text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|May 10, 2005
|Filing date
|Apr 9, 2002
|Priority date
|Jun 23, 1999
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Robert A. Ganz, Hans L. Melgaard
|Original Assignee
|Lumerx Inc.
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (41), Non-Patent Citations (5), Referenced by (53), Classifications (30), Legal Events (9)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for the destruction of microorganisms on or within a body cavity of a patient through the use of radiation.
Infections involving the human gastrointestinal tract are extremely common, involving many millions of people on an annual basis. These infections include bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and are responsible for significant illness, morbidity and, in many cases, death. While the invention has utility in destroying microorganisms in various parts of the body, e.g., the stomach, bowel, lungs, peritoneal cavity, urinary tract, etc., it is particularly useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal infections.
It has recently been shown that the most common gastrointestinal infection in the world is due to Helicobacter pylori, a bacterial pathogen that infects the stomach and duodenum. In the United States, for example, Helicobacter pylori is found in approximately 20% of the adult population. It is a chronic gut infection and, once acquired, is notoriously difficult to cure. Most infectious bacteria can be readily destroyed by the human immune system; however, Helicobacter pylori lives in the lumen of the stomach and on the surfaces of the stomach and duodenal cells, making it relatively resistant to a host immune response, even if vigorous. Its position has, however, been taken advantage of in the treatment method and apparatus employed in the present invention.
Helicobacter pylori is typically a silent infection in humans, the majority of the time causing a relatively innocuous gastric inflammation or gastritis. In a significant minority of infected people, however, Helicobacter pylori can cause symptomatic gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, gastric cancer, and gastric lymphoma. The organism is responsible for approximately 90% of all reported duodenal ulcers, 50% of gastric ulcers, 85% of gastric cancer, and virtually 100% of gastric lymphoma. Millions of Americans have symptomatic gastritis due to Helicobacter pylori or the much more serious entities noted above. Helicobacter pylori is responsible for thousands of deaths in this country due to complicated ulcer disease and cancer, and is considered to be a Class 3 carcinogen by the World Health Organization, in the same class as Benzene and DDT.
The organism is found in all countries in the world, causing the same symptoms, diseases, and deaths, but it is most prevalent in undeveloped countries, presumably due to poor hygiene, contaminated water supplies and crowding. In Peru and other South American countries, for example, the prevalence rate of Helicobacter pylori infection approaches 90%.
There is no vaccine available for Helicobacter pylori and none is anticipated in the foreseeable future, despite years of intensive effort. The only treatment currently available is prolonged and complicated antibiotic regimens involving three or four expensive antibiotics given over a two-week period. Even using a vigorous antibiotic regimen, however, up to 20% of those treated are not cured of their infection.
The antibiotics used are powerful, sometimes not well tolerated, and can cause nausea, an altered taste sensation and diarrhea. Allergic reactions are not uncommon. In addition to the problems of efficacy and side effects, antibiotic resistance to this organism is growing rapidly. Up to 50% of the Helicobacter isolates are now resistant to one or more of the best antibiotics known to cure the infection. This problem of antibiotic resistance is only expected to grow in the future, leading to worsening disease outcomes and an ever-increasing health expense.
Thus, a great need exists for a new, effective, rapid and well-tolerated cure of Helicobacter pylori, a luminal infection of the gut. There also exists a need for a well-tolerated and effective treatment for debilitating or killing microorganisms with as little intrusion as possible in other body cavities, such as the bowel, lungs, peritoneal cavity or urinary tract.
This invention provides a treatment method and apparatus for debilitating or killing Helicobacter pylori or other microorganisms within the body of a patient and is especially suited for treating stomach or duodenal ulcers. The present therapeutic method involves the use of radiation for eliminating pathogenic microorganisms within or supported upon the lining of a body cavity of a patient, e.g., the stomach. An elongated flexible shaft is provided for insertion into the body in any of various ways selected by the surgeon. It can be placed endoscopically, e.g., through the esophagus, placed surgically, placed laparoscopically or by CAT scan-guided percutaneous insertion. A radiant energy distribution head is provided at the end of the flexible shaft to provide radiation for destroying microorganisms within the body. Radiant energy, e.g., light energy, x-ray, ultraviolet light, beta radiation, gamma radiation, radio waves, microwaves, or infrared energy is then transferred from the head of the instrument to the epithelium around the head of the instrument in an amount sufficient to debilitate or kill the Helicobacter pylori or other microorganisms in the lining of the body cavity.
In one preferred form of instrument, the flexible shaft comprises a coaxial cable surrounded by an electrical insulation layer and has the radiant energy distribution head located at its distal end. In a preferred optional form of the invention, a positioning and distending device around the head of the instrument is of sufficient size to contact and expand the walls of the body cavity in which it is placed both in the front of the distribution head as well as on the sides of the distribution head. For example, the head of the instrument can be supported a controlled distance from the wall of the body cavity by an expandable balloon so as to regulate the amount of energy transferred to the microorganisms. The balloon is preferably bonded to a portion of the flexible shaft at a point spaced from the head. The radiation can be x-ray energy, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, radio waves, microwave, beta radiation or gamma radiation. Other forms of radiant energy that can be used for killing or debilitating surface microorganisms will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
These and other more detailed and specific objects of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following figures and detailed description which illustrate by way of example of but a few of the various forms of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.
The therapeutic method in accordance with the present invention is suited for use in various body cavities including, but not limited to, the stomach, the bowel, the lungs, the peritoneal cavity, the urinary tract, and can also be used with various devices, fabrication methods, arrangements, systems and methods of employment which irradiate the walls of various body cavities or interior sites within the body of a patient by means of radiation in sufficient amount to debilitate or kill microorganisms lining the body cavity in which the invention is used.
In one preferred form of the invention, an x-ray device is provided which includes components for producing localized x-ray radiation within a vacuum housing or tube and, optionally, including an inflatable balloon surrounding the vacuum housing and preferably connected near the distal end of the device for positioning the source of radiation as well as for expanding the walls of the body cavity. While the invention can be employed for killing or debilitating various pathogenic microorganisms, it can be used to advantage in treating Helicobacter pylori infections of the gastrointestinal system and other ailments in which radiation is to be delivered to portions of the body that are not easily accessible. In order to provide a better understanding, the present invention will be described by way of example in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections within the stomach. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to specific apparatus or methods described.
Helicobacter pylori is an infection of the stomach and duodenum and the major cause of stomach ulcers. Various forms of radiation, including x-rays, radiation from isotopes, radio waves, microwaves, or light radiation, e.g., ultraviolet light in accordance with the invention provide an advantageous method of treating such infections. The x-ray device, for example, produces radiation that penetrates the lining of the body cavity, in this case the columnar epithelial lining of the walls of the stomach, or the epithelium of any other passage or lumen that is being treated. During this treatment, the radiation produces apoptosis or programmed cell death in which the DNA of the microorganism is rendered unable to divide. The apoptosis that occurs in the microorganisms is different from necrosis, another type of cell death. In apoptosis produced by the radiation, a disruption of the gene structure of the microorganism prevents it from further replication. Consequently, the microorganisms die by mutation and, in some cases, by the disruption of metabolic processes at the cellular level. Some fraction of the microorganisms may also be killed immediately by the radiation. An important advantage of the invention lies in the fact that many organisms, such as bacteria, are exquisitely sensitive to radiation, sensitive to a much greater degree than the surrounding human cells. Accordingly, the bacteria can be killed or debilitated by apoptosis without serious destruction of the host cells.
In one aspect of the present invention, a source of radiation such as an x-ray device is positioned in a body cavity, e.g., the stomach, for treating H. pylori infections by inducing apoptosis in the bacterial cells carried on or within in the epithelium lining the stomach. The x-ray or other radiation of the present invention can therefore be used to prevent the escalation of the infection to stomach ulcers and cancer.
Refer now to the figures wherein the same numbers refer to corresponding parts in the several views.
For many disorders, an annular or donut-shaped radiation pattern 9 is ideally suited for treatment. In order to achieve this pattern, many passages and other interior portions of the body need to be dilated while treatment is carried out with radiation from the x-ray device 10. The stomach is very soft and, except after a meal, is in a collapsed state. Rugae or folds 5 c are present on its inner walls. Stomach ulcers resulting from an H. pylori infection are shown at 5 d. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention an optional dilating balloon 20 can be provided, if desired, to dilate the passage of the body, such as the stomach, and thereby distend the stomach wall and hence spread the rugae 5 c apart and thus flatten the stomach wall so that a uniform annular radiation pattern can be created. The balloon 20 can also be important in positioning and holding the distribution head 8 in the desired location, especially in a central position that is equidistant from all parts of the surrounding stomach wall so as to provide the same dose of radiation to all portions of the stomach 5 surrounding the distribution head 8.
When using a small x-ray emitter, a problem is sometimes encountered when too much heat is produced at the anode during operation. If water circulates through the balloon interior, it further serves to cool the x-ray emitter and dissipate the potentially damaging heat. If desired, the balloon 20 can be in fluid communication with a fluid loop 22 that is disposed within the shaft 7 to carry fluid from outside the body to the interior of the balloon 20, and provide a return path for the fluid. If desired, the fluid in loop 22 can circulate in the interior of the balloon 20, inflating the balloon 20, and can then be returned to the proximal portion of the shaft 7 through the fluid loop 22. A circulating pump 34 can be used to circulate the fluid and maintain the pressure required to achieve the desired balloon size. The pump 34 can be coupled to the fluid loop 22 via fluid ports 35. Other methods and devices known in the art may also be used to circulate the fluid and inflate the balloon 20.
Since it is generally desirable to provide independent control of the balloon size and cooling rate, a separate inflation lumen 40 and port 42 are shown in
Thus, during use, an inflation fluid is provided to expand the balloon 20 via lumen 40, inflation port 42 and a line 33, which is connected, to the pump 34. If a liquid is used instead of a gas such as air, the liquid, e.g., water or saline, can be supplied from tank 35, which is connected to the inlet of pump 34. A gas is, however, preferred for filling the balloon 20, since it will have a negligible tendency to attenuate the radiation 9 emitted from the energy supply head 8. The coolant is circulated separately through the fluid loop 22 via lines 37 and 39 by means of circulating pump 34′. The pumps 34 and 34′ are controlled by the power supply 36 which also supplies the high voltage current through the coaxial cable via coupling 38 to a cathode 16 and an anode 18 that are contained within a vacuum tube or chamber 28. The power supply 36 also includes an x-ray detector of suitable known construction that is used to calibrate the output of the device and control dosimetry, as well as an electronic display, if desired, for monitoring the therapy.
In order to apply an electrical field across the anode 18 and cathode 16, the anode 18 and cathode 16 are coupled to the power supply or high voltage source 36. In this embodiment, a coaxial cable is disposed within the flexible shaft 7 and coupled to the high voltage source 36 at the proximal end of the shaft 7. An internal conductor 30 of the coaxial cable is coupled to the anode 18 at the appropriate voltage and is enclosed in an insulating layer 31. An external conductive layer 32 of the coaxial cable is held at ground and coupled to cathode 16. A conductive solder on the outside of the vacuum chamber wall 28 may be used to couple the cathode 16 to the external conductive layer 32. Other known methods may also be used to apply an electric potential across the anode and cathode.
