CA2116244A1 - Medical light treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A medical light treatment apparatus (MLTA - 10, 100, 200, 300) for use in the medical treatment of biological structures by application of light energy - particularly laser light energy. The MLTA
(10, 100, 200, 300) monitors the light reflected back from the biological structure and boosts the light energy output by the laser (12) to couple a desired amount of light energy into the biological structure to effect a known medical treatment. The MLTA
(10, 100, 200, 300) has a self-calibrating monitor to monitor the operational characteristics of the laser (12) and adjusts the driving characteristics of the laser (12) to ensure that the laser (12) operates at a substantially constant wavelength. In such manner the MLTA (10, 100, 200, 300) has very accurate control over the laser (12) and can thus serve as a laboratory grade instrument for use in analysing the further medical effects of the laser (12).

Description

WO 93/03793 PCr/AU92/00449 TITLE
MEDICAL LIGHT TREATMENT APPAF~ATUS
FIELD OF THE INVENT~ON
The present invention relates tc a medical light - treatment apparatus particularly, although not exclusively, - envisaged for use in medical treatment including acupuncture, dentistry, physiotherapy and veterinary use.
S The present invention more particularly relates to a medical light treatment apparatus having interactive control of a light source to provide laboratory instrument grade contr41 of medical treatment thus enablin~ use in proving the medical worthiness of medical light treatments.
10 - The light energy with which the present invention - is concerned is that which i5 capable of achieving penetration into biological structures in animAlc including - man. Preferably, such light energy i5 applied to the biological structures by the use of lasers and the present 1~ invention wil, hereinafter be described with particular reference to use of lasers.
I have ca~led this apparatus "ACULITE" - which is an acronym for "Acupuncture ~omputerised Unit by Laser Intelligent Treatment-Energy".;
~A~ROUND OF THE IN~ENTION
~t i5 known;to use lasers in medlcal treatments of animals including humans by the use of a laser beam located either at a distance from or directly in contact with the skin of the animal. The laser light energy penetrates the biological structure of th- ~animal and can have various therapeutic effects~ ~ The ther;apeutic effect is principally .
dependent upon the amount of energy delivered to the biological structure which is to be treated. The amount of energy delivered i5 the product of the energy density of the .
3~ laser light and the period f~r which thq laser light is applied to the biological ~tructure~ Structures just below the skin surface can experienc- positive therapeutic effects by the application of one to two joules per centimetre square of laser light energy, whereas deeper biologi-al structures require ~reater amounts of energy.

... . ..... . . ..

W093/03~93 PCT/AU92/~kW9 A practical limit to the amount of ener~y that ._an be coupled into the bi.:.logi.:al structure is typi.ally five joules per centimetre square. ~reater energy densities tend to lead to damaqe to the skin and/or underlyin~ or biological structure of the animal and are therefore generally to be avoided. ~ost medical treatments are based upon the amount of energy that can be coupled into the biological stru~ture per unit time. Fc.r example, a 30 mW
laser source is said to provide an ener~y of 1.8 joules per minute into the biological structure i.e~ 0.030 watts X 60 seconds = 1.8 joules.
Such application of energy assumes lB0-X. coupling of the laser light energy from the laser source into the biological structure. However, I have discovered that there can be significant reflectic.n of the laser light at the skin surface of-the animal. The reflection may be due to natural oils in the skin and scale occurring on skin, but still may occur where these two factors are not present to any significant de~ree. Indeed, skin viewed under a low power microscope appears quite silvery and seems to be very reflestive. Solid state laser diodes incorporate a photodiode which controls the laser diode tc prevent it ~rom entering into optical run-away. ~y the nature of the constructi4n of solid state laser diodes the laser light reflected from the animal's skin is dete.-ted, by the ; photodiode as indicating the laser diode is approaching optical run-away. Accordingly, the photodi4de tends to reduce the effective power output of the laser diode. For example, if 20/. of the laser light is reflected by the skin only 80/. of the laser light enters into the biological structre.
- In the prior art medical laser treatment apparatus a solid state laser diode is driven at a power selected to produce the energy required, f4r the medical treatment, over a fixed period of time. However, since not all of the laser light i5 coupled into the biological structure the required dosage of energy is not administered. Hence, the effectiveness of the laser light treatment is not as 8U~l~lU~ SHEEr expected, and the lack of success is not readily explainable by users ~f the apparatus.
Also, in acupuncture treatment 5 i t is known to manipulate an acupuncture needle to further stimulate the meridian points of the animal. In laser li~ht treatments a similar effect to the manipulati~n of the acupuncture needle is achieved by modulating the power cf the laser di~de.
However, I have discovered that the modulati4n must be carefully controlled to ensure that there is no distortion 1~ introduced by the m4dulating si~nal. Where distorti4n is allowed to occur the effective modulation of the power of operation of the laser diode becomes unpredictable, which can lead to over or under stimulation of the bioloeic21 structure and hence inaccuracy in the operation c.f the medical light treatment apparatus. S~ch inaccuracy makes the apparatus unsuitable for a labc~ratory ~rade testing instrument.
SU~A~Y GF THE INVENTION
Thus, it is an object ~f the present invention to Z0 pr~vide a medical light treatment apparatus capable of controlling the treatment of a biological structure of an animal with light.
In accordance with one aspect to the present invéntion there is pr~vided a medical light treatment ZS apparatus for the treatment of biological structures in animals, including humans, with light energy, the apparatus comprising:
light emitting means for directing light energy into a bi410gical structure of the animal;
light sensing means for detecting light energy - re~lected back from the animal and for generating a feedback signa} indicative of such reflected light energy; and, control means operatively c4nnected to the light mitting means, the control means being responsive to said feedback signal;
whereby, in use, said apparatus can accurately control the intensity o~ the light energy emitted by the light emitting means for increasing the intensity of the light WO 93/03793 PCr/AU92/00449 21162~

