TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and, more specifically, to systems and methods that apply PBMT to a dystrophic muscle or muscle group to delay dystrophy progression.

BACKGROUND

Muscular dystrophy is a collection of inherited diseases, which are characterized by skeletal muscle weakness and degeneration. Duchene muscular dystrophy (DMD), one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophy, affects 1 in 3,500 newborn males worldwide. DMD is an X-linked recessive genetic disorder associated with mutations in the dystrophin gene, resulting in reduced expression of the protein dystrophin. Dystrophin serves as the intracellular link of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (or “dystrophin complex”), which is present in the sarcolemma of skeletal muscle. An important function of the dystrophin complex is the mechanical stabilization of stresses during eccentric muscle contraction. In addition, recent evidence suggests that dystrophin also plays an important role in the regulation of signaling pathways, particularly those that activate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as nitric oxide, and those that trigger the entry of calcium. Traditionally, DMD has been treated by the administration of corticoids. However, corticosteroids cannot be used as a long-term treatment. Accordingly, there is a need for a non-pharmacological treatment for DMD.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and, more specifically, to systems and methods that apply PBMT to a dystrophic muscle or muscle group to delay dystrophy progression. PBMT provides a non-pharmacological treatment for dystrophies, including Duchene muscular dystrophy (DMD), that can be used alone or in combination with a pharmaceutical therapy that is less damaging than traditional corticosteroids (e.g., a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)) and/or at a lower dose than traditional treatment by corticosteroids, enabling longer use of corticosteroids.

In one aspect, the present disclosure can include a method for applying PBMT to a patient diagnosed with muscular dystrophy to delay dystrophy progression. A light source device can be contacted to a subject's skin proximal to a dystrophic muscle or muscle group. A light signal can be applied in at least one of a pulsed operating mode, a continuous operating mode, and a super-pulsed operating mode through the light source device to the dystrophic muscle or muscle group. The light signal is applied for a time sufficient to stimulate a phototherapeutic response in the dystrophic muscle or muscle group.

In another aspect, the present disclosure can include a light source device to applying PBMT to a patient diagnosed with muscular dystrophy to delay dystrophy progression. The light source device can be configured to contact a subject's skin proximal to a dystrophic muscle or muscle group and includes a cluster of light delivery sources, a permanent magnet, a processing unit, and a power source. The cluster of light delivery sources can include: a first light source configured to generate a first portion of a light signal with a wavelength from 890-910 nm in a super-pulsed operating mode; a second light source configured to generate a second portion of the light signal with a wavelength from 600-700 nm in a pulsed operating mode or a continuous operating mode; and a third light source configured to generate a third portion of the light signal with a wavelength from 810-880 in the pulsed operating mode or the continuous operating mode. The permanent magnet can provide a constant magnetic field from 5 mT to 1 T. The processing unit can be preprogrammed with a time for application of the light signal to the dystrophic muscle or muscle group.

