Laser surgical device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser treatment devices suffer from skin damage and pain due to thermal energy accumulation, and existing cooling methods, such as spray-type cooling, cause component wear and require practitioner expertise, leading to high maintenance costs and inconsistent results.
Innovation Solution
A laser treatment device with a cooling system that includes a sensing unit to measure skin temperature, a refrigerant condition control unit to adjust refrigerant temperature and flow, and a control module to precisely control cooling before, during, and after laser irradiation, preventing pressure spikes and skin damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If spray-type cooling is used to cool the skin during laser treatment, then skin damage and pain are reduced, but strong pressure from the sprayed refrigerant causes component wear and decreases durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the temperature and flow rate of the refrigerant as parameters to achieve effective cooling while preventing excessive pressure. The refrigerant temperature is maintained within a specific range (-10°C to 10°C) and flow rate is regulated to provide adequate cooling protection without causing damaging pressure spikes to internal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a temperature sensor that continuously monitors skin temperature and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the refrigerant flow rate and temperature in real-time based on this feedback, ensuring effective cooling while preventing excessive pressure that would damage components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If spray-type cooling is used during laser treatment, then skin damage is prevented, but the spraying process depends on practitioner experience leading to inconsistent results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a temperature sensor to continuously monitor skin temperature and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit automatically adjusts refrigerant parameters based on real-time temperature measurements, eliminating dependence on practitioner experience and ensuring consistent cooling results.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-regulation by automatically adjusting refrigerant flow and temperature based on sensor feedback, without requiring manual intervention or practitioner expertise. The control unit autonomously maintains optimal cooling conditions throughout the laser treatment process.
3Productivity
If high energy laser is output in very short time for skin treatment, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but thermal energy accumulates causing skin damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent activates the cooling system before laser irradiation begins and maintains it throughout the treatment. The refrigerant is supplied in advance to establish a cooling baseline, and the system continues operating during laser exposure to prevent thermal energy accumulation before damage can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system operates continuously throughout the entire laser treatment process, from before irradiation begins to after it ends. This continuous cooling action ensures that thermal energy is constantly dissipated, preventing accumulation and skin damage while allowing effective high-energy laser treatment.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If refrigerant flow rate is increased to improve cooling effect, then skin protection is enhanced, but sudden pressure rise occurs during spraying
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives real-time feedback from the temperature sensor and adjusts refrigerant flow rate accordingly. When skin temperature indicates sufficient cooling, the system reduces flow to prevent pressure spikes. When cooling is insufficient, it increases flow within safe pressure limits, balancing protection with pressure stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent regulates refrigerant parameters including flow rate and temperature to achieve effective cooling without excessive pressure. By controlling the refrigerant within specific parameter ranges, the system provides adequate skin protection while preventing sudden pressure rises that would damage components.
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 minimizes skin damage and pain by precisely controlling refrigerant temperature and flow, reducing component wear and maintenance costs, and enabling adaptable cooling for various treatment types.
Implementation Method 1
spraying a refrigerant on the skin surface... cooling the skin surface before, during, and/or after the skin surface is irradiated with the laser
Implementation Method 2
spraying a refrigerant on the skin surface... cooling the skin surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Proposed is a laser treatment device having a cooling system, the device including a laser module which irradiates a patient's skin with a laser, a sensing unit which detects a temperature of a surface of the patient's skin before, during, or after the skin is heated by the laser, a cooling module which includes an inlet which receives a refrigerant from a refrigerant storage unit, a nozzle which sprays the refrigerant on the skin, a conduit which connects the inlet with the nozzle, an flow rate control unit which controls a spray amount of the refrigerant by using a valve which is positioned on the conduit and connects or disconnects the inlet with or from the nozzle, and a refrigerant condition control unit which applies a thermal energy to the refrigerant by using a thermoelectric element located between the flow rate control unit and the nozzle.