Fractional Pulsed Laser Scanning to Minimize PIH in Skin Treatment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser-based dermatological treatments, particularly for darker skin types, face significant challenges due to the high risk of Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH), and existing non-laser methods like micro-needle rollers pose health risks and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A radiation-based dermatological treatment device utilizing a laser system that emits energy at a wavelength of 2,940 nm, which efficiently ablates human tissue with minimal thermal injury, creating controlled thermal and mechanical injuries to treat skin without causing PIH, and includes a scanner system for precise beam delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional laser treatments are used on darker skin types, then skin rejuvenation is achieved, but the risk of Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The laser beam is divided into multiple sub-beams that are spatially separated and delivered to different locations on the skin simultaneously or sequentially. This segmentation allows treatment of darker skin types by distributing energy across multiple focal points, reducing concentrated thermal damage that causes PIH while maintaining effective treatment coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the laser beam are assigned different properties - some regions deliver higher energy for effective treatment, while other regions deliver lower energy or cooling to minimize thermal damage. This local quality variation enables safe treatment of darker skin by creating a gradient of energy delivery that protects vulnerable areas while treating problem areas.
2Reliability
If micro-needle rollers are used for skin treatment, then skin rejuvenation is achieved, but health risks and treatment inefficiencies occur
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical micro-needle roller system is replaced with an optical laser-based system. The laser delivers energy through light rather than mechanical contact, eliminating risks associated with needle insertion (infection, trauma) while maintaining skin rejuvenation benefits. This substitution also dramatically improves treatment efficiency through automated beam delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser system delivers energy in periodic pulses rather than continuous exposure. This pulsed delivery allows tissue cooling between pulses, prevents excessive heat accumulation, and enables treatment of larger areas through rapid sequential pulsing, thereby improving both safety and productivity compared to mechanical methods.
3Productivity
If laser beam energy is increased for effective skin treatment, then treatment efficacy is improved, but thermal damage to surrounding tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The high-energy laser beam is segmented into multiple lower-energy sub-beams that are delivered to different locations. Each sub-beam delivers sufficient energy for effective treatment at its focal point, but the distributed delivery prevents excessive heat accumulation in any single area, reducing thermal damage to surrounding tissue while maintaining overall treatment efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser operates in periodic pulse mode with controlled duty cycles. Energy is delivered in short bursts followed by cooling intervals, allowing heat dissipation between pulses. This periodic action enables higher peak energies for effective treatment while preventing sustained thermal damage that would occur with continuous high-power delivery.
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 device effectively treats skin with minimal thermal damage, reducing the risk of PIH and other complications, enabling safe and effective skin rejuvenation for all skin types, including darker skin types, while minimizing unwanted side effects.
Implementation Method 1
Aesthetic laser apparatus for performing treatment by irradiating a human skin to be treated by a variable pulsed laser beam
Implementation Method 2
emit plurality of treatment pulses... efficiently ablates human tissue with minimal thermal injury
Implementation Method 3
automated scanning system for scanning a beam to multiple locations on the skin
Implementation Method 4
create controlled thermal and mechanical injuries to treat skin... creating controlled thermal injury that will enhance the healing results
Implementation Method 5
efficiently ablates human tissue... create controlled thermal and mechanical injuries
Data Source
AI summary
An aesthetic laser apparatus for performing treatment by irradiating a human skin to be treated by a variable pulsed laser beam is disclosed. This apparatus includes a laser source which emits variable waveform output of treatment laser beam pulses; a flexible beam delivery for delivering the treatment laser beam emitted from the laser source, the flexible beam delivery includes at the distal end automated optical scanner comprising of 2 moving mirrors; and a surgical instrument is connected to an end of the scanner and used for irradiating the treatment laser beam delivered therein to the treatment human skin. By having the ability to vary the laser's output pulse frequency, pulse width, and pulse energy, multiple tissue effects can be achieved using one laser surgical apparatus.