Photobiomodulation Light Source Device for Fibromyalgia Pain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for fibromyalgia, including medications and alternative therapies, often have limited effectiveness in reducing chronic musculoskeletal pain and associated symptoms, necessitating a non-pharmacological approach for improved symptom management.
Innovation Solution
The use of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) systems and methods that apply a combination of light signals with different wavelengths in pulsed, continuous, and super-pulsed modes, along with a permanent magnetic field, to stimulate a phototherapeutic response in tender areas, creating a neural blockade to block nocioreceptive pathways and reduce pain sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medications and alternative therapies are used to treat fibromyalgia, then some symptom reduction is achieved, but the effectiveness is limited and side effects may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmacological treatments (chemical-based) with a photobiomodulation device that uses light energy and magnetic fields to treat fibromyalgia. The device applies red light (630nm), infrared light (810nm), and a magnetic field (300-500 Gauss) to tender points, substituting medications with a non-pharmacological physical therapy approach that avoids medication side effects while aiming to improve treatment effectiveness through targeted energy delivery to specific acupuncture-like points
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the treatment parameters by using specific wavelengths of light (630nm red light, 810nm infrared) and a specific magnetic field strength (300-500 Gauss) applied in pulsed modes (continuous, pulsed, or super-pulsed). These precise parameter changes optimize the photobiomodulation effect on cellular metabolism and pain gate control mechanisms, providing a tailored treatment that addresses the limitations of generic pharmacological approaches
2Reliability
If a combination of light sources and magnetic field is used in the light source device, then the phototherapeutic effect is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple light sources (red light 630nm, infrared light 810nm) with a magnetic field generator (300-500 Gauss) into a single integrated light source device. This combination allows simultaneous delivery of photobiomodulation and magnetic therapy to tender points, creating a synergistic effect that enhances pain relief and reduces inflammation while treating multiple pathological mechanisms through one device rather than requiring separate treatments
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operating modes (pulsed, continuous, super-pulsed) are implemented, then the treatment adaptability is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operating modes that allow the light source device to switch between continuous, pulsed, and super-pulsed delivery modes. This dynamic capability enables adaptation to different treatment protocols and patient needs, allowing the same device to deliver various energy patterns (continuous exposure, intermittent pulsing, or high-power super-pulsing) to optimize therapeutic outcomes for different fibromyalgia presentations without requiring multiple separate devices
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
PBMT effectively reduces pain thresholds and improves quality of life for fibromyalgia patients by enhancing ATP production, increasing blood flow, and modulating gene and protein expression, offering a synergistic effect that complements or can be used alongside traditional treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a first light source configured to generate a first portion of a light signal with a wavelength of 630 nm... a second light source configured to generate a second portion of the light signal with a wavelength of 810 nm... a third light source configured to generate a third portion of the light signal with a wavelength of 905 nm
Implementation Method 2
a permanent magnet configured to generate a magnetic field having a strength of 300-500 Gauss
Implementation Method 3
PBMT effectively reduces pain thresholds and improves quality of life for fibromyalgia patients by enhancing ATP production, increasing blood flow, and modulating gene and protein expression
Data Source
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AI summary
Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) can be applied to a tender area on a subject's body to treat fibromyalgia. A light source device can be contacted to a subject's skin proximal to a tender area on the subject's body. A light signal (with wavelengths from the red to infrared part of the spectrum) can be applied in at least one of a pulsed operating mode, a continuous operating mode, and a super-pulsed operating mode through the light source device to the tender area. The light signal is applied for a time sufficient to stimulate a phototherapeutic response in the tender area to treat fibromyalgia.