Abstract:
Apparatus for therapeutic low level laser treatment has a diode array with sets of laser diodes of three wavelengths, and with light emitting diodes of four wavelengths. The emitted laser and light beams overlap in a selected configuration. The method includes pulsing the diodes in one of several available selected frequency sequences. One of the available frequency sequences includes increasing frequency pulsing.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/401,103 filed Aug. 5, 2002. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to therapeutic lasers, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for programmable, multi-frequency, multi-wavelength low level laser therapy.  
         BACKGROUND ART  
         [0003]    Any living cell in a biological system requires energy for normal metabolism, function, and repair. When injury or sickness occurs, normal metabolism, function, and repair is impaired. The addition of energy delivered directly to damaged areas can aid in the return of normal function.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,504 to Diamantopoulos et al. discloses a therapeutic device with a cluster probe connected to a control box. The cluster probe has laser, superluminous and light emitting diodes that emit steady or selectively pulsed radiation in multiple wavelengths to enhance the depth of delivery of energy within the tissue. U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,663 to L&#39;Esperance, Jr. discloses a sterilization device with two laser beams with the phase shift and polarization angle being adjustable between the beams. L&#39;Esperance, Jr. does not suggest any specific beneficial phase shift or polarization angle. The “Resonator” and the “Rotary Multiplex”, Low Level Lasers, Inc., are therapeutic devices with a combination of laser and light emitting diodes of multiple wavelengths that are pulsed. The “Rotary Multiplex” includes an increasing pulse frequency program and can be factory reprogrammed.  
         DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    Therapeutic low level laser apparatus includes a housing, a diode array, control electronics connected to the diode array, and a power source, means for operator input and means for operator output, connected to the control electronics. The diode array has four sets of laser diodes arranged symmetrically about the center of the array, and four pairs of light emitting diodes arranged between the sets of laser diodes. Each set of laser diodes includes first, second and third laser diodes arranged in an equilateral triangle and oriented such that the planes of the linear beams are approximately 120 degrees to each other, intersecting at the center of the triangle. The first, second and third laser diodes emit light of a selected first, second and third wavelength, respectively. The pairs of light emitting diode are arranged in opposed locations about the center of the array and each pair of light emitting diodes emits light of a selected different frequency. The control electronics are programmable and activate the diode array, controlling power output and pulse frequency of each laser and light emitting diode. The therapeutic low level laser method includes providing apparatus that emits a beam of three selected wavelengths of laser light and four selected wavelengths of light emitting diode light, pulsing the beam pursuant to a selected frequency sequence, and exposing tissue to the beam. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    Details of this invention are described in connection with the accompanying drawings that bear similar reference numerals in which:  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of apparatus embodying features of the present invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a back elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of FIG. 1.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the diode array of the apparatus of FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]    Referring now to FIGS.  1  to  3 , therapeutic low level laser apparatus embodying features of the present invention includes a housing  11 , a diode array  12 , control electronics  14 , an electric power source  15 , a means for operator input  16  and a means for operator output  17 . Housing  11  is generally elongated, has a front  20  and a back  21 , and is preferably sized and shaped to be comfortably held in the hand of an operator. Other sizes and shapes are suitable for housing  11 .  
         [0012]    The diode array  12  is substantially planar and is mounted in a recessed manner in the back  21  of the housing  11 . The diode array includes four each first, second and third laser diodes  1 ,  2  and  3 , and two each first, second, third and fourth light emitting diodes  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  that, in the illustrated embodiment, emit the following wavelengths:  
         [0013]    1=650 nm laser diode  
         [0014]    2=780 nm laser diode  
         [0015]    3=808 nm laser diode  
         [0016]    4=660 nm light emitting diode  
         [0017]    5=880 nm light emitting diode  
         [0018]    6=470 nm light emitting diode  
         [0019]    7=940 nm light emitting diode  
         [0020]    As shown in FIG. 4, the first, second and third laser diodes  1 ,  2  and  3  are arranged in four sets  23 , with one set  23  at each of 45, 135, 225, and 315 degrees about the center  24  of the diode array  12 . Each set  23  is arranged as an equilateral triangle with the first laser diodes  1  each an equal first distance from center  24  and the second and third laser diodes  2  and  3  an equal greater second distance from center  24 . The first, second and third laser diodes  1 ,  2  and  3  of each set  23  are oriented at 120 degrees to each other, as indicated by the lines through the first, second and third laser diodes  1 ,  2  and  3  in FIG. 4, with the first laser diodes  1  being oriented along lines through center  24 . The first, second, third and fourth light emitting diodes  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  are arranged in a cross formation between the sets  23  with equal wavelengths being mirrored or opposed across center  24 .  
