System and method for microablation of tissue

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to the field of laser treatment of tissue, and particularly, to a system and method for creating microablated channels in skin. The present invention is more particularly directed to treating subsurface tissue through the created channels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for treating human skin tissue including fractional treatment patterns, comprising:
 a first application device configured to direct light energy to the skin tissue of a patient to cause at least one microchannel to be formed in the skin;   a second transdermal substance delivery device configured to deliver one or more substances to the skin tissue of the patient and into the at least one microchannel formed; and   a programmed controller configured to:   control application of energy from the first application device to form the at least one microchannel, and   control delivery of one or more substances to the at least one microchannel.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second application device includes:
 a source to store the one or more substances and a delivery device to deliver the one or more substances.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more substances include one or more of: vitamins, drugs, ointments, acids, healing substances, chemical peeling agents, collagen modification agents, fillers and stem cells. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the delivery device comprises an ultrasonic delivery device. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one microchannel includes a plurality of microchannels and wherein the delivery device delivers the one or more substances to: the bottom of the at least one microchannel formed, the walls of the at least one microchannel formed, or both. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to select the depth of the at least one microchannel into the human skin tissue. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the light energy is laser light energy. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the at least one microchannel to be formed followed by the controlled delivery of the one or more substances. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more substances are fluid substances. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a device for applying a stretch to the human skin tissue, the controller causing the device to stretch the tissue, one of prior to or after the controller causes the first application device to form the at least one channel. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first application device is an ablative laser device.