Insertion devices and systems for production of emitted light internal to a medium and methods for their use

Abstract

A system and method for emitting a wavelength of energy internal to a medium or internal to a human or animal subject, and methods for using the system in the treatment of a condition, disorder, or disease. The system includes 1) a source configured to produce an initiation signal penetrating at least a part of the medium or the human or animal subject and 2) an insertion device having an electronics assembly unit. The assembly unit includes 1) an emitter configured to emit the wavelength of energy of a predetermined type to treat a disease or disorder in the human or animal subject or to produce a change in the medium and 2) a receiver that receives the signal.

1 . A system for emitting a wavelength of energy internal to a medium or internal to a human or animal subject, comprising:
 a source configured to produce an initiation signal penetrating at least a part of the medium or the human or animal subject;   an insertion device having an electronics assembly unit;   said assembly unit comprising,   an emitter configured to emit said wavelength of energy of a predetermined type 1) to treat a disease or disorder in the human or animal subject or 2) to produce a change in the medium,   a receiver that receives the initiation signal; and   said assembly unit configured, upon receiving the signal, to power the emitter to thereby emit said wavelength of energy interior the human or animal subject or interior the medium.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , where the emitter comprises a microemitter capsule ranging in size from 100 microns to less than a centimeter. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , where the emitter comprises a light emitting diode or an electroluminescent device configured to emit said wavelength of energy. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the initiation signal is a low frequency RF or microwave signal which traverses parts of or the entirety of the human or animal subject or the medium. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the insertion device comprises a container having a containment wall comprising at least one of a silicate glass, an alkali glass, a sodium glass, and a phosphate glass. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fluid reservoir;   at least one fluid channel from the reservoir to outside of the insertion device.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid reservoir contains at least one of a fluid of an activatable pharmaceutical agent or a fluid of nanoparticles. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is present and, upon activation by the emitted wavelength of energy treats a cell proliferation disorder selected from the group consisting of cancer, bacterial infection, viral infection, immune rejection response, autoimmune disorders, aplastic conditions, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is present and is selected from psoralens, pyrene cholesteryloleate, acridine, porphyrin, fluorescein, rhodamine, 16-diazorcortisone, ethidium, transition metal complexes of bleomycin, transition metal complexes of deglycobleomycin organoplatinum complexes, alloxazines, vitamin Ks, vitamin L, vitamin metabolites, vitamin precursors, naphthoquinones, naphthalenes, naphthols and derivatives thereof having planar molecular conformations, porphorinporphyrins, dyes and phenothiazine derivatives, coumarins, quinolones, quinones, and anthroquinones. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is a psoralen, a coumarin, a porphyrin or a derivative thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is present and is 8-MOP or AMT. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is present and is one selected from 7,8-dimethyl-10-ribityl, isoalloxazine, 7,8,10-trimethylisoalloxazine, 7,8-dimethylalloxazine, isoalloxazine-adenine dinucleotide, alloxazine mononucleotide, aluminum (III) phthalocyanine tetrasulonate, hematophorphyrin, and phthadocyanine. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is present and is coupled to a carrier that is capable of binding to a receptor site. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the carrier is one selected from insulin, interleukin, thymopoietin or transferrin. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is present and is coupled to the carrier by a covalent bond. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is coupled to the carrier by non-covalent bond. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the receptor site is one selected from nucleic acids of nucleated cells, antigenic sites on nucleated cells, or epitopes. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the cell proliferation disorder is treated by apoptosis in a target cell. