CPC A61F 9/008 (2013.01) [A61B 18/042 (2013.01); A61B 18/203 (2013.01); A61B 18/26 (2013.01); A61B 90/361 (2016.02); A61N 1/44 (2013.01); A61N 5/062 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00702 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00785 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00791 (2013.01); A61B 2018/20359 (2017.05); A61B 2018/20553 (2017.05); A61B 2018/205545 (2017.05); A61B 2018/263 (2013.01); A61F 2009/00851 (2013.01); A61F 2009/00872 (2013.01); A61F 2009/00882 (2013.01); A61F 2009/00897 (2013.01); A61N 5/067 (2021.08)] | 8 Claims |
1. A method of inducing cross-linking in a cartilage, the method comprising:
irradiating the cartilage with pulses of focused infrared light, without a photosensitizer present in or on the cartilage,
wherein the pulses of focused infrared light have an average power output from 10 mW to 100 mW, a pulse energy from 0.1 nJ to 10 nJ and a pulse width from 50 to 150 femtoseconds,
wherein the pulses of focused infrared light cause ionization of water molecules without causing optical breakdown of molecules of the cartilage, and
wherein the pulses of focused infrared light excite the water molecules without directly forming covalent bonds in collagen contained in the cartilage.
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4. A system for treating cartilage, the system comprising:
an infrared laser configured to output pulses of infrared light having an average power output from 10 mW to 100 mW, a pulse energy from 0.1 nJ to 10 nJ and a pulse width from 50 to 150 femtoseconds; and
focusing optics configured to focus the pulses of infrared light output by the infrared laser, wherein the infrared laser and the focusing optics are configured to generate pulses of focused infrared light that (a) cause ionization of water without causing optical breakdown of molecules of the cartilage, and (b) excite water molecules without directly forming covalent bonds in collagen contained in the cartilage.
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