CA2364501A1

CA2364501A1 - Therapeutic cluster laser device

Info

Publication number: CA2364501A1
Application number: CA002364501A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Philip W. Passy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: LASER RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL Inc
Priority date: 1998-02-23
Filing date: 1999-02-22
Publication date: 1999-08-26
Also published as: WO1999042178A1; AU2606399A

Abstract

A cluster laser device comprises a cluster laser unit and a strap for attachment to the body. The cluster laser unit typically has 10 to 20 low- powered laser diodes arranged in a cluster. The device may be used in place of acupuncture needles and in human and veterinary medical treatments. This invention has the advantage of being conveniently attachable, lightweight an d portable and can be used to treat larger surface areas than traditional lase r therapy devices.

Description

THERAPEUTIC CLUSTER LASER DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention is concerned with the use of lasers in low energy photon physiological therapy. A cluster of low energy emitting lasers are provided in a portable unit for the treatment of a wide range of soft tissue and musculoskeletal injuries. The cluster laser system is also applicable to the field of acupuncture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Lasers have long been used in medical applications including diagnosis and treatment of various disorders. The surgical and cosmetic utilization of lasers as well as their use in photodynamic therapy of cancer are well known. Low powered lasers which emit approximately 10,000 times less energy than surgical lasers have been used for the treatment of soft tissue injuries such as sports injuries, repetitive strain injuries, whiplash and chronic back pain. Low power lasers have also been used to imitate the fine needles normally associated with acupuncture treatment as well as to accelerate wound healing. These lasers have several beneficial effects which are mediated by various mechanisms. A well known mechanism is the conversion of light energy into chemical energy. Photons of light from a laser penetrate into the tissue and accelerate the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
ATP is a major carrier of energy from one chemical reaction to another within the cells of the body. Thus an increase in the amount of ATP in a cell results in an increase of available energy that can be directed towards healing damaged muscle cells. It has been reported that the time for healing can be reduced by as much as 2/3rds of the normal healing time. The extra energy can also be used by fibroblasts to increase collagen production. Collagen is required to replace old tissues and repair tissue injuries. Studies have also shown that the energy derived from the laser increases the activity of the ATP
dependent Na-K pump. This increased activity results in an increase in the potential difference across the cell membrane, moving the resting potential further from the firing threshold, thus, decreasing nerve ending sensitivity.
It has also been postulated that laser light may result in the production of naturally occurring pain-killing molecules such as endorphins and enkephalins in the brain. It has also been shown that treatment with laser light increases blood flow and increases the formation of new capillaries in damaged tissue.
This speeds up the healing process, closes wounds quickly and reduces scar tissue. There is also evidence suggesting that low power laser light can speed up the regeneration of the lymphatic system.
It has been common practice to apply laser light to a patient by moving a wand-like apparatus over the affected area. Frequently, this treatment is administered in hospitals or through outpatient services. It is often time consuming due to the small area that can be treated at a time. The present invention overcomes these problems by providing a low-power laser source that provides a comparable intensity of photon energy through a plurality of low power lasers arranged in a cluster. The apparatus is adapted to be portable and can be used in the home, thus providing increased convenience for the patient and a reduction in health care costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is concerned with a cluster laser pack designed for use in either human or veterinary applications. The invention is light weight and portable and can be used to treat soft tissue injuries, chronic pain and other laser treatable conditions. This invention may also be used to simulate the fine needles of acupuncture.
In one aspect of the invention, a cluster laser unit comprises a plurality of cold-powered laser diodes mounted in a portable unit. In a preferred embodiment, from about 10 to about 20 laser diodes emitting from about 1 to about 50 milliwatts each are mounted in a unit having a backing. The laser unit is a component of a device including means of attaching to the body. In a preferred embodiment the laser unit is provided on a flexible strap having velcro-type fasteners. This embodiment allows for the laser to be applied or strapped in an efficient manner to various body parts such as elbows, knees, etc. that are not typically flat.

