Our New Weapon: A State-Of-The-Art Class IV Cold Laser, Like Nothing You Have Seen

 

We have recently obtained another key weapon in our

office. This weapon is a true Class 4 COLD LASER. But this is not like the

typical class 4 laser. Many people know about lasers but are not exactly sure

how they achieve their goals. The basic science of lasers is that they use the

principle of Photobiomodulation. The following illustration shows this concept.

Photobiomodulation is defined as a form of

light therapy that utilizes non-ionizing light sources. These include near ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, microwave, radio waves,

and low-frequency radio frequency (long-wave) are all examples of non–ionizing radiation. By contrast, far

ultraviolet light, X-rays, gamma-rays, and all particle radiation from

radioactive decay are ionizing

light sources. Photobiomodulation is a NON-THERMAL process involving endogenous

chromophores. The first law of photobiology

explains that for a low power visible light to have any effect on a living

biological system, the photons must be absorbed by electronic absorption bands

belonging to some molecular photo-acceptors, which are called chromophores.

Here is a good explanation of chromophores.

A chromophore is the part of a molecule

responsible for its color. The color that is seen by our eyes is the one not

absorbed by the reflecting object within a certain wavelength spectrum of

visible light hence the objects steal the objects from the wheel. Chromophores will elicit reactions at various biological sites. This process

results in beneficial therapeutic outcomes including but not limited to the

alleviation of pain or inflammation, immunomodulation, and promotion of wound

healing and tissue regeneration. We can see this principle in

the following illustration:

 

What we are able to see is that a very

important aspect of laser therapy involves the mitochondria. The mitochondria

produce ATP which is the body’s energy currency. It does this by stimulating

the Cytochrome C Oxidase which is an enzyme in the electron transport chain of

the Krebs cycle. Laser therapy produces a

shift in overall cell redox potential in the direction of greater oxidation and increased Reactive Oxygen Species

(ROS) generation. In a biological

context, ROS are formed as a natural byproduct of the normal aerobic metabolism

of oxygen and have important roles in cell signaling and homeostasis. ROS are well known to stimulate

cellular proliferation of low levels, but inhibit proliferation and kill cells

at high levels. Nitric oxide is also involved in laser therapy. It may be

photo-released from its binding sites in the respiratory chain and elsewhere.

Nitric oxide will increase vasodilation and thus increasing blood supply.

Nitric oxide may also act as a neurotransmitter helping with pain control. Also,

not to be overlooked is the fact that the mitochondria have many important

tasks in many other aspects of cell biology and cell signaling pathways.

 It has been proposed that

the redox state of a cell regulates cellular signaling pathways that control

gene expression. Modulation of the cellular redox state can activate or inhibit

signaling pathways. When we start affecting the various pathways and affecting

gene expression we have now crossed into the field of Epigenetics. Several

regulation pathways are mediated through the cellular redox state. Changes in

redox state induce the activation of numerous intracellular signaling pathways,

such as nucleic acid synthesis, protein synthesis, enzyme activation and cell

cycle progression.

 When all is said and done the application of a

therapeutic dose of light to impaired or dysfunctional

tissue leads to a cellular response mediated by mitochondrial mechanisms that

reduce pain and inflammation, speed healing, and cell hemostasis. These cellular mechanisms responsible for the effect of

visible light on cells include cytochrome c oxidase. Mitochondria are thought

to be a likely site for the initial effects of light, leading to increased ATP

production, modulation of reactive oxygen species, induction of transcription

factors, and possible changes in mitochondrial DNA. These effects in turn lead

to increased cell proliferation and migration particularly by fibroblasts.

Fibroblasts are responsible for the production of collagen which is a basic

building block for many of the bodys tissues including bone, cartilage etc. The

lasers overall effect is that it will

bio stimulate cells to increase cellular growth and regenerative activity,

while simultaneously deactivating 7 or the 9 enzymes that cause inflammation by

up to 70%.

 

Another unique aspect of lasers is that they are considered to be monochromatic,

coherent and collimated. Monochromatic means that there is a single wavelength

which stimulates particular human tissues that will only respond to that

specific wavelength being utilized. Coherent means that it minimizes the photon

scatter as light interacts with the tissue. Lastly, because lasers have a

higher power that works with a specific wavelength, they are collimated which

allows it to actually reach the deep tissues. The following illustration drives

home these points.

HOW

ARE LASERS CLASSIFIED?

 One may ask how are the lasers classified? The FDA classifies lasers from I to IV. For instance, a Class IV Laser is any laser

device that the FDA has determined is powerful enough to pose a significant

risk of injury to the eye. Consequently, being Class IV does not necessarily

make a

 

laser more effective, as that would depend upon

what you intend to do with it and how you use it. Some Class IV lasers are used

in health and medical settings for a wide range of therapeutic applications.

