Abstract: High purity pharmaceutical-grade water-soluble porphyrin derivatives given by formula 1 or 2 in the specification, and new methods to prepare and use such porphyrin derivatives are disclosed. A preferred method comprises the steps of one- or two-step direct acidic alcoholysis of biological raw material producing a crystalline alkyl pheophorbide, conversion of the obtained alkyl pheophorbide into an acidic porphyrin, and reaction of the acidic porphyrin in water or in an aqueous organic solution with a hydrophilic organic amine. Another preferred method comprises reaction of acidic porphyrins prepared in water or in aqueous organic solution with a hydrophilic organic amine. Another preferred method comprises the additional step of purification of the resultant water-soluble porphyrin derivative by reversed phase chromatography using volatile solvents.

Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for permanent or semi-permanent removal of hair through the activation of microparticles introduced into hair follicles. Microparticles are incorporated into a composition that is topically applied to the skin. These microparticles containing or consisting of chromophores or chemically activated molecules are of a variety of shapes and sizes. Microparticles are within a size range of 1 micron to 70 microns, and preferably between 10 and 50 microns. Microparticles of this size and variety of shapes enter hair follicles on all areas of the skin without entering other areas of the skin, such as the stratum corneum or sweat gland channels. Treatment of the skin with electromagnetic radiation, ultrasonic radiation or chemical means activates the chromophore or chemically activated compounds, thus destroying the hair follicle without damaging other areas of the skin.

Abstract: A photonic scanning and delivery system capable of controllable transmission of light energy to an irregularly shaped treatment area are disclosed. The desired uniformity (controllability) of light energy application is ensured by a tracking device, which monitors the position of the radiation applicator and thereby prevents over- or under-radiation. The system employs a light energy delivery hand-piece. By these means, structures in the lower dermis are irradiated. Because of the large size of the treatment area, damage to surface tissue is avoided. The hand-piece can operate while in contact with the treatment surface. Treatment surfaces include non-medical work sites. Alternatively, the hand-piece can operate in a non-contact mode. The system can also be used in non-medical applications such as UV curing.

Abstract: A diode pumped fiber laser is described that utilizes highly erbium-doped fluoride glass to produce 1 W and higher outputs at about 3 &mgr;m. High dopant concentrations in fluoride glass make it possible to efficiently pump the laser around 975 nm which in turn leads to higher slope efficiencies for the laser. Furthermore, by using this pumping wavelength, saturation of laser output due to bleaching of the ground state is overcome. The fluoride glass composition is a modified version of the standard ZBLAN composition. This altered composition achieves high glass quality, enables fiber drawing, and avoids the problem of crystallization.