Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090018485 | CONTROL OF MICROORGANISMS IN THE SINO-NASAL TRACT - Disclosed are methods and apparatus for safe, simple and effective broad-spectrum treatments of chronic rhinosinusitis and other common and less common infections of the sino-nasal tract which may implicate not only a wide range of bacterial species but also fungi and viruses. Electromagnetic radiative energy including visible, and optionally, thermal RF, microwave or other longer wavelengths, is applied to target internal surfaces of the sino-nasal tract to destroy or incapacitate superficial microorganisms without the use of antibiotics. The treatment can be controlled to permit regrowth of healthy microflora. A handheld energy applicator has a light output head receivable into, or engageable with, the treatment subject's nostril which may be provided with extensions to reach the sinuses. Useful embodiments of the invention include pretreatment of target sino-nasal surfaces with a photosensitizing agent such as an oxidizing agent or a complementary stain. For example methylene blue can be used with orange or red light. The combination treatment of photosensitizer and application of visual wavelength energy provides a flexible treatment regimen which enables low concentrations of stains to be employed, minimizing aesthetic problems. | 01-15-2009 |
20090054881 | MAMMALIAN BIOFILM TREATMENT PROCESSES AND INSTRUMENTS - A process for treatment of biofilm resident or present at a mammalian treatment site applies shockwaves to remove, disrupt, disperse, dislodge, destroy or attenuate the biofilm. The shockwaves can be generated in a handheld instrument by impinging a laser on a suitable target material. Removal of biofilm from implantable surgical devices is also described. | 02-26-2009 |
20090093865 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING THE SPREAD OF MICROORGANISMS AMONG SUBJECTS IN A GROUP - A method of controlling the spread of an infectious microorganism, for example methicillin-resistant | 04-09-2009 |
20100076526 | CONTROL OF HALITOSIS-GENERATING AND OTHER MICROORGANISMS IN THE NON-DENTAL UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT - Disclosed are safe, simple and effective broad-spectrum treatments for halitosis and other microbial infections of the nondental upper respiratory tract useful to treat bacterial and other microorganism species, including anaerobic bacteria. Electromagnetic radiative energy including visible, and optionally, thermal, RF and/or microwave wavelengths, is topically applied to internal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract to destroy or incapacitate superficial microorganisms without the use of antibiotics. One useful apparatus is a handheld energy applicator having a light output head suitable for treating the back of the tongue and the tonsils and which may be interchangeably provided with extensions to reach the sinuses. The energy applicator can be supported and guided by a mounting device held between the subject's teeth, if desired. Useful embodiments of the invention include preparative treatment of the target surfaces with a photosensitizing agent such as an oxidizing agent or a complementary stain. Optionally a pre-treatment procedure may be employed to remove detritus and microfloral overgrowths that may mask more deeply resident target microorganisms. Novel treatments include treatment of halitosis by destruction of bacterial species associated with halitosis, such as | 03-25-2010 |
20100160838 | TWO STEP MAMMALIAN BIOFILM TREATMENT PROCESSES AND SYSTEMS - A two-step mammalian biofilm treatment process can have a first step of disrupting or dispersing an undesired biofilm present at a treatment site in or on a mammalian host by suitable mechanical action for example, by applying irrigation fluid, sonic or other vibration, a mechanical instrument or laser-generated mechanical shockwaves to the biofilm. The treatment can also have a second step comprising applying an antimicrobial treatment to the mammalian host to control possible infection related to biofilm dispersed in the first step or to residual biofilm at the treatment site. Usefully, the second step can be performed within a limited time period after the first step. The process can also include additional steps The antimicrobial treatment can employ light or an antibiotic material. Included are implants cleaned of biofilm by a described process. | 06-24-2010 |
20100160903 | PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR TREATING A VASCULAR OCCLUSION OR OTHER ENDOLUMINAL STRUCTURE - A process and instruments for diminishing an undesired endoluminal structure present at a treatment site in a mammalian treatment subject. The endoluminal can be or include a vascular occlusion, a biofilm or another undesired biological structure. The process can include applying mechanical shockwaves to the endoluminal structure and the endoluminal structure absorbing the applied mechanical shockwaves and becoming diminished, dispersed or weakened. The shockwaves can be generated by pulsed laser energy delivered to an ionizable target via an optical fiber. | 06-24-2010 |
20100228227 | DUAL ACCESS SINUS SURGERY METHODS AND SYSTEMS - A method for sinus surgery includes piercing first and second access openings into the anatomy of a human subject to access an inaccessible sinus site for cooperatively manipulating respective first and second surgical instruments inserted through the openings. One instrument, for example an endoscope, can permit viewing of the sinus site while the other instrument is manipulated to effect a treatment at the sinus site. The maxillary and other sinuses can be accessed and anti-inflammatory and other treatments can be applied. Systems and instruments for performing such sinus surgery methods are also disclosed. | 09-09-2010 |
20110021971 | SELECTIVE TREATMENTS FOR CHRONIC RHINOSINUSITIS - Method for treating chronic rhinosinusitis in a human patient. In the method a photosensitizing agent such as indocyanine green can be applied to color a nasal or sinal treatment site harboring infectious microorganisms. The photosensitizing agent can have an energy absorption peak in a near infrared wavelength region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The method can also include applying light energy from a laser source at a near infrared red wavelength or wavelengths to the colored treatment site, for a duration sufficient to control the microorganisms. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed. | 01-27-2011 |
20110105824 | PARASYMPATHETICALLY INDUCED VASODILATATION METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method and treatment device for inducing vasodilatation in a target vasculature of a patient. The method can include introducing an energy-supplying treatment instrument to a sinus cavity which provides access to a parasympathetic ganglion neurologically associated with the target vasculature. The method can also include applying non-electrical stimulant energy from the treatment instrument into the sinus cavity in a manner to stimulate the parasympathetic ganglion. The treatment device can be used to practice the method. | 05-05-2011 |