         [0021]    Referring again to FIGS.  1  to  3 , the control electronics  14  and power source  15  mount in the housing  11  with the power source  15  connecting to and powering the control electronics  14 . The power source  15  is preferably a rechargeable storage battery and is preferably rechargeable without removal from the housing  11 . The control electronics  14  connect to and provide electric power to diode array  12  to individually activate and control the intensity of each of the first, second and third laser diodes  1 ,  2  and  3 , and each of the first, second, third and fourth light emitting diodes  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7 . The control electronics  14  include current monitoring to assure precise intensity control. The control electronics  14  can pulse each of the first, second and third laser diodes  1 ,  2  and  3 , and each of the first, second, third and fourth light emitting diodes  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  at a frequency of from about 0.1 Hz to 300 kHz in 0.01 Hz increments.  
         [0022]    The control electronics  14  is programmable and, in the illustrated embodiment, includes three preprogrammed modes:  
         [0023]    Mode 1: Frequency=50 Hz, duration=3 minutes, power=all lasers set at 1 to 4 mW.  
         [0024]    Mode 2: Frequency=7.83 Hz, duration=3 minutes, power=all lasers set at 1 to 4 mW.  
         [0025]    Mode 3: Frequency=see below, total duration=3 minutes, power=all lasers set at 1 to 4 mW.  
         [0026]    1. 17.16 sec—4.3 Hz  
         [0027]    2. 5.72 sec each for 28 increments that increase from 4.7 Hz to 130.2 Hz.  
         [0028]    The means for operator input  16  is connected to the control electronics  14  and in the illustrated embodiment includes an on/off button  27 , a function button  28  and a mode button  29 . Other means for operator input  16  are suitable, such as additional buttons, a keypad, or a jack for connection to a keyboard or a personal computer.  
         [0029]    The means for operator input  16  also includes a jack  30  for connection of a calibration device that allows the manufacturer to calibrate the diode array  12  and to download operation modes such as listed above. The jack  30  may also be used by an operator to download new modes. By way of example, and not as a limitation, the calibration device may be a personal computer. The means for operator output  17  is mounted on the front  20  of housing  11 , connected to the control electronics  14  and, in the illustrated embodiment, includes a mode indicator  32 , a battery indicator  33  and a time remaining indicator  34 .  
         [0030]    The first, second and third laser diodes  1 ,  2  and  3 , and the first, second, third and fourth light emitting diodes  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  emit beams normal to the plane of the diode array  12 . The configuration of the diode array  12  provides four “hot spots” where the beams of the first, second and third laser diodes  1 ,  2  and  3  overlap. Due to the “Soliton Phenomenon”, where multiple overlapping waveforms create unique wave structures capable of imparting effects unattainable with individual waveforms, improved penetration into tissue is provided.  
         [0031]    The method of the present invention includes the steps of: providing a diode array with sets of first, second and third laser diodes that emit at wavelengths of about 650 nm, 780 nm and 808 nm, respectively, with the beams of the first, second and third laser diodes oriented at about 120 degrees relative to each other and overlapping, pulsing the first, second and third laser diodes at a selected frequency sequence and projecting the resultant beam on the tissue. The first, second and third laser diodes may be pulsed according to the above described modes as well other modes.  
         [0032]    Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example and that changes in details of structure may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.