In Changing Times : A Tribute to George Argyros

(see NEWSBRIEFS on p. 8) R at the Beckman Laser Institute have scored a major success in the area of technology transfer with the licensing and marketing of a patented cooling device used for many of the most common laser-based medical procedures. The Dynamic Cooling DeviceTM (DCD), which provides rapid and spatially selective cooling of the epidermis during laser treatments for a variety of skin conditions, now ranks third in the University of California system for annual patent royalties. The DCD has earned $3.8 million in royalties this fiscal year and could see a significant increase in earnings in the coming years as global sales for the device are expected to rise. J. Stuart Nelson, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Surgery and one of the inventors of the DCD technology, sees a bright future for this unique device. “Cryogen cooling has become an integral part of laser dermatologic surgery,” Nelson says. “The premise is simple, but the design and implementation are extremely elegant.” The DCD delivers short bursts of cooled liquid cryogen to protect against thermal damage as laser energy is delivered through the skin to treat birthmarks, wrinkles, hair removal, and other dermatological irregularities. By protecting the upper layers of skin against heat-related damage, the DCD allows for more thorough and efficacious treatment. “Not only can (see DCD PATENT on p. 7)