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_.
According to another aspect of the invention, a single laser may be substituted for the cluster laser, where the single laser is ~rssd in combination with a laser light dispersion multiplier device. ' Other aspects of the present invention are as follows:
A portable phototherapy apparatus adapted for attachment to at least one body part and for providing therapy to said at least one body part 1o comprising:
i) at least one plurality of lasers, acid lasers being arranged so as to provide overlapping beam dlverQenca pathways ii) means far applying said plurality of lasers to said at least one body part; and .
IS iu) a controller having a plurality of outputs for adjusting intensity end duration of said therapy, each of said outputs oparatlonatly associated with one of said plurality of lasers.
The use of a plurality of cold powered laser diodes to stimulate photochemical reactions in an area to be treat, wherein said area to be 20 treated is selected from the group consisting of wrist, elbow, shoulder, back, neck, ankle or knee.
A preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated !n the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like parts throughout, 25 and In which:
Figure 1 is a sch~matic drawing of the cluster laser device and Its control panel.
Figures 2a to 2f are schematics iliuetrating the operation of the controller unit of the present invention.
30 Figures 3a to 3f are schematics Illustrating th~ opardtlon of the control logic box of the present invention.

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- ~ - -- = CA 009900156 In the drawings, prefern~ embodiments of the Invention are illustrated - by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawlnga aro only for the purpose of illustration and ae an aid to understandinv, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

Laser treatment stimulates photochemical reactions which may have beneftdat effects on the body such as enhanced healinfl or pain control. As opposed to other forms of treatment such as some types of chiropractic or drug treatment whlCh are ongoing, laser therapy ha,s permanent effects. This invention aikkfrnrs treatment over en area larger than traditional single probe or wend arrangements, In addi0on, the current invention is more user friendly as it can be attached to the area to be treated such as an elbow, Power back or ankle. ' v in one aspect of the invention tllust~tted with r~;~pect to Flguro 1, a plurality of tow power (seer diodes 10 are provided on an adjustabt~ Vela~o~
belt 12 to provide the laser duster'devioe 74.. The Velcro belt comprises two :_,.~.. . . . . ..
straps 15 end 17 with a hook fastener 19 and an extra tong loop fastener 21. , The belts are overlapped to surround the body pert and then the components , 18 and 21 compressed to provide a secure fit. Typically, between about 10 to ' _.
about 20 laser diodes are arranged in a duster. The laser diode8 hav~ the following featuros. They may vary in output from about 1 mflliwatt to about 50 ..
miltiwatts. The wavelength varies from about 600 to 1000 nanometers depending upon the eppNcation. Thus the omitted light may be vislbte or infrared. The spot size varies from about 0.3 cmZ to about 0.05 mm2. The laser diode may belong to various classes (l.e. Class I to Class Ill). In a ~
v .
prafemed embodiment, Clan: tlt8 lasers ere implemented but it is clearly apparent that lasers of any Class may be substituted depending upon the type of application for which it is to be used (i.e. human or veterinary, wound hsaling, pain relief, etc.). Beam diver~ertcs vanes from about 10 to about 30 degrees and the power density v~rJes from about 1Q mwJcrnz to about 1000 mwJcm2 .

