Method and apparatus for treating wrinkles in skin using radiation

Abstract

A method for treating wrinkles in skin involves the use of a beam of pulsed, scanned or gated continuous wave laser or incoherent radiation. The method comprises generating a beam of radiation, directing the beam of radiation to a targeted dermal region between 100 microns and 1.2 millimeters below a wrinkle in the skin, and thermally injuring collagen in the targeted dermal region. The beam of radiation has a wavelength of between 1.3 and 1.8 microns. The method may include cooling an area of the skin above the targeted dermal region while partially denaturing the collagen in the targeted dermal region. The method may also include cooling an area of the skin above the targeted dermal region prior to thermally injuring collagen in the targeted dermal region.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for treating a wrinkle in human skin, comprising: 
 generating a beam of radiation having a wavelength of between 1.3 and 1.8 microns and a fluence of between 10 and 150 joulesper square centimeter;    directing the beam of radiation to a targeted dermal region between 100 microns and 1.2 millimeters below a wrinkle in the skin; and    causing thermal injury within the targeted dermal region to elicit a healing response that produces substantially unwrinkled skin.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the wavelength is about 1.5 microns.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of stretching the skin along the wrinkle before the step of directing the beam of radiation to the targeted dermal region.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of cooling an epidermal region of the skin above the targeted dermal region contemporaneously with the step of causing thermal injury within the targeted dermal region.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising the step of pre-cooling the epidermal region of the skin above the targeted dermal region before the step of causing thermal injury within the targeted dermal region.  
     
     
         6 . A method for treating a wrinkle in human skin, comprising: 
 generating a beam of radiation having a wavelength of between 1.3 and 1.8 microns and a power density of between 5 and 100 watts per square centimeter;    directing the beam of radiation to a targeted dermal region between 100 microns and 1.2 millimeters below a wrinkle in the skin; and    causing thermal injury within the targeted dermal region to elicit a healing response that produces substantially unwrinkled skin.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the wavelength is about 1.5 microns.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising the step of stretching the skin along the wrinkle before the step of directing the beam of radiation to the targeted dermal region.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising the step of cooling an epidermal region of the skin above the targeted dermal region contemporaneously with the step of causing thermal injury within the targeted dermal region.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of pre-cooling the epidermal region of the skin above the targeted dermal region before the step of causing thermal injury within the targeted dermal region.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for treating a wrinkle in human skin, comprising: 
 a source generating a beam of radiation having a wavelength of between 1.3 and 1.8 microns; and    a delivery system coupled to the source, the delivery system directing the beam of radiation to a targeted dermal region between 100 microns and 1.2 millimeters below a wrinkle in the skin, wherein the beam of radiation causes thermal injury to the targeted dermal region sufficient to elicit a healing response that produces substantially unwrinkled skin, the delivery system further comprising:    a cooling system for contact cooling an epidermal region of the skin above the targeted dermal region, to thereby minimize injury to the epidermal region.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the delivery system further comprises a fiber coupled to the source, the fiber carrying the beam of radiation; and 
 wherein the cooling system further comprises a skin contacting portion having a first end in optical communication with the fiber and a second end, the skin contacting portion projecting the beam of radiation toward the targeted dermal region through the second end of the skin contacting portion.  
 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the skin contacting portion further comprises a window located at the second end of the skin contacting portion, the window being in optical communication with the fiber; and 
 wherein the skin contacting portion has a fluid passage extending across at least a portion of the window, the fluid passage circulating a cooling fluid past the window.  
 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for treating a wrinkle in human skin, comprising: 
 a source generating a beam of radiation having a wavelength of between 1.3 and 1.8 microns;    a delivery system coupled to the source, the delivery system directing the beam of radiation to a targeted dermal region between 100 microns and 1.2 millimeter, below a wrinkle in the skin, wherein the beam of radiation causes thermal injury to the targeted dermal region sufficient to elicit a healing response that produces substantially unwrinkled skin; and    a cooling system for cooling an epidermal region of the skin above the targeted dermal region, to thereby minimize injury to the epidermal region.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the cooling system comprises a container of cold fluid, wherein the cold fluid is sprayed onto the skin and extracts heat from the skin on contact.