Removable tip for laser device with transparent lens

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved method of removing fluids, gases or other biomolecules, or delivering a pharmaceutical composition, through the skin of a patient without the use of a sharp or needle. The method includes the step of irradiating the stratum corneum, an applied pharmaceutical or an absorbing material, using a laser. By selection of parameters, the laser irradiates the selected material or tissue to create pressure gradients, plasma, cavitation bubbles, or other forms of tissue ablation or alteration. These methods increase the diffusion of pharmaceuticals into, or fluids, gases or other biomolecules out of, the body. For this invention, a pharmaceutical composition can be applied to the skin before or after laser irradiation.

1 - 84 . canceled  
   
   
       85 . A container unit for use with a laser device housing, comprising: 
 a base mountable in the housing to actuate a mechanism in the housing for operation of the laser device; and    a receptacle end affixed to the base for contacting the skin of a patient and including a lens of at least partially transparent material to pass a laser beam emitted by the laser device therethrough and onto the skin.    
   
   
       86 . The container unit of  claim 85 , wherein the base is formed to actuate an interlock in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       87 . The container unit of  claim 85 , wherein the base is formed to actuate a spring-loaded interlock in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       88 . The container unit of  claim 85 , wherein the base is formed to actuate a switch in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       89 . The container unit of  claim 88 , wherein the base is formed to actuate a switch for charging capacitors in the laser device.  
   
   
       90 . The container unit of  claim 85 , wherein the base is removable from the housing.  
   
   
       91 . The container unit of  claim 85 , wherein the lens is formed from a substantially transparent material.  
   
   
       92 . The container unit of  claim 91 , wherein the base is formed to actuate an interlock in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       93 . The container unit of  claim 91 , wherein the base is formed to actuate a spring-loaded interlock in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       94 . The container unit of  claim 91 , wherein the base is formed to actuate a switch in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       95 . The container unit of  claim 94 , wherein the base is formed to actuate a switch for charging capacitors in the laser device.  
   
   
       96 . The container unit of  claim 91 , wherein the base is removable from the housing.  
   
   
       97 . The container unit of  claim 85 , wherein the lens is formed from a material selected from the group of materials comprising quartz, rock salt, germanium, glass, crystalline sapphire, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene.  
   
   
       98 . The container unit of  claim 97 , wherein the base is formed to actuate an interlock in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       99 . The container unit of  claim 97 , wherein the base is formed to actuate a spring-loaded interlock in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       100 . The container unit of  claim 97 , wherein the base is formed to actuate a switch in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       101 . The container unit of  claim 100 , wherein the base is formed to actuate a switch for charging capacitors in the laser device.  
   
   
       102 . The container unit of  claim 97 , wherein the base is removable from the housing.  
   
   
       103 . The container unit of  claim 85 , wherein the receptacle end comprises: 
 a wall surrounding the lens and extending distally therefrom to contact the skin of the patient.    
   
   
       104 . The container unit of  claim 103 , wherein the base is formed to actuate an interlock in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       105 . The container unit of  claim 103 , wherein the base is formed to actuate a spring-loaded interlock in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       106 . The container unit of  claim 103 , wherein the base is formed to actuate a switch in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       107 . The container unit of  claim 106 , wherein the base is formed to actuate a switch for charging capacitors in the laser device.  
   
   
       108 . The container unit of  claim 103 , wherein the base is removable from the housing.  
   
   
       109 . The container unit of  claim 103 , wherein the lens is formed from a substantially transparent material.  
   
   
       110 . The container unit of  claim 103 , wherein the lens is formed from a material selected from the group of materials comprising quartz, rock salt, germanium, glass, crystalline sapphire, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene.  
   
   
       111 . A tip for use with a laser device housing, comprising: 
 a tip body mountable in the housing to actuate a mechanism in the housing for operation of the laser device; and    a tip distal end affixed to the body for contacting the skin of a patient and including an aperture covered by at least partially transparent material to pass a laser beam emitted by the laser device therethrough and onto the skin.    
   
   
       112 . The tip of  claim 111 , wherein the body is formed to actuate an interlock in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       113 . The tip of  claim 111 , wherein the body is formed to actuate a spring-loaded interlock in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       114 . The tip of  claim 111 , wherein the body is formed to actuate a switch in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       115 . The tip of  claim 114 , wherein the body is formed to actuate a switch for charging capacitors in the laser device.  
   
