Reconfigurable handheld laser treatment systems and methods

In one embodiment, a handheld laser treatment apparatus comprises: a handset including a treatment chamber, the treatment chamber having an open treatment aperture; a laser array arranged to project optical energy into the treatment chamber and coupled to a power source; at least one vacuum channel positioned within the treatment chamber and coupled to a vacuum source; a trigger sensor coupled to logic that controls activation of the laser array and the vacuum channel; an attachment sensor arranged to detect which of a plurality of attachments are inserted into the treatment chamber through the treatment aperture. The logic enables activation of the vacuum channel when the attachment sensor detects a first attachment of the plurality of attachments inserted into the treatment aperture. The logic disables activation of the vacuum channel when the attachment sensor detects a second attachment of the plurality of attachments inserted into the treatment aperture.

BACKGROUND

Hair removal is one example of a treatment performed by handheld laser treatment systems. Selective wavelengths of light from a laser source are absorbed by the melanin of a hair, which heats and kills a target hair follicle. Different fluence levels and applications techniques are appropriate for hair removal from different regions of the body. For example, there are regions of the body where precision application of a laser is needed, such the lip region, using devices that provide a concentrated high fluence beam applied to a relatively small area. For other regions, such as backs, chests or arms, less precision is needed. For these regions, devices and procedures can be used that treat larger areas, using relatively less fluence. However, for a physician, obtaining separate pieces of equipment for performing such treatments can be expensive.

For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the specification, there is a need in the art for reconfigurable handheld laser treatment systems and methods.

SUMMARY

The Embodiments of the present invention provide for reconfigurable handheld laser treatment systems and methods and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

In one embodiment, a handheld laser treatment apparatus comprises: a handset including a treatment chamber, the treatment chamber having an open treatment aperture; a laser array arranged to project optical energy into the treatment chamber and coupled to a power source; at least one vacuum channel positioned within the treatment chamber and coupled to a vacuum source; a trigger sensor coupled to logic that controls activation of the laser array and the vacuum channel; an attachment sensor arranged to detect which of a plurality of attachments are inserted into the treatment chamber through the treatment aperture. The logic enables activation of the vacuum channel when the attachment sensor detects a first attachment of the plurality of attachments inserted into the treatment aperture. The logic disables activation of the vacuum channel when the attachment sensor detects a second attachment of the plurality of attachments inserted into the treatment aperture.

In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize features relevant to the present invention. Reference characters denote like elements throughout figures and text.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide for laser treatment systems and methods utilizing a single handset that is adaptable in configuration for different treatment procedures, thus eliminating the need for multiple handsets. For example, in one embodiment a handset may be configured to perform a high optical fluence treatment to a small treatment area. In another configuration the high fluence treatment is performed through a contact element which in addition to its optical characteristics it also cools the tissue in order to protect its surface and to allow a safe delivery of the higher fluences deep into a target tissue. In another configuration, the same handset may be configured to provide a wide area low optical fluence vacuum assisted laser treatment. This is accomplished through the use of a plurality of attachments, such as a hygienic insert or an optical condenser adapter, which may be installed within, or removed from, the laser handset.

As mentioned above, in one configuration of one embodiment, the handset provides a treatment chamber that may be used for performing vacuum assisted laser treatments. A laser array within the handset delivers optical energy into the treatment chamber. In this embodiment when the handset is used in this configuration, a region of the patient's skin seals a treatment aperture of the treatment chamber while a vacuum is applied by the handset to pull/suck in at least a portion of the skin towards the laser array. When the requisite vacuum level is detected within the chamber, the laser array is activated to release a laser pulse.

In another configuration of this embodiment with an optical condenser adapter installed, the handset provides for treatment to a more localized region of the skin, applying higher fluence to the region under treatment than the vacuum assisted laser treatment. The optical condenser adapter redirects optical energy from the handset laser array to concentrate the optical energy to an output aperture at the adapter's tip that provides a much smaller treatment area as compared to the treatment chamber of the handset. For example, in one embodiment, the aperture at the adapter's tip is a 9×9 mm square as opposed to a 22×35 mm treatment aperture of the handset.

