WO1990012545A1 - Methode et appareil de detatouage - Google Patents

Methode et appareil de detatouage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1990012545A1
WO1990012545A1 PCT/GB1990/000580 GB9000580W WO9012545A1 WO 1990012545 A1 WO1990012545 A1 WO 1990012545A1 GB 9000580 W GB9000580 W GB 9000580W WO 9012545 A1 WO9012545 A1 WO 9012545A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
laser
tattoos
removal
delivery arm
hand piece
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1990/000580
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Iain David Miller
Michael John Murphy
Original Assignee
Derma-Lase Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB898908746A external-priority patent/GB8908746D0/en
Priority claimed from GB909001827A external-priority patent/GB9001827D0/en
Application filed by Derma-Lase Limited filed Critical Derma-Lase Limited
Publication of WO1990012545A1 publication Critical patent/WO1990012545A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
    • A61B18/18—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves
    • A61B18/20—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser
    • A61B18/203—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser applying laser energy to the outside of the body
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
    • A61B18/18—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves
    • A61B18/20—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser
    • A61B18/201—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser with beam delivery through a hollow tube, e.g. forming an articulated arm ; Hand-pieces therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B2017/00743—Type of operation; Specification of treatment sites
    • A61B2017/00747—Dermatology
    • A61B2017/00769—Tattoo removal
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
    • A61B2018/00315—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body for treatment of particular body parts
    • A61B2018/00452—Skin
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B90/00—Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
    • A61B90/06—Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for
    • A61B2090/064—Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
    • A61B2090/065—Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension for measuring contact or contact pressure

