CO2 Laser Handpiece for Rapid Soft Tissue Contraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser-based treatments for snoring are inefficient, require multiple sessions, and can be uncomfortable for patients, with treatment times ranging from 30 to 45 minutes.
Innovation Solution
A CO2 laser-based treatment system operating in the 9-11 μm wavelength range, which uses a handpiece with a beam guidance system and a controller to deliver laser pulses with controlled fluence and duty cycle, achieving rapid tissue contraction without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Er:YAG laser is used for tissue tightening, then collagen denaturation and tissue contraction is achieved, but treatment time becomes long (30-45 minutes) and requires multiple sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the laser wavelength parameter from Er:YAG (2940 nm) to CO2 laser (9-11 μm range). This parameter change results in deeper thermal penetration (about 200 μm vs. shallower for Er:YAG), more effective collagen denaturation, and significantly reduced treatment time while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pulsed laser delivery with specific duty cycles to achieve effective tissue contraction. The periodic pulsed action allows for controlled thermal accumulation and collagen denaturation while preventing excessive heating, enabling faster treatment compared to continuous or less optimized pulsed approaches
2Productivity
If higher laser power is used to reduce treatment time, then treatment speed increases, but tissue damage and burning may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of laser parameters including adjustable power levels, pulse duration, and duty cycle. This dynamic approach allows the system to deliver sufficient energy for rapid collagen denaturation while automatically preventing excessive heating that would cause tissue damage, achieving both speed and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and control laser-tissue interaction. By monitoring treatment progress and tissue response, the system adjusts laser parameters in real-time to maintain optimal energy delivery, ensuring rapid treatment without causing burning or excessive damage
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves a therapeutically effective contraction of soft tissue in as little as 25 seconds, reducing the need for multiple sessions and minimizing tissue damage, while providing long-lasting results.
Implementation Method 1
the use of laser energy at 2940nm has been demonstrated to produce photothermal effect that results in shrinkage of collagen fibers in the pharyngeal and palatal soft tissues
Implementation Method 2
The tissue tightening is governed by two main principles: 1) collagen denaturation resulting in collagen shrinkage and tissue tightening
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosed invention relates to an improved system and method for treatment of soft tissue, e.g., for treatment of a snoring condition. The system can include a laser source; a hand piece; and a device for directing radiation emitted by the laser source to a treatment area (e.g., an oral treatment area). In some cases, the handpiece can include an optical element (e.g., a lens) mounted within a replaceable cartridge and adapted to modulate a laser beam such that it is non- ablative, prior to its delivery to a treatment region. In various embodiments, the system includes a C02 laser capable of performing treatment in a more efficient manner than conventional techniques.