Device and method for providing a synergistic combination of phototherapy and a non-light energy modality to the brain

• US 10,315,042 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2011
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Photothera IP Holdings, Inc., Pthera,Llc
• Original Assignee: Pthera,Llc
• Inventors: De Taboada, Luis, Streeter, Jackson
• Primary Examiner(s): Roane, Aaron F
• Application Number:
  US13/111,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20120016174A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,945 Days
• Field of Search: 607 88
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0002 Head or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/002 in combination with another treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/006 for magnetic stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/007 for cooling the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0602 for treatment of blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0647 the applicator adapted to be worn on the head
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0654 Lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0659 infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0662 Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0078 with multiple treatment transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0095 by modifying an excitation signal
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/04 Radiators for near-field treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0613 Apparatus adapted for a specific treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0618 Psychological treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0622 Optical stimulation for exciting neural tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/067 using laser light

Abstract

Systems and methods that could reduce the potential for side effects while delivering a reduced amount of light energy and non-light energy to a patient while providing a desired therapeutic effect that might otherwise only be achievable with a higher dose of either the light energy or non-light energy administered alone are disclosed. In certain embodiments, disclosed is a system and method for treating a patient, by administering a combination of light therapy from a light energy source in addition to one, two, or more other non-light energy modalities to a target region of a patient for a synergistic therapeutic effect.

Claims

1. A method for treating a patient'"'"'s brain, comprising:

administering, to a target tissue of the patient'"'"'s brain, an amount of light energy; and

administering, to the target tissue of the patient'"'"'s brain, an amount of non-light energy, wherein the amount of non-light energy is a subtherapeutic amount of energy,

wherein the administrations of the amount of light energy and the amount of non-light energy occur within 24 hours of each other,

wherein the administrations of the amount of light energy and the amount of non-light energy produce a combined treatment effect to the patient that is greater than a sum of;

(i) a treatment effect produced by administering the amount of light energy alone plus (ii) a treatment effect produced by administering the amount of non-light energy alone, and

wherein the time-averaged irradiance of the amount of light energy at the target tissue of the patient'"'"'s brain is less than 100 mW/cm².

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of light energy and the amount of non-light energy are administered concurrently.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-light energy is magnetic energy.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the administering the amount of non-light energy comprises trans-cranial magnetic stimulation.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the light energy has a wavelength between 630 nanometers to 1064 nanometers.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the light energy has a wavelength between 730 nanometers to 840 nanometers.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the light energy has a wavelength between 730 nanometers and 750 nanometers.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of light energy and the amount of non-light energy are delivered in alternating pulses.

9. A method for treating a patient'"'"'s brain, comprising:

administering, to a target tissue of the patient'"'"'s brain, an amount of light energy; and

administering, to the target tissue of the patient'"'"'s brain, an amount of non-light energy,

wherein the amount of non-light energy is a subtherapeutic amount of energy,

wherein the administration of the amount of light energy and the amount of non-light energy occur within 24 hours of each other, and

wherein the administrations of the amount of light energy and the amount of non-light energy produce a combined treatment effect to the patient that is greater than a sum of;

(i) a treatment effect produced by administering the amount of light energy alone plus (ii) a treatment effect produced by administering the amount of non-light energy alone.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the combined treatment effect comprises improvement of neurologic function.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the amount of light energy and the amount of non-light energy are administered concurrently.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the non-light energy is magnetic energy.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the light energy has a wavelength between 630 nanometers to 1064 nanometers.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the light energy has a wavelength between 730 nanometers to 840 nanometers.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the light energy has a wavelength between 730 nanometers and 750 nanometers.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the amount of light energy and the amount of non-light energy are delivered in alternating pulses.