Choosing A Laser Therapy System

The following are a list of parameters that should be compared when selecting a laser device. The statements below each section highlight the BioFlex Professional System and why it is superior to other laser therapy systems.

1. Power - What is the Power Output at the Level of the Tissue?

The light energy must be absorbed by the cells to stimulate healing. There is a dose response curve where too little light does not have an effect while too much power can inhibit healing. If the light source is not properly directed, the reflection of light increases substantially, reducing the dosage in the tissue.

The BioFlex treatment procedure utilizes a combination of super luminous diode arrays and single laser diode treatment heads providing an optical power from 10 mW/cm2 to 1800 mW/cm2. The arrays are flexible to ensure all diodes remain in contact with tissue, minimizing reflection.

2. Size of the Treatment Area

The focus of the injury (i.e. ligament injury) affects surrounding and overlying tissue which increases the extent of the involved area in three dimensions. It is therefore advisable to treat an extensive area of tissue to increase the effectiveness of therapy. The number of diodes placed over a given area will determine the dose that tissues receive.

BioFlex treatments utilize two 75 cm2 treatment arrays maximizing therapy to the region treated. There are 180 super luminous diodes in each treatment array that output approximately 6-10 mW per diode resulting in a dosage of over 20 mW/cm2 to the entire treatment region. More focused treatment is carried out using the laser probe directly over the primary area of the pathology.

3. Protocols Built into the System

Most systems contain a limited number of variations in light settings. BioFlex has 29 different prescription protocols built into the system. These protocols were developed at the Meditech Laser Centres over the past 17 years and have continuously evolved and expanded based on the data obtained from the 100,000 patients treated each year. Moreover customization permits an infinite number of additional protocols.

4. Total Dosages

The total dosage delivered is a combination of the power produced from the treatment head in a given time over a specific area. The protocols built into the BioFlex Professional System provide from 140 to 500 J/cm2 per treatment. To maximize the absorption by the tissue the protocols last from 30 minutes to 1 hour in duration. This method has been clinically tested to maximize the efficacy of the treatment.

5. Power Output Verification

Does the unit have an internal feedback loop to ensure that the precise dosage is delivered? One of the major pitfalls in the field of laser therapy is that many low cost devices produce an output radiant power well below the advertised claim. Therefore, these systems do not provide the same results as they are not delivering accurate, reproducible dosages.

The BioFlex system has both an internal feedback loop that directly measures the quantity of light being emitted and a feedback loop that measures the current within the device to ensure proper dosage.

6. Advances in Technology

With continuing advances in research a unit should be adaptable to increase effectiveness of treatment. A unit should have the ability to adjust the power, frequency, duration, energy density, duty cycle and waveform settings in order to deliver effective therapy. Most units are limited to vary only the power and frequency within a limited range.

BioFlex has incorporated the ability to change all parameters including duty cycle and waveform. Upgrades in protocols for different pathologies are made with ease as new effective protocols become available from our research team. Most important is the ability to customize protocols over an infinite range.

7. Hands-Free Operation

This enables the therapist to work with multiple patients simultaneously. BioFlex treatments utilize two 75 cm2 treatment arrays that both operate hands-free. The only hands-on portion of the treatments is the final stage where the patient is treated with the laser probe. This enables one therapist to treat 4 to 5 patients simultaneously.

8. Number of Wavelengths

The number of wavelengths emitted determines the absorption of light by different chromophores as well as penetration depth.

BioFlex uses 660nm, 830 nm and 840nm to maximize the absorption of light by different molecules. Combining both red and infrared light in one treatment maximizes both the differences in penetration depth and chromophore absorption.

9. Patient Software

Patient software can be used to store patient protocols, previous treatments and dosages delivered. This allows a system to provide customized treatments that can be saved for each individual patient with easy retrieval.

The BioFlex Professional System includes patient management software that can be used to store patient data and customized protocols that can be individualized for each patient. This software also includes accurate monitoring of the total dosage delivered in joules per square centimeter (J/cm2) in addition to the treatment duration for accurate record keeping. The database can also serve as a platform for clinical research.