Biological tissue stimulation by optical energy

Abstract

Biological tissue of a living subject is irradiated with optical energy at a wavelength and at a power dissipation level to cause the amount of optical energy absorbed and converted to heat in the tissue to be within a range bounded by a minimum absorption rate sufficient to elevate the average temperature of the irradiated tissue to a level above the basal body temperature, but which is less than the absorption rate at which tissue is converted into a collagenous substance. According to this method, a therapeutic, warming effect is produced within the irradiated tissue, but without causing tissue damage by thermal overheating. The method of using a low level reactive laser system from 100 milliwatts per square centimeter to 1000 milliwatts per square centimeter in either a pulsed or continuous mode with optical energy produced by a Nd:YAG laser at a fundamental wavelength of 1,064 nanometers has been found to reduce pain in soft tissues, reduce inflammation and enhance the healing of tissue by stimulation of microcirculation without subjecting the living tissue to damaging thermal effects. The energy density of the irradiated tissue is limited to the range of from about 0.1 joule per square centimeter to about 15 joules per square centimeter. An alternative method produces optical energy by a Nd:YLF laser at a wavelength of 1,055 nanometers. Other lasers could be used which would produce optical energy in a preferred range of from about 950 to about 1,200 nanometers at the desired power range.

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