The invention relates to the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) to treat macular edemas, including DME, CRVO and BRVO. It provides an alternative to photocoagulation and the disadvantages associated therewith.

The invention relates to the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of macular edema of various etiologies, such as DME and macular edema due to central vein occlusion (CRVO) or branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).
Macular edema refers to the occurrence of edema in the macula, a region in the center of the retina involved in acute and detailed vision. Edema refers to the presence of excess interstitial fluid (or fluid in spaces between cells) in tissues. Thus the presence of excess fluid or increases in interstitial fluid pressure that increase fluid volume can result in edema.
The more severe and visually threatening forms of macular edema have been termed xe2x80x9cclinically significant macular edemaxe2x80x9d, as explained below. Clinically significant macular edema (CSME) occurs most frequently in type II DM requiring insulin (11%), less in type II without insulin (4%) and in type I (6%). Clinically significant macular edema may appear at any stage of DR (Klein, R. et al. Ophthalmology 1989, 96: 1501-1510.). The Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) defined CSME as 1.) Retinal thickening involving, or within 500 xcexcm from, the center of the macula; 2.) Hard exudate(s) (with thickening of the adjacent retina) at or within 500 xcexcm from the center of the macula; and 3.) A zone of retinal thickening one disc area or larger in size, any part of which is within one disc diameter from the center of the macula (Arch Ophthalmol 1985, 103: 1796-1806.).
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a long-term consequence of diabetes mellitus (DM) that can lead to significant vision loss. It is characterized by microaneurysms, excessive vascular permeability, and areas of retinal non-perfusion and retinal neovascularization. Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the principal mechanism of vision loss in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and occurs primarily as the result of macular exudation. This may occur either as the result of focal leakage of exudate from one or more clusters of microaneurysms and dilated capillaries, each often surrounded by a ring of yellow, deep retinal exudates, or as a result of diffuse leakage from most of the retinal vasculature in the macular area. In general, the loss of central vision parallels the degree of intraretinal exudate. Over one-half of diabetics with macular edema will lose two or more lines of visual acuity within two years (Ferris, F. L. and Patz, A. Surv Ophthalmol 1984, May; 28 Suppl: 452-461). These patients are very common in most retina practices and the disease represents a significant public health problem.
Following diabetic retinopathy, retinal venous occlusive disease is the most common retinal vascular disorder. Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) is a common retinal vascular disorder with potentially blinding complications. It can be ischemic or nonischemic. Men are more commonly affected than women, age at presentation is usually in the low to mid 60s. Associated risk factors are history of systemic hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, blood hyperviscosity, glaucoma, hyperopia and others. The condition is characterized by intraretinal hemorrhages in all four quadrants, dilated and torturous retinal venules, optic disc edema and retinal edema (including macular edema).
Macular edema is common in most central retinal vein occlusions and accounts for loss of visual acuity in many eyes. A recent, large, multicenter clinical trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of grid photocoagulation for macular edema in CRVO. The treatment did reduce angiographic evidence of macular edema but visual acuity results were not significantly different in the treated and untreated group. Therefore, the Central Vein Occlusion Study does not recommend laser photocoagulation for treatment of macular edema.
Another cause of macular edema is branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). BRVO is caused by an obstruction of one or more than one of the branch retinal veins in the retina. There is no sex predilection and the condition is most frequent at the 7th decade of life. Associated risk factors are history of systemic hypertension, cardiovascular disease, glaucoma, increased body mass index at the age of 20 years, higher levels of alpha-2-globulin, and eyes with shorter axial lengths. The acute phase is characterized by segmental (based on the location of the occluded vein) intraretinal hemorrhage.
Beyond DME, CRVO and BRVO, the occurrence of postoperative cystoids, ocular tumors, intraocular inflammation, wet AMD, light toxicity, and retinitis pigmentosa may lead to macular edema. The occurrence of these conditions do not, however, indicate a necessary presence of macular edema. Macular edema may also be drug induced.
Currently the therapy shown to be even partially effective at reducing the rate of vision loss in patients that have macular edema is photocoagulation. However, laser photocoagulation results in significant visual improvement in only a limited number of cases. Conclusions from the ETDRS (Ophthalmology 1991, 98:766-785) indicate that eyes with mild to moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and clinically significant macular edema, when treated with focal argon blue-green or argon green laser to microaneurysms and a grid treatment to zones of diffuse leakage and non-perfusion, show the maximum benefit of treatment. However, there appears to be little to gain from early photocoagulation in eyes where edema does not involve the center of the macula and only moderate gain, when it does (Guyer, D. R. et al. Retinaxe2x80x94Vitreousxe2x80x94Macula: Diabetic Retinopathy; W. B. Saunders company. 1999, 316-344). In eyes with mild to moderate macular edema, panretinal photocoagulation is not recommended.
Although laser treatment is somewhat effective at reducing the rate of vision loss it is also a destructive treatment with unwanted side effects that can cause loss of central visual acuity and scotoma formation (Ferris, F. L. Arch Ophthalmol 1999, 117(5): 675-676). Patients with visual acuity of 20/20 or better are less likely to recognize the benefits from this aggressive treatment and more likely to notice its side effects, that can include some loss of peripheral vision, and a reduction in color and night vision. Patients often have difficulty in accepting treatment with laser photocoagulation, knowing that they potentially are going to lose some of their vision and day to day tasks such as reading and driving will be much harder to perform. In general photocoagulation is considered a less than satisfactory therapeutic regimen for the treatment of macular edema.
Photodynamic therapy is a two-step process consisting of an intravenous injection of a photosensitizer (light-activated drug) followed by the application of light of an appropriate wavelength that is absorbed by the photosensitizer. The light sources most commonly used are non-thermal lasers or light emitting diodes (LEDs). Photosensitizers accumulate in target tissues preferentially, including vascular endothelial cells and tumor cells. In combination with localized light administration, this allows for selective treatment of the pathologic tissue. After exposure to light at a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizer, an energy transfer cascade is initiated, culminating in the formation of singlet oxygen which generates intracellular free radicals. These free radicals can disrupt cellular structures such as the cell membrane, mitochondria, and lysosomal membranes. Photodynamic therapy has been suggested for the treatment of a wide variety of medical conditions, including cancer, autoimmunity, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, infection with pathogens, and conditions resulting from unwanted neovasculature.
Citation of documents herein is not intended as an admission that any is pertinent prior art. All statements as to the date or representation as to the contents of documents is based on the information available to the applicant and does not constitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates or contents of the documents.
The present invention provides photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a treatment for macular edema that is more effective and less damaging to the tissue surrounding an edematous lesion than laser photocoagulation. In one embodiment of the invention, the treatment is directed to the macula, even if the underlying cause or etiology of the macular edema is located elsewhere.
In other embodiments, the invention provides methods for the treatment of DME or macular edema resulting from central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) or branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). CVRO is caused by an obstruction of the central retinal vein at the level of lamina cribrosa by compression of the sclerotic retinal artery, hemodynamic disturbances leading to thrombus formation, degenerative or inflammatory disease within the vein. BRVO is caused by an obstruction of one or more than one of the branch retinal veins in the retina. The invention provides a treatment for any macular edema (ME), including but not limited to those associated with diabetes, CRVO or BRVO (including ischemic or nonischemic forms), by use of PDT.
Thus in one aspect, the invention provides means to reduce or reverse ME or its effects due to leakage of exudate from an lesion, associated with diabetes, CRVO or BRVO or other similar type of lesion, in an eye of an animal, comprising the steps of identifying said lesion in the eye of the animal, administering to the animal an amount of a photosensitive compound sufficient to allow said photosensitive compound to localize in said lesion, permitting sufficient time to elapse to allow said photosensitizer to localize in said lesion, and irradiating said lesion with an amount of radiation having one or more than one wavelength absorbed by the photosensitive compound. In another aspect, and to the extent that some or all of the ME lesions may not be present in the macula, the invention provides PDT directed to the macula to treat the macular edema. The invention may, of course treat both eyes, if afflicted with ME, of a single animal.
The invention also provides a method for the reduction of interstitial fluid volume and/or pressure in the eye of a subject having ME by use of PDT comprising administration of a photosensitive compound and irradiating the macula of said subject with radiation containing one or more than one wavelength absorbed by said compound.
In a further aspect of the invention, ME resulting from a condition without a lesion in the macula may be treated by PDT directed at the macula. For example, and without limiting the invention, the invention also provides means to reduce or reverse ME due to CRVO or BRVO by directing PDT to the macula and not to the site of the occlusion.
In preferred embodiments of the invention, the photosensitive compound is a green porphyrin, most preferably verteporfin. In another preferred embodiment, light is administered from a laser at a dosage of between about 1 and about 50 J/cm2, and more preferably between about 5 and about 35 J/cm2. Other preferred dosages include between about 1 and about 5 J/cm2, about 5 and about 10 J/cm2, about 10 and about 15 J/cm2, about 15 and about 20 J/cm2, about 20 and about 25 J/cm2, about 25 and about 30 J/cm2, about 30 and about 35 J/cm2, about 35 and about 40 J/cm2, about 40 and about 45 J/cm2, and about 45 and about 50 J/cm2. Most preferred dosages are between 1 and 50 J/cm2, 5 and 35 J/cm2, and 10 and 20 J/cm2.
In another preferred embodiment, the animal is a human (male or female) patient afflicted or diagnosed with DME or macular edema due to CRVO or BRVO. In one embodiment of the invention in relation to DME, the edematous lesions are focal in nature (resulting in focal leakage). In a preferred embodiment, the DME edematous lesions are diffuse in nature (resulting in diffuse leakage).
In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of reducing or preventing loss of visual acuity or vision loss in a patient with ME, comprising the steps of administering an effective amount of a photosensitive compound to a patient, waiting for a sufficient period of time for the photosensitive compound to localize in the lesion and/or macula, and irradiating the lesion and/or macula with an effective or sufficient amount of light having a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitive compound sufficient to reduce or prevent loss of visual acuity (correctable by the use of lenses) or vision loss (which is not correctable by the use of lenses). Such methods may be applied to patients afflicted with DME or macular edema due to CRVO or BRVO.
PDT treatment may provide a better overall visual outcome than laser photocoagulation for the treatment of macular edema because there may be less indiscriminate mass destruction of normal tissues with PDT. This may be especially true in cases of diffuse DME lesions or macular edema due to CRVO or BRVO, which are less amenable to treatment with photocoagulation than focal lesions.
The use of PDT for the treatment of neovasculature in the eye is well known. In particular, the use of PDT with verteporfin (also known as BPD-MA) for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration. The use of PDT in the treatment of macular edema, in which the pathology is primarily not due to the proliferation of new vessels (neovascularization), but due to a large number of other possible causes, has not been suggested or disclosed. Possible causes of macular edema include the occurrence of postoperative cystoids, ocular tumors, intraocular inflammation, wet AMD, light toxicity, and retinitis pigmentosa. Macular edema may also be drug induced.
Without being bound by theory, and offered to assist with the understanding of the invention, macular edema may be the result of vascular instability and/or chronic inflammation, especially within the eye or ocular tissues, and may be treated by PDT to the macula, even if the underlying etiology is specifically or generally located elsewhere. The invention provides PDT methods which include the administration of a photosensitizer (PS) and irradiation with a wavelength of electromagnetic radiation capable of activating the PS.
Preferred PSs for use in the invention are the green porphyrins, and preferred irradiation is with visible light. A particularly preferred PS is a lipid formulation of benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A, which is also known as verteporfin or BPD-MA. Following, or simultaneous with, delivery of the PS, irradiation may be performed by any radiation source. Examples of sources of visible light radiation include operating room lamps, halogen lamps, fluorescent lamps, laser light sources, and combinations thereof. Additional examples of light sources include light emitting diode (LED) panels.
