US5879346A — Hair removal by selective photothermolysis with a…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 109 words

A laser surgery apparatus to remove hair, comprising: an Alexandrite laser that generates at least one pulsed laser beam that travels in a path and of sufficient energy and pulse duration to damage a hair follicle; a protective substance arranged in said path to help protect an external surface of the skin against overheating otherwise arising from the pulsed laser beam; and a transparent sheet arranged in said path and bearing non-transparent markings that are arranged to provide an indication of where the pulsed laser beam passes through said protective substance, whereby hair follicles that are in the path become damaged by the at least one pulsed laser beam.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 109 words

A laser surgery apparatus to remove hair, comprising: an Alexandrite laser that generates at least one pulsed laser beam that travels in a path and of sufficient energy and pulse duration to damage a hair follicle; a protective substance arranged in said path to help protect an external surface of the skin against overheating otherwise arising from the pulsed laser beam; and a transparent sheet arranged in said path and bearing non-transparent markings that are arranged to provide an indication of where the pulsed laser beam passes through said protective substance, whereby hair follicles that are in the path become damaged by the at least one pulsed laser beam.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 27 words

An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each of said markings is constructed of a material that vaporizes in response to impingement by the pulsed laser beam.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 22 words

An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said markings are responsive to impingement by the pulsed laser beam to provide the indication.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said markings are selected from the group consisting of inks and light projections.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 14 words

An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said protective substance is an ultrasound gel.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 97 words

A laser surgery apparatus to remove hair, comprising: an Alexandrite laser that generates at least one pulsed laser beam that travels in a path and of sufficient energy and pulse duration to damage hair follicle; a protective substance arranged in said path to help protect an external surface of the skin against overheating otherwise arising from the pulsed laser beam; and a projector that projects markings that are arranged to provide an indication of where the pulsed laser beam passes through said protective substance onto the protective substance by shining light through a transparent sheet having markings.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 97 words

A laser surgery apparatus to remove hair, comprising: an Alexandrite laser that generates at least one pulsed laser beam that travels in a path and of sufficient energy and pulse duration to damage hair follicle; a protective substance arranged in said path to help protect an external surface of the skin against overheating otherwise arising from the pulsed laser beam; and a projector that projects markings that are arranged to provide an indication of where the pulsed laser beam passes through said protective substance onto the protective substance by shining light through a transparent sheet having markings.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 85 words

A laser surgery apparatus to remove hair, comprising: an Alexandrite laser that generates at least one pulsed laser beam that travels in a path and of sufficient energy and pulse duration to damage hair follicle; a protective substance arranged in said path to help protect an external surface of the skin against overheating otherwise arising from the pulsed laser beam; and an enclosure containing said protective substance, said enclosure being interposed in said path; wherein said enclosure includes a plurality of sheets of transparent material.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 85 words

A laser surgery apparatus to remove hair, comprising: an Alexandrite laser that generates at least one pulsed laser beam that travels in a path and of sufficient energy and pulse duration to damage hair follicle; a protective substance arranged in said path to help protect an external surface of the skin against overheating otherwise arising from the pulsed laser beam; and an enclosure containing said protective substance, said enclosure being interposed in said path; wherein said enclosure includes a plurality of sheets of transparent material.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 28 words

An apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said sheets are constructed of a plastic material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, and any combination thereof.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 14 words

An apparatus as in claim 7, further comprising an ultrasound gel within said enclosure.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 11 words

An apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said enclosure is flexible.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 94 words

A method of laser surgery to remove hair, comprising: generating at least one pulsed laser beam that travels in a path from an Alexandrite laser and of sufficient energy and pulse duration to damage a hair follicle; interposing a protective substance in the path to help protect an external surface of the skin against overheating otherwise arising from the pulsed laser beam; and indicating with markings where the pulsed laser beam passes through the protective substance, whereby hair follicles that are in the path become damaged by the at least one pulsed laser beam.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 94 words