emitted frc.m the light emittin~ me~ns when the light sensin~
means senses li~ht being refle.-ted back from the animal, the control means can thereby control the intensity of the light ener~y actually penetrating into the bi.-.logical structure c.f the animal.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a medical li~ht treatment apparatus in which the power of the light can be acc~urately modulated for providing - further stimulation.
In accordanee with another aspect to the present invention there is provided a medical light treatment apparatus for the treatment of biological structures in animals, including humans, with light energy, the apparatus comprising:
light emitting means for directin~ light energy into a biological structure of the animal;
light sensing means for detecting light ener~y reflected back fr~m the animal and for generating a feedback siQnal indicative of such reflected light energy; and, ~0 modulation means operatively ._onnected tc. the light emitting means, the modulation means being responsive to said feedback signal and responsive to a m~dulation signal;
whereby, in use, the modulation means can substantially eliminate distortion from the modulation signal and can 2S modulate the intensity of the light energy emitted by the light emitting means according to the modulation signal.
Preferably, the light emitting means is capable of narrow focusing and is substantially non-divergent. ~ore pieferably, the light emitting means is a laser and may be either collimated or uncollimated. Typically, the laser is a solid state laser diode which incorporates a photo sensor for preventing the laser diode from enterin~ optical run~
away and which can detect light reflected from the surface of the skin of the animal.
Preferably, the control means can control the modulation, duration and~or energy level and the like of the light in a reproducible way such that a medical treatment determined by the user of the apparatus can be replicated by SUI~STITUTE 5HET

W093~03793 2116 2 4 4 PcT/Au92/0~9 other pe~ple f.~r other animal 5 .
Typically, the biolo~i.al structures are animal tissue but could include bone.
Typically, the medical treatments include a~upuncture, treatments of skin disease, physiotherapy, dentistry and veterinary use.
Accordingly embodiments of the invention provide a solution tc. the problems iQ the prior art by measurin~ the actual energy input into the. biological structure and t4 drive the laser diode to hi~her power levels Cassumin~ there : is head room available~ to compensate fc.r the energy reflected and provide the required energy into the bi410gical structure. This i5 achieved with a control system capable of measurin~ transmitted and refle.ted energy levels and able to adjust the transmitted energy level to c4mpensate.
Also, the last embodiment of the invention provides a solution to the problem of distortion in the si~nal used to modulate the laser diode.
EIR I Er DESCR I PT I ON CIF THE DRAW I Nl~iS
Three embodiments, bein~ examples only, of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanyin~ drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a schematic block dia~ram of a medical ~5 laser treatment apparatus incorporatin~ a laser diode;
Figure ~ is a medical laser treatment apparatus similar to that of Figure 1 but having a laser diode incorp4rating a peltier driver f~r temperature stabilisation;
Fi~ure 3 i5 a medical laser treatment apparatus similar ~-to that of Fi~ure 1 but in which the laser diode is controlled by a slave unit remotely controlled from a master unit of the medical laser treatment apparatus;
Figure ~ is a medical laser treatment apparatus similar to that of Figure 2 but shown in more detail; and, Fi~ure 5 shows a prior art modulation system for a laser diode.
AILED DESO~IPTION OF P~EFERRED E~ODI~ENTS
In Fi~ure 1 there is shown a medical laser W093/03793 PCT/AU92/0~W9 211~2~