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the removal of tattoos.
  • the comparatively recent use of lasers in the treatment of tattoos has enabled much more successful removal of both small and large tattoos.
  • the C0 2 laser (10.6um) used in continuous-wave mode is not preferentially absorbed or retained by the pigment of the tattoo and on the contrary is absorbed by water molecules in the tissue cells. This results in the laser destroying the top layers of the skin above the tattoo. Once this skin is removed the tattoo pigment is removed by being absorbed onto a bandage which is placed on the tattooed area.
  • a first aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for the removal of tattoos comprising a pulsed laser and a precision laser beam delivery arm which comprises a series of beam tubes which are connected via x-y-z swivel joints, providing complete flexibility in the positioning of the tubes, the swivel joints being fitted with optical components which ensure that the laser beam is transmitted substantially centrally along the length of the tubes.
  • the laser is a ruby or a Nd:YAG laser.
  • the ruby or Nd:YAG laser is a Q-switched laser capable of providing an output of approximately 1.5 Joule pulses of 25 nsec duration with a 60 pulses per minute repetition rate, at a wavelength of 694nm for the ruby laser, and 1.06um for the Nd:YAG laser.
  • the laser beam delivery arm is demountably attached to the base rail containing the optical components at the output aperture of the laser via an x-y and tilt variable position optical mount.
  • the optical components of the delivery arm preferably comprise dielectric coated mirrors and lenses.
  • mirrors are positioned in the swivel joints so as to direct light along the tubes.
  • the delivery arm is fitted with one of a number of hand pieces which contain different lens systems, which produce different output beam spot sizes, which enable the accurate treatment of different sized spots.
  • the hand piece includes a glass slide in the path of the laser beam, which allows the passage of the laser beam but prevents any back scatter of tissue from the operational area, which would otherwise damage the laser optics.
  • the end section of the hand piece includes a pressure sensing switch which will block the laser beam and/or switch off the laser when the end section of the hand piece is not held against an object, such as the tattooed area of skin.
  • the pressure sensing switch is in the form of a rod which is movable from a first position, where it extends beyond the end section of the hand piece to a second position, where it does not extend beyond the end-section of the hand piece, the movement being caused by the hand piece and the end of the rod being placed on the surface which is to be irradiated, the movement of the rod to the second position activating a switch which enables the laser.
  • the apparatus further comprises a means of counting the number of emitted laser pulses.
  • the apparatus also includes a means of generating the laser pulses in the form of an electronic circuit, which when activated, sends a starter pulse to the laser.
  • the circuit is activated by a foot pedal switch, or a finger activated switch located on or near the hand piece.
  • pulse generator and counter are combined in one circuit.
  • the laser delivery arm is positioned vertically on the upper surface of the laser, so that the gravitational force on the delivery arm urges the delivery arm downwards on to the base of the laser, thus preventing any slipping of the arm with respect to the laser.
  • the delivery arm includes a counterbalance which makes the use of the delivery arm less strenuous and enables more accurate positioning of the delivery arm.
  • a method of removing tattoos comprising eradicating a tattooed area with laser light from a Q-switched ruby or Nd:Yag laser.
  • a test area is irradiated initially, at low power density, and the power density is increased up to a safe maximum or until dermal vacuoles are produces, which signifies that the threshold level for treatment has been reached.
  • the whole tattooed area is irradiated.
  • this treatment is repeated at intervals of not less than 3 weeks until the tattoo is removed.
  • the Q-switched laser light is preferentially absorbed by the pigment in the tattoo, the absorption causing the breakdown of the- pigment particles into small particles which the body can dispose of itself.
  • Fig 1. is a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention
  • Fig 2. is a perspective view of delivery arm hand piece of fig 1
  • Fig 3. is a circuit diagram of the pulse generator and counter apparatus.
  • a delivery arm 10 is formed by connecting laser beam tubes 3 together via x-y-z swivel joints 1.
  • Said swivel joints 1 contain optics which are designed so as to direct the laser beam approximately centrally along the beam tubes 3, thus preventing damage to the beam tubes 3 by the laser beam and ensuring that the laser beam exits the beam tube 3 at the same position at all times.
  • the laser output from the end of the beam tube 3 is focused to a spot of a chosen size by one of a number of hand pieces 5 which contains a system of lenses.
  • the hand piece 5 also includes a glass slide 11 which allows the passage of laser light but prevents the back scattering of tissue which would otherwise coat the optical surface of the laser, which would degrade the optics, particularly if the tissue particles are burned onto the optics by the laser.
  • the glass slide 11 is positioned in the handset approximately at Brewsters angle to allow the transfer of the maximum amount of laser light.
  • the end of the hand piece 6 opposite the pressure switch 12 is screw-threaded 15 for ease of attachment to the delivery arm 10.
  • the delivery arm 10 and hand piece 5 thus repeatedly enable the safe and accurate, precision delivery of the laser beam.
  • the pressure sensor 7 positioned at the end 6 of the hand piece 5 ensures that the apparatus cannot emit laser light when the hand piece 5 is not held safely against an object.
  • the pressure sensor 7 is in the form of a rod 12 which is movable between a first, extended, position 121 and a second, retracted, position 122. The movement of the rod is caused by the end of the rod being placed against a surface and urged from the first position to the second position 122.
  • the end of the rod opposite the projecting end is located in a microswitch 15, the movement of the rod into the second position 122 closing the micro switch and allowing the operation of the laser, when all other switches are in the operating position.
  • the delivery arm 10 is attached via an x-y and tilt optical mount 4 to the ruby laser 2.
  • the positioning of the delivery arm 10 on the upper surface 8 of the laser 2 ensures that the gravitational force on the delivery arm 10 will not cause the delivery arm to slide down with respect to the laser 2 and thus be misaligned with the laser output beam, as would be the case were the delivery arm 10 positioned on a side wall of the laser 2.
  • the delivery arm 10 has a counterbalance 9 which enables less strenuous and more accurate movement of the delivery arm 10.
  • a Switch in the form of a foot operated switch 13 operates the electronic circuit which controls the production of pulses from the laser to, allowing the operator freedom to use his hands to position the delivery arm 10.
  • the electronic circuit also includes a counter module 14 which counts the number of pulses produced.
  • the ruby or Nd:YAG laser 2 provides a pulsed output of 1.5 Joule pulses of 25 nsec duration with a repetition rate of 60 pulses per minute, at a wavelength of approximately 694nm, and 1.064um respectively.
  • the delivery arm provides accurate and flexible delivery of the ruby laser output which is essential in the tattoo removal process.
  • the ruby and Nd:YAG laser beams (694nm and 1.06um respectively) are not absorbed by the skin or the water present in the skin tissue and are absorbed preferentially by the pigment of the tattoo.
  • the absorption of the ruby or Nd:YAG laser beam causes a temperature gradient in the pigment leading to vapourisation of encapsulated water and subsequent mechanical rupture of the particles, the particles being broken down into smaller particles which the body can dispose of by itself.
  • a small test area is irradiated with increasing power density until dermal vacuoles are produced. This shows that an appropriate power density has been reached to enable treatment of the tattooed area.
  • the whole tattooed area is then irradiated, the irradiation being repeated periodically at intervals of no less than 3 weeks until the tattoo is completely removed.
  • the combination of the wavelength and high power densities of the ruby or Nd:YAG laser 2 and the flexibility and accuracy of the delivery arm 10 and hand piece 5 combine to provide an apparatus for tattoo removal which can be used in accordance with a method which is less painful and more successful than previous methods.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Radiation-Therapy Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Une méthode et un appareil de détatouage. L'appareil comporte un laser (2) à rubis ou Nd:Yag à modulation du facteur Q, un bras d'amenée (10) y étant rattaché. Le bras d'amenée est composé de sections reliées (3) de manière pivotante qui permettent d'amener la lumière laser à la zone du tissu tatoué avec la flexibilité requise. La méthode implique le traitement répété de la zone tatouée par la lumière laser qui est absorbée préférentiellement par les particules pigmentaires. Les particules pigmentaires se dégradent à cause de la chaleur de la lumière laser absorbée et sont évacuées par le sang.
PCT/GB1990/000580 1989-04-18 1990-04-18 Methode et appareil de detatouage WO1990012545A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8908746.4 1989-04-18
GB898908746A GB8908746D0 (en) 1989-04-18 1989-04-18 Apparatus for the removal of tattoos
GB909001827A GB9001827D0 (en) 1990-01-26 1990-01-26 Apparatus for the removal of tattoos
GB9001827.6 1990-01-26

