Dual wavelength laser treatment device

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include a compact, lightweight, hand-held laser treatment device that combines the emissions of two separate laser energy sources into a common optical pathway for improved therapeutic effect. In some embodiments, the device includes a housing having separate first and second laser sources disposed within the interior thereof. In some embodiments, the laser energy emissions from the two internal laser sources can be individually or concurrently transmitted to a delivery tip of the device via a laser transmission path also defined within the interior of the housing. In some embodiments, the structural and functional features of the first and second laser sources, in concert with the unique architecture of the laser transmission path, can be configured to provide efficacy and efficiency in the operation of the device within the spatial constraints of the lightweight, hand-held housing thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for laser treatment of a target tissue site, the method comprising:
 applying a first laser emission defined by a first beam characteristic to the target tissue site, the first laser emission alone having a first treatment effect on the target tissue site; and   applying at least a second laser emission defined by a second beam characteristic to the target tissue site, the second laser emission being applied within a predetermined time period of applying the first laser emission during which the target tissue site is subjected to the first treatment effect from the first laser emission; and   wherein the first laser emission and the second laser emission comprise an additive treatment effect greater than the first treatment effect alone and the second treatment effect alone.   
     
     
         2 . A method for laser treatment of a target tissue site, the method comprising:
 applying a first laser emission defined by a first beam characteristic to the target tissue site, and the first laser emission alone having a first treatment effect on the target tissue site; and   applying at least a second laser emission defined by a second beam characteristic to the target tissue site, the second beam characteristic being different from the first beam characteristic and having a second treatment effect different from the first treatment effect, the second laser emission being applied within a predetermined time period of applying the second laser emission during which the target tissue site is subject to the first treatment effect from the first laser emission; and   wherein the first laser emission and the second laser emission comprise a synergistic treatment effect different from both the first treatment effect and the second treatment effect independently with the first treatment effect and the second treatment effect being non-linearly enhanced by each other.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first laser emission and the second laser emission are combined and emitted from a single output of a treatment device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 applying to the target tissue a third laser emission defined by a third beam characteristic and a third treatment effect; and   wherein the first laser emission, the second laser emission, and the third laser emission have another synergistic effect different from the first treatment effect, the second treatment effect, and the third treatment effect independently.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first laser emission is applied to the target tissue site in pulses; and   the second laser emission is applied to the target tissue site for a duration longer than the pulses of the first laser emission.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first treatment effect comprises a pressure wave that weakens any bacteria on the target tissue site that includes a biofilm,   the bacteria being weakened by disruption of biofilm and bacterial membranes in response to the pressure wave, and   the second treatment effect is induced by application infrared or ultraviolet radiation at the levels below the bacteria vitality threshold level for the applied radiation, and   the synergistic treatment effect is at least one of neutralization, killing of the weakened bacteria, and reduction of inflammatory tissue conditions.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the first laser emission is generated from a solid state laser source comprising a high peak power flash lamp pumped solid state laser source; and   the second laser emission is generated from a laser source comprising a diode laser source.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first beam characteristic and the second beam characteristic each comprise output powers, the output power corresponding to the second beam characteristic being greater than the output power corresponding to the first beam characteristic. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first laser emission and the second laser emission are applied to the target tissue site in pulses. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first treatment effect comprises a first ablation depth;   the second treatment effect comprises a second ablation depth different from the first ablation depth; and   the synergistic treatment effect comprises a third ablation depth greater than either one of the first ablation depth and the second ablation depth.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second ablation depth is characterized by no ablation. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 applying a fluid to the target tissue site.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the first treatment effect comprises application of a first level bio-stimulative energy to surrounding tissue of the target tissue site;   the second treatment effect comprises a treatment procedure not directly specified for bio-stimulation of the treatment site;   the synergistic treatment effect comprises a result of synergetic action of two treatment effects.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second treatment effect is at least one of surgical cutting, removal of diseased tissue, and reduction of bacteria at the treatment site. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the synergistic treatment effect is at least one of a reduction of inflammatory effect, wound healing and tissue re-generation. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first beam characteristic and the second beam characteristic comprise output power, the output power corresponding to the first beam characteristic and the output power corresponding to the second beam characteristic being at ablative levels. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first beam characteristic and the second beam characteristic include output power, the output power corresponding to the first beam characteristic and the output power corresponding to the second beam characteristic being at sub-ablative levels. 
     
     
         18 . A method for substantially pain-free laser ablation of a target tissue site, the method comprising:
 applying a first laser emission to the target tissue site, the first laser emission having a first treatment effect comprising analgesia inducing stunning of nerve endings; and   applying a second laser emission to the target tissue site following the applying the first laser emission to the target tissue site, the second laser emission having a second treatment effect comprising ablation of the target tissue site; and   wherein the stunned nerve endings substantially block transmission of pain signals otherwise initiated in response to the application of the second laser emission to the target tissue site.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the stunned nerve endings comprise stunned nerve endings in an area proximate to and surrounding the target tissue site. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the first laser emission is generated from a laser source comprising a diode laser source; and   the second laser emission is generated from a laser source comprising a solid state flash lamp pumped laser source.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first laser emission comprises a near infrared spectral wavelength. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first laser emission and the second laser emission are applied to the target tissue site in pulses. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first laser emission and the second laser emission are combined and emitted from a single output of a treatment device. 
     
     
         24 . A method for laser treatment of a target tissue site, the method comprising:
 applying to the target tissue site a first laser emission pulse having a first wavelength, the first laser emission pulse generating a pressure wave disruptive of membranes of at least some bacteria present on the target tissue site;   applying to the target tissue site a continuous second laser emission having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, the continuous second laser emission neutralizing the bacteria weakened from the pressure wave generated by the first laser emission pulse; and   wherein the continuous second laser emission comprises an output power level that is lower than an output power level of the first laser emission pulse.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the first laser emission pulse has a range of 3 micrometers and is generated from a high peak power flash lamp pumped solid state laser source.