Claims for Patent: 7,723,910

Summary for Patent: 7,723,910

Title:	Method of photodynamically diagnosing or treating a contoured surface
Abstract:	A method of photodynamically diagnosing or treating a contoured surface includes topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light from a plurality of light sources generally conforming to the contoured surface. The plurality of light sources may comprise fluorescent tubes.
Inventor(s):	Lundahl; Scott (Lexington, MA), Kozodoy; Rebecca (Randolph, MA), Carroll; Ronald (Hingham, MA), Leppelmeier; Elton (Highland Height, OH)
Assignee:	DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Wilmington, DE)
Application Number:	11/716,014
Patent Claims:	1. A method of photodynamically diagnosing or treating a contoured surface, comprising: topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface; and irradiating the contoured surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light from a plurality of light sources generally conforming to the contoured surface, wherein the plurality of light sources comprises fluorescent tubes. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the 5-aminolevulinic acid is in a carrier. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: applying 5-aminolevulinic acid in successive applications. 4. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface to treat actinic keratosis. 5. The method according to claim 4, comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use. 6. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface to treat acne. 7. The method according to claim 6, comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use. 8. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface to treat photo damaged skin. 9. The method according to claim 8, comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use. 10. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface to treat cancer. 11. The method according to claim 10, comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use. 12. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface to treat warts. 13. The method according to claim 12, comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use. 14. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface to treat psoriasis. 15. The method according to claim 14, comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use. 16. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface to remove hair. 17. The method according to claim 16, comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use. 18. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface to diagnose cancer. 19. The method according to claim 18, comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use. 20. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface and irradiating the contoured surface to treat a pre-cancerous condition. 21. The method according to claim 20, comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use. 22. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use. 23. The method according to claim 1, wherein the contoured surface is irradiated with light substantially entirely within the blue region. 24. A method of photodynamically diagnosing or treating a contoured surface, comprising: topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface; and irradiating the contoured surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light from a plurality of light sources generally conforming to the contoured surface, wherein the contoured surface is irradiated with light substantially entirely within the blue region. 25. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step of admixing the 5-aminolevulinic acid with a vehicle just prior to its use. 26. A method of photodynamically diagnosing or treating a contoured surface, comprising: topically applying 5-aminolevulinic acid to the contoured surface; and irradiating the contoured surface with substantially uniform intensity visible light from a plurality of light sources generally conforming to the contoured surface, wherein said irradiating comprises approximately 1000 seconds of light having a nominal peak wavelength of 417.+-.5 nanometers and a nominal bandwidth of 30 nanometers.