Prior art

The search for specific details of the cited patents (US11235169B1 and US11219781B2) within the USPTO database or Google Patents directly via the available search tool was not successful in retrieving their full text, abstracts, inventors, assignees, or precise publication/filing dates. The search results primarily provided general information on how to conduct patent searches.

However, US patent 12280146B2 itself explicitly mentions that U.S. Pat. No. 11,235,169 B1 and U.S. Pat. No. 11,219,781 B2 describe "a suitable device providing artificial light" in the context of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). This information will be used as the brief description for these prior art references.

The core invention of US12280146B2, as interpreted from its "first aspect of the invention" and detailed description, centers on a formulation comprising an oil-in-water nanoemulsion and an active agent (e.g., 5-aminolevulinic acid or derivatives) that is "essentially free of propylene glycol" (less than 1% w/w or no propylene glycol). This formulation is designed for topical use in treating dermatological conditions, with claimed benefits in impurity profile, shelf-life, and penetration properties. The patent also claims methods of treatment and diagnosis using this formulation in conjunction with light irradiation.

Below is the analysis of the most relevant prior art cited within US12280146B2:

Prior Art References

1. U.S. Pat. No. 11,235,169 B1

• Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 11,235,169 B1 (Further bibliographic details such as title, inventors, assignee, and precise publication/filing dates could not be retrieved directly via the search tool.)
• Publication/Filing Date: Not directly retrievable via the search tool.
• Brief Description: This patent describes a suitable device for providing artificial light. In the context of US12280146B2, this device is intended for use in irradiation during Photodynamic Therapy (PDT).
• Potential Anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102:
  This patent, describing a light-emitting device, potentially anticipates aspects of the method claims of US12280146B2 that involve the step of "irradiating the area with light" as part of the treatment or diagnostic procedure. For example, claims related to the overall method for treating a dermatological disease or condition, or a method of photodynamic diagnosis, which include a step of light irradiation (e.g., with specific wavelengths or radiant exposure), might find this device as a known means for performing that step. However, it does not anticipate the novel nanoemulsion formulation of US12280146B2, particularly its composition being essentially free of propylene glycol, or its specific physical and chemical stability properties.

2. U.S. Pat. No. 11,219,781 B2

• Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 11,219,781 B2 (Further bibliographic details such as title, inventors, assignee, and precise publication/filing dates could not be retrieved directly via the search tool.)
• Publication/Filing Date: Not directly retrievable via the search tool.
• Brief Description: This patent also describes a suitable device for providing artificial light. As noted in US12280146B2, this device is relevant for use in the irradiation step of PDT.
• Potential Anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102:
  Similar to U.S. Pat. No. 11,235,169 B1, this patent potentially anticipates elements within the method claims of US12280146B2 that specify or require the use of light for irradiation in PDT or photodynamic diagnosis. It serves as prior art for the technology of light application. However, it does not anticipate any of the formulation claims of US12280146B2, which are directed to the specific propylene glycol-free nanoemulsion composition and its characteristics.

In conclusion, the two cited prior art patents, U.S. Pat. No. 11,235,169 B1 and U.S. Pat. No. 11,219,781 B2, are relevant to the light delivery aspect of the methods described in US12280146B2. They do not appear to anticipate the novel "nanoemulsion without propylene glycol" formulation itself, which constitutes the primary claim of US12280146B2.