In the case of green porphyrins, preferably, radiation such as 690 nm light in the case of BPD-MA use. In the practice of the invention, radiation is delivered to the macula or the site of a lesion such as that of DME or other specific lesion that results in macular edema. Without limiting the invention, such administration may be light administration through the eye from an external source. In one embodiment, the light is from a laser, such as that capable of stably delivering 689+/xe2x88x923 nm, and delivered to the site of the macula, a specific location therein, or the site of an underlying DME or other lesion resulting in macular edema.
Administration of the PS may be by delivery using any appropriate means including, but not limited to, systemic, local, or even direct application to the target tissue. Local delivery of the PS provides a high local concentration while reducing the likelihood of transient skin photosensitivity or other undesirable side effects that may follow systemic PS administration. The photodynamic therapy (PDT) according to the invention can be performed using any of a number of photoactive compounds (or photosensitizers). For example, various derivatives of hematoporphyrin have been described, including improvements on hematoporphyrin derivative per se such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,028,621; 4,866,168; 4,649,151; and 5,438,071. In addition, pheophorbides are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,198,460; 5,002,962; and 5,093,349; bacteriochlorins in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,171,741 and 5,173,504; dimers and trimers of hematoporphyrins in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,968,715 and 5,190,966. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,262 describes the use of a precursor to hematoporphyrin, aminolevulinic acid (ALA), as the source of a photoactive compound. The use of phthalocyanine photosensitive compounds in photodynamic therapy is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,197. Other possible photoactive compounds include purpurins (such as tin-ethyl etiopurpurin), merocyanines, iminochlorinaspartic acid derivative (U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,777), texaphyrins (such as motexafin lutetium) and porphycenes. The contents of all of the foregoing patents are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.
Particular preferred photoactive compounds for use in the invention method are green porphyrins. These porphyrins are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,883,790; 4,920, 143; 5,095,030; and 5,171,749, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. As these photoactive agents represent a particularly preferred embodiment, exemplary formulas for these compounds are represented below.
Additional suitable PSs for the practice of the invention are of a wide variety, including, without limitation, porphyrin related compounds such as hematoporphyrin derivative, Photofrin(copyright) (Axcan Pharmaceuticals) porfimer sodium, the green porphyrins such as the BPDs, purpurins, chlorins, fluorins, etiopurpurins, and the like as well as phthalocyanines, pheophorbides, deuteroporphyrins, texaphrins, and the like.
Examples of these and other PSs for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, angelicins, some biological macromolecules such as lipofuscin; photosystem II reaction centers; and D1-D2-cyt b-559 photosystem II reaction centers, chalcogenapyrillium dyes, chlorins, chlorophylls, coumarins, cyanines, ceratin DNA and related compounds such as adenosine; cytosine; 2xe2x80x2-deoxyguanosine-5xe2x80x2-monophosphate; deoxyribonucleic acid; guanine; 4-thiouridine; 2xe2x80x2-thymidine 5xe2x80x2-monophosphate; thymidylyl(3xe2x80x2-5xe2x80x2)-2xe2x80x2-deoxyadenosine; thymidylyl(3xe2x80x2-5xe2x80x2)-2xe2x80x2-deoxyguanosine; thymine; and uracil, certain drugs such as adriamycin; afloqualone; amodiaquine dihydrochloride; chloroquine diphosphate; chlorpromazine hydrochloride; daunomycin; daunomycinone; 5-iminodaunomycin; doxycycline; furosemide; gilvocarcin M; gilvocarcin V; hydroxychloroquine sulfate; lumidoxycycline; mefloquine hydrochloride; mequitazine; merbromin (mercurochrome); primaquine diphosphate; quinacrine dihydrochloride; quinine sulfate; and tetracycline hydrochloride, certain flavins and related compounds such as alloxazine; flavin mononucleotide; 3-hydroxyflavone; limichrome; limiflavin; 6-methylalloxazine; 7-methylalloxazine; 8-methylalloxazine; 9-methylalloxazine; 1-methyl limichrome; methyl-2-methoxybenzoate; 5-nitrosalicyclic acid; proflavine; and riboflavin, fullerenes, metalloporphyrins, metallophthalocyanines, methylene blue derivatives, naphthalimides, naphthalocyanines, certain natural compounds such as bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione; 4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-buten-2-one; N-formylkynurenine; kynurenic acid; kynurenine; 3-hydroxykynurenine; DL-3-hydroxykynurenine; sanguinarine; berberine; carmane; and 5,7,9(11), 22-ergostatetraene-3 xcex2-o1, nile blue derivatives, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), perylenequinones, phenols, pheophorbides, pheophytins, photosensitizer dimers and conjugates, phthalocyanines, porphycenes, porphyrins, psoralens, purpurins, quinones, retinoids, rhodamines, thiophenes, verdins, vitamins and xanthene dyes (Redmond and Gamlin, Photochem. Photobiol., 70(4):391-475 (1999)).
Exemplary angelicins include 3-aceto-angelicin; angelicin; 3,4xe2x80x2-dimethyl angelicin; 4,4xe2x80x2-dimethyl angelicin; 4,5xe2x80x2-dimethyl angelicin; 6,4xe2x80x2-dimethyl angelicin; 6,4-dimethyl angelicin; 4,4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2-trimethyl angelicin; 4,4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2-trimethyl-1xe2x80x2-thioangelicin; 4,6,4xe2x80x2-trimethyl-1xe2x80x2-thioangelicin; 4,6,4xe2x80x2-trimethyl angelicin; 4,6,5xe2x80x2-trimethyl-1xe2x80x2-thioangelicin; 6,4,4xe2x80x2-trimethyl angelicin; 6,4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2-trimethyl angelicin; 4,6,4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2-tetramethyl-1xe2x80x2-thioangelicin; and 4,6,4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2-tetramethyl angelicin.
Exemplary chalcogenapyrillium dyes include pyrilium perchlorate, 4,4xe2x80x2-(1,3-propenyl)-bis[2,6-di(1,1-dimethylethyl)]-; pyrilium perchlorate, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-4-[1-[2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)selenopyran-4-ylidene]-3-propenyl-; pyrilium hexofluoro phosphate, 2,6-bis-(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-selenopyran-4-ylidene]-3-propenyl-; pyrilium hexofluoro phosphate, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-selenopyran-4-ylidene]-3-propenyl-; pyrilium perchlorate, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-4-[1-[2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)telluropyran-4-ylidene]-3-propenyl-; pyrilium hexofluoro phosphate, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-4-[1-[2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)telluropyran-4-ylidene]-3-propenyl-; pyrilium perchlorate, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-4-[1-[2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)thiapyran-4-ylidene]-3-propenyl]-; selenopyrilium hexofluoro phosphate, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-4-[1-[2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)selenopyran-4-ylidene]-3-propenyl]-; selenopyrilium, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-[1-[2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)selenopyran-4-ylidene]-3-propenyl]-; selenopyrilium percheorate, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-4-[1-[2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-4-[1-[2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)telluropyran-4-ylidene]-3-propenyl]-; selenopyrilium hexofluoro phosphate, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-4-[1-[2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)telluropyran-4-ylidene]-3-propenyl]-; selenopyrilium hexofluoro phosphate, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-4-[2-[2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)selenopyran-4-ylidene]-4-(2-butenyl)]-; selenopyrilium hexofluoro phosphate, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-4-[2-[2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)selenopyran-4-ylidene]-4-(2-pentenyl)]-; telluropyrilium tetrafluoroborate, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-[1-[2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-telluropyran-4-ylidene]-3-propenyl]-; telluropyrilium hexofluoro phosphate, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-4-[1-[2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)telluropyran-4-ylidene]-3-propenyl]-; telluropyrilium hexofluoro phosphate, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-4-[1-[2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)telluropyran-4-ylidene]ethyl-; telluropyrilium hexofluoro phosphate, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-4-[1-[2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-telluropyran-4-ylidene]methyl-; thiopyrilium hexofluoro phosphate, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-4-[1-[2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)thiopyran-4-ylidene]-3-propenyl]-; thiopyrilium hexofluoro phosphate, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)4-[1-[2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)selenopyran-4-ylidene]-3-propenyl]-; and thiopyrilium hexofluoro phosphate, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)-4-[1-[2,6-bis(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)telluropyran-4-ylidene]-3-propenyl]-.
Exemplary chlorins dyes include 5-azachlorin dimethyl ester derivative; 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(m-hydroxyphenyl)bacteriochlorin; benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A; benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring-A; porphine-2,18-dipropanoic acid, 7-[2-dimethyl-amino)-2-oxoethyl]-8-ethylidene-7,8-dihydro-3,7,12,17-tetramethyl, dimethylester; porphine-2,18-dipropanoic acid, 7-[2-dimethyl-amino)-2-oxoethyl]-8-ethylidene-8-ethyl-7,8-dihydro-3,7,12,17-tetramethyl, dimethylester Z; porphine-2,18-dipropanoic acid, 7-[2-dimethyl-amino)-2-oxoethyl]-8-ethylidene-8-ethyl-7,8-dihydro-3,7,12,17-tetramethyl, dimethylester Z ECHL; porphine-2,18-dipropanoic acid, 7-[2-dimethyl-amino)-2-oxoethyl]-8-ethylidene-8-n-heptyl-7,8-dihydro-3,7,12,17-tetramethyl, dimethylester Z; tin (II) porphine-2,18-dipropanoic acid, 7-[2-(dimethylamino-2-oxoethyl]-8-ethylidene-8-n-heptyl-7,8-dihydro-3,7,12,17-tetramethyl, dimethylester Z; chlorin e6; chlorin e6 dimethyl ester; chlorin e6 k3; chlorin e6 monomethyl ester; chlorin e6 Na3; chlorin p6; chlorin p6-trimethylester; chlorin derivative zinc (II) porphine-2,18-dipropanoic acid, 7-[2-(dimethylamino)-2-oxoethyl]-8-ethylidene-8-n-heptyl-7,8-dihydro-3,7,12,17-tetramethyl, dimethylester Z; 131-deoxy-20-formyl-vic-dihydroxy-bacteriochlorin di-tert-butyl aspartate; 131-deoxy-20-formyl-4-keto-bacteriochlorin di-tert-butyl aspartate; di-L-aspartyl chlorin e6; mesochlorin; 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(m-hydroxyphenyl)chlorin; meta-(tetrahydroxyphenyl)chlorin; methyl-131-deoxy-20-formyl-4-keto-bacteriochlorin; mono-L-aspartyl chlorin e6; photoprotoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester; phycocyanobilin dimethyl ester; protochlorophyllide a; tin (IV) chlorin e6; tin chlorin e6; tin L-aspartyl chlorin e6; tin octaethyl-benzochlorin; tin (IV) chlorin; zinc chlorin e6; and zinc L-aspartyl chlorin e6.
Exemplary chlorophylls dyes include chlorophyll a; chlorophyll b; oil soluble chlorophyll; bacteriochlorophyll a; bacteriochlorophyll b; bacteriochlorophyll c; bacteriochlorophyll d; protochlorophyll; protochlorophyll a; amphiphilic chlorophyll derivative 1; and amphiphilic chlorophyll derivative 2.
Exemplary coumarins include 3-benzoyl-7-methoxycoumarin; 7-diethylamino-3-thenoylcoumarin; 5,7-dimethoxy-3-(1-naphthoyl)coumarin; 6-methylcoumarin; 2H-selenolo[3,2-g][1]benzopyran-2-one; 2H-selenolo[3,2-g][1]benzothiopyran-2-one; 7H-selenolo[3,2-g][1]benzoseleno-pyran-7-one; 7H-selenopyrano[3,2-f][1]benzofuran-7-one; 7H-selenopyrano[3,2-f][1]benzo-thiophene-7-one; 2H-thienol[3,2-g][1]benzopyran-2-one; 7H-thienol[3,2-g][1]benzothiopyran-7-one; 7H-thiopyrano[3,2-f][1]benzofuran-7-one; coal tar mixture; khellin; RG 708; RG277; and visnagin.
