Hexascan: a new robotized scanning laser handpiece.

Abstract

A variety of treatment techniques are used with both argon and tunable dye lasers. Each method has its unique advantages: however, all appear to share common limitations such as poor reproducibility, lack of homogeneous energy delivery, and inability to treat rapidly large cutaneous vascular disorders such as port-wine stains. These problems have recently been addressed with a new scanning device designed to automate or speed treatment and provide improved consistency in cosmetic results. Hexascan is a computerized, automated scanning device that allows for the rapid and easily reproducible treatment of large areas of skin using either the dye or argon laser. The scanning pattern is designed to promote uniform energy fluence and minimize unwanted thermal damage to nontarget tissue. Clinical trials using Hexascan with 577 nm and 585 nm wavelengths have shown good results with cutaneous vascular disorders. Utilizing blue-green argon wavelengths, markedly reduced scarring has been observed compared to traditional argon techniques. Use with 514 nm green only argon light has successfully removed a variety of benign brown pigmented cutaneous lesions.