I*I
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`Office de la Propriété
`Intellectuelle
`du Canada
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`Un organisme
`d'Industrie Canada
`
`Canadian
`Intellectual Property
`Office
`
`An agency of
`Industry Canada
`
`CA 2604112 C 2016/07/05
`(11)(21) 2 604 112
`
`(12) BREVET CANADIEN
`CANADIAN PATENT
`
`(13) C
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`(22) Date de depot/Filing Date: 2007/09/24
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`(41) Mise a la disp. pub./Open to Public lnsp.: 2009/03/24
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`(45) Date de délivrance/lssue Date: 2016/07/05
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`(51) C|.|nt./|nt.Cl. A61B 18/20 (2006.01),
`A61K 31/575 (2006.01), A61K 31/685 (2006.01)
`
`(72) Inventeurs/lnventors:
`MYEONG, HYEON SEONG, KR;
`BRAZIER, ANNA, KR
`
`(73) Propriétaire/Owner:
`YOLO MEDICAL |NC., CA
`
`(74) Agent: OYEN WIGGS GREEN & MUTALA LLP
`
`
`
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`(54) Titre : APPAREILLAGE DE RESOLUTION DE L'ADIPOSE POUR LASER DE FAIBLE PUISSANCE
`(54) Title: ADIPOSE RESOLVE APPARATUS FOR LOW-POWER LASER
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`(57) Abrégé/Abstract:
`A lipolysis system configured for contacting and providing low-power laser irradiation to a plurality of targeted portions of a subject's
`body surface for the purpose of liquefying fats in subcutaneous regions underlying the targeted body surface portions, and
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`C alrlaclljaI
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`11/173.'//0p1'¢:.gc.ca ' Ottawa-Hull KIA 0C9 - htmflcmagaca
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`OPIC - CIPO 191
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`O P I C
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`CA 2604112 C 2016/07/05
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`(13)C
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`(57) Abrégé(suite)lAbstract(continued):
`methods for the use of the lipolysis system. The lipolysis system comprises: (a) a first laser applicator comprising a plurality of low-
`power laser diodes selected for emission of power outputs in the range comprising about 10mW to about ’IOOmW with light waves
`in the range of 635nm to 680 nm, (b) a second laser applicator comprising at least one low-power laser diode selected for emission
`of power outputs in the range comprising about 10mW to about 100mW with light waves in the range of 635nm to 680 nm, and (c)
`a laser control device configured for controllably communicating and cooperating with said first laser applicator and said second
`laser applicator.
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`ABSTRACT
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`A lipolysis system configured for contacting and providing low-power laser
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`irradiation to a plurality of targeted portions of a subject’s body surface for the purpose of
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`liquefying fats in subcutaneous regions underlying the targeted body surface portions,
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`and methods for the use of the lipolysis system. The lipolysis system comprises: (a) a first
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`laser applicator comprising a plurality of low—power laser diodes selected for emission of
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`power outputs in the range comprising about 10mW to about IOOmW with light waves in
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`the range of 635nm to 680 nm, (b) a second laser applicator comprising at least one low-
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`power laser diode selected for emission of power outputs in the range comprising about
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`10mW to about IOOmW with light waves in the range of 635nm to 680 nm, and (c) a
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`laser control device configured for controllably communicating and cooperating with said
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`first laser applicator and said second laser applicator.
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`TITLE:
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`ADIPOSE RES OLVE APPARATUS FOR LOW—POWER LASER
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`TECHNICAL FIELD
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`The present invention relates to low—power laser irradiation of skin surfaces for
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`lipolysis of underlying adipose cells. More particularly, this invention relates to low—
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`power laser applicators, systems comprising the laser applicators, and methods for their
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`use in providing lipolysis treatments.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`Various apparatuses are known for providing a curative effect by irradiating spots
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`on a patient’s body with low—power insertable laser devices. Such apparatus are generally
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`configured with one or more laser diodes configured for emitting outputs in the range of
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`SmW to lOmW and wavelengths in the range of 635nm to 650nm, and a low power laser
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`diode driver for arbitrarily adjusting the amount of laser beam emitted from the on or
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`more laser diodes.
