Medical apparatus for performing treatment with a laser beam includes a laser oscillator generating a laser beam which is transmitted over an optical fiber to a hand piece including a plurality of rectangularly sectioned light guides, or kaleidoscopes, each having an incident end and an emission end. The kaleidoscopes are arranged in a side-by-side configuration in a hand piece. The emission end of the optical fiber is connected to an iron sleeve which is slidably mounted in the hand piece to permit movement of the iron sleeve in a direction parallel to lines connecting the ends of the kaleidoscopes. A plurality of electromagnets equal in number to the number of kaleidoscopes are mounted in the hand piece and aligned with the kaleidoscopes. Selective energization of the electromagnets is operable to optically couple the emission end of the optical fiber to incident ends of individual kaleidoscopes. The kaleidoscopes provide multiple internal reflections such that uniform energy distribution radiation patterns are formed at the emission ends of the kaleidoscopes. A plurality of such radiation patterns are obtained at the emission end of the hand piece in precise alignment. A protective transparent plate is detachably mounted to the emission ends of the kaleidoscopes and permit the hand piece to be placed directly in contact with the body part to be treated.
A system and method for distributing an output beam from a laser system on a body which provides for a uniform fluence level throughout an entire treatment region. A first structure receives the laser beam and aims it along a propagation axis. A scanner scans the propagation axis of the laser beam at a controlled scan velocity, so that the laser beam essentially continuously scans a treatment pattern on the body. The treatment pattern can consist of an essentially straight line, or a ring, or other pattern which can be easily fitted together with other patterns to fill in a treatment area. The method includes the steps of: supplying a laser beam, directing a laser beam along a propagation axis to the body, and scanning the propagation axis of the laser beam at a controlled scanned velocity, so that the laser beam essentially continuously scans the treatment pattern on the body.
A method for treating dermatological organ disorders and skin lesions in a mammal through the use of directed, pulsed laser light is described. The dermatological disorders are characterized by an increase in concentration of potential photodynamic chemical compounds like carotenoid compounds, and especially the carotenoid beta-carotene, compared to normal skin. Pulsed dye laser light of a time and duration specific for maximal absorption by a carotenoid compound like beta-carotene is directed at the regions of carotenoid accumulation within a skin disorder. Thermal coagulation necrosis of the carotenoid-accumulating skin region results, though thermal damage to surrounding tissue is limited in amount.
A laser treatment method is provided which removes pigment containing lesions, both normal and abnormal medically, from the skin of a living human. The methodology comprises a carefully controlled irradiation of the chosen treatment site on the skin of a living human; avoids the creation of cosmetically disfiguring scars; and eliminates the typical hypopigmentation as well as the pitting and other changes in skin texture normally accompanying conventionally known laser treatment techniques.
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for the modifying the intensity profile of radiant energy beam or reducing its spatial coherence, especially that produced by a laser. The apparatus includes a waveguide having a light reflecting surface including a substructure. The light reflecting surface and substructure reflect incident light causing chaotic scattering which acts to homogenize the intensity profile of the laser beam.
A laser treatment method is provided which removes pigmentations, lesions, and abnormalities from the skin of a living human. The methodology comprises a carefully controlled irradiation of the chosen treatment site on the skin of a living human; avoids the creation of cosmetically disfiguring scars; and eliminates the typical hypopigmentation as well as the pitting and other changes in skin texture normally accompanying conventionally known laser treatment techniques.
