Minimally invasive non‐thermal laser technology using laser‐induced optical breakdown for skin rejuvenation

Abstract

We describe a novel, minimally invasive laser technology for skin rejuvenation by creating isolated microscopic lesions within tissue below the epidermis using laser induced optical breakdown. Using an in-house built prototype device, tightly focused near-infrared laser pulses are used to create optical breakdown in the dermis while leaving the epidermis intact, resulting in lesions due to cavitation and plasma explosion. This stimulates a healing response and consequently skin remodelling, resulting in skin rejuvenation effects. Analysis of ex-vivo and in-vivo treated human skin samples successfully demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of the microscopic lesion creation inside the dermis. Treatments led to mild side effects that can be controlled by small optimizations of the optical skin contact and treatment depth within the skin. The histological results from a limited panel test performed on five test volunteers show evidence of microscopic lesion creation and new collagen formation at the sites of the optical breakdown. This potentially introduces a safe, breakthrough treatment procedure for skin rejuvenation without damaging the epidermis with no or little social down-time and with efficacy comparable to conventional fractional ablative techniques. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

A comparative study with a 755 nm picosecond Alexandrite laser with a diffractive lens array and a 532 nm/1064 nm Nd:YAG with a holographic optic

“…Insights on the histiological changes caused by a high energy picosecond 1,064 nm pulse focused into the superficial dermis have been reported by Habbema [9]. In one part of the investigation in ex-vivo skin they described the production of LIOBs with a morphology that was similar to the histiological changes that we described in the epidermis.…”

“…Our data and modeling also indicate that as the epidermal melanin concentration rises with darker skin types, the heating of the superficial blood vessels is diminished due to the larger amount of melanin available to absorb the energy delivered to the epidermis. If hemorrhage avoidance is a goal, darker skin types have a distinct advantage with the use of a fractional picosecond 532 nm, 1,064 nm, and 755 nm.Insights on the histiological changes caused by a high energy picosecond 1,064 nm pulse focused into the superficial dermis have been reported by Habbema [9]. In one part of the investigation in ex-vivo skin they described the production of LIOBs with a morphology that was similar to the histiological changes that we described in the epidermis.…”

Mathematical model оf laser radiation femtosecond interaction with human skin

“…Besides, the high power density that arises when using the FLSs leads to various nonlinear processes, such as self-focusing, two-and three-photon absorption, multiphoton and impact ionization, and for the high energy density to the optical breakdown. [4]. This process is of particular importance in the case of femtosecond radiation incident on biological tissues, since the high-intensity femtosecond radiation may be essentially dangerous for skin, vision, and other human organs [5].…”

Influence of absorption induced thermal initiation pathway on irradiance threshold for laser induced breakdown

“…These methods differ in technology, efficacy of treatment, patient discomfort, side effects and social downtime [1]. To overcome the limitations of these existing technologies, Philips Research has developed a novel minimally invasive laser technology for skin rejuvenation using laser induced optical breakdown [2,3]. The optical breakdown caused by tightly focused nearinfrared laser pulses in a grid of intradermal lesions leads to skin rejuvenation without affecting the epidermis [2].…”

“…To overcome the limitations of these existing technologies, Philips Research has developed a novel minimally invasive laser technology for skin rejuvenation using laser induced optical breakdown [2,3]. The optical breakdown caused by tightly focused nearinfrared laser pulses in a grid of intradermal lesions leads to skin rejuvenation without affecting the epidermis [2]. This skin rejuvenation technique using laser induced optical breakdown has been indicated a strong potential for wrinkle and fine-line reduction [3].…”