Exemplary cyanines include benzoselenazole dye; benzoxazole dye; 1,1xe2x80x2-diethyloxacarbocyanine; 1,1xe2x80x2-diethyloxadicarbocyanine; 1,1xe2x80x2-diethylthiacarbocyanine; 3,3xe2x80x2-dialkylthiacarbocyanines (n=2-18); 3,3xe2x80x2-diethylthiacarbocyanine iodide; 3,3xe2x80x2-dihexylselenacarbocyanine; kryptocyanine; MC540 benzoxazole derivative; MC540 quinoline derivative; merocyanine 540; and meso-ethyl, 3,3xe2x80x2-dihexylselenacarbocyanine.
Exemplary fullerenes include C60; C70; C76; dihydro-fullerene; 1,9-(4-hydroxy-cyclohexano)-buckminster-fullerene; [1-methyl-succinate-4-methyl-cyclohexadiene-2,3]-buckminster-fullerene; and tetrahydro fullerene.
Exemplary metalloporphyrins include cadmium (II) chlorotexaphyrin nitrate; cadmium (II) meso-diphenyl tetrabenzoporphyrin; cadmium meso-tetra-(4-N-methylpyridyl)-porphine; cadmium (II) texaphyrin; cadmium (II) texaphyrin nitrate; cobalt meso-tetra-(4-N-methylpyridyl)-porphine; cobalt (II) meso(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphine; copper hematoporphyrin; copper meso-tetra-(4-N-methylpyridyl)-porphine; copper (II) meso(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphine; Europium (III) dimethyltexaphyrin dihydroxide; gallium tetraphenylporphyrin; iron meso-tetra(4-N-methylpyridyl)-porphine; lutetium (III) tetra(N-methyl-3-pyridyl)-porphyrin chloride; magnesium (II) meso-diphenyl tetrabenzoporphyrin; magnesium tetrabenzoporphyrin; magnesium tetraphenylporphyrin; magnesium (II) meso(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphine; magnesium (II) texaphyrin hydroxide metalloporphyrin; magnesium meso-tetra-(4-N-methylpyridyl)-porphine; manganese meso-tetra-(4-N-methylpyridyl)-porphine; nickel meso-tetra(4-N-methylpyridyl)-porphine; nickel (II) meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphine; palladium (II) meso-tetra-(4-N-methylpyridyl)-porphine; palladium meso-tetra-(4-N-methylpyridyl)-porphine; palladium tetraphenylporphyrin; palladium (II) meso(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphine; platinum (II) meso(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphine; samarium (II) dimethyltexaphyrin dihydroxide; silver (II) meso(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphine; tin (IV) protoporphyrin; tin meso-tetra-(4-N-methylpyridyl)-porphine; tin meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphine; tin (IV) tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin dichloride; zinc (II) 15-aza-3,7,12,18-tetramethyl-porphyrinato-13,17-diyl-dipropionic acid-dimethylester; zinc (II) chlorotexaphyrin chloride; zinc coproporphyrin III; zinc (II) 2,11,20,30-tetra-(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)tetranaphtho(2,3-b:2xe2x80x2,3xe2x80x2-g:2xe2x80x33xe2x80x3-1:2xe2x80x2xe2x80x33xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-q)porphyrazine; zinc (II) 2-(3-pyridyloxy)benzo[b]-10,19,28-tri(1,1-dimethylethyl)trinaphtho[2xe2x80x2,3xe2x80x2-g:2xe2x80x33xe2x80x31::2xe2x80x2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-q]porphyrazine; zinc (II) 2,18-bis-(3-pyridyloxy)dibenzo[b,1]-10,26-di(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)dinaphtho[2xe2x80x2,3xe2x80x2-g:2xe2x80x2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-q]porphyrazine; zinc (II) 2,9-bis-(3-pyridyloxy)dibenzo[b,g]-17,26-di(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)dinaphtho[2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x3-1:2xe2x80x2xe2x80x3, 3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-q]porphyrazine; zinc (II) 2,9,16-tris-(3-pyridyloxy)tribenzo[b,g,1]-24=(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)naphtho[2xe2x80x2xe2x80x3, 3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-q]porphyrazine; zinc (II) 2,3-bis-(3-pyridyloxy)benzo[b]-10,19,28-tri(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)trinaphtho[2xe2x80x2,3xe2x80x2-g:2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x31:2xe2x80x2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-q]porphyrazine; zinc (II) 2,3,18,19-tetrakis-(3-pyridyloxy)dibenzo[b,1]-10,26-di(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)trinaphtho[2xe2x80x2, 3xe2x80x2-g:2xe2x80x2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-q]porphyrazine; zinc (II) 2,3,9,10-tetrakis-(3-pyridyloxy) dibenzo[b,g]-17,26-di(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)dinaphtho[2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x3-1:2xe2x80x2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-q]porphyrazine; zinc (II) 2,3,9,10,16,17-hexakis-(3-pyridyloxy)tribenzo[b,g,1]-24-(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)naphtho[2xe2x80x2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-q]porphyrazine; zinc (II) 2-(3-N-methyl)pyridyloxy)benzo[b]-10,19,28-tri(1,1-dimethyl-ethyl)trinaphtho[2xe2x80x2,3xe2x80x2-g:2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x31:2xe2x80x2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-q]porphyrazine monoiodide; zinc (II) 2,18-bis-(3-(N-methyl)pyridyloxy)dibenzo[b,1]-10,26-di(1,1-dimethylethyl)dinaphtho[2xe2x80x2,3xe2x80x2-g:2xe2x80x2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-q]porphyrazine diiodide; zinc (II) 2,9-bis-(3-(N-methyl)pyridyloxy)dibenzo[b,g]-17,26-di(1,1-dimethylethyl)dinaphtho[2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x3-1:2xe2x80x2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-q]porphyrazine diiodide; zinc (II) 2,9,16-tris-(3-(N-methyl-pyridyloxy)tribenzo[b,g,1]-24-(1,1-dimethylethyl)naphtho[2xe2x80x2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-q]porphyrazine triiodide; zinc (II) 2,3-bis-(3-(N-methyl)pyridyloxy)benzo[b]-10,19,28-tri(1,1-dimethylethyl)trinaphtho[2xe2x80x2,3xe2x80x2-g:2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x3-1:2xe2x80x2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-q]porphyrazine diiodide; zinc (II) 2,3,18,19-tetrakis-(3-(N-methyl)pyridyloxy)dibenzo[b,1]-10,26-di(1,1-dimethyl)dinaphtho[2xe2x80x2,3xe2x80x2-g:2xe2x80x2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-q]porphyrazine tetraiodide; zinc (II) 2,3,9,10-tetrakis-(3-(N-methyl)pyridyloxy)dibenzo[g,g]-17,26-di(1,1-dimethylethyl)dinaphtho[2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x3-1:2xe2x80x2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-q]porphyrazine tetraiodide; zinc (II) 2,3,9,10,16,17-hexakis-(3-(N-methyl)pyridyloxy)tribenzo[b,g,1]-24-(1,1-dimethylethyl)naphtho[2xe2x80x2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-q]porphyrazine hexaiodide; zinc (II) meso-diphenyl tetrabenzoporphyrin; zinc (II) meso-triphenyl tetrabenzoporphyrin; zinc (II) meso-tetrakis(2,6-dichloro-3-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin; zinc (II) meso-tetra-(4-N-methylpyridyl)-porphine; zinc (II) 5,10,15,20-meso-tetra(4-octyl-phenylpropynyl)-porphine; zinc porphyrin c; zinc protoporphyrin; zinc protoporphyrin IX; zinc (II) meso-triphenyl-tetrabenzoporphyrin; zinc tetrabenzoporphyrin; zinc (II) tetrabenzoporphyrin; zinc tetranaphthaloporphyrin; zinc tetraphenylporphyrin; zinc (II) 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin; zinc (II) meso (4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphine; and zinc (II) texaphyrin chloride.
Exemplary metallophthalocyanines include aluminum mono-(6-carboxy-pentyl-amino-sulfonyl)-trisulfo-phthalocyanine; aluminum di-(6-carboxy-pentyl-amino-sulfonyl)-trisulfo-phthalocyanine; aluminum (III) octa-n-butoxy phthalocyanine; aluminum phthalocyanine; aluminum (III) phthalocyanine disulfonate; aluminum phthalocyanine disulfonate; aluminum phthalocyanine disulfonate (cis isomer); aluminum phthalocyanine disulfonate (clinical prep.); aluminum phthalocyanine phthalimido-methyl sulfonate; aluminum phthalocyanine sulfonate; aluminum phthalocyanine trisulfonate; aluminum (II) phthalocyanine trisulfonate; aluminum (II) phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate; aluminum phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate; chloroaluminum phthalocyanine; chloroaluminum phthalocyanine sulfonate; chloroaluminum phthalocyanine disulfonate; chloroaluminum phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate; chloroaluminum-t-butyl-phthalocyanine; cobalt phthalocyanine sulfonate; copper phthalocyanine sulfonate; copper (II) tetra-carboxy-phthalocyanine; copper (II)-phthalocyanine; copper t-butyl-phthalocyanine; copper phthalocyanine sulfonate; copper (II) tetrakis-[methylene-thio[(dimethyl-amino)methylidyne]]phthalocyanine tetrachloride; dichlorosilicon phthalocyanine; gallium (III) octa-n-butoxy phthalocyanine; gallium (II) phthalocyanine disulfonate; gallium phthalocyanine disulfonate; gallium phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate-chloride; gallium (II) phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate; gallium phthalocyanine trisulfonate-chloride; gallium (II) phthalocyanine trisulfonate; GaPcS1tBu3; GaPcS2tBu2; GaPcS3tBu1; germanium (IV) octa-n-butoxy phthalocyanine; germanium phthalocyanine derivative; silicon phthalocyanine derivative; germanium (IV) phthalocyanine octakis-alkoxy-derivatives; iron phthalocyanine sulfonate; lead (II) 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis(3,6-dioxaheptyloxy)phthalocyanine; magnesium t-butyl-phthalocyanine; nickel (II) 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis(3,6-dioxaheptyloxy)phthalocyanine; palladium (II) octa-n-butoxy phthalocyanine; palladium (II) tetra(t-butyl)-phthalocyanine; (diol) (t-butyl)3-phthalocyanato palladium(II); ruthenium(II) dipotassium[bis(triphenyl-phosphine-monosulphonate)phthalocyanine; silicon phthalocyanine bis(tri-n-hexyl-siloxy)-; silicon phthalocyanine bis(tri-phenyl-siloxy)-; HOSiPcOSi(CH3)2(CH2)3N(CH3)2; HOSiPcOSi(CH3)2(CH2)3N(CH2CH3)2; SiPc[OSi(CH3)2(CH2)3N(CH2]2; SiPc[OSi(CH3)2(CH2)3N(CH2CH3) (CH2)2N(CH3)2]2; tin (IV) octa-n-butoxy phthalocyanine; vanadium phthalocyanine sulfonate; zinc (II) octa-n-butoxy phthalocyanine; zinc (II) 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis(2-ethoxy-ethoxy)phthalocyanine; zinc (II) 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis(3,6-dioxaheptyloxy)phthalocyanine; zinc (II) 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octa-n-butoxy-phthalocyanine; zn(II)-phthalocyanine-octabutoxy; zn(II)-phthalocyanine; zinc phthalocyanine; zinc (II) phthalocyanine; zinc phthalocyanine and perdeuterated zinc phthalocyanine; zinc (II) phthalocyanine disulfonate; zinc phthalocyanine disulfonate; zinc phthalocyanine sulfonate; zinc phthalocyanine tetrabromo-; zinc (II) phthalocyanine tetra-t-butyl-; zinc (II) phthalocyanine tetra-(t-butyl)-; zinc phthalocyanine tetracarboxy-; zinc phthalocyanine tetrachloro-; zinc phthalocyanine tetrahydroxyl; zinc phthalocyanine tetraiodo-; zinc ((I) tetrakis-(1,1-dimethyl-2-phthalimido)ethyl phthalocyanine; zinc (II) tetrakis-(1,1-dimethyl-2-amino)-ethyl-phthalocyanine; zinc (II) phthalocyanine tetrakis(1,1-dimethyl-2-trimethyl ammonium)ethyl tetraiodide; zinc phthalocyanine tetrasulphonate; zinc phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate; zinc (II) phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate; zinc (II) phthalocyanine trisulfonate; zinc phthalocyanine trisulfonate; zinc (II) (t-butyl)3-phthalocyanine diol; zinc tetradibenzobarreleno-octabutoxy-phthalocyanine; zinc (II) 2,9,16,23,-tetrakis-(3-(N-methyl)pyridyloxy)phthalocyanine tetraiodide; and zinc (II) 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis-(3-(N-methyl)pyridyloxy)phthalocyanine complex octaiodide; and zinc (II) 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis-(3-pyridyloxy)phthalocyanine.