treatment apparatus cMLTA) 10 comprising a light emitting means in the form of a laser diode l'f and a control means in the form of a control unit 14.
The laser diode typically operates at 780 or 830 nm which corresponds to wave lengths of laser light which cause higher DNA/RNA synthesis, increased cellular membrane-permeability and a hi~her speed 4 f cell reproductibn, to~ether with increased ~local blood circulation and intensified immune defence system respbnse compared with other commonly used wavelengths, e.g. 63~.8 nm from He-Ne laser. Typically, the laser diode operates at a power output of between 1 mW to 100 mW so as to allow penetration a bi410gical structure of an animal which is to receive medical treatment. Power outputs at the high end cf the ran~e are required for reaching biological structure~ at greater depths into the tissue of the animal. It has been found that the rate of synthesis of DNAtP~N~ due to laser li~ht stimulation has a maximum at both ~80 nm and 830 nm.
There are further maxima at 6~0 nm and 670 nm but these corresp4nd to an increase of absorption of the laser light due to melanin in the animal tissue, espe.ially for humans.
The laser diode 1~ conventionally includes a photo sensor 16. The photosensor 16 conventionally detects when the - laser diode 12 is entering optical run-away and automatically limits the output of the laser diode 1~ so as to protect same from damage. ln the present invention the photosensor 16 is also used to sense the intensity of the laser light reflected from the surface of the skin of the animal to provide a feedback signal on an output 17 of the laser diode 1~. The feedback si~nal is fed back to the control unit 14.
The control unit 14 comprises one or more microprocessors 18 includinQ RA~, R0~ and input/output ports, a keypad 20, an LCD display 2~, an audio warning system ~4, a trigger ~6, a power controller and modulator ~8, a power supply regulator 3~, a constant current char~er 34, a rechargeable battery 36, a D0 input 38, and an ontoff key operated switch 40. Each of the components ~0, 2-, 7~, ¦ SUBSTITUTE SHET ¦

W093/037g3 211 6 2 4 4 PcT~Au92/o~9 ~6, ~8, 3~, ~7 and 34 are connected to the mi.-ropr~c~ss-~rs 18.
The mi.-rc.processor 5 $8 include a ~ASTER
microprc.cessor and one c.r more SLAVE microprocessors. The MASTEP~ microprocessor contr41s the basic operation of the ~LTA 10 and the SLAVE micr4processors typically control dedicated functions therefor such as the p~wer controller and modulator ~8, the power~monitor 30 and the audio warning system ~4. The microprocessors 18 are provided with bus slots for accepting print circuit boards carrying further facilities. For example, one slot can carry a speech - synthesis board for providing a multi-lingual speech capability for Qivin~ step by step ~ui.dance instructions to an operator of the ~LTA 10 conducting medical treatments~
1~ The MASTER microprocess4r i5 programmed with control instructions f~r effecting bi~logi.ally compatible treatments for animals. For example, the MASTEP.
microprocessor i 5 programmed with instructions for operating the laser diode 1~ at a prescribed power level and, modulation type, for a prescribed period of time for the treatment of ,say, le~ ulr.er~s, bed sores, herpes virus infections, burns, dermatitis, ac~ne and the like. -The keypad 7B allows an operator to activate the facilities of the micropro--essors 18 and to respond to instructions sought therefrom. The display ~7 is typically a 40 character wide and 4 line long LCD display although, other-types of display could b~e used, s~ch as, for example, dot matrix or colour LED displays, liquid crystal or a C~T
display. The display æ is typically intended to display the following information: power level, kind of wave form, modulation, energy level, couplin~ efficiency and location of meridian points ~for acupuncture~ - which information is . .
provided by the microprocessors 18.
~ he audio warning system 24 is typically an lectroacoustic transducer, uch as, a piezo speaker, and is configured to provide an audible warning to signify that the ~LTA 10 is in operation. Preferably, the audio warning is biocompatible~ being provided with tones which the animal .

