METHOD OR APPARATUS FOR WRINKLE TREATMENT

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for skin wrinkle removal. After applying a tube encircling a relatively small skin area along the wrinkled line, a set of laser beams will be activated. The laser beams are mounted around the tube, pointing to its center to create a mutual point of irradiation located just below the skin's wrinkle line. Optical energy from lasers is directed to a point under the skin by radiating through the transparent tube. For ease of use, the encircled skin portion is lifted, preferably by vacuum, enabling laser radiation to penetrate under the skin from outside the lifting tube. The apparatus is suitable for treating skin wrinkles by targeting the sub skin melanin without damaging skin surface. The apparatus may also be used for other aesthetic face treatments, including disorders located around the eye. The used laser radiation is in the wavelength region of 1500 to 1800 nm, which is regarded to be eye safe. Other laser wavelength could be used, especially in the 700 nm region with confidence, since most radiation is enclosed within the skin portion on the transparent tube. The treatment energy density level on the skin penetration point is relatively low and thus not harmful to the epidermis. However, heating effect is maximized at the central point just beneath the wrinklewhich causes damage to the collagen. Later on, when healing occurs, the skin will be stretched and wrinkles will be diminished. This technology is less damaging to the skin than that of the prior and targets only the under wrinkle collagen. Statistically, most of the recent clinical trials showed a histological evidence of new collagen formation and significant improvement in facial rhytides. Direct, under the skin irradiation, as in our art, will be less damaging to the skin epidermis yielding improved overall results.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removing skin wrinkles comprises: A transparent tubular suction device for lifting and enclosing a part of the skin around the wrinkle. Multiple lasers irradiating through the tube's perimeter to a center point located below the lifted skin area. A controller for driving the laser according to pre-selected time table. An on/off activating device.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said skin lifting is performed by creating a vacuum in the transparent tube.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tube is opaque and has openings for laser radiation.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 where the laser sources comprises lasers having a wavelength of 1500 to 1800 nm.

5. An apparatus according to claims 3 and 4 wherein said source comprises of lasers having wavelength between 670 to 720 nm.

6. An apparatus according to claims 3 and 4 wherein the laser sources have both wavelengths 670 to 720 nm and 1400 to 2000 nm.

7. An apparatus according to claims 1 to 6 wherein the transparent tube is coated with a mirror reflective coating with uncoated area at the laser input aperture.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] FIG. 1 is a schematic graph which illustrates the propagation of light radiation from a radiating hand piece located above the skin, versus the skin layers absorption.

[0048] FIG. 2A is a schematic drawing which illustrates the absorption ratio as a function of wavelength giving values and percentage to a specific wavelength.

[0049] FIG. 2B shows the penetration depth as a function of wavelength.

[0050] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of the new ad device.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the raised skin formation, showing the thinning of the upper layer.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the apparatus, showing the multiple laser light beams irradiation creating a converging area under the wrinkle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0053] The present invention is directed towards an apparatus which is provided with a unit for lifting a preferably round shape of skin. The skin is lifted prior to the firing of multiple lasers around the raised portion. The air suction unit comprises a miniature vacuum pump and a hose through which air is evacuated from a tubular device applied to the skin and intense light passes through its wall directly to the elevated skin level. During the operation of the vacuum pump, the vacuum level within the vacuum chamber is increased and a special sensor checks vacuum level before enabling laser firing option.

[0054] FIG. 1 illustrates the propagation of an intense pulsed laser or light beam, the wavelength of which is in the visible or near infrared region of the spectrum, i.e. shorter than 2000 nm, and longer than 300 nm and denoted as 101 and 102 respectively, popular lasers are denoted as 103 for minimizing damage to Oxyhemoglobin. A wavelength longer than 660 is a good choice and denoted as 104.

[0055] FIG. 2A shows the laser power penetration to the subcutis as a function of wavelength, showing that most of the laser energy is absorbed by the skin's upper level, thus limiting the maximum power level that can be delivered through radiation from above. FIG. 2B shows penetration depth in cm as a function of wavelength.

[0056] FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred configuration, where vacuum application is performed through an orifice denoted as 301, and air flow direction is denoted as 302. The application of the vacuum draws the skin, creating a convex surface 303, a schematically drawn wrinkle 304, is temporary lifted, creating a formation of skin fold which is raised in respect to the adjoining skin. The raised formation is irradiated by multiple lasers 305 on its perimeter to create significant fluencies directly under the raised skin. By moving the device along the wrinkle direction 306 and applying laser pulses along movementthe wrinkled line is treated. Due to the elasticity of skin, skin fold returns to its original configuration, upon subsequent movement of the device, while another skin fold is formed and treated. A transparent window 307 allows user to align the device to the wrinkled area to be treated.

[0057] FIG. 4 illustrates a section perpendicular to wrinkle direction, showing the laser beam penetration and the skin thinning effect improving the laser beam transmittance and delivery to subcutis area. 401 shows the skin thinning within the tube, as compared in respect to the adjoining skin, 402 shows typical laser radiation from one of the lasers disposed at the perimeter of the raised skin.

[0058] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, which is disclosed in FIG. 3, showing the multiple laser light beams irradiation under the skin path creating a converging area denoted as 501 and located under the wrinkle.

[0059] Although the application of a vacuum to skin surface has been employed in prior art, many significant differences between prior art apparatus and the presented device are obvious; [0060] The prior art application of vacuum is intended to remove smoke or vapors caused by the light-based ablation of a skin surface. The present invention, in contrast, uses vacuum for raising the skin to allow the multiple directed beams of optical energy to interact under the skin surface, and are targeted to subcutis skin structures. [0061] The present invention employs a vacuum chamber overlying a treated area not for performing any treatment, but rather to be used as an auxiliary means for skin lifting allowing the treatment lasers to perform. Other skin lifting techniques could be used, however vacuum skin lifting is preferable.

[0062] Apparatus for under skin light treatment will preferably follow some stages: [0063] Once the vacuum chamber has been placed on the skin surface a suitable skin contact will activate pump. [0064] The vacuum applying mode is equipped with a sensor (not shown) enabling laser firing only if proper vacuum level is reached. [0065] Once the vacuum level within the vacuum chamber has reached a certain level and consequently the skin is raised- laser can be activated manually or automatically while the device is moving along the wrinkle. [0066] Following termination of the treatment pulses at a certain area, the device can be further moved to a different area. [0067] Treatment is periodically repeated about once per week for several weeks.