Multiple diode laser apparatus and method for laser acupuncture therapy

• US 6,074,411 A
• Filed: 04/04/1998
• Issued: 06/13/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Meijuan Yuan, Ming Lai
• Original Assignee: Meijuan Yuan, Ming Lai
• Inventors: Lai, Ming, Yuan, Meijuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): YARNELL, BRYAN KEITH
• Application Number:
  US09/055,420
• Time in Patent Office: 801 Days
• Field of Search: 607/3, 607/45-48, 607/88, 607/89, 607/90, 600/26, 600/27, 604/116, 606/2, 606/10, 606/13, 606/17
• US Class Current: 607/89
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0619 Acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0622 Optical stimulation for exciting neural tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/067 using laser light

Abstract

A laser apparatus and method is described for laser acupuncture therapy. A plurality of diode laser modules, a self-adhesive holder for each of the modules, and a timer-controlled power supply are implemented.

Claims

1. A multiple diode laser apparatus for laser acupuncture therapy, comprising:

a set of three or more diode laser modules, each having a diode laser to produce a laser beam at a selected wavelength that has a desired penetration depth into a patient'"'"'s body part, and having a case for housing said diode laser;

a set of three or more holders respectively coupled to said set of diode laser modules, each configured to hold a diode laser module and having a self-adhesive surface to attach onto said body part to direct a laser beam to an acupuncture point in said body part without holding said respective diode laser module by a user'"'"'s hand; and

a laser controller electrically connected to to provide electrical power to said diode laser modules and to control the output power of said laser beams for the laser acupuncture therapy.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein a number of said set of three or more diode laser modules ranges from 5 to 10.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said selected wavelength is around 635 nm or 830 nm.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said output power of said diode laser modules is approximately 5 mW.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said diode laser module includes an optical focusing element for modifying said laser beam.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said holder has a counterbored hole shaped to tightly hold said diode laser module.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said holder is made of a flexible material with a low thermal conductivity.

8. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said laser controller comprises a timer operable to automatically turn on and off said electrical power to said diode laser.

9. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said diode laser modules each have a length of about 2.5 cm.

10. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said diode laser modules have each a weight of about 8 mg.

11. A method for constructing a laser apparatus and performing laser acupuncture therapy, comprising the steps:

providing a set of three or more diode laser modules, each having a diode laser to produce a laser beam at a selected wavelength and having a case for housing said diode laser;

engaging a holder to each diode laser module, said holder having a self-adhesive surface;

attaching each diode laser module onto said body part by said self-adhesive surface in such a way that each diode laser module is attached and positioned at respective acupuncture point without holding by a person'"'"'s hand; and

providing electrical power to said diode laser modules and to control the output power of said laser beams for the laser acupuncture therapy.

12. A method as in claim 11 wherein said laser controller has a timer-controlled switch to control the duration of said laser acupuncture therapy.

13. A method as in claim 11 wherein said laser controller has a modulation circuit to modulate the output power of said laser beam for said laser acupuncture therapy.