FAQ WARP 10®


What does WARP mean?
Warfighter’s Accelerated Recovery by Photobiomodulation

What is the difference between LEDs and lasers?
Lasers are coherent light (electromagnetic waves that have the same wavelength and a fixed phase relationship). They have a very small coverage area. They have contraindications. They are expensive.

LEDs are incoherent light (electromagnetic waves that have the same frequency but a random or changing phase). They have a large coverage area. They have little or no contraindications. They are affordable.

I’ve seen press releases from NASA regarding this technology and light therapy, and most of the light therapy devices advertised link to the NASA technology. How does the WARP 10® from Quantum Devices, Inc. fit in?
Quantum Devices, Inc. developed the HEALS® (High Emissivity Aluminiferous Light-emitting Substrate) technology for NASA under a Small Business Innovative Research grant (SBIR). This technology is what allows the WARP 10® to reach the LED power levels of 50 mW/cm2 of energy which research shows is most beneficial for pain management. Although our competitors like to link to press releases generated by NASA and other sources referencing this technology in order to gain credibility, it is important to remember that the WARP 10® is the only FDA approved device for the consumer market which utilizes the HEALS® technology developed for and used by NASA.

What is PBMT (Photobiomodulation Therapy)?
Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) is the process of modulating the organelles of the body with wavelength specific photon energy to increase respiratory metabolism, reduce the natural inflammatory response, accelerate recovery of injury or stress at the cellular level and increase circulation.

How much light energy is required for PBMT (Photobiomodulation Therapy)?
NASA research has determined that the radiant Power of Flux to produce reliable PBMT results must be equal to or greater than 0.050 W/cm² (or 50mW/cm2 = 50 milliwatts per centimeter squared).

How long of a dose (exposure) is required for reliable PBMT (Photobiomodulation Therapy)?
NASA research has determined that the minimum Dose for the wavelength band from 650nm (nanameters) to 950nm, to be 4 joule/cm2 (one 80 second dose of WARP 10®) at a radiant power of 50mW/cm2. They have also found that the effect seems to flatten out at about 8 joule/cm2 (two 80 second doses) at a radiant power of 50mW/cm2.

What is Radiant Power or Radiant Flux? 
Radiant Power is defined by the total power of radiation emitted by a source (lamp, Light Emitting Diode (LED), laser, etc.) transmitted through a surface or impinging upon a surface. Radiant Power is measured in watts (W).

What is Irradiance?
Irradiance describes the amount of radiant power.

What is a Joule?
Named for James Joule (1818-1889), the English physicist who demonstrated the mechanical equivalent of heat, the joule provides a time dimension to energy or power. One joule is the equivalent of one watt of power radiated or dissipated for one second. For example, a joule is a unit of energy equal to 1 watt second. Today, the most common household use of the term can be found on the surge suppressors we purchase to protect our computers and other electrical equipment. A good rule of thumb is, the larger the number of joules, the more surge protection the unit provides. In PBMT, the joule defines the total dose required to achieve the desired effect. The WARP 10® is specified in joules per cm2 to insure uniform dosage over the entire exposed area.

What is NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)?
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was founded in 1901. It is a non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S. Commerce Department’s Technology Administration. The NIST’s mission is to develop and promote measurement, standards, and technology to enhance productivity, facilitate trade, and improve the quality of life.

What wavelength does the WARP 10 operate at?
The WARP 10 operates at a peak wavelength of 670nm (nanometers) Near Infrared.

What does the wavelength do?
This wavelength has been found to penetrate more organelles (cell part: a specialized part of a cell that has its own function, e.g. the nucleus or the mitochondrion) of the human body.

Why does it run on batteries?
The WARP 10® was developed for the military. Our armed forces are able to purchase AA batteries anywhere in the world.

How does it work?
It has been shown that this wavelength can penetrate deep into the cell’s mitochondria (the cell energy center) and stimulate the production of ATP and RNA synthesis.

What are the FDA cleared indications for use?
The FDA indications for use are as follows: The WARP 10® is a high intensity, hand-held, portable, LED (light emitting diode) unit, intended for the treatment of chronic pain by emitting energy in the near-infrared (near-IR) spectrum. This includes: the temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain, arthritis and muscle spasms; and relieving stiffness, promoting relaxation of muscle tissue and to temporarily increase local blood circulation, where applied.

What makes the WARP 10® different from the other LED light therapy devices out there?
The WARP 10® is not designed with LED light bulbs. We have surface mounted chips on an engine that can drive the LEDs 4.5 times harder than the industry standard. We invented the thermal heat sync to pull heat away from the LEDs. The device will not allow it to operate when temperature reaches 41 degrees Centigrade. Tissue damage can occur at 42 degrees Centigrade. Our unit will penetrate up to 23cm (9 inches) of soft tissue.

How often can I use the WARP 10® light?
As often and in as many spots as you would like. The light will only cause beneficial effects for pain relief. There has never been any indication of the slightest side effect or unintended effect documented. This fact makes the WARP 10® ideal for chronic pain sufferers.

Can the WARP 10® help my (“your ailment goes here”)? 
The WARP 10® is a hand held device used for the treatment of chronic pain by emitting energy in the Near-IR spectrum for the temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain; arthritis and muscle spasms; relieving stiffness; promoting relaxation of muscle tissue; and temporarily increase local blood circulation where applied.

How close to the skin should I hold the WARP 10®?
For best results, the WARP 10® should be touching the skin. Take your finger and point to the central area of pain, and then hold the unit directly centered on that point.

I accidentally hit the ‘Stop’ button during my session. Why does it take so long for the delay light to go off?
The delay light will stay on until the normal timed cycle (80 seconds) has completed, and then you are able to restart the device. There is no battery usage during the timer’s count down.

Can you recommend a battery for usage?
Although you can use standard AA alkaline batteries to operate your WARP 10®, we highly recommend the use of Nickel Metalhydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries. This battery type can double the amount of uses from the WARP 10® and in many cases the batteries can be recharged up to 1000 times, making it a viable long term investment.

How many LEDs does the WARP 10® have? 
The WARP 10® utilizes a 48 Chip mount LED die to provide 50 mW/cm2 over a 10cm2 diameter area. The total photon energy over the 10cm2 area is equal to 500 mW.

Why does the WARP 10® work?
Light must be absorbed for photochemistry to occur. A simple absorption spectrum (transmission spectrum) of the system under study will immediately tell one if a particular wavelength of light has a chance of producing a photobiological effect (Kendric C. Smith, Ph.D.).