Method for treating spinal cord transection

• US 6,273,905 B1
• Filed: 07/01/1999
• Issued: 08/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pthera,Llc
• Original Assignee: Acculaser Inc.
• Inventors: Streeter, Jackson
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kearney, R.
• Application Number:
  US09/346,280
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 128/898, 607/89, 607/90, 607/91, 606/21, 606/3, 606/9-13, 435/325, 435/364, 435/366, 435/368, 435/389
• US Class Current: 607/89
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0644 Handheld applicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0651 Diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0659 infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 Skin treatment other than tanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/067 using laser light

Abstract

A method for the treatment of spinal cord transection using low level laser therapy in combination with allogenic implants. In one embodiment, embyronal nerve cells are cultured in vitro and transplanted to a site of spinal cord transection. The site is surgically closed and LLLT applied to a treatment point on the skin adjacent the transection site. To apply LLLT, a therapist applies pressure adequate to blanch the skin at the treatment point, and applies laser energy having a wavelength of about 630 nm to about 904 nm, with laser apparatus having a mean power output of about 100 mW to about 500 mW, at a dosage of about 1 joule/point, up to and including about 30 joules/point. Treatment times, total dosage, and number of treatment points are determined by the therapist or clinician trained in LLLT.

Claims

1. A method for treating spinal cord transection, said method comprising the steps of:

culturing embryonal nerve cells in vitro;

transplanting the embryonal nerve cells to a site of spinal cord transection;

surgically closing the site of transection;

applying pressure adequate to blanch the skin at at least one treatment point having a diameter of about one centimeter over the site of transection;

applying to the at least one treatment point laser energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared range, with a laser light source at a mean power of about 100 mW to about 500 mW.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein applying laser energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared range comprises applying laser energy having a wavelength of about 630 nm to about 904 nm.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein applying laser energy at the at least one treatment point comprises the step of applying the laser energy for a period sufficient to apply a laser energy dosage of about 1 joule/point to about 30 joules/point.

4. A method of using low level laser therapy, said method comprising the step of using a laser energy source to apply low level laser energy to at least one treatment point having a diameter of about one centimeter on skin adjacent to a site of spinal cord transection having a transplant of embryonal neural tissue, wherein the laser energy has a wavelength of about 630 nm to about 904 nm and the laser energy source delivers the laser energy at a mean power over about 100 mW.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4 further comprising the step of transplanting the embryonal neural tissue into the region of spinal cord transection.

6. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said low level laser energy is delivered with laser apparatus having a mean power output of about 100 mW to about 500 mW for a treatment time sufficient to deliver a dosage of about 1 joule/point to about 30 joules/point.

7. A method for treating spinal cord transection, said method comprising the steps of:

transplanting a transplant of embryonal nerve cells into a site of spinal cord transection;

at at least one treatment point having a diameter of about one centimeter on skin adjacent the site of spinal cord transection, applying pressure adequate to blanch the skin;

at the at least one treatment point, using a laser light source to apply laser energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared range at a mean power over about 100 mW.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein applying laser energy comprises applying laser energy at a mean power up to about 500 mW.

9. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein applying laser energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared range comprises applying laser energy having a wavelength of about 630 nm to about 904 nm.

10. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein applying laser energy at the at least one treatment point comprises the step of applying the laser energy for a period sufficient to apply a laser energy dosage of about 1 joule/point to about 30 joules/point.

11. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein applying laser energy at the at least one treatment point comprises the step of applying the laser energy at a plurality of treatment points.

12. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein applying to the skin laser energy at a plurality of treatment points comprises the step of applying the laser energy at a plurality of treatment points separated by about 1 cm.