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1990012545A1 true WO1990012545A1 (fr) 1990-11-01

Family

ID=26295237

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1990/000580 WO1990012545A1 (fr) 1989-04-18 1990-04-18 Methode et appareil de detatouage

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU5422490A (fr)
WO (1) WO1990012545A1 (fr)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1992019165A1 (fr) * 1991-04-24 1992-11-12 The Victoria University Of Manchester Suppression de marques et de taches par laser
US5522813A (en) * 1994-09-23 1996-06-04 Coherent, Inc. Method of treating veins
US5531739A (en) * 1994-09-23 1996-07-02 Coherent, Inc. Method of treating veins
US5558667A (en) * 1994-12-14 1996-09-24 Coherent, Inc. Method and apparatus for treating vascular lesions
EP0860123A3 (fr) * 1991-10-29 1998-09-09 Thermolase Corporation dispositif et procédé d'épilation
EP1069869A1 (fr) * 1998-04-07 2001-01-24 Transvascular, Inc. Systemes, procedes et dispositifs transluminaux pour elargir les voies de penetration interstitielles
EP1057454A3 (fr) * 1999-05-31 2003-11-12 Nidek Co., Ltd. Appareil de traitement de la peau par laser
WO2003043514A3 (fr) * 2001-11-21 2004-05-06 Gen Project S R L Dispositif medical electrique a lumiere pulsee destine au traitement de la peau
US6733492B2 (en) 1999-05-31 2004-05-11 Nidek Co., Ltd. Laser treatment apparatus
WO2005018473A1 (fr) * 2003-08-19 2005-03-03 The General Hospital Corporation Procede et appareil permettant la reduction d'apparition de marques cutanees
EP1748060A1 (fr) * 1998-08-18 2007-01-31 Freedom-2, LLC Encres de tatouage

