US5810801A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for treating wrinkles in skin using radiation
Assignee: General Hospital Corp
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Filing: 1997-02-05
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Granted: 1998-09-22
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Expires: 2017-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A method for treating wrinkles in skin involves the use of a beam of puls 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.
Inventors
- 👤 R. Rox Anderson
- 👤 Edward Victor Ross, Jr.
- 👤 James C. Hsia
- 👤 Kathleen McMillan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/203; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/06; A61N5/067; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00743; A61B2017/00747; A61B2017/00761; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00023; A61B2018/00029; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00452; A61B2018/0047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for treating a wrinkle in human skin, comprising: generating a beam of radiation having a wavelength of between 1.3 and 1.8 microns and a fluence of between 10 and 150 joules per square centimeter; directing the beam of radiation to a targeted dermal region between 100 microns and 1.2 millimeters below a wrinkle in the skin; and causing thermal injury within the targeted dermal region to elicit a healing response that produces substantially unwrinkled skin.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for treating a wrinkle in human skin, comprising: generating a beam of radiation having a wavelength of between 1.3 and 1.8 microns and a fluence of between 10 and 150 joules per square centimeter; directing the beam of radiation to a targeted dermal region between 100 microns and 1.2 millimeters below a wrinkle in the skin; and causing thermal injury within the targeted dermal region to elicit a healing response that produces substantially unwrinkled skin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the wavelength is about 1.5 microns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of stretching the skin along the wrinkle before the step of directing the beam of radiation to the targeted dermal region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of cooling an epidermal region of the skin above the targeted dermal region contemporaneously with the step of causing thermal injury within the targeted dermal region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of pre-cooling the epidermal region of the skin above the targeted dermal region before the step of causing thermal injury within the targeted dermal region.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for treating a wrinkle in human skin, comprising: generating a beam of radiation having a wavelength of between 1.3 and 1.8 microns and a power density of between 5 and 100 watts per square centimeter; directing the beam of radiation to a targeted dermal region between 100 microns and 1.2 millimeters below a wrinkle in the skin; and causing thermal injury within the targeted dermal region to elicit a healing response that produces substantially unwrinkled skin.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for treating a wrinkle in human skin, comprising: generating a beam of radiation having a wavelength of between 1.3 and 1.8 microns and a power density of between 5 and 100 watts per square centimeter; directing the beam of radiation to a targeted dermal region between 100 microns and 1.2 millimeters below a wrinkle in the skin; and causing thermal injury within the targeted dermal region to elicit a healing response that produces substantially unwrinkled skin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the wavelength is about 1.5 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of stretching the skin along the wrinkle before the step of directing the beam of radiation to the targeted dermal region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of cooling an epidermal region of the skin above the targeted dermal region contemporaneously with the step of causing thermal injury within the targeted dermal region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of pre-cooling the epidermal region of the skin above the targeted dermal region before the step of causing thermal injury within the targeted dermal region.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for treating a wrinkle in human skin, comprising: a source generating a beam of radiation having a wavelength of between 1.3 and 1.8 microns; and a delivery system coupled to the source, wherein the delivery system is for directing the beam of radiation to a targeted dermal region between 100 microns and 1.2 millimeters below a wrinkle in the skin, wherein the beam of radiation causes thermal injury to the targeted dermal region sufficient to elicit a healing response that produces substantially unwrinkled skin, the delivery system further comprising: a cooling system for contact cooling an epidermal region of the skin above the targeted dermal region, to thereby minimize injury to the epidermal region.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for treating a wrinkle in human skin, comprising: a source generating a beam of radiation having a wavelength of between 1.3 and 1.8 microns; and a delivery system coupled to the source, wherein the delivery system is for directing the beam of radiation to a targeted dermal region between 100 microns and 1.2 millimeters below a wrinkle in the skin, wherein the beam of radiation causes thermal injury to the targeted dermal region sufficient to elicit a healing response that produces substantially unwrinkled skin, the delivery system further comprising: a cooling system for contact cooling an epidermal region of the skin above the targeted dermal region, to thereby minimize injury to the epidermal region.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the delivery system further comprises a fiber coupled to the source, the fiber carrying the beam of radiation; and wherein the cooling system further comprises a skin contacting portion having a first end in optical communication with the fiber and a second end, the skin contacting portion projecting the beam of radiation toward the targeted dermal region through the second end of the skin contacting portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the skin contacting portion further comprises a window located at the second end of the skin contacting portion, the window being in optical communication with the fiber; and wherein the skin contacting portion has a fluid passage extending across at least a portion of the window, the fluid passage circulating a cooling fluid past the window.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for treating a wrinkle in human skin, comprising: a source generating a beam of radiation having a wavelength of between 1.3 and 1.8 microns; a delivery system coupled to the source, wherein the delivery system is for directing the beam of radiation to a targeted dermal region between 100 microns and 1.2 millimeters, below a wrinkle in the skin, wherein the beam of radiation causes thermal injury to the targeted dermal region sufficient to elicit a healing response that produces substantially unwrinkled skin; and a cooling system for cooling an epidermal region of the skin above the targeted dermal region, to thereby minimize injury to the epidermal region.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for treating a wrinkle in human skin, comprising: a source generating a beam of radiation having a wavelength of between 1.3 and 1.8 microns; a delivery system coupled to the source, wherein the delivery system is for directing the beam of radiation to a targeted dermal region between 100 microns and 1.2 millimeters, below a wrinkle in the skin, wherein the beam of radiation causes thermal injury to the targeted dermal region sufficient to elicit a healing response that produces substantially unwrinkled skin; and a cooling system for cooling an epidermal region of the skin above the targeted dermal region, to thereby minimize injury to the epidermal region.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the cooling system comprises a container of cold fluid, wherein the cold fluid can be sprayed onto the skin to extract heat from the skin on contact.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-09-21 | 2002-03-23 | 2002-09-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-21 | 2006-03-23 | 2006-09-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-21 | 2010-03-23 | 2010-09-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |