Method and apparatus for therapeutic laser treatment

• US 20020002391A1
• Filed: 05/02/2001
• Published: 01/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Harold M. Gerdes
• Original Assignee: Harold M. Gerdes
• Inventors: Gerdes, Harold M.
• Application Number:
  US09/847,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20020002391A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/89
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0644 Handheld applicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0659 infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 Skin treatment other than tanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/067 using laser light

Abstract

The therapeutic laser apparatus (10) includes at least two wands (50) connected to a controller (210) and radiation source (155) via fiber optic cables (135, 140). The controller (210) and source (155) include at least two infrared wavelength solid-state diode (“SSD”) lasers (165) and at least two visible wavelength SSD aiming lasers (170). The apparatus (10) further includes a combiner (195) configured to maintain the electromagnetic radiation from one infrared SSD laser (165) coincident with one visible light SSD aiming laser (170). In the method according to the invention, the visible light SSD aiming laser (170) is used as a pointer so that an operator can position wands (125, 130) adjacent to the skin of a mammal whereby the beams (127, 132) of infrared treatment lasers (165) intersect at a region (B) inside the body (A) of the mammal.

Claims

1. A device for photobiostimulation of biological tissue, comprising:

a) a first treatment radiation source emitting a first radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;

b) a second aiming radiation source emitting a respective second radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm;

wherein the first beam and the second beam concurrently pass through a fiber optic cable;

c) at least one wand connected to the fiber optic cable, the wand including a collimator configured to adjustably focus the emanating coincident radiation beams; and

wherein the wand is adapted to be arranged in an operative position about the tissue such that the radiation beams emitted from the wand irradiate a region located in the tissue.

2. The biostimulation device of claim 1, wherein the treatment and aiming radiation sources incorporate light emitting diode lasers.

3. The biostimulation device of claim 1, wherein the treatment radiation source emits radiation having a wavelength of approximately 980 nm.

4. The biostimulation device of claim 1, wherein the aiming radiation source emits radiation having a wavelength of between approximately 635 nm and approximately 640 nm.

5. The biostimulation device of claim 1, wherein the adjustable collimator is further adapted to vary the focus of the emitted radiation beam and the size of the area of irradiated tissue.

6. The biostimulation device of claim 1, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to emit adjustably pulsed radiation wherein the pulses have a frequency of between approximately 0.1 cycles per second and approximately 100 cycles per second.

7. The biostimulation device of claim 1, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to emit continuous wave radiation.

8. The biostimulation device of claim 1, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjustably emit pulsed radiation wherein the pulse width is between approximately 0.1 percent and 100 percent.

9. The biostimulation device of claim 1, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the power level of the emitted radiation to have a power of between about zero and approximately 2.0 watts.

10. The biostimulation device of claim 9, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the duration of the therapeutic laser radiation treatment to between approximately 1 second and 3600 seconds.

11. The biostimulation device of claim 1, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the energy level of the emitted radiation to have an energy of between approximately 1 joule and 99 joules.

12. The biostimulation device of claim 11, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the duration of the therapeutic laser radiation treatment to between approximately 1 second and 3600 seconds.

13. A biostimulation device, comprising:

a) a laser apparatus including a plurality of treatment laser wands both connected to a first laser radiation source adapted to emit radiation having a power of approximately between 1 and 10 watts, an energy of between about 1 joule and about 99 joules, and a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and 1100 nm, and both wands further connected to a second radiation source adapted to emit visible light; and

b) wherein the laser wands are focusable and adapted to be arranged in an operative position to emit the radiation incident to a region of biological tissue for a therapeutically effective length of time.

14. A method for the treatment of tissue, comprising the steps of:

a) providing an infrared laser treatment radiation source having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;

b) providing a source of aiming laser radiation having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm;

c) combining the radiation sources so that the radiation of each source is coincident;

d) passing the coincident radiation through at least one optical fiber;

e) providing a wand connected to the at least one optical fiber that includes an adjustably focusable collimator;

f) arranging the wand such that the radiation emitted from the wand passes through a region located within the tissue; and

g) exposing the tissue to the laser radiation for a therapeutically effective period of time.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of:

h) adjusting the collimator to focus the emitted radiation upon the surface of the irradiated tissue; and

i) adjusting the collimator to vary the size of the treatment area of the tissue.

16. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 14, wherein the treatment and aiming radiation sources incorporate light emitting diode lasers.

17. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 14, wherein the treatment radiation source emits radiation having a wavelength of approximately 980 nm.

18. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 14, wherein the aiming radiation source emits radiation having a wavelength of between approximately 635 nm and approximately 640 nm.

19. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 14, wherein at least one of the wands incorporates an adjustable collimator operative to vary the focus of the emitted radiation beam.

20. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 14, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to emit adjustably pulsed radiation wherein the pulses have a frequency of between approximately 0.1 cycles per second and approximately 100 cycles per second.

21. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 14, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to emit continuous wave radiation.

22. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 14, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjustably emit pulsed radiation wherein the pulse width is between approximately 0.1 percent and 100 percent.

23. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 14, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the power level of the emitted radiation to have a power of between about zero and approximately 2.0 watts.

24. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 23, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the duration of the therapeutic laser radiation treatment to between approximately 1 second and 3600 seconds.

25. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 14, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the energy level of the emitted radiation to have an energy of between approximately 1 joule and approximately 99 joules.

26. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 25, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the duration of the therapeutic laser radiation treatment to between approximately 1 second and 3600 seconds.

27. A system for photobiostimulation of biological tissue, comprising:

a) a controller unit including a power supply and a control panel having operator input devices and output devices;

b) the controller unit also including a first treatment radiation source emitting a first radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;

c) the controller unit also including an aiming radiation source emitting a second radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm;

wherein the first radiation beam and the second radiation beam concurrently pass through at least one of a plurality of fiber optic cables; and

d) a wand connected to the at least one of the plurality of fiber optic cables, the wand including a variably adjustable collimator configured to adjust the emanating coincident radiation beams;

wherein the wands are adapted to be arranged in an operative position about the tissue to irradiate a region of the tissue.

28. A device for photobiostimulation of biological tissue, comprising:

a) a first treatment radiation source emitting a first radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;

b) a second aiming radiation source emitting a second radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm;

wherein the first beam and the second beam concurrently pass through at least one of a plurality of fiber optic cables; and

c) a wand connected to the at least one of the plurality of fiber optic cables, the wand including a collimator configured to adjust the shape of the emanating radiation beam;

wherein the wand is adapted to be arranged in an operative position about the tissue to irradiate a region of the tissue.

29. A device for photobiostimulation of biological tissue, comprising:

a) a treatment radiation source emitting a respective first radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;

b) a second aiming radiation source emitting a respective second radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm;

wherein the first beam and second beam concurrently pass through a fiber optic cable; and

c) a wand connected to the fiber optic cable, and including a collimator configured to adjust the focus of the emanating radiation beam;

wherein the wand is adapted to be arranged in an operative position about the tissue such that the radiation beam emitted from the wand illuminates a region located in the tissue.

30. A device for photobiostimulation of biological tissue, comprising:

a) a first treatment radiation source emitting a first radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;

b) a second radiation source emitting a second radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm;

wherein at least one first beam and one second beam concurrently pass through at least two of a plurality of fiber optic cables; and

c) at least two wands each connected to a different one of the plurality of fiber optic cables, the wands including a variable collimator configured to establish the focus of the emanating coincident radiation beams;

wherein the wands are adapted to be arranged in an operative position about the tissue such that the radiation beams emitted from each wand simultaneously pass approximately through a region located in the tissue.

31. The biostimulation device of claim 30, wherein the treatment and aiming radiation sources incorporate light emitting diode lasers.

32. The biostimulation device of claim 30, wherein the treatment radiation source emits radiation having a wavelength of approximately 980 nm.

33. The biostimulation device of claim 30, wherein the aiming radiation source emits radiation having a wavelength of between approximately 635 nm and approximately 640 nm.

34. The biostimulation device of claim 30, wherein at least one of the wands incorporates an adjustable collimator operative to vary the focus of the emitted radiation beam.

35. The biostimulation device of claim 30, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to emit adjustably pulsed radiation wherein the pulses have a frequency of between approximately 0.1 cycles per second and approximately 100 cycles per second.

36. The biostimulation device of claim 30, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to emit continuous wave radiation.

37. The biostimulation device of claim 30, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjustably emit pulsed radiation wherein the pulse width is between approximately 0.1 percent and 100 percent.

38. The biostimulation device of claim 30, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the power level of the emitted radiation to have a power of between zero and approximately 2.0 watts.

39. The biostimulation device of claim 38, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the duration of the therapeutic laser radiation treatment to between approximately 1 second and 3600 seconds.

40. The biostimulation device of claim 30, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the energy level of the emitted radiation to have a power of between approximately 1 joule and 99 joules.