The vacuum tube 28 containing the cathode 16 and anode 18 can be of the thermonic type, with x-ray energies of, say, 8 KeV to 20 KeV. The tube can be powered to utilize 3 watts or less to produce soft x-ray radiation. A typical treatment time at 3 watts is about one to 20 minutes. When the prescribed dose of radiation has been delivered, the x-ray tube is turned off and the x-ray distribution head 8 is removed. When a radioactive isotope source is used instead of an x-ray source, the tissue is exposed to radiation for a few minutes, usually from about 15 minutes to 30 minutes.
The stomach in its relaxed state has a diameter of about 5-6 centimeters and cannot accommodate a rigid structure. In one embodiment, the device of the present invention can be inserted by being passed through a standard flexible laryngoscope or endoscope (not shown) that has a working lumen about 3 millimeters in diameter. Therefore, a coaxial cable used in this device must have a diameter small enough to be accommodated within the passage to be treated or within the scope-device used, and it must be able to carry the required voltages and have sufficient flexibility to make turns as it follows the passage. A diameter of less than or equal to 3 millimeters may be used for most applications. Standard high voltage coaxial cables are generally not flexible enough. Miniature high frequency coaxial cables are available with an outer diameter of approximately 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm which also exhibit sufficient flexibility and can carry the required voltage without breakdown. In one embodiment of the invention, a cable with an outer diameter of less than or equal to about 3 mm is used. Cables approximately 1-2 mm in diameter are also available, and are used in other embodiments. Such cables are manufactured by, for example, New England Electric Wire Corporation, Lisborn, N.H.
In one embodiment, a getter 24 is disposed within the vacuum housing 28 in order to aid in creating and maintaining a vacuum condition of high quality. The getter 24 has an activation temperature at which it will react with stray gas molecules in the vacuum. After the vacuum housing is assembled under vacuum conditions and the housing pumped out or baked out, the device is heated to the activation temperature and maintained at that temperature for several hours. It is desirable that the getter used have an activation temperature that is not so high that the x-ray device will be damaged with heated to the activation temperature. An SAES ST 101 alloy getter may be used, which has an activation temperature in the range of 750� C. to 900� C. and is composed of approximately 64% zirconium and 16% aluminum. An ST 707 alloy getter also may be used, which has an activation temperature in the range of 300� C. to 500� C. and is composed of approximately 70% zirconium, 18.6% vanadium, and 5.4% iron. Other suitable getters such as alkali metals can be used, if desired.
In order to most effectively decelerate the electrons striking the anode, a heavy metal material such as tungsten or gold can be used for the anode 18. The cathode and anode will be shaped to produce the desired radiation pattern. In the embodiment of
A wall of the vacuum chamber 28 should be transparent to x-rays in order to allow the full dosage to reach the wall of the body cavity being treated. The wall 28 can comprise pyrolytic boron nitride, or another metal or ceramic material which is transparent to x-rays. Other possibilities include beryllium, beryllium oxide, aluminum, aluminum oxide, or graphite. In one embodiment, the outer diameter of the x-ray device is sized as large as, say, 1 centimeter to deliver the localized radiation to the interior of the stomach. In another embodiment, the outer diameter of the x-ray device is less than or equal to about three millimeters.
In some applications, such as use in the stomach, the diameter of the dilated balloon 20 should be able to vary with the pressure applied, so that the diameter of the balloon can be adjusted to fit the size of the patient's stomach or other passage. Therefore, an elastic balloon is particularly suited to gastric applications, where the elastic material will conform to the many surface features of the stomach and dilate the stomach more completely. However, in other applications, it may be desirable to employ an inelastic balloon with a fixed dilated diameter. It should be noted in
In the x-ray device, an electric field exists at the cathode 16, while on the outside of the vacuum housing a conductive braid or solder is held at ground. These two potentials can be insulated from each other to reduce the chance of electrical flashover. A vacuum tube wall of pyrolytic boron nitride can provide some insulation. If a metal is used as the wall of the vacuum chamber 28, an insulating layer is beneficial to decrease the chance of electrical flashover. As additional protection against electrical flashover, an electrically insulating material can be placed at the joints on the outside of the vacuum chamber wall 28. The insulating material could be a potting compound, an injection-molded polymer, and other materials with electrically insulating properties. The vacuum chamber further includes a biocompatible outer coating, such as polyethylene or Teflon� material. The joints between the vacuum chamber wall 28 and the anode 18 may be vacuum furnace brazed, or may be sealed by conventional crimping methods.
The cathode 16 of the present invention consists of a material which displays emission characteristics when an electrical field is applied. One possible cathode material is a thin diamond film, which can be formed using conventional chemical vapor deposition techniques. A diamond film also may be formed using a laser ion source as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,007 to Wagal, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. A graphite target and the substrate to be coated are disposed in a vacuum chamber. Between the two is an accelerating grid held at a high negative potential. The graphite target is radiated with a focused laser beam from a pulse laser. The laser beam ejects a plume of carbon vapor from the graphite target. A portion of the atoms in the plume are ionized by the focused laser beam, and the positive carbon ions are accelerated towards the substrate by the accelerating grid.