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The laser diodes t 0 are mounted in a pmtectivs hous(ng 1 fi induding a backing 18. The housing unit 1 B Is Jn communication with a controller unit 20, The controller unit 20 includes an. onloff switch 22 and an emission indlcatot~
24. Power to the control penal Is supplied either via an options( battery pack or thc~ough connection to a 110 volt power supply via port 28. The emission indicator 24 provides immediate feedback with regards to the amount of energy being emoted. This laved cgn be adjusted by means of a volume adjustment control knob 28. A timer switch 34 can be set to automatically turn off the housing unit 18 after a preset time to ensure approp,late treatment length. A manual reset button 32 end a test mode switch 34 are also provided, A remote interlock connector 38 la fumlshed as a safety feature.
Turning to Figures 2a to 2f, a schematic of the controller un(t of the pies~nt invention is itluatretsd.
The port 2B comprises an ac male plug 40. The plug 40 (s connected to a step down transforrnsr 42 which causes the voltage provided by the .
power supply to bs lowered. This ensures that the numerous parts in the laser cluster device do not over heat or get ruined. The transformer 42 is in turn aonnect~d to a set 44 of four diodes 4B, 48, 50 and S2. Diodes 46 and 4B are placed in parallel arrangement with diodes 50 and 62 however, they are facing opposite directions. A location 5'4 between diodes 4$ and 48 is connected to ground end a location ~ aatwaen diodes 50 and 52 is connected to a power division serrtlon 58. In this section 68, the power from the lov~rer voltage pnrcided from the transformer 42 is further divided into a laser power section t30 and a logic power section B2. It will be underebood by one skilled in the art that the (user power section provides power (or voltage) to the laser diodes 10 and the logic power sact~n provides power (or voltage) to a control logic box 64.
For the laser power section 80, the voltage from the transformer enters a laser voltage In port ga which is (ocat~d In a laser repulat~or 88. The voltage from the transformer 42 is also connected to ground via a pair of parallel capadtots 70 and 72. The laser regulator 68 also (ndudes a laser emund kr~' "~"~."." ~il.'ENCffEN 04 :'_>~- Z- ~ : 32:113 28-02-2000 "'- - -- -- ~ - ~ ~ . ~ «~6A~~ ~ø9 ~~ _ CA 00990015fi port T4 (connected to ground) and a laser voltage out port 76 (connected to ground via a laser capacitor T8 and connected to a las~r high voltage location ea>.
For the logic power section 62, the voltage from the trensfonner enters a logic voltage in port 82 which is located on a logic regulator 84. The voltega from the transformer 42 is also connected to ground via the pair of parallel capacitors 70 and T2. The logic regulator 84 also indudas a logic ground port 88 (connected to ground) and a logic voltage out port 88 (connected to ground via a logic capacitor g0 and connected to a logic high voltage location I O 92).
Power ig provided to the control logic box 64 by the logic high voltage location A2. A resistor 96 lies in a path between the ~n~l logic box 84 and ' the logic high voltage locetlon 92. Th~ logic box 64 la aloe connected to a base region 96 of a Bipolar Junction Transistor (8JT) 98. An emitter region 900 of the B,iT 98 Is connected to a naverse_bfased diode 102 which,, in tum, connects to the logic high voltage iocetion 92, the logic high voltage location 92 is also connected via a saienoid 88 to the emitter region 100 of the eJT 98 Contacts 99 end 83 provide the oNoff switch 22. A f9rst contact point 87 fa .
connected to the am~,sr region 'f 25 of a B,,iT 128 while a secpnd cpntact ' point 99 is oonnecte~d to the control connector 104. As wig be dsecrf~d .
below, the apsration of ell the sets of laser diodes Is the game and thus connection of the first contact point A7 with emitter region 128 of 9JT 128 is the same for each set (anhouQh not numbered in Figurge~ 2a and 2b). A
resistor D5 is placed In.the path between the second contact point A9 and the ,.
$ control connector 104. in order for the controller unit 20 to operate, the first and second contact points 9T and 89 be connected (or conte~fnfl each .
other), When th~ first end second points 87 and 98 arse connected, the .
contact 99 Is connected to the feast high voltage location 80 and therefore ,:
power (or voltage) !s provided to the laser diodes.
A first contact point 109 of contact 93 is connected to the control IogiC .
box 64 while a second contact point 103 of contact 93 is not used. When the .'.