Exemplary methylene blue derivatives include 1-methyl methylene blue; 1,9-dimethyl methylene blue; methylene blue; methylene blue (16 xcexcM); methylene blue (14 xcexcM); methylene violet; bromomethylene violet; 4-iodomethylene violet; 1,9-dimethyl-3-dimethyl-amino-7-diethyl-amino-phenothiazine; and 1,9-dimethyl-3-diethylamino-7-dibutyl-amino-phenothiazine.
Exemplary naphthalimides blue derivatives include N,Nxe2x80x2-bis-(hydroperoxy-2-methoxyethyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthaldiimide; N-(hydroperoxy-2-methoxyethyl)-1,8-naphthalimide; 1,8-naphthalimide; N,Nxe2x80x2-bis(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthaldiimide; and N,Nxe2x80x2-bis(2,2-dimethylpropyl)-1,4,5,8-naphthaldiimide.
Exemplary naphthalocyanines include aluminum t-butyl-chloronaphthalocyanine; silicon bis(dimethyloctadecylsiloxy) 2,3-naphthalocyanine; silicon bis(dimethyloctadecylsiloxy)naphthalocyanine; silicon bis(dimethylthexylsiloxy) 2,3-naphthalocyanine; silicon bis(dimethylthexylsiloxy)naphthalocyanine; silicon bis(t-butyldimethylsiloxy) 2,3-naphthalocyanine; silicon bis(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)naphthalocyanine; silicon bis(tri-n-hexylsiloxy) 2,3-naphthalocyanine; silicon bis(tri-n-hexylsiloxy)naphthalocyanine; silicon naphthalocyanine; t-butylnaphthalocyanine; zinc (II) naphthalocyanine; zinc (II) tetraacetyl-amidonaphthalocyanine; zinc (II) tetraaminonaphthalocyanine; zinc (II) tetrabenzamidonaphthalocyanine; zinc (II) tetrahexylamidonaphthalocyanine; zinc (II) tetramethoxy-benzamidonaphthalocyanine; zinc (II) tetramethoxynaphthalocyanine; zinc naphthalocyanine tetrasulfonate; and zinc (II) tetradodecylamidonaphthalocyanine.
Exemplary nile blue derivatives include benzo[a]phenothiazinium, 5-amino-9-diethylamino-; benzo[a]phenothiazinium, 5-amino-9-diethylamino-6-iodo-; benzo[a]phenothiazinium, 5-benzylamino-9-diethylamino-; benzo[a]phenoxazinium, 5-amino-6,8-dibromo-9-ethylamino-; benzo[a]phenoxazinium, 5-amino-6,8-diiodo-9-ethylamino-; benzo[a]phenoxazinium, 5-amino-6-bromo-9-diethylamino-; benzo[a]phenoxazinium, 5-amino-9-diethylamino-(nile blue A); benzo[a]phenoxazinium, 5-amino-9-diethylamino-2,6-diiodo-; benzo[a]phenoxazinium, 5-amino-9-diethylamino-2,-iodo; benzo[a]phenoxazinium, 5-amino-9-diethylamino-6-iodo-; benzo[a]phenoxazinium, 5-benzylamino-9-diethylamino-(nile blue 2B); 5-ethylamino-9-diethylamino-benzo[a]phenoselenazinium chloride; 5-ethylamino-9-diethyl-aminobenzo[a]phenothiazinium chloride; and 5-ethylamino-9-diethyl-aminobenzo[a]phenoxazinium chloride.
Exemplary NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) include benoxaprofen; carprofen; carprofen dechlorinated (2-(2-carbazolyl) propionic acid); carprofen (3-chlorocarbazole); chlorobenoxaprofen; 2,4-dichlorobenoxaprofen; cinoxacin; ciprofloxacin; decarboxy-ketoprofen; decarboxy-suprofen; decarboxy-benoxaprofen; decarboxy-tiaprofenic acid; enoxacin; fleroxacin; fleroxacin-N-oxide; flumequine; indoprofen; ketoprofen; lomelfloxacin; 2-methyl-4-oxo-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-1,1-dioxide; N-demethyl fleroxacin; nabumetone; nalidixic acid; naproxen; norfloxacin; ofloxacin; pefloxacin; pipemidic acid; piroxicam; suprofen; and tiaprofenic acid.
Exemplary perylenequinones include hypericins such as hypericin; hypericin monobasic sodium salt; di-aluminum hypericin; di-copper hypericin; gadolinium hypericin; terbium hypericin, hypocrellins such as acetoxy hypocrellin A; acetoxy hypocrellin B; acetoxy iso-hypocrellin A; acetoxy iso-hypocrellin B; 3,10-bis[2-(2-aminoethylamino)ethanol]hypocrellin B; 3,10-bis[2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol]hypocrellin B; 3,10-bis[4-(2-aminoethyl)morpholine]hypocrellin B; n-butylaminated hypocrellin B; 3,10-bis(butylamine)hypocrellin B; 4,9-bis(butylamine)hypocrellin B; carboxylic acid hypocrellin B; cystamine-hypocrellin B; 5-chloro hypocrellin A or 8-chloro hypocrellin A; 5-chloro hypocrellin B or 8-chloro hypocrellin B; 8-chloro hypocrellin B; 8-chloro hypocrellin A or 5-chloro hypocrellin A; 8-chloro hypocrellin B or 5-chloro hypocrellin B; deacetylated aldehyde hypocrellin B; deacetylated hypocrellin B; deacetylated hypocrellin A; deacylated, aldehyde hypocrellin B; demethylated hypocrellin B; 5,8-dibromo hypocrellin A; 5,8-dibromo hypocrellin B; 5,8-dibromo iso-hypocrellin B; 5,8-dibromo[1,12-CBrxe2x95x90CMeCBr(COMe)]hypocrellin B; 5,8-dibromo[1,12-CHBrC(xe2x95x90CH2)CBr(COMe)]hypocrellin B; 5,8-dibromo[1-CH2COMe, 12-COCOCH2Br-]hypocrellin B; 5,8-dichloro hypocrellin A; 5,8-dichloro hypocrellin B; 5,8-dichlorodeacytylated hypocrellin B; 5,8-diiodo hypocrellin A; 5,8-diiodo hypocrellin B; 5,8-diiodo[1,12-CHxe2x95x90CMeCH(COCH2I2)-]hypocrellin B; 5,8-diiodo[1,12-CH2C(CH2I)xe2x95x90C(COMe)-]hypocrellin B; 2-(N,N-diethylamino)ethylaminated hypocrellin B; 3,10-bis[2-(N,N-diethylamino)-ethylamine]hypocrellin B; 4,9-bis[2-(N,N-diethyl-amino)-ethylamine]iso-hypocrellin B; dihydro-1,4-thiazine carboxylic acid hypocrellin B; dihydro-1,4-thiazine hypocrellin B; 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)propylamine hypocrellin B; dimethyl-1,3,5,8,10,12-hexamethoxy-4,9-perylenequinone-6,7-diacetate; dimethyl-5,8-dihydroxy-1,3,10,13-tetramethoxy-4,9-perylenequinone-6,7-diacetate; 2,11-dione hypocrellin A; ethanolamine hypocrellin B; ethanolamine iso-hypocrellin B; ethylenediamine hypocrellin B; 11-hydroxy hypocrellin B or 2-hydroxy hypocrellin B; hypocrellin A; hypocrellin B; 5-iodo[1,12-CH2C(CH2I)xe2x95x90C(COMe)-]hypocrellin B; 8-iodo[1,12-CH2C(CH2I)xe2x95x90C(COMe)-]hypocrellin B; 9-methylamino iso-hypocrellin B; 3,10-bis[2-(N,N-methylamino)propylamine]hypocrellin B; 4,9-bis(methylamine iso-hypocrellin B; 14-methylamine iso-hypocrellin B; 4-methylamine iso-hypocrellin B; methoxy hypocrellin A; methoxy hypocrellin B; methoxy iso-hypocrellin A; methoxy iso-hypocrellin B; methylamine hypocrellin B; 2-morpholino ethylaminated hypocrellin B; pentaacetoxy hypocrellin A; PQP derivative; tetraacetoxy hypocrellin B; 5,8,15-tribromo hypocrellin B; calphostin C, Cercosporins such as acetoxy cercosporin; acetoxy iso-cercosporin; aminocercosporin; cercosporin; cercosporin+iso-cercosporin (1/1 molar); diaminocercosporin; dimethylcercosporin; 5,8-dithiophenol cercosporin; iso-cercosporin; methoxycercosporin; methoxy iso-cercosporin; methylcercosporin; noranhydrocercosporin; elsinochrome A; elsinochrome B; phleichrome; and rubellin A.
Exemplary phenols include 2-benzylphenol; 2,2xe2x80x2-dihydroxybiphenyl; 2,5-dihydroxybiphenyl; 2-hydroxybiphenyl; 2-methoxybiphenyl; and 4-hydroxybiphenyl.
Exemplary pheophorbides include pheophorbide a; methyl 131-deoxy-20-formyl-7,8-vic-dihydro-bacterio-meso-pheophorbide a; methyl-2-(1-dodecyloxyethyl)-2-devinyl-pyropheophorbide a; methyl-2-(1-heptyl-oxyethyl)-2-devinyl-pyropheophorbide a; methyl-2-(1-hexyl-oxyethyl)-2-devinyl-pyropheophorbide a; methyl-2-(1-methoxy-ethyl)-2-devinyl-pyropheophorbide a; methyl-2-(1-pentyl-oxyethyl)-2-devinyl-pyropheophorbide a; magnesium methyl bacteriopheophorbide d; methyl-bacteriopheophorbide d; and pheophorbide.
Exemplary pheophytins include bacteriopheophytin a; bacteriopheophytin b; bacteriopheophytin c; bacteriopheophytin d; 10-hydroxy pheophytin a; pheophytin; pheophytin a; and protopheophytin.
