Ablative targeting of fatty‐tissue using a high‐powered diode laser

Abstract

Background and Objective: Concerning current clinical practice, laser-assisted lipoplasty is still secondary to other procedures. In order to evaluate effects of thermal interaction with fatty-tissue, a near infrared diode laser was examined under reproducible conditions. Methods: Based on optical spectroscopy of fatty-tissue, a high-powered diode laser (l ¼ 940 nm) was used to irradiate n ¼ 59 fat samples of fresh corpses in non-contact mode. Thermal effects were histologically evaluated by computer based metric measurements. Calculated values included ablation rate (AR) and the ratio of cavity diameter to diameter of collateral damage (CCD ratio ). Pearson's correlation and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used for statistical evaluation. P values of less than 0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: Regarding the conditions examined, irradiances from 250 to 400 W/cm 2 revealed both increased ablation capacities and decreased collateral damages. An average irradiance of 370 AE 0 W/cm 2 shows an average CCD ratio of 2:1 and an average AR of 9.98 AE 7.65 mm 3 /second. Conclusion: Near infrared high-powered diode laser energy proved to be eligible for tissue protective ablation of fat in vitro. Further studies are necessary to improve efficiency and safety of this procedure.

Effects of non‐invasive, 1,210 nm laser exposure on adipose tissue: Results of a human pilot study

“…Removal of fat from adipocytes with a 635 nm laser has been claimed, but the evidence including histological studies are lacking [1,2]. When used invasively, in direct contact with the fatty tissue, various lasers such as carbon dioxide and Nd:YAG lasers have been shown to reduce subcutaneous fat [3][4][5]. Non-invasively achieved fat loss has been developed and/or claimed to occur using focused ultrasound [6,7], radiofrequency devices [8], and selective cryolysis [9].…”

Treatment of cellulite

“…Selective laser irradiation of fat at these wavelengths may be an important breakthrough in the treatment of ''cellulite.'' O'Dey et al 33 showed fatty tissue ablation using a high-powered diode laser (l = 940 nm) using fat cells harvested from the anteromedial thigh in vitro. Their study showed that l = 940 nm achieves an increased absorption of both fatty tissue and water while maintaining a penetration depth of several millimeters.…”

Laser lipolysis and laser‐assisted liposuction

“…The authors primarily use a dual wavelength system that independently targets lipid and water-based tissues (SlimLipo™, Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc., Burlington, MA), which is cleared by the FDA for the indication of laser-assisted lipolysis. The wavelengths 924 and 975 nm were chosen based on a clear peak in the adipose tissue absorption spectrum at 924 nm and a peak in the water absorption spectrum at 975 nm, respectively [26,30]. In principle, absorption by the lipids of laser light at this 924 nm wavelength is of the appropriate strength to provide efficient penetration into the adipose tissue yet sufficient heating for the release of intracellular lipids while coagulating rather than tearing the nearby fibrous network needed for tissue tightening.…”