Needle-Mounted Infrared Laser for Deep Tissue Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infra-red laser treatments are limited in penetrating deep tissues, with 50% of the beam energy being consumed by the skin, making it difficult to effectively treat conditions deeper than three inches without damaging the skin or losing energy as it travels.
Innovation Solution
An infra-red laser device with a needle that pierces the skin to deliver a collimated infra-red laser beam directly to deep tissues, bypassing the skin and subcutaneous barriers, allowing for targeted treatment of orthopedic conditions such as osteomyelitis, avascular necrosis, and low back pain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If external infra-red laser treatment is applied to deep tissues, then the treatment can reach deep anatomical regions, but the skin absorbs 50% of the beam energy and tissues deeper than three inches cannot get good benefit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a needle as an intermediary carrier to deliver infra-red laser energy directly to deep tissues. The needle pierces the skin barrier and serves as a conduit to transport the laser beam bypassing the skin's energy-absorbing layer, thereby eliminating the 50% energy loss that occurs with external application methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment system is segmented into two distinct parts: the external laser source and the internal needle delivery system. This segmentation allows the laser energy to be generated externally while being delivered internally through the needle, separating the energy generation function from the energy delivery function to overcome skin absorption limitations.
2Reliability
If higher laser energy is used to treat deep tissues, then better therapeutic results can be achieved, but the skin may be damaged by exceeding the skin tolerance limit
Solution Approach 1:
The needle acts as a protective intermediary that shields the skin from direct laser exposure while still enabling deep tissue treatment. By routing the laser beam through the needle rather than directing it externally, the skin is spared from high-energy exposure that would cause damage, while deep tissues receive the full therapeutic dose.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser energy is applied locally and directly at the target deep tissue location through the needle, rather than being distributed across the entire skin surface. This localized delivery concentrates the therapeutic effect at the site of need while minimizing total skin exposure to harmful energy levels.
3Device complexity
If infra-red laser treatment is applied without needle insertion, then the treatment process is simpler, but the beam energy is attenuated by intervening skin and tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The needle serves as a simple intermediary structure that guides the laser beam from the external source to the internal target. This simple intermediary component eliminates the need for complex external positioning and focusing systems while simultaneously preventing energy attenuation by providing a direct transmission path through the skin barrier.
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
The device enables effective delivery of infra-red energy to deep tissues, increasing local blood supply, stimulating stem cells for tissue regeneration, and accelerating healing processes without skin damage, providing superior results for conditions previously difficult to treat.
Implementation Method 1
The housing comprising an infra-red laser source located therein. The infra-red laser source is arranged when activated to produce a collimated infra-red laser beam.
Implementation Method 2
an infra-red laser device for applying infra-red energy to an anatomic region of interest located within the body of a patient
Implementation Method 3
The distal end of the needle is arranged to pierce through the skin of the patient to a position closely adjacent the anatomic region of interest
Implementation Method 4
The device enables effective delivery of infra-red energy to deep tissues, increasing local blood supply, stimulating stem cells for tissue regeneration
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopedic infra-red laser medical device and methods of use for applying infra-red energy to an anatomic region of interest located within the body of a patient. The device includes a hollow needle and a housing on which the needle is releasably mounted. The housing includes an infra-red laser source for producing a laser beam and directing the beam through the needle to exit out of the open distal end of the needle. The distal end of the needle is sharp to pierce through the skin of the patient to a position closely adjacent the anatomic region of interest to deliver the infra-red laser beam thereto without any intervening skin and tissue attenuating the infra-red laser beam. The device can be used for various orthopedic purposes and can also be used on fat in a patient to release activated stem cells.