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is present and is capable of being preferentially absorbed by a target cell. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said wavelength of energy induces a predetermined change in the target structure with or without an energy modulation agent or a photoactive agent. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the energy modulation agent is present and is configured to adsorb, intensify or modify said wavelength of energy. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the energy modulation agent is present and is configured to transform the wavelength of energy into a photonic or another electromagnetic energy that affects the predetermined change in said target structure. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the energy modulation agent emits secondary light at a decreased wavelength compared to the wavelength of energy. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the energy modulation agent emits secondary light at an increased wavelength compared to the wavelength of energy. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the energy modulation agent is present and comprises one or more members selected from a biocompatible fluorescing metal nanoparticle, fluorescing metal oxide nanoparticle, fluorescing metal coated metal oxide nanoparticle, fluorescing dye molecule, gold nanoparticle, silver nanoparticle, gold-coated silver nanoparticle, a water soluble quantum dot encapsulated by polyamidoamine dendrimers, a luciferase, a biocompatible phosphorescent molecule, a combined electromagnetic energy harvester molecule, and a lanthanide chelate exhibiting intense luminescence. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the energy modulation agent is present and comprises at least one of a phosphorescent or fluorescent agent. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the energy modulation agent is present and comprises at least one of at least one of a sulfide, a telluride, a selenide and an oxide semiconductor and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the energy modulation agent is present and comprises at least one of CaWO 4 :Pb 2+ , CaWO 4 :W, Sr 3 (PO 4 ) 2 :Eu 2+ , Ba 3 (PO 4 ) 2 :Eu 2+ , Y 2 SiO 5 :Ce 3+ , SrMg(SiO 4 ) 2 :Eu 2+ , BaMg 2 Al 14 O 24 :Eu 2+ , ZnSiO 4 ::Mn 2+ , Y 3 (Al,Ga) 5 O 12 :Ce 3+ , BaMg 2 Al 14 O 24 :Mn 2+ , BaMgAl 14 O 23 :Mn 2+ , SrAl 12 SiO 19 :Mn 2+ , ZnAl 12 O 19 :Mn 2+ , CaAl 12 O 19 :Mn 2+ , YBO 3 :Tb 3+ , Sr 4 Si 3 O 8 Cl 4 :Eu 3+ , Y 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ , Y 2 SiO 5 :Eu 3+ , Y 3 Al 5 O 12 Eu 3+ , CaSiO 3 :Mn 2+ , YVO 4 :Eu 3+ . 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the energy modulation agent is present and further comprises a plasmonics agent comprising a dielectric-metal composite; or a plasmonics agent comprising a plurality of differently sized metal particles disposed in vicinity of each other as a composite plasmonics agent. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the energy modulation agent is present and comprises at least one of Y 2 O 3 ; ZnS; ZnSe;MgS; CaS; Mn, Er ZnSe; Mn, Er MgS; Mn, Er CaS; Mn, Er ZnS; Mn, Yb ZnSe; Mn, Yb MgS; Mn, Yb CaS; Mn, Yb ZnS:Tb 3+ , Er 3+ ; ZnS:Tb 3+ ; Y 2 O 3 :Tb 3+ ; Y 2 O 3 :Tb 3+ , Er3 + ; ZnS:Mn 2+ ; ZnS:Mn, Er 3+ ; CaWO 4 , YaTO 4 , YaTO 4 :Nb, BaSO 4 :Eu, La 2 O 2 S:Tb, BaSi 2 O 5 :Pb, NaI(Tl), CsI(Tl), CsI(Na), CsI(pure), CsF, KI(Tl), LiI(Eu), BaF 2 , CaF, CaF 2 (Eu), ZnS(Ag), CaWO 4 , CdWO 4 , YAG(Ce) (Y 3 Al 5 O 12 (Ce)), BGO bismuth germanate, GSO gadolinium oxyorthosilicate, LSO lutetium oxyorthosilicate, LaCl 3 (Ce), and LaBr 3 (Ce). 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said insertion device is disposed in a fluidized bed;   said insertion device is disposed in re-entrant structures extending into an artificial container holding said medium; or   said insertion device is disposed on interior walls of an artificial container holding said medium.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein interaction of at least one photoactivatable agent in the medium after activation by said wavelength of energy cures a polymer in the medium. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the photoactivatable agent comprises photoinitiator including at least one of benzoin and substituted benzoins, Michler's ketone, dialkoxyacetophenones, benzophenone and substituted benzophenones, acetophenone and substituted acetophenones, and xanthone and substituted xanthones, benzoin methyl ether, benzoin ethyl ether, benzoin isopropyl ether, diethoxyxanthone, chloro-thio-xanthone, azo-bisisobutyronitrile, N-methyl diethanolaminebenzophenone, camphoquinone, peroxyester initiators and non-fluorene-carboxylic acid peroxyesters. 
     