Exemplary photosensitizer dimers and conjugates include aluminum mono-(6-carboxy-pentyl-amino-sulfonyl)-trisulfophthalocyanine bovine serum albumin conjugate; dihematoporphyrin ether (ester); dihematoporphyrin ether; dihematoporphyrin ether (ester)-chlorin; hematoporphyrin-chlorin ester; hematoporphyrin-low density lipoprotein conjugate; hematoporphyrin-high density lipoprotein conjugate; porphine-2,7,18-tripropanoic acid, 13,13xe2x80x2-(1,3-propanediyl)bis[3,8,12,17-tetramethyl]-; porphine-2,7,18-tripropanoic acid, 13,13xe2x80x2-(1,11-undecanediyl)bis[3,8,12,17-tetramethyl]-; porphine-2,7,18-tripropanoic acid, 13,13xe2x80x2-(1,6-hexanediyl)bis[3,8,12,17-tetramethyl]-; SnCe6-MAb conjugate 1.7:1; SnCe6-MAb conjugate 1.7:1; SnCe6-MAb conjugate 6.8:1; SnCe6-MAb conjugate 11.2:1; SnCe6-MAb conjugate 18.9:1; SnCe6-dextran conjugate 0.9:1; SnCe6-dextran conjugate 3.5:1; SnCe6-dextran conjugate 5.5:1; SnCe6-dextran conjugate 9.9:1; xcex1-terthienyl-bovine serum albumin conjugate (12:1); xcex1-terthienyl-bovine serum albumin conjugate (4:1); and tetraphenylporphine linked to 7-chloroquinoline.
Exemplary phthalocyanines include (diol) (t-butyl)3-phthalocyanine; (t-butyl)4-phthalocyanine; cis-octabutoxy-dibenzo-dinaphtho-porphyrazine; trans-octabutoxy-dibenzo-dinaphtho-porphyrazine; 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis2-ethoxyethoxy) phthalocyanine; 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis(3,6-dioxaheptyloxy)phthalocyanine; octa-n-butoxy phthalocyanine; phthalocyanine; phthalocyanine sulfonate; phthalocyanine tetrasulphonate; phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate; t-butyl-phthalocyanine; tetra-t-butyl phthalocyanine; and tetradibenzobarreleno-octabutoxy-phthalocyanine.
Exemplary porphycenes include 2,3-(23-carboxy-24-methoxycarbonyl benzo)-7,12,17-tris(2-methoxyethyl)porphycene; 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-7,12,17-tri(2-methoxyethyl)porphycene; 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-7,12,17-tri-n-propyl-porphycene; 2-(2-methoxyethyl)-7,12,17-tri-n-propyl-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl) porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl)-9-hydroxy-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl)-9-methoxy-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl)-9-n-hexyloxy-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl)-9-acetoxy-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl)-9-caproyloxy-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl)-9-pelargonyloxy-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl)-9-stearoyloxy-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl)-9-(N-t-butoxycarbonylglycinoxy)porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl)-9-[4-((xcex2-apo-7-carotenyl)benzoyloxyl-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl)-9-amino-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl)-9-acetamido-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl)-9-glutaramido-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl)-9-(methyl-glutaramido)-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl)-9-(glutarimido)-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl)-3-(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetrakis(2-methoxyethyl)-3-(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)-porphycene hydrochloride; 2,7,12,17-tetrakis(2-ethoxyethyl)-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propyl-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propyl-9-hydroxy-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propyl-9-methoxy-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propyl-9-acetoxy porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propyl-9-(t-butyl glutaroxy)-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propyl-9-(N-t-butoxycarbonylglycinoxy)-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propyl-9-(4-N-t-butoxy-carbonyl-butyroxy)-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propyl-9-amino-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propyl-9-acetamido-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propyl-9-glutaramido-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propyl-9-(methyl glutaramido)-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propyl-3-(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propyl-9,10-benzo porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propyl-9-p-benzoyl carboxy-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetra-n-propyl-porphycene; 2,7,12,17-tetra-t-butyl-3,6;13,16-dibenzo-porphycene; 2,7-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-12,17-di-n-propyl-porphycene; 2,7-bis(2-methoxyethyl)-12,17-di-n-propyl-porphycene; and porphycene.
Exemplary porphyrins include 5-azaprotoporphyrin dimethylester; bis-porphyrin; coproporphyrin III; coproporphyrin III tetramethylester; deuteroporphyrin; deuteroporphyrin IX dimethylester; diformyldeuteroporphyrin IX dimethylester; dodecaphenylporphyrin; hematoporphyrin; hematoporphyrin (8 xcexcM); hematoporphyrin (400 xcexcM); hematoporphyrin (3 xcexcM); hematoporphyrin (18 xcexcM); hematoporphyrin (30 xcexcM); hematoporphyrin (67 xcexcM); hematoporphyrin (150 xcexcM); hematoporphyrin IX; hematoporphyrin monomer; hematoporphyrin dimer; hematoporphyrin derivative; hematoporphyrin derivative (6 xcexcM); hematoporphyrin derivative (200 xcexcM); hematoporphyrin derivative A (20 xcexcM); hematoporphyrin IX dihydrochloride; hematoporphyrin dihydrochloride; hematoporphyrin IX dimethylester; haematoporphyrin IX dimethylester; mesoporphyrin dimethylester; mesoporphyrin IX dimethylester; monoformyl-monovinyl-deuteroporphyrin IX dimethylester; monohydroxyethylvinyl deuteroporphyrin; 5,10,15,20-tetra(o-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin; 5,10,15,20-tetra(m-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin; 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(m-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin; 5,10,15,20-tetra(p-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin; 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (3-methoxyphenyl)porphyrin; 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)porphyrin; 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)porphyrin; 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)porphyrin; 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin; Photofrin(copyright); Photofrin(copyright) II; porphyrin c; protoporphyrin; protoporphyrin IX; protoporphyrin dimethylester; protoporphyrin IX dimethylester; protoporphyrin propylaminoethylformamide iodide; protoporphyrin N,N-dimethylaminopropylformamide; protoporphyrin propylaminopropylformamide iodide; protoporphyrin butylformamide; protoporphyrin N,N-dimethylamino-formamide; protoporphyrin formamide; sapphyrin 1 3,12,13,22-tetraethyl-2,7,18,23 tetramethyl sapphyrin-8,17-dipropanol; sapphyrin 2 3,12,13,22-tetraethyl-2,7,18,23 tetramethyl sapphyrin-8-monoglycoside; sapphyrin 3; meso-tetra-(4-N-carboxyphenyl)-porphine; tetra-(3-methoxyphenyl)-porphine; tetra-(3-methoxy-2,4-difluorophenyl)-porphine; 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphine; meso-tetra-(4-N-methylpyridyl)-porphine tetrachloride; meso-tetra(4-N-methylpyridyl)-porphine; meso-tetra-(3-N-methylpyridyl)-porphine; meso-tetra-(2-N-methylpyridyl)-porphine; tetra(4-N,N,N-trimethylanilinium)porphine; meso-tetra-(4-N,N,Nxe2x80x3-trimethylamino-phenyl) porphine tetrachloride; tetranaphthaloporphyrin; 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin; tetraphenylporphyrin; meso-tetra-(4-N-sulfonatophenyl)-porphine; tetraphenylporphine tetrasulfonate; meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine; tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine; tetraphenylporphyrin sulfonate; meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine; tetrakis (4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin; meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine; meso(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine; meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine; tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyin; meso-tetra(4-N-trimethylanilinium)-porphine; uroporphyrin; uroporphyrin I (17 xcexcM); uroporphyrin IX; and uroporphyrin I (18 xcexcM).
Exemplary psoralens include psoralen; 5-methoxypsoralen; 8-methoxypsoralen; 5,8-dimethoxypsoralen; 3-carbethoxypsoralen; 3-carbethoxy-pseudopsoralen; 8-hydroxypsoralen; pseudopsoralen; 4,5xe2x80x2,8-trimethylpsoralen; allopsoralen; 3-aceto-allopsoralen; 4,7-dimethyl-allopsoralen; 4,7,4xe2x80x2-trimethyl-allopsoralen; 4,7,5xe2x80x2-trimethyl-allopsoralen; isopseudopsoralen; 3-acetoisopseudopsoralen; 4,5xe2x80x2-dimethyl-isopseudopsoralen; 5xe2x80x2,7-dimethyl-isopseudopsoralen; pseudoisopsoralen; 3-acetopseudoisopsoralen; 3/4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2-trimethyl-aza-psoralen; 4,4xe2x80x2,8-trimethyl-5xe2x80x2-amino-methylpsoralen; 4,4xe2x80x2,8-trimethyl-phthalamyl-psoralen; 4,5xe2x80x2,8-trimethyl-4xe2x80x2-aminomethyl psoralen; 4,5xe2x80x2,8-trimethyl-bromopsoralen; 5-nitro-8-methoxy-psoralen; 5xe2x80x2-acetyl-4,8-dimethyl-psoralen; 5xe2x80x2-aceto-8-methyl-psoralen; and 5xe2x80x2-aceto-4,8-dimethyl-psoralen
Exemplary purpurins include octaethylpurpurin; octaethylpurpurin zinc; oxidized octaethylpurpurin; reduced octaethylpurpurin; reduced octaethylpurpurin tin; purpurin 18; purpurin-18; purpurin-18-methyl ester; purpurin; tin ethyl etiopurpurin I; Zn(II) aetio-purpurin ethyl ester; and zinc etiopurpurin.
Exemplary quinones include 1-amino-4,5-dimethoxy anthraquinone; 1,5-diamino-4,8-dimethoxy anthraquinone; 1,8-diamino-4,5-dimethoxy anthraquinone; 2,5-diamino-1,8-dihydroxy anthraquinone; 2,7-diamino-1,8-dihydroxy anthraquinone; 4,5-diamino-1,8-dihydroxy anthraquinone; mono-methylated 4,5- or 2,7-diamino-1,8-dihydroxy anthraquinone; anthralin (keto form); anthralin; anthralin anion; 1,8-dihydroxy anthraquinone; 1,8-dihydroxy anthraquinone (Chrysazin); 1,2-dihydroxy anthraquinone; 1,2-dihydroxy anthraquinone (Alizarin); 1,4-dihydroxy anthraquinone (Quinizarin); 2,6-dihydroxy anthraquinone; 2,6-dihydroxy anthraquinone (Anthraflavin); 1-hydroxy anthraquinone (Erythroxy-anthraquinone); 2-hydroxy-anthraquinone; 1,2,5,8-tetra-hydroxy anthraquinone (Quinalizarin); 3-methyl-1,6,8-trihydroxy anthraquinone (Emodin); anthraquinone; anthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid; benzoquinone; tetramethyl benzoquinone; hydroquinone; chlorohydroquinone; resorcinol; and 4-chlororesorcinol.
Exemplary retinoids include all-trans retinal; C17 aldehyde; C22 aldehyde; 11-cis retinal; 13-cis retinal; retinal; and retinal palmitate.
Exemplary rhodamines include 4,5-dibromo-rhodamine methyl ester; 4,5-dibromo-rhodamine n-butyl ester; rhodamine 101 methyl ester; rhodamine 123; rhodamine 6G; rhodamine 6G hexyl ester; tetrabromo-rhodamine 123; and tetramethyl-rhodamine ethyl ester.
