Source: http://www.google.es/patents/US20080172047?dq=flatulence
Timestamp: 2015-11-27 04:37:40
Document Index: 50246290

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60']

Patente US20080172047 - Methods And Devices For Fractional Ablation Of Tissue - Google PatentesB�squeda Im�genes Maps Play YouTube Noticias Gmail Drive M�s »Iniciar sesi�n B�squeda avanzada de patentesPatentesMethods and devices for ablating portions of a tissue volume with electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to produce lattices of EMR-treated ablation islets in the tissue are disclosed, including lattices of micro-holes, micro-grooves, and other structures. Also, methods and devices for using the ablated islets...http://www.google.es/patents/US20080172047?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatente US20080172047 - Methods And Devices For Fractional Ablation Of Tissue B�squeda avanzada de patentes N�mero de publicaci�nUS20080172047 A1Tipo de publicaci�nSolicitud N�mero de solicitudUS 11/966,468 Fecha de publicaci�n17 Jul 2008 Fecha de presentaci�n28 Dic 2007 Fecha de prioridad28 Dic 2000Tambi�n publicado comoUS20080183162, US20080214988, US20080306471, WO2008083305A2, WO2008083305A3 N�mero de publicaci�n11966468, 966468, US 2008/0172047 A1, US 2008/172047 A1, US 20080172047 A1, US 20080172047A1, US 2008172047 A1, US 2008172047A1, US-A1-20080172047, US-A1-2008172047, US2008/0172047A1, US2008/172047A1, US20080172047 A1, US20080172047A1, US2008172047 A1, US2008172047A1 InventoresGregory B. Altshuler, Ilya Yaroslavsky, Andrei V. Erofeev Cesionario originalPalomar Medical Technologies, Inc.Exportar citaBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManCitas de patentes (99), Citada por (52), Clasificaciones (21), Eventos legales (2) Enlaces externos: USPTO, Cesi�n de USPTO, EspacenetMethods And Devices For Fractional Ablation Of Tissue
US 20080172047 A1 Resumen
Methods and devices for ablating portions of a tissue volume with electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to produce lattices of EMR-treated ablation islets in the tissue are disclosed, including lattices of micro-holes, micro-grooves, and other structures. Also, methods and devices for using the ablated islets are disclosed, including to deliver chromophores, filler, drugs and other substances to the tissue volume.
Im�genes(58) Reclamaciones(80)
1. A method for treating a volume of skin tissue comprising:
generating optical radiation suitable for ablating skin tissue; ablating portions of the volume of skin tissue with the optical radiation; wherein the ablated portions form a set of grooves in the volume of skin tissue, separated by areas of unablated skin tissue. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the grooves are regularly spaced from each other.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the grooves form an array of regularly spaced rows.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the grooves are curved.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the grooves have a width of between approximately 10 and 500 micrometers.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the grooves have a width of between approximately 30 and 100 micrometers.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the grooves have a depth of between approximately 0.1 and 5 millimeters.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the grooves have a depth of between approximately 0.01 and 5 millimeters.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the grooves have a depth of between approximately 0.1 and 2 millimeters.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the grooves have a depth extending into the epidermis of the volume of skin tissue.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the grooves have a depth extending into the dermis of the volume of skin tissue.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the grooves have a depth extending below the dermis of the volume of skin tissue.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the grooves have a fill factor in a cross-sectional plane extending through the grooves of between approximately 1 percent and 50 percent.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the grooves have a fill factor in a cross-sectional plane extending through the grooves of approximately 30 percent.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the volume of skin tissue is located at a surface of the skin tissue and wherein the grooves have a fill factor at the surface of the skin tissue of between approximately 1 percent and 90 percent.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the volume of skin tissue is located at a surface of the skin tissue and wherein the grooves have a fill factor at the surface of the skin tissue of between approximately 1 percent and 50 percent.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the volume of skin tissue is located at a surface of the skin tissue and wherein the grooves have a fill factor at the surface of the skin tissue of between approximately 20 percent and 40 percent.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the grooves have a fill factor at the surface of the skin tissue of approximately 30 percent.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the volume of the grooves to the volume of the skin tissue is between approximately 1 and 60 percent.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the volume of the grooves to the volume of the skin tissue is approximately 30 percent.
21. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing the skin tissue to heal.
22. The method of claim 1, wherein the volume of skin tissue has improved texture after the skin tissue heals.
23. The method of claim 1, wherein the volume of skin tissue has an improved appearance after the skin tissue heals.
24. The method of claim 1, wherein the skin tissue has fewer fine lines after the skin tissue heals.
25. The method of claim 1, wherein the skin tissue has fewer wrinkles after the skin tissue heals.
26. The method of claim 1, wherein the skin tissue has fewer rhytides after the skin tissue heals.
27. The method of claim 1, wherein the skin tissue has less severe fine lines after the skin tissue heals.
28. The method of claim 1, wherein the skin tissue has less severe wrinkles after the skin tissue heals.
29. The method of claim 1, wherein the skin tissue has less severe rhytides after the skin tissue heals.
30. The method of claim 1, wherein the skin tissue has less severe fine lines after the skin tissue heals.
31. The method of claim 1, wherein the skin tissue is tightened as a result of the treatment.
compressing the skin tissue to reduce the amount of space within a groove; and fixing the compressed skin tissue in place during at least a portion of the healing process of the skin tissue. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the skin tissue is compressed in a direction roughly parallel to the surface of the skin tissue.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein the skin tissue is compressed in a direction roughly perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the groove.
35. The method of claim 32, wherein the skin tissue is compressed in a direction across the width of the groove.
36. The method of claim 30, wherein the compressed skin tissue is fixed by applying a liquid substance forming a viscous film.
37. The method of claim 30, wherein the compressed skin tissue if fixed by applying a film.
38. The method of claim 32, wherein the compressed skin tissue if fixed by applying a material that shrinks during a time period following application to the skin tissue.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the material is a material from the group of liquids, solids, aerosols, and mixtures.
40. The method of claim 32, further comprising applying a substance to promote healing of the skin tissue.
41. The method of claim 32, further comprising applying a substance to improve a dermatological condition of the skin tissue.
42. The method of claim 41, wherein the substance is at least partially enclosed within the groove following compression.
43. The method of claim 32, further comprising applying a substance to improve the cosmetic appearance of the skin tissue.
44. The method of claim 43, wherein the substance is a dermatological filler.
45. The method of claim 32, further comprising applying a substance to reduce tension on the skin tissue during healing of the skin tissue.
46. The method of claim 32, further comprising injecting a substance to reduce muscle contraction during healing of the skin tissue.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein the substance is a botulinum toxin.
48. The method of claim 32, wherein the skin is tightened following the treatment.
49. The method of claim 1, wherein the skin is tightened following treatment.
50. A method of ablating portions of soft tissue comprising:
generating electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength component suitable for ablating soft tissue; applying the electromagnetic radiation to the portions of soft tissue for a time sufficient to ablate the portions of soft tissue; wherein the ablated portions of soft tissue form in the soft tissue a plurality of elongated voids that are separated by unablated soft tissue. 51. The method of claim 50, wherein the elongated voids are three dimensional voids substantially longer in one dimension that in the other two dimensions.
52. The method of claim 50, wherein the elongated voids are grooves formed in the surface of the soft tissue.
53. The method of claim 50, wherein the elongated voids have a fill factor in a cross-sectional plane extending through the voids of between approximately 1 percent and 90 percent.
54. The method of claim 50, wherein the elongated voids have a fill factor in a cross-sectional plane extending through the voids of between approximately 1 percent and 50 percent.
55. The method of claim 50, wherein the ratio of the volume of the elongated voids to the volume of the soft tissue is between approximately 1 and 60 percent.
56. The method of claim 50, wherein the ratio of the volume of the elongated voids to the volume of the soft tissue is approximately 30 percent.
57. The method of claim 50, wherein the electromagnetic radiation produces a zone of coagulation adjacent to the void, the zone of coagulation having a maximum thickness of between approximately 5 micrometers and 100 micrometers.
58. A method for treating soft tissue comprising:
producing electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength component suitable for ablating soft tissue; and forming a set of grooves in the soft tissue by ablating the soft tissue with the electromagnetic radiation; wherein a condition of the soft tissue is improved after the soft tissue heals. 59. The method of claim 58, wherein the grooves of the set are regularly spaced.