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`For example, Korean Utility Model No. 302173 discloses an electric mat for
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`uniformly emitting a laser beam through a low power laser diode. Korean Utility Model
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`No. 270882 discloses a waist belt including a laser generator having a laser diode for
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`emitting laser light having a wavelength of 580 ~ 980nm to stimulate the lumbar, thereby
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`performing finger—pressure treatment and therefore medical treatment of a disc. Korean
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`Utility Model No. 274266 discloses a laser for medical treatment and an LED blanket
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`capable of widening a curative range, for example,
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`irradiation of spots on the body
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`suitable for acupuncture, chronic article rheumatism, frozen shoulder, lumbago, cervical
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`vertebral sprain, gout, wrench, bruising, arthritis, stress gastritis, and so on. Korean
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`Patent No. 457964,
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`issued to the present applicant, discloses a laser beam radiator
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`capable of non-invasively irradiating blood in a blood vessel with a laser beam according
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`to a position and a thickness of the blood vessel by adjusting a distance of the laser beam
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`condensed through an optical lens, activating metabolism of a cell by stimulating a blood
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`cell using a laser beam, increasing formation of capillary vessels to improve blood
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`circulation, and increasing speed of tissue treatment to activate living organisms.
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`While another laser apparatus using a laser beam disposed in an array for
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`providing use convenience is proposed to be adapted to various soft materials such as a
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`chair, a hat, a bed, a belt, and so on, when the laser beam is disposed in the soft materials
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`in an array, a red laser capable of being output appropriately to non-invasively break
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`down fat (about, more than 30mW) should be used. However, since the red laser requires
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`a separate radiation structure, there is no way of breaking down fat by non—invasively
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`irradiating a human body.
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`Meanwhile, in order to effectively treat obesity using a laser, Neira et al. (2002,
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`Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 110(3): 912—922) disclose a process for liquefying fat
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`by waving a low—power laser back and forth six inches above a subject’s abdomen and
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`then removing the liquefied fat with a surgical liposuction i.e., lipectomy procedure.
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`Neira et al.’s paper is based on a test in which lasers having a wavelength of 635nm, an
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`output of 10mW, and a total energy of 1.2J/Cm2, 2.4J/cm2 and 3.6J/cm2 are radiated onto
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`adipose tissue extracted from 12 healthy women. As a result of the test, 4 minutes after
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`laser exposure, 80% of the fat in the adipose cells is discharged, and 6 minutes after the
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`laser exposure, 99% is discharged. It was reported that energy of the low power laser acts
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`to open a cell wall to discharge fat from the interior to the exterior of the adipose cell.
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`Then, the discharged fat is gathered in a space between the adipose tissues. Using the fat
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`liquefaction effect of the red laser on the basis of the test, suction lipectomy using a laser,
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`in which the human body is irradiated from outside to break down fat and discharge the
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`broken down fat from the body using a cannular (fine pipe), has been proposed.
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`Various methods of non-invasively irradiating skin covering a fatty area of a
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`treatment target with a red laser beam to break down the fat of the adipose cells have
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`been attempted.
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`In order to irradiate a wider area for a short time, a device for forming a
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`red laser beam with a line shape to scan the treatment target has been developed and put
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`on the market. However, it is difficult to input a power of lOmW and an energy density
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`of 3.6J/cm2 required for lipolysis in the human body, thereby obtaining little practical
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`effect.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
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`The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to laser
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`applicators, systems comprising the laser applicators, and methods for their use for
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`liquefaction of fats in adipose cells for removal into interstitial spaces wherefrom they are
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`removed from a subject’s body by their normal physiological processes.
