Abstract:
A laser therapy device and method of treatment are disclosed. The laser therapy device includes a housing, laser source, power source, vial, and vial holder. Laser light will shine through the vial containing an aqueous solution where the laser will acquire the signature of the aqueous fluid. A method for the treatment of an ailment where laser light is transmitted through a solution and transmitted to a target source.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/525,280 filed 2001 Aug. 19 to the above named inventor. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not Applicable SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM  
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to a low level laser therapy device and method for treatment using a low level laser emitting device and a lens containing an aqueous botanical, herbal, or amino-acid solution. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Low levels of laser energy have been known to have a non-thermal, biostimulative effect on biological tissues. The therapeutic application of these low levels of laser energy has been known as low level laser therapy (“LLLT”). LLLT has been known to create beneficial clinical results in the treatment of various musculoskeletal, neurological, soft tissue, and chronic pain conditions. LLLT is non-invasive and delivers photons to tissue inciting photochemical results at a cellular level. 
         [0005]    In addition to LLLT, it is known that the topical treatment of botanicals, herbs, and certain amino acid compounds may also deliver similar therapeutic properties. It is also known that, laser light is capable of carrying the harmonic or vibrational frequencies of any liquid through which it passes. Currently there is no device that utilizes the therapeutic benefits of both laser light and the harmonic or vibrational frequency of an aqueous herbal, aqueous botanical, or aqueous amino acid solution. 
         [0006]    Therefore, there exists a need for a laser emitting device that can safely and effectively transmit laser light through a prepared solution for therapeutic use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A Laser therapy device according to the present invention includes a housing enclosing a laser source capable of emitting low level laser light through an aperture in the housing. Preferably, the laser source emits laser light at a power level within the range of 200 mW (milliwatts) to 500 mW. The laser source operates in the visible spectrum range with a wavelength corresponding to the colors of Red, at a wavelength between 635 nm (nanometers) and 650 nm, Green, at an approximate wavelength of 535 nm, Orange, Yellow, White, Blue, at an approximate wavelength of 445 nm, or Violet, at an approximate wavelength of 405 nm. 
         [0008]    The housing may include one laser source for a given color or multiple laser sources for each given color, whereby the housing may contain up to seven selectable laser sources representing a wavelength corresponding to the colors of Red, Green, Orange, Yellow, White, Blue, or Violet. 
         [0009]    The housing includes a power source, a power switch, a power indicator, a key switch, a power key, a remote connector key, an aperture locking mechanism, an aperture focusing mechanism, and a vial holding cap receiver. The power source provides power to the device and may be composed of a replaceable or rechargeable battery source providing direct current to the device. The power switch, will allow a user to power on the device or to power off the device. The power switch may be a switch, a button, a toggle, or similar components allowing a user easily turn the device on or off. The power indicator will indicate if the device is turned on. The power indicator may be an illuminated light, light emitting diode, or similar component. 
         [0010]    The key switch allows a user to disable or lock the device using the power key to prevent inadvertent operation by disabling the power switch. The remote connector key is a further safety feature preventing inadvertent usage of device. The remote connector key is in removable communication with a port located on housing. The remote connector, when inserted into the port allows for proper operation of the device. When the remote connector key is removed from the device, the device will not operate. The remote connector key and the key switch create added security by requiring a user to have both the power key and the remote connector key properly engaged to operate the device. 
         [0011]    The aperture locking mechanism allows a user to close or open the aperture in the housing. The aperture focusing mechanism allows a user to alter the size of the aperture located in the housing, whereby a change in the size of the aperture focuses the laser light to a given target area. 
         [0012]    A vial holding cap is in removable communication with the housing and includes a laser aperture, a vial aperture, and an attachment means. The vial holding cap is received in the housing via the attachment means. This receipt may be threaded, whereby the vial holding cap receiver is threaded to securely receive the vial holding cap through the threaded receipt of the attachment means. Although a threaded assembly is the preferred connection between the vial holding cap and the housing, other forms of assembly may be used, such as a snap-fit, a friction-fit, a magnetic fit, or other similar attachment. 