     
         34 . A directional energy modulator for converting initiation energy into a wavelength of energy emitted in a preferential direction, comprising:
 a layered assembly including,   at least one layer of an energy converting material which absorbs the initiation energy and emits said wavelength of energy, and   multiple layers of an energy reflecting material disposed around said at least one layer of the energy converting material,   wherein said wavelength of energy is reflected by the energy reflecting material and exits at a longitudinal end of the layered assembly.   
     
     
         35 . The modulator of  claim 34 , wherein the layered assembly has a spherical shape. 
     
     
         36 . The modulator of  claim 34 , wherein the layered assembly has a rectilinear shape. 
     
     
         37 . The modulator of  claim 34 , wherein the layered assembly has a rod shape. 
     
     
         38 . The modulator of  claim 34 , wherein the energy reflecting material comprises at least one of Ag, Au, Al, or Cu. 
     
     
         39 . The modulator of  claim 34 , wherein the energy reflecting material comprises a magnetic or paramagnetic material. 
     
     
         40 . The modulator of  claim 39 , wherein the energy reflecting material comprises a non-magnetic material. 
     
     
         41 . The modulator of  claim 39 , wherein the energy reflecting material comprises at least one of iron, nickel, cobalt, and alloys of rare earth metals. 
     
     
         42 . The modulator of  claim 39 , wherein a separation distance between layers in the layered assembly ranges from 10 nm to 1000 nm, or between 100 nm and 700 nm, or between 200 nm and 500 nm, or between 300 nm and 400 nm. 
     
     
         43 . The modulator of  claim 39 , wherein a separation distance between layers in the layered assembly ranges from 1 um to 1000 μm, or between 10 μm and 100 μm, or between 100 μm and 500 μm, or between 300 μm and 400 μm. 
     
     
         44 . A system for emitting a wavelength of energy internal to a medium or internal to a human or animal subject, comprising:
 a modulator of  claim 39  configured, in response to an initiation signal, to emit said wavelength of energy of a predetermined type to treat a disease or disorder in the human or animal subject or to produce a change in the medium,   a magnetic field generator configured to provide a magnetic field along a predetermined direction which moderates a direction of said wavelength of energy being emitted in the human or animal subject.   
     
     
         45 . A system for emitting a wavelength of energy internal to a human or animal subject, comprising:
 an emitter disposed inside the human or animal subject, which in response to an initiation signal containing the initiation energy, emits said wavelength of energy to treat a disease or disorder in the human or animal subject;   a first blood supply valve disposed inside the human or animal subject, which diverts blood from a first blood vessel of the human or animal subject;   a port connected to the blood supply valve where the blood is exposed to the wavelength of energy;   a photoactivatable drug reservoir for delivery of a photoactivatable drug to the blood in the port; and   a second blood supply valve disposed inside the human or animal subject, which returns blood from the port back to a second blood vessel of the human or animal subject.   
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , further comprising a pump disposed inside the human or animal subject for pumping said blood. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 45 , where the reservoir is disposed inside the human or animal subject. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 45 , where the reservoir is disposed outside the human or animal subject. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 45 , further comprising an artificial bladder disposed inside the human or animal subject. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 49 , where at least one of the emitter, the port, and the reservoir is disposed inside the artificial bladder. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 49 , further comprising a pump disposed inside the artificial bladder for pumping said blood. 
     
     
         52 . A medical catheter comprising:
 an insertion device having an electronics assembly unit;   said assembly unit comprising,   an emitter,   a receiver that receives a signal for communication with the assembly unit; and   said assembly unit configured, upon receiving the signal, to power the emitter to emit a wavelength of energy of a predetermined type interior of the human or animal subject to treat the human or animal subject; and   an insertion sleeve including at a distal end thereof for insertion of the insertion device into a patient.   
     
     
         53 . An emitter capsule comprising:
 an assembly unit comprising,   an emitter,   a receiver that receives an initiation signal for communication with the assembly unit; and   said emitter emitting a wavelength of energy interior of the human or animal subject to treat the human or animal subject or emitting the wavelength of energy interior to the medium to produce a change in the medium.   
     
     
         54 . An insertion device comprising:
 an electronics assembly unit; and   a container configured to contain the electronics assembly unit and configured for insertion 1) into a body of a human or animal subject or 2) into a medium;   wherein said electronics assembly unit comprises,   an emitter configured to emit a wavelength of energy of a predetermined type 1) to treat a disease or disorder in the human or animal subject or 2) to produce a change in the medium,   said electronics assembly unit configured to power the emitter to thereby emit said wavelength of energy from the container.   
     
     
         55 . An insertion device comprising:
 an electronics assembly unit; and   a container configured to contain the electronics assembly unit and configured for insertion 1) into a body of a human or animal subject or 2) into a medium;   wherein said electronics assembly unit comprises,   an emitter configured to emit a wavelength of energy of a predetermined type 1) to treat a disease or disorder in the human or animal subject or 2) to produce a change in the medium,   a receiver that receives an initiation signal; and   said electronics assembly unit configured, upon receiving the initiation signal, to power the emitter to thereby emit said wavelength of energy interior the human or animal subject or interior the medium.   
     
     
         56 . A system for emitting a wavelength of energy internal to a medium or internal to a human or animal subject, comprising:
 an embedded insertion device embedded within a region of a human or animal subject;   a computerized control controlling an external source of electro-magnetic transmissions outside the human or animal subject;   a relay embedded within the region of a human or animal subject and disposed between the embedded insertion device and the outside world; and   said relay passes along the electro-magnetic transmissions to the embedded insertion device.   
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein the relay is programmed to functions as a booster to alleviate loss of transmission of the electro-magnetic transmissions through a thick section of the human body where signal aberration and loss can occur. 
     
