Method of use of hybrid infra-red laser and uni-polar pulsed electromagnetic medical apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for simultaneously providing an infra-red laser beam and a concentrated uni-polar, pulsed electromagnetic field to a region of interest in the body of a patient are disclosed. The apparatus produces the infrared laser beam from a laser diode and the pulsed electromagnetic field from an electrically conductive coil. The infra-red laser beam and the pulsed electromagnetic field are produced concurrently along a common axis. A focusing magnet is provided to concentrate the lines of flux so that they extend along the laser beam. The apparatus includes a body of Mu-metal shielding surrounding the components of the apparatus except for one pole of the coil from which the lines of flux of the electromagnetic field extend to further concentrate the field and render it effectively uni-polar.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of treating medical condition of a patient by applying an infra-red laser beam and a pulsed unipolar electromagnetic magnetic field to deep tissue in the body of the patient, said method comprising:
 a) providing apparatus for producing an infra-red laser beam and a unipolar concentrated pulsed electromagnetic field, said apparatus comprising a coil and at least one focusing magnet for producing said unipolar concentrated pulsed electromagnetic field;   b) disposing said apparatus outside the body of the patient but adjacent the deep tissue in the body of the patient;   c) operating said apparatus to produce said infra-red laser beam along an axis and concurrently produce said unipolar concentrated pulsed electromagnetic field along said axis, with said infra-red laser beam being centered in said unipolar concentrated pulsed electromagnetic field; and   d) directing said infra-red laser beam and said unipolar concentrated pulsed electromagnetic field to the deep tissue in the body of the patient to produce a therapeutic effect thereon.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said infra-red laser beam is pulsed at a frequency in a range of 50,000 Hz to 100,000 Hz and wherein the power of said laser beam is in a range from 25 to 50 watts. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is pulsed at a frequency in a range of 11 Hz to 30 Hz and wherein the intensity of said pulsed electromagnetic field is approximately 600 Gauss. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is pulsed at a frequency in a range of 11 Hz to 30 Hz and wherein the intensity of said pulsed electromagnetic field is approximately 600 Gauss. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said apparatus additionally comprises a body of shielding material, said body of shielding material shaping and collimating said unipolar concentrated pulsed electromagnetic field. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said body of shielding material comprises Mu-metal. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said infra-red laser beam is pulsed at a frequency in a range of 50,000 Hz to 100,000 Hz and wherein the power of said laser beam is in a range ranging from 25 to 50 watts. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is pulsed at a frequency in a range of 11 Hz to 30 Hz and wherein the intensity of said pulsed electromagnetic field is approximately 600 Gauss. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said pulsed electromagnetic field is pulsed at a frequency in a range of 11 Hz to 30 Hz and wherein the intensity of said pulsed electromagnetic field is approximately 600 Gauss. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein bone in the body of the patient is interposed between said apparatus and the deep tissue in the body of the patient. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said tissue comprises the brain of the patient.