41. The biostimulation device of claim 40, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the duration of the therapeutic laser radiation treatment to between approximately 1 second and 3600 seconds.

42. A method for the treatment of tissue, comprising the steps of:

a) providing at least one infrared laser treatment radiation source having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;

b) providing at least one source of aiming laser radiation having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm;

c) combining the radiation sources so that the radiation of each source is coincident;

d) passing the coincident radiation through at least two optical fibers;

e) providing at least two wands, each connected to a different one of the at least two optical fibers, the wands each including a variably focusable collimator;

f) arranging the wands such that the radiation emitted from the wands simultaneously passes through a region located within the tissue; and

g) exposing the tissue to the laser radiation for a therapeutically effective period of time.

43. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 42, wherein the treatment and aiming radiation sources incorporate light emitting diode lasers.

44. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 42, wherein the treatment radiation source emits radiation having a wavelength of approximately 980 nm.

45. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 42, wherein the aiming radiation source emits radiation having a wavelength of between approximately 635 nm and approximately 640 nm.

46. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 42, wherein at least one of the wands incorporates an adjustable collimator operative to vary the focus of the emitted radiation beam.

47. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 42, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to emit adjustably pulsed radiation wherein the pulses have a frequency of between approximately 0.1 cycles per second and approximately 100 cycles per second.

48. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 42, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to emit continuous wave radiation.

49. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 42, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjustably emit pulsed radiation wherein the pulse width is between approximately 0.1 percent and 100 percent.

50. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 42, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the power level of the emitted radiation to have a power of between zero and approximately 2.0 watts.

51. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 50, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the duration of the therapeutic laser radiation treatment to between approximately 1 second and 3600 seconds.

52. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 42, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the energy level of the emitted radiation to have a power of between approximately 1 joule and 99 joules.

53. The method for the treatment of tissue of claim 52, wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the duration of the therapeutic laser radiation treatment to between approximately 1 second and 3600 seconds.

54. A system for photobiostimulation of biological tissue, comprising:

a) a controller unit including a power supply and a control panel having operator input devices and output devices;

b) the controller unit also including a first treatment radiation source emitting a first radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;

c) the controller unit also including a second aiming radiation source emitting a second radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm;

wherein the first radiation beam and the second radiation beam concurrently pass through at least two of a plurality of fiber optic cables; and

d) at least two wands each connected to a different one of the plurality of fiber optic cables, the wands including a variably adjustable collimator configured to establish the shape and focus of the emanating coincident radiation beams;

wherein the wands are adapted to be arranged in an operative position about the tissue such that the radiation beams emitted from each wand simultaneously pass approximately through a region located in the tissue.

55. A device for photobiostimulation of biological tissue, comprising:

a) a first treatment radiation source emitting a first radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;

b) a second radiation source emitting a second radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm;

wherein the first beam and the second beam concurrently pass through at least two of a plurality of fiber optic cables; and

c) at least two wands each connected to a different one of the plurality of fiber optic cables, at least one of the wands including a collimator configured to adjust the shape of the emanating radiation beam;

wherein the wands are adapted to be arranged in an operative position about the tissue such that the radiation beams emitted from each wand simultaneously pass approximately through a region located in the tissue.

56. A system for photobiostimulation of biological tissue, comprising:

a) a controller unit including a power supply and a control panel having operator input devices and output devices;

b) the controller unit also including a first treatment radiation source emitting a first radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;

c) the controller unit also including a second aiming radiation source emitting a second radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm;

wherein the first radiation beam and the second radiation beam concurrently pass through at least two of a plurality of fiber optic cables; and

d) at least two wands each connected to a different one of the plurality of fiber optic cables, the wands including a variably adjustable collimator;

wherein the wands are adapted to be arranged in an operative position about the tissue such that the radiation beams emitted from each wand simultaneously pass approximately through a region located in the tissue.

57. A method for the treatment of tissue, comprising the steps of:

a) providing at least one infrared laser treatment radiation source having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;

b) providing at least one source of aiming laser radiation having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm;

c) combining the radiation sources so that the radiation of each source is coincident;

d) passing the coincident radiation through at least two optical fibers;

e) providing at least two wands, connected to the optical fibers, wherein at least one wand includes a variably adjustable collimator;

f) arranging the wands such that the radiation emitted from the wands simultaneously passes through a region located within the tissue; and

g) exposing the tissue to the laser radiation for a therapeutically effective period of time.