Laser Tattoo Removal System Using Dermal Clearing Agent

描述(由申请人提供)： 这项研究的重点是继续开发一种用于皮肤清洁的设备和技术，以提高激光去除纹身和其他皮肤科激光手术的效率，包括治疗鲜红斑斑、毛细血管扩张和脱毛。我们已经在开发一种安全有效的方法方面取得了重大进展，该方法可以暂时降低浅层皮肤的散射系数，从而更有效地将激光能量输送到皮内目标，如纹身墨水、血管、毛囊等。 近年来，纹身的流行程度大大提高，现在据信有超过1000万美国人有一个或多个纹身。据估计，超过20%的美国大学生现在有一个或多个纹身。据估计，其中一半人将在十年内寻求去除纹身。尽管在优化激光传输参数方面做出了重大努力，但纹身去除仍然是医生面临的挑战，也是患者的沮丧。在这个第二阶段的提案中，我们将在动物模型中优化这种皮肤清除技术，然后进入在人类志愿者身上去除纹身效果的初步研究。此外，我们还将探索这项技术在降低血管光凝阈值方面的应用。 这项研究的最终结果将是开发出一种装置和方法，用于使用皮肤清洗剂和诱导皮肤散射系数的暂时降低。设想的产品是一种试剂/敷贴器组合，将作为适当的皮肤病激光手术的准备附件出售。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The focus of this research is to continue development of a device and technique for dermal clearing which will improve the efficacy of laser tattoo removal and other dermatological laser procedures including treatment of port wine stain and telangiectasia and hair removal. We have made significant progress toward developing a safe and effective methodology for inducing a temporary reduction in the scattering coefficient of superficial skin, which in turn affords more efficient delivery of laser energy to intradermal targets like tattoo inks, blood vessels, hair follicles, and the like. In recent years the popularity of tattooing has grown tremendously with over 10 million Americans now believed to have one or more tattoos. There are estimates that over 20% of U. S. college students now have one or more tattoos. Estimates are that half of them will seek tattoo removal within a decade. Despite significant efforts to optimize laser delivery parameters, tattoo removal remains a challenge for physicians and a frustration for patients. In this Phase II proposal, we will optimize this dermal clearing technique in animal models before moving to preliminary studies of tattoo removal effectiveness in human volunteers. As well, we will explore the utility of this technique for reducing the photocoagulation threshold for blood vessels. The net result of this research will be the development of a device and methodology for application of dermal clearing agents and inducement of temporary reduction in the scattering coefficient of skin. The envisioned product is an agent/ applicator combination, which would be sold as a preparative accessory for appropriate dermatological laser procedures.