Patent US5885274A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5885274A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Filament lamp for dermatological treatment
Assignee: New Star Lasers Inc
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Filing: 1997-06-24
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Granted: 1999-03-23
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Expires: 2017-06-24
Abstract
Abstract Thermal modification of dermatological tissue using non-laser infrared light energy. A high energy incandescent-type lamp, such as a quartz tungsten halogen lamp, operated in a pulsed mode with a high voltage input, creates a particular energy output. Applications of such apparatus and methods include treatment of the dermis and/or sub-epidermal tissues for the purpose of skin recontouring, thermal destruction of hair follicles for the purpose of hair removal, and others.
Inventors
- 👤 David J. Fullmer
- 👤 David R. Hennings
- 👤 Bruce J. Sand
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:40
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/203; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00057; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00452; A61B2018/0047; A61B2018/00476; A61B2018/1807; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/06; A61N5/0613; A61N5/0616; A61N5/0617
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for treating dermatological tissue using a pulsed, filament lamp light source having a broad wavelength spectrum between about 700 nanometers and about 1800 nanometers with a substantial infrared component, the method comprising the steps of directing the filament lamp at target tissue, pulsing the filament lamp at a period of between about 10 and about 100 milliseconds per pulse, and delivering a predetermined amount of light energy thereto, wherein the light energy induces a temperature elevation in the target tissue from an initial temperature to the treatment temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for treating dermatological tissue using a pulsed, filament lamp light source having a broad wavelength spectrum between about 700 nanometers and about 1800 nanometers with a substantial infrared component, the method comprising the steps of directing the filament lamp at target tissue, pulsing the filament lamp at a period of between about 10 and about 100 milliseconds per pulse, and delivering a predetermined amount of light energy thereto, wherein the light energy induces a temperature elevation in the target tissue from an initial temperature to the treatment temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 in which the treatment consists of shrinkage of dermatological tissue and the delivered light energy has a wavelength spectrum of between about 850 and about 1800 nanometers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 in which the treatment consists of hair removal, the light energy is directed to the hair follicle and the delivered light energy has a wavelength spectrum of between about 700 and about 1000 nanometers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the light source comprises a filament pre-energizing circuit, the method further comprising the step of pre-energizing the filament of the light source to allow a shorter rise time in the output of the light following energization.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the light source comprises a plurality of filter means, further comprising the step of selecting the appropriate wavelength spectrum from the broad infrared spectrum output of the light source to match the effective optical absorption characteristics of the target tissue due to spectral absorption and anisotropic tissue scatter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of determining the pulse width based on the thermal relaxation time of the target tissue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing cooling to the selected layers of the skin prior to irradiation of the target tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing cooling to the selected layers of the skin contemporaneously with irradiation of the target tissue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A pulsed, filament lamp system for thermally treating dermatological tissue comprising: a light source of non-laser, infrared energy having a broad wavelength spectrum between about 700 nanometers and about 1800 nanometers; and a pulse width modifier for energizing the light source with a pulse width of between about 10 and about 1000 milliseconds.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A pulsed, filament lamp system for thermally treating dermatological tissue comprising: a light source of non-laser, infrared energy having a broad wavelength spectrum between about 700 nanometers and about 1800 nanometers; and a pulse width modifier for energizing the light source with a pulse width of between about 10 and about 1000 milliseconds.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 9 further comprising filter means for selecting the appropriate wavelength spectrum from the broad infrared spectrum output of the light source to match the effective optical absorption characteristics of the target tissue due to spectral absorption and anisotropic tissue scatter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 9 in which the light source is a tungsten lamp.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 9 further comprising a reflector means for directionally reflecting the infrared light energy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 9 further comprising a switching device for switching a high current at a rapid pulse rate to the light source.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 9 in which the switching device comprises an IGBT device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 9 further comprising a cooling system to provide thermal protection to the superficial layers of the dermis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 15 in which the cooling system comprises a passive heat sink.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 15 in which the cooling system comprises dynamic cooling.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 9 further comprising a filament pre-heating circuit for pre-energizing the filament of the light source to allow a short rise time in the output of the light following the pulsed energization.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for treating dermatological tissue using a pulsed, non-coherent filament lamp light source, the method comprising the steps of delivering an electrical charge pulse to the filament of the lamp at a potential and for such period as not to exceed that which is required to reach the melting point or other destructive event threshold and providing cooling to superficial layers of the dermatological tissue.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for treating dermatological tissue using a pulsed, non-coherent filament lamp light source, the method comprising the steps of delivering an electrical charge pulse to the filament of the lamp at a potential and for such period as not to exceed that which is required to reach the melting point or other destructive event threshold and providing cooling to superficial layers of the dermatological tissue.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 19 in which a low level current is passed through the filament prior to the electrical charge pulse such that the filament becomes elevated in temperature, thereby allowing more of the electrical charge pulse to be converted into usable electromagnetic energy wavelengths.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 19 in which a low level current is passed through the filament prior to the electrical charge pulse so as to decrease the rise time of the spectral output of the filament due to the electrical charge pulse.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-22 | 2002-09-21 | 2003-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-22 | 2006-09-21 | 2007-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-22 | 2010-09-21 | 2011-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |