Energy augmentation structures, emitters or collectors, for use in non-invasive in-situ photobiomodulation

Abstract

An emission enhancement structure having at least one energy augmentation structure; and an energy converter capable of receiving energy from an energy source, converting the energy and emitting therefrom a light of a different energy than the received energy. The energy converter is disposed in a vicinity of the at least one energy augmentation structure such that the emitted light is emitted with an intensity larger than if the converter were remote from the at least one energy augmentation structure. Also described are various uses for the energy emitters, energy augmentation structures and energy collectors in a wide array of fields, including photobiomodulation for treatment of conditions, disorders, or diseases.

1 . A method for modifying a target structure which mediates or is associated with a biological activity comprising:
 administering to a subject in need thereof, in a vicinity of the target structure, at least one (i) energy emitter, (ii) energy augmentation structure, or (iii) energy collector, wherein:
 the at least one (i) energy emitter, when present, comprises at least one energy augmentation structure capable of capturing one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, and augmenting the one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy in at least one property; and an energy converter capable of receiving energy from an energy source, converting the energy and emitting therefrom an emitted light of a higher or lower energy than the received energy, and the energy converter being disposed in a vicinity of the at least one energy augmentation structure such that the emitted light is emitted with an intensity larger than if the energy converter were remote from the at least one energy augmentation structure, or if the energy augmentation structure were not present; 
 the at least one (ii) energy augmentation structure, when present, is capable of capturing one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, and augmenting the one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy in at least one property; 
 the at least one (iii) energy collector, when present, comprises at least one energy augmentation structure capable of capturing one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, and augmenting the one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy in at least one property; and at least one energy converter capable of receiving an applied electromagnetic energy, converting the applied electromagnetic energy and emitting therefrom an emitted electromagnetic energy shifted in wavelength or energy from the applied electromagnetic energy and the energy converter being disposed in a vicinity of the at least one energy augmentation structure such that the emitted electromagnetic energy is emitted with at least one augmented property compared to if the energy converter were remote from the at least one energy augmentation structure; 
   applying an initiation energy from at least one source to the target structure, wherein the initiation energy interacts with the at least one (i) energy emitter, (ii) energy augmentation structure, or (iii) energy collector, and contacts the target structure and induces a predetermined change in said target structure in situ,   wherein said predetermined change modifies the target structure and modulates the biological activity of the target structure.   
     
     
         2 - 56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . A method for modifying a target structure which mediates or is associated with a biological activity, comprising:
 (1) administering in a vicinity of the target structure in a patient in need thereof, at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent (PA) that is capable of effecting a predetermined change in the target structure when activated; and at least one (i) energy emitter, (ii) energy augmentation structure, or (iii) energy collector, wherein:
 the at least one (i) energy emitter, when present, comprises at least one energy augmentation structure capable of capturing one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, and augmenting the one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy in at least one property; and an energy converter capable of receiving energy from an energy source, converting the energy and emitting therefrom an emitted light of a higher or lower energy than the received energy, and the energy converter being disposed in a vicinity of the at least one energy augmentation structure such that the emitted light is emitted with an intensity larger than if the energy converter were remote from the at least one energy augmentation structure, or if the energy augmentation structure were not present; 
 the at least one (ii) energy augmentation structure, when present, is capable of capturing one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, and augmenting the one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy in at least one property; 
 the at least one (iii) energy collector, when present, comprises at least one energy augmentation structure capable of capturing one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, and augmenting the one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy in at least one property; and at least one energy converter capable of receiving an applied electromagnetic energy, converting the applied electromagnetic energy and emitting therefrom an emitted electromagnetic energy shifted in wavelength or energy from the applied electromagnetic energy and the energy converter being disposed in a vicinity of the at least one energy augmentation structure such that the emitted electromagnetic energy is emitted with at least one augmented property compared to if the energy converter were remote from the at least one energy augmentation structure; 
   optionally in the presence of at least one plasmonics-active agent; and   (2) applying an initiation energy from an initiation energy source to the target structure, wherein the initiation energy interacts with the at least (i) one energy emitter, (ii) energy augmentation structure, or (iii) energy collector;
 wherein the energy converter, if present, upgrades or downgrades the initiation energy to an activation energy capable of activating the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent; 
 wherein the plasmonics-active agent, if present, enhances or modifies the applied initiation energy or the activation energy generated by the energy converter, or both; and 
 thus causing the predetermined change to the target structure to occur, wherein said predetermined change modifies the target structure and modulates the biological activity of the target structure. 
   
