Patent Application
20210316154
The present disclosure is in the laser field of physical medicine and therapy. More particularly, the present disclosure provides systems and methods for the treatment of pain utilizing a high-power class IV medical laser and specific procedures programmed into software executing on the laser that utilizes a range of laser light frequencies.
Lasers used in the physical medicine and therapy field are an effective analgesic, treating pain for numerous ailments. Such treatments are limited in their effectiveness when treating deeply located areas of pain in the body, due at least to the absorption coefficient of wavelengths into the mammalian body mass.
Typically, laser treatments for pain are conducted using one of two energy output modes. One is to run the laser light continuously or in continuous wave (CW) mode. The second is to pulse the laser light in pulse mode (PM), which effectively pauses the laser emissions in given beats and rhythms.
Systems and methods described herein provide programed procedures drawing from data evidencing that specific wavelengths have a more desirable clinical effect than others. A selection of specific laser light wavelengths is provided herein at specific beats and rhythms. The wavelengths are emitted into the body's tissues to decrease pain and inflammation while stimulating (photobiomodulation) cellular function. Systems and methods provided herein are predicated on empirical data regarding the body's response to laser light wavelengths.
A laser treatment is provided with specific frequencies in configured sequences that optimizes analgesic effects of the laser treatment method. The treatment may optimize ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) energy transfer between cells and thereby achieves a desirable clinical effect in the body's tissues effectively relieving pain and inflammation from deep seated pathologies.
For the continuous wave (CW) method, a class IV laser emits in three different wavelengths. The sequence begins with 810 nm (50 us, Ton), followed by 910 nm (50 us, Ton), followed by 1064 nm (50 us, Ton). Pauses of 5 us (microsecond) follow each emission. A power setting in W (Watts) is determined by the physician and is dependent on the specific patient's condition. In an embodiment, a continuous wave equation is as follows:
810 nm (50 us, Ton) (5 us pause) 910 nm (50 us, Ton) (5 us pause) 1064 nm (50 us Ton) (5 us pause), then repeat.
For the pulse mode method, a class IV laser emits in three different wavelengths. The sequence with 810 um, followed by 910 um, followed by 1064 um. There is a pause between each emission. T-off is automatically computer generated based upon selected HZ and Ton selected by the provider.
As with the continuous wave method the physician will select the suitable power (W) setting for the required treatment, then the physician will determine the length (T-on) of the emission pulse in seconds (s), milliseconds (ms), microseconds (us), after which the physician will then determine an emission frequency (Hz). The (T-off) is calculated by the software and is determined by the (T-on) and the (Hz) measurements. The Hz determines the beat or rhythm of the pulse mode being used. Pulse mode is typically directed to focal pathologies. In an embodiment, a pulse mode equation may be as follows:
810 nm (T-On, Rx) (Toff) 910 nm (T-On, Rx) (Toff) 1064 nm (T-On, Rx) (T-Off calculated by software, quench period), then repeat based upon selected Hz (pulses per second).
In pulse mode, T-On and Hz is based upon several clinical determinations. The laser is configured for a specific patient and their pathology. T-Off is calculated by the software based upon the selected T-On and the number of pulses per second (Hz) determined by the provider.
The duration (T-on) of the frequency pulse is set via a touchscreen on the laser device (Sec, ms, us).
In an embodiment, a 980 nm laser is available that may be used in treating various ailments. The 980 nm laser uses the same software used in other applications of systems and methods provided herein. In embodiments, the 980 nm emits laser with only the 980 nm wavelength.
Systems and methods provided herein may have additional applications. The sequence of wavelength emissions interrupted by a 5 us pause as described above may be in a single (or dual) wavelength emission. This single (or dual) wavelength application is used for both continuous waves as well as pulsed wave treatments. A difference from the multiwavelength treatment is in the application of a single (or dual) wavelength as opposed to the three wavelengths described previously.