Exemplary thiophenes include terthiophenes such as 2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene-5-carboxamide; 2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene-5-carboxylic acid; 2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene-5-L-serine ethyl ester; 2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene-5-N-isopropynyl-formamide; 5-acetoxymethyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5-benzyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene-sulphide; 5-benzyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene-sulfoxide; 5-benzyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene-sulphone; 5-bromo-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5-(butynyl-3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-hydroxy)-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5-carboxyl-5xe2x80x3-trimethylsilyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5-cyano-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5,5xe2x80x3-dibromo-2,2xe2x80x2: 5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5-(1xe2x80x2xe2x80x3,1xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-dibromoethenyl)-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5,5xe2x80x3-dicyano-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5,5xe2x80x3-diformyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5terthiophene; 5-difluoromethyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5,5xe2x80x3-diiodo-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 3,3xe2x80x3-dimethyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5,5xe2x80x3-dimethyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5-(3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3,3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-dimethylacryloyloxymethyl)-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5,5xe2x80x3-di-(t-butyl)-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5,5xe2x80x3-dithiomethyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 3xe2x80x2-ethoxy-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; ethyl 2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene-5-carboxylic acid; 5-formyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5-hydroxyethyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5-hydroxymethyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5-iodo-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5-methoxy-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2terthiophene; 3xe2x80x2-methoxy-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5-methyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5-(3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-methyl-2xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-butenyl)-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; methyl 2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene-5-[3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-acrylate]; methyl 2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene-5-(3xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-propionate); N-allyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene-5-sulphonamide; N-benzyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene-5-sulphonamide; N-butyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene-5-sulphonamide; N,N-diethyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene-5-sulphonamide; 3,3xe2x80x2,4xe2x80x2,3xe2x80x3-tetramethyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5-t-butyl-5xe2x80x3-trimethylsilyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 3xe2x80x2-thiomethyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5-thiomethyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene; 5-trimethylsilyl-2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3-terthiophene, bithiophenes such as 2,2xe2x80x2-bithiophene; 5-cyano-2,2xe2x80x2-bithiophene; 5-formyl-2,2xe2x80x2-bithiophene; 5-phenyl-2,2xe2x80x2-bithiophene; 5-(propynyl)-2,2xe2x80x2-bithiophene; 5-(hexynyl)-2,2xe2x80x2-bithiophene; 5-(octynyl)-2,2xe2x80x2-bithiophene; 5-(butynyl-4xe2x80x3-hydroxy)-2,2xe2x80x2-bithiophene; 5-(pentynyl-5xe2x80x3-hydroxy)-2,2xe2x80x2-bithiophene; 5-(3xe2x80x3,4xe2x80x3-dihydroxybutynyl)-2,2xe2x80x2-bithiophene derivative; 5-(ethoxybutynyl)-2,2xe2x80x2-bithiophene derivative, and misclaneous thiophenes such as 2,5-diphenylthiophene; 2,5-di(2-thienyl)furan; pyridine, 2,6-bis(2-thienyl)-; pyridine, 2,6-bis(thienyl)-; thiophene, 2-(1-naphthalenyl)-; thiophene, 2-(2-naphthalenyl)-; thiophene, 2,2xe2x80x2-(1,2-phenylene)bis-; thiophene, 2,2xe2x80x2-(1,3-phenylene)bis-; thiophene, 2,2xe2x80x2-(1,4-phenylene)bis-; 2,2xe2x80x2:5xe2x80x2,2xe2x80x3:5xe2x80x3,2xe2x80x2xe2x80x3-quaterthiophene; xcex1-quaterthienyl; xcex1-tetrathiophene; xcex1-pentathiophene; xcex1-hexathiophene; and xcex1-heptathiophene.
Exemplary verdins include copro (II) verdin trimethyl ester; deuteroverdin methyl ester; mesoverdin methyl ester; and zinc methyl pyroverdin.
Exemplary vitamins include ergosterol (provitamin D2); hexamethyl-Co a Co b-dicyano-7-de(carboxymethyl)-7,8-didehydro-cobyrinate (Pyrocobester); pyrocobester; and vitamin D3.
Exemplary xanthene dyes include Eosin B (4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2-dibromo, 2xe2x80x2,7xe2x80x2-dinitro-fluorescein, dianion); eosin Y; eosin Y (2xe2x80x2,4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2,7xe2x80x2-tetrabromo-fluorescein, dianion); eosin (2xe2x80x2,4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2,7xe2x80x2-tetrabromo-fluorescein, dianion); eosin (2xe2x80x2,4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2,7xe2x80x2-tetrabromo-fluorescein, dianion) methyl ester; eosin (2xe2x80x2,4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2,7xe2x80x2-tetrabromo-fluorescein, monoanion) p-isopropylbenzyl ester; eosin derivative (2xe2x80x2,7xe2x80x2-dibromo-fluorescein, dianion); eosin derivative (4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2-dibromo-fluorescein, dianion); eosin derivative (2xe2x80x2,7xe2x80x2-dichloro-fluorescein, dianion); eosin derivative (4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2-dichloro-fluorescein, dianion); eosin derivative (2xe2x80x2,7xe2x80x2-diiodo-fluorescein, dianion); eosin derivative (4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2-diiodo-fluorescein, dianion); eosin derivative (tribromo-fluorescein, dianion); eosin derivative (2xe2x80x2,4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2,7xe2x80x2-tetrachloro-fluorescein, dianion); eosin; eosin dicetylpyridinium chloride ion pair; erythrosin B (2xe2x80x2,4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2, 7xe2x80x2-tetraiodo-fluorescein, dianion); erythrosin; erythrosin dianion; erythrosin B; fluorescein; fluorescein dianion; phloxin B (2xe2x80x2,4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2,7xe2x80x2-tetrabromo-3,4,5,6-tetrachloro-fluorescein, dianion); phloxin B (tetrachloro-tetrabromo-fluorescein); phloxine B; rose bengal (3,4,5,6-tetrachloro-2xe2x80x2,4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2,7xe2x80x2-tetraiodofluorescein, dianion); rose bengal; rose bengal dianion; rose bengal O-methyl-methylester; rose bengal 6xe2x80x2-O-acetyl ethyl ester; rose bengal benzyl ester diphenyl-diiodonium salt; rose bengal benzyl ester triethylammonium salt; rose bengal benzyl ester, 2,4,6,-triphenylpyrilium salt; rose bengal benzyl ester, benzyltriphenyl-phosphonium salt; rose bengal benzyl ester, benzyltriphenyl phosphonium salt; rose bengal benzyl ester, diphenyl-iodonium salt; rose bengal benzyl ester, diphenyl-methylsulfonium salt; rose bengal benzyl ester, diphenyl-methyl-sulfonium salt; rose bengal benzyl ester, triethyl-ammnonium salt; rose bengal benzyl ester, triphenyl pyrilium; rose bengal bis(triethyl-ammonium)salt) (3,4,5,6-tetrachloro-2xe2x80x2,4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2,7xe2x80x2-tetraiodofluorescein, bis(triethyl-ammonium salt); rose bengal bis(triethyl-ammonium)salt; rose bengal bis(benzyl-triphenyl-phosphonium) salt (3,4,5,6-tetrachloro-2xe2x80x2,4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2,7xe2x80x2-tetraiodofluorescein, bis(benzyl-triphenyl-phosphonium)salt); rose bengal bis(diphenyl-iodonium)salt (3,4,5,6-tetrachloro-2xe2x80x2,4xe2x80x2,5xe2x80x2,7xe2x80x2-tetraiodofluorescein, bis(diphenyl-iodonium)salt); rose bengal di-cetyl-pyridinium chloride ion pair; rose bengal ethyl ester triethyl ammonium salt; rose bengal ethyl ester triethyl ammonium salt; rose bengal ethyl ester; rose bengal methyl ester; rose bengal octyl ester tri-n-butyl-ammonium salt RB; rose bengal, 6xe2x80x2-O-acetyl-, and ethyl ester.
Particularly preferred PSs are the green porphyrins, such as BPD-DA, -DB, -MA, and -MB, and in particular BPD-MA, EA6, and B3. These compounds are porphyrin derivatives obtained by reacting a porphyrin nucleus with an alkyne in a Diels-Alder type reaction to obtain a monohydrobenzoporphyrin, and they are described in detail in the issued U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,749, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. Of course, combinations of photosensitizers may also be used. It is preferred that the. absorption spectrum of the photosensitizer be in the visible range, typically between 350 nm and 1200 nm, more preferably between 400-900 nm, and even more preferably between 600-900 nm.
BPD-MA is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,749; EA6 (also known as QLT 0074) and B3 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,105 and 5,990,149, respectively, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Preferred green porphyrins for the practice of the invention have the following basic structure:
where R4 is vinyl or 1-hydroxyethyl and R1, R2, and R3 are H or alkyl or substituted alkyl.
BPD-MA has the structure shown in formula 1 wherein R1 and R2 are methyl, R4 is vinyl and one of R3 is H and the other is methyl. EA6 is of formula 2 wherein R1 and R2 are methyl and both R3 are 2-hydroxyethyl (i.e., the ethylene glycol esters). B3 is of formula 2 wherein R1 is methyl, R2 is H, and both R3 are methyl. In both EA6 and B3, R4 is also vinyl.
The representations of BPD-MAC and BPD-MAD, which are the components of Verteporfin, as well as illustrations of A and B ring forms of EA6 and B3, are as follows:
Related compounds of formulas 3 and 4 are also useful; in general, R4 will be vinyl or 1-hydroxyethyl and R1, R2, and R3 are H or alkyl or substituted alkyl.
Additional examples of hydrophobic BPD B-ring compounds that are difficult to formulate, and are especially well suited to use in the invention are shown below, where the asterisks indicate chiral carbon positions.
Additionally, the photosensitizers used in the invention may be conjugated to various ligands to facilitate targeting to the target tissue. These ligands include those that are receptor-specific as well as immunoglobulins and fragments thereof. Preferred ligands include antibodies in general and monoclonal antibodies, as well as immunologically reactive fragments of both.
It is well known in the art that for PDT using any particular PS, the total PDT outcome depends in part on the balance of three parameters that can be varied: the concentration of PS, the light intensity (also referred to as power or fluence rate, usually expressed as mW/cm2 of target tissue), and the duration of irradiation. The latter two parameters, time and light intensity determine the total fluence (also referred to as total light dose, or irradiance), which is usually expressed as J/cm2 of target tissue. Another variable that must be taken into consideration is the time gap between administration of the PS, and the application of light to the target tissue. The rate of uptake into the target tissue and the rate of clearance or elimination of a particular PS determines the amount of PS available for activation in the target tissue at any particular time after PS administration. Ideally, light is administered when an effective amount of PS (an amount sufficient to provide an efficacious effect in the PDT being administered) has accumulated in the target tissue, but before a significant amount of PS has accumulated in non-target tissues. An effective or sufficient amount of light is that which provides an efficacious effect in the PDT being administered. This time period has generally been determined to be between 1 minute and 3 hours (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,705,518 and 5,770,619 which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth). However, more precise timing can be determined by pharmacokinetic studies comparing the presence of PS in target and not-target tissues at various time points after PS administration.
It is understood that the selection of particular fluence rates will vary according to the nature of the macula, the DME lesion, or lesion resulting in macular edema being treated and the nature of the PS employed. However, the conditions for PDT (including PS concentration, fluence rate, and time of irradiation) cannot vary over any arbitrary range. There are actual constraints which are known by the skilled practitioner with the use of any PS in PDT. Preferred rates for use with green porphyrins or BPDs is from about 100 to 250, about 250 to 300, about 300 to 350, about 350 to 400, about 400 to 450, about 450 to 500, and about 500 to 550, about 550 to 600, about 600 to 650, about 650 to 700, about 700 to 750, about 750 to 800, about 800 to 850 and about 850 to 900 mW/cm2. Particularly preferred is a fluence rate in the range of 200 to 600 mW/cm2.
As indicated above, the total PDT dose depends on the balance of at least the concentration of PS employed, light intensity (fluence rate), and time of irradiation which determines total energy. The values set forth hereinbelow for these parameters indicates the range in which they may be varied; however, equivalents of the following are known to the skilled practitioner and are also within the scope of the invention.
