Therapeutic methods using electromagnetic radiation

• US 20060258896A1
• Filed: 07/14/2006
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Photomed Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Photomed Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Gardiner, Allan, Haber, Constance
• Granted Patent: US 7,878,965 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0531 Measuring skin impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/395 Details of stimulation, e.g. nerve stimulation to elicit EMG response
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4519 Muscles A61B5/389, A61B5/224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0663 Coloured light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0619 Acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/1213 Filters in general, e.g. dichroic, band
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0229 using masks, aperture plates, spatial light modulators or spatial filters, e.g. reflective filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0232 using shutters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/10 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry

Abstract

This invention provides methods for treating a variety of disorders using localized electromagnetic radiation directed at excitable tissues, including nerves, muscles and blood vessels. By controlling the wavelength, the wavelength bandpass, pulse duration, intensity, pulse frequency, and/or variations of those characteristics over time, and by selecting sites of exposure to electromagnetic radiation, improvements in the function of different tissues and organs can be provided. By monitoring physiological variables such as muscle tone and activity, temperature gradients, surface electromyography, blood flow and others, the practitioner can optimize a therapeutic regimen suited for the individual patient.

Claims

1. A method for treating pain, comprising the steps of:

(a) exposing a tissue associated with pain to localized non-coherent electromagnetic radiation having a controlled wavelength in the visible wavelength range; and

(b) monitoring a change characteristic of said tissue associated with said radiation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) further comprises using electromagnetic radiation having at least one of a controlled wavelength bandwidth and a controlled wavelength variation over time.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) further comprises using electromagnetic radiation having at least one of a selected pulse frequency and a controlled frequency variation over time.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) further comprises using electromagnetic radiation having at least one of a selected pulse duration and a controlled frequency of variation over time.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) further comprises using electromagnetic radiation having at least one of a selected intensity and a controlled intensity variation over time.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting a variable in step (a) based on the monitoring of step (b).

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting a wavelength in step (a) based on the monitoring of step (b).

8. A method for treating pain, comprising the steps of:

(a) exposing a tissue associated with pain to localized non-coherent electromagnetic radiation in the visible wavelength range having a controlled variable selected from the group consisting of

(i) wavelength;

(ii) bandwidth;

(iii) pulse duration;

(iv) pulse frequency;

(v) intensity; and

(vi) wavelength variation over time;

(b) monitoring a change in characteristic of said tissue associated with said radiation; and

(c) selecting a variable in step (a) based on the monitoring of step (b).

9. A method for treating pain, comprising the steps of:

(a) exposing a first tissue associated with pain to abeam of localized electromagnetic radiation having a controlled wavelength in the visible wavelength range,

(b) exposing a second tissue associated with pain to a beam of electromagnetic radiation having a controlled wavelength, and

(c) monitoring a change in a characteristic of a tissue associated with said radiation.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one of step (a) and step (b) further comprises using electromagnetic radiation having a controlled bandwidth.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one of step (a) and step (b) further comprises using electromagnetic radiation having a controlled pulse frequency.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one of step (a) and step (b) further comprises using electromagnetic radiation having a controlled pulse duration.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one of step (a) and step (b) further comprises using electromagnetic radiation having a controlled intensity.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of selecting a controlled wavelength based on the monitoring of step (c).

15. A method for treating pain, comprising the steps of:

(a) exposing a first tissue associated with pain to a beam of localized electromagnetic radiation in the visible wavelength range having a controlled variable selected from the group consisting of;

(i) wavelength;

(ii) bandwidth;

(iii) pulse duration;

(iv) pulse frequency;

(v) intensity; and

(vi) wavelength variation over time;

(b) exposing a second tissue associated with pain to a beam of electromagnetic radiation having a controlled variable selected from the group consisting of;

(i) wavelength;

(ii) bandwidth;

(iii) pulse duration;

(iv) pulse frequency;

(v) intensity; and

(vi) wavelength variation over time; and

(c) monitoring a change in a characteristic of a tissue associated with said radiation.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising selecting a variable in at least one of step (a) and step (b) based on the monitoring of step (c).