   
       116 . The tip of  claim 111 , wherein the body is removable from the housing.  
   
   
       117 . The tip of  claim 111 , wherein the lens is formed from a substantially transparent material.  
   
   
       118 . The tip of  claim 117 , wherein the body is formed to actuate an interlock in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       119 . The tip of  claim 117 , wherein the body is formed to actuate a spring-loaded interlock in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       120 . The tip of  claim 117 , wherein the body is formed to actuate a switch in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       121 . The tip of  claim 120 , wherein the body is formed to actuate a switch for charging capacitors in the laser device.  
   
   
       122 . The tip of  claim 117 , wherein the body is removable from the housing.  
   
   
       123 . The tip of  claim 111 , wherein the lens is formed from a material selected from the group of materials comprising quartz, rock salt, germanium, glass, crystalline sapphire, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene.  
   
   
       124 . The tip of  claim 123 , wherein the body is formed to actuate an interlock in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       125 . The tip of  claim 123 , wherein the body is formed to actuate a spring-loaded interlock in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       126 . The tip of  claim 123 , wherein the body is formed to actuate a switch in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       127 . The tip of  claim 126 , wherein the body is formed to actuate a switch for charging capacitors in the laser device.  
   
   
       128 . The tip of  claim 123 , wherein the body is removable from the housing.  
   
   
       129 . The tip of  claim 111 , wherein the distal end comprises: 
 a wall surrounding the lens and extending distally therefrom to contact the skin of the patient.    
   
   
       130 . The tip of  claim 129 , wherein the body is formed to actuate an interlock in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       131 . The tip of  claim 129 , wherein the body is formed to actuate a spring-loaded interlock in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       132 . The tip of  claim 129 , wherein the body is formed to actuate a switch in the housing for operation of the laser device.  
   
   
       133 . The tip of  claim 132 , wherein the body is formed to actuate a switch for charging capacitors in the laser device.  
   
   
       134 . The tip of  claim 129 , wherein the body is removable from the housing.  
   
   
       135 . The tip of  claim 129 , wherein the lens is formed from a substantially transparent material.  
   
   
       136 . The tip of  claim 129 , wherein the lens is formed from a material selected from the group of materials comprising quartz, rock salt, germanium, glass, crystalline sapphire, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene.  
   
   
       137 . The container unit of  claim 85 , wherein the lens is formed in a predefined shape to selectively block a portion of the laser beam emitted by the laser device before the laser beam reaches the skin.  
   
   
       138 . The container unit of  claim 137 , wherein the lens includes a mask of substantially nontransparent material to block a portion of the laser beam.  
   
   
       139 . A method for forming a container unit for use with a laser device housing, comprising: 
 selecting a base for mounting in the housing to actuate a mechanism in the housing for operation of the laser device; and    affixing a receptacle end to the base to contact the skin of a patient, the receptacle end including a lens of at least partially transparent material to pass a laser beam emitted by the laser device therethrough and onto the skin.    
   
   
       140 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein selecting the base comprises: 
 selecting a base formed to actuate an interlock in the housing for operation of the laser device.    
   
   
       141 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein selecting the base comprises: 
 selecting a base formed to actuate a spring-loaded interlock in the housing for operation of the laser device.    
   
   
       142 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein selecting the base comprises: 
 selecting a base formed to actuate a switch in the housing for operation of the laser device.    
   
   
       143 . The method of  claim 142 , wherein selecting the base comprises: 
 selecting a base formed to actuate a switch for charging capacitors in the laser device.    
   
   
       144 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein selecting the base comprises: 
 selecting a base formed to be removable from the housing.    
   
   
       145 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein the lens is formed from a substantially transparent material.  
   
   
       146 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein the lens is formed from a material selected from the group of materials comprising quartz, rock salt, germanium, glass, crystalline sapphire, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene.  
   
   
       147 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein the receptacle end comprises: 
 a wall surrounding the lens and extending distally therefrom to contact the skin of the patient.    
   
   
       148 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein the lens is formed in a predefined shape to selectively block a portion of the laser beam emitted by the laser device before the laser beam reaches the skin.  
   
   
       149 . The method of  claim 148 , wherein the lens includes a mask of substantially nontransparent material to block a portion of the laser beam.