Fungal Infection Therapy with Low Level Laser

Abstract

A portable, small-footprint laser device contains one or more housings in which a laser energy source and an optical arrangement are disposed. The housing produces a laser beam spot that may be rotated and scanned to apply laser energy to a target area. The laser device receives treatment parameters and uses them to program a treatment regimen in which activation and movement of the housings is automated. The laser device may be used to apply a treatment regimen to a patient's hands or feet that are infected by Onychomycosis. In the treatment regimen, certain wavelengths of laser energy are applied at a predetermined duration. The treatment may be repeated, and a topical anti-fungal medication may be applied to aid in the efficacy of the treatment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit and is a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional Pat. App. Ser. No. 61 / 314,957, filed Mar. 17, 2010, and this application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 409,408, filed Apr. 20, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 976,581, filed Oct. 29, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 772,738, filed Feb. 4, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,588, which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 932,907 filed Aug. 20, 2001, now U.S. Pat. 6,746,473, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 273,282 filed Mar. 2, 2001, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to therapies with a laser device. More particularly, this invention relates to methods and devices for treating a fungal infection with low leve...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The laser device is activated and laser energy is scanned across the infected area of the patient's first hand or foot. The laser energy source may be nearly touching the skin or held at a distance of up to about 10 inches, or further, from the nail surface. The laser energy may be applied for a duration of about 10 minutes to about 30 minutes on the patient's first hand or foot. The application may be repeated on another infected appendage if desired. The entire treatment may be repeated after the first application. Following the second treatment, the patient may apply a topical anti-fungal medication for 12 weeks to prevent re-infection.

Problems solved by technology

OM can become very unsightly and may produce pain, discomfort, and disfigurement, all of which can lead to physical and occupational limitations.

A disorder such as OM may have a detrimental effect on an individual's quality of life, affecting his psychosocial and emotional well-being.

However, the rate of success remains low, the rate of recurrence remains high, and the costs and risks involved may be steep for some patients.

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