60. The method of claim 58, wherein the plurality of grooves includes first and second subsets of grooves.
61. The method of claim 60, wherein the first subset of grooves is approximately perpendicular to the second subset of grooves.
62. The method of claim 60, wherein the first subset of grooves intersects the second subset of grooves
63. The method of claim 60, wherein the step of forming the set of grooves further comprises forming the first and second subsets of grooves simultaneously.
64. The method of claim 60, wherein the step of forming the set of grooves further comprises forming the second set of grooves at a time after forming the first subset of grooves.
65. The method of claim 58, wherein the step of forming the set of grooves further comprises forming each groove of the set by scanning the electromagnetic radiation along a location of the groove in an amount sufficient to form the groove.
66. A device for treating soft tissue comprising:
a source of electromagnetic radiation; an output aperture; a transmission path extending from the source of the electromagnetic radiation to the output aperture, and configured to deliver the electromagnetic radiation to the soft tissue; wherein the output aperture is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in a pattern of elongated segments; and wherein the source is configured to generate sufficient electromagnetic radiation to ablate tissue within the selected region during operation to produce a pattern of elongated segments in the tissue. 67. The device of claim 66, wherein the source is configured to produce coherent radiation.
68. The device of claim 66, wherein the source is configured to produce radiation having a wavelength of between approximately 190 nanometers and 100 micrometers.
69. The device of claim 66, wherein the source is configured to produce radiation having a wavelength of between approximately 1.3 micrometers and 12 micrometers.
70. The device of claim 66, wherein the source is configured to produce radiation having a wavelength of between approximately 190 nanometers and 350 nanometers.
71. The device of claim 66, wherein the source is configured to produce incoherent radiation.
72. The device of claim 71 wherein the transmission path includes a filter to pass at least one wavelength component suitable for ablating the tissue.
73. The device of claim 71, wherein the incoherent radiation is predominately ultraviolet radiation.
74. The device of claim 66, wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation is configured to produce pulses of electromagnetic radiation.
75. The device of claim 74, wherein the pulses have a pulse width within a range of approximately 1 femtosecond to 100 milliseconds.
76. The device of claim 66, wherein the source is configured to procude electromagnetic radiation having a fluence in the range of approximately 0.00001 to 200 Joules/cm2.
77. A device for treating soft tissue comprising:
a source of electromagnetic radiation; a scanning device configured to deliver the optical radiation to the soft tissue; and an output aperture; wherein the scanning device is configured to translate the beam within a treatment region of tissue during operation such that the beam ablates a portion of the tissue in the treatment region to form a pattern of elongated segments in the tissue. 78. A device for treating soft tissue comprising:
a source of electromagnetic radiation configured to produce electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength component suitable for ablating soft tissue; an array of output apertures; a optical path extending from the source of the optical radiation to the output apertures of the array, and configured to deliver the optical radiation to soft tissue through the output apertures; a motion sensor; and a controller configured to control the source of electromagnetic radiation based on signals from the motion sensor; wherein the device is configured to ablate soft tissue by applying the electromagnetic radiation through the output apertures as the output widow is moved across the soft tissue, the device thereby forming grooves in the soft tissue. 79. A device for treating soft tissue comprising:
a set of sources of electromagnetic radiation, each source of the set configured to produce electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength component suitable for ablating soft tissue, and further configured to deliver the electromagnetic radiation to soft tissue adjacent the device during operation; a motion sensor; and a controller configured to control the sources of electromagnetic radiation based on signals from the motion sensor; wherein the device is configured to ablate soft tissue by applying the electromagnetic radiation to the soft tissue the device is moved across the soft tissue, the device thereby forming grooves in the soft tissue. 80. A device for treating soft tissue comprising:
a set of sources of electromagnetic radiation, each source of the set configured to produce electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength component suitable for ablating soft tissue, and further configured to deliver the electromagnetic radiation to soft tissue in a beam elongated in one direction; wherein the device is configured to ablate soft tissue by applying the electromagnetic radiation to the soft tissue, the device thereby forming grooves in the soft tissue. Descripci�n
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/877,826, filed Dec. 29, 2006.