The PS concentration in the formulation to be administered will depend on the nature of the lesion to be treated, the manner in which the formulation is administered, and the nature of the PS. However, these values are merely suggestions and may not apply to all PSs. For localized application of BPD-MA and other green porphyrins or porphyrin derivatives (especially those listed above), a range of about 0.01 to about 0.2 or about 0.5 mg/ml in the PS formulation to be applied is contemplated. Preferably, about 0.075 mg/ml is used. For systemic application of PS, the range may be about 2-8 (or more preferably about 6) mg/m2 (BPD-MA/body surface area). About 6 mg/m2 is approximately 0.15 mg/kg for a human patient, but will vary depending on the height and weight of a particular patient.
Systemic administration can also be stated in terms of amount of PS to body weight of the subject being treated. Dosages for this invention stated in such terms are less than about 10 xcexcg/kg to 100 mg/kg body weight, preferably less than about 10 mg/kg, less than about 5 mg/kg, less than about 2 mg/kg, less than about 1 mg/kg, less than about 0.5 mg/kg, less than about 0.25 mg/kg, less than about 0.15 mg/kg, less than about 0.1 mg/kg, or less than about 0.05 mg/kg. One preferred concentration is about 0.15 mg/kg in humans. Preferably, the PS is infused into a subject over a short period, such as, but not limited to, about 5 to about 120 minutes, about 10 to about 90 minutes, about 20 to about 60 minutes, or about 30 to 45 minutes. Particularly preferred is an infusion over 10, but less than about 120, minutes.
The PS/photoactive agent is preferably formulated so as to provide an effective concentration to the target ocular tissue. The photoactive agent may be coupled to a specific binding ligand which may bind to a specific surface component of the target ocular tissue or, if desired, by formulation with a carrier that delivers higher concentrations to the target tissue. The formulation may be a liposomal formulation, an emulsion, or simply an aqueous solution, depending on the PS being used, and whether it is hydrophobic or hydrophilic. Buffers and other excipients may also be added. Gelling agents and other excipients may also be employed.
The nature of the formulation will depend in part on the mode of administration and on the nature of the photoactive agent selected. Any pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, or combination thereof, appropriate to the particular photoactive compound may be used. Thus, the photoactive compound may be administered as an aqueous composition, as a transmucosal or transdermal composition, or in an oral formulation. Liposomal or lipid-based compositions are particularly preferred especially where the photoactive agent is a green porphyrin. Such formulations are believed to deliver the green porphyrin selectively to the low-density lipoprotein component of plasma which, in turn acts as a carrier to deliver the active ingredient more effectively to the desired site.
The optimum time following PS administration until light treatment can also vary widely depending on the mode of administration, the form of administration and the specific ocular tissue being targeted. Typical times after administration of the photoactive agent range from about 1 minute to about 48 hours, preferably about 1 minute to 3 hours, about 5-30 minutes, and more preferably about 10-25 minutes. Particularly preferred is irradiation at about 15 minutes after the start of a ten minute infusion when BPD-MA is used as the PS. The incubation before irradiation may occur in the dark or low-level light may be supplied during PS administration.
The irradiation levels (total light dose) will be in the range generally employed for PDT treatment known in the art. Typical levels for the practice of the invention are in the range of about 1, about 5, about 12.5, about 25, about 50, about 75, about 100, about 125, about 150, about 175 and about 200 J/cm2. Especially preferred are levels in the range of about 1 to about 50 J/cm2 and about 5 to about 30 J/cm2. Preferred are fluence rates of about 300 mW/cm2 used to deliver about 25 J/cm2 in about 83 seconds, about 12.5 mW/cm2 in about 42 seconds, and about 50 mW/cm2 in about 166 seconds, or fluence rates of about 600 mW/cm2 used to deliver about 12.5 mW/cm2 in about 21 seconds, 25 mW/cm2 in about 42 seconds, or 50 mW/cm2 in about 83 seconds. The radiation can be supplied by any convenient source using a wavelength absorbed by the PS used. Examples of sources for use in the present methods include any assembly capable of producing visible light. Particularly preferred is light from a diode laser delivered via a fiber optic via a slit lamp and utilizing a suitable contact lens that is placed on the eye of the subject.
PS spectra, as well as wavelengths for PS activation, have been described in the art. Irradiation of the administered PS is at a wavelength absorbed by the PS selected. For any particular PS, it is a trivial matter to ascertain the spectrum. For green porphyrins, however, the desired wavelength range is generally between about 550 and 695 nm. Preferred wavelengths for the practice of the invention are at about 685-695 nm, particularly at about 686, about 687, about 688, about 689, about 690, about 691, and about 692 nm.
The area of the eye that is exposed to light depends on the nature and extent of the lesion(s) that have been detected by angiography. For focal lesions, a spot size is chosen that generally encompasses the lesion. For diffuse lesions, a spot size that encompasses the area in which leakage has been detected can be treated, and will generally be larger than the spot size used in the treatment of focal lesions. Spot sizes can range anywhere from 100 to 8000 microns or more in diameter, depending on the size of the lesion to be treated, and the maximum spot diameter that can be produced by the apparatus being used. Multiple areas of leakage can be treated by repeating the irradiation step on two or more areas in which diffuse leakage has been detected. If this is done, the subsequent areas are preferably be treated immediately after the first area has been treated. Irradiation spots are generally round, due to the fact that most types of apparatus produce a circular spot, but the spot irradiated need not be circular.
Another approach to providing light to diffuse lesions is to irradiate multiple small spots arranged in a xe2x80x9cgridxe2x80x9d pattern. The spot sizes are in the range of about 25 to about 500 microns in diameter, most preferably in the range of about 50 to about 200 microns in diameter. Preferably, there is a distance of about 0.5 to about 2.0 spot diameters between individual spots, most preferably about 1.0 spot diameters. The grid pattern of irradiation is preferably performed over an area sufficient to cover areas of diffuse leakage.
While the above presents the use of light containing an activating wavelength, any form of appropriately activating electromagnetic radiation, such as from ultraviolet to visible and infra red light, may be used to activate a photosensitizer as used in the present invention. This is obviously of particular relevance to photosensitizers with an activation wavelength above or below the range of visible light. It should also again be pointed out that because there are three significant factorsxe2x80x94the concentration of the photosensitizing drug, the intensity of the radiation employed and the time of exposure to light, which determines the total amount of energy ultimately delivered to the target tissue, an increase in one or more of these factors generally permits a decrease in the remaining factors.
For example, if it is desired to irradiate only for a short period of time the energy of irradiation or the concentration of the drug may be increased. Conversely, if longer time periods of irradiation are permitted, lower irradiation intensities and lower drug concentrations are desirable. It is understood that the manipulation of these parameters will vary according to the nature of the lesion and tissue being treated and the nature of the photosensitizer (PS) employed. One rough means for comparing different PDT protocols is the product of PS concentration (e.g., in ng/ml)xc3x97intensity (e.g., in mW/cm2)xc3x97time (e.g., in seconds). However, it is difficult to set absolute numbers for this product since there are constraints on each of the parameters individually. For example, if the intensity is too low, the PS will not be activated consistently; if the intensity is too high, hyperthermic and other damaging effects may occur. Additionally, in some instances with some photosensitizers and the concentration used, ambient or environmental light available at the target cell or tissue undergoing PDT may be sufficient in the absence of additional deliberate irradiation.
Similarly, PS concentrations cannot vary over any arbitrary range. There may also be constraints on the time during which radiation can be administered. Accordingly, the product of the foregoing equation is only a rough measure. However, this approach may provide a convenient index that can be adjusted according to the relative potency of the PS employed, and in general, an increase in intensity would permit a decrease in time of irradiation, and so forth.
Treatments in accordance with the present invention may also be repeated one or more times, as for example, if the skilled practitioner finds a recurrence of the lesion. Repeat treatments are preferably at intervals of about 1, about 2 and about 3 months, with a minimum of 1, 2, 3 or 4 repeats.
Treatment efficacy can be evaluated by a number of different protocols, including, but not limited to fluorescein or indocyanine green angiography to determine the area of leakage from the lesion before and after treatment. Angiography using the aforementioned dyes is well known in the art.
Of particular importance with respect to the present invention is the evaluation of visual acuity and vision loss. The former is done using means standard in the art and conventional xe2x80x9ceye chartsxe2x80x9d in which visual acuity is evaluated by the ability to discern letters of a certain size, usually with five letters on a line of given size. Preferably, the eye chart is an xe2x80x9cETDRSxe2x80x9d eye chart described in publications related to the EDTRS study, or in Murphy, R. P. in Current Techniques in Opthalmic Laser Surgery, 3rd Edition, Edited by L. J. Singerman and G. Cascas, Butterworth Heinemann, 2000 Measures of visual acuity are known in the art and standard means are used to evaluate visual acuity according to the present invention.
In macular edemas involving leakage (or hemorrhage) from vasculature, the reabsorption of the leakage/hemorrhage after an acute phase or treatment according to the present invention may be followed by identification and/or evaluation of macromolecular and/or molecular vascular characteristics that are of prognostic significance. In a preferred embodiment when macular edema associated with CRVO or BRVO is treated according to the present invention, the retinal vascular (vein) characteristics with a prognostic significance may be identified and evaluated after reabsorption of the leakage/hemorrhage. Similarly, the vascular characteristics associated with DME may be evaluated as well.


A posterior chamber intra-ocular implant in which a lens of a material such as polysulfone or polymethylmethacrylate is lodged in a pocket of a carrier of a material such as silicone or a hydrophilic polymer. Haptic loops extend from the carrier to position the implant in the posterior chamber. Protrusions may be provided on the rear surface of the carrier to space the implant from the posterior capsule.

The invention relates to an improved posterior chamber intra-ocular lens designed for implantation in the eye.
Surgical removal of the opaque lens from the eyes of cataract patients is one of the most common surgical procedures. In the past, contact lenses or spectacles were usually prescribed for the patient to provide at least limited vision following the operation. The optical and other drawbacks of contact lenses and spectacles for such purpose were numerous. Today implanation of an artificial intra-ocular lens to replace the removed opaque natural lens is the preferred way to restore the patient's sight.
The natural lens in the eye serves to focus the light entering the eye through the cornea onto the retina. The lens is surrounded by a thin capsule. In cataract surgery either the entire lens, including the capsule, is removed intact in a so-called intracapsular extraction or the transparent rear wall of the capsule (the so-called posterior capsule) is left in the eye in a so-called extracapsular cataract extraction. Extracapsular extraction is now the preferred technique.
The eye is divided by the iris into an anterior chamber in front of the iris and a posterior chamber behind the iris. The implant can be placed either in the anterior chamber or the posterior chamber. Placement in the posterior chamber is now preferred for a number of reasons.
One of the particular advantages of placement in the posterior chamber is that the implant need not be sutured to the eye and can simply be positioned by the use of centering haptic loops or the like extending from the lens body. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,159,546 and 4,298,994 describe implants of this type designed for implantation in the posterior chamber. Typically the lens body is formed of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and the loops of PMMA or polypropylene. PMMA is now most commonly used material for at least the optical portion of the lens.
PMMA is a relatively hard material which may damage eye tissue under some circumstances, particularly when the implant remains in place for many years. Suggestions have been made to form the implant of a soft flexible material such as silicone or a hydrophilic polymer. However, such material may warp in time, adversely altering the optic characteristics of the lens.
In the present invention a lens body, preferably of a relatively hard material, such a PMMA, is encased in a carrier of a soft material such as a hydrophilic polymer. Therefore the eye contacts only the soft material and at the same time stable optical characteristics are ensured.