A method of laser surgery to remove hair, comprising: generating at least one pulsed laser beam that travels in a path from an Alexandrite laser and of sufficient energy and pulse duration to damage a hair follicle; interposing a protective substance in the path to help protect an external surface of the skin against overheating otherwise arising from the pulsed laser beam; and indicating with markings where the pulsed laser beam passes through the protective substance, whereby hair follicles that are in the path become damaged by the at least one pulsed laser beam.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

A method as in claim 11, wherein said markings vaporize in response to the pulsed laser beam impinging said markings.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method as in claim 11, wherein the step of indicating includes projecting the markings by shining light at the protective substance through a transparent sheet with markings.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 22 words

A method as in claim 11, wherein the step of indicating arises in response to the pulsed laser beam impinging the markings.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 14 words

A method as in claim 11, wherein the protective substance is an ultrasound gel.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 23 words

A method as in claim 11, further comprising enclosing the protective substance in an enclosure, the enclosure being transparent; and flexing said enclosure.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 21 words

A method as in claim 11, further comprising the step of keeping the path away from the markings at all times.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 152 words

A method of hair removal, comprising the step of applying at least one Alexandrite laser pulse to at least one hair follicle, said Alexandrite laser pulse having sufficient pulse duration and radiant exposure dose of sufficient energy to damage said at least one hair follicle so that percentage hair growth diminishes and scarring of the surrounding skin is minimized wherein the step of applying provides an energy fluence on the tissue substantially in the range 25 to 50 J/cm 2 that results in a percentage growth of hairs after 3 months that is in accordance with a relationship between percentage growth after 3 months and energy fluence, the relationship being characterized by a curve profile whose coordinates include: 30% growth of hairs after 3 months @ 50 J/cm 2 50% growth of hair after 3 months @ 37 J/cm 2 70% growth of hairs after 3 months @ 25 J/cm 2 .

Claim 23

Independent Claim 152 words

A method of hair removal, comprising the step of applying at least one Alexandrite laser pulse to at least one hair follicle, said Alexandrite laser pulse having sufficient pulse duration and radiant exposure dose of sufficient energy to damage said at least one hair follicle so that percentage hair growth diminishes and scarring of the surrounding skin is minimized wherein the step of applying provides an energy fluence on the tissue substantially in the range 25 to 50 J/cm 2 that results in a percentage growth of hairs after 3 months that is in accordance with a relationship between percentage growth after 3 months and energy fluence, the relationship being characterized by a curve profile whose coordinates include: 30% growth of hairs after 3 months @ 50 J/cm 2 50% growth of hair after 3 months @ 37 J/cm 2 70% growth of hairs after 3 months @ 25 J/cm 2 .

Claim 24

Independent Claim 92 words

A method of hair removal, comprising the steps of: applying at least one Alexandrite laser pulse to at least one hair follicle, said Alexandrite laser pulse having sufficient pulse duration and radiant exposure dose of sufficient energy to damage said at least one hair follicle so that percentage hair growth diminishes and scarring of the surrounding skin is minimized; and shaving the hair before the step of applying so that the hair does not protrude from the skin to a position that would scatter radiant energy from the laser pulse upon impingement.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 92 words

A method of hair removal, comprising the steps of: applying at least one Alexandrite laser pulse to at least one hair follicle, said Alexandrite laser pulse having sufficient pulse duration and radiant exposure dose of sufficient energy to damage said at least one hair follicle so that percentage hair growth diminishes and scarring of the surrounding skin is minimized; and shaving the hair before the step of applying so that the hair does not protrude from the skin to a position that would scatter radiant energy from the laser pulse upon impingement.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 133 words