Others are used for construction, cutting, burning and by hobbyists such as

high-powered laser pointers.

 Let us look at some further

perimeters of the Class IV Lasers. Hot lasers are known as Class IV lasers. Class IV lasers

have a power output above 500 milliwatts (mW). At a lower power range, hot

lasers are used for therapeutic purposes. Class IV lasers can cut tissue during

surgical procedures. Most Class IV lasers are called hot lasers because they

can rapidly increase tissue temperatures. The one common tread with class IV

lasers is that they have higher power outputs and most translate the energy to

heat.

On the other hand, most, cold lasers are also known

as low-level lasers, they are among Class II and Class III lasers. Cold lasers

have a power output of less than 500 mW. These lasers are called cold because

they do not generate a thermal effect. But we must realize that the decreased

power will also decrease the penetration depth of the laser. The vast majority

of lasers in medical use are not true class IV cold lasers but class III

lasers. Many of them are advertised as a Class IV lasers but in reality, they

are Class III lasers. If they happen to a Class IV laser then most of the

energy is expended as heat. They may have some bells and whistles and other

gimmicks. But it does not make them any more effective. As we can see in the

following illustration, typically a Class IV laser will need much less

treatment time than a Class III laser. Also, we will obtain a much greater

depth of penetration with the Class IV laser. What most medical professionals

do not seem to understand is that a laser with many medical benefits produces

it benefits with LIGHT ENERGY NOT HEAT. Thus, when one is looking to

derive benefits from the laser, heat should not be a consideration. THE

PHOTONIC ENERGY IS WHAT ONE NEEDS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. The following

illustration will give an idea about the difference. The most significant

difference in the various types of lasers is the depth of penetration.

 

 

There is a misunderstanding

that a more efficient laser will produce heat.

This is simply not the case. Most of the time when we are utilizing a laser we

are interested in the depth of penetration. We also do not wish to subject the

patient to long hours of treatment. So, if we can eliminate the heat and get

penetration of depth than we may have something special. When all is said and

done IT IS THE PHOTONIC ENERGY WHICH ACCOMPLISHES THE REPAIR.

 

WHAT WOULD BE MY CHOICE FOR AN OPTIMAL LASER?

 I have used lasers for many years. The use of lasers

for musculoskeletal conditions has long passed the point of being experimental.

There are many different types of lasers in use. In our clinic we have been

very happy with our laser sleeves and our original hand-held Class IV type

laser. The original Class IV laser which we have been using requires eyewear

protection and it will produce heat which could burn the skin. Nevertheless, it

was efficient but at the same time there was a risk of thermal injury and

because of the thermal considerations I believe the penetration was limited.

 If I were able to design a laser I would want one to

be a Class IV laser that essentially did not cause any thermal damage. To be

effective, the laser would have to have a power output of greater than 500

milliwatts. It would need to be monochromatic and have a wavelength of

approximately 680 mM which is the ideal wavelength to stimulate the

mitochondria. This is the sweet spot in the red spectrum range.

It obviously requires eyewear. Also, it is cold laser. What are the differences

between and hot and cold laser? Again, Cold Lasers are therapeutic

lasers that produce an insignificant amount of heat and are extremely safe for

use by professionals. 

Let

us take a look at the specs of the new laser. The output of the new laser is

750 milliwatts. Remember, the energy output for the Class IV laser is above 500

milliwatts. So, we definitely classify as a Class IV laser by power output. The

new laser is monochromatic so it essentially stays on one wavelength and its

wavelength is 680 nM which is the sweet spot for mitochondrial stimulation etc. The

wavelength is 680 nm. This is the sweet spot in the red spectrum range. This

provides both a large safety margin and potent force. If

we were to lower the wavelength we could lower the safety margin. The last

aspect to an ideal laser is what is called lumen intensity. We need to look at

some physical aspects of light when looking at lumen intensity. There are three

terms we want to know when assessing lumen intensity. These are lumens, lux and

candela. A good way to remember the differences

between terms is:

• Lumens are how much light is given off
• Lux is how bright your surface will be
• Candela measures the visible intensity from the light source.

The lumen intensity of the new laser is 550 lumens per millimeter

of tissue radiated. The beam profile is one millimeter. This last spec will

allow the user to pinpoint targeting tissue. Example would be a meniscus tear

located posteriorly in the medial compartment, or a tear in the supraspinatus

located inferior to the acromion for example. This later spec you can only

utilize the function of when the laser is a true class four. You need the power

of penetration without the heat damaging aspect. This is a very important aspect

and the one important principle which needs to be conveyed and understood – not

easy to do! True photonic intervention is dependent on absorption of the light

force or energy. Not in the heat transmission normally incorporated into laser

modules. The light is the energy! Again, we see a picture of our new Class IV

laser. Notice it is a hand-held laser. It is battery powered. Many times,

simplicity is a goal strived for but many times seldom achieved.