Method and apparatus for light-activated drug therapy

A transurethral light-activate drug therapy system for the treatment of prostate conditions in a male animal having an enlarged prostate, comprising:

• a photoreactive agent comprising mono-L-aspartyl chlorine e6;
• and
• a transurethral light activate drug therapy device comprising:
• a flexible elongated support member configured to pass through a urethra of the male animal, the flexible elongated support member having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a light delivery device having a light generator carried by a distal region of the flexible elongated support member, the light generator and a light emitting region are configured to be positioned within the urethra to deliver light to the prostate, wherein the light generator is configured to generate a light band with a peak at a preselected wavelength of 664 nm radially at 360 degrees;
• a power source external to the flexible elongated support member, in flexible electrical communication with the light generator;
• and
• a positioning element carried by the flexible elongated support member,
• wherein:
• the positioning element is configured to locate the flexible elongated support member within the urethra;
• a majority of the portion of the flexible elongated support member inserted into the urethra of the male animal does not permit light from the light generator to pass through;
• a transparent or translucent, integral window along a portion of the length of the flexible elongated support member that is proximate to the prostate when the distal end of the support member is positioned in the bladder of the male animal and allows light from the light generator to pass through the window, and the window extends 360 degrees radially from the flexible elongated support member;
• the length of the light generator is at least as long as a majority of the length of the window;
• a majority of the length of the light generator is fixed in place within the window;
• when the flexible elongated support member is completely removed from the urethra, the light generator is completely removed from the urethra;
• and
• the flexible elongated support member is a catheter and comprises a selective coating to form the window to control where light transmits to the prostatic tissue;
• a first longitudinal internal lumen through a majority length of the flexible elongated support member for delivering fluid to the positioning element;
• and
• a second longitudinal internal lumen through the majority length of the flexible elongated support member for accommodating the light delivery device.