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`According to one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a laser applicator
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`having at least one low—power light—emitting laser diode. A suitable low-power light-
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`emitting laser diode is one that emits power outputs in the range comprising about IOmW
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`to about lOOmW with light waves in the range of 635nm to 680 nm. The laser applicator
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`is configured for contacting a subject’s body surface for application of low-power laser
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`irradiation. The laser applicator is configured to communicate and cooperate with a laser
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`control device comprising a power supply device, circuitry interconnecting software-
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`controllable electronic devices configured for at least one of generating, transmitting,
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`recording, processing, storing and reporting electronic signals useful for manipulable
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`modulation of the output from the power supply device for generation of laser light
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`waves. The low-power laser irradiation causes liquefaction of fats in adipose cells in the
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`subcutaneous portions of the subject’s body underlying the surface contacted by the laser
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`applicator. The liquefied fat is discharged from the adipose cells into the interstitial areas
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`between the cells from which it is absorbed by the subject’s lymphatic system and
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`removed from their body with their normal physiological processes.
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`According to one aspect, the laser applicator comprises a plurality of low-power
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`light-emitting diodes.
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`According to another aspect, the laser applicator is provided with a plurality of
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`low—power light-emitting diodes each selected for emission of power outputs in the range
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`comprising about lOmW to about lOOmW with light waves in the range of 635nm to 680
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`nm, and a plurality of medium power laser diodes having power outputs in the range of
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`about SOmW to about 160mW with light waves in the range of 780nm to 980 nm.
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`According to another aspect, the laser applicator comprises a printed circuit board
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`provided with a power connector for communicating with a controller device, a contact
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`plate formed of a hard plate configured for cooperating with the PCB and having at least
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`one transparent window or a lens disposed at one side surface, at least on low-power
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`light-emitting laser diode inserted into the at
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`least one transparent window or lens
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`disposed on the contact plate and electrically connected to the PCB; and a framework or
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`alternatively, a housing for accommodating and retaining therein the laser printed circuit
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`board, contact plate and laser diode. The housing is suitable configured for contacting the
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`at least one transparent window or lens of the contact plate in close contact with the skin
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`during application of laser irradiation of the skin and underlying subcutaneous region.
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`According to a further aspect, the contact plate may comprise a flexible material.
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`According to a yet further aspect, a plate of heat-absorbing material may be
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`interposed the contact plate and the printed circuit board. The plate of heat—absorbing
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`material may be configured to communicate and cooperate with a cooling device.
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`According to another aspect, the surface of the contact plate may be coated with a
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`thermal interface material.
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`According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is
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`provided a lipolysis system comprising at least one laser applicator provided with at least
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`one low-power
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`laser diode selected for emission of power outputs in the range
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`comprising about IOmW to about lOOmW with light waves in the range of 635nm to 680
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`nm, and a laser control device provided with hardware, circuitry and software configured
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`for at least one of generating, transmitting, recording, processing, storing and reporting
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`electronic signals useful for manipulable modulation of the output from the power supply
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`device for generation of laser light waves. The at least one applicator is configured for
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`contacting a portion of a subject’s body surface for controllably and manipulably
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`providing laser light irradiation thereto for the purpose of liquefying fats in adipose cells
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`in the subcutaneous region underlying the portion of the subject’s body surfaces
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`contacted by the laser applicator.
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`According to one aspect, the laser applicator is provided with a plurality of low-
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`power laser diodes each selected for emission of power outputs in the range comprising
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`about lOmW to about lOOmW with light waves in the range of 635nm to 680 nm.
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`According to another aspect, the laser applicator is provided with a plurality of
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`low-power light—emitting diodes each selected for emission of power outputs in the range
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`comprising about lOrnW to about lOOmW with light waves in the range of 635nm to 680
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`nm, and a plurality of medium—power laser diodes each having power outputs in the range
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`of about 80mW to about l60mW with light waves in the range of 780nm to 980 nm.
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`According to another aspect, the laser applicator housing may be configured to
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`contact a larger portion of a subject’s body surface such as an abdomen, the lower back
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`area, hips, and buttocks. The housing and contact plate provided in this embodiment are
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`suitably concave. The contact plate may optionally comprise a flexible material.
