Method and apparatus for treating skin using patterns of optical energy

Abstract

A dermatological apparatus includes multiple light source and optical pathway connections. Each light source is capable of delivering an optical beam through its connected optical pathway to a targeted portion of a human skin. The dermatological apparatus also includes a control system to select and control the light sources to deliver multiple optical beams in a discontinuous pattern and a focusing element to focus the power of the delivered optical beams to multiple discrete treatment zones that are located up to 1.5 mm underneath an outer surface of the targeted portion. The discrete treatment zones have sizes in the range of 10 [mu]m to 1000 [mu]m.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention generally relates to the treatment of biological tissue utilizing light energy. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and devices for treating skin using patterns of light energy. Background technique [0002] Light energy has many useful uses for the treatment of skin and other biological tissues. For example, lasers have been used to treat skin conditions such as hemangiomas, port wine stains, rosacea, epidermal pigmented lesions, and fine lines. [0003] Current skin laser methods and devices generally irradiate a large contiguous area of ​​skin during treatment. However, such extensive treatment can cause excessive trauma to the skin and lead to complications such as hypopigmentation or the development of leukoplakia. In addition, the current paradigm of treating large areas interferes with the normal healing process of the skin and the flow of nutrients to the treated area, which not only slows healin...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, such cooling systems increase implementation complexity, generally require laser power to be increased, and additionally do not provide desired or uniform cooling and reduced skin damage

The combination of non-uniform cooling and increased laser power exposes the skin to a greater risk of damage

Also, adjustments to the fluence delivered by the laser as prescribed by current methods often provide insufficient control, often resulting in over- or under-treatment

Overtreatment can lead to scarring and undertreatment can result in little improvement in the treated skin condition

Significant clinical concerns related to overtreatment or undertreatment as changes may not be apparent for weeks to months after treatment

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