Device And Method For Providing a Synergistic Combination of Phototherapy And a Non-Light Energy Modality to The Brain

Abstract

Systems and methods that could reduce the potential for side effects while delivering a reduced amount of light energy and non-light energy to a patient while providing a desired therapeutic effect that might otherwise only be achievable with a higher dose of either the light energy or non-light energy administered alone are disclosed. In certain embodiments, disclosed is a system and method for treating a patient, by administering a combination of light therapy from a light energy source in addition to one, two, or more other non-light energy modalities to a target region of a patient for a synergistic therapeutic effect.

1 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A system for delivering light energy and non-light energy to a patient, comprising:
 a light energy source configured to deliver time-averaged irradiance of light energy at a target tissue that is less than about 100 mW/cm 2 ;   a non-light energy source; and   a controller operably connected to both the light energy source and the non-light energy source, the controller configured such that the system provides light energy and non-light energy to produce a treatment effect to the patient, wherein the amount of light energy administered is at least about 10% less than an amount of light which would produce the same treatment effect to the patient without administering to the patient the amount of non-light energy.   
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the amount of non-light energy is a subtherapeutic amount of energy. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the controller is configured such that the light energy and the non-light energy are administered concurrently. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the controller is configured such that at least a portion of the light energy is administered prior to the administration of the non-light energy. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the controlled is configured such that at least a portion of the light energy is administered following the administration of the non-light energy. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the non-light energy source is configured to deliver magnetic energy. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the non-light energy source is configured to deliver acoustic energy. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the non-light energy source is configured to deliver radiofrequency energy. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the non-light energy source is configured to deliver microwave energy. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the non-light energy source is configured to deliver thermal energy. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the magnetic energy is configured for trans-cranial magnetic stimulation. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the light source is configured to deliver light having a wavelength between about 630 nanometers an about 1064 nanometers. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the light source is configured to deliver light having a wavelength between about 730 nanometers and about 840 nanometers. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the light source is configured to deliver light having a wavelength between about 730 nanometers and about 750 nanometers.