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`According to yet another aspect, the laser applicator housing or alternatively the
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`framework, may be provided with hinges on its opposite ends thereby making it possible
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`to interlink two or more such hinged laser applicators together. Accordingly, the two or
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`more interlinked laser applicators may be controllably maneuvered to provide excellent
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`contact of larger portions of a subject’s body surface with the contact plates having
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`disposed therein laser diodes.
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`According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there are
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`provided methods for the use of the lipolysis systems of the present invention for
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`liquefying fats in subcutaneous adipose cells. An operator contacts the contact plate of
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`the at least one laser applicator with a target portion of a subject’s body surface after
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`which the operator manipulates the control device to provide laser light irradiation of the
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`target portion of the subject’s body portion for a selected period of time during which the
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`laser light causes liquefaction of fats in adipose cells in the subcutaneous region
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`underlying the target body portion. The liquefied fats are discharged from the adipose
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`cells into the interstitial spaces wherefrom the liquified fats are removed from the
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`subcutaneous regions underlying the target portions by the subject’s lymphatic system. It
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`is suitable during a lipolysis treatment session to contact the at least one laser applicator
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`with multiple target portions of a subject’s body surface for application of laser
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`irradiation thereto.
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`According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is
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`provided a vacuum suction device configured to sealably engage and cooperate therewith
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`a laser applicator of the present invention. The vacuum suction device is suitably
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`configured with an inner bowl-shaped chamber having an outer rim configured for
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`sealingly engaging a target portion of a subject’s body surface. The apex of the bowl—
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`shaped chamber is configured to sealingly engage and communicate with the contact
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`plate of the laser applicator, and to transmit therethrough laser irradiation generated by
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`the at least one laser diode of the laser applicator. The vacuum suction device is
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`interconnected to a controllable vacuum pump.
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`According to one aspect, the vacuum suction device is configured to sealingly
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`engage and cooperate with a laser—generating device comprising a low-power laser diode
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`selected for emission of power outputs in the range comprising about lOmW to about
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`lOOmW with light waves in the range of 635nm to 680 nm.
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`According to another aspect, the vacuum suction device is provided with at least
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`one pressure release aperture configured for engagement and disengagement by an
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`operator’s finger.
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`According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is
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`provided a lipolaser system comprising a vaccum suction device configured to cooperate
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`with a laser applicator of the present invention or alternatively with a laser generating
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`device, an exemplary laser applicator of present invention or alternatively a laser
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`generating device, and a controllable vacuum pump cooperatively interconnected to the
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`vacuum suction device.
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`According to one aspect, the vacuum pump is controllably and manipulably
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`interconnected to a plurality of vacuum suction devices.
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`According to another exemplary embodiment, there are provided methods for the
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`provided methods for the use of the lipolysis systems comprising the vacuum suction
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`devices of the present invention for liquefying fats in subcutaneous adipose cells. An
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`operator contacts the outer rim of the vacuum suction device with a target portion of a
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`subject’s body surface after which the operator activates the vacuum pump and
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`manipulates the laser control device to provide laser light irradiation of the target portion
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`of the subject’s body portion for a selected period of time during which the laser light
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`causes liquefaction of fats in adipose cells in the subcutaneous region underlying the
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`target body portion. The liquefied fats are discharged from the adipose cells into the
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`interstitial spaces wherefrom the liquified fats are removed from the subcutaneous
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`regions underlying the target portions by the subject’s lymphatic system. It is suitable
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`during a lipolysis treatment session to contact the at least one laser applicator with
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`multiple target portions of a subject’s body surface for application of laser irradiation
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`thereto.
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`According to one aspect, an operator may impose and release suction force within
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`the vacuum suction device by engaging and disengaging the pressure release aperture
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`with their finger. The vacuum suction device may be moved about a subject’s body
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`surface while the pressure release aperture is disengaged.