[0002] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. Nos. 11/097,841, 11/098,000, 11/098,036, and 11/098,015, each of which was filed Apr. 1, 2005 and entitled “Methods and products for producing lattices of EMR-treated islets in tissues, and uses therefore” and each of which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/561,052, filed Apr. 9, 2004, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/614,382, filed Sep. 29, 2004, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/641,616, filed Jan. 5, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/620,734, filed Oct. 21, 2004.
[0003] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/235,697 that was filed on Sep. 21, 2005 and entitled “Method and Apparatus for EMR Treatment”, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/033,302 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,997,923) that was filed on Dec. 27, 2001 and entitled “Method and Apparatus for EMR Treatment”, which claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/258,855 that was filed Dec. 28, 2000.
[0004] Each of the applications and provisional applications identified above is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0006] The devices and methods disclosed herein relate to the ablation of soft and hard tissues with electromagnetic energy generally, including, without limitation, optical energy having wavelengths in the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges. Some embodiments relate to devices and methods that are used to ablate micro-holes in the treated tissue.
[0008] Electromagnetic radiation, particularly in the form of laser light, has been used in a variety of cosmetic and medical applications, including uses in dermatology, dentistry, opthalmology, gynecology, otorhinolaryngology and internal medicine. For most dermatological applications, the EMR treatment can be performed with a device that delivers the EMR to the surface of the targeted tissues. For applications in internal medicine, the EMR treatment is typically performed with a device that works in combination with an endoscope or catheter to deliver the EMR to internal surfaces and tissues.
[0009] As a general matter, existing EMR treatments are typically designed to (a) deliver one or more particular wavelengths (or a range (or ranges) of wavelengths) of EMR to a tissue to induce a particular chemical reaction, (b) deliver EMR energy to a tissue to cause an increase in temperature, or (c) deliver EMR energy to a tissue to damage or destroy cellular or extra cellular structures, such as for skin remodeling.
[0010] For skin remodeling, absorption of optical energy by water is widely used in two approaches: ablative skin resurfacing, typically performed with either CO2 (10.6 μm) or Er:YAG (2.94 μm) lasers, and non-ablative skin remodeling using a combination of deep skin heating with light from Nd:YAG (1.34 μm), Er:glass (1.56 μm) or diode laser (1.44 μm) and skin surface cooling for selective damage of sub-epidermal tissue. Non-ablative techniques offer considerably reduced risk of side effects and are much less demanding on post-operative care. However, clinical efficacy of the non-ablative procedure has not been satisfactory.
[0011] In the cosmetic field for the treatment of various skin conditions, alternative methods and devices have been developed that irradiate or cause damage in a portion of the tissue area and/or volume being treated. These methods and devices have become known as fractional technology. Fractional technology is thought to be a safer method of treatment of skin for cosmetic purposes, because tissue damage occurs within smaller sub-volumes or islets within the larger volume of tissue being treated. The tissue surrounding the islets is spared from the damage. Because the resulting islets are surrounded by neighboring healthy tissue the healing process is thorough and fast. Furthermore, it is believed that the surrounding healthy tissue aids in healing and the treatment effects of the damaged tissue.
[0012] Examples of devices that have been used to treat the skin using non-ablative procedures such as skin resurfacing include the Palomar� 1540 Fractional Handpiece, the Reliant Fraxel� SR Laser and similar devices by ActiveFX, Alma Lasers, Iridex, and Reliant Technologies.
[0013] The present invention uses ablative fractional methods and devices to perform cosmetic and other treatments and functions on hard and soft tissue, including skin tissue. In various embodiments, examples of which are described in greater detail below, improved devices and systems for ablating tissue by producing lattices of EMR-treated islets in tissues are provide as well as improved cosmetic and medical applications of such devices and systems. For example, in one embodiment, methods and devices are described for creating lattices of ablation islets. In some embodiments, methods and devices are described for selectively damaging a portion of a tissue volume being treated by applying EMR radiation to produce a lattice of EMR-treated islets, which absorb an amount of EMR sufficient to damage the tissue by killing cells at the surface of the tissue or otherwise causing ablation of the tissue in the EMR-treated islets, but not sufficient to cause bulk tissue damage.