Also, as explained in greater detail below, in some embodiments the tip of the optical condenser adapter includes a cooling mechanism, such as a cooled crystal. Cooling the skin is desirable for many applications when using the optical condenser adapter because of the relatively high fluence of the laser pulse applied to the skin. For example, in one embodiment, a handset with the optical condenser adapter installed may release up to approximately 100 J/cm2. The cooled crystal cools the surface of the skin so that energy absorbed goes down to the target hair follicle (or other target tissues) and is not significantly absorbed by upper levels of the skin. Cooling provides a safety feature that reduces the risks of burns to the upper levels of the skin while still permitting heating of target tissues below. In comparison, the vacuum assisted laser treatments can utilize a much lower fluence, on the order of 12 J/cm2, because the stretching of the skin pulls target tissues closer to the skin surface, requiring less penetration.

FIG. 1is a diagram of a laser treatment system100of one embodiment of the present invention. Laser treatment system100includes a reconfigurable handset110coupled to a base unit120by a cable112. As will be described in greater detail below, system100may further includes=an optical condenser adapter115which may operate as an attachment to handset110. Without optical condenser adapter115, handset110is operable to perform treatments such as the vacuum assisted laser treatments as discussed above. Such applications may generally be considered non-contact applications, although in some circumstances where there is more available tissue, the chucked tissue may come in contact with the back of the hygienic insert installed within the handset110. When optical condenser adapter115is coupled to handset110, the handset110is converted from a large-area low-fluence instrument into a relatively small-area high-fluence instrument. Such applications may generally be considered non-contact applications because an optical element of the optical condenser adapter115is typically placed in contact with a treatment area. For this reason, cooling elements may be incorporated into optical condenser adapter115as discussed below. In one embodiment, the base unit120comprises at least one power supply122, a vacuum source124, and logic126that support the treatment functions provided by reconfigurable handset110as described herein.

FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of reconfigurable handset110. Optical energy is generated by handset110using a laser source210, which in one embodiment comprises a laser array211. A treatment chamber220is positioned within handset110, which defines a space to which optical energy from laser source210is provided. Treatment chamber220includes a treatment aperture222. In one embodiment, treatment aperture222serves as an interface between handset110and a hygienic insert as described below. In other embodiments, treatment aperture222provides an interface that accepts an optical condenser adapter115, as described below. Treatment chamber220further includes at least one vacuum channel224through which a vacuum is pulled to draw patient skin tissue under treatment into the treatment chamber220. In one embodiment, vacuum channel224is coupled to the vacuum source124of base unit120via cable115. In one embodiment, vacuum source124comprises a vacuum pump. In other embodiments, vacuum source124regulates a vacuum provided by an external source. Activation of both the laser source210and vacuum channel224are initiated by a trigger226.

FIGS. 3 and 3Aare diagrams illustrating a hygienic insert300of one embodiment of the present invention. Hygienic insert300comprises a base315at least partially comprising a material transparent to at least a portion of the spectrum emitted by laser source210. Hygienic insert300further comprises an outer wall316extending from the base315to form a cavity320within the Hygienic insert300. Base315and outer wall316define that portion of Hygienic insert300which is inserted into treatment chamber220of handset110. As such, base315and outer wall316together have a size and shape compatible with insertion into treatment chamber220of handset110. Hygienic insert300further comprises a peripheral flange310around a periphery of outer wall316. Peripheral flange310provides the interface between handset110and patient skin tissue under treatment. As illustrated inFIG. 3, hygienic insert300also includes at least one channel330which communicates the negative air pressure pulled via vacuum channel224with cavity320. In one embodiment, channel330aligns with the vacuum channel224of handset110to form a surface seal. In other embodiments, channel330at least partially inserts into vacuum channel224. In still other embodiments, vacuum channel224at least partially penetrates into cavity320through an opening provided by channel330.FIG. 3Aillustrates a hygienic insert300completely inserted into handset110.

In one embodiment, in operation, when the handset110is placed onto a region of patient skin tissue, the skin seals against flange310. Then, when the operator activates trigger226, a vacuum is applied within cavity320by vacuum channel224which sucks in at least a portion of the patient skin tissue into the volume within treatment chamber220and towards the laser source210. When a requisite vacuum level is detected within the chamber220(such as described in further detail below), the laser source210releases at least one laser pulse.

The treatment procedure applied to the patient skin tissue can result in tissue debris accumulating within the cavity320of hygienic insert300. Since the purpose of hygienic insert300is to contain and limit contamination, in one embodiment, hygienic insert300includes an integrated particle filter331within channel330to prevent tissue debris from being pulled into vacuum channel224, vacuum source125and/or any other upstream equipment.

