Patent ID: 6214034
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
Apparatus for selective photothermolysis of a target tissue within the skin, the apparatus comprising:a housing having an opening therein, said housing forming a cavity enclosing a volume of air when said opening is placed in contact with said skin;a pulsable heat source disposed within said housing for rapidly heating said volume of air to form a temperature gradient therealong;a pulsable source of narrow band electromagnetic radiation disposed within said housing for irradiating said skin with narrow band electromagnetic radiation to selectively heat said target tissue;a sensing unit attached to said housing for sensing the temperature of said skin tissue; anda controller that controls the heat source and the source of narrow band radiation to heat the skin to a first predetermined temperature, as sensed by the sensing unit, that is above 55.degree. C. and then activates the pulsable source of narrow band radiation responsive to the sensing of said temperature.