Patent ID: 6174325
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A device for performing thermal therapy of at least one of the epidermis and dermis of a patient's skin, comprising:a source of light characterized by a combination of balanced optical parameters for a light output beam with the combination adjusted for a particular thermal therapy application;a housing for said source of light and having a mirror disposed for collecting the light from said light source and said housing providing said output light beam without use of an optical fiber, said housing further including a collimator defining a large output area for said output light beam for applying thermal therapy to a large area of the patient's skin relative to that of an optical fiber; anda system for controlling said combination of balanced optical parameters with said combination selected from the group consisting of (a) light wavelength of said output light beam and pulse width in the range of about 10.sup.-5 sec to 10.sup.-1 sec, (b) energy density and light wavelength, (c) pulse width and energy density and (d) combinations of (a) and (b), and said combination of balanced optical parameters enabling achievement of a desired thermal heating protocol necessary to carry out thermal therapy treatment of at least one of the epidermis and the dermis of the patient's skin.