FIGS. 4,4A and4B are diagrams illustrating an optical condenser adapter400of one embodiment of the present invention such as optical condenser adapter115for use with reconfigurable handset110. Embodiments of optical condenser adapter400permit an operator to quickly and easily reconfigure handset110for a different treatment procedure by swapping hygienic insert300for optical condenser adapter400, and vise verse. Optical condenser adapter400functions by condensing the optical power of light received through a relatively large aperture from laser source210for emission from a relatively smaller aperture. In doing so, the density of the optical energy provided by system100(referred to herein as fluence) is increased.

In one embodiment, optical condenser adapter400comprises handset adapter interface401. Similar to hygienic insert300, handset adapter interface401has a size and shape compatible with insertion into treatment chamber220of handset110as shown inFIG. 4A. In one embodiment, handset adapter interface401includes a base421and outer wall420.

Optical condenser adapter400includes at least two optical members. A first optical member435is located within the base421of handset adapter interface401. The first optical member435provides an input aperture410that receives the parallel beams of laser light from laser source210and shifts the path of the optical energy from the laser light towards the center of optical condenser adapter400. More particularly, the path of the optical energy is shifted by the configuration of first optical member435so that the laser light received by first optical member435via aperture410is concentrated onto a second optical member430located at an output aperture411of optical condenser adapter400. The second optical member430, in turn, again shifts the path of the optical energy so that the beams of laser light exiting from aperture410are once again aligned. In one embodiment, the internal region425of optical condenser adapter400between the first optical member435and the second optical member430is an open volume. A cooling element415(further discussed below) is provided at output aperture411for removing heat absorbed by surface tissues during treatment of deeper tissues. In one embodiment, cooling element415may be a cooling crystal. In another embodiment, instead of being separate elements, the cooling element415and the second optical element430are the same.

In one embodiment, one or both of the first optical member435and the second optical member430are Fresnel lenses. For example, in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4B, first optical member435is a Fresnel lens comprising five crystal regions, each receiving a different subset of parallel laser light from different elements of laser array211. Each of the five crystal regions has a different Fresnel lens angle to concentrate the optical energy it receives towards the center of optical condenser adapter400and second optical member430. The angles used for each crystal region are readily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, after reading this specification, by taking into consideration the geometry of optical condenser adapter400, including the dimensions of apertures410and411and the distance between the first optical member435and the second optical member430. In one embodiment, second optical member430includes a Fresnel lens having crystal regions angled to correspond to angles of each received subset received from first optical member435.

As would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those utilizing Fresnel lenses and in other embodiments other optical elements may be used. Further, multiple and different implementations of optical condenser adapter400can be realized to provide the operating physician with different size and shape configurations for output aperture411. For example, for different implementations, output aperture may be round, elliptical, diamond, square, or any other geometric shape or combination of shapes. In still other implementations, an optical condenser adapter400may be tuned for use with specific wavelengths of light emitted from laser source210, such as through the selection of particular materials for one or both of the first optical member435and the second optical member430. In one embodiment of the condenser adapter400the inner surfaces of outer walls405that face internal region425are coated with reflective material which reduces optical energy loss during light propagation from the first optical element435to the second optical element430.

FIGS. 5,5A and5B are diagrams illustrating various means for identifying the present configuration of handset110. For example,FIG. 5illustrates one or more alternate embodiments of handset110having one or more attachment sensors such as510a,510band515.

In one embodiment, handset110comprises one or more attachment sensors510a,510b, which identify what attachment, if any, is inserted into chamber220. For example, one alternate implementation of hygienic insert300(shown inFIG. 5A) optionally further comprises one or both of pins545aand545b. Similarly, one implementation of optical condenser adapter400(shown inFIG. 5B) optionally further comprises one or both of pins565aand565b. In one embodiment, attachment sensors510a,510bdetect the which set of pins (i.e.,545a/545bor565a/565b) are present and associates the particular pattern of present pins to identify which attachment is inserted into chamber220. Upon insertion of either hygienic insert300or optical condenser adapter400, differing patterns of pins may be identified, for example, based on pin locations, numbers of pins, pin lengths, or electrical properties. An absence of detected pins may indicate that nothing is inserted.