[0014] Other embodiments include devices and methods that allow EMR to be precisely delivered such that uniform micro-holes and other types of EMR-treated islets having very small dimensions can be reliably formed. Methods and devices are described for ablating tissue to form micro-holes, micro-grooves, micro-voids and other micro-structures. For example, methods and devices are described for creating ablation islets that are small and precisely formed, for example, micro-holes in some embodiments having diameters of approximately 1-50 μm and micro-holes in other embodiments having diameters of a magnitude that is 10% or less of the wavelength used to create the micro-hole.
[0015] Other embodiments include various uses for ablated structures, including holes, grooves, voids, and various micro-structures. In some embodiments, ablative fractional treatments of tissue provide an alternative to non-ablative techniques that produces superior results. In other embodiments, ablative fractional methods and devices can be used to ablate holes, grooves, voids and other structures into tissue for various purposes, including, without limitation, skin tightening, wrinkle reduction, application of fillers, application of biologically inert materials, application of drugs, application of chromophores, application of optically transmissive substances, application of other substances to alter the optical characteristics of the tissue, application of drugs, and the application of other substances.
[0016] As examples, some of the embodiments described provide for one or more of the following:
1. The ability to perforate and/or form holes in tissue, such as, for example, by forming holes in the skin through which a substance can be passed; 2. The ability to form EMR-treated islets that are far smaller than can be created by previous fractional treatments, such as, for example, by forming islets of treated tissue, damaged tissue, perforated tissue, tissue with holes and/or similar structures in tissues that are on the order of approximately 1 μm or less in diameter, and that have a very small pitch, for example, pitches on the order of approximately 330 μm, 220 μm, 110 μm, 10 μm, or even less for correspondingly small micro-holes; 3. The ability to perform skin rejuvenation using pure light, other EMR, other types of energy or combinations of energy and that ability to perform other procedures, such as, for example, photobiomodulation, photodynamic therapies, and other forms of therapy; 4. The ability to inject materials into tissue, such as, for example, drugs and biologically inert materials, including, without limitation, collagen, fat, cosmetics, substances capable of providing permanent protection from ultraviolet (“UV”) radiation, and tattoos; 5. The ability to deliver EMR in a highly uniform manner, such as, for example, across a curved, leveled or flattened tissue surface; 6. The ability to control the dimensions of the islets of EMR-treated tissue, such as, for example, by tuning and/or adjusting the wavelength of EMR that is applied to the tissue to modulate the dimensions of the EMR-treated islets; and 7. The ability to form many different patterns of EMR-treated tissue, including, without limitation, very small islets of EMR-treated tissue, very small islets of non-EMR-treated tissue that are surrounded by EMR-treated tissue, and larger islets of non-EMR-treated tissue surrounded by very small bands or portions of EMR-treated tissue. [0024] One embodiment is a method for treating a volume of skin tissue comprising: generating optical radiation suitable for ablating skin tissue and ablating portions of the volume of skin tissue with the optical radiation. The ablated portions form a set of grooves in the volume of skin tissue, separated by areas of unablated skin tissue.
[0025] Preferred embodiments of this embodiment can include one or more of the following. The grooves can be regularly spaced from each other. The grooves can form an array of regularly spaced rows. The grooves can be curved. The grooves can have a width of between approximately 10 and 500 micrometers, or more preferably a width of between approximately 30 and 100 micrometers. The grooves can have a depth of between approximately 0.1 and 5 millimeters, or more preferably a depth of between approximately 0.01 and 5 millimeters. The grooves can have a depth of between approximately 0.1 and 2 millimeters. The grooves can have a depth extending to the epidermis or the dermis of the volume of skin tissue. The grooves can have a depth extending below the dermis of the volume of skin tissue.
[0026] The grooves can have a fill factor in a cross-sectional plane extending through the grooves of between approximately 1 percent and 50 percent, and more preferably approximately 30 percent. The fill factor at the surface of the skin tissue can be between approximately 1 percent and 90 percent, or more preferably between 1 percent and 50 percent. The grooves can have a fill factor at the surface of the skin tissue of between approximately 20 percent and 40 percent, or more preferably about 30 percent. The ratio of the volume of the grooves to the volume of the skin tissue can be between approximately 1 and 60 percent, or more preferably about 30 percent.
