A light stint implant device adapted to be surgically implanted in a major blood vessel for assisting in the treatment of long term viral infection, alone or in combination with anti-viral drugs, is disclosed. The implant device is programmed for set periods of illumination and set periods of dormancy through a remote power supply and timing device accessible through a sub-dermal implant adapted to be surgically placed in a location under the skin. The device, after being implanted within such blood vessel will eliminate viruses located within the blood through exposure to light given off by the light stint implant device during the periods of illumination.
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 Atopobium parvulum, 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.
