Dermatological Laser Systems Using Optical Parametric Oscillator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current dermatological laser systems lack the capability to provide a wide range of wavelengths, particularly in the near-infrared and mid-infrared spectra, necessary for effectively treating various tissue types, such as sebum and collagen, due to limitations in tunable laser sources with sufficient output power and flexibility, leading to increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A dermatological treatment system utilizing a laser engine and an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) to generate pulsed laser light at multiple wavelengths, including those in the visible, near-infrared, and mid-infrared ranges, allowing for efficient treatment of sebum and collagen tissues with high-energy picosecond pulses, and enabling quick wavelength selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional laser systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the wavelength range is limited and cannot effectively treat various tissue types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) system that can generate multiple wavelengths across a broad spectral range (visible to mid-infrared) using a single laser engine. This allows one system to perform multiple treatment functions for different tissue types (sebum, collagen, water) without requiring separate laser devices for each wavelength, thereby achieving universality and resolving the contradiction between wavelength versatility and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The OPO system enables continuous tuning of output wavelength by adjusting operational parameters such as crystal temperature and pump laser characteristics. This parameter-based wavelength selection allows the system to adapt to different treatment requirements (targeting sebum at specific wavelengths, collagen at others) without physical reconfiguration, maintaining simplicity while achieving broad spectral coverage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple laser systems are used to cover different wavelengths, then the wavelength coverage is comprehensive, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate laser systems into a single integrated OPO-based platform. By combining the wavelength generation capability across the visible to mid-infrared spectrum into one system with a common laser engine and tunable OPO module, it eliminates the need for multiple independent laser devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining comprehensive wavelength coverage for treating various dermatological conditions.
3Productivity
If high-energy pulses are used to reduce treatment sessions, then the treatment efficiency increases, but the tissue damage may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of selective photothermolysis by precisely matching laser wavelength to the absorption characteristics of specific target tissues (sebum, collagen, water) while minimizing absorption by surrounding non-target tissues. This localized energy deposition ensures that high-energy pulses affect only the intended target structures, achieving high treatment efficiency without causing excessive damage to adjacent healthy tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs pulsed laser delivery with controlled pulse duration and repetition rate, allowing thermal diffusion to occur between pulses and preventing excessive heat accumulation in non-target tissues. This periodic action enables the use of high peak powers for effective treatment while managing overall thermal load to minimize tissue 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 provides efficient and flexible treatment of a variety of dermatological conditions by generating high-energy picosecond pulses across a broad spectral range, reducing treatment sessions and minimizing tissue damage, while maintaining beam quality and output energy over extended use.
Implementation Method 1
at least one optical parametric oscillator (OPO) adapted to receive pulsed laser light from the laser engine and to generate OPO output pulses having a second wavelength
Implementation Method 2
a laser engine adapted to output pulsed laser light having a first wavelength of from 500-1200 nm, a pulse width of 10 psec to 10 nsec, and a first pulse energy of from 100 mJ/pulse to 5 J/pulse
Implementation Method 3
the wavelength of the laser is chose to have maximum absorption in the target tissue and minimal absorption in non-targeted or surrounding tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Dermatological systems and methods for providing picosecond laser pulses at a plurality of treatment wavelengths, wherein at least one of the wavelengths is provided by an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) capable of providing laser pulses at a wavelength for treating one or more target tissue types. In some embodiments, multiple OPOs may be provided to enable a wide range of selectable treatment wavelengths.