Enhanced Noninvasive Collagen Remodeling

Abstract

A method and apparatus for treatment of skin or other tissue, using a source of thermal, electromagnetic radiation, electrical current, ultrasonic, mechanical or other type of energy, to cause minimally-invasive thermally-mediated effects in skin or other tissue which stimulates a wound-healing response, in conjunction with topical agents or other wound healing compositions, for application on the skin or other tissue which accelerate collagenesis, such as in response to wound healing. The dosage and time period of application of the compositions are adjusted to prevent external or surface tissue damage.

1 . A method for treatment of skin comprising: 
 Treating a subsurface layer of un-damaged skin with a source of electromagnetic energy sufficient to cause stimulation of collagen biosynthesis without thermal damage to the epidermis, in conjunction with using a thermal servo feedback control system to regulate the delivery of electromagnetic energy, thereby achieving improved collagenesis in the skin.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of controllably delivering pulsed cryogen spray to the skin to prevent overheating of the skin.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the treatment is repeated serially with more than one day between any successive treatments.  
     
     
         4 . A method for treatment of acne scars in skin, comprising: 
 Treating contiguous subsurface and surface layers of the skin with a source of electromagnetic energy in order to stimulate collagen biosynthesis in the skin without thermal damage to the epidermis, in conjunction with using a thermal servo feedback control system to regulate the delivery of electromagnetic energy, thereby improving the appearance of the acne scars.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising the step of controllably delivering pulsed cryogen spray to the skin to prevent overheating of the skin.  
     
     
         6 . A method for treatment of photodamaged skin, comprising: 
 Treating the layer of skin with a source of electromagnetic energy which stimulates biosynthesis of collagen without thermal damage to the epidermis, in conjunction with using a thermal servo feedback control system to regulate the delivery of electromagnetic energy, thereby improving the appearance of the photodamaged skin.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising the step of controllably delivering pulsed cryogen spray to the skin to prevent overheating of the skin.  
     
     
         8 . A method for treatment of wrinkled skin, comprising: 
 Treating the layer of wrinkled skin with a source of electromagnetic energy which stimulates biosynthesis of collagen without thermal damage to the epidermis, in conjunction with using a thermal servo feedback control system to regulate the delivery of electromagnetic energy, thereby improving the appearance of the wrinkled skin.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of controllably delivering pulsed cryogen spray to the skin to prevent overheating of the skin.  
     
     
         10 . A system for treatment of skin, comprising: 
 A source of electromagnetic energy which is sufficient to stimulate biosynthesis of collagen in the skin without thermal damage to the epidermis; and    A thermal servo feedback control system to regulate the delivery of electromagnetic energy, therein, thereby resulting in improved appearance of skin.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of controllably delivering pulsed cryogen spray to the skin to prevent overheating of the skin.  
     
     
         12 . A method for treatment of undamaged tissue comprising the following steps: 
 Causing a subdermal stimulation of collagen biosynthesis without thermal damage to the epidermis using a source of electromagnetic energy; and    Using a thermal servo feedback control system to regulate the delivery of electromagnetic energy, such that collagenesis, repair and healing improvement of tissue is accelerated.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of controllably delivering pulsed cryogen spray to the skin to prevent overheating of the skin.  
     
     
         14 . A method for treating skin disorders with optical energy comprising the step of delivering optical energy to the skin and the step of using temperature sensing elements to provide feedback to a controller such that the optical energy can be modulated to maintain a predetermined skin temperature to prevent over treatment.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of controllably delivering pulsed cryogen spray to the skin to prevent overheating of the skin.  
     
     
         16 . A method for treating skin with optical energy comprising the step of delivering optical energy to the skin and the step of using temperature sensing elements to provide feedback to a controller such that the optical energy can be modulated to maintain a predetermined skin temperature to prevent over treatment.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of controllably delivering a pulse of cryogen spray to the skin to prevent overheating of the skin.