One possible cathode material is described in U.S. patent application entitled "DEVICE FOR DELIVERING LOCALIZED X-RAY RADIATION TO AN INTERIOR OF A BODY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE", having Ser. No. 08/806,244, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The cathode material is a coating of carbon having diamond-like bonds which demonstrate negative electron affinity. It is also desirable to have sufficient conductivity to create a constant supply of electrons to the surface of the cathode. The presence of some graphite bonds in the diamond film will contribute to conductivity. Thus, a combination of a diamond film having both sp3 carbon bonds, to function as a cathode, and some sp2 carbon bonds, to facilitate conductivity, is particularly suited for use in many applications. Other elements may also be present in the film in small quantities. The diamond film will have the property that it can emit electrons at electrical fields greater than or equal to about 20 KV/micron. This required electric field is significantly lower when compared to that required for metal emitters such a molybdenum or silicon, which require greater than 1,000 KV/micron. If desired, the x-ray device and method can be constructed as described in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 09/027,010 (in which I am a co-inventor) and is incorporated herein by reference.
When used to radiate the walls of an interior passage of the body, according to one embodiment of the invention, the x-ray device may be placed within a standard endoscope or laryngoscope. The x-ray device or other radiation described herein is introduced into the passage to be treated. The x-ray device, etc., is then guided through the passage, using techniques known in the art, until it is positioned near the area to be irradiated. The site to be irradiated may be viewed through the endoscope, and the area around the device may be flushed using the endoscope, if necessary. The dilating balloon 20 is then inflated by fluid, either liquid or gas, from the fluid pump to the desired diameter to expand the body cavity, in this case the stomach so as to hold the radiation distribution head 8 in the desired location and spread the rugae 5 c apart so as to thereby flatten the stomach wall to insure uniform irradiation.
During operation, the high voltage generator is activated and an electrical field is established across the cathode 16 and the anode 18. The cathode 16 emits electrons which are accelerated toward the anode 18. As the electrons are decelerated by the anode 18, electromagnetic radiation is emitted. In this manner, x-ray radiation is produced by the Bremsstrahlung effect. As the x-ray radiation impinges upon the wall of the body cavity, such as the stomach, the H. pylori living on the surface of the passage are killed or debilitated by apoptosis as discussed above. In H. pylori infections, for example, the apoptosis eliminates the bacterial cells and reduces inflammation as well as the biochemical results of inflammation, thereby preventing ulcers, gastritis and cancer. When the desired dosage has been delivered, the voltage source is turned off and the balloon 20, when present, is deflated. The device is then withdrawn from the body.
The dosage of x-ray radiation to be applied to the interior of a body will generally be within the scope of the attending physician's judgment and will be based on individual conditions, such as the severity of the infection and the damage that has occurred at the site to be treated and the particular patient. In order to treat H. pylori, only the surface of the epithelium needs to be irradiated.
According to the present invention, x-ray radiation typically in the range of 0.1 to 50 Grays, and most preferably 1-2 Grays, may be applied. The treatment is typically structured to last about 2 to 10 minutes, and most preferably, 3 to 5 minutes. The x-ray emitter may be repositioned by moving it from one part of the stomach to another, either continuously or intermittently during the course of radiation treatment, depending on the length of the area requiring treatment.
It will be noted that because the source of radiation in the distribution head 8 is at the center of the balloon 20, all of the rays 9 will be of the same length when they strike the microorganisms, thereby assuring uniform radiation flux and, consequently, uniform exposure to radiation wherever the radiation strikes the wall of the cavity that is being treated. Uniform radiation exposure is also aided through the flattening of the stomach wall that is accomplished by the expansion of the balloon 20. The expanded balloon 20 also locks or wedges the radiation-supplying head 8 in place within the stomach 5, so that stomach contractions, which take place normally, cannot displace the instrument 6. During use, the balloon 20 should not be expanded to the point where the blood supply to the epithelium lining the stomach is cut off, since oxygen is necessary in forming free radicals which are important in the destruction of the microorganisms.
Refer now to
Refer now to
In this case, the cathode 16 and anode 18, as well as the conductor 30, are eliminated and replaced by a fiber optic bundle 64 (
The ultraviolet light source 66 can comprise any suitable commercially available lighting source, e.g., a mercury vapor lamp. There are three classes of ultraviolet light: UVA (320 nanometers to 400 nanometers), UVB (290 nanometers to 320 nanometers), and UVC (200 nanometers to 290 nanometers). UVA can be provided from an incandescent source such as a tungsten, halogen or quartz iodide lamp. UVB can be provided by means of a suitable arc lamp such as a high pressure mercury lamp or a hot quartz lamp. UVC can be provided from an arc lamp using mercury vapor, a cold quartz lamp or a carbon arc lamp which mimics sunlight with a spectrum of from 280 nanometers to near infra-red. While any suitable ultraviolet light beam can be provided, it is preferred to use UVB or UVC light because of their greater effectiveness in killing or debilitating microorganisms through apoptosis.
To use the apparatus of
In another form of the invention, the same apparatus is employed as already described in
Refer now to
During use with the cable 84 pulled up, the shaft 7 and head 8 are inserted through the esophagus 5 a into the stomach 5 conventionally, with the balloon 20 in a collapsed condition. Inflation fluid is then forced through the inflation lumen 40 into the balloon 20 to expand it sufficiently to spread out the walls of the stomach as described above. The cable 84 is then moved distally so as to shift the slug 88 containing the radioactive isotope 90 downwardly in
Any of the instruments 6 (including the shaft 7, head 8 and balloon 20 ) of
Isotopes emit radiation through the phenomenon of nuclear disintegration The radiation supplied by the isotope 90 can be either beta or gamma radiation. The beta radiation does not have the penetrating power of the gamma radiation, which will pass entirely through the body and into the room surrounding the patient, therefore requiring a radiation-shielded operating room. It is preferred that the radiation used have relatively shallow penetrating power, since there is usually no reason to go to any substantial depth. H. pylori, for example, is located on the surface of the epithelium lining the stomach. It is contemplated in accordance with the present invention to select the penetration depth of the radiation so that it penetrates only into the surface layer where the H. pylori is located, thereby protecting the patient from unnecessary radiation damage. For that reason, when an isotope is used to supply radiation, beta radiation is preferred to gamma radiation because of its reduced penetrating power.