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The control logic box 64 is also connoctsd to a one minute timer 108 , a control connector ?04 and a decade counter 106. The.decade counter Z06 is further connected to the one minute timer 108 which in tum is connected to an oscillator 110. By combining the functions of the decade counter 10B and w tho one minute timer 108, a practitioner is able to pre-set the length of time (in minutes) to apply laser therapy. The maximum limit of time is dependent on the capabitides of the decade counter. It will be understood that the decade 14 counter need not have the capability of counting to high nurnbers since the .
laser therapy should not last more than 4~houne at a time. Usual therapy may last for approximately $ - 20 minutes. However, if multiple parts of ate body aro belnfl treated, the timer decade counter tney have to count down from higher numbers. 'f'he decade counter 108 to ~Iso connected to a display 112 ZS via a display connector 114. The display allows the prectiEianer to know den the treatment Is finished and also to set the timer initially. The display also .
gravid~a the practitioner with a reading as to the level of treatment. It wilt be . ~ ' . . __ . _ ur~ders~o_od~.that~e display t ~~2-~WJd-provide-the practitioner with more ~ _ . _. _. . _ information than listed above. The display connector 114 Is also connected 20 to the control logic box 84. Use of the control logic box fr4 allows the .
.
practitioner the capability to keep track of the treatment being applied.
tn the prefensid ombodiment, the control logic box 84 is also connected to six sets of laser diodes 10. Althou~h six sofis are described In the preferred embodiment, it wilt h4 understood that any number of sets rttay be provided 25 by the pra~ssrnt invention. By providing miore than one set of outputs, the practitioner can apply the laser therapy td s larger treatment area. In the proawnt embodiment, the control IoQic box 84 oontro(s ati of the seta of laser ' diodes 10 but it will b~ understood that separate controls tray be p,nytded for . .
each set of laser dJodms 10. ThJs atiaws the practitioner to concurrently 30 provide different levels of treatment to muhiple treatment at~eas.
Jt will understood by one skJtied in the art that although the following description dqats with the operation of one set of laser diodes control of each ;yv v.~sw:v:~.n_~".,~,y;yEU u4 :'~$___~__ O : ~2:U4 : S_I_MB_AS~ +4~_J H_'.-) ; CA 009900156 28-02-2000 ~.~ ~ ~ ~ CA 02364501 ~2001-08-20 set of !seer diodes Is the same and therefore a description of all six sets of laser diodes is not necessary.
The control IoQic box 84 is connected to a port 116 on a chip 118 which contains 6 ports. The chip 116 provides the connection between the S laser diodes and the controller unit 20. A second port 118 on the chip t 16 is connected to the laser hi6h voita,~e point 80 whll~ two other ports 120 and 122 are connected directly to ground. A fifth port 124 is not used and a fins!
port 12e is connected to a ootloctor region i2T of a BJT 128. A base r~aeion 130 of the BJT 128 is eonn,~~ed to an emitter region 132 of a second 6JT
134 via a resistor 136. A collector re0lon 138 of the second 8JT 134 is connected to ground. A base region 140 of the aecrond 8JT 134 is connected to the contra! iogk box 64. The control IoAic box 84 signals the chip 116 ~
begin the therapy and after the pre~sat time has been elapsed, ei~nais the to stop th a therapy.
t$ In operation, the contact points BT,.A9 of contact p1 and the contact points 101 and ~! 03 of contact 83 must be connected In order for the controller unit 20 to operate. Contact 91 sends power (or voltage) from the laser high voltage location 80 to the emitter region 125 of the BJT 128, After receiving a signet from the control connector 104, the control logic box 64 sends a signal to the bass region 140 of the BJT 134 in order for the BJT f 34 to be ~ .
operational. 8y provldina these values, the control logic box 64 Is able to control the set of laser diodsa. ,. ..
Turning to Flpures Saes and 3b, a schsrnatic is shown of the cod I~iG
box .
Within the control logic box 84, a G~ input port 148 of a first flip flop 9 50 is connected to BJT g8 via a resistor 152. A Q-bar input port 1S4 of the first flip flop 150 Is connected to the one minute timer 108. An 8 port 155 Is , connected to an output of.a NOT logic gate 188 and to a diode 1 g0 which, in turn, is connected to a dock port 1 B8 of a second flip flop 1 T0. Tha functions ef !epic pates and flip flops used in the control logic box 84 will be ut'tderstood ' by these sidiied in the art. A Reset port 15B and a D output port 168 of the fast flip flop 150 are connected to Around. A clock port 180 of the first flip flop :c'~~ v:~~n~.cu~ ~tLWNCHF:~\ t)4 .2$- 1- U~ : 12:1)4 28-02-2000 _ _ _ . . . . , s ~ ~ldA~-» ~~s 8~
