Valam Corporation

Cornell University

Ashutosh Kacker

Yosef P Krespi

Mark Lee

Theodore Schwartz

Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for protecting doctors and others from pathogenic microorganisms aerosolized during surgical and other procedures on patients. The systems and methods generally operate by forming a partially-enclosed chamber around the patient's face during the procedure. A facial adapter and facial shield isolate a portion of the patient's face from the surrounding environment. The partially-enclosed chamber is connected to a vacuum source that brings the pathogenic particles through a filter, which further decreases the number of pathogenic particles expelled into the environment.

Face-mounted, negative-pressure antechamber

Disclosed are safe, simple and effective broad-spectrum treatments for halitosis and other microbial infections of the nondental upper respiratory tract useful to treat bacterial and other microorganism species, including anaerobic bacteria. Electromagnetic radiative energy including visible, and optionally, thermal, RF and/or microwave wavelengths, is topically applied to internal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract to destroy or incapacitate superficial microorganisms without the use of antibiotics. One useful apparatus is a handheld energy applicator having a light output head suitable for treating the back of the tongue and the tonsils and which may be interchangeably provided with extensions to reach the sinuses. The energy applicator can be supported and guided by a mounting device held between the subject's teeth, if desired. Useful embodiments of the invention include preparative treatment of the target surfaces with a photosensitizing agent such as an oxidizing agent or a complementary stain. Optionally a pre-treament procedure may be employed to remove detritus and microfloral overgrowths that may mask more deeply resident target microorganisms. Novel treatments include treatment of halitosis by destruction of bacterial species associated with halitosis, such as, by application of non-ionizing radiative energy to the tonsils and the back of the tongue. Another embodiment comprises a candy bar incorporating a halitosis treatment lamp disposed within the candy.

Control of halitosis-generating and other microorganisms in the non-dental upper respiratory tract

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for safe, simple and effective broad-spectrum treatments of chronic rhinosinusitis and other common and less common infections of the sino-nasal tract which may implicate not only a wide range of bacterial species but also fungi and viruses. Electromagnetic radiative energy including visible, and optionally, thermal RF, microwave or other longer wavelengths, is applied to target internal surfaces of the sino-nasal tract to destroy or incapacitate superficial microorganisms without the use of antibiotics. The treatment can be controlled to permit regrowth of healthy microflora. A handheld energy applicator has a light output head receivable into, or engageable with, the treatment subject's nostril which may be provided with extensions to reach the sinuses. Useful embodiments of the invention include pretreatment of target sino-nasal surfaces with a photosensitizing agent such as an oxidizing agent or a complementary stain. For example methylene blue can be used with orange or red light. The combination treatment of photosensitizer and application of visual wavelength energy provides a flexible treatment regimen which enables low concentrations of stains to be employed, minimizing aesthetic problems.

Growing community of inventors

New York, NY, United States of America

Ashutosh Kacker