[0027] The method can include allowing the skin tissue to heal to provide improved texture or an improved appearance. The skin can have fewer and/or less severe fine lines, wrinkles and/or rhytides. The skin can be tightened.
[0028] The method can also include compressing the skin tissue to reduce the amount of space within a groove; and fixing the compressed skin tissue in place during at least a portion of the healing process of the skin tissue. The skin can be compressed in a direction roughly parallel to the surface of the skin tissue or roughly perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the groove. The skin can also be fixed by applying a liquid substance forming a viscous film, or another type of film, tape or device to fix the skin in place.
[0029] A substance, such as dermatological fillers, can be applied in the skin to promote healing or to improve a cosmetic or dermatological condition. The substance can be partially enclosed within the groove following compression and/or prior to fixing the skin tissue in place. The substance could also be a muscle management substance such as botulinum toxin, to reduce tension on the skin tissue during healing of the skin tissue or to lengthen the effect of the treatment.
[0030] Another embodiment is a method of ablating portions of soft tissue comprising: generating electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength component suitable for ablating soft tissue and applying the electromagnetic radiation to the portions of soft tissue for a time sufficient to ablate the portions of soft tissue. The ablated portions of soft tissue form in the soft tissue a plurality of elongated voids that are separated by unablated soft tissue.
[0031] Preferred embodiments of this embodiment can include one or more of the following. The elongated voids can be three dimensional voids substantially longer in one dimension that in the other two dimensions. The elongated voids can be grooves formed in the surface of the soft tissue. The elongated voids can have a fill factor in a cross-sectional plane extending through the voids of between approximately 1 percent and 90 percent, or more preferably between approximately 1 percent and 50 percent. The ratio of the volume of the elongated voids to the volume of the soft tissue can be between approximately 1 and 60 percent, or more preferably approximately 30-40 percent. The electromagnetic radiation can produce a zone of coagulation adjacent to the void, and the zone of coagulation can have a maximum thickness of between approximately 5 micrometers and 100 micrometers.
[0032] Another embodiment is a method for treating soft tissue comprising: producing electromagnetic radiation having at least one wavelength component suitable for ablating soft tissue; and forming a set of grooves in the soft tissue by ablating the soft tissue with the electromagnetic radiation. As a result, a condition of the soft tissue is improved after the soft tissue heals.
[0033] Preferred embodiments of this embodiment can include one or more of the following. The grooves of the set are regularly spaced. The plurality of grooves can include first and second subsets of grooves. The first subset of grooves can be approximately perpendicular to and/or intersect the second subset of grooves. The sets of grooves can be formed simultaneously or sequentially. The sets of grooves can be formed by scanning or other means.
[0034] Another embodiment is a device for treating soft tissue that has a source of electromagnetic radiation, an output aperture, and a transmission path extending from the source to the aperture. The transmission path delivers the electromagnetic radiation to the soft tissue. The output aperture emits the electromagnetic radiation in a pattern of elongated segments, and the source generates sufficient electromagnetic radiation to ablate tissue to produce a pattern of elongated segments in the tissue.
[0035] Preferred embodiments can include one or more of the following. The source can be configured to produce coherent radiation. The source can be configured to produce radiation having a wavelength of between approximately 190 nanometers and 100 micrometers, or more preferably between approximately 190 nanometers and 350 nanometers or 1.3 micrometers and 12 micrometers.
[0036] The source can also be configured to produce incoherent radiation, and to emit electromagnetic radiation in multiple wavelengths and in multiple wavebands. The transmission path can include a filter to pass at least one wavelength component suitable for ablating the tissue. The device can emit predominately ultraviolet radiation.
[0037] The source can produce pulses of electromagnetic radiation, for example, pulses having a pulse width within a range of approximately 1 femtosecond to 100 milliseconds. The source can also produce electromagnetic radiation with a fluence in the range of approximately 1.0�10−5 to 200 Joules/cm2.
[0038] Another embodiment is a device for treating soft tissue that includes a source of electromagnetic radiation, a scanning device, and an output aperture. The scanning device can translate the beam within a treatment region of tissue during operation to ablate a portion of the tissue and for