Method and apparatus for therapeutic laser treatment

Abstract

The therapeutic laser apparatus ( 10 ) includes at least two wands ( 50 ) connected to a controller ( 210 ) and radiation source ( 155 ) via fiber optic cables ( 135, 140 ). The controller ( 210 ) and source ( 155 ) include at least two infrared wavelength solid-state diode (“SSD”) lasers ( 165 ) and at least two visible wavelength SSD aiming lasers ( 170 ). The apparatus ( 10 ) further includes a combiner ( 195 ) configured to maintain the electromagnetic radiation from one infrared SSD laser ( 165 ) coincident with one visible light SSD aiming laser ( 170 ). In the method according to the invention, the visible light SSD aiming laser ( 170 ) is used as a pointer so that an operator can position wands ( 125, 130 ) adjacent to the skin of a mammal whereby the beams ( 127, 132 ) of infrared treatment lasers ( 165 ) intersect at a region (B) inside the body (A) of the mammal.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A device for photobiostimulation of biological tissue, comprising: 
 a) a first treatment radiation source emitting a first radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;    b) a second aiming radiation source emitting a respective second radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm; wherein the first beam and the second beam concurrently pass through a fiber optic cable;    c) at least one wand connected to the fiber optic cable, the wand including a collimator configured to adjustably focus the emanating coincident radiation beams; and 
 wherein the wand is adapted to be arranged in an operative position about the tissue such that the radiation beams emitted from the wand irradiate a region located in the tissue.  
   
     
     
         2 . The biostimulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment and aiming radiation sources incorporate light emitting diode lasers.  
     
     
         3 . The biostimulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment radiation source emits radiation having a wavelength of approximately 980 nm.  
     
     
         4 . The biostimulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the aiming radiation source emits radiation having a wavelength of between approximately 635 nm and approximately 640 nm.  
     
     
         5 . The biostimulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable collimator is further adapted to vary the focus of the emitted radiation beam and the size of the area of irradiated tissue.  
     
     
         6 . The biostimulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to emit adjustably pulsed radiation wherein the pulses have a frequency of between approximately 0.1 cycles per second and approximately 100 cycles per second.  
     
     
         7 . The biostimulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to emit continuous wave radiation.  
     
     
         8 . The biostimulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjustably emit pulsed radiation wherein the pulse width is between approximately 0.1 percent and 100 percent.  
     
     
         9 . The biostimulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the power level of the emitted radiation to have a power of between about zero and approximately 2.0 watts.  
     
     
         10 . The biostimulation device of  claim 9 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the duration of the therapeutic laser radiation treatment to between approximately 1 second and 3600 seconds.  
     
     
         11 . The biostimulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the energy level of the emitted radiation to have an energy of between approximately 1 joule and 99 joules.  
     
     
         12 . The biostimulation device of  claim 11 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the duration of the therapeutic laser radiation treatment to between approximately 1 second and 3600 seconds.  
     
     
         13 . A biostimulation device, comprising: 
 a) a laser apparatus including a plurality of treatment laser wands both connected to a first laser radiation source adapted to emit radiation having a power of approximately between 1 and 10 watts, an energy of between about 1 joule and about 99 joules, and a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and 1100 nm, and both wands further connected to a second radiation source adapted to emit visible light; and    b) wherein the laser wands are focusable and adapted to be arranged in an operative position to emit the radiation incident to a region of biological tissue for a therapeutically effective length of time.    
     
     
         14 . A method for the treatment of tissue, comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing an infrared laser treatment radiation source having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;    b) providing a source of aiming laser radiation having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm;    c) combining the radiation sources so that the radiation of each source is coincident;    d) passing the coincident radiation through at least one optical fiber;    e) providing a wand connected to the at least one optical fiber that includes an adjustably focusable collimator;    f) arranging the wand such that the radiation emitted from the wand passes through a region located within the tissue; and    g) exposing the tissue to the laser radiation for a therapeutically effective period of time.    
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of: 
 h) adjusting the collimator to focus the emitted radiation upon the surface of the irradiated tissue; and    i) adjusting the collimator to vary the size of the treatment area of the tissue.    
     
     
         16 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 14 , wherein the treatment and aiming radiation sources incorporate light emitting diode lasers.  
     
     
         17 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 14 , wherein the treatment radiation source emits radiation having a wavelength of approximately 980 nm.  
     
     
         18 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 14 , wherein the aiming radiation source emits radiation having a wavelength of between approximately 635 nm and approximately 640 nm.  
     
     
         19 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the wands incorporates an adjustable collimator operative to vary the focus of the emitted radiation beam.  
     
     
         20 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 14 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to emit adjustably pulsed radiation wherein the pulses have a frequency of between approximately 0.1 cycles per second and approximately 100 cycles per second.  
     
