Device and method for use of photodynamic therapy

Abstract

An apparatus including a light source provides for intracranial treatment of a tissue region of a brain of a patient. The intracranial treatment apparatus comprises an outer shaft having a proximal end and a distal end for positioning within the tissue region of the brain. The outer shaft defines a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the outer shaft and having at least one aperture adjacent the distal end of the outer shaft. An inner light-delivery element having a distal end and a proximal end is adapted to be operatively connected to the light source. The light-delivery element is configured to be received within the lumen and extend from the proximal end of the shaft to adjacent the distal end of the shaft. The light-delivery element is adapted to deliver light from the light source through the at least one aperture of the outer shaft to the tissue region of the brain in proximity to the distal end of the outer shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus including a light source for intracranial treatment of a tissue region of a brain of a patient, the intracranial treatment apparatus comprising:
 an outer shaft having a proximal end and a distal end for positioning within the tissue region of the brain, the outer shaft defining a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the outer shaft and having at least one aperture adjacent the distal end of the outer shaft; and   an inner light-delivery element having a distal end and a proximal end adapted to be operatively connected to the light source, the light-delivery element configured to be received within the lumen and extend from the proximal end of the shaft to adjacent the distal end of the shaft, and   a piezoelectric ceramic member disposed within the distal end of the shaft for delivery of sound waves having a selected frequency,   
       wherein the light-delivery element is adapted to deliver light from the light source through the at least one aperture of the outer shaft to the tissue region of the brain in proximity to the distal end of the outer shaft. 
     
     
         2 . The intracranial treatment apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the outer shaft has a closed distal end so that the distal end of the light-delivery element and piezoelectric ceramic member are contained within the outer shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The intracranial treatment apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the outer shaft comprises a location marker adapted to be located by one of magnetic resonance imaging, computerized x-ray tomography, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The intracranial treatment apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the light-delivery element comprises a fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         5 . The intracranial treatment apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the light delivery element further comprises a diffuser configured to be mounted to the distal end of the fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         6 . The intracranial treatment apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the light delivery element further comprises a reflective sphere disposed within the outer shaft distal to the diffuser. 
     
     
         7 . A method for intracranial treatment of a tissue region of a brain of a patient, the intracranial treatment method comprising the steps of:
 providing a device including a light source for selectively irradiating tissue, the irradiating device comprising
 an outer shaft having a proximal end and a distal end for positioning within the tissue region of the brain, the outer shaft defining a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the outer shaft and having at least one aperture adjacent the distal end of the outer shaft, 
 an inner light-delivery element having a distal end and a proximal end configured to be operatively connected to the light source, the light-delivery element configured to be received within the lumen and extend from the proximal end of the outer shaft to adjacent the distal end of the outer shaft, and 
 a piezoelectric ceramic member disposed within the distal end of the shaft for delivery of sound waves having a selected frequency; 
   positioning the distal end of the outer shaft within close proximity to a selected site adjacent the tissue region in the brain; and   delivering sound waves from the piezoelectric member and light from the light source through the light-delivery element and the at least one aperture of the outer shaft to the tissue region of the brain in proximity to the distal end of the outer shaft sufficient to kill a portion of the tissue.   
     
     
         8 . The intracranial treatment method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the outer shaft has a closed distal end so the light-delivery element and the piezoelectric ceramic member are contained within the lumen of the outer shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The intracranial treatment method as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising the step of selectively determining a site within the tissue of the brain for light and sound delivery. 
     
     
         10 . The intracranial treatment method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the outer shaft has a location marker, and wherein the selectively determining step comprises locating the position of the location marker within the brain by utilizing magnetic resonance imaging, computerized x-ray tomography, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The intracranial treatment method comprising as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the selectively determined site is a tumor. 
     
     
         12 . The intracranial treatment method as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising the step of delivering photosensitive fluid activated by radiation to the tissue region, and delivering sufficient light to the tissue region in the presence of the photosensitive fluid to kill the tissue. 
     
     
         13 . The intracranial treatment method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the positioning step comprises introducing the outer shaft through a percutaneous penetration in a skull of the patient. 
     
     
         14 . The intracranial treatment method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the light-delivering element is a fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus including a light source for endoscopic treatment of a tissue region in the body of a patient, the endoscopic treatment apparatus comprising:
 an outer shaft having a proximal end and a distal end for positioning within the tissue region of the body, the outer shaft defining a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the outer shaft and having at least one aperture adjacent the distal end of the outer shaft; and   an inner light-delivery element having a distal end and a proximal end adapted to be operatively connected to the light source, the light-delivery element configured to be received within the lumen and extend from the proximal end of the shaft to adjacent the distal end of the shaft, and   a piezoelectric ceramic member disposed within the distal end of the shaft for delivery of sound waves having a selected frequency,   
       wherein the light-delivery element is adapted to deliver light from the light source through the at least one aperture of the outer shaft to the tissue region of the brain in proximity to the distal end of the outer shaft. 
     
     
         16 . The endoscopic treatment apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the outer shaft has a closed distal end so that the distal end of the light-delivery element and piezoelectric ceramic member are contained within the outer shaft. 
     
     
         17 . The endoscopic treatment apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the outer shaft comprises a location marker adapted to be located by one of magnetic resonance imaging, computerized x-ray tomography, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The endoscopic treatment apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the light-delivery element comprises a fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         19 . The endoscopic treatment apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the light delivery element further comprises a diffuser configured to be mounted to the distal end of the fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         20 . The endoscopic treatment apparatus as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the light delivery element further comprises a reflective sphere disposed within the outer shaft distal to the diffuser. 
     
     
         21 . A method for endoscopic treatment of a tissue region of a body of a patient, the endoscopic treatment method comprising the steps of:
 providing a device including a light source for selectively irradiating tissue, the irradiating device comprising
 an outer shaft having a proximal end and a distal end for positioning within the tissue region of the brain, the outer shaft defining a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the outer shaft and having at least one aperture adjacent the distal end of the outer shaft, 
 an inner light-delivery element having a distal end and a proximal end configured to be operatively connected to the light source, the light-delivery element configured to be received within the lumen and extend from the proximal end of the outer shaft to adjacent the distal end of the outer shaft, and 
 a piezoelectric ceramic member disposed within the distal end of the shaft for delivery of sound waves having a selected frequency; 
   positioning the distal end of the outer shaft within close proximity to a selected site adjacent the tissue region in the brain; and   delivering sound waves from the piezoelectric member and light from the light source through the light-delivery element and the at least one aperture of the outer shaft to the tissue region of the brain in proximity to the distal end of the outer shaft sufficient to kill a portion of the tissue.   
     
     
         22 . The endoscopic treatment method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the outer shaft has a closed distal end so the light-delivery element and the piezoelectric ceramic member are contained within the lumen of the outer shaft. 
     
     
         23 . The endoscopic treatment method as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising the step of selectively determining a site within the tissue of the brain for light and sound delivery. 
     
     
         24 . The endoscopic treatment method as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the outer shaft has a location marker, and wherein the selectively determining step comprises locating the position of the location marker within the brain by utilizing magnetic resonance imaging, computerized x-ray tomography, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The endoscopic treatment method comprising as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the selectively determined site is a tumor. 
     
     
         26 . The endoscopic treatment method as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising the step of delivering photosensitive fluid activated by radiation to the tissue region, and delivering sufficient light to the tissue region in the presence of the photosensitive fluid to kill the tissue. 
     
     
         27 . The endoscopic treatment method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the light-delivering element is a fiber optic cable.