In general, the use of non-radioactive sources is preferred to the radioactive source described in connection with
Radio waves and microwaves can also be used in accordance with the invention for destroying pathogenic microorganisms such a H. pylori in the lining of a body cavity. Microwave energy can be supplied to the distribution head 8 of the device shown in
Radio wave energy can be provided using the apparatus of
All publications and patents are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
Other forms of the invention will now be described in connection with
While the lamp 206 can comprise any suitable lamp for producing radiation to kill or debilitate pathogenic bacteria, a preferred lamp 206 comprises either an ultraviolet lamp, such as a low pressure mercury vapor lamp, or a flash lamp formed from fused quartz, e.g. a xenon arc flash lamp, that can be made to pulse or flash periodically at selected timed intervals. One preferred lamp comprises a filtered short-arc xenon lamp as a radiation source for producing ultraviolet radiation. While radiation at various wavelengths can be used, one preferred range is ultraviolet light of about 200-400 nm. Good results have been obtained in debilitating pathogenic bacteria with a xenon flash lamp producing UV light between about 240-280 nm having a substantial portion thereof between about 250-270 nm, with a 258 nm peak being optimal for typical pathogenic bacteria. The flash lamp 206 is operated by a triggered discharge of energy from the electrolytic storage capacitor contained in the power supply 209 to produce a very short burst of high intensity light. The power supply 209 is provided with AC power from a wall plug 209 a. A computerized control also contained in the power supply 209 actuates a triggering circuit which causes the xenon gas to suddenly become a low resistance path, at which time the energy stored in the electrolytic capacitor discharges through the flash lamp or tube 206, resulting in a short duration, brilliant, burst of light radiation that contains ultraviolet light. The computer causes the lamp 206 to flash at selected timed intervals, e.g., every five seconds, but the interval can be changed as desired by reprogramming the computer. The radiation from lamp 206 spreads out through a complete circle of 360� in all directions, to thereby debilitate or kill the pathogenic microorganisms, e.g. H. pylori that are present in the stomach. The invention is shown during use in the stomach in
Billions of many different types of bacteria proliferate normally in the bowel. The body, however, sometimes cross-reacts to either pathogenic or normal bacteria. Occasionally, after sensing the presence of normal bowel flora, the body attacks one or more of the bowel flora species as a pathogen, setting up a chronic inflammatory state which makes the patient feel sick. Other gastrointestinal infections are caused by H. pylori as described above. To cure these conditions, in accordance with the present invention as shown in
Prior to using the instrument 200, in order to assure that the pathogenic bacteria has been eliminated, in vitro kill studies are conducted. The kill studies are then used to determine how much radiation is required to achieve desired bacterial counts. Then, when the lamp 206 is used later in the stomach or intestine, the correct amount of radiation at the particular wavelength will be known for the lamp 206 that is being used. Thus, the microbicidal effectiveness of a given lamp is determined by the kill studies conducted in vitro for the lamp that is used later in treating human patients. As already mentioned, very good results were obtained with ultraviolet light of from about 250-270 nm, with 258 nm being optimum. To repopulate the bowel, any suitable commercially available probiotic bacteria can be employed. One preferred probiotic bacteria formulation is shown below in Table 1.
Probiotic Bacteria
Lactobacillus acidophilus
5 billion/gram
Lactobacillus plantarum
5 billion/gram
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
5 billion/gram
Bifidobacterium infantis
5 billion/gram
Bifidobacterium lactis
5 billion/gram
Bifidobacterium longum
5 billion/gram
Streptococcos thermophilus
5 billion/gram
The probiotic is administered either as tablets or capsules, typically taken three times a day indefinitely or until the natural background flora of the digestive tract is reestablished.
Refer now to
Refer now to FIG. 14.
Refer now to
During use, the lamp 206 could in some cases become fairly warm over extended periods of use. To prevent the patient from being injured by contact with a heated or broken lamp, a protective screen 206 b is placed around the quartz shield 206 a. Screen 206 b can be formed from any suitable material such as plastic, metal or other material including synthetic fibers, e.g., carbon or Kevlar�, embedded in a plastic matrix.
Refer now to FIG. 17. In
The invention will be better understood by reference to the following examples.
Following symptoms, including stomach discomfort, "heart burn," and/or pain, a tentative diagnosis by the physician of stomach ulcers is made which is later confirmed by an endoscopic examination. The diagnosis can then be further confirmed with standard enzymatic tests to detect the presence of H. pylori. Treatment using the present invention is then begun. Following standard sedation, the shaft 202 of the endoscope 200 is inserted through the esophagus (FIG. 9). The head or tip end 202 a of the shaft 202 is then positioned as required under the supervision of the physician and the power supply 209 is turned on, thereby activating the computer contained in the power supply 209 and causing the capacitor to discharge periodically through the mercury vapor or xenon arc lamp 206, e.g., once every five seconds until treatment is concluded. The lamp 206 is repositioned as necessary to provide adequate treatment to all of the affected areas, until the bacteria are either killed or incapacitated. The instrument 200 is then withdrawn.
