Optical biofilm therapeutic treatment

An optical therapeutic device comprising:

• A. an optical fiber extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being adapted to receive optical energy incident thereon, the optical fiber being adapted to transmit the received optical energy to the distal end;
• and
• B. a reflector assembly extending along a central axis and coupled to the distal end of the optical fiber, with said distal end positioned within said reflector assembly,
• wherein said reflector assembly is adapted to reflect the optical energy emitted from said distal end and propagating radially with respect to said central axis, so that said reflected optical energy propagates at least in part along a propagation axis parallel to said central axis.

A kit for treatment of a region of interest in a patient comprising:

• A. an optical fiber extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end configured and arranged to be coupled to an optical energy source for receiving said optical energy incident thereon, wherein said introduced optical energy propagates within said optical fiber to said distal end and exits said optical fiber at said distal end;
• and
• B. a reflector assembly extending along a central axis and coupled to the distal end of the optical fiber, with said distal end positioned within said reflector assembly,
• wherein said reflector assembly is adapted to reflect the optical energy emitted from said distal end and propagating radially with respect to said central axis, so that said reflected optical energy propagates at least in part along a propagation axis parallel to said central axis.

A method for treating a target infected tissue, prosthetic and/or biofilm in a region of interest in a patient, comprising:

• performing a succession of sub-treatments on said region of interest including a first sub-treatment and a second sub-treatment,
• wherein said first sub-treatment comprises the steps of:
• A1. introducing a tissue and biofilm-penetrating material to said region of interest, said tissue-penetrating material being characterized by optical energy absorption peaks in a range of (incandescent) treatment wavelengths,
• A2. providing a first optical fiber having a distal end and a proximal end,
• A3. positioning said distal end of said first optical fiber, whereby said distal end is within or adjacent to said region of interest,
• A4. at said proximal end, introducing optical energy having a predetermined first energy density and a first spectral range into said first optical fiber whereby said introduced optical energy propagates within said first optical fiber from said proximal end to said distal end, and at said distal end carbonization occurs to incandescently emit optical energy in a second spectral range, wherein said second spectral range is in said range of treatment wavelength, and
• wherein said second sub-treatment comprises the steps of:
• B1. providing a second optical fiber having a distal end and a proximal end,
• B2. positioning said distal end, whereby said distal end is within or adjacent to said region of interest,
• B3. at said proximal end of said second optical fiber, introducing optical energy having a second energy density and a third spectral range into said second optical fiber wherein said introduced optical energy propagates within said second optical fiber from said proximal and to said distal end, and at said distal end, exits said second optical fiber, wherein said third spectral range includes wavelengths within an optical energy absorption range of said target infected tissue, prosthetic and or biofilm.

A method for treating a target infected tissue, prosthetic and/or biofilm at a target site, comprising:

• performing one or more sub-treatments on said target site,
• wherein a first sub-treatment comprises:
• A1. introducing a tissue-penetrating material to said target site, said tissue-penetrating material being characterized by optical energy absorption peaks in a range of treatment wavelengths;
• A2. providing an energy receiving element having a distal end and a proximal end;
• A3. positioning said distal end of said energy receiving element, wherein said distal end is within or adjacent to said target site;
• and
• A4. at said proximal end, introducing energy having a predetermined first energy density, wherein said introduced energy propagates within said proximal end to said distal end, and at said distal end carbonization occurs to incandescently emit optical energy in a spectral range in said range of treatment wavelengths.