Polyproplene is used ubiquitously in medicine over a wide range of products without any knwon problems from degradation. However, its oscular use as haptic loops has raised special concerns. First susceptibility of this material to ultra-violet (UV) degradation has been reported. Other concerns have been expressed recently concerning polypropylene in the posterior chamber where it is in apposition to uveal tissue and reports have emanated showing surface changes in the material. Polypropylene may not therefore be in the ideal material for haptic loops. In the present invention the loops can be integrally formed of "soft" material with the carrier.
Typically the rear surface of an intra-ocular lens implanted in the posterior chamber contacts the posterior capsule over at least a substantial portion of its surface. This may to some extent impede natural flow of fluids, possibly resulting in some damage to the posterior capsule. The rear surface of the lens can also to some extent abrade the posterior capsule and possibly damage the capsule.
In a small percentage of cases the naturally transparent posterior capsule becomes cloudy following implantation. In this instance the capsule must be opened so that light can be focused onto the retina. Until recently this was normally accomplished by inserting an instrument into the eye to cut through the posterior capsule, i.e., a so-called discission. However, this operation is now very easily accomplished on an outpatient basis by the use of a Neodynium YAG laser. The coherent light from the laser is focused directly on the posterior capsule to in effect form a hole in the capusle without any damage to other portions of the eye.
However, if the rear surface of an implant is in contact or closely adjacent the spot on which the laser is formed, that portion of the lens will also be damaged by the laser resulting in a mark on the lens which will appear in the field of vision of the patient.
The patents to Hoffer U.S. Pat. No. Re. 31,626 and Meyers U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,359 describe an intra-ocular lens designed for implantation in the posterior chamber and in which an annular lip or ridge is provided on the rear surface of the lens about the optical portion for spacing that surface from the posterior capsule. Hoffer indicates this facilitates discission by permitting an instrument to be inserted behind the lens and also to discourage or eliminate growth of lens material subsequent to extracapsular extraction. Meyers indicates the ridge facilitates laser posterior capsulotomy. According to one aspect of the present invention protrusions of the like extend from the rear surface of the carrier to space the implant from the posterior capsule.
Preferably the protrusions are rounded with a roughly circular cross-section at the base less than 1 mm in diameter and more preferably less than 0.5 mm and most preferably less than 0.1 mm. The protrusions preferably lie on an annular ring on the attachment rear surface and preferably make up less than 20% of the surface area of that ring, more preferably less that 10% and most preferably less than 5%.
Intra-ocular lenses of course must be sterile at the time of implantation in the eye. Polymethylmethacrylate lenses cannot be heat sterilized, i.e., they are not autoclavable. Rather, these lenses are conventionally sterilized by the use of ethylene oxide (ETO). Ethylene oxide does not change the physical or chemical properties of intra-ocular lenses as described above, nor does it react with plastic. However, ethylene oxide forms an explosive mixture with gas and must be mixed with inert gas for the sterilization process. The gas and its by-products, such as ethylene chlorohydrin and ethylene glycol may adhere to plastics and for this reason lenses must be quarantined after sterilization until residuals of these substances reach acceptable levels. The sterilization process is therefore time consuming and relatively expensive compared to the conventional heat sterilization used in other medical situations. Moreover, the surgeon frequently finds after he has removed the intra-ocular lens from its package that the size is not quite correct or the lens for some reason becomes unsterile. It would be of great convenience and efficiency if in such situation the lens could simply be resterilized in the hospital and used shortly thereafter.
Polysulfones are thermoplastic materials which are temperature stable at temperatures suitable for heat sterilization. Moreover, such material is an intrinsic ultraviolet filter of UV radiation up to 340 nanometers in wavelength. While providing less than the intrinsic filtration of the human eye, such materials do remove a substantial amount of the ultra-violet radiation without the need for additives.
Attempts have been made to form a posterior chamber intra-ocular lens of a polysulfone. Such attempts have not been wholly successful because of the difficulty in forming satisfactory hpatic loops. Anterior chamber lenses of polyethersulfone are known and described in the patents of Choyce U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,315,337 and 4,414,694. However, anterior lenses do not require loops of the same character as posterior chamber lenses.
The present invention can be made autoclavable by choosing materials which can be heat sterilized. For example, the central optic can be formed of a polysulfone, more particularly a polyethersulfone, and the carrier and haptic loops of a medical grade silicone. By using a silicone as the carrier and haptic loop material, the disadvantages of the various arrangements described above can be avoided.
Other objects and purposes of the invention will be clear from the following detailed description of the drawings.

Posterior chamber intra-ocular lens with the lens body within a carrier


A data processing system including a data storage device having data stored on a data storage medium. Within said data processing system, a system electronics is operatively coupled to a sensor and to said data storage device. When the sensor senses a change in gravitational or inertial acceleration of said data processing system, it alerts system electronics to temporarily park a read/write head in a safe position.

This invention relates to data storage devices, such as hard disc drive assemblies and data processing systems, generally. In particular, the invention relates to data storage devices that are subject to free fall or other changes in acceleration, for example, storage devices used in portable computers, cameras, onboard vehicular computers, and similar electronic devices. xe2x80x98Free fallxe2x80x99 produces a change in the force, i.e. acceleration, of gravity as perceived in the frame of reference in which the data storage device is at rest.
Portable electronics devices such as digital and film cameras, notebook computers, and onboard vehicular computers containing data storage devices such as hard disk drives are often dropped, bumped, or bounced. When an object is dropped or falls back to earth after a bounce, the object experiences free fall, a period of minimal or zero gravitational force. xe2x80x98Free fallxe2x80x99 produces a change in the force, i.e. acceleration, of gravity as perceived in the frame of reference in which the data storage device is at rest. On earth, free fall usually immediately precedes an impact with a surface that may damage operating or unparked data storage devices, their spinning disks, actuators, and read/write heads. A parked data storage device is one in which the actuator has temporarily moved the head away from the spinning disk, and the actuator and head are safely locked in a fixed position in preparation for transportation or an anticipated impact. Because a data storage device can be safely prepared for an impact in a time shorter than the time it takes the data storage device to complete its fall, the present invention has great utility in preventing or mitigating the damage formerly experienced by data storage devices that were dropped down stairs, dropped onto concrete, asphalt or other hard surfaces, or that were bounced into the air from vehicles contacting speed bumps, waves, or turbulent air pockets at high speeds and slammed back down again.
In simplest form, a data storage device, such as a disc drive, consists of a spinning disk and an actuator movably positioned near the surface of the disk. The surface of the disk typically contains multiple annular tracks or grooves in which data is stored and manipulated and from which data is retrieved by a read/write head (e.g. a magnetic or an optical head) positioned on the actuator.
It is important that the data storage head be kept as free from vibrations and/or sudden acceleration or deceleration as possible because the head reads data from and writes data to the multiple annular tracks on the spinning disk. Sudden acceleration or deceleration or excessive vibration of the disk drive can cause the head to skip tracks, to encode information incorrectly on the wrong track or tracks, to erase data previously encoded on the disk, or to dent the disk surface. Several types of sensors have been developed to mitigate or to prevent excessive vibration from harming recorded data, but no sensors measuring changes in the force, i.e. acceleration, of gravity in the frame of the data storage device, existed prior to conception and development of this invention.
One type of vibration detection and protection system found in the field of data storage devices is known as the off track signal or OTS. Generated by an electrical component of a data processing system, such as a magnetic hard disk, or CD, or DVD drive, the OTS is derived from the signals generated by the magnetic hard disk or CD head as it follows data tracks on the disk. The amplitude of the OTS is designed to vary in direct proportion to the amount of vibration experienced by the data processing system. Thus, the more vibration experienced by the data processing system, the more the amplitude of the OTS increases. The system electronics of the data storage device monitors the amplitude of the OTS and temporarily disables the ability of the head to write and/or read information to or from the data storage device whenever the OTS amplitude matches or exceeds a predetermined amplitude.
Although the OTS system protects data stored on the data storage device from being erased or overwritten by the head, it does not prevent damage resulting from the head popping up and down onto the spinning disk when the data storage device is dropped and impacts a surface. For example, if the head slams downward onto a spinning data medium device, such as a CD or DVD or magnetic hard disk, data may be irretrievably lost, the head may be severely damaged, and the CD, DVD, or magnetic hard disk may be irreparably dented.
A second kind of sensor is found in the unrelated automobile field. Sensors in this field are used to deploy various safety devices, such as airbags, whenever an accident occurs. Such sensors passively wait for an impact to occur and then rapidly deploy safety devices before a human""s body impacts hard, bone-crushing surfaces within the automobile""s interior cabin such as dashboards, windshields, and steering wheels. They cannot predict the possibility of an imminent impact, nor can they detect the absence of a gravitational field as some embodiments of the present invention can. Moreover, sensors found in the automobile field have not been used to protect data in data processing systems such as hard disk drives.
A third type of vibration countermeasure found in the field of consumer portable electronic devices is specifically designed to combat the xe2x80x9cskipsxe2x80x9d commonly associated with audio playback of CD-ROMS and DVD""s. xe2x80x9cSkipsxe2x80x9d are miniature, but discernable, periods of silence in music or other audio broadcast material that occur whenever a musical playback device is jostled, vibrated, or dropped. This countermeasure is typically called a xe2x80x9cbuffering system.xe2x80x9d In simplest form, a buffering system incorporated within a musical playback device reads audio data from the spinning disk during playback of the disk at a rate slightly faster than the rate at which the audio data is broadcast. By reading xe2x80x9caheadxe2x80x9d of the broadcast, a portion of the audio data is continually saved up and stored in the buffer. Whenever a xe2x80x9cskipxe2x80x9d occurs, the buffering system ensures a smooth, unbroken audio playback by filling the xe2x80x9cskipxe2x80x9d with audio data from the buffer. Unlike, the present invention, however, the buffering system does not protect the data storage device or its data actuating head from damage caused by dropping or vibrating the device.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as illustratively described herein, a data processing system is provided. Within the data processing system, system electronics is operatively coupled to a hard disk drive assembly and to an acceleration sensor, which can sense gravitational acceleration. The system electronics monitors the acceleration sensor to determine whether the sensor""s switch is open or closed. If an open switch indicating a free fall is detected, the system electronics protects the data read/write head and data storage medium by temporarily parking the head in a safe position where it cannot impact the data storage medium surface. A safe position can include a parked position off to one side of a data storage medium or a secured operating position that prevents vibration from damaging the read/write head or the data storage medium. According to one aspect of the present invention, the term secured includes fixed, semi-fixed, and movable operating positions.
According to an alternate aspect of the present invention, a sensor is provided that can detect changes in gravitational and/or inertial acceleration. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor includes an electrically conductive tube having two ends. A supporting material may close one end of the tube. The other end may be open or closed. Within the interior of the tube, one end of a flexible beam or wire is inserted into the supporting material. Gravity flexes the opposite end of the beam or wire into contact with the tubular case, creating a closed electrical circuit. Whenever the force of gravity lessens, the second end of the beam or wire breaks contact with the tube, creating an open switch.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a sensor is provided that can detect changes in gravitational and/or inertial acceleration. Illustratively, this sensor includes a closed cylinder. Within the interior of the cylinder, a centrally positioned, electrically conductive beam juts upward from the cylinder""s base. A circle of insulating material surrounds the base of the beam and creates a gap between the beam and the cylinder""s oblique, conical interior walls. The beam and cylinder walls are electrically conductive. Gravity holds an electrically conductive sphere in contact with both the beam and a oblique surface, creating a closed circuit. Any lessening of the gravitational force causes the sphere to break contact with either or both of the beam and interior walls, creating an open circuit.
Various examples for practicing the invention, other advantages, and novel features thereof will be apparent from the following detailed description of various illustrative preferred embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

Method and apparatus for detecting free fall