Following a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, the bowel is cleansed conventionally. The patient is sedated in the usual manner, and the shaft 202 of the endoscope 200 is then inserted through the rectum and advanced to the infected area to be treated (FIG. 10). The distal end 202 a of the instrument 200 is then positioned where treatment is required and the lamp 206 is extended from a recessed position as shown in
In another possible variation of the invention, following a mechanical prep, an antibiotic prep is used. A light-sensitizing medication is administered to the patient so that the light is preferentially absorbed by the bacteria within the colon, rather than by human cells. Any suitable light-sensitizing medicine can be used, such as any of the suitable protoporphyrin compounds known to those skilled in the art for preferentially absorbing the ultraviolet radiation so as to provide a more effective bactericidal action.
Refer now to
The pulsed xenon lamp has a peak of from about 225-300 nm but also has continuing spectal output into the visible range (generally from say 200 nm to 900 nm). As shown in
The fiber optic bundle 270 is inserted during operation through an opening 280 in the flexible endoscope shaft 202 so as to extend at 282 out through the distal end of the endoscope shaft 202 into a body cavity as, for example, in
While various lamps can be employed one suitable lamp comprises a 6.2-watt Amglo flash lamp containing an inert gas in this case xenon. A typical flash lamp 5 mm in diameter and 60 mm long is manufactured by the Amglo Kemlite Laboratories, Inc., of Bensenville, Ill. and produces about 62 joules per flash every 10 seconds. This lamp can be operated in the 450-700 volt range with a trigger voltage of 6 kV.
For many applications a low-pressure mercury vapor lamp is used to provide radiation in the range of 200 nm to 400 nm. The majority of the output of a low-pressure mercury lamp is in the range of about 240 nm to 280 nm with a peak at about 254 nm.
Light energy can also be provided in the alternative, by a cool light source (a source which produces little if any heat that can be sensed) such as one or more light emitting diodes (LED) mounted at the distal end of a rigid or flexible shaft e.g., in place of the lamp 206 of FIG. 13. One preferred LED produces predominantly cool blue light ranging from about 300 nm to about 470 nm and typically draws about 0.3 watt. LEDs of this kind are supplied by American Bright Optoelectronics Corporation of Brea, Calif. and by Bivar, Inc. of Irvine, Calif.
A typical fiber bundle 270 contains about 200 separate quartz fibers 271 (FIG. 21). To prevent solarization of the fiber optics, the fiber bundle is hydrogen loaded and can be formed from fused quartz provided with an aluminum buffer. One suitable fiber bundle 270 is a UVI or UVM fiber optic bundle manufactured by Polymicro Technologies of Phoenix, Ariz. By using a fiber optic bundle of this composition, minimal attenuation of the radiation occurs within the fiber optic bundle due to solarization. Solarization is an undesirable blackening of the fibers due to energy absorption.
During use, the light energy passes as a beam 292 out of the distal end 290 of the fiber bundle 270 into the body cavity of the patient that is being treated and is directed onto the inner surface 294 of the body cavity at 296 so as to kill or debilitate the pathogenic microorganisms that are present on the inner surface 294 of the body cavity that is being treated. As already mentioned the radiation can be employed in treating any of a variety of body cavities such as the vessels of the circulatory system, any of the various parts of the digestive tract or urogenital system, peritoneal cavity or other body cavities. During a surgical procedure, the surgeon employs the controls 205, 207 to direct the beam 292 from the fiber bundle 270 onto the different portions of the body cavity that require treatment.
Refer now to
For various applications, visible light can be used if desired. In one form of the invention, visible blue light is employed. Blue light can be produced by an incandescent lamp with wavelengths predominantly between about 400 nm to 470 nm.
While photosensitizers are not an essential feature of the invention, any suitable photosensitizer known to those skilled in the art can be employed, if desired, for sensitizing the microorganisms to the radiation that is applied. Although optional, one preferred sensitizer is a protoprophrin. Another suitable sensitizer comprises a psorlen such as demethylchlortetracycline. Other suitable known sensitizers can be employed if desired. The photosensitizer employed should be matched to the wavelength of the light provided so that the light is absorbed by the particular photosensitizer that is used.
During a surgical procedure, the distal tip of the instrument is usually held about 20-30 mm from the interior surface of the body cavity. The tip is then moved from side to side so as to pass the beam 292 back and forth across the area that is to be treated. By directing the beam in this manner, the light energy is concentrated at the point where it is applied to achieve maximum killing efficiency. If desired, the procedure can be watched by the surgeon through the same fiber optics used to conduct light energy to the tissue. Alternatively, separate optic fiber bundle is provided within the endoscope shaft 202 for observation to allow viewing through the viewing port 224 as described hereinabove. The endoscope and its shaft 202 is also employed to provide suction, for washing the area being treated. During use the distal tip is manipulated by moving it continuously along the desired path for directing light energy onto the tissue that requires treatment. In the event a diffuser is used as described in connection with
In addition, it is also useful to employ a tungsten filament lamp providing radiation in the range of about 380 to 620 nm. This lamp can be made small enough e.g., 3 mm in diameter to attach to the distal end of the endoscope for placement within the body of the patient e.g., in the gastrointestinal tract to provide about 25-150 joules typically for 5-45 minutes.
During operation, the instrument shown in
It is often difficult to efficiently couple radiation from a lamp to the endoscope. It is not uncommon for the coupling efficiency to be less than 75% so that much of the radiation provided by the lamp does not enter the endoscope. The coupling device of
Many variations of the present invention within the scope of the appended claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art once the principles described herein are understood.
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Owner name: LUMERX, INC., MASSACHUSETTS
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|Nov 17, 2008
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|May 5, 2009
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|May 5, 2009
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|Dec 24, 2012
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|May 10, 2013
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|Jul 2, 2013
|Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee
Effective date: 20130510


text:
Monday, October 13, 2014
Will the aluminum pan and foil give you Alzheimer's?
