Orthopedic infra-red laser medical device and methods of use

A method of treating an orthopedic disease or condition of a patient by the irradiation of an anatomic region of interest located within the body of the patient, said method comprising:

• a) providing a device comprising a housing and a needle, said needle being an elongated member having a proximal end, a sharpened distal end and a hollow passageway extending therethrough from said proximal end to said distal end, said housing comprising an infra-red laser source located therein arranged when activated to produce a collimated infra-red laser beam to enter into said hollow passageway at said proximal end of said needle and pass therethrough to exit said distal end of said needle;
• b) introducing said needle into the body of the patient by causing said sharpened distal end to pierce the skin and underlying tissue so that said distal end of said needle is located closely adjacent the situs of the anatomic region of interest;
• and
• c) activating said laser source to produce said infra-red laser beam, whereupon said infra-red laser beam exits said distal end of said needle to impinge said anatomic region of interest without the intervening skin and underlying tissue attenuating said infra-red laser beam.

A method of treating fat of a patient by the irradiation of an anatomic region of fat located within the body of the patient, said method comprising:

• a) providing a device comprising a housing and a needle, said needle being an elongated member having a proximal end, a sharpened distal end and a hollow passageway extending therethrough from said proximal end to said distal end, said housing comprising an infra-red laser source located therein arranged when activated to produce a collimated infra-red laser beam to enter into said hollow passageway at said proximal end of said needle and pass therethrough to exit said distal end of said needle;
• b) introducing said needle into the body of the patient by causing said sharpened distal end to pierce the skin and underlying tissue so that said distal end of said needle is located closely adjacent the situs of the anatomic region of fat;
• and
• c) activating said laser source to produce said infra-red laser beam, whereupon said infra-red laser beam exits said distal end of said needle to impinge said anatomic region of fat without the intervening skin and underlying tissue attenuating said infra-red laser beam.