Internal ultraviolet therapy

Abstract

The disclosed technology relates to a system for delivering UV-A/B light with a catheter to treat infectious or inflammatory disorders in a patient. While UV light in the UV-C range has traditionally been used to treat skin disorders and for focused ablation of plaques in the arteries and other targeted internal uses, it has not been developed for broader infection, inflammation or neoplasia treatment inside the human body. Here, the inventor(s) developed a system for emission of therapeutic doses of UV light via a catheter, capsule, endoscope, tube or port that can be used to manage internal infections and inflammatory conditions inside a patient.

1 . A system for performing intra-corporeal ultraviolet therapy, the system comprising:
 a delivery tube adapted to be positioned inside of an endotracheal (ET) tube   at least one UV light source inside the delivery tube positioned to deliver UV light outward from the delivery tube   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery tube is at least partially transparent. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the light source is a string of LED light sources. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the UV light source is configured to deliver UV light around the circumference of the delivery tube. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a power supply connected to the UV light source. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the UV light source is configured to deliver UV light along a substantial length of the delivery tube 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery tube is a catheter. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the UV light source is configured to emit wavelengths in the range of at least one of UV-A, UV-B, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A system for performing intra-corporeal ultraviolet therapy, the system comprising:
 an endotracheal (ET) delivery tube; and   a UV light source inside the ET delivery tube positioned to emit UV wavelengths outward from the ET delivery tube   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the UV light source is configured for intermittent emission. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A system for performing intra-corporeal ultraviolet therapy, the system comprising:
 an internal light therapy (ILT) tube, positioned inside an ET tube; and   a UV light source, wherein the UV light source is configured to emit wavelengths comprising at least one of: UV-A and UV-B   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the system further comprises a power source that is connected to the UV light source. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein configured to emit wavelengths comprising at least one of UV-A and UV-B comprises only UV-A. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the UV light source is configured to treat bacteria in the ET Tube and in the larynx. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the UV light source comprises a string of LED light sources. 
     
     
         23 . A method of treating a patient for an infectious condition inside the patient's body, the method comprising:
 inserting an endotracheal (ET) delivery tube inside a respiratory patient cavity; and   emitting an amount of UV-A and/or UV-B radiation from a UV light source positioned in the ET delivery tube to emit UV wavelengths outward from the ET delivery tube effective for treatment of the infectious condition.   
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the ET delivery tube is flexible. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the respiratory cavity is the trachea. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the infections condition is pneumonia. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the amount comprises a duration of at least 20 minutes. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the amount comprises a UV-A intensity of at least 13, 15, or 18 W/m 2 . 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the amount comprises an intensity of at least 1,100 microWatt/cm2. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the ET delivery tube is inserted inside an ET Tube. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the ET delivery tube is inserted inside an ET Tube while suctioning the ET Tube.