     
         21 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 14 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to emit continuous wave radiation.  
     
     
         22 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 14 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjustably emit pulsed radiation wherein the pulse width is between approximately 0.1 percent and 100 percent.  
     
     
         23 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 14 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the power level of the emitted radiation to have a power of between about zero and approximately 2.0 watts.  
     
     
         24 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 23 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the duration of the therapeutic laser radiation treatment to between approximately 1 second and 3600 seconds.  
     
     
         25 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 14 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the energy level of the emitted radiation to have an energy of between approximately 1 joule and approximately 99 joules.  
     
     
         26 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 25 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the duration of the therapeutic laser radiation treatment to between approximately 1 second and 3600 seconds.  
     
     
         27 . A system for photobiostimulation of biological tissue, comprising: 
 a) a controller unit including a power supply and a control panel having operator input devices and output devices;    b) the controller unit also including a first treatment radiation source emitting a first radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;    c) the controller unit also including an aiming radiation source emitting a second radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm; wherein the first radiation beam and the second radiation beam concurrently pass through at least one of a plurality of fiber optic cables; and    d) a wand connected to the at least one of the plurality of fiber optic cables, the wand including a variably adjustable collimator configured to adjust the emanating coincident radiation beams; wherein the wands are adapted to be arranged in an operative position about the tissue to irradiate a region of the tissue.    
     
     
         28 . A device for photobiostimulation of biological tissue, comprising: 
 a) a first treatment radiation source emitting a first radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;    b) a second aiming radiation source emitting a second radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm; wherein the first beam and the second beam concurrently pass through at least one of a plurality of fiber optic cables; and    c) a wand connected to the at least one of the plurality of fiber optic cables, the wand including a collimator configured to adjust the shape of the emanating radiation beam;    wherein the wand is adapted to be arranged in an operative position about the tissue to irradiate a region of the tissue.    
     
     
         29 . A device for photobiostimulation of biological tissue, comprising: 
 a) a treatment radiation source emitting a respective first radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;    b) a second aiming radiation source emitting a respective second radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm; wherein the first beam and second beam concurrently pass through a fiber optic cable; and    c) a wand connected to the fiber optic cable, and including a collimator configured to adjust the focus of the emanating radiation beam; 
 wherein the wand is adapted to be arranged in an operative position about the tissue such that the radiation beam emitted from the wand illuminates a region located in the tissue.  
   
     
     
         30 . A device for photobiostimulation of biological tissue, comprising: 
 a) a first treatment radiation source emitting a first radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;    b) a second radiation source emitting a second radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm; wherein at least one first beam and one second beam concurrently pass through at least two of a plurality of fiber optic cables; and    c) at least two wands each connected to a different one of the plurality of fiber optic cables, the wands including a variable collimator configured to establish the focus of the emanating coincident radiation beams; 
 wherein the wands are adapted to be arranged in an operative position about the tissue such that the radiation beams emitted from each wand simultaneously pass approximately through a region located in the tissue.  
   
     
     
         31 . The biostimulation device of  claim 30 , wherein the treatment and aiming radiation sources incorporate light emitting diode lasers.  
     
     
         32 . The biostimulation device of  claim 30 , wherein the treatment radiation source emits radiation having a wavelength of approximately 980 nm.  
     
     
         33 . The biostimulation device of  claim 30 , wherein the aiming radiation source emits radiation having a wavelength of between approximately 635 nm and approximately 640 nm.  
     
     
         34 . The biostimulation device of  claim 30 , wherein at least one of the wands incorporates an adjustable collimator operative to vary the focus of the emitted radiation beam.  
     
     
         35 . The biostimulation device of  claim 30 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to emit adjustably pulsed radiation wherein the pulses have a frequency of between approximately 0.1 cycles per second and approximately 100 cycles per second.  
     
     
         36 . The biostimulation device of  claim 30 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to emit continuous wave radiation.  
     
     
         37 . The biostimulation device of  claim 30 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjustably emit pulsed radiation wherein the pulse width is between approximately 0.1 percent and 100 percent.  
     
     
         38 . The biostimulation device of  claim 30 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the power level of the emitted radiation to have a power of between zero and approximately 2.0 watts.  
     
     
         39 . The biostimulation device of  claim 38 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the duration of the therapeutic laser radiation treatment to between approximately 1 second and 3600 seconds.  
     
     
         40 . The biostimulation device of  claim 30 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the energy level of the emitted radiation to have a power of between approximately 1 joule and 99 joules.  
     
     
         41 . The biostimulation device of  claim 40 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the duration of the therapeutic laser radiation treatment to between approximately 1 second and 3600 seconds.  
     