W093/03793 PCT/AU92/0~9 21162~

being treated find~ so4thin~ and relaxing. F:r example, ~he audible warning could be a multiple of an alpha wave ~i.e.
multiples ~f ~ H~, multiples ~f other brain wave frequencies, and the like.
The trigger ~6 is c4upled int~. the micropr4cescors 18 in similar manner to the keypad ~0. The trig~er ~6 i5 physically located on a probe ~not shown~ which houses the laser diode 1~ or on the floor as a foot operated switch.
The trigger ~6 is used for activating and deactivating operation of the laser diode 1~.
The power controller and modulator 28 conne~ts the laser diode to the microprocessors 18, and under direction of the microprocessors 18 controls the power output f the laser diode 1~ and where required effects a modulati4n of the intensity of the light output from the laser diode 1~.
For example, the power contr411er and modulat4r ~8 may control the laser diode 1~ to pr~vide a power leve; of approximately 6mW with a modulation of ~ hert2 particularly for use in acupuncture. ~odulation ~.f the intensity of the laser li4ht i5 equivalent t- an acupuncturist manipulating acupuncture needles. The frequency of ~ hert is typically selected for acupuncture treatment as it represents an alpha frequen-y for gentle and harmonising stimulati4n of meridian ~5~ locations. The power controller and ~4dulator ~8 is also capable of effectin~ other forms of modulation of the light output from the laser diode 12 responsive to ccntrol from the microprocess4rs 18 or from an external s4urce. For example, the modulation may be in the form 4f a square wave, sine wave, trian~ular wave, music waveforms andJor any composite wave forms, depending on the most appropriate modulation for the medical treatment being under~aken.
The power monit4r 30 is connected between the ~ photosensor 16 of the laser diode 1~ and the microprocessors 3S 18. The power monitor 80 measures the rate at which light nergy from the laser diode 12 is reflected from the skin of the animal back into the laser diode 1~, and provides a feedback signal to the micr4processors 18. The WO 93/03793 211 6 2 ~ ~ PCI`/AU92/0044~

microprocessors 18 are programmed to calculate the .-~uplin~
efficiency of the laser li~ht into the skin of the animal by calculating the ratio of the power level at whi.h the laser diode 1~ operates and the reflected energy measured by the S power monitor 30. The microprocessors 18 then bcost the operation of the power controller and modulator ~8 to compensate for energy lost by reflection, provided the laser diode 1~ is not operated ab~ove its rated maximum power i.e.
provided there i 5 head-room available. Thus, the power lC monitor 30, the power controller and modulator -8 and the microprocessors 18 coact to ensure the required amount of light energy is coupled into the bi~logical structure - substantially independently of the amount o~ light energy that is reflected by the animal's skin.
The microprocessors 18 in,-lude a phot4sensor ~not shown~ for use in measuring the energy density of the laser light emitted from the laser diode 12. Such measurement is particularly important where collimators are used to focus the laser light. Consequently, the energy density can be ~0 measured, and assessed to determine whether or not it i5 suitable, before treatment commences. The measurement is also important when the laser light is diffused to -over a larger area. The micr4processors 18 automatically adjust - the treatment time to sompensate for the change in area The power supply regulator, the constant current charger 34, the battery 36 and the DB input 38 constitute a ,. .
power supply 41 for the MLTA 10. The D~ input 38 receives DC power such as from a power pack providing unregulated DC
output. The DC power i5 provided to the microprocessors 18 3B by the power supply regulator 3~ and the laser dicde is supplied via the on~off key switch 40. The battery 36 is of the rechar~eable type, typically a nicad battery, and is charged via the constant current charger 34 under control of the micropr4cessors lB so as to apply the appropriate DC
voltage to the battery. ;~ to effect a constant current charging r~te and to reduce the charging rate to a trickle or to ~ero when the battery 36 has achieved an appropriate amount of charge, as is known in $he char~ng - _.
8UB~TIVTE SHEEr W093/03793 PCT/AU92/0~9 21162~

