Ring-Profile EMR Feedback Detection for Dermal Treatment Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy-based fractionated treatments for skin rejuvenation cause significant damage to the epidermis, leading to inflammation, blemishes, and prolonged post-treatment downtime, as they lack a chromophore specific to the dermis and struggle with radiation scattering and focal region positioning.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an EMR source with a transverse ring energy profile, converging optics, and a window assembly with a coolant chamber to minimize epidermal damage, featuring a coolant that is non-absorbent to EMR, and controlled cooling to ensure focal regions are accurately positioned in the dermis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high energy density is delivered to the dermis layer to achieve desired disruption, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but epidermal damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The epidermis is cooled before EMR delivery using a cooling device that applies to the treatment area, preparing the tissue to withstand the subsequent thermal effects and preventing epidermal damage while allowing dermal treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The EMR beam is focused to create a focal region specifically within the dermis layer, concentrating energy where needed while the cooling device protects the epidermis, achieving localized selective treatment
2Measurement precision
If EMR wavelength is selected to absorb within the dermis, then treatment precision is improved, but epidermal absorption also increases
Solution Approach 1:
Cooling the epidermis before EMR delivery compensates for the unwanted energy absorption in the epidermis, allowing use of wavelengths that effectively treat the dermis while protecting the epidermis from damage
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls EMR parameters including wavelength selection and pulse duration to optimize dermal absorption while the cooling device manages epidermal temperature to prevent damage from necessary epidermal energy absorption
3Manufacturing precision
If EMR beam is focused to a focal region in the dermis, then treatment accuracy is improved, but radiation scattering in skin tissue complicates focal region formation
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensors detect temperature changes in the tissue and provide feedback to the controller, which adjusts EMR beam parameters to maintain accurate focal region positioning despite scattering effects in the turbid skin medium
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
Minimizes epidermal damage while effectively treating the dermis, reducing post-treatment downtime and improving skin rejuvenation outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
Many skin rejuvenation fractionated treatment systems work by targeting water as a chromophore achieving photothermolysis
Implementation Method 2
Energy-based fractionated treatment of tissue generally requires that a high amount of energy be delivered to and absorbed by a selective portion of tissue
Implementation Method 3
a window assembly located down-beam from the optic configured to cool the tissue when placed in contact with an outer surface of the tissue
Implementation Method 4
The window assembly includes: a first window, a second window separated from the first window; and, a coolant chamber located between the first window and the second window
Implementation Method 5
an optic configured to converge the EMR beam to a focal region located within a tissue
Implementation Method 6
an optic configured to converge the EMR beam to a focal region located within a tissue
Implementation Method 7
skin tissue is a turbid medium, meaning that radiation propagating through skin scatters
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments, a system for fractionally treating tissue includes: an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) source configured to generate an EMR beam having a transverse ring energy profile; an optic configured to converge the EMR beam to a focal region located within a tissue; and, a window assembly located down-beam from the optic configured to cool the tissue when placed in contact with an outer surface of the tissue.