Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for treatment, such as skin rejuvenation treatment, use non-uniform laser radiation. A high-intensity portion of the laser radiation causes collagen destruction and shrinkage within select portions of the treatment area, while a lower-intensity portion of the radiation causes fibroblast stimulation leading to collagen production across other portions of the treatment area. An output beam from a laser source, such as an Nd:YAG laser, is coupled into an optical system that modifies the beam to provide a large-diameter beam having a nonuniform energy profile, comprised of a plurality of high-intensity zones surrounded by lower-intensity zones within the treatment beam. The higher-intensity zones heat select portions of the target tissue to temperatures sufficient for a first treatment (e.g. collagen shrinkage), while the lower-intensity zones provide sufficient energy for a second treatment (e.g. stimulated collagen production). A large area of tissue, preferably 7-10 mm in diameter, can be treated simultaneously, while minimizing the risk of burning or other damage to the skin. In one embodiment, the invention uses a fiber bundle to provide a non-uniform energy output beam, hi another embodiment, the invention uses a diffractive lens array to produce the non-uniform output beam. A cooling system can also be integrated with the laser treatment system. A pulse light source can also be integrated with the laser treatment system in a combined skin rejuvenation therapy.
Abstract:
The present invention provides improved methods and apparatus for skin treatment and tissue remodeling. The apparatus includes an array of needles that penetrate the skin and serve as electrodes to deliver radio frequency current or other electrical or optical energy into the tissue being treated, causing thermal damage in controlled patterns. The damaged regions promote beneficial results such as uniform skin tightening by stimulation of wound healing and collagen growth.
Abstract:
An embodiment of the present invention is directed to methods and devices for treating diseases and conditions that change the special relationship between vertebral bodies and intervertebral disks. A method for performing a transpedicular discectomy procedure may include creating a transpedicular channel to a first vertebral body through a first pedicle of a first vertebra; inserting a flexible drill through the transpedicular channel causing the flexible drill to make an approximately 90 degree angle, the flexible drill creating a channel through the first vertebral body into an intervertebral disk; and removing a portion of the intervertebral disk with a laser device. A laser catheter device for use in ablation and removal of intervertebral disk material in a percuntaneous transpedicular approach may include an elongated tube comprising a first lumen and a second lumen, the first lumen comprising a fiber optics bundle and the second lumen for evacuation of ablated material; and a Holmium-YAG infrared laser or a laser diode for generating laser energy to the distal end through the elongated tube.
Abstract:
An multifocal apparatus for delivering an agent to and/or gathering information about a biological tissue. The apparatus includes a catheter (24) having a catheter lumen extending longitudinally at least partially therethrough and a deployment port within the distal portion of the catheter. A plurality of extendable-retractable needles (15) are housed within the catheter lumen and, when deployed, extend through the deployment port. A needle may be solid or hollow and may deliver an agent to the tissue, include a mechanism for gathering information about the tissue, or both.
Abstract:
An multifocal apparatus for delivering an agent to and/or gathering information about a biological tissue. The apparatus includes a catheter having a catheter lumen extending longitudinally at least partially therethrough and a deployment port within the distal portion of the catheter. A plurality of extendable-retractable needles are housed within the catheter lumen and, when deployed, extend through the deployment port. A needle may be solid or hollow and may deliver an agent to the tissue, include a mechanism for gathering information about the tissue, or both.
Abstract:
A fiber optic probe (110) is provided that includes a housing (160), at least one optical fiber (120) disposed within the housing, one end of each of the at least one optical fiber being disposed adjacent an opening in the housing forming a probe face, a binding agent (130) that binds the at least one optical fiber within the housing, and a protective coating (150) sealingly covering the probe face to prevent contaminants from contacting the at least one optical fiber. A method for protecting a fiber optic probe having a housing, at least one optical fiber being disposed adjacent an opening in the housing forming a probe face, and a binding agent that binds the at least one optical fiber within the housing, includes polishing the probe face to create a substantially flat probe face, cleaning the probe face after polishing the probe face and sealing the probe face with a protective coating.
Abstract:
Laser systems medical or cosmetic applications, comprising diode lasers or diode lasers with other solid state lasers which can deliver up to 30 cw or more, and which generally operate at more than wavelength within the range of 1000 to 1300 nm are presented. Individual emitter or emitter groups within the diode laser system can be powered independently. These laser systems provide maximum penetration depths for procedures such as Laser-induced Interstitial Tumor Therapy, alone or in conjunction with other therapies such as Photo-Dynamic Therapy, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Where beneficial for the procedure, the operating wavelength of the system can be changed without interruption. In some variants, active tissue cooling at the distal end of the delivery fibers is incorporated as well as individual feedback loops to control and stabilize the temperature induced in the tissue. To enhance thermal or photo effects and thereby increase efficiencies, absorbers can be administered and the laser system tuned to the specific absorption band of the absorber.
Abstract:
The invention encompasses methods and flexible apparatus for creating fluid flow 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 disrupting the surface of the occlusion with acoustic shock and pressure waves and/or by causing mechanical disruption of the occlusive material. Flexibility is improved with choice of materials and particular constructions.
Abstract:
A bundle of fibers is employed to concurrently produce a plurality of channels (14a-14c) through the myocardium of a heart and into its left ventricle wherein each fiber (2) receives laser energy in its proximate end, has its distal end placed against the myocardium, and pressed through it upon the application of laser energy into the fibers; the individual fibers are constrained to follow different paths through the myocardium. The different paths may be parallel (19a-19e) or divergent (16a-16e).
Abstract:
Multi-fiber laser probes utilize relative motion of fibers and other laser probe elements to preserve small-gauge compatibility while providing for multi-spot beam deliver, or to provide for the selectively delivery of single-spot or multi-spot beam patterns. An example probe includes fibers having distal ends that are movable as a group onto a distal ramp element affixed to a distal end of a cannula, so that the distal ends of the fibers can be moved between a retracted position, in which the distal ends of the fibers are within the cannula or ramp element, and an extended position, in which distal ends of the fibers are guided by grooves or channels of the ramp so as to extend at least partially through external openings in the distal end of the laser probe and so as to be pointed angularly away from a longitudinal axis of the cannula.