characteristics of nicad batteries. The battery 36 all~ws operation of the MLTA 10 remote from an external p-wer source.
ln use, the key switch ~0 is turned to an ON
S position to supply electrical power to the remainder of the ~LTA 1~. The power is supplied either frcm the D~ input 38 or the battery 36. The operator then enters an ~ccess ccde into the keypad 20 to activate the microprocessors 18 to allow operation of the laser diode 1~.
1~ The laser diode 12 can then be operated by pressing the trigger ~6. The trigger 76 may be either foct or hand operated. Upon operation of the tri~ger ~6 the microprocessors la direct the power controller and modulator ~8 to operate the laser diode 1~ at a power level set either lS by the operator, via the keypad 2~, or by a predetermined set of instructions for a standard treatment type fr4m the microprocessor 18.
The laser diode 1 is then directed in knswn manner for effecting medical treatment of the animal.
, 20 proportion of laser light enters as heat energy into biological structures of the animal and the remaining proportion is reflected. The reflected proportion is detected by the photo sen~or 16. The power monitor 30 measures the amount of light energy reflected and the microprocessors 18 then control the power cc.ntroller and modulator ~8 to boost the laser diode to achieve the desired intensity of light energy directed into the biological structure.
¦The display 2~ typically shows the power level, ! '30 the type of waveform, the modulation of waveform, the energy density, the energy input (actual), the energy output of the laser, the coupling ~efficiency, the location of meridian po~nts and the like. Upon activation of the laser diode 17 the audio warning system 24 is activated to indicate that æ5 the la~er diode 17 is in operation. The warnin~ is typ~cally a biocompatible frequency or frequencies especially for relaxing and soothing the animal.
In Fi~ure ~ there is shown a second embodiment of ; ~ r ~cr~ 1 W093/03793 2116 2 ~ 4 PCT/AU92/0~9 a medical laser treatment apparatus C~LTA:) 100 similar t~
the ~LTA 10 and therefore like numerals denote like parts. -The ~LTA 100 differs fr.~m the ~TA 10 in that it in._ludes a temperature sensor 10~ and a Peltier device 104 in the laser diode 1-7. The ~LTA 100 also has a temperature m~-nit~r 106 and a Peltier driver lB8 connected to the temperature sensor 10~ and the Peltier device 104 respectively.
The ~eltier driver~ 108 operates the Peltier device - 104 to cool the laser diode 1~ so as to stabilise the ~O temperature of operation of the laser diode 1~. The temperature monitor 106 provides feedback signals to the micr4processors 18 for further control of the Peltier driver 108 so as to maintain the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 10 within predetermined limits.
Accurate contr41 of the temperature c.f the laser diode 1~ is preferred to ensure that the wavelength of the emission of laser light is substantially constant. Stability of the wavelength of the laser emission i5 crucial in effecting optimum medical treatment and optimum laser epidermic penetration for achieving maximum DNA/RNA stimulation as described hereinabove.
In use, the MLTA 100 operates in the same manner as the ~LTA 10 except that the laser diode 1~ i5 temperature stabilised.
2S In Figure ~ there is shown a further laser treatment apparatus 700 similar to the ~LTA 10 and therefore like n~merals denote like parts. The MLTA ~00 differs from the ~LTA 10 in that it has a master unit ~0~ and a slave unit ~04. The slave unit~04 has a slave mi._roprocessor 201 associated with the operation of the power controller and modulator 28, and is located remote from the master unit 2B-~. The slave unit 204 also incorp4rates the trigger ~6, the power controlier modulator ~8, the power monitor 30 and a UHF transceiver 205, a DC input 2B6 and a rechar~eable battery 208. The master unit 202 is similar to the control unit 14 but also includes a UHF transceiver 210 for c~mmunication with the UHF transceiver.~B5 of the slave unit 20_. Alternatively, communication could be via inductive lSUBSTlTUTE SHEET 1 W093/037g3 PCT/AU92/0~9 pick up between a d.-kin~ stati~.n and a wand hc.usin~ the slave unit 20~, the recess bein~ c.f c.-.mplimentary sh~pe t.
the wand. The inductive pick up is desi~ned for transfe~ ~f data at high frequency and for transfer of power ~for charging the battery ~08.) at low frequency. Hence, electrical contact between the master unit ~0~ and the slave unit ~0~1 is not re4uired.
The slave unit ~0* contrcl 5 communicati..n with the other micropr.~cessors 18 of the master unit ~0~ and ontrc.ls the 4peration of the power contr411er and modulat4r ~8. The power contr411er and m4dulator ~8 is c4ntrolled a._ ordin~ to the type of medic~l tre~tment to be performed, either aut4matically under ._ontr41 of the .micropr4._essc.r 18 or manually under the c4ntr.~1 .-.f the user of the ~LTA _~O.
1' In Figure ~ there i~ sh4wn an MLTA 300 simiiar t.-the ~LTA 100 of Figure and therefore like numerals denotine like parts. The ~LTA 300 of Figure ~ is shown in more detail than the 4ther ~tTA's 1~, 100, ~00.
The ~LTA 3B0 also comprises an Omni-wavefc.rm PrclQrammable Precision ~odulat4r COPP~:I 30~ and ~ self-calibration monitor 304. ~oth the OPPM 30~ and the self-calibration monit4r 3~4 and connected to the micrc.pr4cess4r 18 and are under the contr41 of the micropr4cess.-.r 18.
The OPP~ 30 comprises an e.,;ternal m..dulation s4urce process4r 306, an internal modulati--n s~.urce processor 308, a laser bias level adjustor 31~, a modulator 31~ and a signal buffer 31~. The external modulation source pr~cess4r ~06 has an input preamplifier 316 and a level adjustor 318 c4nnected to the preamplifier 316. The input preamplifier 316 is typically receives an audio signal from an external audio generator. Typically, the input pr~amplifier 316 has a frequency response of 10 H~ to l~kH~
to limit the range of audio si~nals to be modulated. The level adjustor 318 ensures that the audio si~nal is within 3S preset v~ltage limits, such as, for example, ~p-p. The level adjustor automatically hard-limits audio signals in excess ~f the preset limits. The characteristics of the level adjustor 318, such as, for example, the voltage re~ eTlTllrF ~E~T ~