Aluminum (or aluminium) is a silvery metal that is both ductile and light. It is abundant in nature. These characteristics make it a favorite in many industries. Food utensils, such as pans and pots, are often made of aluminum. This use is dwarfed by aluminum's widespread use in the canning of foods and drinks (e.g., sodas and beers).
Based on a systematic literature review published in 2008, Ferreira et al. argued that there is credible evidence of an "association" between Alzheimer's disease and aluminum intake (). This argument has been challenged by other researchers, but has nevertheless gained media attention. Positive and negative associations will always be found where there are nonzero correlations, but correlation does not guarantee causation.
A research report commissioned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, authored by Krewski et al. and published in 2007, reviewed a number of studies on the health effects of aluminum (). Several interesting findings emerged from this extensive review of the literature.
For example, a targeted study published in the late 1980s and early 1990s suggested that the daily intake of aluminum of a 14-16 year old male in the U.S. was about 11.5 mg; the main sources being additives to the following refined foods: cornbread (36.6% of total intake), American processed cheese (17.2%), pancakes (9.0%), yellow cake with icing (8%), taco/tostada (3.5%), cheeseburger (2.7%), tea (2.0%); hamburger (1.8%), and fish sticks (1.5%).
The meat that goes into the manufacturing of industrial hamburgers is not a significant source of aluminum. The same goes for the fish in the fish sticks. It is the industrial refining that makes the above-mentioned foods non-negligible sources of aluminum. One could argue that processed cheese should not be called "cheese", as it is far removed from "real" cheese in terms of nutrient composition – particularly aged raw milk cheese.
Aluminum-treated water is widely believed to be a major source of aluminum to the body, with the potential of leading to health-detrimental accumulation. It appears that this is a myth based on several of the studies reviewed by Krewski et al.
One study concluded that humans drinking aluminum-treated water over a period of 70 to 80 years would have a total accumulation of approximately 1.5 mg of aluminum in their brain (1 mg/kg, the average adult human brain weighs 1.5 kg). At the high end of normal levels, and not much compared to the 34 mg found in some of those exposed to the Camelford water pollution incident (). And here is something else to consider. The study made two unlikely assumptions for emphasis: that all the ingested aluminum was absorbed, and that those exposed suffered from a condition that entirely prevented excretion from excess ingested aluminum.
Krewski et al.'s report and virtually all empirical studies I reviewed for this post suggest that the intake of aluminum from cooking utensils is negligible.
Is aluminum intake via food additives, arguably one of the main sources for most people living in urban environments today, likely to cause neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease?
My review of the evidence left me with the impression that most of the studies suggesting that aluminum intake can lead to neurological diseases make causal mistakes. One representative example is Rifat et al.'s study published in 1990 in The Lancet ().
This old study is interesting because it looked at the effects of ingestion of finely ground aluminum between 1944 and 1977 by miners, where the aluminum was ingested because it was believed to be protective against silicotic lung disease (caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust).
As a side note, I should say that the intake levels reported in Rifat et al.'s study seem lower than what one would expect to see from a modern diet of refined foods. This seems odd. The levels may have been underestimated by Rifat et al. Or, what is more worrying, they may be quite high in a modern diet of refined foods.
Having said that, Rifat et al.'s article reports "… no significant differences between exposed and non-exposed miners in reported diagnoses of neurological disorder …" However, the tables below from their article show significant differences between exposed and non-exposed miners in their performance in cognitive tests. Those exposed to aluminum performed worst.
Two major variables that one would expect Rifat et al. to have controlled for are age and lung disease. They did control for age and a few other factors, with the corresponding results indicated as "adjusted" in the tables. However, they did not control for lung disease – the very factor that motivated aluminum intake.
Lung disease is likely to limit the supply of oxygen to the brain, and thus cause cognitive problems in the short and long term. Therefore, the cognitive impairments suggested by Rifat et al.'s study may have been caused by lung disease, and not by exposure to aluminum. This type of problem is a common feature of studies of the health effects of aluminum.
Will cooking in aluminum pans and aluminum foils give you Alzheimer's? I doubt it.
13 comments:
Of course, with Aluminium, the "deodorant angle" will always come up ... is that of more relevant concern?
- October 13, 2014 at 5:57 AM
- Ned Kock said...
Hi Anon. Krewski et al. looked at antiperspirant/deodorant use and various diseases, including dementias. Some effects were found in some studies but not in others, suggesting the existence of confounders. This is part of the pattern of methodological issues mentioned in the post, illustrated in the Rifat et al.'s article.
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- Galina L. said...
I am glad more information is coming in the defense of a wonderful material for cooking gadgets. Cast iron skillet is legendary, but very thick cast aluminum one is just as good.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
NAFTA nations lock horns on U.S. auto demands as fifth round ends
Negotiators square off on Tuesday for the last time in a fifth round of talks to rework NAFTA, with a stalemate brewing on a contentious proposal to ramp up regional content for autos.
Lincoln's freshened 2019 MKC gets new mesh grille, tech
The freshened 2019 MKC compact crossover, due in showrooms next summer, features new infotainment and safety technology and the mesh grille found on Lincoln's newest products.
Dealer anniversaries
Dealers featured this week include Jim and John Warfield of Frederick Motor Co., in Frederick, Md.; Dealer Principal Chris Hoeye and Wally Henkel, general manager, of Big Two Toyota of Chandler in Chandler, Ariz.; Dealer principal Robert Vardaman of Vardaman Buick in Hattiesburg, Miss.; Brad Fenton, CEO of Fenton Motor Group, for Fenton Nissan of McAlester in McAlester, Okla.; and David Fischer Jr., president of Suburban Infiniti of Novi in Novi, Mich.
