Therapeutic laser system operating between 1000 and 1300 nm and its use

Abstract

Laser systems medical or cosmetic applications, comprising diode lasers or diode lasers with other solid state lasers which can deliver up to 30 cw or more, and which generally operate at more than wavelength within the range of 1000 to 1300 nm are presented. Individual emitter or emitter groups within the diode laser system can be powered independently. These laser systems provide maximum penetration depths for procedures such as Laser-induced Interstitial Tumor Therapy, alone or in conjunction with other therapies such as PhotoDynamic Therapy, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Where beneficial for the procedure, the operating wavelength of the system can be changed without interruption. In some variants, active tissue cooling at the distal end of the delivery fibers is incorporated as well as individual feedback loops to control and stabilize the temperature induced in the tissue. To enhance thermal or photo effects and thereby increase efficiencies, absorbers can be administered and the laser system tuned to the specific absorption band of the absorber.

1 . A diode laser system for medical and cosmetic therapeutic treatments in the thermal regime comprising: 
 at least one laser diode emitter operating at a wavelength between 1000 nm and 1300 nm and emitting sufficient power to thermally destroy tumors; and    at least one means to optically transmit said emissions to a treatment site.    
     
     
         2 . A diode laser system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one solid state laser source operating at a wavelength between 1100 nm and 1300 nm.    
     
     
         3 . A diode laser system according to  claim 1 , wherein said means to optically transmit said emissions is selected from a group consisting of an optical fiber and an optical waveguide.  
     
     
         4 . A diode laser system according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least one laser diode emitter is selected from the group consisting of at least two single emitters and at least two emitter groups, and said system further comprises one said means to optically transmit said emissions connected to each said emitter/(emitter group).  
     
     
         5 . A diode laser system according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least one laser diode emitter has means to independently control each said emitter/(emitter group).  
     
     
         6 . A diode laser system according to  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 means to provide active treatment site cooling at a distal end of said means to optically transmit said emissions.    
     
     
         7 . A diode laser system according to  claim 4 , wherein each said emitter/(emitter group) has its own individual feedback loop to control and stabilize induced temperature at a treatment site.  
     
     
         8 . A diode laser system according to  claim 1 , wherein said emission wavelength is selectively variable within a specified range without interrupting a therapeutic procedure.  
     
     
         9 . A medical or cosmetic therapeutic treatment using a diode laser system according to  claim 1 , comprising a step of selecting said treatment from a group consisting of coagulating, denaturing and shrinking tissue.  
     
     
         10 . A medical or cosmetic therapeutic treatment according to  claim 9 , further comprising pretreatment steps of: 
 administering an absorber;    tuning said laser system to a specific absorption band of said absorber.    
     
     
         11 . A medical or cosmetic therapeutic treatment according to  claim 9 , further comprising a step of: 
 administering a chemotherapy treatment.    
     
     
         12 . A medical or cosmetic therapeutic treatment according to  claim 10 , further comprising a step of: 
 administering a chemotherapy treatment.    
     
     
         13 . A medical or cosmetic therapeutic treatment according to  claim 9 , further comprising a step of: 
 administering a radiation therapy treatment.    
     
     
         14 . A medical or cosmetic therapeutic treatment according to  claim 10 , further comprising a step of: 
 administering a radiation therapy treatment.    
     
     
         15 . A medical or cosmetic therapeutic treatment in the thermal regime using a diode laser system comprising at least one laser diode emitter operating at a wavelength between 1000 nm and 1300 nm and emitting sufficient power to thermally destroy tumors and at least one means to optically transmit said emissions to a treatment site, comprising the steps of: 
 selecting said treatment from a group consisting of coagulating, denaturing and shrinking tissue; and    administering a chemotherapy treatment.    
     
     
         16 . A medical or cosmetic therapeutic treatment according to  claim 15 , further comprising pretreatment steps of: 
 administering an absorber; and    tuning said laser system to a specific absorption band of said absorber.    
     
     
         17 . A medical or cosmetic therapeutic treatment in the thermal regime using a diode laser system comprising at least one laser diode emitter operating at a wavelength between 1000 nm and 1300 nm and emitting sufficient power to thermally destroy tumors and at least one means to optically transmit said emissions to a treatment site, comprising the steps of: 
 administering an absorber;    tuning said laser system to a specific absorption band of said absorber;    selecting said treatment from a group consisting of coagulating, denaturing and shrinking tissue; and    administering a radiation therapy treatment.    
     
     
         18 . A medical or cosmetic therapeutic treatment according to  claim 15 , further comprising a step of: 
 providing active treatment site cooling during said treatment.    
     
     
         19 . A medical or cosmetic therapeutic treatment according to  claim 15 , further comprising a step of: 
 controlling and stabilizing induced temperature at said treatment site by means of a feedback loop associated with each emitter (emitter group).    
     
     
         20 . A medical or cosmetic therapeutic treatment in the thermal regime using a diode laser system comprising at least one laser diode emitter operating at a wavelength between 1000 nm and 1300 nm and emitting sufficient power to thermally destroy tumors and at least one means to optically transmit said emissions to a treatment site, comprising the steps of: 
 administering an absorber;    tuning said laser system to a specific absorption band of said absorber;    selecting said treatment from a group consisting of coagulating, denaturing and shrinking tissue; and    administering said treatment in combination with a radiation therapy treatment.    
     
     
         21 . A medical or cosmetic therapeutic treatment according to  claim 20 , further comprising a step of: 
 varying said emission wavelength selectively within a specified range without interrupting said therapeutic treatment.    
     
     
         22 . A medical or cosmetic therapeutic treatment according to  claim 20 , further comprising a step of: 
 providing active treatment site cooling during said treatment.    
     
     
         23 . A medical or cosmetic therapeutic treatment according to  claim 20 , further comprising a step of: 
 controlling and stabilizing induced temperature at said treatment site by means of a feedback loop associated with each emitter (emitter group).