297 results about "Nd:YAG laser" patented technology

Methods and apparatus for treatment, such as skin rejuvenation treatment, using non-uniform laser radiation. A high-intensity portion of the laser radiation causes collagen destruction and shrinkage within select portions of the treatment area, while a lower-intensity portion of the radiation causes fibroblast stimulation leading to collagen production across other portions of the treatment area. An output beam from a laser source, such as an Nd:YAG laser, is coupled into an optical system that modifies the beam to provide a large-diameter beam having a non-uniform energy profile, comprised of a plurality of high-intensity zones surrounded by lower-intensity zones within the treatment beam. The higher-intensity zones heat select portions of the target tissue to temperatures sufficient for a first treatment (e.g. collagen shrinkage), while the lower-intensity zones provide sufficient energy for a second treatment (e.g. stimulated collagen production). A large area of tissue, preferably 7-10 mm in diameter, can be treated simultaneously, while minimizing the risk of burning or other damage to the skin.In one embodiment, the invention uses a fiber bundle to provide a non-uniform energy output beam. In another embodiment, the invention uses a diffractive lens array to produce the non-uniform output beam. A cooling system can also be integrated with the laser treatment system.

A laser annealing apparatus comprises a laser oscillator having a Q switching action, one or a plurality of partially reflective mirrors for split a laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator into a plurality of laser beams, a plurality of optical fibers which respectively transmit the plurality of laser beams split by the partially reflective mirrors, and whose respective emission ends are arranged linearly in one direction, a first optical system for synthesizing and homogenizing the plurality of laser beams emitted from the optical fibers, and a second optical system for focusing the laser beam emitted from the first optical system on the work piece surface as a rectangular laser beam whose beam shape is long in the lateral direction and short in the longitudinal direction. As a result, laser power transmission by means of slender optical fibers is possible even in cases in which a green laser such as the second harmonic of an Nd:YAG laser having a Q switching action or the like is used as a heating light source. Accordingly, a compact laser annealing apparatus that has a high-quality working performance and does not require a laser amplifier or high-frequency generating apparatus can be obtained.