Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Light application
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-29
2001-07-31
Peffley, Michael (Department: 3739)
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Light application
C606S003000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267779
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention is directed to an apparatus and a method for applying laser beam energy in the treatment of medical conditions. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with an apparatus that uses wands emitting visible laser beam energy and invisible infrared laser beam energy. The method of the invention comprises positioning the wands over the patient in a manner such that the infrared radiation from the wands intersects within the body of the animal being subjected to therapy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The application of laser beam energy in the treatment of medical conditions has been investigated since the early 1970's. Numerous investigators have demonstrated that the application of low power laser beam energy on the order of 1 to 100 milliwatts and at varying wave lengths (e.g., 700-1100 nanometers) (“nm”) is effective in the treatment of various medical conditions. Low-level laser beam energy has been shown to enhance wound healing and reduce the development of scar tissue after surgical procedures. Such energy has also been shown to relieve stiff joints and promote the healing of injured joints, stimulate the body's ability to heal fractures and large contusions, as well as enhancing the healing of decubitus ulcers.
Medical and dental applications for low level laser beam energy of varying wave lengths also include pain control, nerve stimulation, reduction of edema, reduction of inflammation, arthritis, muscle and tendon injuries, and stimulation of the body's neurohormone system. Other applications have demonstrated increased activity in cells specifically connected with the immune system and antigen response.
The mechanisms of how the tissues of a mammal respond to low power laser beam energy is not well elucidated or understood. Therapeutic laser treatments of humans, animals, and biological tissues have been commonly referred to as “photobiostimulation” treatments. Suggestions have been made that the process of photobiostimulation accelerates the initial phase of wound healing by altering the levels of prostaglandins. It has also been suggested the laser beam energy increases ATP synthesis, accelerates collagen synthesis, and increases the ability of immune cells to ward off invading pathogens. See, e.g., Bolognami et al., “Effects of GaAs Pulsed Lasers on ATP Concentration and ATPase Activity In Vitro and In Vivo,”
International Cong. On Lasers in Medicine and Surgery
, p. 47 (1985); Karu and Letokhov, “Biological Action of Low-Intensity Monochromatic Light in the Visible Range,”
Laser Photobiology and Photomedicine
, ed. Martellucci, pp. 57-66 (Plenum Press 1985); Passarella et al., “Certain Aspects of Helium-Neon Laser Irradiation on Biological Systems in Vitro,” Ibid at pp. 67-74.
Conventional low power (less than 100 milliwatts) laser therapeutic devices generally comprise a hand held probe with a single laser beam source, or a large stationary table console with attached probes powered by a conventional fixed power supply. A common laser beam source is the laser diode. Laser diodes are readily available in varying power and wavelength combinations. Large probes containing multiple laser diodes are also known.
BACKGROUND ART
Isakov et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,823, disclose an apparatus for laser therapy including one or several lasers, a light guide and a focusing barrel wherein there are at least two platforms for transverse and longitudinal travel so that tissue can be dissected. The patent also discloses the use of a visible light beam that coincides with the laser beam thus allowing the surgeon to accurately aim the invisible laser beam to the required point. CO
2
lasers with wavelengths in the area of 1060 nm are employed. This patent also suggests laser beam densities of up to 10
5
watts per square centimeter.
Kanazawa et al. disclose in U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,283, a method of curing athlete's foot by laser beam irradiation. This patent discloses the use of a laser such as a CO
2
laser or a YAG laser that emits a laser beam in the infrared region having a wavelength of 700 nm or more. Energy levels are disclosed as two joules per centimeter squared or more for a period of ten milliseconds or less. This patent does not suggest or disclose the use of an apparatus including at least two wands for the laser therapy of medical conditions such as arthritis and bursitis.
Muchel in U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,839 discloses an optical system for therapeutic use of laser light. The Muchel instrument provides for combined observation of and laser treatment of a portion of a human body, such as an eye. This patent discloses the construction of main objective lenses within certain parameters adapted to combine laser therapy radiation from multiple sources. One source emits radiation having a wavelength of, for example, 1064 nm. A second source emits laser target light radiation having a wavelength of 633 nm. And a third source emits an observation light in the visible spectrum range of from 480 nm to 644 nm.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,285 to Walker discloses the treatment of human neurological problems by laser photo simulation. This patent relates to a method of treating nerve damage in humans by applying an essentially monochromic light to the skin area adjacent to the damaged nerve region. The inventor describes the use of a helium neon laser (632.5 nm, 1 milliwatt, and 20 hertz) with a fiber optic probe, which is held against the skin of the patient. The inventor also states that irradiation with infrared lasers (1090 nm) had no effect. This reference actually teaches away from the present invention.
Liss et al. teach in U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,835 a therapeutic laser device using a pulsed laser wave. The Liss et al. device uses a gallium aluminum arsenide diode as the source of laser energy which is in the infrared band (wavelength of approximately 900 nm).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,285 to Presta et al. relates to a laser system for medical applications that has at least two lasers and a movable concave reflector. One of the beams, an imaging beam, is aligned to impinge the reflector, to reflect therefrom and to impinge on a biological specimen. The reflector is moved until the beam is aligned to impinge the desired location of the specimens. The second beam is also aligned to impinge on the reflector to reflect therefrom and to impinge on the same desired position as that impinged upon by the first beam. The second laser is typically disclosed to be a CO
2
laser that generates the second beam having a wavelength of 10.6 microns. The Presta system is disclosed as being useful for microsurgery. This reference does not disclose a laser therapy apparatus wherein the therapeutic radiation and the targeting radiation are merged so as to be coincidental on the surface of the patient's skin and at least two wands for positioning the intersection of the beams within the body of the patient.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,504 to Diamantopoulos et al. relates to a device for biostimulation of tissue which comprises an array of monochromic radiation sources of a plurality of wavelengths, preferably at least three different wavelengths. For example, this patent discloses the treatment of patients with a multi-diode biostimulation device having emitted frequencies of 660 nm, 820 nm, 880 nm, and 950 nm. The power levels disclosed are between 5 milliwatts and 500 milliwatts. This patent also discloses obtaining the radiation from a plurality of sources whose outputs are combined to a single emergence region with flexible optic fibers.
Labbé et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,452, disclose a process for improving wound healing which comprises administering ascorbate or derivatives of ascorbate to the wound site and then irradiating the wound site with a low power laser at a wavelength of about 600 nm to about 1100 nm. This patent discloses that the laser can either be a pulsed or a continuous wave laser with energy outputs ranging from 1.0 millijoule per square centimeter to about 1000 millijoules per square centimeter. This reference does not suggest or
Casey Sean M.
MedeLaser, LLC
Peffley Michael
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for therapeutic laser treatment does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for therapeutic laser treatment, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for therapeutic laser treatment will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2438748