5. High Power Lasers:
Used to cut, coagulate and evaporate tissues.
Often called surgical lasers because they can
replace the scalpel of the surgeon.
i.e. CO2 laser
Low Level Lasers:
Used for the stimulation of cell function.
Their biological effect is not thermal, as is the
case with surgical lasers.
i.e. LED laser
6. Based on Various Settings:
High Power Laser Actions
◦ Vaporization
◦ Hemostasis
◦ Decontamination
Low Level Laser Therapy
◦ Biostimulation
◦ Modulation of Pain
7. Vaporization = Cutting
◦ The diode laser’s wavelength is absorbed
by pigmented tissues and cellular
structures resulting in an incision similar
to a surgical blade
◦ Less thermal damage than other Surgical lasers!
CO2 laser works by boiling water in tissues
and rupturing cell membranes
8. CO2 Laser works by thermal
action, therefore,
some thermal damage is inevitable!
9. Less thermal damage results in less
inflammation,
and therefore, less swelling and pain
10. The diode laser’s wavelength is
absorbed by hemoglobin
Surrounding tissue collagen contraction
results in the restriction of blood
vessels in the targeted area
18. •Zero bleeding
•Limited charring in portion
used as “cutting”
•Portion used as “pre-coag”
followed by blade worked well
•No dyspnea during recovery
•Eating baby food in 18 hours
22. Also Known As
◦ Biostimulation
◦ Photobiomodulation
◦ “Cold Laser” therapy
◦ 3LT
Because…
The mechanism is
photochemical rather
than thermal
23. Light is absorbed by mitochondria in cells
Stimulation of cellular ATP production
and up-regulation of nitric oxide
Secretion of growth factors, activation
of enzymes and other secondary
messengers
◦ Enhanced cell proliferation and
differentiation
24. Increased neovascularization and
temporary vasodilation
“Photomodulation of Blood”– new
term in medicine
◦ Enhanced leukocyte (WBC)
infiltration
◦ Increased macrophage activity
25. Increased proliferation of cells
◦ Fibroblasts
◦ Endothelial cells
◦ Keratinocytes
Shown to be true of hypoxic or
stressed cells
Healthy cells show little or no
response
35. Day 4 post op-
Cranial (non-treated) half has more scabbing and
inflammation, no epithelialized areas
Following day 4, the entire the wound was treated with
the Pilot Diode Laser
36. At 15 days post-op, the entire wound was nicely
healed with an atypically large amount of new hair
growth.
37.
38. Infectious dermatitis in
this frog was non-
responsive to antibiotic
baths and topical
treatment.
The prognosis was
terminally poor.
39. When laser therapy was
introduced, antimicrobial treatment
was discontinued.
Diode laser
therapy was
applied at
2.0 watts for
2
seconds, twi
ce weekly
for four
weeks.
Leg after 2 Weeks of Diode Laser Therapy
40. Leg following 4 weeks of Diode Laser Therapy
42. Treated with Diode Laser at 2.0 watts for 2
minutes Every Other Day for 2 Weeks
43. No scabbing of the wound was ever noted
The owl was released into the suburban wild at 2 weeks
44. In General
Increases release of endorphins
Increases serotonin
Resolution of inflammation at least
equivalent to NSAIDs
Suppression of nociceptor action
◦ Inhibits nerve conduction in small and
medium diameter peripheral nerves
45. Joint Pain Specifically
Joint capsule and synovial membrane stimulation
result in increased intra-articular circulation and
◦ healthier synovial fluid is generated
◦ Chondroblastic cellular formation is accelerated
46. Suppression of nociceptor action
◦ Localized treatment
◦ Inhibits nerve conduction in small and medium
diameter peripheral nerves
Induces neural blockade reducing central nerve
sensitisation (pain memory)
◦ Spine and trigger point treatment
47. There are > 50 positive Double Blind studies that
show clear evidence that Low Level Laser Therapy
(LLLT) is highly effective for the following conditions:
chronic pain acne, eczema migraines
acute inflammatory
(traumatic) skin conditions
pain wounds and sinusitis, tonsil
tendonitis burns litis
carpal tunnel non-healing TMJ disorders
syndrome ulcers
tennis/golfer rheumatoid Minere’s
elbow arthritis disease
fibromyalgia Tinnitis
lymph edema vertigo
osteoarthritis
http://www.drz.org/asp/cp/laser2.asp
48. Cosmetic Uses
◦ Hair Re-growth
◦ Dental bleaching
◦ Non-surgical face lift and wrinkle correction and
body contouring
◦ Non-surgical liposuction
◦ Laser enhanced breast augmentation
The exact mechanism is still being explored and debated
These chemicals are located in energy compartments in the cell called mitochondria. When you stimulate cytochromes with the correct wavelength and power of light it provides the cell with extra energy to grow, regenerate and heal. This bio-chemical reaction increases the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) which initiates vasodilation bring more oxygen rich blood to injured area.