Method and apparatus for skin rejuvination and wrinkle smoothing
US6387089B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 10, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 14, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N2005/0659
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for treating skin including applying pulsed light to the skin for heating and shrinking collagen within the skin, thereby reviving the elasticity of the collagen and of the skin. The epidermis and outer layers of the skin may be protected by cooling with a transparent substance, such as ice, gel or crystal.The temperature distribution within the skin is controlled by controlling the delay between the time the coolant is applied, and the time the light is applied, by controlling the pulse duration and applying multiple pulses, and by filtering the light and controlling the radiation spectrum. Preferably, the spectrum includes light having a wavelength in the range of 500-2000 nm. The pulsed light may be incoherent, such as that produced by a flashlamp, or coherent, such as that produced by a Nd(Yag) laser,an Alexandrite laser, a Diode laser, an Er:glass laser or a ruby laser, and may be directed to the skin using a flexible or rigid light guide.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.