Patent ID: 6579284
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for generating a long effective laser pulse for selective photothermolysis therapy of a target tissue, comprising:selecting an effective pulse duration that will concentrate heat in the target tissue; generating at least two dye laser pulses sequentially in time with an interpulse delay time between consecutive pulses, each dye laser pulse having a wavelength between approximately 540 and 630 nm; directing the at least two dye laser pulses through passive optics, including a focusing lens, into a single optical fiber to produce a long effective dye laser pulse having combined energy of at least 100 millijoules and a pulse duration approximately equal to the selected effective pulse duration, the effective pulse duration being greater than 1 msec; and delivering the long effective dye laser pulse to a vascular lesion of a patient to cause denaturation of a blood vessel having a diameter of approximately 100 microns or greater.