limitc, are under the ,--,nt.~ f the mi,-r,;pr.-"-e~,.-,r ;_. ~n output ~f the level adjust.:~r 318 is ~ nne~-~ed t,. the m4dulat,-,r ~1 The internal m~dulati~-,n ~~Llr,-e pr.~cecs~
'~ pr4~:esses si~nals -ynthesised under ~-~ntr~,l .:,f tt~e mier~sprocess~r 18. The prc,cessc.r -~8 .-~mprices an oversampler 3~ n ad~res3 ~enerat4r 3~ buf~er ~, an arbitrary waveform ~enerator 3_6 and a wavef~rm level contrsller 3_~. The oversampler 3-~ has a di~itally ntr411ed ~olta~e source ~ in the f.rm ~sf a DAI ~such as ~ ~; bit ~AC~ ~ontr~:~112d y th- mi.:re~r.:.~es_-:.r 3, and a F--~i,i.sn voita3- to frequency c;nvert~r ?.~ i n the f~rm ~.
an AD~. The mirrc,pr4eessor 1~ cal.-ulate, the ameunt .~f ~versamplin~ to be used by the prc..-ess4~ 3~ ~nd et~ the lS di~iLally ...ntr.~ d volta3e ~.:.ur.:e ~_0 a.-.-ot-din~ly. Tho over-ampllns is set to an amount t ~ redu.e d,c'.:~rti.-~n in the ~isna. beinq pr.scessed by the pr.-..:ecs.,r ~8, The use ~f o~ sampling --duc-s the neei for expensive and ~ Flex fil~-rs.
The oversampler 3~ sample, the synthecise~ audio -icnal and the result is stored into the ~uffer 3~4. The samples are then sequentially outputted to the arbi'rary waveform generator 3~5? which is ~in the form of a DAC. The ana ~gue outF!t of the arb.trary wavefcr~ ~enerator - `~f 'S
onditi;:.ned by the wave'or.~ level .,ntr..ller ---? ar,~
~tp-t~ed tc~ the modulator 31 In both casa, the modulator 31_ condit;ons the sisnnl to the signal buffer 314 which is in the for~ c.f a power op-amp. The .:.utput of the si~nal buffrr 31~ ~referre~
to as a modulation si~nal~ controls the radiant power output 4f the laser diode ~ via a laser driver 336. The signal buffer 31~ is controlled by the laser level adjustor ~lQ so that no peaks ~espe~-ially negative ~oln~ pe~ks~ of the - analogue modulation signal become rlipped at the supply 3~ rails. The la~er bias level adjustor 310 is in turn c~ntrolled by the microprocessor 18.
The self-calibr tion monitor ~¢~t menitors the ~olta~e, current and temperature o~ the las~r diode 1~, ~he . . ,~
~IJR.g~ JF~

