Ultraviolet light applicator system and method

Abstract

A method of mitigating the effect of bodily pathogens including providing a light applicator including a housing, a power supply, and at least one light source wherein the light source is configured to emit light in the ultraviolet range when energized by the power supply, and directing the applicator toward a bodily orifice so as to directly irradiate the orifice for a period of time.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 (a) providing a light applicator including a housing, a power supply, an optical light guide, and at least one light source, wherein the at least one light source is configured to emit UVA light when energized by the power supply, and wherein the optical light guide comprises at least one termination operable to focus light from the at least one light source to a particular location and evenly distribute the light; and   (b) passing UVA light from the at least one light source through the optical light guide to illuminate a cell, wherein the UVA light is (i) sufficient to stimulate photo-oxidation by the cell to mitigate pathogens and (ii) insufficient to adversely affect the cell.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the optical light guide diffuses a portion of the UVA light passing out through the optical light guide. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the light applicator further comprises a user interface configured to communicate with the power supply and the at least one light source to selectively energize the at least one light source. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the optical light guide comprises at least one pipe, lumen or cannula for directing light emitted by the light source. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the light applicator has a peak intensity within a UVA spectrum. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the at least one light source emits UVA light for a predetermined period of time upon activation of the user interface. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the user interface comprises a finger pressure switch. 
     
     
         28 . An apparatus comprising:
 (a) a housing;   (b) a power supply;   (c) at least one light source comprising at least one light emitting diode configured to emit UVA light when energized by the power supply; and   (d) an optical light guide, wherein the at least one light source, the at least one light emitting diode and the optical light guide are configured to pass UVA light from the at least one light source through the optical light guide to illuminate a living cell, wherein the UVA light is (i) sufficient to stimulate a production of hydrogen peroxide by the living cell through photo-oxidation to mitigate pathogens and (ii) insufficient to adversely affect the cell.   
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the optical light guide diffuses a portion of the UVA light passing out through the optical light guide. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus according to  claim 29 , the apparatus further comprising a user interface configured to communicate with the power supply and the at least one light source to selectively energize the at least one light source. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the optical light guide comprises at least one pipe, lumen or cannula for directing light emitted by the light source. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein the light applicator has a peak intensity within a UVA spectrum. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein the at least one light source emits UVA light for a predetermined period of time upon activation of the user interface. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the user interface comprises a finger pressure switch. 
     
     
         35 . An apparatus comprising:
 (a) a housing;   (b) a power supply operably maintained in the housing;   (c) at least one light source operably coupled to the power supply, the at least one light source comprising at least one light emitting diode configured to emit only UVA light when energized by the power supply; and   (d) an optical light guide, wherein the at least one light source, the at least one light emitting diode and the optical light guide are configured to pass only UVA light from the at least one light source through the optical light guide to illuminate melanin in a cell, wherein the UVA light is (i) sufficient to stimulate photo-oxidation of the melanin and superoxide scavengers in the cell to mitigate pathogens and (ii) insufficient to adversely affect the cell and surrounding cells.   
     
     
         36 . The apparatus according to  claim 35 , wherein the optical light guide diffuses a portion of the UVA light passing out through the optical light guide. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , the apparatus further comprising a user interface configured to communicate with the power supply and the at least one light source to selectively energize the at least one light source. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus according to  claim 37 , wherein the at least one light source emits UVA light for a predetermined period of time upon activation of the user interface. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus according to  claim 38 , wherein the predetermined period of time is sufficient to stimulate photo-oxidation by the cell. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the user interface comprises a finger pressure switch.