells where an optical device ( 14 ) delivers an optical pulse having an optical field power which is modified locally by an optical field power modifying means ( 18 ) to effect ionization and destruction of living cells ( 16 ).

1 . A light transmitting device for directing light to living cells present in a body of a subject, the device comprising:
 an optical device for emitting at least one optical pulse having a duration in a femtosecond time scale; and   a waveguide for guiding said optical pulses into a body of a subject;   said waveguide having an emission face, through which said optical pulses are emitted to the living cells.   
   
   
       2 . The light transmitting device of  claim 1 , wherein said optical pulses are selected so as to destroy the cells via ionization. 
   
   
       3 . The light transmitting device of  claim 1 , wherein said optical pulses have a peak power which is below the ionization threshold of the cells. 
   
   
       4 . The light transmitting device  claim 3 , wherein the ionization threshold is from about 10 10  Watts/cm 2  to about 10 14  Watts/cm 2 . 
   
   
       5 . The light transmitting device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one optical pulse is characterized by a peak power of from about 10 5  Watts to about 10 10  Watts. 
   
   
       6 . The light transmitting device of  claim 1 , wherein said pulses have a average-intensity which is below a heating damage threshold of the living cells. 
   
   
       7 . The light transmitting device of  claim 6 , wherein said average-intensity is below 1 Watt/cm 2 . 
   
   
       8 . The light transmitting device of  claim 1 , wherein said optical pulses have a wavelength from about 400 nm to about 1300 nm. 
   
   
       9 . The light transmitting device of  claim 1 , wherein said optical pulses have a wavelength from about 800 nm to about 1300 nm. 
   
   
       10 . The light transmitting device of  claim 1 , wherein said optical pulses have a wavelength from about 400 nm to about 800 nm. 
   
   
       11 . The light transmitting device of  claim 1 , wherein said waveguide comprise a fiber optic bundle. 
   
   
       12 . The light transmitting device of  claim 1 , further comprising a lens for focusing a beam of said at least one optical pulse onto the cells. 
   
   
       13 . The light transmitting device of  claim 1 , wherein said waveguide is sterile. 
   
   
       14 . The light transmitting device of  claim 1 , wherein said waveguide is covered by a disposable sterile coat. 
   
   
       15 . The light transmitting device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one optical pulse is characterized by a repetition-rate from about 10 pulses per second to about 10 10  pulses per second.