Abstract: The present invention provides a method of increasing the efficacy of treating a muscle or sweat gland hyperactivity condition in a human or mammal with a neurotoxin. The method includes adding a quantity of either a diffusion-limiting agent or an anti-metabolic agent to the neurotoxin. Adding the agent to the neurotoxin leads to the formation of an agent/neurotoxin injection mixture. The quantity of agent added is sufficient to increase a therapeutic response of the human or mammal's sweat gland or muscle to the neurotoxin compared to what the response would have been had the human or mammal been treated with neurotoxin alone. The present invention provides a kit for treating a muscle or sweat gland hyperactivity condition in a human or mammal. The kit includes a needle, a solvent, a neurotoxin, and either a diffusion-limiting agent or an anti-metabolic agent.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and apparatus for restoring pigmentation to skin that has suffered pigment loss are described. The methods include creating a plurality of spaced-apart microchannels or voids in the skin and depositing into the micropore channels or voids a composition comprising at least one cell capable of producing melanin, a growth factor, and, optionally, a scaffolding material, a differentiation factor, a proliferation factor, and/or a pigment. Alternatively, a composition comprising a pigment can be deposited into the micropore channels or voids to restore pigmentation to the skin.

Abstract: A method of restoring hair to skin that has suffered hair loss includes optically ablating an array of spaced-apart microchannels or voids into the skin and transplanting into the voids stem cells, a scaffold and a differentiation factor for causing the stem cells to differentiate into hair follicles.

Abstract: Subjects treated with nonablative fractional photothermolysis (FP) have an intact stratum corneum, but can have microscopic lesions and vacuole formation within the epidermis. The vacuoles thus formed can trap dermal material and extrude it through the epidermis. Thus, FP can be used for the treatment of recalcitrant melasma, solar elastosis, and tattoos.

Abstract: A method of reducing wrinkles in skin includes irradiating the skin with laser pulses to ablate an array of spaced apart voids in the skin. A region of coagulated tissue surrounds each of the voids and there viable tissue between the coagulated regions. Tissue in the coagulated regions is in tension due to shrinkage of collagen by the heat generated during the ablation. This tension rapidly closes the voids, tightening the skin and reducing the wrinkles. A healing process replaces the coagulated tissue with new tissue after a period of about one-month. The method is also applicable to lightening abnormally pigmented skin, as the new tissue replacing the coagulated tissue is not abnromally pigmented.

Abstract: Method of treating retinal disease by intravitreally injecting defined cytokine-transfected stem cell population; adipose-derived stem cell comprising transient wound-healing trangenes; defined homogeneous and heterogeneous populations of cytokine-transfected adipose-derived stem cells; method of treating retinal disease involves step of laser-inducing retinal injury followed by intravitreally injecting a population of stem cells comprising transiently transfected stem cells into the eye of the mammal in a number sufficient for repopulation, intraretinal integration and differentiation into normal photoreceptor cells.

Abstract: The invention describes a system and method for revitalizing aging skin using electromagnetic energy that is delivered using a plurality of needles that are capable of penetrating the skin to desired depths. A particular aspect of the invention is the capability to spare zones of tissue from thermal exposure. This sparing of tissue allows new tissue to be regenerated while the heat treatment can shrink the collagen and tighten the underlying structures. Additionally, the system is capable of delivering therapeutically beneficial substances either through the penetrating needles or through channels that have been created by the penetration of the needles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermal treatment of tissue by irradiating the skin with electromagnetic energy is disclosed. Sources of electromagnetic energy include radio frequency (RF) generators, lasers, and flashlamps. The apparatus includes either a positional sensor or a dosage evaluation sensor, or both types of sensors. These sensors provide feedback to a controller. The controller may control the electromagnetic source parameters, the electromagnetic source activation, and/or the sensor measurement parameters. An additional scanning delivery unit may be operably coupled to the controller or to the sensors to provide a controlled distribution of electromagnetic energy to the target region of the skin. The use of positional measurement sensors and dosage evaluation sensors permits the controller to automatically determine the proper electromagnetic source parameters including, for example, pulse timing and pulse frequency.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and apparatus for the modulation of an immune response for the removal of a foreign body in skin or a visceral organ. A fractional phototherapy device is used to produce an acute stimulus for the immune response. The immune response may be enhanced by applying an exogenous substance. The immune modulation may be targeted or directed toward the treatment of a particular foreign body through the creation and amplification of particular biological signatures. This invention is particularly appropriate for treatment of skin cancer, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and fungi.