Other

Cincinnati Sub-zero Products, Inc.

Keralase Ltd.

Bob W Stewart

A method of hair removal, used primarily for cosmetic purposes, comprising the transcutaneous use of laser light having a wavelength which targets the keratin components of hair, thus destroying the hair by photothermolysis without damage to surrounding skin or tissue; this primary method may be supplemented by the use of intrafollicular hair removal methods utilizing a second wavelength of light produced by the same source used to generate the primary light wavelength.

Method of hair removal by transcutaneous application of laser light

A method of hair removal, used primarily for cosmetic purposes, comprising the transcutaneous use of laser light having a wavelength which targets the keratin component of hair, thus destroying the hair by photothermolysis without damage to surrounding skin or tissue; this primary method may be supplemented by the use of intrafollicular hair removal methods utilizing a second wavelength of light produced by the same source used to generate the primary light wavelength.

A method of reducing sebum production in human skin, used primarily for cosmetic purposes, including the prevention of acne vulgaris, comprising the use of pulsed light having a wavelength, if monochromatic, or a wavelength range, if produced by a filtered non-monochromatic source, which targets the lipids contained within the sebaceous gland, thus destroying the differentiated and mature sebocytes by photothermolysis without damage to the surrounding and overlying tissue or to the basement membrane of the sebaceous gland.

Method of reducing sebum production by application of pulsed light

A multiple wavelength laser system includes an active laser gain medium comprising metal vapor which, when excited, produces laser radiation at a plurality of wavelengths. A plurality of medically useable wavelengths are coaxially transmitted from the laser system for simultaneous use in a medical procedure. One of the wavelengths produced is closely matched to a light absorption peak of either water or Hemoglobin, and another wavelength is matched to the other of these light absorption peaks or a targeted photosensitive agent or chemical. The disclosed laser system can also include a laser gain medium comprising a plurality of metal vapors to produce the plurality of wavelengths desired. In preferred embodiments, the metal vapors can include barium, thulium, and/or samarium. A laser conversion device such as an OPO crystal may also be included to convert a portion of the radiation to one or more additional medically useable wavelengths.

Multiple wavelength metal vapor laser system for medical applications

A method of hair removal, used primarily for cosmetic purposes, comprising the transcutaneous use of laser light having a wavelength which targets the sebum found in the follicle and coating the hair, heating the sebum which transfer heat first to the hair and hair root and then to the papilla and papillary blood vessels via conduction, thus destroying the hair by photothermolysis while avoiding significant damage to surrounding skin or tissue.

Novel designs for efficient coupling mechanism for the conversion of typical profile laser beams into J.sub.o -profile beams are presented. Several specific embodiments are provided which employ non-linear optical mechanisms in the conversion process, and other embodiments are provided which utilize holography in the conversion process.

Coupling mechanism for efficient conversion of axisymmetric beam

There is provided a conversion system for use with commercially available laser devices for medical applications where laser light at a predetermined wavelength is converted for simultaneous coaxial application of laser light at a plurality of predetermined medically useable wavelengths. The conversion system includes focusing structure for focusing laser radiation at predetermined pump wavelength into a conversion medium. The conversion medium is prepared for efficient conversion of a portion of the radiation at the input pump wavelength to a signal wavelength, wherein, in one preferred application, either the pump or signal wavelength is in a range of between about 2.7 and about 3.25 microns. The system further includes structure for coaxially transmitting laser radiation at the resulting plurality of wavelengths from the conversion system for simultaneous use. In other preferred embodiments, the wavelength of the difference frequency produced by the conversion medium is also in a medically desirable range which can add to the effectiveness of the coaxial pump and signal wavelengths in particular medical applications. The conversion system thereby enables relatively unlimited adaption of commercially available laser devices to optimize the effectiveness and application of such devices for a variety of medical procedures.

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Bob W Stewart