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`According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there are
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`provided lipolysis systems comprising at least one first laser applicator provided with a
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`plurality of low-power laser diodes and configured to contact a portion of a subject’s
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`body surface for providing laser irradiation thereto, at least one second laser applicator
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`provided with at least one lower power laser diode and configured to contact a portion of
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`a subjects body surface for providing laser irradiation thereto, and a laser control device
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`configured for controllably communicating and cooperating with first and second laser
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`applicators.
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`According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there are
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`provided methods for the use of the lipolysis systems of the present invention comprising
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`at least one first laser applicator provided with a plurality of low—power laser diodes and
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`at least one second laser applicator provided with at least one low-power laser applicator,
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`for sequentially contacting selected target portions of a subject’s body surface for the
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`purpose of providing laser irradiation thereto and therethrough to the underlying
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`subcutaneous regions for liquefaction of fats in adipose cells thereabout.
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`According to one aspect,
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`the methods of use comprise a plurality of sets of
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`sequential laser irradiations to different targeted regions of a subject’s body surface.
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`According to another aspect, the methods of use of the lipolysis systems of the
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`present system to apply laser irradiations to selected targeted portions of a subject’s body
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`surface, are combined with the subject mounting and communicating with physical
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`exercise equipment during the periods of laser irradiation. Suitable physical exercise
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`equipment is exemplified by whole body vibration devices.
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`According to another aspect, the methods of use of the lipolysis systems of the
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`present system to apply laser irradiations to selected targeted portions of a subject’s body
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`surface are combined with treatments comprising the subcutaneous
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`injection of
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`compositions configured to at
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`least partially lyse adipose cells located thereabout,
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`wherein a subject receives at least one such injection to a target body portion after which,
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`at least one low—power laser applicator of an exemplary lipolysis system of the present
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`invention is contacted with the target body portion for application of low—power laser
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`irradiation thereto.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`The present invention will be described in conjunction with reference to the following
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`drawings, in which:
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`Fig.
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`1
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`is an exploded perspective view of a laser applicator of an exemplary
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`lipolysis system according to one embodiment of the present invention;
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`Fig. 2 is a plan View of a laser irradiation distribution range of an exemplary laser
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`applicator according to another embodiment of the present invention;
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`Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary laser applicator system according to
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`the present invention;
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`Fig. 4 is a perspective View of another exemplary laser applicator system
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`according to the present invention;
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`Fig. 5 is a cross—sectional schematic side View of another exemplary laser
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`applicator system according to the present invention;
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`Fig. 6 is a cross—sectional side View of another exemplary embodiment of a laser
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`applicator system according to the present invention;
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`Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective View of the embodiment shown in Fig 6;
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`Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary expanded laser application system
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`according to the present invention, comprising a plurality of cooperating embodiments
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`exemplified in Figs. 6 and 7;
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`Fig. 9 is a schematic View of an exemplary lipolysis system provided with a
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`plurality of two types of laser applicators according to the present invention;
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`Fig. 10(a) is a side view of one type of laser applicator of the lipolysis system
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`shown in Fig. 9;
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`Fig 10(b) is an end View of the laser applicator shown in Fig. 10(a);
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`Fig. 10(c) is a perspective View of the laser applicator shown in Fig. 10(a);
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`Figs. 11(a)—11(c) are schematic illustrations of exemplary positioning of the laser
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`applicators of the lipolysis system shown in Fig. 9, about a subject’s body torso for
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`liquefaction of fats about their waistline;
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`Figs. 12(a)—12(c) are schematic illustrations of exemplary positioning of the laser
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`applicators about a subject’s body torso for liquefaction of fats about their abdominal
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`oblique muscle areas;