         [0013]    The laser aperture is aligned with the laser source and allows the laser beam to exit the housing and onto the treatment surface. The vial aperture intersects the laser aperture and is sized to removably receive a vial. The vial is filled with an aqueous solution and sealed to prevent degradation. The vial is transparent to allow the laser light to travel through the vial and the enclosed aqueous solution. 
         [0014]    The aqueous solution in the vial may be composed of, but not limited to, the following botanical extracts and amino acid compounds: Aloe Vera, Ajos Sacha, Amor Seco, Anamu, Andiroba, Ayapana, Bellaco-Caspi, Bobinsana, Boldo, Catuaba, Chanca Piedra, Chuchuhuasi, Copaiba, Cumaseba, Embauba, Erva tostau, Gervau, Graviola, Guacatonga, Huacapu, Iporuru, Jatoba, Jergon Sacha, Juazeiro, Jerubeba, Kalanchoe, Manaca, Matico, Mulateiro, Mulungu, Mutamba, Samambala, Simarouba, Tamamuri, Tayuya, Ubos, Una de Gato, Chaparral, Huperzine A, L-Arginine, L-theanine, MSM, Siberian Golden Root, Vinpocetine. Several formulations of the above listed ingredients may be used to create a system of multiple vials for the treatment for common ailments. 
         [0015]    In the preferred embodiment, the system of multiple vials formulated for specific ailments includes a vial formulated for the reduction/elimination of pain, a vial formulated for the treatment of chronic pain, a vial formulated for the treatment of pain related to inflammation, a vial formulated for the treatment of deep tissue and chronic pain, and a vial formulated pain reduction with a combination of cellular energizing. The vials for the treatment of various ailments may be specifically identified by a classification system for the ailment to be treated. This classification system may be based on colors, letters, numbers, or a specific identification of the ailment. 
         [0016]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the laser therapy device and the vial are used to treat a patient&#39;s ailment by passing laser light from the device through the vial and onto a treatment area. Accordingly, a method for the use of this system is described. 
         [0017]    According to this method, a treatment provider will first identify the ailment to be treated. After identifying the ailment, the treatment provider will then select the proper treatment vial and laser source color. The treatment provider will then select the proper housing containing the appropriate laser source, place the appropriate vial into the vial aperture, power on the device, and administer the laser light traveling through the vial and the laser aperture to the target area for a specified period of time. 
         [0018]    According to this method, a treatment plan is created for a patient&#39;s ailments whereby a practitioner will administer a series of laser treatments consisting of a specified laser color and vial over a period of time. This treatment plan may alternate in both the aqueous solution type contained in the vial and the color of the laser used. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0019]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to further explain the principles of the invention. Other aspects of the invention and the advantages of the invention will be better appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the Detailed Description when considered in conjunction with accompanying drawings, and wherein: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the laser therapy device, according to the present invention; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , of a laser therapy device according to the present invention, generally referred to as  10 . The laser therapy device  10  includes a housing  100 . The housing  100  includes a laser source capable of emitting low level laser light at a power level within the range of 200 mW (milliwatts) to 500 mW through an aperture (not pictured) in the housing  100 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the laser source will be operating in the visible spectrum range with a wavelength corresponding to the colors of Red, at a wavelength between 635 nm (nanometers) and 650 nm, Green, at an approximate wavelength of 535 nm, Orange, Yellow, White, Blue, at an approximate wavelength of 445 nm, or Violet, at an approximate wavelength of 405 nm. The housing  100  may include one laser source for a given color or multiple laser sources for each given color, whereby the housing  100  may contain up to seven selectable laser sources representing a wavelength corresponding to the colors of Red, Green, Orange, Yellow, White, Blue, or Violet. 
         [0022]    The housing  100  includes a power source  101 , a power switch  102 , a power indicator  103 , a key switch  104 , a power key  105 , a remote connector key  106 , a aperture locking mechanism  107 , a aperture focusing mechanism  108 , and a vial holding cap receiver  109 . The power source  101  provides power to the device  10  and may be composed of a replaceable or rechargeable battery source providing direct current to the device. The power switch  102 , will allow a user to power on the device or power off the device. The power switch  102 , may be a switch, a button, a toggle, or a similar component allowing a user easily turn the device on or off. The power indicator  103  will indicate if the device is turned on. The indicator  103  may be an illuminated light, light emitting diode, or similar component. 
