Patent ID: 8313481
Filing Date: 2012-11-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for fractional dermatological treatment, the apparatus comprising: a laser source configured to emit an optical beam at a laser wavelength in a range of 1350 nm to 2500 nm for which the absorption of the laser wavelength in water decreases as the tissue is heated from 30° C. to 80° C.; and a fractional optical treatment system configured to deliver the optical beam to a target area of skin, said fractional optical treatment system comprising an adjustment mechanism that adjusts one or more parameters of the optical beam selected from the group consisting of a size of the optical beam at the skin surface, a focal depth of the optical beam below the skin surface, a numerical aperture of the optical beam as the optical beam enters the skin, and a beam cross-sectional shape at the skin surface in response to a preselected pulse energy for the optical beam.