Dermatological laser treatment system with electronic visualization of the area being treated
US5653706A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 27, 1995 |
| Grant date | Aug 5, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 27, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/373
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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 ima…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.