Optical method and device for modulation of biochemical processes in adipose tissue

Abstract

Optical methods and devices are provided for the reduction of the lipid content of adipocytes without significant heat or intolerable adverse effect on the cells and their surrounding tissues. The optical method and device can be used to irradiate adipose tissue through the skin with non-thermal and non-destructive effects by application of near infrared (NIR) irradiation at selected wave bands in selected ranges to affect modulation of innate enzymatic processes involved in lipolysis, lipogenesis, leptin secretion, adiponectin secretion, and/or glucose absorption.

1 . A method of reducing lipid level in an adipocyte without generating significant heat in, or significant damage to the adipocyte, comprising the step of irradiating a target site on an individual's skin above adipose tissue with an optical radiation having a first wavelength from about 850 nm to about 879 nm and/or a second wavelength of about 905 nm to about 945 nm at a dosimetry from about 0.015 W/cm2 to 1 W/cm 2  to modulate at least one of the innate biochemical processes of adipocytes.  
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the biochemical processes had already been initiated with exercise and/or by pharmacological means before the irradiation.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the biochemical processes of adipocytes is selected from lipolysis, lipogenesis, leptin production, adiponectin production, and glucose uptake.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation has a wavelength from about 865 to about 875 and/or about 925 nm to about 935 nm.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation is provided for a time of from about 10 to about 120 minutes.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation is provided for a time of from about 15 to about 100 minutes.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical radiation is provided for a time of from about 20 to about 80 minutes  
   
   
       8 . The method according to claims  1 , wherein the dosimetry provides an energy density from about 10 J/cm 2  to about 10,000 J/cm 2  at the skin surface above the adipose tissue.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the dosimetry provides an energy density from about 50 J/cm 2  to about 8,000 J/cm 2  at the skin surface above the adipose tissue.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the dosimetry provides an energy density from about 100 J/cm 2  to about 5,000 J/cm 2  at the skin surface above the adipose tissue.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising delivering the optical radiation to the target site by one or more LEDs or LED arrays with aspheric collimating lenses within an article of clothing or a wrap.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising delivering the optical radiation to the target site by one or more LED arrays with aspheric collimating lenses within an article of clothing or a wrap worn by the individual.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein different biochemical processes within the adipocytes that are normally antagonistic to each other will then function synergistically.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the biochemical processes that will then function synergistically can modulate alternative lipolytic or lipogenic pathways within the adipocytes.  
   
   
       15 . A device for reducing fat comprising at least one optical light source which emits an optical radiation having a wavelength from about 850 nm to about 879 nm and/or from about 905 nm to about 945 nm at a dosimetry from about 0.015 W/cm2 to 1 W/cm 2 , wherein said at least one optical light source is attached to an item of clothing.  
   
   
       16 . The device according to  claim 15  wherein the article of clothing is selected from a belt, a wrap, a bandage, pants, shorts, belt, wrap, arm band, leg band, and a shirt.  
   
   
       17 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein it is incorporated into a piece of an exercise equipment or other apparatus as an accessory item.  
   
   
       18 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein the wavelength band is between about 850 nm and about 879 nm and/or between about 900 nm and about 940 nm.  
   
   
       19 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein the power density is between 0.015 W/cm 2  to 1 W/cm 2 .  
   
   
       20 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein the optical radiation is coherent or non-coherent.  
   
   
       21 . The device according to  claim 15 , further comprising a controller adapted to control said optical radiation to provide a succession of radiation pulses.  
   
   
       22 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein the controller is further adapted to control the intensity of said radiation pulses.  
   
   
       23 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein the controller is adapted to control the repetition rate of said radiation pulses.  
   
   
       24 . A method for irradiating the skin above adipose tissue at a target site on an individual to effect modulation of biochemical processes within the adipocytes of the adipose tissue at the target site, comprising: irradiating the target site with NIR optical radiation of at least one LDOAM wavelength band to augment or suppress biochemical processes within the adipocytes, wherein the ratio of the scattering coefficient of the photons on human skin (μs) to the absorption coefficient in human skin (μa), is at least a value of about 40.  
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the at least one LDOAM wavelength band comprises a first band between about 850 nm and about 879 nm, and/or a second wavelength band between about 900 nm and about 940 nm.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the LDOAM wavelength bands are delivered with a Power Density and temporal characteristics sufficient to modulate desired adipocyte biochemical processes at the target site without an adverse effect on a subject being irradiated.  
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the optical radiation is coherent.  
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the optical radiation is non-coherent.  
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the first and/or second bands are applied to the target site independently, sequentially, and/or in tandem.  
   
   
       30 . A therapeutic system for irradiating the skin above adipose tissue at a target site on an individual to effect modulation of biochemical processes within the adipocytes of the adopose tissue, the system comprising: 
 a light source for irradiating adipose tissue with NIR optical radiation of at least one LDOAM wavelength band, wherein the light source is configured and arranged to produce a NIR radiation output wherein the ratio of the scattering coefficient of the photons on human skin (μs) to the absorption coefficient in human skin (μa), (μs/μa), of the output is at least a value of about 40.    
   
   
       31 . A system according to  claim 30 , wherein the LDOAM wavelength bands comprise a first wavelength band between about 850 nm and about 879 nm, and/or a second wavelength band of between about 900 nm and about 940 nm.  
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the first and the second wavelength bands are delivered with a Power Density and temporal characteristics sufficient to modulate adipocyte biochemical processes at the target site without an adverse effect on a subject being irradiated.  
   
   
       33 . The system according to  claim 30 , further comprising a controller configured and arranged to control the NIR radiation output as a pulsed output.  
   
   
       34 . The system according to  claim 33 , wherein the controller is configured and arranged to control an intensity of the pulsed output.  
   
   
       35 . The system according to  claim 33 , wherein the controller is configured and arranged to control a pulse width of the pulsed output.  
   
   
       36 . The system according to  claim 33 , wherein the controller is configured and arranged to control a pulse repetition frequency of the pulsed output.  
   
   
       37 . The system according to  claim 33 , wherein the controller is programmed to control the light source to deliver a predetermined dose of optical radiation to a target site.  
   
   
       38 . An optical energy dispersion wrap system for use as an adjunctive treatment for subcutaneous adipose optical bio-regulation, the system comprising: a flexible wrap, configured and arranged to conform to a treatment area; and one or more arrays of light sources configured and arranged to emit an NIR radiation output at LDOAM wavelengths and dosimetries to the treatment area.  
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 38 , further comprising at least a collimating lens of suitable focal length configured and arranged to collimate the NIR radiation output for application to the treatment area.  
   
   
       40 . A method of irradiating adipose tissue of an individual to effect modulation of biochemical processes within adipocytes within the adiopose tissue, the method comprising: irradiating the adipose tissue with NIR optical radiation at selected LDOAM wavelength bands to augment or suppress biochemical processes.  
   
   
       41 . The method according to  claim 40 , further comprising administering a statin and/or other fat lowering or cholesterol lowering drugs to a person receiving LDOAM radiation.  
   
   
       42 . The method according to  claim 40 , further comprising configuring an optical energy dispersion wrap about a person receiving the LDOAM radiation, wherein the wrap is configured and arranged to produce the LDOAM radiation.  
   
   
       43 . The method according to  claim 40 , comprising irradiating the individual before, during, or immediately following moderate aerobic exercise.  
   
   
       44 . The method according to  claim 40 , further comprising irradiating the individual with at least the area of 1.2 cm spot size or 1.13 cm 2  area for effective therapy.