Dermatological laser treatment system with electronic visualization of the area being treated
First Claim
1. A method for coagulation of vessels in dermal tissue comprising the steps of:
- scanning said tissue with a single laser beam at a wavelength from 700 to 1300 nanometers which propagates through optics to select locations of at least one of said vessels in said tissue;
stopping said laser beam at each of said locations while said scanning step is carried out;
focusing said laser beam through said optics to form a spot to cause coagulation of said vessel at each of said locations while said stopping step is carried out; and
visualizing said laser beam while said scanning step is carried out.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hand held microsurgical instrument for applying laser energy to selected locations (sites) in an area under the skin (or other exposed translucent tissue) to provide localized photothermolysis of underlying tissue at these sites, is described. The laser energy is focused into a spot within the tissue. This spot is of sufficiently small size so that the energy density is sufficient to provide surgical or treatment effects within the tissue without damaging the surface tissue. In dermatology, for example, the technique can be used to destroy endothelial cells in blood vessels which are desired to be removed, such spider veins (nevi) in the skin, hair follicles to prevent hair growth therefrom, or other microsurgical procedures. The area is visualized while the laser beam is steered, using a deflection system, in X and Y coordinates. A telecentric optical system, in which a mirror of the deflection system is located, directs the laser light essentially perpendicular to the area to be treated as the beam is scanned over the area. The optical system also focuses illumination light reflected from the area to a sensor matrix of a CCD video camera. The reflected illumination light is imaged essentially parallel to the optical axis in the object space thereby providing a precise, high resolution image corresponding to the area. The laser beam may be tracked as it is deflected over the area to the selected locations by visualization thereof on a display or monitor associated with the video camera. The locations are then apparent to the treating physician who can then effect an increase of the beam power or turn the beam on so as to treat the tissue in the selected locations.
143 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for coagulation of vessels in dermal tissue comprising the steps of:
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scanning said tissue with a single laser beam at a wavelength from 700 to 1300 nanometers which propagates through optics to select locations of at least one of said vessels in said tissue; stopping said laser beam at each of said locations while said scanning step is carried out; focusing said laser beam through said optics to form a spot to cause coagulation of said vessel at each of said locations while said stopping step is carried out; and visualizing said laser beam while said scanning step is carried out. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for microsurgery in translucent tissue by thermolysis of internal lesions with a laser beam which comprises the steps of:
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projecting said beam at a wavelength from 700 to 1300 nanometers with energy density less than sufficient to cause thermolysis of said tissue to locate a plurality of locations in an area where treatment is carried out;
visualizing said area with a solid-state electronic camera which receives light reflected from said area to track said beam while said projecting step is carried out;stopping said beam at each of said locations; and focusing said beam to form a spot of sufficiently small cross-section to cause localized thermolysis of the lesion at said locations in said area; enabling said laser beam while it is stopped at said locations to radiate said focused spot at said locations with energy density sufficient to cause thermolysis of tissue at said locations. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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- 11. A method for microsurgery in translucent tissue by thermolysis of internal lesions with a laser beam which comprises the steps of projecting a single laser beam at a wavelength from 700 to 1300 nanometers with energy density less than sufficient to cause thermolysis of said tissue to locate a plurality of locations in an area where treatment is carried out, visualizing said area to track said beam while said projecting step is carried out, stopping said beam at each of said locations, focusing said beam to form a spot of sufficiently small cross-section to cause localized thermolysis of the lesion at said locations in said area, and enabling said laser beam while it is stopped at said locations to radiate said focused spot at said locations with energy density sufficient to cause thermolysis of tissue at said locations.
Specification