A method and apparatus are provided for performing a therapeutic treatment on a patient's skin by concentrating applied radiation of at least one selected wavelength at a plurality of selected, three-dimensionally located, treatment portions, which treatment portions are within non-treatment portions. The ratio of treatment portions to the total volume may vary from 0.1% to 90%, but is preferably less than 50%. Various techniques, including wavelength, may be utilized to control the depth to which radiation is concentrated and suitable optical systems may be provided to concentrate applied radiation in parallel or in series for selected combinations of one or more treatment portions.

Method and apparatus for emr treatment

A method, and apparatus are provided for targeting lipid rich tissue to effect a desired method/apparatus involving irradiating the lipid rich tissue (16) with energy at a wavelength preferentially absorbed by lipid cells, such wavelength being preferably in a band between 880 nm to 935 nm, 1150 nm to 1230 nm, 1690 nm to 1780 nm, or 2250 nm to 2450 nm with a fluency, and duration sufficient to achieve a desired treatment. For preferred embodiments the irradiation wavelength is between 900 nm to 930 nm, 1190 nm to 1220 nm, 1700 nm to 1730 nm, or 2280 nm to 2350 nm. The method, and apparatus may for example be used to target one or more sebaceous glands (22) for the treatment of acne or hair removal to target subcutaneous fat for removal thereof, or for targeting fat on an anatomical elements for various purposes.

Method and apparatus for the selective targeting of lipid-rich tissues

Photocosmetic device for use in medical or non-medical environments (e.g., a home, barbershop, or spa), which can be used for a variety of tissue treatments. Radiation is delivered to the tissue via optical systems designed to pattern the radiation and project the radiation to a particular depth. The device has a variety of cooling systems including phase change cooling solids and liquids to cool treated skin and the radiation sources. Contact sensors and motion sensor may be used to enhance treatment. The device may be modular to facilitate manufacture and replacement of parts.

Cooling system for a photo cosmetic device

A light energy delivery head is provided which, in one aspect, mounts laser diode bars or other light energy emitters in a heat sink block which is adapted to cool both the emitters and a surface of a medium with which the head is in contact and to which it is applying light energy. In another aspect, various retroreflection configurations are provided which optimize retroreflection of back-scattered light energy from the medium. The size of the aperture through which light energy is applied to the medium is also controlled so as to provide a desired amplification coefficient as a result of retroreflection.

Light energy delivery head

A method and apparatus for simultaneously effecting the removal of multiple hairs from a skin region by using light energy to destroy hair follicles in the region. Light energy is applied to the region through an applicator which converges the light energy to enhance destruction of desired portions of the follicles, is preferably pressed against the skin region to deform the upper layers of the skin reducing the distance from the skin surface to portions of hair follicles which are to be destroyed, including the bulge and papilla of the follicles, and which applicator is preferably cooled to minimize or eliminate thermal damage to the epidermis in the region being irradiated. Parameters for the irradiation, including pulse duration, are selected to effect complete damage of desired portions of the hair follicles in the region with minimal damage to surrounding tissue and to the patient's epidermis.

Hair removal using optical pulses

SURGICAL tattoo removal is generally unsatisfactory. 1 Total excision or partial excision in stages usually leaves a noticeable, wide scar. Complete excision and skin grafting not only scar the site of the tattoo but the skin graft donor site as well. Many patients accept the surgical treatment for tattoos only because the social stigma of the tattoo is of greater hindrance than the scarring. The laser is uniquely adapted for this surgical problem. Emitting a brief (8 to 10 nanosecond (nsec) Q-pulsed; 1.8 msec long pulse) narrow band (6,943 Angstroms) of high energy light (100 megawatt), the ruby laser beam, as any light, is absorbed more by dark substances than by light substances. A large amount of laser energy is delivered accurately to the target area and one is able to capitalize on the differential uptake of light energy by dark versus light materials. It can be done without

Richard Honey

Papers

The Effect of Q-Switched Ruby Laser Radiation on Dermal Tattoo Pigment in Man