Glossary
Chromophores - color-producing group of atoms: a group of atoms in a molecule that produces color in dyes and other compounds through selective absorption of light, e.g. the azo group.
COX 2 Inhibitors - cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors (COXIBs): COXIBs were developed to reduce the adverse gastrointestinal (GI) effects of traditional NSAIDs. E.g.: vioxx, celebrex, bextra, etc.
Cytochrome C Oxidase - enzyme in cells: an enzyme complex that is involved in the electron transport phase of cell respiration.
Deoxygenated Hemoglobin - Blood that has given
up most of its oxygen vs. Oxygenated blood
Saturated 94-98% with Oxygen.
Electromagnetic - 1. magnetism from electric currents: magnetism produced by an electric current 2. interaction of electromagnetic forces: the branch of physics concerned with the interaction of electric and magnetic fields
HEALS - High Emissivity Aluminiferous Luminescent Substrate
Hemoglobin - oxygen-transporting substance in blood: an iron-containing protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen around the body
Irradiance - radiant power impinging on a particular surface from one or more sources of optical radiation. Irradiance is measured horizontally and vertically in the units of watts per square meter (W/m2).
Joules - unit of energy: the International System unit of energy or work, equal to the work done when the application point of a one Newton force moves one meter in the direction of application.
LED - light emitting diode
Mitochondrion - small body in cells: a small round or rod-shaped body that is found in the cytoplasm of most cells and produces enzymes for the metabolic conversion of food to energy
Mucositis - Inflammation of a mucous membrane: oral mucositis is a common complication of chemotherapy and radiation therapy
NiMH - Nickel Metal Hydride
NIR (near-infrared) - portion of visible spectrum: the portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum consisting of radiation with wavelengths of 680nm to 1000nm
NSAIDs - Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs: aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc.
Photobiomodulation - interaction of optical radiation and living organisms.
Photodiodes - semiconductor used to detect light: a semiconductor device in which the flow of current is controlled by the intensity of light and that can therefore be used to detect light
Photodynamic Therapy - 1. of photodynamics: relating to photodynamics or to the energy of light 2. involving adverse reaction to light: bringing about or enhancing the toxic effects of some wavelengths of light, especially ultraviolet, on living tissue 3. of laser cancer treatment: relating to or used to describe a cancer treatment in which the drug used is activated by a laser beam
Photon - quantum of electromagnetic radiation: a quantum of visible light or other form of electromagnetic radiation demonstrating both particle and wave properties. A photon has neither mass nor electric charge but possesses energy and momentum.
Porphyrin - compound in plants and animals: a metal-containing pigment in animal and plant tissue, consisting of four pyrrole rings linked by methylene groups, e.g. hemoglobin
Quantum - smallest quantity of energy: the smallest discrete quantity of a physical property such as electromagnetic radiation or angular momentum
Radiant Power - total power of optical radiation emitted by a source (light, light emitting diode, etc.) measured in watts (W). Since the optical radiation generated by lamps is usually not emitted as a more or less parallel beam, the measurement of the radiant power must be measured with a measurement geometry that acquires the radiant power independently of its spatial distribution.
WARP - Warfighter’s Accelerated Recovery by Photobiomodulation
