Patent ID: 7252677

Claim:
Apparatus for illuminating a portion of a body lumen to which a photoreactive agent has been or will be administered, comprising: (a) an elongate, flexible body having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen extending therebetween; (b) a light source array having a proximal end and a distal end, the light source array emitting light directed toward the distal end of the elongate, flexible body, said light having a characteristic emission waveband, where the characteristic emission band corresponds to a characteristic absorption waveband of the photoreactive agent, the light source array being disposed adjacent to the distal end of the elongate, flexible body; (c) an electrical lead having a proximal end adapted to be electrically coupled to an external power supply, and a distal end electrically coupled to the light source array, thereby enabling the light source array to be energized with an electrical current when the proximal end of the electrical lead is electrically coupled to the external power supply; (d) a light diffusing element having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the light diffusing element being oriented in a facing relationship with the distal end of the light source array, such that light emitted from the light source array is diffused and directed outwardly away from the light diffusing element; and (e) an optical fiber having a proximal end, and a distal end, the proximal end of the optical fiber facing toward the distal end of the light source array, and the distal end of the optical fiber directing light from the light source array to the light diffusing element.