In another embodiment, handset110comprises attachment sensor515which includes an RFID reader515. For example, one alternate implementation of hygienic insert300(shown inFIG. 5A) optionally comprises an RFID tag546. Similarly, one implementation of optical condenser adapter400(shown inFIG. 5B) optionally comprises an RFID tag566. In one embodiment, attachment sensor515reads attachment data from the RFID tag of the attachment inserted into chamber220(i.e.,546or566) to identify which attachment is inserted into chamber220. In one embodiment, an absence of a detected RFID tag may indicate that nothing is inserted.

In some implementations of optical condenser adapter400, the attachment data from the RFID tag566can indicate the particular configuration of optical condenser adapter400, such as the size and/or shape of output aperture411and whether that particular adapter is tuned for a particular wavelength. In one embodiment, system100verifies the attachment data from the RFID tag566is appropriate for the currently selected treatment parameters. For example, if the attachment data indicates that optical condenser adapter400is only to be used for specific wavelength, and laser source210is configured to emit a different wavelength, system100may provide the operator with a warning and/or prohibit firing of laser source210.

In some implementations, RFID reader515can further write information onto an RFID tag of an attachment. For example, in one implementation RFID reader515writes data onto an RFID tag546of an hygienic insert300indicating when the hygienic insert300has been used. If an operator inadvertently installs a previously used hygienic insert300, system100may provide the operator with a warning and/or prohibit operation of laser source210. In one embodiment, a unique session ID is written onto RFID tag546to permit reuse of a hygienic insert300on the same patient during a particular treatment session but otherwise prevent its reuse. Similarly, data may optionally also be written onto RFID tag566of optical condenser adapter400.

FIG. 6is a flow chart illustrating a method of one embodiment of the present invention relating to detecting and controlling the operation of laser system100based on the detected configuration of handset110. The method starts at610with determining a laser handset configuration using an attachment sensor. In some embodiments, the attachment sensor may determine the configuration using pin configurations and/or RFID tags, such as described above with respect toFIG. 5. In other embodiments, other detection means may be used. The method proceeds to615with determining whether a hygienic insert is attached to the laser handset. When a hygienic insert is attached, the method proceeds to620with enabling operation of a vacuum channel and laser source. That is, with a hygienic insert, such as insert300, installed in handset110, the handset is configured for vacuum assisted laser treatments such as described above. In this configuration, when the laser handset is placed onto a region of patient skin tissue, the skin seals against a flange of the hygienic insert. Then, when the operator activates a trigger, a vacuum is applied within a cavity of the insert by a vacuum channel in the handset. The vacuum sucks in at least a portion of the patient skin tissue into the cavity and towards the laser source of the handset.

When a hygienic insert is not attached (determined at615), the method proceeds to625with disabling the vacuum channel of the handset. Disabling the vacuum channel of the handset when no hygienic insert is detected prevents inadvertent non-hygienic use of the handset for vacuum assisted laser treatments. If no hygienic insert is detected because an optical condenser adapter is instead installed, then operation of the vacuum channel is unnecessary and may be disabled to prevent wear.

The method next proceeds to630with determining whether an optical condenser adapter is attached to the laser handset. In the case where no optical condenser adapter is detected, and no hygienic insert is detected, then the laser handset may not be properly set up for use and the method proceeds to635with disabling laser operation. In one embodiment, when it is determine that an optical condenser adapter is attached, the method proceeds to645with enabling laser operation. In one embodiment, the method optionally proceeds to640with determining whether the attached optical condenser adapter is compatible with the present laser settings. If not, the method proceeds to635with disabling laser operation. When the adapter and present laser setting are compatible, the method proceeds to645with enabling laser operation.

FIG. 7is a block diagram illustrating at700one embodiment of a configuration of system100for implementing the method described inFIG. 6. Handset110comprises laser source210, vacuum channel224, a vacuum sensor724, an attachment sensor726(such as attachment sensors510a,band515, for example) and trigger sensor728. As illustrated above, base unit120comprises power supply122, vacuum source126and logic126. Power supply122provides the electrical energy for operating laser source210. Vacuum source740provides the negative pressure for operating vacuum channel224. In this embodiment, logic126comprises one or more interlocks (712,714,716) for controlling operation of laser source210and vacuum channel224based on inputs received from vacuum sensor724, attachment sensor726, and trigger sensor728.

