CO2 Laser Handpiece for Fast Non-Ablative Soft Tissue Tightening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser-based treatments for snoring, such as those using Er:YAG lasers, are inefficient and require prolonged treatment times, often necessitating multiple sessions and causing discomfort due to the need for patients to remain still for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A CO2 laser system operating in the 9 μm to 11 μm wavelength range is used to deliver non-ablative laser pulses with controlled fluence and pulse duration, allowing for efficient collagen contraction and tissue tightening without damage, using a handpiece with a beam guidance system and optical cartridge to optimize energy delivery and reduce treatment time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Er:YAG laser is used for soft tissue treatment, then collagen contraction and tissue tightening are achieved, but treatment time is prolonged and multiple sessions are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the laser wavelength parameter from Er:YAG (2.94 μm) to CO2 laser (9-11 μm), which fundamentally alters the tissue interaction mechanism. The CO2 laser wavelength is more strongly absorbed by water in soft tissue, enabling faster heating and collagen contraction at lower fluence levels, thereby reducing treatment time while maintaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pulsed laser delivery with specific duty cycles (10-90%) and pulse durations (1-100 ms) to achieve cumulative thermal effects. The periodic pulsing allows controlled energy delivery that builds up heat for collagen contraction while preventing excessive single-pulse damage, enabling effective treatment in shorter timeframes
2Productivity
If high fluence laser pulses are used to reduce treatment time, then treatment speed increases, but tissue damage and charring occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts multiple laser parameters including fluence (0.1-10 J/cm²), pulse duration (1-100 ms), and duty cycle (10-90%) based on treatment requirements. This dynamic parameter control allows optimization of energy delivery to achieve collagen contraction at therapeutic thresholds while staying below damage thresholds, enabling fast yet safe treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies cooling measures (air or water cooling) before and during laser irradiation to prevent excessive heat accumulation. This preliminary and concurrent cooling action protects tissue from thermal damage while the laser delivers sufficient energy for collagen contraction, allowing higher productivity without increasing harm
3Reliability
If multiple treatment sessions are conducted to achieve effective tissue contraction, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but patient comfort decreases due to prolonged immobilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent delivers laser energy in continuous or high-duty-cycle pulsed modes to achieve cumulative thermal effects in a single session. The continuous or near-continuous energy delivery allows collagen contraction to accumulate during the treatment period, replacing the need for multiple fragmented sessions and thereby improving patient comfort by reducing total immobilization time
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 CO2 laser system achieves therapeutically effective contraction of soft tissue in less than 25 seconds per cm², reducing the number of treatment sessions and minimizing tissue damage, leading to increased tissue stiffness and longer-lasting results with minimal discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
the use of laser energy at 2940 nm has been demonstrated to produce photothermal effect that results in shrinkage of collagen fibers
Implementation Method 2
Contraction occurs from the heat induced protein denaturation, dehydration of collagen above 60° C
Implementation Method 3
wound healing response that generates new collagen and elastin
Data Source
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 CO2 laser capable of performing treatment in a more efficient manner than conventional techniques.