Apparatus and method for delivery of laser light

• US 6,673,095 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2001
• Issued: 01/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ImmunoPhotonics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Wound Healing of Oklahoma
• Inventors: Nordquist, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US09/784,320
• Publication Number:
  US 20020111610A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,058 Days
• Field of Search: 607/89, 606/9, 606/10, 606/11, 606/13-16, 606/17
• US Class Current: 607/89
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2065 Multiwave; Wavelength mixing, e.g. using four or more wavelengths pilot laser A61B2018/2025
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0644 Handheld applicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0663 Coloured light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 Skin treatment other than tanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/067 using laser light

Abstract

An apparatus for the delivery of laser light in a therapeutic environment including: a console; an optical waveguide wherein a first end of the waveguide is configured to expose a biological tissue to energy transmitted through the waveguide; a plurality of laser diodes housed within the console such that the light emitted by each of the diodes will illuminate a second end of the optical wave guide; and a power supply for providing electrical power to each laser diode. Preferably each laser diode is configured to produce a unique wavelength of light. The power supply provides an independently controllable output for each laser such that the exposure, both in terms of intensity and duration, to each wavelength of light may be controlled independently of the exposure to each of the other wavelengths of light.

Claims

1. A system for the delivery of laser light in a therapeutic environment comprising:

a frame;

an optical wave guide having an input end and an output end, said input end secured at a point on said frame; and

a plurality of laser diodes, each laser diode of said plurality of laser diodes producing a substantially monochromatic output and said each laser diode being secured on said frame such that said monochromatic output directly illuminates said input end,

wherein said plurality of laser diodes will produce a plurality of discrete wavelengths of light.

2. The system for the delivery of laser light of claim 1 further comprising a wand, wherein the output of said optical waveguide terminates in said wand such that when said wand is in contact with a biological tissue, the light emitted at said output will illuminate a known area of said tissue.

3. The system for the delivery of laser light of claim 1 wherein said optical waveguide comprises a fiber optic cable.

4. The system for the delivery of laser light of claim 1 further comprising a controller having a plurality of outputs,

wherein for each laser diode of said plurality of laser diodes, there is a corresponding output of said plurality of outputs, and

wherein the intensity of the light produced by said each laser diode may be controlled by said corresponding output.

5. The system for the delivery of laser light of claim 1 wherein each laser diode of said plurality of laser diodes produces light of a different wavelength than the light produced by any other laser diode of said plurality of laser diodes.

6. A system for the delivery of laser light in a therapeutic environment comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of lasers secured in said housing, all of the individual lasers of said plurality of lasers aimed at a common point, said plurality of lasers configured to produce a plurality of wavelengths of light such that each wavelength of said plurality of wavelengths may be enabled independently of each of the other wavelengths of said plurality of wavelengths of light; and

a controller having a plurality of outputs, said plurality of outputs in electrical communication with said plurality of lasers to selectively enable each wavelength of said plurality of wavelengths of light.

7. The system for the delivery of laser light of claim 6 further comprising:

a fiber optic cable having an input secured at said common point and a fiber optic output; and

a wand, said fiber optic output secured in said wand such that when said wand is placed in contact with a tissue and at least one laser of said plurality of lasers is enabled, said output will illuminate a known area of said tissue.

8. A method for the delivery of laser light in a therapeutic environment for the treatment of pain, or to expedite wound healing, including the steps of:

(a) aiming a plurality of lasers directly at an input to an optical waveguide, said waveguide also having an output;

(b) aiming said output of said optical waveguide at a biological tissue for the purpose of treating pain within said biological tissue, or promoting the healing of a wound within said biological tissue; and

(c) sequentially activating each laser of said plurality of lasers, one at a time, for a predetermined period of time.

9. The method for the delivery of laser light of claim 8 wherein step (c) includes the steps of:

(c)(i) sequentially activating each laser of said plurality of lasers, one at a time, for a predetermined period of time;

(c)(ii) repeating step (c)(i) for a predetermined number of times.

10. The method for the delivery of laser light of claim 8 wherein the power output of each laser is controllable and wherein step (c) further comprises the steps of:

(c) sequentially activating each laser of said plurality of lasers, one at a time, at