Selective photothermolysis
AssigneeRadiancy Inc.
InventorsZion Azar, Pinchas Shalev
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Performing selective photothermolysis of sub-cutaneous tissue by using a plurality of beams of narrow band electro-magnetic radiation, where each of the beams have energy that is insufficient to heat the tissue that they strike to a temperature high enough to destroy such tissue, but by directing the individual beams to overlap at the target sufficient heat is generated to destroy the target tissue.
Claims45
Apparatus for selective photothermolysis of sub-cutaneous target tissue, the apparatus comprising:
- at least one source providing a plurality of beams of narrow band electromagnetic radiation;
- a beam director that directs said beams to exit the apparatus, each of said beams exiting the apparatus at a different angle;
- and
- a controller adapted to adjust the at least one source and the means for directing such that each of the beams, has an energy that is insufficient to heat tissue upon which it falls to a temperature high enough for tissue damage, said plurality of beams due to overlapping thereof being capable of causing the target area to heat sufficiently to destroy the target tissue,
- wherein an exit of the apparatus, through which said beams pass is adapted to be placed against the skin of a patient.
Apparatus for selective photothermolysis of sub-cutaneous target tissue, the apparatus comprising:
- at least one source providing a plurality of beams of narrow band electromagnetic radiation;
- a beam director that directs said beams to exit the apparatus, each of said beams exiting the apparatus at a different angle;
- a controller adapted to adjust the at least one source and the means for directing such that each of the beams, has an energy that is insufficient to heat tissue upon which it falls to a temperature high enough for tissue damage, said plurality of beams due to the overlapping thereof being capable of causing the target area to heat sufficiently to destroy the target tissue,
- a housing for said plurality of beams;
- a seal to seal said housing to said target area and surrounding tissue;
- and
- pump means for replacing warmed air in said housing with cooler air.
Apparatus for selective photothermolysis of sub-cutaneous target tissue, the apparatus comprising:
- at least one source providing a plurality of beams of narrow band electromagnetic radiation;
- a beam director that directs said beams to exit the apparatus, each of said beams exiting the apparatus at a different angle;
- and
- a controller adapted to adjust the at least one source and the means for directing such that each of the beams, has an energy that is insufficient to heat tissue upon which it falls to a temperature high enough for tissue damage, said plurality of beams due to overlapping thereof being capable of causing the target area to heat sufficiently to destroy the target tissue,
- wherein the plurality of beams is not focused at the target area.
Apparatus for selective photothermolysis of sub-cutaneous target tissue, the apparatus comprising:
- at least one source providing a plurality of beams of narrow band electromagnetic radiation;
- a beam director that directs said beams to exit the apparatus, each of said beams exiting the apparatus at a different angle;
- and
- a controller adapted to adjust the at least one source and the means for directing such that each of the beams, has an energy that is insufficient to heat tissue upon which it falls to a temperature high enough for tissue damage, said plurality of beams due to overlapping thereof being capable of causing the target area to heat sufficiently to destroy the target tissue,
- wherein the narrow band electromagnetic radiation is in the visible and infrared spectrum.
A method for selective photothermolysis of sub-cutaneous target tissue, the method comprising:
- producing a plurality of beams of narrow band electromagnetic radiation, each of the beams having energy that is insufficient to heat tissue which it impinges to a temperature high enough for tissue damage;
- and
- directing said beams so that there is a substantial overlapping of said plurality of beams at the target tissue, without overlapping at the skin surface, said overlapping of beams causing the target tissue to heat sufficiently to cause tissue damage wherein said overlapping occurs substantially sequentially.
A method for selective photothermolysis of sub-cutaneous target tissue, the method comprising:
- producing a plurality of beams of narrow band electromagnetic radiation, each of the beams having energy that is insufficient to heat tissue which it impinges to a temperature high enough for tissue damage;
- directing said beams so that there is a substantial overlapping of said plurality of beams at the target tissue, without overlapping at the skin surface, said overlapping of beams causing the target tissue to heat sufficiently to cause tissue damage;
- and
- trapping the air around the target tissue and surrounding tissue, and
- replacing trapped warmed air with cooler air.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.