W093/03793 PCT/AU92/~9 2 1 1 6 2 ~

feedbac~. vc.lta~e of the phot._.sensclr ass4._iated with the laser diode 1~, and the vc.lta~e and current .~f the peltier device 10~. The .~urrent .~f the laser di-~de 1- i5 monit~red for controllinQ the laser diode between "spc.ntane-~us phot..n emission" and "stimulated photon emissi.~n". Such control fine tunes the c.peration of the laser dic.de 1-. The temperature is monitored to detect chanyes in frequency and allow the microprocesscr 18~ to contr41 the peltier driver 108 to adjust the temperature of the laser diode 1-~ to maintain the frequency of operation of the laser diode 1 substantially constant.
In use, the OPP~ 30~ functions to m4dulate the power output of the laser diode 17 wit.h vari.~u waveforms at different repetition frequencies typically in the ran~e from O.1 to 10,~00 H~. The different wa~efc.rms can be synthesised under the control of the micrcpr4cessor or received from external audio sources. The self--alibration monitor 30~ produces a feedback si~nal which ic monitored and control placed over the Peltier driver 108 and the laser bias level adjust~r 310 so that the avera~e power output from the laser diode 1~ is substantially c.:.nstant or varies according to the modulation signal in a desired manner.
~u h control over the laser diode 1~ is imp,_rtant f.~r using the laser diode 1~ as a precisic.n instrument in medical treatments.
An artificial intelligence system may be included in the ~LTA's 10, 100, ~00, and 300, for example, for rapid identification of meridian locati4ns for acupuncture and dïsplay of the locati ns on the di=play ~.. The artifiri~l intelligence system may also prc,vide recommended treatments with the laser light i.e. for acupuncture or other medical treatments.
Typically, the micropr4cessors 18 are provided with serial output p4res for communi--ation with peripheral d-~ic~s such às printers, plotters, personal computers and the like. Typically, the micr4processors 18 are provided with input ports for receiving digital or analog signals for controlling the power controller and m~dulator _3 f~r .
SUBSTITUTE SHEET ¦

W093/03793 211 ~ 2 4 4 PCT/AU92/00~9 effectin~ alternate forms ,-.f mc.dul at i ._.n 5.. that vi rtual 1 y any form ,~f modulatic.n can be applied.
A si~nificant fa.-tc.r inhibitin~ the wide spread acceptance of laser li~ht treatments is that clinical trials into its effectiveness, its side effects, its placeb~.
effects and the like, can not be conducted with prior art laser li~ht treatment apparatus. The pric.r art apparatus provide a square wave modulation of the laser light at dubious ener~y levels and- without feedback contr41~
1~ Furthermore, the square wave modulation of the prior art apparatus, is not well suited t.- all types of medical treatments in whi~h laser light can be used. It would be preferable to employ sinusoidal modulati4ns since they are more in tune with the sinucoidal pattern of the natural biorhythms 4 f the animal bein~ treated~ Althou~h, in some cases, such ~5 magnetotherapy type treatments, square waves are preferred and which are typic 31 ly swept between 10MH~
and 25~MH2 so as to simulate a broad ran~e of cells of the biolo~ical structure. ~odulation of the li~ht has been ~0 found to have an effect similar to the enhancement achieved by manual stimulation cf an acupuncture needle. Thus, it is anticipated that various modulation types may provide various medical treatment schemes.
fhe ~LTA's 1~, 100, 00 and 300 have the advantage ~5 that any form ~f modulation of the laser li~ht can be .; generated and s~ the modulati~n can be ta1lored to the treatment to be performed - based on experimental results and kn4wledQe. The ~LTA's 10, lB0, ~00 and 30~ modulation arran~ements can be st4red, such as on a P~, and downl~.aded f~r later use - thus providin~ reproducability of treatment schemes. Hence, the MLTA's 1~, lOO, 200 and 300 can be used as scientific instruments for clinical trials. By the use of P~'s "double blind" treatment experiments could be conducted - whereby neither the operator or the animal knows the actual treatment scheme. Therefore, it may be possible to identify any placebo effect involved in the use of medical l~ght treatments.
Also, a treatment scheme can be sa~ed and reused SUBSTITUTE SHE~T I

W093/037g3 PCT/AU92/0~9 21162~ll ~ 1G --later on ~ther animals and~cr downloaded and used on other similar MLTA's 10, 100, 00, and 30B eu h as in the development f standard treatments for ~iven medi al conditions. Hence, laboratory standard results for medical li~ht treatments can be developed and disseminated t~ others for u~e in the same treatments.
Further, by the display ~- the ~LTA's 10, 100, ~00 and 300 can identify the locations, such as meridian locations Cfor acupuncture~ and the like, at which the treatment i5 to take place. Still further, the ~LTA's 1~, 100, ~00 and 300 can be provided with an Artificial Intelligence System t- assist in determination of appropriate treatments tc. use for a ~iven animal and appropriate variations of the treatment to make allowance for special cir~~umstances regarding the ~iven animal.
The ~LTA!s 1~, 100, ~00 and 300 al 50 have the advanta~e that the actual enerQy input into the biol4~ical structure can be measured and controlled and treatment times adjusted according t4 the efficiency of energy coupling.
~0 Als~, the MLTA's 10, 100, ~00 and 300 _an provide guidance in the medical treatments beinQ performed e.~. location of meridiane, prepro~rammed treatment times/energy intensities, modulation waveforms and the like. Als~, the audio warnin~, required by law t4 indicate the operation c.f-the laser diode 1~, can be biocompatible and can thus assist in the medical treatment. Accurate operation of the laser diode 1~ can be achieved with the Peltier device 10~ and so optimum stimulation of DNA/P.NA achieved for most efficient application of laser energy. ~y the use of multiple micropr4cessors individual functions can be controlled in real time. Also, the accuracy of control achieves reproducability of treatment schemes and hence the MLTA's lB, 1~0, ~00 and 300 can function as laboratory instruments and provide clinical trials in this field for the first time.
The MLT~'s 100 and 300 have the further advantage that the temperature of the laser diode 12 can be monitored and controlled to ~ain greater stability in the operation of 1 SUBSTITUTE SHEET ¦

