摘要:
System and methods for minimally invasive treatment of snoring are described. According to one system and method, laser energy is applied to tissue of a soft palate and/or uvula to create a pattern of multiple treatment spots in the tissue. According to another system and method, electromagnetic energy from a filament light source is impinged of soft palate and/or uvula tissue to achieve volumetric heating of the tissue. The systems and methods increase rigidity and/or reduce laxity of the tissue, and/or volumetrically reduce the tissue, thereby diminishing snoring.
摘要:
A hair removal device (22) includes a cooling surface (34) which is used to contact the skin (6) prior to exposure to hair tissue-damaging laser light (74) passing from a radiation source (36) through a recessed window (46). The window is laterally offset from the cooling surface and is spaced apart from the cooling surface in a direction away from the patient's skin to create a gap between the window and the skin. The window preferably includes both an inner window (46) and an outer, user-replaceable window (48). The laser-pulse duration is preferably selected according to the general diameter of the hair.
摘要:
A hair removal device (22) includes a cooling surface (34) which is used to contact the skin (6) prior to exposure to hair tissue-damaging laser light (74) passing from a radiation source (36) through a recessed window (46). The window is laterally offset from the cooling surface and is spaced apart from the cooling surface in a direction away from the patient's skin to create a gap between the window and the skin. The window preferably includes both an inner window (46) and an outer, user-replaceable window (48). The laser-pulse duration is preferably selected according to the general diameter of the hair.
摘要:
A pulsed solid state laser system is disclosed which utilizes a plurality of individual laser rods which are sequentially pumped and whose beans are combined into a single interleaved output bean. The individual laser rods are pumped at an average power level which is below that for maximum output power from each rod, thereby obviating the need for refrigeration cooling. A compact optical system is disclosed which permits a constant beam size even at different pump levels and other advantages. A compact cooling system is also disclosed.
摘要:
A method and device for preventing premature optics burn-out in a laser having a solid gain medium is provided. The invention involves preheating the gain medium by supplying power at a level which is sufficient to set up a thermal lens, yet insufficient to cause substantial production of laser light. In one approach, a simmer routine is overlaid on a ramp routine, so that the power supplied to the gain medium is gradually increased during the warm-up period.
摘要:
A radiation delivery module (8) includes a body (48) supportable on a patient's skin and defines a skin surface plane generally aligned with the patient's skin surface (40). A radiation source (22) is mounted to the body and produces a beam (34) of tissue-damaging radiation directed transverse to and at the skin surface plane. The radiation beam creates a radiation spot (42) having a length (36) and a width (44) at the skin surface plane, the length being at least about 5 to 10 times the width. A number of scanned diode laser radiation sub-sources (64) each directing a radiation beam component (66) at the radiation spot may be used. The radiation source may include a rod lens as a focusing optical element. The radiation delivery module may also include a radiation source translator (18) so that the radiation spot moves in a direction generally perpendicular to the length of the radiation spot.
摘要:
A hair removal device (22) includes a cooling surface (34) which is used to contact the skin (6) prior to exposure to hair tissue-damaging laser light (74) passing from a radiation source (36) through a recessed window (46). The window is laterally offset from the cooling surface and is spaced apart from the cooling surface in a direction away from the patient's skin to create a gap between the window and the skin. The window preferably includes both an inner window (46) and an outer, user-replaceable window (48). The laser-pulse duration is preferably selected according to the general diameter of the hair.
摘要:
A liquid circulation system for cooling a laser head is disclosed. The circulation system comprises a main storage tank for holding a cooling liquid and a pump for circulating the liquid from the tank through the laser head and back into the tank. The cooling system includes a heat exchanger for cooling the liquid. The heat exchanger includes liquid carrying coils and an impeller fan rotatable about an axis. The fan being located adjacent the coils for drawing air across the coils in an axial direction with respect to the fan and for expelling the air radially with respect to the fan.
摘要:
A coupler for conveniently coupling an articulated arm to a laser housing whereby the laser beam need not be realigned down the articulated arm each time the arm is coupled to the laser housing. The coupler includes a kinematic plate attached to the laser housing, a sleeve rotationally attached to the plate forming a center bore, and a connector attached to an articulated arm. The connector has a cylindrical shaped projecting member that inserts into the bore of the sleeve. Races are formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical member. The sleeve has roller bearings protruding inside the bore to engage the races. Ball bearings are attached to the end of the cylindrical member to engage the kinematic plate. The races are shaped such that when the sleeve is rotated, the cylindrical member is forced toward the kinematic plate until the ball bearings are secured against the kinematic plate. The ball bearings contacting the kinematic plate ensure that the connector is reattached each time with the exact same orientation relative to the kinematic plate and the laser housing. Therefore, no realignment of the beam into the input end of the articulated arm is required after each reattachment.
摘要:
A pulsed solid state laser system is disclosed which utilizes a plurality of individual laser rods which are sequentially pumped and whose beans are combined into a single interleaved output bean. The individual laser rods are pumped at an average power level which is below that for maximum output power from each rod, thereby obviating the need for refrigeration cooling. A compact optical system is disclosed which permits a constant beam size even at different pump levels and other advantages. A compact cooling system is also disclosed.