Light generating device to intravascular use

Apparatus for illuminating a portion of a body lumen to which a photoreactive agent has or will be administered, comprising:

• (a) an elongate, flexible body having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen;
• (b) a light source element disposed adjacent to the distal end of the elongate, flexible body, the light source element being electrically coupled to an electrical lead that is adapted to couple to an external power supply, to enable the light source element to be energized with an electrical current, thereby illuminating at least a portion of the body lumen, the light source element emitting light having a characteristic emission waveband corresponding to a characteristic absorption waveband of the photoreactive a gent, the light source element having a proximal end, and a distal end, the distal end of the light source element facing toward the distal end of the elongate, flexible body;
• (c) a light diffusing element having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the light diffusing element facing toward the distal end of the light source element, so that light emitted from the light source element is diffused and directed outwardly away from the light diffusing element;
• and
• (d) an optical fiber having a proximal end, and a distal end, the proximal end of the optical fiber facing toward the distal end of the light source element, and the distal end of the optical fiber facing toward the proximal end of the light diffusing element, the optical fiber directing light from the light source element to the light diffusing element.

Apparatus for illuminating a portion of a body lumen to which a photoreactive agent has been or will be administered, comprising:

• (a) an elongate, flexible body having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen extending therebetween;
• (b) a light source array having a proximal end, and a distal end, the light source array emitting light directed toward the distal end of the elongate, flexible body, said light having a characteristic emission waveband, where the characteristic emission waveband corresponds to a characteristic absorption waveband of the photoreactive agent, the light source array being disposed adjacent to the distal end of the elongate, flexible body;
• (c) an electrical lead having a proximal end adapted to be electrically coupled to an external power supply, and a distal end electrically coupled to the light source array, thereby enabling the light source array to be energized with an electrical current when the proximal end of the electrical lead is electrically coupled to the external power supply;
• (d) an optical element having a proximal side, and a distal side, the proximal side of the optical element facing toward the distal end of the light source element, said optical element focusing light emitted from the light source element;
• and
• (e) a light diffusing element having a proximal end, and a distal end, the proximal end of the light diffusing element being oriented in a facing relationship with the distal end of the light source array, such that light emitted from the light source array and focused by the optical element is diffused and directed outwardly away from the light diffusing element.

Apparatus for illuminating a portion of a body lumen to which a photoreactive agent has or will be administered, comprising:

• (a) an elongate, flexible body having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen;
• (b) a light source element disposed adjacent to the distal end of the elongate, flexible body, the light source element being electrically coupled to an electrical lead that is adapted to couple to an external power supply, to enable the light source element to be energized with an electrical current, thereby illuminating at least a portion of the body lumen, the light source element emitting light having a characteristic emission waveband corresponding to a characteristic absorption waveband of the photoreactive agent, the light source element having a proximal end, and a distal end, the distal end of the light source element facing toward the distal end of the elongate, flexible body;
• (c) an optical element having a proximal side, and a distal side, the proximal side of the optical element facing toward the distal end of the light source element, said optical element focusing light emitted from the light source element;
• and
• (d) a light diffusing element having a proximal end, and a distal end, the proximal end of the light diffusing element facing toward the distal end of the light source element, so that light emitted from the light source element is diffused and directed outwardly away from the light diffusing element.