Method of laser-induced tissue necrosis in carotenoid-containing skin structures
First Claim
1. A method for treating dermatological organ disorders and skin lesions in a mammal which method comprises:
- a) identifying an area of skin within a region of mammalian skin, which area is characterized by cells of increased carotenoid compound concentration compared to the region of mammalian skin;
b) directing a pulsed laser light beam at said area of skin; and
c) exposing the said area of skin to said pulsed laser light beam of selected pulse duration and a wavelength of laser light between about 425 and 550 nanometers, and wherein the pulsed laser light beam contains radiant energy of between about 0.10 joules per square centimeter and 10 joules per square centimeter to cause thermal coagulation necrosis within the said cells of said area of skin and thereby to treat the dermatological organ disorder and skin lesion within said area of skin.
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Abstract
A method for treating dermatological organ disorders and skin lesions in a mammal through the use of directed, pulsed laser light is described.
The dermatological disorders are characterized by an increase in concentration of potential photodynamic chemical compounds like carotenoid compounds, and especially the carotenoid beta-carotene, compared to normal skin. Pulsed dye laser light of a time and duration specific for maximal absorption by a carotenoid compound like beta-carotene is directed at the regions of carotenoid accumulation within a skin disorder. Thermal coagulation necrosis of the carotenoid-accumulating skin region results, though thermal damage to surrounding tissue is limited in amount.
242 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for treating dermatological organ disorders and skin lesions in a mammal which method comprises:
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a) identifying an area of skin within a region of mammalian skin, which area is characterized by cells of increased carotenoid compound concentration compared to the region of mammalian skin; b) directing a pulsed laser light beam at said area of skin; and c) exposing the said area of skin to said pulsed laser light beam of selected pulse duration and a wavelength of laser light between about 425 and 550 nanometers, and wherein the pulsed laser light beam contains radiant energy of between about 0.10 joules per square centimeter and 10 joules per square centimeter to cause thermal coagulation necrosis within the said cells of said area of skin and thereby to treat the dermatological organ disorder and skin lesion within said area of skin. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for treating dermatological skin disorders in a mammal which method comprises:
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a) identifying an area of skin within a region of mammalian skin, which area is characterized by a concentration of a beta-carotene compound; b) increasing the concentration of the beta-carotene compound within said area of skin by administration of a pharmaceutically-acceptable form of said carotene compound to the mammal; c) directing a beam of pulsed laser light radiation having an energy of between about 0.10 and 10 joules per square centimeter and a wavelength of about 504 nanometers from a pulsed dye laser at said area of skin; and d) exposing said area of skin to the beam of pulsed laser light radiation for a sufficient period of time to cause thermal coagulation necrosis within the area of skin and thereby to treat the skin disorder.
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