Importance

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Abstract

A method and device is disclosed for wound debridement and wound healing that is equally effective for both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. A non-ablative laser beam or non-coherent radiation of a wavelength between 193 nm and 10.6 microns, preferably between 400 and 1350 nm, is applied in combination with a mechanical or laser debriding apparatus. The radiation is delivered at a power density of at least approximately 1 W/cm.sup.2 over a time period ranging from 1 second to 3 minutes. Typically, radiation power is in the range of 1 Watt to 15 Watts. Power density and treatment duration are adjusted to the parameters of the individual wound. Delivery means include, but are not limited to, optical fibers, articulating arms or direct exposure to radiation-emitting sources. In a preferred embodiment, pulsed or continuous wave high power radiation of an appropriate wavelength and a laser or mechanical scraping apparatus are intermittently or simultaneously applied to a wound. This device can be used on wounds of various depths to drastically cut down on the healing time by killing viral bodies and bacteria and performing other tasks such as vascularization.

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First Claim