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Lasers treat repetitive stress injury
22
February 2002
- The FDA
has, for the first time, granted clearance for lasers to be
used to treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
The
Food and Drug Administration
has granted MicroLight, US, clearance to use its laser-based
system to treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This technique
offers patients a non-invasive alternative to surgical
procedures traditionally used to treat this repetitive
stress syndrome.
The
approved device is called the ML830 Cold-Laser system. Mike
Barbour, president of MicroLight told Optics.org: "The
ML830 contains four diode lasers. One laser operates at
640 nm and provides an 'aiming' beam before three
near-infrared diode lasers emitting at 830 nm are
switched on to provide treatment."
In
one treatment, the three 830 nm lasers are on for 33 s
in continuous-wave mode. A patient receives 10 individual
and successive treatments in one session. "This gives a
total of 3 J of energy incident on the skin per
session. At these values, there is no heating at skin
level," said Barbour.
The
unit is portable and powered by a rechargeable nickel
cadmium battery, similar to those in cell phones. The
battery provides power for 33 separate treatments before it
needs recharging.
MicroLight
researchers and clinicians at the Baylor
College of Medicine in Texas, US, have carried out a
randomized double-blind trial to test the device. The trial
lasted for 3 years and a total of 140 patients were
involved. To date, the team has observed a 70% success rate.
The
technique could also be suited to other soft tissue
applications. Barbour explained: "We expect this will
find uses in treating arthritis and tennis elbow for
example, but we can only market the device for what the FDA
has approved."
The
Cold-Laser system works by using near-infrared laser light
that interacts with human tissue promoting a process known
as photobiostimulation. This produces an increase in the
cellular metabolism rate said to quicken cell repair.
Results from clinical trials show that this gives an
apparent reduction in pain and inflammation.
In
the US, a licensed medical practitioner can offer this
treatment if they attend a one-day training course and
become certified. MicroLight lease the ML830 to practices
for a monthly fee.
Author
Jacqueline Hewett is news reporter on Optics.org
and Opto & Laser Europe
magazine.
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