Low-level light therapy: Current state of research and clinical applications

Title: Low-level light therapy: Current state of research and clinical applications

Abstract:

"Photobiomodulation“ respectively „Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT)” is the application of light of different wavelengths, power and energy densities in various fields of medicine, e.g. for tissue regeneration and scarring, blood perfusion and pain therapy.
This lecture provides a brief survey of the current state of research in the field of photobiomodulation in dentistry, in oral- and maxillofacial surgery as well as in plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. Results from the first controlled laboratory trial on the effect of pulsating cold red light on angiogenesis at the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) are presented as well as clinical cases from plastic surgery.
As light source a Repuls7 (medical product class 2b by Repuls Lichtmedizintechnik GmbH, Vienna), consisting of 7 LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), emitting pulsating incoherent red light at a wavelength of 635nm was applied. Photos from the blood vessels trough a reflected-light microscope were taken once every day and analysed for the junctions of the blood vessels. In the CAM assays treated with LLLT the number of junctions was higher compared to the CAM assays in the control group. 
Our results reveal that the effect of photobiomodulation at 635nm wavelength on angiogenesis can be verified in comparison to a control group on the CAM model. Angiogenesis is an important factor regarding wound healing and tissue regeneration. Due to the specific properties of the chicken CAM model, the information value from the clinical point of view is higher than in “conventional” pure in-vitro experiments.
Findings from these laboratory experiments correspond well with experiences from routine clinical application of LLLT in plastic surgery, especially regarding wound healing, and will be presented in this lecture.

Biography:

Born 14.Oct. 1972 in Villach, Austria
Grown up and lives in Carinthia, Austria
Study of Mathematics at University of Klagenfurt, Austria (MSc. in 1996) and at the Technical University of Vienna, Austria (DSc in 1999). Special focus on Applied Mathematics in Biomedical Engineering.
Study of Medicine at the Medical University of Vienna (MD in 2010)
Habilitation (Venia docendi) in Biomedical Engineering (Medical University of Vienna)
Since October 2008: Professor for Biomedical Engineering at the Medical University of Vienna, Clinic of Cranio-Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery; Expert for high technology in medicine / “Facial Esthetics Engineering”: Biomedical Engineering, computer assisted surgery, telemedicine;
Main fields of research:
Biomedical engineering
Surgical planning and simulation in esthetical facial surgery
Telemedicine
Low level light therapy (LLLT)
More than 150 scientific publications, book chapters and lectures at international conferences
May-June 2012: Visiting professor at the Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy
Program Committee Member CARS- Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery (International Congress)
Hobbies: Music (accordion, saxophone, piano); Sailing;
Has been working as reporter for private radio stations for many years (mainly working in the fields of culture and society)