An apparatus for hair removal, comprising: a. an Alexandrite laser source for generating at least one alexandrite laser pulse having a sufficient pulse duration and radiant exposure dose of sufficient energy to damage at least one hair follicle so that percentage hair growth diminishes and scarring of the surrounding skin is minimized; and b. a laser beam director that directs said laser pulses to said at least one hair follicle, wherein said laser beam director is adapted to be aligned over said at least one hair follicle opening in tissue, said beam director having an aperture of sufficient area to surround said at least one hair follicle and overlie its papilla so that said at least one pulse of laser radiation is directed through said aperture to said at least one hair follicle.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 133 words

An apparatus for hair removal, comprising: a. an Alexandrite laser source for generating at least one alexandrite laser pulse having a sufficient pulse duration and radiant exposure dose of sufficient energy to damage at least one hair follicle so that percentage hair growth diminishes and scarring of the surrounding skin is minimized; and b. a laser beam director that directs said laser pulses to said at least one hair follicle, wherein said laser beam director is adapted to be aligned over said at least one hair follicle opening in tissue, said beam director having an aperture of sufficient area to surround said at least one hair follicle and overlie its papilla so that said at least one pulse of laser radiation is directed through said aperture to said at least one hair follicle.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 96 words

An apparatus for hair removal, comprising: a. an Alexandrite laser source for generating at least one alexandrite laser pulse having a sufficient pulse duration and radiant exposure dose of sufficient energy to damage at least one hair follicle so that percentage hair growth diminishes and scarring of the surrounding skin is minimized; b. a laser beam director that directs said laser pulses to said at least one hair follicle; and c. staining means for deploying any one of stain or stained lotion so as to absorb at least part of said at least one laser pulse.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 96 words

An apparatus for hair removal, comprising: a. an Alexandrite laser source for generating at least one alexandrite laser pulse having a sufficient pulse duration and radiant exposure dose of sufficient energy to damage at least one hair follicle so that percentage hair growth diminishes and scarring of the surrounding skin is minimized; b. a laser beam director that directs said laser pulses to said at least one hair follicle; and c. staining means for deploying any one of stain or stained lotion so as to absorb at least part of said at least one laser pulse.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 169 words

An apparatus for hair removal, comprising: a. an Alexandrite laser source for generating at least one alexandrite laser pulse having a sufficient pulse duration and radiant exposure dose of sufficient energy to damage at least one hair follicle so that percentage hair growth diminishes and scarring of the surrounding skin is minimized; and b. a laser beam director that directs said laser pulses to said at least one hair follicle, wherein said laser source is adapted to provide a level of energy fluence on the tissue substantially in the range of 25 to 50 J/cm 2 that results in a percentage growth of hairs after 3 months that is in accordance with a relationship between percentage hair growth after 3 months and energy fluence, the relationship being characterized by a curve profile whose coordinates include: 30% growth of hairs after 3 months @ 50 J/cm 2 50% growth of hairs after 3 months @ 37 J/cm 2 70% growth of hairs after 3 months @ 25 J/cm 2 .

Claim 31

Independent Claim 169 words

An apparatus for hair removal, comprising: a. an Alexandrite laser source for generating at least one alexandrite laser pulse having a sufficient pulse duration and radiant exposure dose of sufficient energy to damage at least one hair follicle so that percentage hair growth diminishes and scarring of the surrounding skin is minimized; and b. a laser beam director that directs said laser pulses to said at least one hair follicle, wherein said laser source is adapted to provide a level of energy fluence on the tissue substantially in the range of 25 to 50 J/cm 2 that results in a percentage growth of hairs after 3 months that is in accordance with a relationship between percentage hair growth after 3 months and energy fluence, the relationship being characterized by a curve profile whose coordinates include: 30% growth of hairs after 3 months @ 50 J/cm 2 50% growth of hairs after 3 months @ 37 J/cm 2 70% growth of hairs after 3 months @ 25 J/cm 2 .

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-03-08	2002-09-07	2003-03-09	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-03-08	2006-09-07	2007-03-09	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-03-08	2010-09-07	2011-03-09	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Hair removal by selective photothermolysis with an alexandrite laser

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