= CA 009900156 150 is connected to an output of a NOT logic gate 132. Input of the NOT logic gate 132 i9 connected to a start sianai i g4 trorn the control connector 104 and to the logic high voltage location 92 (via a rosistor 163, The use of the start signal 784 as the clock port 160 input ensures that the contr~oi)er unit will not operate until the practitioner and tho patient are prepared to start ~e therapy. The dock port ?60 is also connected to a diode ie$ which, in rum, is connected to a clock port 1t38 of the second flip flop 170. The dock input 168 is further connected to ground via a resistor 172. A roast port 1 T4 of th~
second flip flop 170 is not used while a D port 1 T3 is connected to Around.
I O An S port ~ 73 of the second flip flop 170 is connected to a reset signal 1 T7 of the c:ontroi connector 104, A Q input port 178 is not used while a p-bar input port 178 is connected vIa a resistor 180 to a base regbn 1g1 of a 8JT 182.
An emitter region 184 of the 8JT 182 conned to the loop high voltage location 92. A collector region '188 is connected to the control connector 104, .
input to the NOT logic Qats 18318 supplied by an output of an AND
logic pate 192. One input to the AND IoQic gate 192 is connected to the logic high voitaes location 82(vln a resistor 23B), s 4 input port 254 on a flip flop _ 230 (via a diode 2$3) and a Q-bar Input port 252 on a flip flop 216 (via a diode 260). A second input to the AND lapis gate 1A2 fs from'a second AND
logic gate 1 a4. One input to the second AND logic gate i 9d is from an output of a NOT topic flats 188, input of the NOT logic gate 19$ is connected to the _ logic high vottapv location 92 (via a resistor 193) and to a stop signal 200 from the control connector 104. A second Input to the AND logic geta~lg4 is .
conn~c~ed to a p por#.202 from a third flip flop 204, .
The D port 202 is also connected to the dscede counter 1 OB. A G~
input port 208 of the third flip flop 204 is not usod and a reset port 208 Is connected to around. A Q-bar input port 210 is connected to an S port 214 of v the fourth flip flop 218. A dock port 212 of tho third flip flop 2p4 Is oonnsded ' to the oscillator 110.
The fourth flip flop 218 also contains a clods port 218 which is .
connected to the logic high volfaga location 92 (via a resistor 220), a Q
Input port 222 of a fifth flip flop 224 wia a diode Z26), via s diode 232, to an S
port CA 02364501 2001-08-20 ' t. m,v:4-~.~a_ylaNC:HbN t1$ ".~g_ Z_ p : ~7 ._. ._ 1~ : 0~ : S 1 A1EiAS~ +~~ ~ r39 ' . 2802-2000 ~ ~ CA ~02364501 ,2001-08-20 = CA 009900156 228 of the sixth flip flop 230, the reset signal 17T and the S port 173 of the second clip flop 970. A react port 234 is connected to a reset port 23e on the fifth flip flop 224, a reset port 248 on the sixth flip flop 230 end to an output from a NC1T logic gate 238. input to the NOT logic gate 238 la connected to ground via a capacitor 240 and to th~ logic high voltage locatjon 9Z via a diode 242 or a resistor 244. ThA rggistnr'~dd nw.~ ff.e .~:_~_ wi., _ _ .
parallel and thus two paths are provided from the logic high voltage location 92 to the input of the NOT Logic gate 238.
A c2 Input port 248 on the fourth flip nop 218 is not used. A D port 250 on the fourth flip >gop 2i6 is connected to the logic high volte~e location 92.
A D port 266 on the fifth flip flop is connected to the logic high voltag~ ' location A2 whil~ an S port 268 is connected to ground. A dock port 270is connected to the one rninuts timer i08, the display connector t44 and the Q-bar input port 154 of the first flip flop 160.
A clock port 2f2 and a D port 2g4 of the abcth flip flop 230 am connected to the logic high voltage position 92: A C~-bar input port 262 of the sixth flip flop 230 is connected to the decade oaunter 106.
It wil! be understood by one skilled in tho art that the logic high voltage location 92 and the laser high voltage location 80 need not be the game physics( location. !t i~ preferred that al! the part: era connect~d to the same physical location to minimize on arts. As Ion es suftldont p g power (or voltage) to operate the parts la provided by !he two high rrottage, locat(ons and 92,at each accurrenca of the high voltage locations 80 end 93 (mentjonod above), p,hlrsical connection to the acme location is not ' necessary. In a pr,sferred embodiment, the housing unit is approximately 10 ~ by 15 cm by 5 an and thus is oeally portable end provides leaertherapy to an area 1 , etr~r than that traditionally trsstebla by single probe orwand lasers.
A~oroi"g t° an eltemative embodiment of the Invention, a single laser . . .:
may be substituted for the cluster laser whsr~ a device 1s used to disperse the ' Itght frorrE the afn8le source over the cams area as they Gustor laser. Tha dispersion device may be en irregular reflective device which may revolve to reftact the laser beam over the enlarged area. Alternatively, th~ dieperglon ' .