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`Figs. 13(a)—13(c) are schematic illustrations of exemplary positioning of the laser
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`applicators about a subject’s body torso for liquefaction of fats about
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`their upper
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`abdominal areas;
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`Figs. l4(a)—14(d) are schematic illustrations of exemplary positioning of the laser
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`applicators about a subject’s body torso for liquefaction of fats about their upper thigh
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`areas;
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`Figs. 15(a)—15(d) are schematic illustrations of exemplary positioning of the laser
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`applicators about a subject’s body torso for liquefaction of fats about their lower back
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`areas;
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`Fig. 16 is a chart showing the average girth loss of subjects receiving treatments
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`with an exemplary lipolysis system of the present invention compared with subjects
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`receiving a placebo treatment;
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`Fig. 17 is a chart showing average girth loss receiving treatments with the
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`exemplary lipolysis system used in Fig 16 during the first, third and eight treatment
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`sessions, and their total average girth loss after the third and eight sessions; and
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`Fig. 18 is a chart comparing the cumulative results of blinded appearance ratings
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`over the eight treatment sessions with the exemplary lipolysis system used in Fig 16
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`compared with subjects receiving a placebo treatment.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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`Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide laser applicators for
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`contacting and controllably irradiating portions of a subject’s body surfaces with low—
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`power lasers, systems comprising one or more of the laser applicators cooperating with a
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`suitable control devices for controllably generating laser irradiation from the laser
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`applicators, and methods for the use of the systems for liquefaction of fat in adipose cells
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`underlying the body surfaces for removal from the irradiated portions by the subject’s
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`physiological processes.
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`An exemplary laser—applicator 10 of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. l.
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`The laser applicator 10 generally comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) 12 provided
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`with a power connector 11 for receiving power, and a contact plate 14 configured to
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`communicate and cooperate with the PCB 12. The contact plate 14 is provided with one
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`or more selectively spaced—apart transparent windows or alternatively lenses 13 disposed
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`on the surface opposite the surface that contacts the PCB 12. One or more laser diodes 15
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`are inserted into selected transparent windows or lenses 13 disposed on the contact plate
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`14, and is electrically connected to the PCB 12. A plurality of fastening holes 17a and 17b
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`are provided at selected locations on the PCB board 12 and the contact plate 14 to enable
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`securing of the PCB 12 to the contact plate 14 with a plurality of fasteners 16. As shown
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`in Fig. 1, the laser applicator 10 may be assembled by inserting the laser diodes 15 into
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`the transparent Windows or lenses 13 of the contact plate 14, then securing the contact
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`plate 14 to the PCB 12 with a plurality of the fasteners 16. Although Fig.
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`1 shows the
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`laser applicator 10 configured with four laser diodes 15, it is within the scope of this
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`invention to provide laser applicators having one laser diode or alternatively, a selectable
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`plurality of laser diodes. The laser applicator 10 is interconnectable through the power
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`connector 11 to a laser control device (not shown) comprising a power supply device,
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`circuitry interconnecting software-controllable electronic devices configured for at least
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`one of generating, transmitting, recording, processing, storing and reporting electronic
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`signals useful for manipulable modulation of the output from the power supply device for
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`generation of laser light waves.
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`It is suitable to encase the laser applicator 10 within a housing structure (not
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`shown) configured to expose at least the transparent windows or lenses of the contact
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`plate 14, and to provide suitable contact for the contact plate 14 with a subject’s body
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`surface. It is preferable that the housing structure is also configured for graspability and
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`ease—of-handling by an operator and for a subject’s comfort when the laser applicator 10
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`is in contact with a portion of their body surface. Alternatively, as illustrated in Fig. 2, a
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`laser applicator according to the present invention may comprise a housing or framework
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`30 provided for containing a PCB (not shown) cooperatively assembled with a contact
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`plate 14 configured with a large plurality of laser diodes 15.
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`While the plurality of laser diodes 15 shown in Figs 1 and 2 are uniformly
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`disposed within the contact plate 14, it is also within the scope of the present invention to
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`dispose a selected number of laser diodes 15 in an irregular pattern about the contact
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`plate 14. Furthermore, although an elongate contact plate 14 is illustrated in Figs.
