Subcutaneous Fat Reduction Using Low Fluence Laser and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for subcutaneous fat reduction, such as those using 1210 nm near-infrared diode lasers, are painful and can cause adverse skin effects like epidermal blistering and full-thickness skin burns due to ineffective or harmful radiation exposure parameters.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the delivery of electromagnetic radiation with specific wavelength and power density parameters, combined with cooling of the epidermal and dermal regions, to induce pain-tolerant necrosis in subcutaneous fat without damaging the dermis or epidermis, using a treatment duration of at least 300 seconds with adjustable power densities and intervals to optimize thermal damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If higher power density is used to achieve sufficient thermal damage to subcutaneous fat, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but pain and adverse skin effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The epidermis and dermis are cooled before and during laser treatment to prevent thermal damage and reduce pain. This preliminary cooling action allows subsequent application of higher power density laser energy to reach the subcutaneous fat layer effectively while protecting the overlying skin structures from excessive heating and pain
Solution Approach 2:
Different temperature zones are created at different skin depths: the epidermis and dermis are maintained at lower temperatures through cooling, while the subcutaneous fat layer receives sufficient thermal energy for effective treatment. This local differentiation of thermal conditions allows effective fat damage without causing pain or skin damage
2Object-affected harmful factors
If longer treatment duration is used to reduce pain, then patient tolerability is improved, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser treatment is delivered in multiple pulses rather than as a single continuous exposure. This periodic delivery allows cooling intervals between pulses, maintaining lower average power density and reducing pain while still accumulating sufficient thermal energy in the subcutaneous fat over an extended treatment period to achieve effective fat cell damage
3Object-affected harmful factors
If lower power density is used to reduce pain, then patient comfort is improved, but treatment effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple laser pulses are delivered in sequence to the same treatment area, with each pulse contributing to cumulative thermal energy deposition in the subcutaneous fat. This continuous action over extended time ensures sufficient thermal damage to fat cells while maintaining lower instantaneous power density through intermittent pulsing and cooling, achieving both patient comfort and treatment effectiveness
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 method effectively reduces the number of fat cells while being safer and more tolerable, allowing for non-invasive fat removal and skin tightening without the need for anesthetics, minimizing pain and adverse effects.
Implementation Method 1
delivering an average power density of less than or equal to 2.3 W/cm2 of electromagnetic radiation having a fat-selective wavelength of about 1,200 nm to about 1,230 nm to a subcutaneous fat region
Implementation Method 2
causing necrosis of at least one fat cell in the subcutaneous fat region
Implementation Method 3
cooling an epidermal region and at least a portion of a dermal region overlying the subcutaneous fat region for at least a portion of the at least 300 seconds
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for treatment of a subcutaneous fat region includes a source of electromagnetic radiation generating electromagnetic radiation having a non-fat selective wavelength. A delivery system is coupled to the source of electromagnetic radiation and is configured to deliver the electromagnetic radiation to the subcutaneous fat region for at least 300 seconds. A controller is configured to adjust an average power density based on a thickness of skin overlying the subcutaneous fat region, and to cause necrosis of at least one fat cell in the subcutaneous fat region. The non-fat selective wavelength is 950 nm to 1090 nm, 1100 nm to 1160 nm, 1,300 nm to 1625 nm, or 1,800 nm to 2,200 nm.