17. A method for treating a nervous system disorder, comprising the steps of:

(a) exposing a portion of a tissue associated with said nervous system disorder to a localized beam of electromagnetic radiation having a controlled wavelength in the visible wavelength range; and

(b) monitoring a change in a characteristic of said tissue associated with said radiation.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein step (a) further comprises electromagnetic radiation having a controlled bandwidth.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein step (a) further comprises electromagnetic radiation having a controlled pulse frequency.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein step (a) further comprises electromagnetic radiation having a controlled pulse duration.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein step (a) further comprises using electromagnetic radiation having a controlled intensity.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of selecting a controlled wavelength based on the monitoring of step (b).

23. A method for treating a nervous system disorder, comprising the steps of:

(a) exposing a first tissue associated with said disorder to a localized beam of electromagnetic radiation in the visible wavelength range having a controlled variable selected from the group consisting of;

(i) wavelength;

(ii) bandwidth;

(iii) pulse duration;

(iv) pulse frequency;

(v) intensity; and

(vi) wavelength variation over time;

(b) exposing a second tissue associated with said disorder to a beam of electromagnetic radiation having a controlled variable selected from the group consisting of;

(i) wavelength;

(ii) bandwidth;

(iii) pulse duration;

(iv) pulse frequency;

(v) intensity; and

(vi) wavelength variation over time; and

(c) monitoring a change in a characteristic of a tissue associated with said radiation.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of selecting a variable in at least one of step (a) and step (b) based on the monitoring of step (c).

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of entraining steps (a) and (b).

26. The method of claim 23, wherein at least one of step (a) and step (b) comprises providing electromagnetic radiation to at least one sensory tissue selected from eyes and ears.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein step (a) comprises providing electromagnetic radiation to at least one sensory tissue selected from eyes and ears, and step (b) comprises providing electromagnetic radiation to a peripheral tissue.

28. A method for treating a peripheral disorder, comprising the steps of:

(a) exposing a proximal site associated with said disorder to a beam of localized electromagnetic radiation in the visible wavelength range having a controlled variable selected from the group consisting of;

(i) wavelength;

(ii) bandwidth;

(iii) pulse duration;

(iv) pulse frequency;

(v) intensity; and

(vi) wavelength variation over time;

(b) exposing a distal site associated with said disorder to a beam of electromagnetic radiation having a controlled variable selected from the group consisting of;

(i) wavelength;

(ii) bandwidth;

(iii) pulse duration;

(iv) pulse frequency;

(v) intensity; and

(vi) wavelength variation over time; and

(c) monitoring a response of a tissue associated with said disorder.

29. The method of 28, further comprising selecting a variable in at least one of step (a) and step (b) based on the monitoring of step (c).

30. A method for treating myofascial syndrome, comprising the steps of:

(a) exposing a proximal portion of a nerve associated with said myofascial syndrome to a beam of localized electromagnetic radiation in the visible wavelength range having a controlled variable selected from the group consisting of;

(i) wavelength;

(ii) bandwidth;

(iii) pulse duration;

(iv) pulse frequency;

(v) intensity; and

(vi) wavelength variation over time.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

(b) monitoring a response of a tissue associated with said myofascial syndrome.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of selecting a variable in step (a) based on the monitoring of step (b).

33. A method for treating symptoms associated with muscle spasm, comprising the steps of:

(a) exposing a proximal portion of a nerve associated with said muscle spasm to a beam of localized electromagnetic radiation in the visible wavelength range having a controlled variable selected from the group consisting of;

(i) wavelength;

(ii) bandwidth;

(iii) pulse duration;

(iv) pulse frequency;

(v) intensity; and

(vi) wavelength variation over time; and

(b) monitoring a response of a tissue associated with said myofascial syndrome.

34. A method for treating pain, comprising the steps of:

(a) exposing a tissue associated with pain to non-coherent electromagnetic radiation having a controlled wavelength in the visible wavelength range; and

(b) monitoring a change characteristic of said tissue associated with said radiation.