     
         58 . A system for treating a patient or a subject with a photoactivatable drug. comprising:
 a source of a wavelength of energy which is capable of activating the photoactivatable drug; and   a blood supply displacement system which temporarily displaces blood from a diseased site or organ to be treated with a biocompatible fluid which is less absorptive of the wavelength of energy than blood.   
     
     
         59 . A method for treating a condition, disorder, or disease, comprising:
 generating an energy in-situ in a subject in need thereof, by way of the system of  claim 1 ,   whereby the energy generated in-situ either (a) directly effects a change in the subject thus treating the condition, disorder, or disease, or (b) activates an activatable pharmaceutical agent which has been administered prior to or simultaneously with generating the energy in-situ, whereby upon activation the activated activatable pharmaceutical agent effects a change thereby treating the condition, disorder, or disease.   
     
     
         60 . A method for treating a condition, disorder, or disease, comprising:
 generating an energy in-situ in a subject in need thereof, by way of the system of  claim 44 ,   whereby the energy generated in-situ either (a) directly effects a change in the subject thus treating the condition, disorder, or disease, or (b) activates an activatable pharmacutical agent which has been administered prior to or simultaneously with generating the energy in-situ, whereby upon activation the activated activatable pharmaceutical agent effects a change thereby treating the condition, disorder, or disease.   
     
     
         61 . A method for treating a condition, disorder, or disease, comprising:
 generating an energy in-situ in a subject in need thereof, by way of the system of  claim 45 ,   whereby the energy generated in-situ either (a) directly effects a change in the subject thus treating the condition, disorder, or disease, or (b) activates an activatable pharmacutical agent which has been administered prior to or simultaneously with generating the energy in-situ, whereby upon activation the activated activatable pharmaceutical agent effects a change thereby treating the condition, disorder, or disease.   
     
     
         62 . A method for treating a condition, disorder, or disease, comprising:
 generating an energy in-situ in a subject in need thereof, by way of the system of  claim 56 ,   whereby the energy generated in-situ either (a) directly effects a change in the subject thus treating the condition, disorder, or disease, or (b) activates an activatable pharmacutical agent which has been administered prior to or simultaneously with generating the energy in-situ, whereby upon activation the activated activatable pharmaceutical agent effects a change thereby treating the condition, disorder, or disease.   
     
     
         63 . A method for treating a condition, disorder, or disease, comprising:
 generating an energy in-situ in a subject in need thereof, by way of the system of  claim 58 ,   whereby the energy generated in-situ either (a) directly effects a change in the subject thus treating the condition, disorder, or disease, or (b) activates an activatable pharmacutical agent which has been administered prior to or simultaneously with generating the energy in-situ, whereby upon activation the activated activatable pharmaceutical agent effects a change thereby treating the condition, disorder, or disease.   
     
     
         64 . A method for treating a condition, disorder, or disease, comprising:
 generating an energy in-situ in a subject in need thereof, by way of the medical catheter of  claim 52 ,   whereby the energy generated in-situ either (a) directly effects a change in the subject thus treating the condition, disorder, or disease, or (b) activates an activatable pharmacutical agent which has been administered prior to or simultaneously with generating the energy in-situ, whereby upon activation the activated activatable pharmaceutical agent effects a change thereby treating the condition, disorder, or disease.   
     
     
         65 . A method for treating a condition, disorder, or disease, comprising:
 generating an energy in-situ in a subject in need thereof, by way of the emitter capsule of  claim 53 ,   whereby the energy generated in-situ either (a) directly effects a change in the subject thus treating the condition, disorder, or disease, or (b) activates an activatable pharmacutical agent which has been administered prior to or simultaneously with generating the energy in-situ, whereby upon activation the activated activatable pharmaceutical agent effects a change thereby treating the condition, disorder, or disease.   
     
     
         66 . A method for treating a condition, disorder, or disease, comprising:
 generating an energy in-situ in a subject in need thereof, by way of the insertion device  claim 54 ,   whereby the energy generated in-situ either (a) directly effects a change in the subject thus treating the condition, disorder, or disease, or (b) activates an activatable pharmacutical agent which has been administered prior to or simultaneously with generating the energy in-situ, whereby upon activation the activated activatable pharmaceutical agent effects a change thereby treating the condition, disorder, or disease.   
     
     
         67 . A method for treating a condition, disorder, or disease, comprising:
 generating an energy in-situ in a subject in need thereof, by way of the insertion device of  claim 55 ,   whereby the energy generated in-situ either (a) directly effects a change in the subject thus treating the condition, disorder, or disease, or (b) activates an activatable pharmacutical agent which has been administered prior to or simultaneously with generating the energy in-situ, whereby upon activation the activated activatable pharmaceutical agent effects a change thereby treating the condition, disorder, or disease.