         [0023]    The key switch  104  allows a user to disable or lock the device using the power key  105  to prevent inadvertent operation by disabling the power switch  102 . The remote connector key  106  is a further safety feature preventing inadvertent usage of the device  10 . The remote connector key  106  is in removable communication with a port located on the housing  100 . The remote connector  106  when inserted into the port allows for the proper operation of the device, when the remote connector key  106  is removed from the device  10 , the device will not operate. The remote connector key  106  and the key switch  104  create added security by requiring a user to have both the power key  105  and the remote connector key  106  to properly operate the device  10 . 
         [0024]    The aperture locking mechanism  107  allows a user to close or open the aperture in the housing  100 . An aperture focusing mechanism  108  allows a user to alter the size of the aperture located in the housing  100 , whereby a change in the size of the aperture focuses the laser to a given target area. 
         [0025]    A vial holding cap  200  is in removable communication with the housing  100  and includes a laser aperture  201 , a vial aperture  202 , and an attachment means  203 . The vial holding cap  200  is received in the housing  100  via the attachment means  203 . This receipt may be threaded, whereby the vial holding cap receiver  109  is threaded to securely receive the vial holding cap  200  through the threaded receipt of attachment means  203 . Although a threaded assembly is the preferred connection between the vial holding cap  200  and the housing  100 , other forms of assembly may be used, such as snap-fit, friction-fit, magnetic fit, or other similar attachment. 
         [0026]    The laser aperture  201  is aligned with the laser source and allows the laser beam to exit the housing and onto the treatment surface. The vial aperture  202  intersects the laser aperture  201  and is sized to removably receive a vial  300 . The vial  300  is filled with an aqueous solution and sealed to prevent degradation. The vial  300  is transparent allowing the laser beam to travel through the vial  300  and the enclosed aqueous solution. 
         [0027]    The aqueous solution in the vial  300  may be composed of, but not limited to, the following botanical extracts and amino acid compounds: Aloe Vera, Ajos Sacha, Amor Seco, Anamu, Andiroba, Ayapana, Bellaco-Caspi, Bobinsana, Boldo, Catuaba, Chanca Piedra, Chuchuhuasi, Copaiba, Cumaseba, Embauba, Erva tostau, Gervau, Graviola, Guacatonga, Huacapu, Iporuru, Jatoba, Jergon Sacha, Juazeiro, Jerubeba, Kalanchoe, Manaca, Matico, Mulateiro, Mutamba, Samambala, Simarouba, Tamamuri, Tayuya, Ubos, Una de Gato, Chaparral, Huperzine A, L-Arginine, L-lysine, L-theanine, MSM, Siberian Golden Root, Vinpocetine. Several formulations of the above listed ingredients may be used to create a system of multiple vials  300  for the treatment for common ailments. 
         [0028]    In the preferred embodiment, the system of multiple vials  300  formulated for specific ailments includes a vial formulated for the reduction/elimination of pain, a vial formulated for the treatment of chronic pain, a vial formulated for the treatment of pain related to inflammation, a vial formulated for the treatment of deep tissue and chronic pain, and a vial formulated pain reduction with a combination of cellular energizing. These vials  300  for the treatment of ailments may be specifically identified by a classification system for the ailment to be treated. This classification system may be based on colors, letters, numbers, or a specific identification of the ailment. 
         [0029]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the laser therapy device  10  and the vial  300  are used to treat a patient&#39;s ailment by passing laser light from the device  10  through the vial  300  and onto the treatment area. Accordingly, a method for the use of this system is described. 
         [0030]    According to this method, a treatment provider will first identify the ailment to be treated. After identifying the ailment, the treatment provider will then select the proper treatment vial  300  and laser source color. The treatment provider will then select the proper housing  100  containing the appropriate laser source, place the appropriate vial  300  into the vial aperture  202 , power on device  10 , and administer the laser light traveling through the vial  300  and the laser aperture  201  to the target area for a specified period of time. 
         [0031]    According to this method, a treatment plan is created for a patient&#39;s ailments whereby a practitioner will administer a series of laser treatments consisting of a specified laser color and vial over a period of time. This treatment plan may alternate in both the aqueous solution type contained in the vial and the color of the laser used.