Abstract: A method for determining parameters for operating a light source within a photo-thermal targeted treatment system for targeting a chromophore embedded in a medium includes: 1) administering a laser pulse at a preset power level below known pain and damage thresholds to a location to be treated; 2) measuring a skin surface temperature at the location; 3) correlation fitting a relationship between the light source parameters and the skin surface temperature at the location; 4) defining a safe operating range for the light source parameters to avoid pain and thermal damage at the location; 5) maintaining the skin surface temperature below the known pain and damage threshold and increasing the peak temperature and of the thermal gradient depth; and 6) administering a higher-level laser pulse to raise the temperature of the targeted chromophore to its required damage temperature.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient with a therapeutic laser pulse includes applying a cooling mechanism to a first skin area, cooling a target skin area within the first the skin area from a first surface temperature to a second temperature through application of the cooling mechanism prior to application of the therapeutic laser pulse, initiating application of the therapeutic laser pulse at a first timepoint, while continuing to apply the cooling mechanism, determining a surface temperature of the target skin area a plurality of times during application of the therapeutic laser pulse at a refresh rate of 25 Hz to 400 Hz, and terminating the application of the therapeutic laser pulse at a second timepoint, based on the surface temperature determinations. Each of the plurality of surface temperature determinations occurs during a single therapeutic laser pulse duration from the first time point to the second timepoint.

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.

Abstract: A scanner arrangement for a temperature measurement system for measuring a temperature of a measured surface is disclosed. The scanner arrangement includes a first temperature sensor and a reference assembly. The reference assembly includes an opening including a reference surface, a second temperature sensor in contact with and for measuring the temperature of the reference surface, and a heater for heating the reference surface in accordance with control signals from a controller. The first temperature sensor has a field of view covering a portion of the measured surface and the reference surface. In embodiments, the temperature measurement system is integrated into a photo-thermal treatment unit providing a cooling air stream and laser energy, controlled by the controller. The opening and reference surface cooperate such that the reference surface is protected from direct exposure to the cooling air stream and the laser energy.

Abstract: A temperature measurement system for measuring a temperature of a measured surface includes: 1) a first temperature sensor; and 2) a reference surface including a second temperature sensor integrated therein. The first temperature sensor includes a field of view simultaneously covering both at least a portion of the measured surface and at least a portion of the reference surface, thus is configured for simultaneously taking a first measurement of both the portion of the measured surface and the portion of the reference surface. The first measurement of the reference surface taken by the first temperature sensor is compared to a second measurement taken by the second temperature sensor for use in calibrating the first temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient with a therapeutic laser pulse includes applying a cooling mechanism to a first skin area, cooling a target skin area within the first the skin area from a first surface temperature to a second temperature through application of the cooling mechanism prior to application of the therapeutic laser pulse, initiating application of the therapeutic laser pulse at a first timepoint, while continuing to apply the cooling mechanism, determining a surface temperature of the target skin area a plurality of times during application of the therapeutic laser pulse at a refresh rate of 25 Hz to 400 Hz, and terminating the application of the therapeutic laser pulse at a second timepoint, based on the surface temperature determinations. Each of the plurality of surface temperature determinations occurs during a single therapeutic laser pulse duration from the first time point to the second timepoint.

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.

Abstract: A temperature measurement system for measuring a temperature of a measured surface includes: 1) a first temperature sensor; and 2) a reference surface including a second temperature sensor integrated therein. The first temperature sensor includes a field of view simultaneously covering both at least a portion of the measured surface and at least a portion of the reference surface, thus is configured for simultaneously taking a first measurement of both the portion of the measured surface and the portion of the reference surface. The first measurement of the reference surface taken by the first temperature sensor is compared to a second measurement taken by the second temperature sensor for use in calibrating the first temperature sensor.

Abstract: A temperature measurement system for measuring a temperature of a measured surface includes: 1) a first temperature sensor; and 2) a reference surface including a second temperature sensor integrated therein. The first temperature sensor includes a field of view simultaneously covering both at least a portion of the measured surface and at least a portion of the reference surface, thus is configured for simultaneously taking a first measurement of both the portion of the measured surface and the portion of the reference surface. The first measurement of the reference surface taken by the first temperature sensor is compared to a second measurement taken by the second temperature sensor for use in calibrating the first temperature sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of performing a photo-thermal dermatological procedure without use of an injectable anesthetic. The method includes applying a topical anesthetic to a treatment area of skin, measuring a surface temperature of the treatment area of skin, and passing a stream of cold air over the area of skin such that the surface temperature of the treatment area of skin is maintained between 0 degrees Celsius and 15 degrees Celsius for a duration of at least 30 seconds. The method further includes administering a photo-thermal energy dose to the area of skin after the duration.

Abstract: An energy-based dermatological treatment system includes a temperature sensor for obtaining a first temperature measurement associated with a first treatment area. The system also includes a processing module for receiving the first temperature measurement and generate a temperature map based on the first temperature measurement. The system further includes a control module for setting a parameter of a first treatment pulse based on the first temperature map, and an energy source configured to deliver the first treatment pulse to the first treatment area. In an embodiment, the first temperature sensor is a contactless temperature sensor. In another embodiment, a second temperature measurement of a second treatment area to generate an updated temperature map based on the first and second temperature measurements. A parameter of a second treatment pulse is set according to the updated temperature map, and the second treatment pulse is delivered to the second treatment area.

Abstract: A method for operating a light source within a photo-thermal targeted treatment system for targeting a chromophore embedded within a medium is disclosed. The method includes: 1) applying a treatment protocol to a skin surface; 2) measuring a skin surface temperature while applying the treatment protocol; 3) calculating parameters regarding a heat transfer provided by the photo-thermal targeted treatment system based on the skin surface temperature so measured; and 4) adjusting the light source and the treatment protocol in accordance with the information regarding the heat transfer.