Method of laser cosmetic surgery

• US 5,370,642 A
• Filed: 08/02/1993
• Issued: 12/06/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gregory S. Keller
• Original Assignee: Gregory S. Keller
• Inventors: Keller, Gregory S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Randall L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JONES, MARYBETH O
• Application Number:
  US08/102,851
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 606/9, 606/10, 606/15, 606/16, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/22 the beam being directed along or through a flexible conduit, e.g. an optical fibre; Couplings or hand-pieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00761 Removing layer of skin tissue, e.g. wrinkles, scars or cancerous tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0047 Upper parts of the skin, e.g. skin peeling or treatment of wrinkles

Abstract

Laser surgery is utilized to perform cosmetic surgery. A quartz fiber is used to direct the laser energy to the target area for the incision, division or resection of tissue. An endoscope may be utilized in conjunction with the quartz fiber to perform the cosmetic surgical techniques. One application utilizes laser energy to eliminate glabellar frown lines and/or forehead wrinkles. Another application employs laser energy to rectify brow descent. A further application uses laser energy to perform a neck lift. In yet another application, laser energy is utilized to reduce nasolabial folds. The use of laser energy in cosmetic surgical procedures greatly reduces the size of the incision required in the skin to perform cosmetic surgical procedures, and as a result greatly reduces the risks of potential complications.

Claims

1. A method of cosmetic surgery for the treatment of frown lines and forehead wrinkles comprising:

marking on the skin the supraorbital and supratrochlear formen and nerve courses;

performing at least one small incision in the skin near the hair line for inserting a laser transmitting means beneath the skin;

inserting a laser transmitting means beneath the skin;

a

directing the laser energy from the laser transmitting means to;

separate the fusion layer of fascia either above the periosteum,

divide and/or resect the corrugator and procerus muscles, and wherein the method further includes

divide the frontalis muscle with the laser-transmitting means; and

closing the incision.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the laser-transmitting means comprises a quartz fiber.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the quartz fiber has a diameter between 300 and 700 microns and a 100 to 250 micron tip.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the quartz fiber has a 400 micron diameter and a 100 micron tip.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the laser energy is characterized by a wavelength between 532 to 1060 nm.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the laser transmitting means is an endolaser comprising an endoscope with a channel containing a laser transmitting quartz fiber.