US 8,240,312 B2 · Method and means for exerting a phototoxic effect of visible light on microorganisms

Abstract

The present invention discloses a selective and a non-selective method and means of treating microbial diseases in local infections. The novel method comprising the step of emitting a beam of a blue light towards the tissue to be treated, wherein the beam is having a wavelength from 400 to 550 nanometers and further wherein the temperature of said tissue is not exceeding about 42° C. along the procedure or immediately after it so that a selective phototoxic effect is exerted. A cost effective device for selectively or non-selectively exerting phototoxic effect by emitting a beam of blue light towards a tissue to be treated is also provided useful, especially for dental application.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A selective photochemical method of treating microbial diseases in local infections by selectively damaging specific bacteria, said method comprising step of emitting for a time period of up to 3 minutes a beam of a blue light towards the tissue to be treated;

said beam of a blue light characterized by (i) wavelength from 400 to 550 nanometers;
(ii) energy density in the range of 0.5 to 234 J/cm2;
thereby forming reactive oxygen species (ROS) and selectively damaging said specific bacteria;
said energy density is provided such that an irreversible thermal damage to said tissue during and after said step of emitting blue light is prevented;
wherein said step of emitting said blue light beam is performed without (i) any exogenous photosensitizers;
and, (ii) any thermal coagulation of said bacteria.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and means for exerting a phototoxic effect of visible light on microorganisms

Life of this patent

Method and means for exerting a phototoxic effect of visible light on microorganisms

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23