Determination process and predictive closed-loop control of dosimetry using measurement of skin surface temperature and associated methods
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Publication Number
US-12004808-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method for determining parameters for operating a light source within a photo-thermal targeted treatment system is disclosed. The method includes cooling a treatment location, administering first laser pulses at the treatment location, the first laser pulses having thermal energy below a known damage threshold, tracking skin surface temperatures at the treatment location while administering the first laser pulses, estimating a relationship between parameters for operating the light source and the skin surface temperature by fitting tracked skin surface temperature to a correlation model, determining a safe operating range for the light source to avoid thermal damage at the treatment location while still effectively targeting the chromophore, administering second laser pulses at the treatment location, the second laser pulses staying within the safe operating range for the light source, and adjusting the light source according to the tracked skin surface temperatures to stay within the safe operating range.
Core Innovation
A photo-thermal targeted treatment dosimetry framework for targeting a chromophore embedded in a medium determines a suitable set of parameters for operating a light source. The approach begins by cooling a first treatment location and administering a first set of laser pulses having thermal energy below a known damage threshold of the medium, while tracking skin surface temperatures at the first treatment location at a refresh rate of 25 Hz to 400 Hz.
The tracked skin surface temperatures are fitted to a correlation model to estimate a relationship between parameters for operating the light source and the skin surface temperature at the first treatment location. Using the correlation model, a safe operating range for the parameters is determined to avoid thermal damage to the medium at the first treatment location while still effectively targeting the chromophore.
A second set of laser pulses is then administered having thermal energy at least at a known damage threshold of the chromophore while staying within the safe operating range for the parameters. The parameters for operating the light source are adjusted according to the tracked skin surface temperatures at the first treatment location to stay within the safe operating range.
The treatment portion of the framework includes cooling a first treatment location from a first surface temperature to a second surface temperature, administering a laser pulse, and tracking skin surface temperatures during the laser pulse using an infrared camera operating at a refresh rate of 25 Hz to 400 Hz. The treatment protocol is terminated based at least in part on the skin surface temperatures so measured.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims. Across these claims, the inventive features cover determining a safe operating range via correlation-model fitting of tracked skin surface temperatures and using infrared-camera temperature tracking to terminate a photo-thermal targeted treatment protocol based on measured skin surface temperatures.
Model-based safe operating range for chromophore targeting
Cooling a first treatment location; administering a first set of laser pulses at thermal energy below a known damage threshold of the medium; tracking skin surface temperatures at the first treatment location at a refresh rate of 25 Hz to 400 Hz while administering the first set; fitting the skin surface temperatures to a correlation model to estimate a relationship between parameters and skin temperature; using the correlation model to determine a safe operating range to avoid thermal damage to the medium while still effectively targeting the chromophore; administering a second set of laser pulses having thermal energy at least at a known damage threshold of the chromophore while staying within the safe operating range; and adjusting the parameters according to the tracked skin surface temperatures to stay within the safe operating range.
Infrared-camera temperature-based termination of a photo-thermal treatment protocol
Cooling a first treatment location of a subject from a first surface temperature to a second surface temperature; administering a laser pulse to the first treatment location; during the laser pulse, tracking skin surface temperatures using an infrared camera operating at a refresh rate of 25 Hz to 400 Hz; and terminating a treatment protocol based at least in part on the skin surface temperatures so measured.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on temperature-tracked dosimetry using a correlation model to define and maintain a safe operating range during photo-thermal targeted treatment, and on termination of a treatment protocol based on infrared-camera-measured skin surface temperatures.
Stated Advantages
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