Removable tip for laser device with safety interlock

Abstract

An applicator for use with a laser device housing comprises an applicator body mountable for moving in the housing when at least a minimum amount of pressure is applied to the applicator by contact with a patient's skin to actuate a mechanism in the housing for operation of the laser device, and an applicator distal end affixed to the body and positionable substantially in a focal plane of the laser device by motion of the body upon application of at least the minimum amount of pressure. The mechanism may be an interlock, or a switch, or a switch for charging capacitors of the laser device. The Interlock may be a spring-mounted interlock.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for preparing the skin for treatment of cutaneous or subcutaneous compounds, comprising the steps of: 
 a) focusing a laser beam with sufficient energy fluence to ablate or alter the skin at least as deep as the stratum corneum, but not as deep as the capillary layer;    b) firing the laser to create a site of ablation or alteration, the site having a diameter of between 0.5 microns and 5.0 cm;    c) applying a dye, a compound that alters the optical properties of stratum corneum, or a compound that stimulates the body's production of molecules that are strong absorbers of light; and    d) firing a second laser with a wavelength that is absorbed by the applied dye, the compound that stimulates the optical properties of stratum corneum or the compound that stimulates the body's production of molecules that are strong absorbers of light.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the laser beam has a wavelength of 0.2-10 microns  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the laser beam has a wavelength of between 1.5-3.0 microns.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the laser beam has a wavelength of about 2.94 microns.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the laser beam is emitted by a laser selected from the group consisting of continuous wave-lasers Er:YAG, pulsed CO 2 , Ho:YAG, Er:YAP, Er/Cr:YSGG, Ho:YSGG, Er:GGSG, Er:YLF, Tm:YAG, Ho:YAG, Ho/Nd:Yalo 3 , cobalt:MgF 2 , HF chemical, DF chemical, carbon monoxide, deep UV lasers, and frequency tripled Nd:YAG lasers.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the laser beam is emitted by a modulated laser selected from the group consisting of continuous-wave CO 2 , Nd:YAG, Thullium:YAG and diode lasers.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the laser beam is emitted by an Er:YAG laser.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the laser beam is focused at a site on the skin with a diameter of 0.1-5.0 mm.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the energy fluence of the laser beam at the skin is 0.03-100,000 J/cm 2 .  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the energy fluence of the laser beam at the skin is 0.03-9.6 J/cm 2 .  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the pulse width is between 1 femtosecond and 1,000 microseconds.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the pulse width is between 1 and 1000 microseconds.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein multiple ablations or alterations are made to prepare the skin for dye delivery.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a beam splitter positioned to create, simultaneously from the laser, multiple sites of ablation or alteration.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the beam splitter is selected from a series of partially silvered mirrors, a series of dichroic mirrors, and a series of beam-splitting prisms.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising a means to deflect the beam at different angles to create different sites of ablation alteration on the skin.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising a means to scan the laser beam to create one continuous path of ablation or alteration.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the dye is used to stain subcutaneous structures.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the dye is indocyanine green.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the dye is specific for lipids, proteins, or carbohydrates.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the wavelength of the laser beam fired from the second laser at the site of dye delivery is about the wavelength of peak absorption of the dye.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the wavelength of the laser beam is about 810 nm.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the wavelength of the laser beam fired from the second laser at the site of delivery of the compound that stimulates the body's production of molecules that are strong absorbers of light is about the wavelength of peak absorption of the compound.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the compound that stimulates the body's production of molecules that are strong absorbers of light is 5-aminolevulinic acid.  
     
     
         25 . A method for increasing the diffusion of bodily fluids out of, or compounds into, the skin, comprising the steps of: 
 a) applying a compound or an absorbing material to the targeted tissue;    b) focusing a laser beam with sufficient energy fluence to create a pressure gradient within the stratum corneum, in the applied compound, or in the optional absorbing material; and    c) firing the laser with at least one short rapid pulse to create the pressure gradient.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the laser beam has a wavelength of 0.2-10 microns.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the laser beam has a wavelength of between 1.5-3.0 microns.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the laser beam has a wavelength of about 2.94 microns.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the laser beam is emitted by a laser selected from the group consisting of Er:YAG, pulsed CO 2  Ho:YAG, Er:YAP, Er/Cr:YSGG, Ho:YSGG, Er:GGSG, Er:YLF, Tm:YAG, Ho:YAG, Ho/Nd:YalO 3 , cobalt:MgF 2 , HF chemical, DF chemical, carbon monoxide, deep UV lasers, and frequency tripled Nd:YAG lasers.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the laser beam is emitted by an Er:YAG laser.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the laser beam is emitted by a modulated laser selected from the group consisting of continuous-wave CO 2 , Nd:YAG, Thallium:YAG and diode lasers.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the pulse width is between 1 femtosecond and 1,000 microseconds.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the pulse width is between 1 and 1000 microseconds.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the optional absorbing material is placed on or over the targeted tissue before application of the compound or firing the laser.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the pressure gradient is created in the optional absorbing material.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the optional absorbing material is a thin films of water.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the optional absorbing material is a dye or a solution with a dye.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the compound is applied before firing the laser.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the pressure gradient is created in the stratum corneum simultaneous with the application of the compound.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the pressure gradient is created in the compound.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the optional absorbing material is placed on or over the compound before firing the laser.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the pressure gradient is created in the optional absorbing material.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the optional absorbing material is a thin film of water.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 25  wherein multiple pulses are used to create the pressure gradient.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the stratum corneum is ablated or altered before the pressure gradient is created.  
     