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2202674A1 (fr) * 1972-10-17 1974-05-10 Sharon Uzi
US3913582A (en) * 1972-10-17 1975-10-21 Laser Ind Ltd Laser device with articulated arm
DE2809007A1 (de) * 1978-03-02 1979-09-13 Messerschmitt Boelkow Blohm Einrichtung zum schneiden und/oder koagulieren von lebendem gewebe
EP0272325A1 (fr) * 1986-06-30 1988-06-29 MEDICAL LASER RESEARCH Co., LTD. Appareil therapeutique a laser a semiconducteur

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2202674A1 (fr) * 1972-10-17 1974-05-10 Sharon Uzi
US3913582A (en) * 1972-10-17 1975-10-21 Laser Ind Ltd Laser device with articulated arm
DE2809007A1 (de) * 1978-03-02 1979-09-13 Messerschmitt Boelkow Blohm Einrichtung zum schneiden und/oder koagulieren von lebendem gewebe
EP0272325A1 (fr) * 1986-06-30 1988-06-29 MEDICAL LASER RESEARCH Co., LTD. Appareil therapeutique a laser a semiconducteur

Non-Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
British Journal of Plastic Surgery, Volume 36, 1983, The Trustees of British Association of Plastic Surgeons, W.H. REID et al.: "Q-Switched Ruby Laser Treatment of Black Tattoos", pages 455-459 *
Conference on Laser and Electro-Optics, 21-24 May 1985, OSA/IEEE, Baltimore, Maryland, Digest of Technical Papers, C.A. VANCE et al.: "Q-Switched Ruby Laser Treatment of Tatoos", page 130 see the whole Abstract *
Hautarzt, Volume 38, No. 10, 1987, Springer-Verlag, (Berlin, DE), F. BRUNNER et al.: "Entfernung von Tatowierungen mit dem Nd: YAG-Laser", pages 610-614 *
S.M. SHAPSHAY: "Endoscopic Laser Surgery Handbook", 1987, published by Marcel Dekker Inc., (New York, US), pages 42-65, 131-150, 209-212, 191-192 see page 47, lines 16-20, 35-37; page 48, lines 27-29 *

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1992019165A1 (fr) * 1991-04-24 1992-11-12 The Victoria University Of Manchester Suppression de marques et de taches par laser
EP0860123A3 (fr) * 1991-10-29 1998-09-09 Thermolase Corporation dispositif et procédé d'épilation
US5522813A (en) * 1994-09-23 1996-06-04 Coherent, Inc. Method of treating veins
US5531739A (en) * 1994-09-23 1996-07-02 Coherent, Inc. Method of treating veins
US5578029A (en) * 1994-09-23 1996-11-26 Coherent, Inc. Method of treating veins
US5558667A (en) * 1994-12-14 1996-09-24 Coherent, Inc. Method and apparatus for treating vascular lesions
US5754573A (en) * 1994-12-14 1998-05-19 Coherent, Inc. Method and apparatus for treating vascular lesions
US5911718A (en) * 1994-12-14 1999-06-15 Coherent, Inc. Method and apparatus for treating vascular lesions
EP1069869A1 (fr) * 1998-04-07 2001-01-24 Transvascular, Inc. Systemes, procedes et dispositifs transluminaux pour elargir les voies de penetration interstitielles
EP1748060A1 (fr) * 1998-08-18 2007-01-31 Freedom-2, LLC Encres de tatouage
EP1057454A3 (fr) * 1999-05-31 2003-11-12 Nidek Co., Ltd. Appareil de traitement de la peau par laser
US6733492B2 (en) 1999-05-31 2004-05-11 Nidek Co., Ltd. Laser treatment apparatus
WO2003043514A3 (fr) * 2001-11-21 2004-05-06 Gen Project S R L Dispositif medical electrique a lumiere pulsee destine au traitement de la peau
AU2002358983B2 (en) * 2001-11-21 2007-06-14 General Project S.R.L. Pulsed-light electric medical appliance for skin treatment
WO2005018473A1 (fr) * 2003-08-19 2005-03-03 The General Hospital Corporation Procede et appareil permettant la reduction d'apparition de marques cutanees

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU5422490A (en) 1990-11-16

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