Low Level Laser Therapy Device with Open Bore

Abstract

A laser device for applying low-level laser energy around a patient's body part comprises a laser support having an open bore through which the body part to be treated is inserted and at least one laser connected to the laser support. Each laser emits laser energy in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the bore, such that energy is applied to the circumference of the body part, or a portion thereof. The laser support is attached to an adjustable stanchion that is shaped to cantilever the ring so that a chair or table may be positioned underneath the ring. In the preferred embodiment, the laser support is a C-shaped ring having a diameter large enough to accommodate at least a patient's upper arm. Lasers are slidably engaged with the C-ring and can be moved around the circumference of the ring to treat desired locations around the upper arm.

1 . A laser device for applying low-level laser energy to a patient, the laser device comprising:
 a. a laser support having an open bore through which a patient's body part to be treated may be inserted;   b. at least one laser energy source moveably connected to the laser support.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the laser energy source is oriented to emit laser energy in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the bore. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of laser energy sources, wherein the laser energy sources emit laser energy substantially simultaneously around the patient's body part. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each laser energy source can be moved independently from one position to another around the perimeter of the bore. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the bore is sufficiently large that the patient's body part being treated is not touched by the device during treatment. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a stanchion to which the laser support is attached. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the laser support is moveably attached to the stanchion. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6  further comprising an attachment mechanism that enables the laser support to be tilted towards and away from the stanchion. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6  further comprising an attachment mechanism that enables the laser support to be rotated around the axis of the bore. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the stanchion is adjustable in height. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the stanchion further comprises a base, and the stanchion is shaped to cantilever the laser support over the base of the stanchion. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising electronic controls for controlling each laser energy source. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 6  further comprising a computer interface in communication with the electronic controls, the computer interface attached to the stanchion. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the patient's body part inserted into the open bore is the patient's arm. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the patient's body part inserted into the open bore is the patient's torso. 
     
     
         16 . A laser device for applying low-level laser energy to a patient, the laser device comprising:
 a. a ring through which a patient's body part to be treated may be inserted;   b. at least one laser energy source moveably connected to the ring.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the laser energy source is oriented to emit laser energy substantially parallel to the plane of the ring. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16  further comprising a plurality of laser energy sources, wherein the laser energy sources emit laser energy substantially simultaneously around the patient's body part. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the patient's body part inserted through the ring is the patient's arm. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the patient's body part inserted through the ring is the patient's torso.