For example, in one embodiment, attachment sensor interlock logic714receives inputs representing the state of attachment sensor726. When a hygienic insert300is detected by attachment sensor726, attachment sensor interlock logic714enables operation of vacuum channel224. Otherwise, when an optical condenser attachment is detected, operation of vacuum channel224is disabled by attachment sensor interlock logic714. In alternate embodiments, enabling or disabling of vacuum channel224may be achieved, for example, by altering a valve alignment between vacuum source124and vacuum channel224or by electrically controlling vacuum source740. Attachment sensor interlock logic714may disable operation of both vacuum channel224and laser source210when no attachment is detected. Similarly, attachment sensor interlock logic714may disable operation of both of vacuum channel224and laser source210when it detects an incompatibility between the attachment and the present laser settings or other system parameters.

Trigger sensor interlock logic716receives inputs representing the state of trigger sensor728. In one embodiment, when trigger sensor728is depressed, that indicates to logic710that the operator wants to activate the laser source210.

Assuming that a hygienic insert300is attached and laser and vacuum operation have not been disabled by attachment sensor interlock logic714, trigger sensor interlock logic716will activate vacuum channel224. Vacuum sensor724monitors vacuum within cavity320and is coupled to vacuum sensor interlock logic712. In one embodiment, as long as vacuum sensor interlock logic712determines that the vacuum within cavity320is insufficient (i.e., not meeting a predetermined pressure threshold), it blocks operation of laser source210. When vacuum sensor interlock logic712determine that there is a sufficient vacuum within cavity320, it proceeds with firing of laser source210.

Assuming that an optical condenser adapter400is attached, laser operation should not be disabled by attachment sensor interlock logic714, while vacuum operation will be disabled by attachment sensor interlock logic714. In that case, vacuum sensor interlock logic712is bypassed and trigger sensor interlock logic716will activate laser source210directly based on the state of trigger sensor720.

FIGS. 8,8A,9,9A and10are diagrams illustrating alternate cooling mechanism embodiments for optical condenser adapter400. As mentioned above, optical condenser adapter400comprises a cooling element415at output aperture411which functions to cool upper layers of skin while the optical energy emitted by output aperture411treats tissues located at lower layers beneath the skin's surface. In order to perform this function, heat absorbed by cooling element415must be removed so that cooling element415continues to have a sufficient heat absorbing capacity.

In the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 8A, heat is removed from cooling element415by a pre-cooled circulating liquid coolant. InFIG. 8, handset110further comprises a coolant delivery channel810and a coolant return channel820. In this embodiment, optical condenser adapter400further comprises a coolant delivery channel815, a heat exchanging interface830interfacing with cooling element830, and a coolant return channel825. With optical condenser adapter400coupled to handset110, channels810and820are coupled to respective channels815and825to form a complete circulating coolant circuit. In operation, pre-cooled circulating liquid coolant is provided by handset110by channel810to heat exchanging interface830via channel815. At heat exchanging interface830, the pre-cooled circulating liquid coolant absorbs the thermal energy accumulating in cooling element415and removes that heat through channels825and820.

An alternate but similar embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 8A. Instead of having pre-cooled circulating liquid coolant delivered by handset110, coolant delivery channel850and coolant return channel855in optical condenser adapter400are coupled via an umbilical connection860to base unit120. In this embodiment, in operation, pre-cooled circulating liquid coolant is provided to coolant delivery channel850by umbilical connection860. At heat exchanging interface830, the pre-cooled circulating liquid coolant absorbs the thermal energy accumulating in cooling element415and removes that heat through coolant return channel855back through umbilical connection860to base unit120.

In the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 9A, heat is removed from cooling element415by a thermoelectric cooling device910coupled to crystal415.

InFIG. 9, handset110further comprises cooler power conductors920. A corresponding set of cooler power conductors925are integrated into optical condenser adapter400. Cooler power conductors925in turn are electrically coupled to thermoelectric cooling device910. With optical condenser adapter400coupled to handset110, cooler power conductors920are coupled to respective Cooler power conductors925to form an electrical circuit powering thermoelectric cooling device910. In operation, electrical power is provided by handset110to thermoelectric cooling device910which absorbs the thermal energy accumulating in cooling element415and dissipates the heat away from cooling element415. An alternate embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 9A. Instead of having electric power for thermoelectric cooling device910delivered by handset110, Cooler power conductors915in optical condenser adapter400instead receive electrical power from base unit120via an umbilical connection940to base unit120.

In the embodiments illustrated inFIG. 10, heat is removed from cooling element415by thermal pipes1010integrated into optical condenser adapter400. In operation, thermal pipes1010absorb the thermal energy accumulating in cooling element415and dissipates the heat away from cooling element415.