Methods and systems for treating a biological fluid with light are disclosed. The methods and systems provide for determining a target light dose for the biological fluid; loading a treatment container holding the biological fluid into an irradiation chamber of an irradiation device comprising: with the treatment container being supported in the irradiation device in between a first array of light sources and first light energy sensors and a second light energy sensor. The first array of light sources is activated, and a first light intensity is measured with the first light energy sensors. A second light intensity is measured with the second light energy sensor, and the first light intensity is compared to the second light intensity to determine an attenuation factor. The attenuation factor is applied to the first light intensity to determine a time to achieve the target light dose, with the first array of multiple light sources being deactivated after the time to achieve the target light dose has elapsed.

A method of disinfecting using a light diffusing fiber includes optically coupling a light source to a light diffusing optical fiber having a core, a cladding surrounding the core, an outer surface, and a plurality of scattering structures positioned within the core, the cladding, or both the core and the cladding. The method further includes positioning the light diffusing optical fiber in optical engagement with a pathogen sample and directing light output by the light source into the light diffusing optical fiber for a first time interval. The scattering structures scatter light propagating along the light diffusing optical fiber toward the outer surface and a portion of the light diffuses through the outer surface thereby irradiating the pathogen sample with light having an average power density of about 5 mW/cm.sup.2 to about 30 mW/cm.sup.2 at a wavelength from about 380 nm to about 495 nm for an exposure time from about 2 hours to about 24 hours.

An endoscopic irradiation device for inactivating pathogens is disclosed. The device includes a control element and a probe that is directed by the control element. A source of UVC light providing a peak irradiation of about 222 nm is integrated with at least one of the probes and the control element. An attenuating element attenuates irradiation above about 235 nm is located in a path of UVC light generated by the source of UVC light. The attenuating element is integrated with at least one of said medical probe and said control element. In one embodiment, attenuating element takes the form of a band pass filter placed between the source of UVC light and biological tissue being irradiated by the UVC light. Alternatively, the attenuating element is a dopant disposed within a crystalline structure of a light emitting diode that restricts or attenuates transmission above about 235 nm.

A method of disinfection of a surface of a subject of harmful microorganisms including pathogenic bacteria and viruses upon visible light irradiation using a hybridized fluorescent silk is provided. The method includes placing a predetermined quantity of the hybridized fluorescent silk i) directly on to a skin surface of a subject; or ii) on a medium and then placing the medium on the skin surface of the subject. The method further includes applying light in the visible spectrum for a predetermined amount of time to the placed quantity of hybridized fluorescent silk, wherein the hybridized fluorescent silk is one of KillerRed, SuperNova, KillerOrange, Dronpa, TurboGFP, mCherry, or any combination thereof.

A method of inactivating harmful microorganisms of a filtration medium including pathogenic bacteria and viruses is disclosed which includes placing a predetermined quantity of a hybridized fluorescent silk on to a filtration medium, applying light for a predetermined amount of time to the placed quantity of the hybridized fluorescent silk, and passing a fluid through the medium, wherein the fluid is one of substantially air or substantially water, wherein the hybridized fluorescent silk is one of KillerRed, SuperNova, KillerOrange, Dronpa, TurboGFP, mCherry, or any combination thereof.

Systems, devices and methods for controlled intramedullary delivery of light (frequencies from about 380 nm to about 500 nm) to treat tissue or bones disorders, including osteomyelitis, by a flexible fiber are provided, where the light is delivered in a circumferential fashion around the fiber, and where the energy delivered from the fiber is of a similar average intensity at the front end and back end of the fiber, and in between. The methods and systems deliver intramedullary light to the canal over long lengths via a minimally invasive pathway to a bone. The methods and systems deliver and maintain a light delivery system within the canal of the bone to provide single or multiple doses of light to kill, eliminate, remove or reduce bacteria, viruses, fungus and pathogens, without removal of the light fiber system, thereby providing single or multiple treatments.

Methods and apparatuses for inactivating RNA and DNA within viruses situated on medical instruments. Through the use of photochemicals and photoactivation by monochromatic light, medical instruments can be rendered safer. A solution of methylene blue having a concentration of 0.01-0.02% by means of interaction with light in the emission spectrum of monochromatic emitters having wavelengths ranging between 582 and 592 nm or between 658 and 662 nm and an overall light output of at least 280 lumens (lm), wherein the instruments are kept in said solution for about 90 minutes.

Disclosed herein are methods and devices for the inactivation of pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses, etc.) in ex vivo stored blood products, such as plasma and/or platelets, by means of directing visible light radiation from an illuminating device into blood product storage containers in order to achieve effective pathogen inactivation without the presence of an added photosensitising agent in the blood product. An exemplary apparatus includes a control unit that operates a light source that emits light in the wavelength region of about 380-500 nm which is directed onto blood product storage bags at sufficient intensity to penetrate the bag material and the opaque blood product therein in order to inactivate pathogens in the blood product but at dose levels that cause no significant detrimental effects on the blood product.

A handheld portable device for sanitizing a surface or air surrounding a surface. The handheld portable device includes a body that comprises a user input and a far-UVC illumination source disposed at the body. The handheld portable device also includes a power source for providing power to the far-UVC illumination source. Responsive to actuating the user input, such as by a user holding the handheld portable device, the far-UVC illumination source emits far-UVC illumination to sanitize the surface or the air surrounding the surface of pathogens.

A device comprising a housing having a handle end and a treatment end. The treatment end is configured to provide an antimicrobial treatment and a heat treatment. The treatment end comprises an applicator having an applicator surface for providing at least the heat treatment. The device includes a heat generation unit configured to heat the applicator surface in use, a source of antimicrobial agent, and a control unit operatively connected to at least the heat generation unit for controlling the heat generation unit. The device can be a hand-held device and used to apply topical treatment to a treatment area of a subject.