Fractional Skin Resurfacing Using Ablative and Non-Ablative Pulse Sequences
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current fractional skin resurfacing methods face challenges in balancing healing time and cosmetic effectiveness, as higher areal fractions result in more significant rejuvenation but longer healing times, while lower fractions lead to faster healing but reduced cosmetic benefits.
Innovation Solution
The method involves forming small ablated holes in the skin and subsequently directing specific sequences of electromagnetic radiation pulses, including highly ablative, mildly ablative, and non-ablative pulses, to generate coagulation and tissue removal without significantly increasing hole depth or width, using lasers like CO2, Er:YAG, or Er:YSGG, to facilitate faster healing and enhanced rejuvenation effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If higher areal fractions of skin surface are treated with thermal damage, then cosmetic rejuvenation effects are improved, but healing time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment process is segmented into multiple distinct phases: an initial ablative pulse creates holes in the skin, followed by subsequent non-ablative or mildly ablative pulses that deliver thermal energy to surrounding tissue without significant additional ablation. This segmentation allows different portions of energy to serve different purposes - structural modification versus thermal coagulation - thereby achieving enhanced rejuvenation effects while limiting the total area of severe thermal damage that would require extended healing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by varying the energy delivery characteristics across different pulse sequences. The initial pulse uses high energy density for ablation, while subsequent pulses use lower energy densities optimized for thermal coagulation without vaporization. By adjusting pulse duration, energy per pulse, and temporal spacing between pulses, the system achieves a balance between creating sufficient thermal damage for cosmetic improvement and maintaining healing times within acceptable limits.
2Reliability
If multiple sequences of electromagnetic radiation pulses are applied to the same location, then tissue rejuvenation and skin tightening are enhanced, but the complexity of the treatment process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic radiation source is designed with multi-functionality, capable of delivering multiple types of pulses (ablative, non-ablative, mildly ablative) using the same fundamental technology platform. Rather than requiring separate devices for different treatment phases, a single laser or electromagnetic radiation system can be configured to deliver various pulse parameters, thereby achieving enhanced rejuvenation effects while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate treatment devices or procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment employs periodic action through sequences of pulses delivered at specific time intervals. The periodic delivery of ablative and non-ablative pulses in alternating or sequential patterns allows thermal energy to accumulate in the tissue between pulses, enhancing coagulation effects without requiring proportionally higher energy delivery. This periodic approach simplifies the treatment protocol compared to continuous high-energy delivery while achieving superior cosmetic results.
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
This approach reduces healing times while maintaining or exceeding the rejuvenation effects of single ablative pulses, by alternately forming and removing coagulated tissue within the holes, thereby enhancing tissue rejuvenation and skin tightening without deepening the hole dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
Ablation can occur when the RMR is of sufriciently high intensity, sufficiently absorbed by the tissue, and applied in a sufficiently short time to vaporize a portion of the tissue, which can lead to formation of holes in the tissue
Implementation Method 2
Ablation can occur when the RMR is of sufriciently high intensity, sufficiently absorbed by the tissue
Implementation Method 3
Thermal damage in tissue can also be produced by EMR having a lower intensity and or longer pulse durations, such that the energy absorbed by the irradiated tissue is heated but not vaporized. Such milder thermal damage can 'cook' the tissue, e.g., coagulate tissue and/or denature proteins such as collagen
Implementation Method 4
In dermatological applications, EMR generated by a laser is often provided in a form of one or more pulses
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3
AI summary
Exemplary methods and devices can be provided for fractional resurfacing of skin that include formation of a plurality of small holes, e.g., having widths less than about 1 mm or 0.5 mm, using one or more pulses of ablative electromagnetic radiation (EMR), e.g., optical energy. One or more pulses of substantially non-ablative can then be directed into the ablated holes to coagulate tissue therein, followed by at least one further ablative pulse of EMR to ablate and remove some of the coagulated tissue. Optionally, one or more further pulses of non-ablative EMR can then be directed into the hole to reduce the hole depth. Such procedures and device can provide reduced healing times and/or enhanced rejuvenation effects.