Abstract: An applicator for use with a laser device housing comprises an applicator body mountable for moving in the housing when at least a minimum amount of pressure is applied to the applicator by contact with a patient's skin to actuate a mechanism in the housing for operation of the laser device, and an applicator distal end affixed to the body and positionable substantially in a focal plane of the laser device by motion of the body upon application of at least the minimum amount of pressure. The mechanism may be an interlock, or a switch, or a switch for charging capacitors of the laser device. The Interlock may be a spring-mounted interlock.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of measuring analytes in body fluids without the use of a sharp. The method having the steps of irradiating the skin of a patient by focused pulses of electromagnetic energy emitted by a laser. By proper selection of wavelength, energy fluence, pulse temporal width and irradiation spot size, the pulses precisely irradiate the skin to a selectable depth, without causing clinically relevant damage to healthy portions of the skin. After irradiation, interstitial fluid is collected into a container or left on the skin. The interstitial fluid is then tested for a desired analyte to approximate the analyte concentration in other body fluids. Alternatively, after the forced formation of a microblister, the epidermis covering the microblister is lysed and the interstitial fluid is subsequently collected and tested.

Abstract: The present invention eliminates the halo ring of a solid state laser's output by creating a surface finish of the crystal element which is matte only over part of its surface. The present invention also employs mirrored surfaces applied to the ends of the crystal element, such as in the form of coatings which reflect light at the desired wavelengths. By making the crystal and mirrors part of the same element the invention eliminates the problems associated with misalignment of the element and the mirrors.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of removing fluids, gases or other biomolecules, or delivering a pharmaceutical composition, through the skin of a patient without the use of a sharp or needle. The method includes the step of irradiating the stratum corneum, an applied pharmaceutical or an absorbing material, using a laser. By selection of parameters, the laser irradiates the selected material or tissue to create pressure gradients, plasma, cavitation bubbles, or other forms of tissue ablation or alteration. These methods increase the diffusion of pharmaceuticals into, or fluids, gases or other biomolecules out of, the body. For this invention, a pharmaceutical composition can be applied to the still before or after laser irradiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of removing fluids, gases or other biomolecules, or delivering a pharmaceutical composition, through the skin of a patient without the use of a sharp or needle. The method includes the step of irradiating the stratum corneum, an applied pharmaceutical or an absorbing material, using a laser. By selection of parameters, the laser irradiates the selected material or tissue to create pressure gradients, plasma, cavitation bubbles, or other forms of tissue ablation or alteration. These methods increase the diffusion of pharmaceuticals into, or fluids, gases or other biomolecules out of, the body. For this invention, a pharmaceutical composition can be applied to the skin before or after laser irradiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of measuring analytes in bodily fluids without the use of a sharp. The method having the steps of irradiating the skin of a patient by focused pulses of electromagnetic energy emitted by a laser. By proper selection of wavelength, energy fluence, pulse temporal width and irradiation spot size, the pulses precisely irradiate the skin to a selectable depth, without causing clinically relevant damage to healthy portions of the skin. After irradiation, interstitial fluid is collected into a container or left on the skin. The interstitial fluid is then tested for a desired analyte to approximate the analyte concentration in other bodily fluids. Alternatively, after the forced formation of a microblister, the epidermis covering the microblister is lysed and the interstitial fluid is subsequently collected and tested.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved devices for pharmaceutical delivery and fluid removal using laser ablation or alteration. These devices have marking means for marking the ablation or alteration site, the area around the site, or the site and the area around the site. In a preferred embodiment, the mark created by the devices is a physical mark which remains detectable after the marking means is inactivated or redirected away from the site.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of collecting biomolecules via permeation through the skin of a subject, by energizing the stratum corneum in conjunction with various collection means including gels and dressing materials. Permeability enhancement or reduced electrical impedance of the skin increases the variety of substances capable of permeation, and increases the permeation rate and the effectiveness of the permeation, including permeation enhanced by iontophoresis. The method allows for the use of improved collection means that were previously unavailable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of delivering substances for permeation through the skin of a subject, by energizing the stratum corneum in conjunction with various delivery means including gels and patches. Permeability enhancement or reduced electrical impedance of the skin, increases the variety of substances capable of permeation, and increases the permeation rate and the effectiveness of the permeation, including permeation enhanced by iontophoresis. The method allows for the use of improved delivery means that were previously unavailable.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of measuring analytes in bodily fluids without the use of a sharp. The method having the steps of irradiating the skin of a patient by focused pulses of electromagnetic energy emitted by a laser. By proper selection of wavelength, energy fluence, pulse temporal width and irradiation spot size, the pulses precisely irradiate the skin to a selectable depth, without causing clinically relevant damage to healthy portions of the skin. After irradiation, interstitial fluid is collected into a container or left on the skin. The interstitial fluid is then tested for a desired analyte to approximate the analyte concentration in other bodily fluids. Alternatively, after the forced formation of a microblister, the epidermis covering the microblister is lysed and the interstitial fluid is subsequently collected and tested.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of removing fluids, gases or other biomolecules, or delivering a pharmaceutical composition, through the skin of a patient without the use of a sharp or needle. The method includes the step of irradiating the stratum corneum, an applied pharmaceutical or an absorbing material, using a laser. By selection of parameters, the laser irradiates the selected material or tissue to create pressure gradients, plasma, cavitation bubbles, or other forms of tissue ablation or alteration. These methods increase the diffusion of pharmaceuticals into, or fluids, gases or other biomolecules out of, the body. For this invention, a pharmaceutical composition can be applied to the skin before or after laser irradiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of administering a pharmaceutical composition, such as an anesthetic through the skin of a patient without the use of a sharp or needle. This method includes the step of irradiating the stratum corneum of a region of the skin of the patient using a laser. By a selection of parameters, the laser irradiates the surface of the skin precisely to a selectable depth, without causing clinically relevant damage to healthy proximal tissue. A pharmaceutical composition is then applied to the region of irradiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of measuring analytes in bodily fluids without the use of a sharp. The method having the steps of irradiating the skin of a patient by focused pulses of electromagnetic energy emitted by a laser. By proper selection of wavelength, energy fluence, pulse temporal width and irradiation spot size, the pulses precisely irradiate the skin to a selectable depth, without causing clinically relevant damage to healthy portions of the skin. After irradiation, interstitial fluid is collected into a container or left on the skin. The interstitial fluid is then tested for a desired analyte to approximate the analyte concentration in other bodily fluids. Alternatively, after the forced formation of a microblister, the epidermis covering the microblister is lysed and the interstitial fluid is subsequently collected and tested.

Abstract: This invention provides a device and method for perforation of skin for the purpose of drawing blood or administering pharmaceuticals. The device incorporates a laser which produces a laser beam at an appropriate wavelength which is specifically focused to perforate the skin of a patient. Optionally a container can be incorporated in the device for collection of blood from the perforated tissue.