Abstract: Therapeutic methods for the enhancement of hepatic functioning are described, the methods including delivering a heptatic enhancement effective amount of light energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range to a target area of the liver. A heptatic enhancement effective amount of light energy is a selected or predetermined power density (mW/cm2) at the level of the liver tissue being treated, and may be determined by determining a surface power density of the light energy sufficient to deliver the selected power density of light energy to the target liver tissue taking into account factors that attenuate the light energy as it travels from the skin surface to the tissue being treated. The disclosed methods have utility in treatment of liver disease as well as in enhancing the functioning of a normal liver.

Abstract: Therapeutic methods for treating or inhibiting a neuromuscular disease or condition, including muscular dystrophy, in a subject in need thereof are described, the methods including applying to muscle tissue of the subject a muscular dystrophy effective amount of electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength. In a preferred embodiment, the muscular dystrophy effective amount of energy comprises predetermined power density (mW/cm2) of the electromagnetic energy of at least 1 mW/cm2, which is provided from a laser or other light energy source.

Abstract: A therapy apparatus for treating a patient's brain is provided. The therapy apparatus includes a light source having an output emission area positioned to irradiate a portion of the brain with an efficacious power density and wavelength of light. The therapy apparatus further includes an element interposed between the light source and the patient's scalp. The element is adapted to inhibit temperature increases at the scalp caused by the light.

Abstract: Methods for preserving donated blood and blood products are described, including embodiments which involve the application of a preservation effective amount of electromagnetic energy from a laser or other electromagnetic energy source, the energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range and delivering the effective amount of energy includes selecting a predetermined power density (mW/cm2) of energy to deliver to the blood. The methods can be used in combination with other blood preservation techniques including hypothermic storage and the use of preservative compositions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preserving tissue such as harvested organs for transplant are described. A preferred method includes delivering to a harvested organ an effective amount of electromagnetic energy, the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range, wherein delivering the effective amount of electromagnetic energy includes selecting a predetermined power density (mW/cm2) of electromagnetic energy to deliver to the organ while in hypothermic or normothermic storage. A preferred apparatus includes a container having a cooling chamber to receive the harvested organ and at least one light source mounted on the container to illuminate the interior cooling chamber, said light source emiting light which produces a biostimulative effect on tissue placed in the cooling chamber thereby preventing or retarding damage to the tissue during storage or transport.

Abstract: Therapeutic methods for the treatment of myocardial infarction are described, the methods including delivering a myocardial protective effective amount of light energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range to that area of the myocardium containing the area of primary infarct. A myocardial protective effective amount of light energy is a selected or predetermined power density (mW/cm2) at the level of the myocardial tissue being treated, and is determined by determining a surface power density of the light energy sufficient to deliver the selected power density of light energy to the myocardial tissue taking into account factors that attenuate the light energy as it travels from the skin surface to the myocardial tissue being treated.

Abstract: Energy therapy methods for inhibiting cell growth, differentiation, migration and proliferation are described, preferred methods including delivering to a subject in need thereof a bioinhibitory amount of electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range below about 820 nm, the bioinhibitory amount of electromagnetic energy being a predetermined power density (mW/cm2) of energy that is delivered to the subject. The methods will be useful in the treatment of cancers and inflammation.

Abstract: Therapeutic methods for preventing or retarding organ transplant rejection are described, the methods including delivering to a transplanted organ a rejection effective amount of light energy, the light energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range, wherein delivering the rejection effective amount of light energy includes selecting a power density (mW/cm2) of light energy to be received at the organ. The power density is at least about 0.01 mW/cm2 and no more than about 100 mW/cm2, to be delivered to the transplanted organ after completion of the transplant procedure.

Abstract: Therapeutic methods for regenerating bone and cartilage are described, the methods including delivering a tissue regenerative effective amount of light energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range to a site of injured or damaged bone or cartilage. The tissue regenerative effective amount of light energy is a predetermined power density (mW/cm2) received at the site, and is determined by selecting a dosage and power of the light energy sufficient to deliver the predetermined power density of light energy to the site of damage or injury. The light to methods are further applicable to in vitro or in vivo growth of cartilage replacement tissue on a biocompatible three-dimensional scaffold.

Abstract: Therapeutic methods for the treatment of stroke are described, the methods including delivering a neuroprotective effective amount of light energy having a wavelength in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range to that area of the brain containing the area of primary infarct. The neuroprotective effective amount of light energy is a predetermined power density (mW/cm2) at the level of the brain tissue being treated, and is delivered by determining a surface power density of the light energy that is sufficient to deliver the predetermined power density of light energy to the brain tissue.

Abstract: Low level laser therapy apparatus for treatment of various tissue injuries is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a handheld laser probe coupled to a control unit for selecting and controlling laser energy dosage from about 1 joule/point to about 10 joules/point. The apparatus emits laser energy at a wavelength from about 630 nm to about 904 nm, with a mean power output of between about 100 mW to about 500 mW. The apparatus further includes an access control mechanism to limit operability to trained personnel.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of bone fracture using low level laser therapy. A therapist applies pressure adequate to blanch the skin at a treatment point over a site of bone fracture, and applies laser energy having a wavelength of about 630 nm to about 904 nm, with laser apparatus having a mean power output of about 100 mW to about 500 mW, at a dosage of over 1 joule/point to about 10 joules/point. Treatment times, total dosage, and number of treatment points are determined by the therapist trained in LLLT.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of spinal cord transection using low level laser therapy in combination with allogenic implants. In one embodiment, embyronal nerve cells are cultured in vitro and transplanted to a site of spinal cord transection. The site is surgically closed and LLLT applied to a treatment point on the skin adjacent the transection site. To apply LLLT, a therapist applies pressure adequate to blanch the skin at the treatment point, and applies laser energy having a wavelength of about 630 nm to about 904 nm, with laser apparatus having a mean power output of about 100 mW to about 500 mW, at a dosage of about 1 joule/point, up to and including about 30 joules/point. Treatment times, total dosage, and number of treatment points are determined by the therapist or clinician trained in LLLT.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of musculoskeletal injury using low level laser therapy. In one embodiment, a therapist applies pressure adequate to blanch the skin at a treatment point on skin adjacent a site of musculoskeletal injury, and applies laser energy having a wavelength of about 630 nm to about 904 nm, with laser apparatus having a mean power output of about 100 mW to about 500 mW, for a treatment time sufficient to deliver at a laser energy dosage of about 1 joule/point to about 10 joules/point. Treatment times, total dosage, and number of treatment points are determined by the therapist trained in LLLT.

Abstract: A method for improving cardiac microcirculation using low level laser therapy. After a cardiac procedure, a therapist or surgeon maintains contact between a laser probe and a region of myocardium, and applies laser energy with the probe directly to the myocardium, the laser energy having a wavelength of about 630 nm to about 904 nm, with laser apparatus having a mean power output of about 100 mW to about 500 mW, at a dosage of about 1 joule/point to about 10 joules/point. Treatment times, total dosage, and number of treatment points are determined by the therapist trained in LLLT. The method is used immediately post-procedure after cardiac surgeries such as coronary bypass and angioplasty.