PHOTOTHERMAL TREATMENT OF SOFT TISSUES

摘要

An apparatus and a method are provided for the treatment of soft tissue. The apparatus includes a light source and at least two optical assemblies. Each of the optical assemblies includes at least one optical element and a light-transmitting contact surface configured to transmit a substantially uniform distribution of light therethrough. The apparatus further includes at least two optical transmission devices each disposed between the light source and a corresponding one of the at least two optical assemblies. The apparatus also includes a handpiece to which the at least two optical assemblies are attached, and which is adapted to bring the light- transmitting contact surfaces of the at least two optical assemblies in contact with soft tissue disposed therebetween. The method includes compressing and substantially flattening portions of the tonsil tissue between light-transmitting contact surfaces of two opposed light emitting optical assemblies, introducing light into an optical element of each of the optical assemblies; and irradiating the tonsil tissue by directing the light from the optical element through the light-transmitting contact surfaces to the tonsil tissue in a substantially uniform light distribution.