VCSEL Array Beam Profile Control for Uniform Dermatological Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current laser-based dermatological treatment devices, particularly those using edge-emitting diode lasers, face limitations in controlling beam profiles and achieving uniform treatment coverage, leading to inefficiencies in fractional treatments where only a fraction of the skin area is irradiated, resulting in untreated regions between treated areas.

Innovation Solution

The use of Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) with multiple emitter zones allows for precise control of the treatment beam profile and simultaneous generation of multiple spaced-apart micro thermal zones without moving scanners, enabling efficient fractional treatments and large area coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If edge-emitting diode lasers are used, then laser-based treatment can be provided, but beam profile control is limited and treatment coverage is non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam profile controlVSAvoidtreatment coverage uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The VCSEL array is divided into multiple independently controllable emitter zones that can be selectively activated to create uniform treatment patterns across the skin surface, eliminating the beam profile control limitations of single-edge-emitting lasers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each VCSEL emitter in the array can be independently controlled to deliver precise local treatment zones, allowing different regions of the treatment area to receive optimized laser parameters for uniform overall coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If fractional treatment is applied with spaced-apart radiated areas, then selective skin rejuvenation is achieved, but untreated regions remain between treated areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefractional treatment capabilityVSAvoidtreatment coverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The VCSEL array provides two-dimensional spatial control of treatment zones, allowing fractional treatment patterns to be precisely configured in both horizontal and vertical dimensions to maximize coverage while maintaining the fractional treatment effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If complex optics are used to control beam parameters, then treatment precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment precisionVSAvoidoptics complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical optical systems with an electronically controlled VCSEL array, where beam parameters are adjusted through electrical control of individual emitters rather than through complex optical elements and mechanical adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Area of stationary object

If multiple VCSEL emitter zones are used to increase treatment coverage, then treatment area is expanded, but power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment coverage areaVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The VCSEL array allows selective activation of only the necessary emitter zones for each treatment area, avoiding the need to activate all emitters simultaneously and thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining expanded treatment coverage capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

VCSELs provide enhanced control over treatment areas, increasing treatment coverage rates and reducing the need for complex optics, resulting in more effective and efficient dermatological treatments with improved uniformity and reduced power requirements.

Implementation Method 1

delivering laser radiation to an area of tissue on a person's body, e.g., the skin or internal tissue, to treat the tissue in a photochemical, photobiological, thermal, or other manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotothermal conversion: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS8961578B2Dermatological treatment device with one or more vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSEL)

Publication Date: 2015.02.24 AESTHETE HOLDING CORP

AI summary

A device for providing laser-based dermatological treatments may include a device body having an application end, a VCSEL laser supported in the device body and including multiple emitter zones, each emitter zone comprising one or more micro-emitters, each micro-emitter configured to emit a micro-beam, wherein at least two of the multiple emitter zones are configured such that the micro-beam emitted by the micro-emitters of the at least two emitter zones form a combined beam through the application end of the device to provide a treatment spot on the skin, and electronics coupled to the at least two emitter zones and configured to control the at least two emitter zones independently.