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`1 and 2,
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`10
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`15
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`2O
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`25
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`30
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`CA 02604112 2007—09—24
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`-12 _
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`it is also within the scope of the present invention to provide contact plates having
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`alternative shapes such as circular, elliptical, sigmoidal, obround, gibbous and the like,
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`configured to enhance the comfort of a subject when the laser applicator 10 is contacting
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`a portion of their body surface.
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`Suitable laser diodes for incorporation into the laser applicators of the present
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`invention are capable of producing power outputs in the range comprising about lOmW
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`to about
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`lOOmW with light waves in the range of 635nm to 680 nm, i.e., commonly
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`referred to by those skilled in this art as low-power light-emitting laser diodes. When one
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`or more of such low—power laser diodes is/are contacted with a subject’s body surface, the
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`emitted light waves will penetrate through the epidermal and dermal skin layers into the
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`subcutaneous regions which are primarily composed of adipose cells. The energy of low—
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`power light waves penetrating into the adipose cells causes liquefaction of solid and
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`semi-solid fat deposits contained in the adipose cells. The liquefied fats are then easily
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`translocated out of the adipose cells into the interstitial spaces from where they are
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`removed by the subject’s lymphatic system and discharged from the subject’s body by
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`their normal physiological processes.
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`A possible consequence of providing arrays with large pluralities of low—power
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`laser diodes is that considerable amounts of heat may be generated from the laser diodes
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`during prolonged application of laser light energy to a subject’s body portion thereby
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`causing some discomfort. Therefore, it is within the scope of the present invention to
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`provide a plate of heat—absorbing material interposed the contact plate 14 and the PCB 12
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`to absorb heat generated by the bases of the low—power laser diodes, and configured to
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`disperse the heat toward and from the rear of the laser applicator. Alternatively, the plate
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`of heat absorbing material may be configured to communicate and cooperate with a
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`cooling device for controllably removing heat generated by the low—power laser diodes
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`while cooling the contact plate 14. Alternatively, the surface of the contact plate 14
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`opposite the PCB board 12 may be coated with a thermal interface material.
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`It is particularly useful to configure a laser applicator comprising at least one
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`extended array of closely placed together plurality of low-power laser diodes for
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`contacting a subject’s body surface thereby enabling the irradiation of larger surface
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`areas. The consequence is a more uniform irradiation of larger areas of adipose cells
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`resulting in more substantial amounts of fat liquefaction and removal from the body
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`portions contacted by the laser applicator, thus making it possible to selectively reduce
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`the extent of fat-induced protuberances about a subject’s body. Fig. 3 illustrates another
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`exemplary laser applicator 50 provided with a concave contact plate 54 fitted into
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`concave curvilinear framework 56 configured to at least partially encircle larger areas of
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`a subject’s body such as the abdomen, lower hips, buttocks, and upper thigh areas. The
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`opposite ends of the framework 56 are provided with handles 57, to enable easy handling
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`and positioning of the laser applicator 50 about the subject’s body portions by an
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`operator. For such laser applicators, it is suitable for the contact plate 54 to comprise a
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`flexible material that is capable of conforming to the contours of the subject’s body
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`portions onto which the laser applicator is positioned. Alternatively, the contact plate 54
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`may comprise a stiff material that may be molded into a selected configuration suitable
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`for application only to a selected target body portion. The exemplary laser applicator 50
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`illustrated in Fig.3 may be placed and positioned by an operator onto a subject who is in a
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`prone position lying on their back or alternatively, on their stomach. However,
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`it
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`is
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`optional to provide a vertical support 59 fitted with a vertically adjustable positioning
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`device 58 configured to engage the laser applicator 50. The subject can then in a standing
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`position contact a selected body portion with the laser applicator 50 after the positioning
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`device 58 has been adjusted to provide optional contact between the subject’s body
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`portion and the laser applicator 10. Those skilled in these arts will understand that the
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`vertically adjustable positioning device 58 may be optionally provided with a pivoting
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`component (not shown) for enabling the rotation of the laser applicator from a horizontal
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`plane to a vertical plane. It is also within the scope of the present invention to incorporate
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`a laser c