     
     
         58 - 136 . (canceled) 
     
     
         137 . A method for treating a condition, disorder, or disease mediated by a target structure in a subject, comprising:
 a. modifying one or more cells to incorporate a photon emitting modification or substance;   b. inserting the modified cells at a targeted site of the subject; and   c. administering at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent capable of being activated by the photons emitted from the modified cells, and at least one (i) energy emitter, (ii) energy augmentation structure, or (iii) energy collector, wherein:
 the at least one (i) energy emitter, when present, comprises at least one energy augmentation structure capable of capturing one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, and augmenting the one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy in at least one property; and an energy converter capable of receiving energy from an energy source, converting the energy and emitting therefrom an emitted light of a higher or lower energy than the received energy, and the energy converter being disposed in a vicinity of the at least one energy augmentation structure such that the emitted light is emitted with an intensity larger than if the energy converter were remote from the at least one energy augmentation structure, or if the energy augmentation structure were not present; 
 the at least one (ii) energy augmentation structure, when present, is capable of capturing one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, and augmenting the one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy in at least one property; 
 the at least one (iii) energy collector, when present, comprises at least one energy augmentation structure capable of capturing one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, and augmenting the one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy in at least one property; and at least one energy converter capable of receiving an applied electromagnetic energy, converting the applied electromagnetic energy and emitting therefrom an emitted electromagnetic energy shifted in wavelength or energy from the applied electromagnetic energy and the energy converter being disposed in a vicinity of the at least one energy augmentation structure such that the emitted electromagnetic energy is emitted with at least one augmented property compared to if the energy converter were remote from the at least one energy augmentation structure; 
   
       to cause a predetermined change to the target structure. 
     
     
         138 - 142 . (canceled) 
     
     
         143 . A kit for modifying a target structure which mediates or is associated with a biological activity, comprising:
 at least one agent selected from the group consisting of at least one (i) energy emitter, (ii) energy augmentation structure, or (iii) energy collector, wherein:
 the at least one (i) energy emitter, when present, comprises at least one energy augmentation structure capable of capturing one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, and augmenting the one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy in at least one property; and an energy converter capable of receiving energy from an energy source, converting the energy and emitting therefrom an emitted light of a higher or lower energy than the received energy, and the energy converter being disposed in a vicinity of the at least one energy augmentation structure such that the emitted light is emitted with an intensity larger than if the energy converter were remote from the at least one energy augmentation structure, or if the energy augmentation structure were not present; 
 the at least one (ii) energy augmentation structure, when present, is capable of capturing one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, and augmenting the one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy in at least one property; 
 the at least one (iii) energy collector, when present, comprises at least one energy augmentation structure capable of capturing one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, and augmenting the one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy in at least one property; and at least one energy converter capable of receiving an applied electromagnetic energy, converting the applied electromagnetic energy and emitting therefrom an emitted electromagnetic energy shifted in wavelength or energy from the applied electromagnetic energy and the energy converter being disposed in a vicinity of the at least one energy augmentation structure such that the emitted electromagnetic energy is emitted with at least one augmented property compared to if the energy converter were remote from the at least one energy augmentation structure; 
   optionally, at least one plasmonics-active agent;
 wherein the energy converter, if present, upgrades or downgrades an initiation energy to an activation energy capable of causing, either directly or indirectly, a predetermined change in the target structure; 
 wherein the plasmonics-active agent, if present, enhances or modifies the applied initiation energy or the activation energy generated by the energy converter, or both; and 
   one or more containers suitable for storing the agents in stable forms.   
     
     
         144 - 173 . (canceled) 
     
     
         174 . A pharmaceutical composition for modifying a target structure which mediates or is associated with a biological activity, comprising:
 at least one agent selected from the group consisting of at least one (i) energy emitter, (ii) energy augmentation structure, or (iii) energy collector, wherein:
 the at least one (i) energy emitter, when present, comprises at least one energy augmentation structure capable of capturing one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, and augmenting the one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy in at least one property; and an energy converter capable of receiving energy from an energy source, converting the energy and emitting therefrom an emitted light of a higher or lower energy than the received energy, and the energy converter being disposed in a vicinity of the at least one energy augmentation structure such that the emitted light is emitted with an intensity larger than if the energy converter were remote from the at least one energy augmentation structure, or if the energy augmentation structure were not present; 
 the at least one (ii) energy augmentation structure, when present, is capable of capturing one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, and augmenting the one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy in at least one property; 
 the at least one (iii) energy collector, when present, comprises at least one energy augmentation structure capable of capturing one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, and augmenting the one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic energy in at least one property; and at least one energy converter capable of receiving an applied electromagnetic energy, converting the applied electromagnetic energy and emitting therefrom an emitted electromagnetic energy shifted in wavelength or energy from the applied electromagnetic energy and the energy converter being disposed in a vicinity of the at least one energy augmentation structure such that the emitted electromagnetic energy is emitted with at least one augmented property compared to if the energy converter were remote from the at least one energy augmentation structure; 
   optionally at least one plasmonics-active agent; and   a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.   
     
     
         175 - 203 . (canceled)