US 11,992,695 B2
Apparatus for tissue irradiation and methods and kits utilizing the same
Michael C. McCormack, Medford, MA (US); Robert Redmond, Lancaster, MA (US); William G. Austen, Jr., Weston, MA (US); and Irene E. Kochevar, Boston, MA (US)
Assigned to The General Hospital Corporation, Boston, MA (US)
Filed by The General Hospital Corporation, Boston, MA (US)
Filed on Feb. 4, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/781,415.
Application 16/781,415 is a continuation of application No. 14/849,266, filed on Sep. 9, 2015, granted, now 10,549,112, issued on Feb. 4, 2020.
Application 14/849,266 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2014/029896, filed on Mar. 15, 2014.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/788,283, filed on Mar. 15, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2021/0001142 A1, Jan. 7, 2021
Int. Cl. A61N 5/06 (2006.01); A61N 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61N 5/0601 (2013.01) [A61N 2005/007 (2013.01); A61N 5/062 (2013.01); A61N 2005/0656 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for irradiating the inner surface of a biological cavity, comprising:
a fluid-impermeable membrane configured to contain a fluid and be placed in the cavity;
a light emitter extending into the fluid-impermeable membrane from a support that is proximal and external to the fluid-impermeable membrane;
a fluid provided within the fluid-impermeable membrane from the support, wherein the fluid scatters light emitted by the light emitter such that the intensity of the light is substantially uniform over the inner surface of the cavity proximal to the fluid-impermeable membrane; and
a spacing arrangement provided proximal to the light emitter such that the spacing arrangement does not extend distally past the light emitter and within the fluid-impermeable membrane, wherein the spacing arrangement is configured to maintain a minimum distance between the light emitter and an inside wall of the fluid-impermeable membrane.