Removal of stratum corneum by means of light
US6245060A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 27, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 12, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2037/0007
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for increasing the permeability of the stratum corneum by means of a source of light, preferably a laser, more preferably a pulsed laser. By increasing the permeability of the stratum corneum, access to the interstitial fluid is achieved, thereby enabling measurement of analytes in the interstitial fluid. In one aspect, the method comprises the steps of: PA1 (a) providing a source of light having a wavelength of from about 930 nm to about 1040 nm; and PA1 (b) exposing a region of the stratum corneum of the patient to said source of light for a period of time sufficient to form an opening in the stratum corneum. Preferably, exposure of the region of the stratum corneum to the source of light is ceased when an amount of interstitial fluid fills the opening in the stratum corneum, which amount is sufficient to cause the scatter intensity of the light reflected from the surface of the interstitial fluid occupying the opening in the stratum corneum to differ from the scatter intensity of the light reflected from a region of the stratum corneum that is substantially free of interstitial fluid. The invention also involves an apparatus for carrying out the foregoing method.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.