Diode Laser Irradiation System for Biological Tissue Stimulation

A diode laser irradiation system for treating biological tissue of a subject without exposing the tissue to damaging thermal effects, the system comprising:

• a manipulable wand for contact with the tissue, wherein the wand includes:
• three diode lasers in a triangular arrangement at a first end of the wand, wherein the diode lasers are configured to irradiate the tissue with coherent optical energy having a wavelength in the range of 1064 nm-10,000 nm at a power output level of less than 1000 mw;
• a conductive bar for supporting the diode lasers;
• an insulating sleeve over the bar;
• a first plurality of metallic cooling fins surrounding the diode lasers at the first end of the wand for transferring heat generated by the diode lasers to surrounding air;
• a second plurality of metallic cooling fins connected to the conductive bar at the opposite end of the wand for transferring heat generated by the diode lasers to surrounding air;
• and
• laser setting controls for operating the diode lasers to achieve a rate of absorption and conversion to heat in the irradiated tissue in a range between a minimum rate sufficient to elevate the average temperature of the irradiated tissue to a level above the basal body temperature of the subject, and a maximum rate which is less than the rate at which the irradiated tissue is converted into a collagenous substance.