Devices and Methods for Photodynamically Modulating Neural Function in a Human

A therapeutic neural modulation method in a human for therapeutically reducing sympathetic neural activity, comprising:

• providing a photosensitizer to perivascular neural tissue associated with sympathetic neural activity, wherein the photosensitizer selectively binds to perivascular neural tissue compared to non-neural vascular tissue;
• positioning a radiation emitter of treatment device in a blood vessel of the human at a target site for the perivascular neural tissue;
• and
• emitting radiation from the radiation delivery device such that the perivascular neural tissue is irradiated by the radiation, wherein the radiation causes the photosensitizer to react and thereby disrupt the perivascular neural tissue such that neural communication along the perivascular neural tissue is at least partially inhibited.

A method for operating a photodynamic system, comprising:

• providing a photosensitizer that preferentially binds to calcium;
• generating radiation at a wavelength of 350 nm-365 nm;
• and
• delivering the radiation to the photosensitizer at a dosage of 0.5-500 J/cm2.

A device for therapeutically modulating sympathetic neural system activity, comprising:

• an elongated shaft configured to pass through vascular passages of a human;
• a balloon at a distal portion of the elongated shaft, the balloon having a wall configured to contact an inner wall of a blood vessel and an exterior channel through which blood can flow when inflated to a deployed state;
• and
• a radiation element at the balloon configured to deliver radiation to perivascular nerves along the blood vessel.