Method and apparatus for treating a surface with a scanning laser beam having an improved intensity cross-section
US5786924A · kind A · utility
15Cited by
6References
16Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 12, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 28, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 12, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S359/90
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for laser treatment of surfaces, such as tissue. In a preferred embodiment, the invention employs a unique reflective optical delivery system which produces an improved beam intensity cross-section which reduces thermal injury, increases the precision of the tissue interaction and allows the creation of craters with decreased sizes. Reflective optics provide precise, single-layer vaporization at low power levels without thermal injury to the underlying papillary dermis. Movable optical elements focus and direct the laser beam in a scanning pattern to treat a large area of the surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.