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text:
You can escape your boring nine-to-five job in six months or less!
How many times have you felt like quitting your monotonous day job? Have you ever felt that you should be following your heart and doing something better? Are you yearning for the freedom to do what you want, when you want and from wherever you want? Then, why are you still working for somebody else? The answer is simple. You are scared of the consequences of quitting your job. You are worried about your financial security. You are not sure if your business idea would work. Most entrepreneurs would advise you to just leave your job and start your dream venture. Wish life was that simple! But this book would advise you to reverse the equation. Why quit your job and then start your business? Instead, this book suggests you to first start your home-based business, generate a steady passive income from it and then comfortably quit your job. Doesn't that sound more doable? Job Escape Plan is your ultimate seven step guide to quitting the rat race!
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Includes the interviews and success strategies of top online business owners like Andy Dew, Alex Genadinik, John Lee Dumas, Nick Loper, Rob Cubbon, Steve Scott, and Stefan Pylarinos!
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great interviews and good level of details.
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Are You Ready To Escape Your Job?
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text:
B&B Casa Usai
Select your stay dates to check availability
B&B Casa Usai
About the hotel
Property Location
When you stay at B&B Casa Usai in Capoterra, you'll be within the vicinity of Maddalena Beach. This family-friendly inn is within the region of Church of Sant'Efisio a Giorgino and Church of San Simone.
Make yourself at home in one of the 4 guestrooms. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include complimentary bottled water, housekeeping is provided daily, and rollaway/extra beds can be requested.
Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as bicycles to rent or take in the view from a terrace and a garden. Additional amenities include complimentary wireless Internet access, babysitting/childcare (surcharge), and tour/ticket assistance.
Enjoy a meal at a restaurant, or stay in and take advantage of the inn's room service (during limited hours).
Business, Other Amenities
Guests may use a roundtrip airport shuttle for a surcharge, and free valet parking is available onsite.
Hotel Facilities
- Free valet parking
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Airport transportation (surcharge)
- Restaurant
- Free WiFi
- Tours/ticket assistance
- Barbecue grill(s)
- Terrace
- Total number of rooms - 4
- Babysitting or childcare (surcharge)
- Free self parking
- Garden
Room Facilities
- Rollaway/extra beds available
- Daily housekeeping
- Free bottled water
- Room service (limited hours)
- Hair dryer (on request)
- Free WiFi
- Free toiletries
Hotel Policy
Know Before You Go
- Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 999.99, due to national regulations. For further details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation.


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My Products 2017
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Connecting Families to Senior Living
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Colorado has one of the largest senior populations in the country and offers a low cost of living, meaning there are many senior living communities to choose from. Whether you're researching options in a busy city like Denver or one of the many beautiful cities and towns that dot the state, we can help.
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I was wondering what you would write! I was disappointed in his choice too, she is so lovable and he chose to let that go, very sad!
Me Before You (2016)
His Review:
Will Traynor (Sam Claflin) was a young, athletic, free spirit who had his whole life ahead of him, but when he is involved in an accident leaving him paralyzed from the chest down, he spends his days confined to a wheelchair. Now in his 30s, Will has given up on life and has become a cynical recluse. Louisa Clark (Emilia Clarke) is a fun and quirky 26 year old girl who lives in a home shared with her entire family. Desperate for money, Louisa take a job as a caretaker for Will, and at first the two mix like oil and water, but it doesn't take long before the 2 become inseparable.
Attention! Me Before You is not what it appears on paper! This movie might look like a happy love story about 2 unlikely people falling in love, and it is to some degree, but this movie is about happiness and friendship. I wanted to get that out there right now because I'm sure many people will be disappointed and heartbroken after they discover the true nature of this movie. Read further at your own risk, I will be spoiling major points so if you want to know my score, jump to the bottom.
Me Before You made me very mad for many reasons, but the major reason is the trick it plays on the audience. This movie is set up for a great romantic story where 2 people fall in love and are happy. What we get is a movie about a girl trying to turn the grumpy cynical Will into a normal person again. They form a good friendship and do friendly things, but the romance is weak and the passion is almost nonexistent. Not to mention, any actual romance doesn't come to play until the movie is almost over. Louisa has a boyfriend throughout most of the movie, so you get the vibe that she doesn't have romantic feelings for Will early on and neither does he. They talk to each other like best friends and Will calls her "Clark" like people on sports teams would call a buddy. However, what really pisses me off is the ending. I mean I'm mad about the trick that is played on us. Finally, after all the slow burn romance we had to wait through, Louisa finally breaks down and tells Will how she feels and that she loves him, and he tells her that no matter how strong love can be, his life compared to the life he use to have is so unbearable that he is choosing to euthanize himself. WHAT THE HELL! Are you kidding me! Someone tells you that they are happy with you and love you and want to spend their life with you and your response is because I'm trapped in a wheelchair and can't surf or run or be active anymore, I need to kill myself?!?! That is so upsetting and heartbreaking to imagine Louisa in that situation and I checked out at that point.
The characters in this movie is what drives the story and they are likeable and watchable but this is no where near the level of The Fault in Our Stars. That movie does young love and tragedy very well and I would rather watch that movie over and over than watch this movie one more time! At the end of the day, I would have much rather watched a true romance with an ending that people could rally behind rather than something that will take the wind out of your sails. Co-starring Stephen Peacocke, Brendan Coyle, Charles Dance, Janet McTeer, Jenna Coleman, Matthew Lewis, Samantha Spiro, Thea Sharrock, and Vanessa Kirby.
4/10 Stars – The likability of the characters is there, but the lack of passion and the horrible ending keeps me from ever wanting to see this again. Just go watch The Fault in Our Stars!