EMS Physio

Laser

The word 'LASER' is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The first laser was demonstrated in 1960 and used a ruby as the lasing medium. Lasers have been used in many applications from surgery to bar-code readers at supermarket check-outs, from missile guidance systems to CD players. The first medical application was in the treatment of a detached retina. Laser therapy became a popular modality during the 1980s.

Lasers are divided into classes (1, 1M, 2, 2M, 3R, 3B and 4) according to the degree of potential hazard they present. Class  1 devices are considered to be safe and no special precautions need to be taken when using them. Class 1 devices include, bar-code readers, CD players and laser pointers. Class 4 devices are the most hazardous and require strict safety procedures to ensure their safe use. Such devices include surgical lasers. Most therapeutic lasers are class 3B devices. Viewing the laser beam directly from these devices may be hazardous but diffuse reflections are normally safe.

EMS Physio equipment is described as a low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) device and uses probes which have semiconductor laser or led light sources. Unlike conventional lasers, semiconductor lasers produce a beam of coherent, monochromatic light which is not collimated but divergent. This means that the optical intensity of the beam emitted by the laser probe (and led probes) has reduced to a non-hazardous level just a few centimetres from the laser aperture of the probe. The intensity during treatment incident upon the treatment area is still high as the probe is used either in contact with the patient or only separated by a few millimetres. It is, however, still recommended that protective eyewear is worn during treatment.

Note that it is a requirement of EN 60825-1: Safety of Laser Products, Part 1. Equipment classification, requirements and user's guide, that for installations where class 3B devices are used, a Laser Safety Officer (or Laser Protection Advisor) should be appointed. It is the laser safety officer's responsibility to review and designate appropriate controls for the use of the equipment. The publication, "Guidance on the safe use of lasers in medical and dental practice" (ISBN 1 85839 488 0) can be obtained from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Both therapist and patient should always use suitable protective eyewear during treatment. Eyewear should have an optical density of at least 2.0 for infrared radiation (905 nm and 950 nm). Suitable eyewear can be obtained from EMS Physio Ltd.

Do not stare into the beam from any of the probes, either infrared or visible.

Caution - Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.

Contraindications

• Eyes, Class 3B lasers pose a significant ocular hazard. Never treat the eye or areas near the eyes. Safety goggles should be worn by both patient and therapist during treatment.
• Pregnancy, treatment over the pregnant uterus as laser therapy could affect rapidly dividing cells
• Tumours as laser therapy affects tissue repair and could therefore encourage growth
• Infections, due the risk of spreading the infection
• Radiotherapy, sites that have received radiotherapy treatment during the last six months
• Thrombosis and impaired circulation.
• Areas of impaired sensation
• Haemorrhage, due to the risk of increased bleeding, including recently controlled bleeding and haematoma.
• Haemophilia