     
         42 . A method for the treatment of tissue, comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing at least one infrared laser treatment radiation source having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;    b) providing at least one source of aiming laser radiation having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm;    c) combining the radiation sources so that the radiation of each source is coincident;    d) passing the coincident radiation through at least two optical fibers;    e) providing at least two wands, each connected to a different one of the at least two optical fibers, the wands each including a variably focusable collimator;    f) arranging the wands such that the radiation emitted from the wands simultaneously passes through a region located within the tissue; and    g) exposing the tissue to the laser radiation for a therapeutically effective period of time.    
     
     
         43 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 42 , wherein the treatment and aiming radiation sources incorporate light emitting diode lasers.  
     
     
         44 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 42 , wherein the treatment radiation source emits radiation having a wavelength of approximately 980 nm.  
     
     
         45 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 42 , wherein the aiming radiation source emits radiation having a wavelength of between approximately 635 nm and approximately 640 nm.  
     
     
         46 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 42 , wherein at least one of the wands incorporates an adjustable collimator operative to vary the focus of the emitted radiation beam.  
     
     
         47 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 42 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to emit adjustably pulsed radiation wherein the pulses have a frequency of between approximately 0.1 cycles per second and approximately 100 cycles per second.  
     
     
         48 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 42 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to emit continuous wave radiation.  
     
     
         49 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 42 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjustably emit pulsed radiation wherein the pulse width is between approximately 0.1 percent and 100 percent.  
     
     
         50 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 42 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the power level of the emitted radiation to have a power of between zero and approximately 2.0 watts.  
     
     
         51 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 50 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the duration of the therapeutic laser radiation treatment to between approximately 1 second and 3600 seconds.  
     
     
         52 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 42 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the energy level of the emitted radiation to have a power of between approximately 1 joule and 99 joules.  
     
     
         53 . The method for the treatment of tissue of  claim 52 , wherein the treatment radiation source is configured to adjust the duration of the therapeutic laser radiation treatment to between approximately 1 second and 3600 seconds.  
     
     
         54 . A system for photobiostimulation of biological tissue, comprising: 
 a) a controller unit including a power supply and a control panel having operator input devices and output devices;    b) the controller unit also including a first treatment radiation source emitting a first radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;    c) the controller unit also including a second aiming radiation source emitting a second radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm; wherein the first radiation beam and the second radiation beam concurrently pass through at least two of a plurality of fiber optic cables; and    d) at least two wands each connected to a different one of the plurality of fiber optic cables, the wands including a variably adjustable collimator configured to establish the shape and focus of the emanating coincident radiation beams; wherein the wands are adapted to be arranged in an operative position about the tissue such that the radiation beams emitted from each wand simultaneously pass approximately through a region located in the tissue.    
     
     
         55 . A device for photobiostimulation of biological tissue, comprising: 
 a) a first treatment radiation source emitting a first radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;    b) a second radiation source emitting a second radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm; wherein the first beam and the second beam concurrently pass through at least two of a plurality of fiber optic cables; and    c) at least two wands each connected to a different one of the plurality of fiber optic cables, at least one of the wands including a collimator configured to adjust the shape of the emanating radiation beam; 
 wherein the wands are adapted to be arranged in an operative position about the tissue such that the radiation beams emitted from each wand simultaneously pass approximately through a region located in the tissue.  
   
     
     
         56 . A system for photobiostimulation of biological tissue, comprising: 
 a) a controller unit including a power supply and a control panel having operator input devices and output devices;    b) the controller unit also including a first treatment radiation source emitting a first radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;    c) the controller unit also including a second aiming radiation source emitting a second radiation beam having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm; wherein the first radiation beam and the second radiation beam concurrently pass through at least two of a plurality of fiber optic cables; and    d) at least two wands each connected to a different one of the plurality of fiber optic cables, the wands including a variably adjustable collimator; wherein the wands are adapted to be arranged in an operative position about the tissue such that the radiation beams emitted from each wand simultaneously pass approximately through a region located in the tissue.    
     
     
         57 . A method for the treatment of tissue, comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing at least one infrared laser treatment radiation source having a wavelength of between approximately 900 nm and approximately 1100 nm;    b) providing at least one source of aiming laser radiation having a wavelength of between approximately 400 nm and approximately 700 nm;    c) combining the radiation sources so that the radiation of each source is coincident;    d) passing the coincident radiation through at least two optical fibers;    e) providing at least two wands, connected to the optical fibers, wherein at least one wand includes a variably adjustable collimator;    f) arranging the wands such that the radiation emitted from the wands simultaneously passes through a region located within the tissue; and    g) exposing the tissue to the laser radiation for a therapeutically effective period of time.