Ischemia laser treatment

• US 6,918,922 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2003
• Issued: 07/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Oron Uri
• Original Assignee: Oron Uri
• Inventors: Oron, Amir
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Roy D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Johnson, III, Henry M
• Application Number:
  US10/353,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20030216797A1
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 607 88- 94, 128/898
• US Class Current: 607/89
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0647 the applicator adapted to be worn on the head
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0613 Apparatus adapted for a specific treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/067 using laser light

Abstract

Apparatus for treatment of an ischemic region of brain cells in a cranium, comprising a skull covering adapted to cover at least part of the cranium, at least one guide attached to the skull covering, and a laser source which is operative to direct a laser beam through the at least one guide into the cranium. The at least one guide may include an optic filiter or a waveguide.

Claims

1. A therapy apparatus for treating brain tissue, the therapy apparatus comprising:

a skull covering adapted to cover at least a portion of a patient'"'"'s cranium;

said skull covering including at least one light source; and

a controller operatively connected to the light source and controlling operation of the light source;

wherein said at least one light source is positioned to irradiate a portion of a patient'"'"'s cranium with light having a wavelength and power density sufficient to;

penetrate the patient'"'"'s skull; and

deliver an efficacious amount of light to brain tissue to treat brain cells following ischemic stroke in a patient thereby producing a cytoprotective effect and an increase in survival of neurons.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source is a laser source.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source is moveable with respect to the cranium.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an actuator operative to move the light source further from or closer to the cranium.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source is attached to a plurality of guides such that light from the source passes through the guides.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source has a wavelength of about 807 nm.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source delivers a power density of about 8 mW/cm² to brain tissue.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises two or more light sources.

9. Apparatus for treatment of an ischemic region of brain cells in a cranium, comprising:

a skull covering adapted to cover at least part of a cranium;

at least one guide attached to said skull covering;

a laser source operative to direct a laser beam through said at least one guide into a cranium; and

a controller operatively connected to the laser source and controlling operation of the laser source;

wherein said light source produces light having a wavelength and power density sufficient to;

penetrate the patient'"'"'s skull; and

deliver an efficacious amount of light to brain tissue to cause biostimulation of brain cells following ischemic stroke.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said at least one guide comprises an optic fiber.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said at least one guide comprises a waveguide.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9 comprising a plurality of said guides attached to said skull covering which direct a plurality of laser beams in a plurality of directions.

13. The apparatus according to claim 9 comprising a plurality of said guides attached to said skull covering which focus a plurality of laser beams in a plurality of focal lengths into a cranium.

14. The apparatus according to claim 9 comprising a plurality of said guides which are commonly attached to said laser source.

15. The apparatus according to claim 9 comprising a plurality of said laser sources and a plurality of said guides, wherein each source directs a laser beam through one said guide.

16. A method of treating brain tissue, the method comprising:

identifying a patient whose brain has at least one ischemic portion; and

irradiating at least a portion of the cranium of said patient with light;

wherein said irradiating is performed through the skull

wherein said light has a wavelength and power density sufficient to penetrate the skull; and

cause biostimulation of brain cells and increased neuron survival following an ischemic event.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the wavelength is about 807 nm.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the power density is selected to provide a power density of about 5 mW/cm² to about 8 mW/cm² to the brain tissue.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the light has a protective effect on the brain cells.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the light causes a regeneration process in the injured brain cells.