Intravenous Laser Blood Illumination (ILBI) therapy is a medical treatment that uses low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to illuminate the blood as it flows through the veins or arteries. This therapy is sometimes referred to as intravascular laser therapy or intravascular blood irradiation.
- For ILBI, the low-level laser irradiation is always used in continuous mode, laser action is carried out intravenously through special disposable sterile light guides with a puncture needle. The procedure involves the following steps: Insertion of Fiber Optic Cable: A thin, flexible fiber optic cable, often equipped with low-level laser diodes, is inserted into a vein or artery through a small incision. This cable emits low-intensity laser light.
- Illumination of Blood: The laser diodes emit light that travels through the blood vessels, illuminating the blood from within. The light is usually in the red or near-infrared spectrum.
- Blood Exposure to Light: As the blood circulates through the illuminated area, it is exposed to the laser light.
Mechanisms, Types, and Benefit
The light used in ILBI therapy affects blood components through several mechanism sequences and has several potential therapeutic benefits.
The process of therapeutic effects of ILBI can be conventionally divided into three main stages:
- Primary effects (change of state of the electronic levels of the living matter molecules, the stereo-chemical rearrangement of molecules, the local thermodynamic shifts, the emergence of an increased concentration of calcium ions in the cytosol)
- Secondary effects (propagation of waves of increased calcium ions (Ca2+) concentration in the cell, between cells, stimulation or inhibition of biological processes at the cellular level, changes in the functional state of individual biological cell systems and the body as a whole).
- Residual after-effects (formation of tissue metabolism products, response of the immune, endocrine and neurohumoral regulation systems, etc.).
All this variety of the developing processes determine the widest range of the body’s responses to laser illumination.
The purported general therapeutic effects of ILBI therapy include:
- Improved blood flow
- Reduced inflammation and pain
- Enhanced oxygen delivery to body tissues
- Stimulation of healing (stimulate tissue repair and regeneration)
- Detoxification of the bloodstream
Currently, multiple wavelengths (spectra) of laser light are used to apply differential techniques of ILBI:
- Red spectrum (ILBI-635, wavelength 635 nm, power 1.5–2 mW, exposure of 10–20 minutes)
- Green spectrum (ILBI 525, wavelength 525 nm, power 1.5–2 mW, exposure of 7–8 minutes)
- Laser ultraviolet blood illumination (LUVBI®), also known as ILBI-405 (wavelength 365–405nm, power 1.5–2 mW, exposure of 3–5 minutes)
The mechanisms of action for red, green, and violet low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can vary due to the differences in the wavelengths of light used. Here's an overview of the mechanisms for each:
Red Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT):
- Biostimulation: Red LLLT is often used for biostimulation, where the red light is absorbed by cellular chromophores like cytochrome c oxidase. This absorption can enhance cellular respiration and increase the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cell’s energy currency. This boost in energy can promote cell repair and tissue healing.
- Vasodilation: Red light can stimulate the release of nitric oxide in blood vessels, leading to vasodilation. This widens the blood vessels, improves blood flow, and can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Anti-inflammatory effects: Red LLLT may have anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Green Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
- Selective absorption: Green LLLT is often used for selective absorption, particularly in superficial tissues. Green light may be absorbed by pigments in the skin and certain cells, potentially targeting specific chromophores or structures.
- Photodynamic therapy: In some cases, green LLLT is used in photodynamic therapy, where a photosensitizing agent is applied to the target tissue. The green light activates the photosensitizer, generating reactive oxygen species that can selectively damage and destroy targeted cell.
Violet Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
- Bacterial disruption: Violet LLLT is often employed to target bacteria. It can be absorbed by certain bacterial pigments, particularly porphyrins. When violet light is absorbed by these pigments, it can lead to the production of reactive oxygen species, damaging or killing the bacteria.
- Skin rejuvenation: Violet LLLT may also be used for skin rejuvenation, potentially promoting collagen production and improving skin texture and appearance.
The choice between these low-level laser spectra is based on the specific condition treated and the depth of tissue penetrated required. Red light is often preferred for pain management, wound healing, and conditions like arthritis or musculoskeletal injuries, while green light may be more effective for superficial skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, or wound healing on the skin’s surface. On the other hand, LUVBI has the shallowest tissue penetration and is primarily used for superficial skin-related problems, skin rejuvenation, and preferably should be used for the correction of immune disorders of various etiologies.
What Diseases May Benefit from ILBI Therapy?
- Circulatory disorders (peripheral arterial disease (PAD) or Raynaud’s disease, etc)
- Inflammatory conditions (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc)
- Chronic Pain
- Immune System Support (which could be relevant in immune-related disorders)
- Maintenance and optimization of metabolic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, dislipidemia (as a complimentary therapy)
- Post stroke state
- Post covid state