W093/03793 2 11 6 2 4~ PCT/AU92/O~9 the laser di.~de 1-. Similarly, the v,-.lta~e and .urrent f~
the laser diode 1~ can be m.nit.-.red and the oper~ticn ,.f the laser di~.de 1- ._ontrolled acr~rdin~ly.
The MLTA 300 has the further advanta~e that the .~f the modulati4n .~f the laser diode 1~ can be ccntr-~lled accurately to av.~id dist.:.rti.~n and hence avoid operati-n ..f the laser diode 1~ at unkn4wn power levels.
lt would be apparent to a skilled addressee that numerous modifications and variations can be made to the described ~LTA's with.~ut departin~ from the basic principles of the present invention. For example, the keypad ~0 could have a dedicated keypad layout and labelling, i.e. n~.n-QWERTY. The keypad 10 could be r.eplaced with a voice command m~dule and a voice synthesiser. All such 1~ variations and mrdifi._ations are to be c~nsidered within the scope of the present inventi4n the nature .~f which i~ t~ be determined frcom the foreqoin~ description.

~ SUBSTITUTE SHEET ¦

Claims (10)

1. A medical light treatment apparatus for the treatment of biological structures in animals, including humans, with light energy, the apparatus comprising:
light emitting means for directing light energy into a biological structure of the animal;
light sensing means for detecting light energy reflected back from the animal and for generating a feedback signal indicative of such reflected light energy; and, control means operatively connected to the light emitting means, the control means being responsive to said feedback signal;
whereby, in use, said apparatus can accurately control the intensity of the light energy emitted by the light emitting means for increasing the intensity of the light emitted from the light emitting means when the light sensing means senses light being reflected back from the animal, the control means can thereby control the intensity of the light energy actually penetrating into the biological structure of the animal.

2. A medical light treatment apparatus according to claim 1, in which the light emitting means is a laser and the light sensing means is a photo detector operatively associated with the laser, wherein the control means boosts the power to the laser to compensate for light energy reflected from the biological structure.

3. A medical light treatment apparatus according to claim 2, in which the control means has a power for controlling the energy level and the duration of operation of the laser for coupling a required amount of light energy into the biological structure to effect a desired medical treatment.

4. A medical light treatment apparatus according to claim 2, in which the control means has a self calibration means for monitoring the operational characteristics of the laser and adjusting the power input to the laser to maintain substantially constant wavelength of emitted light.

5. A medical light treatment apparatus according to claim 3, in which the modulator produces a modulating signal for modulating the laser for varying the light energy coupled into the biological structure, and the modulator having a laser bias level adjustor for monitoring the modulating signal and adjusting the modulating signal for substantially eliminating distortion from the modulating signal.

6. A medical light treatment apparatus according to claim 4, in which the control means has a heat transfer means thermally coupled to the laser for increasing or decreasing the temperature of operation of the laser to maintain the wavelength of the laser light generated substantially constant.

7. A medical light treatment apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the control means also has a display means for displaying the operating parameters of the laser as measured by the control means so as to verify the energy coupling and the light wavelength during treatment of the biological structure.

8. A medical light treatment apparatus according to claim 7, in which the control means has a treatment diagnosis means for directing the positioning and energy of operation to perform a desired medical treatment.

9. A medical light treatment apparatus for the treatment of biological structures in animals, including humans, with light energy, the apparatus comprising:
light emitting means for directing light energy into a biological structure of the animal;
light sensing means for detecting light energy reflected back from the animal and for generating a feedback signal indicative of such reflected light energy; and, modulation means operatively connected to the light emitting means, the modulation means being responsive to said feedback signal and responsive to a modulation signal;
whereby, in use, the modulation means can substantially eliminate distortion from the modulation signal and can modulate the intensity of the light energy emitted by the light emitting means according to the modulation signal.

10. A medical light treatment apparatus according to claim 9, in which the apparatus in further characterised according to any one of claims 2 to 8.