System and method for modification and/or smoothing of tissue with laser ablation

Abstract

Disclosed is an improved system and method for efficiently removing tissue using laser ablation. A first laser emits a first laser beam with a variable first integrated fluence sufficient to ablate tissue. The first laser beam is movably positioned over one or more surfaces of the tissue and the first integrated fluence varies over different levels with position, so different thicknesses of tissue are ablated at different surface positions in order to modify the contour of the surface of the tissue. Modifications include tissue smoothing, removing, feathering, sharpening, and roughening. In one preferred embodiment the tissue is eschar that is removed, unveiling viable tissue. In alternate preferred embodiments, one or more additional lasers beams with different wavelengths, with integrated fluence sufficient to ablate tissue, are moved over the surface of the tissue until a second ablation reaches a second self-termination point, e.g., determined by affects of chemicals below the termination point that absorb the second laser beam without producing the temperature increase necessary for ablation to continue.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application is based upon and claims priority to patent application 61 / 323,590, provisionally filed April 13, 2010, entitled "System and Method for Modification and / or Smoothing of Tissue with Laser Ablation," the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference . technical field [0003] The present invention relates to the field of modifying human or animal surfaces using laser ablation. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of laser ablation to modify, smooth and / or remove necrotic tissue such as burn eschar, decubitus ulcers, and stasis ulcers using laser ablation in addition to eradicating infectious pathogens from the ablated tissue, and / or to remove foreign body. Background technique [0004] Burn eschar (char) from severe third-degree burns must be desiccated (removed) to expose the living underlying tissue. This removal is required to facilitate healing and / or to allo...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0008] Mechanical tissue removal techniques are imprecise, traumatic and create a path for infection in the wound area

[0009] Current laser tissue removal systems do not remove large thicknesses of tissue quickly and do not eliminate the risk of damage to living tissue surrounding or underlying the removed tissue

[0010] Existing techniques do not address the removal of burns and necrotic lesions that do not penetrate the full thickness of the skin

[0011] In particular, carbon dioxide lasers that emit infrared radiation at 10.6 microns are able to ablate tissue, but such radiation leaves a layer of collateral damage about 100 microns thick and eventually dies if this layer is not removed

[0012] Chemicals that typically clear tissue are slow acting and prone to infection and can cause undesired reactions with surrounding tissue

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