Handheld photoepilation device and method

Abstract

A laser tissue treatment device capable of being handheld, the device comprising a semiconductor diode or diode array laser which emits energy and a device for surface cooling of tissue such that the energy is directed through said cooling device in contact with tissue. The diode laser operates at wavelengths between about 630 nm and 980 nm, and delivers a predetermined amount of energy in a predetermined period of time and having a predetermined spot size. The device utilizes one or more microlenses or microlens arrays to collimate the diode laser energy. Optionally, the device utilizes a deflecting optic for deflecting the diode laser energy through the cooling device which is in contact with tissue in which the deflecting optic is visually transparent such that the operator can see the tissue treatment area. A cooling device such as a sapphire plate or other active or passive cooling means is used to cool the tissue. A method for treatment of tissue, including hair removal, with a handheld device comprises generating laser energy from a semiconductor diode laser, directing the energy through a cooling device in contact with tissue, and treating tissue with the laser energy.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.