Diagnostic device, therapeutic device, and uses thereof

Abstract

Apparatus, method, computing devices, and computer programs related to photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapy, methods of use thereof, and a method for detecting abnormal tissue, are provided,

1 . A photodiagnostic device to detect differences between healthy and abnormal cervical tissue, comprising:
 a laser light source adapted for illumination of the cervical tissue;   a heat dissipation system to regulate the temperature of the light source;   a lens to collimate light from the light source;   an optic having a light pathway;   a light filter attached to the light pathway to direct the light from the lens to an end of the light pathway toward the cervical tissue; and   a light filter attached to the light pathway adapted to separate a spectral region of light from a fluorescence of light reflected by the cervical tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The photodiagnostic device of  claim 1 , wherein the photodiagnostic device is hand held. 
     
     
         3 . The photodiagnostic device of  claim 1 , wherein the light filter is a high pass filter. 
     
     
         4 . The photodiagnostic device of  claim 1 , wherein the lens to collimate light includes a first lens and a second lens adapted to generate a light beam approximately 20 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         5 . A photodynamic treatment device, comprising:
 a light source;   a heat dissipation system to regulate the temperature of the light source;   a light guide adapted for vaginal insertion and to direct light generated by the light source to cervical tissue; and   a light protector attached to a distal end of the light guide adapted to surround the cervical tissue.   
     
     
         6 . The photodynamic treatment device of  claim 5 , wherein the device produces an illumination area of approximately 20 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The photodynamic treatment device of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a protective sleeve surrounding the light guide, the protective sleeve adapted for vaginal insertion; and   a ring provided between the light guide and the protective sleeve, adapted to center the protective sleeve on the light guide and to provide a biological barrier between the cervical tissue and the light source.   
     
     
         8 . A photodiagnostic and photodynamic treatment device, comprising:
 a photodiagnostic component, including a laser light source, a lens, and a light filter, adapted to generate and direct a first wavelength of light toward cervical tissue and to separate a spectral region of light from a fluorescence of light reflected by the cervical tissue;   a photodynamic treatment component, including a second light source and a light guide, adapted to generate light at a second wavelength and to direct the second wavelength of light onto the cervical tissue; and   a control component attached to the photodiagnostic component and the photodynamic treatment component providing power to the photodiagnostic component and the photodynamic treatment component and controlling activation of the laser light source and the second light source.   
     
     
         9 . The photodiagnostic and photodynamic treatment device of  claim 8 , wherein the photodiagnostic component is hand held. 
     
     
         10 . The photodiagnostic and photodynamic treatment device of  claim 8 , wherein the light filter is a high pass filter. 
     
     
         11 . The photodiagnostic and photodynamic treatment device of  claim 8 , wherein the laser light source generates a light beam approximately 20 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         12 . The photodiagnostic and photodynamic treatment device of  claim 8 , wherein the second light source generates a light beam approximately 20 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         13 . The photodiagnostic and photodynamic treatment device of  claim 8 , wherein the light guide is adapted for vaginal insertion. 
     
     
         14 - 20 . (canceled)