     
         46 . A method for increasing the diffusion of bodily fluids out of, or compounds into, the skin, comprising the steps of: 
 a) focusing a laser beam with sufficient energy fluence to create plasma within the stratum corneum or in an optional absorbing material on or over the targeted tissue;    b) firing the laser with at least one short rapid pulse to create a site of plasma, the site having a diameter of between 0.5 microns and 5 mm; and    c) removing bodily fluids from the targeted tissue or applying a compound to the targeted tissue.    
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the laser beam has a wavelength of 0.2-10 microns.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the laser beam has a wavelength of between 1.5-3.0 microns.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the laser beam has a wavelength of about 2.94 microns.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the laser beam is emitted by a laser selected from the group consisting of Er:YAG, pulsed CO 2  Ho:YAG, Er:YAP, Er/Cr:YSGG, Ho:YSGG, Er:GGSG, Er:YLF, Tm:YAG, Ho:YAG, Ho/Nd:YalO 3 , cobalt:MgF 2 , HF chemical, DF chemical, carbon monoxide, deep UV lasers, and frequency tripled Nd:YAG lasers.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the laser beam is emitted by an Er:YAG laser.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the laser beam is emitted by a modulated laser selected from the group consisting of continuous-wave CO 2 , Nd:YAG, Thallium:YAG and diode lasers.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the pulse width is between 1 femtosecond and 1,000 microseconds.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the pulse width is between 1 and 1000 microseconds.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 46  wherein multiple pulses are used to create multiple sites of plasma.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 46  wherein plasma is created in the stratum corneum.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the optional absorbing material is placed on or over the targeted tissue before firing the laser.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57  wherein plasma is created in the optional Absorbing material.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 57  wherein the optional absorbing material is a thin film of water.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 57  wherein the optional absorbing material is a dye or a solution with a dye.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the compound is applied before firing the laser.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61  wherein plasma is created in the applied compound.  
     
     
         63 . A method for increasing the diffusion of bodily fluids out of, or compounds into, the skin, comprising the steps of: 
 a) focusing a laser beam with sufficient energy fluence to create cavitation bubbles in the stratum corneum, in an applied compound, or in an optional absorbing material;    b) firing the laser with at least one short rapid pulse to create a site of cavitation bubbles, the site having a diameter of between 0.5 microns and 5 mm; and    c) removing bodily fluids from the targeted tissue or applying a compound to the targeted tissue.    
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the laser beam has a wavelength of 0.2-10 microns.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the laser beam has a wavelength of between 1.5-3.0 microns.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the laser beam has a wavelength of about 2.94 microns.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the laser beam is emitted by a laser selected from the group consisting of Er:YAG, pulsed CO 2  Ho:YAG, Er:YAP, Er/Cr:YSGG, Ho:YSGG, Er:GGSG, Er:YLF, Tm:YAG, Ho:YAG, Ho/Nd:YalO 3 , cobalt:MgF 2 , HF chemical, DF chemical, carbon monoxide, deep UV lasers, and frequency tripled Nd:YAG lasers.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the laser beam is emitted by an Er:YAG laser.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the pulse width is between 1 femtosecond and 1,000 microseconds.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the pulse width is between 1 and 1000 microseconds.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the laser beam is emitted by a modulated laser selected from the group consisting of continuous-wave CO 2 , Nd:YAG, Thallium:YAG and diode lasers.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 63  wherein multiple pulses are used to create multiple sites of cavitation bubbles.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 63  wherein cavitation bubbles are created in the stratum corneum before firing the laser.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the optional absorbing material is placed on or over the targeted tissue before firing the laser.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 74  wherein the cavitation bubbles are created in the optional absorbing material.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 74  wherein the optional absorbing material is a thin film of water.  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 74  wherein the optional absorbing material is a dye or a solution with a dye.  
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the compound is applied before firing the laser.  
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 78  wherein the cavitation bubbles are created in the applied compound.  
     
     
         80 . A laser device for ablating or altering skin comprising: 
 a) a lasing element which emits a beam at a wavelength of between 0.2 microns and 10 microns;    b) a power source;    c) a high voltage pulse-forming network linked to the power source;    d) a means for exciting the lasing element, linked to the pulse-forming network;    e) a laser cavity; and    f) a marking means which marks the site of ablation or alteration.    
     
     
         81 . The device of  claim 80  wherein a disposable safety tip contains a pigment and the site of ablation or alteration is marked by the pigment.  
     
     
         82 . The device of  claim 80  wherein a pigment is sprayed at the site of ablation or alteration.  
     
     
         83 . The device of  claim 80  wherein the site of ablation or alternation is marked before firing the laser.  
     
     
         84 . The device of  claim 80  wherein the site of ablation or alteration is marked after firing the laser.