Patent ID: 6682524
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
A dermatological handpiece by which a laser beam is directed to the surface of a selected skin area, wherein the skin area is subjected to an action of the laser beam, and wherein the laser beam is directed successively to individual skin areas corresponding to a laser beam cross section and covering the selected skin area in its entirety, outfitted with a device for moderating the temperature of the skin area at the surface of the skin area, comprising:a dermatological handpiece with a guide for a laser beam: at least one temperature-moderated contact surface which is positioned laterally adjacent to the laser beam directed onto a skin area and whose shape and area dimensions correspond approximately to the shape and area dimensions of the laser beam cross section; and wherein a distance between the laser beam and contact surface being dimensioned in such a way that a first skin area which was treated previously and/or a third skin area to be treated subsequently are/is in contact with the at least one temperature-moderated contact surface at the same time that the laser beam acts upon the selected skin area; and at least one optical element for changing the intensity distribution within the cross-sectional surface or for changing the cross-sectional surface with respect to shape or dimensions wherein a temperature sensor is provided for detecting a temperature at the contact surface and/or the selected skin area, wherein a signal output of the temperature sensor is connected with a threshold switch, by which a switch-on signal is sent to the cooling and/or heating unit as soon as a pre-adjusted temperature value is not reached or is exceeded and; wherein, further, the switch-on signal of a threshold switch contacts a signal transmitter by which a perceptible acoustic signal is sent to a signal transmitter as soon as a pre-adjusted temperature value is not reached or is exceeded.