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Although preferred ernbodimanta of tho invention have been described hanetn tn detail; it will bs understood by those skilled in the art that variations may be made thoreto with departing frpm the spirit of the invention.
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CA 02364501 2001-08-20 , ,

Claims

1. A portable phototherapy apparatus adapted for attachment to at least one body part and for providing therapy to said at least one body part comprising:
i) at least one plurality of lasers, said lasers being arranged so as to provide overlapping beam divergence pathways ii) means for applying said plurality of lasers to said at least one body part; and iii) a controller having a plurality of outputs for adjusting intensity and duration of said therapy, each of said outputs individually programmable and operationally associated with one of said plurality of lasers.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for applying said plurality of lasers to said at least one body pert comprises a backing on adjustable belt means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said backing is flexible.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an interlock connector.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of lasers comprises at least one cluster laser pack having a plurality of cold-powered laser diodes.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said at least one cluster laser pack comprises from about 10 to about 20 laser diodes.

7. The apparatus of claims 5 or 6 wherein said laser diodes are selected from the group consisting of Class I, Class II and Class III laser diodes.

8. The apparatus of claims 5, 6 or 7 wherein said laser diodes emit at a wavelength between about 635 nm to about 905 nm.

9. The apparatus of claims 5, 6, 7 or 8 wherein power of said laser diodes varies from about 1 mW to about 50 mW.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of lasers comprises a plurality of single lasers each having associated therewith a dispersion device.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said dispersion device is an irregular reflective device.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said dispersion device is a fibre optic bundle.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means comprises:
i) an on/off switch;
ii) a timer;
iii) an emission indicator;
iv) a volume adjuster; and v) a reset button.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controller comprises:
a control connector sending control signals;
a control logic box for translating said control signals and sanding operation signals;
a microchip for accepting said operation signals and controlling said at least one plurality of lasers; and means for providing power to said microchip.

15. The apparatus of Claim 14 wherein each of said at least one plurality of lasers has an individual output.

16. The use of a plurality of cold powered laser diodes to stimulate photochemical reactions in an area to be treated, wherein said area to be treated is selected from the group consisting of wrist, elbow, shoulder, back, neck, ankle or knee.