摘要:
The invention features a probe for selectively delivering laser radiation to a first tissue having a first index of refraction relative to a second tissue having a second index of refraction less than the first index. The probe includes a laser transmitting medium having an optical axis and a tissue-contacting surface. In some embodiments, the optical axis contacts the tissue-contacting surface at an angle that is less than the critical angle for an interface between the tissue-contacting surface and the first tissue and greater than or equal to the critical angle for an interface between the tissue-contacting surface and the second tissue, wherein during operation the probe directs the laser radiation along the optical axis to the tissue-contacting surface. In other embodiments, the optical axis forms an angle with the tissue-contacting surface, and during operation the probe directs the laser radiation along the optical axis to the tissue-contacting surface, transmits a first amount of laser energy through the tissue-contacting surface when contacting the first tissue, and transmits a second amount of laser energy through the tissue-contacting surface when contacting the second tissue, wherein the angle is selected such that the first amount of laser energy is at least twice the second amount of laser energy. The invention also features related methods for selectively delivering laser radiation to tissue based on refractive index.
摘要:
A confocal microscope for generating an image of a sample includes a first scanning element for scanning a light beam along a first axis, and a second scanning element for scanning the light beam at a predetermined amplitude along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. A third scanning element scans the light beam at a predetermined amplitude along a third axis perpendicular to an imaging plane defined by the first and second axes. The second and third scanning element are synchronized to scan at the same frequency. The second and third predetermined amplitudes are percentages of their maximum amplitudes. A selector determines the second and third predetermined amplitudes such that the sum of the percentages is equal to one-hundred percent.
摘要:
A method of permanently joining a first collagen-containing material to a second collagen-containing material, each material having free ends of collagen fibrils at a surface, by bringing the free ends of collagen fibrils at the surfaces of the first and second materials into contact, heating the first and second materials for a time and to a temperature sufficient to permanently join the first and second materials at an area of contact of the free ends, wherein the temperature is above a melting temperature of the collagen fibril free ends, and below a melting temperature of intact collagen fibrils, such that collagen fibrils in the first and second materials are not denatured except at their free ends, and optionally thereafter crosslinking the collagen along the area of contact.
摘要:
An apparatus and method is disclosed for treating vascular lesions. In the preferred embodiment, an intracavity, frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser is used to generate output pulses having a duration of 0.5 to 10.0 milliseconds. This laser output is used to irradiate the lesions. The laser energy is absorbed in the blood of the vein, causing it to coagulate and collapse. The long pulse duration helps to minimize bleeding while controlling thermal damage to surrounding tissue.
摘要:
An apparatus and method is disclosed for treating vascular lesions. In the preferred embodiment, an intracavity, frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser is used to generate output pulses having a duration of 0.5 to 10.0 milliseconds. This laser output is used to irradiate the lesions. The laser energy is absorbed in the blood of the vein, causing it to coagulate and collapse. The long pulse duration helps to minimize bleeding while controlling thermal damage to surrounding tissue.
摘要:
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.
摘要:
Methods and apparatus for dermatology treatment are provided which involve the use of continuous wave (CW) radiation, preheating of the treatment volume, precooling, cooling during treatment and post-treatment cooling of the epidermis above the treatment volume, various beam focusing techniques to reduce scattering and/or other techniques for reducing the cost and/or increasing the efficacy of optical radiation for use in hair removal and other dermatological treatments. A number of embodiments are included for achieving the various objectives indicated above.
摘要:
Methods and apparatus for dermatology treatment are provided which involve the use of continuous wave (CW) radiation, preheating of the treatment volume, precooling, cooling during treatment and post-treatment cooling of the epidermis above the treatment volume, various beam focusing techniques to reduce scattering and/or other techniques for reducing the cost and/or increasing the efficacy of optical radiation for use in hair removal and other dermatological treatments. A number of embodiments are included for achieving the various objectives indicated above.
摘要:
The invention encompasses methods and apparatus for pumping fluid from one location to another through the repetitive expansion and collapse of bubbles generated as a result of the absorption of repetitive pulses of radiation in a fluid. This pumping phenomenon can be used to aid removal of a total or partial occlusion in a body passage by emulsifying the occlusion with acoustic shock and pressure waves or by causing mechanically disrupting the occlusive material.
摘要:
A method for treating wrinkles in skin involves the use of a beam of pulsed, scanned or gated continuous wave laser or incoherent radiation. The method comprises generating a beam of radiation, directing the beam of radiation to a targeted dermal region between 100 microns and 1.2 millimeters below a wrinkle in the skin, and thermally injuring collagen in the targeted dermal region. The beam of radiation has a wavelength of between 1.3 and 1.8 microns. The method may include cooling an area of the skin above the targeted dermal region while partially denaturing the collagen in the targeted dermal region. The method may also include cooling an area of the skin above the targeted dermal region prior to thermally injuring collagen in the targeted dermal region.