Clinically-Proven Wavelengths of Light
LEDs can be designed in such a way that they only emit light at very specific pre-programmed therapeutic wavelengths of light. MitoGen employs wavelengths that are proven in clinical trials to have a positive biological outcome.
The bulk of clinical literature suggests that light in the mid-600nm range and mid-800nm range is extremely effective, principally due to it’s effect on the cellular respiration in mitochondria. This is why MitoGen choose 660nm Red and 850nm InfraRed light as our preferred wavelengths for our devices.
“This is probably the parameter where there is the most agreement in the LLLT community. Wavelengths in the 600-700 nm range are chosen for treating superficial tissue, and wavelengths between 780 and 950 nm are chosen for deeper-seated tissues, due to longer optical penetration distances through tissue. Some devices combine a red wavelength with a NIR wavelength on the basis that the combination of two wavelengths can have additive effects, and can also allow the device to be more broadly utilized to treat more diseases.”
Dr Michael Hamblin, Harvard University
Intensity
Should you water plants with a pressure washer or a sprinkler?
Intensity or Irradiance is the measure of photons hitting our body in a given area. The plant analogy can be employed to describe irradiance and dosage for the body. If a potted plant required 4 liters of water a week, a pressure washer could deliver this water out in a very short period of time, but would cut the plant out of the pot. This would be like surgical application of a laser.
A bucket of water could be tipped into the plant, which may drown it in the short term, but after a week or two the plant has recovered. This would be like applying a very strong PBM device for a short period of time.
Using a dripper or mist system, the plant would receive the water as fast as it is able to use it, and would grow as rainforest plants tend to grow. There is no risk of overdose or adverse effects.
The same concept applies to lighting, except instead of water, it’s photons.
More intensity isn’t always better.
The MitoGen Whole Body Light Pods could be manufactured to delivery higher fire hose intensities but based on clinical experience and in-house research, we have found the “dripper/mister” approach to be more beneficial over a longer treatment period for whole body application. We have thus set the intensity to a soothing 5 MW/cm2, requiring approximately 20 minutes to achieve an optimal full-body dose.
The MitoGen panels employ an irradiance of >100mw/cm2, meaning that close to the diodes, one can receive high intensity light (which would require a shorter treatment duration. Further from the diodes, one can receive a lower dose of light and spend a longer period of time. In this way, treatment dosages can be modulated by distance to suit each individual’s goals.
It is important to realize that photobiomodulation is highly biphasic in dose, meaning the benefit can disappear by using too much light.
Blue Light Toxicity. How to Overcome it