Abstract: A method of selectively enhancing photothermal sebaceous gland disruption and treatment of acne is disclosed. The method provides for alleviation of the acne symptoms as well as preventing acne recurrence and new acne from occurring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating lesions and tattoos sites. The method includes the steps of irradiating said lesion by a first single pulse Q-Switched laser beam directed onto the site; and again irradiating the lesion by a second single pulse Q-Switched laser beam directed onto the same lesion site within a time interval of less than about 100 &mgr;s.

Abstract: A method for the reduction in healing time for a wound on the skin of a mammalian patient. The method comprises the steps of providing an optical radiation apparatus with a handpiece communicating therewith, energyzing the optical radiation apparatus to provide a beam of light, and directing the light beam onto a wound or surgical site of a patient. The beam has a wavelength range of about 530 nm to 1000 nm and the beam has a fluence range of from 2 J/cm2 to 5 J/cm2. The beam is preferrably generated by a pulse dye laser apparatus.

Abstract: A long pulse alexandrite laser for treating dermatological specimens is disclosed. The use of alexandrite allows operation in the near-infrared, specifically in a 50 nm range surrounding 755. Infrared in this range allows good penetration while still achieving an acceptable ratio of hemoglobin to melanin absorption. In operation, the laser generates pulses having a durations between 5 and 100 msec and fluences between 10 and 50 J/cm2. A light delivery system is provided that transmits the laser light output pulse to dermatological targets of a patient. The invention is also directed to a hair removal system. Here, it is desirable to use an index-matching application on the skin sections to be treated, and a visual indicator is thermo- or photo-responsive or otherwise responsive to the laser light pulse to generate a visible change. Also, the invention is directed to a combined sclerotherapy and light treatment method and kit for unwanted veins.

Abstract: A delivery guide frame attachment for a laser scanner mechanism for a laser treatment operation, to permit proper spacing and dimensional stability of the laser scanner with respect to the skin of a patient being treated. The delivery guide frame attachment includes a housing having an upper end and a lower end. The lower end is applyable to the skin of a patient. The upper end is attached to the laser scanner. A chilled fluid supply conduit is arranged in communication with the housing for delivering a chilled fluid onto the skin of a patient when the housing is applied thereto. A chilled fluid containment arrangement in the housing retains and delays escape of chilled fluid from the housing placed on the patient, for a short period during the laser treatment operation.

Abstract: A long pulse alexandrite laser hair removal system is disclosed using light pulses of greater than 1 msec and fluences between 10 and 50 J/cm2. The use of an alexandrite laser allows good penetration while still achieving an acceptable combination of hemoglobin and melanin absorption. The use an index-matching application on the skin sections to be treated is also described. This substance will be absorbed into the epidermal layer to provide better coupling of the laser light into the skin. Also, and most advantageously, it will reduce reflections at the epidermal-dermal junction, which can lead to the damage of the skin. Also a topical thermal or photochromic indicator is suggested since skin irradiation in the near-infrared generally does not produce any characteristic skin color change as is found when using pulsed dye lasers, for example.

Abstract: A long pulse alexandrite laser for treating dermatological specimens is disclosed. The use of alexandrite allows operation in the near-infrared, specifically in a 50 nm range surrounding 755. Infrared in this range allows good penetration while still achieving an acceptable ratio of hemoglobin to melanin absorption. In operation, the laser generates pulses having a durations between 5 and 100 msec and fluences between 10 and 50 J/cm2. A light delivery system is provided that transmits the laser light output pulse to dermatological targets of a patient. The invention is also directed to a hair removal system. Here, it is desirable to use an index-matching application on the skin sections to be treated, and a visual indicator is thermo- or photo-responsive or otherwise responsive to the laser light pulse to generate a visible change. Also, the invention is directed to a combined sclerotherapy and light treatment method and kit for unwanted veins.

Abstract: A flashlamp-excited dye laser generating light pulses for therapy has a circulator which circulates a gain media through a dye cell. A controller coordinates operation by triggering flashlamps to excite the laser gain media while the circulator is circulating the gain media. This operation enables the effective generation of laser light pulses with a duration of at least one millisecond. The laser pulse is formed from many subpulses. If the flow velocity of dye solution is great enough such that the new solution enters the resonant cavity before the solutions in the cavity are substantially spent, subsequent subpulses are not quenched, enabling the generation of ultra-long effective pulses with high fluences. Specifically, longer effective pulses of up to 50 msec are attainable with energies of up to 50 Joules. These energies enable reasonable spot sizes, which makes the invention relevant to cutaneous as well as deep tissue therapy, for example.

Abstract: A long pulsed dye laser device for selective photothermolysis comprises at least two pulsed dye lasers, such as flash lamp excited dye lasers, each generating corresponding pulsed laser beams successively in time. These laser can be coordinated by a synchronizer that sequentially triggers the lasers. A combining network merges the pulse laser beams into a combined beam and a delivery system conveys the combined pulse laser beam to a patient. An example of a delivery device is a single optical fiber. This invention enables production of the necessary pulse widths, on the order of 2 msec, which can not be achieved by individual dye lasers, generally lower than 0.8 msec. Also disclosed is a selective photothermolysis method. This method comprises irradiating a tissue section of a patient with a pulsed laser beam having a changing color across a time period of the pulse.

Abstract: In a dye laser system, a porous bed filter is loaded with dye prior to operation of the system. With repeated firings, the dye solution is filtered by the porous bed filter to remove by-products of the laser process. Solute concentration is monitored and dye and additives removed by the filter are replenished by a metering pump. Precise temperature control assures consistent filtering of dye by the filter for more consistent color and energy output. To control the metering pump, the differential output of a two-channel absorption detector is digitized. The digitized signal is loaded into a counter which drives the metering pump. The useful lifetime of the dye solution is enhanced by incorporating pH buffers in the solution.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an assembly for the single-hand manipulation of a light treatment device and a chilled air supply on a skin light-treatment site. The assembly comprises an elongated frame member having a first end and a second end. The frame member also has an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having an elongated channel therealong for receipt of a light emitting optics for emitting a light beam therefrom. The lower portion has a bore extending therethrough for passage of chilled air from a chilled air source. The bore may be arranged to direct chilled air at an angle with respect to the light beam to chill the site. The assembly includes a handpiece tip member arranged at the second end of the frame assembly and maybe integral therewith. A flexible chilled air supply hose made of light weight foam material and reinforced with an expandable sleeve member connects a refrigeration unit to the frame assembly.

Abstract: A long pulsed dye laser device for selective photothermolysis comprises at least two pulsed dye lasers, such as flash lamp excited dye lasers, each generating corresponding pulsed laser beams successively in time. These laser can be coordinated by a synchronizer that sequentially triggers the lasers. A combining network merges the pulse laser beams into a combined beam and a delivery system conveys the combined pulse laser beam to a patient. An example of a delivery device is a single optical fiber. This invention enables production of the necessary pulse widths, on the order of 2 msec, which can not be achieved by individual dye lasers, generally lower than 0.8 msec. Also disclosed is a selective photothermolysis method. This method comprises irradiating a tissue section of a patient with a pulsed laser beam having a changing color across a time period of the pulse.

Abstract: A long pulsed dye laser device for selective photothermolysis comprises at least two pulsed dye lasers, such as flash lamp excited dye lasers, each generating corresponding pulsed laser beams successively in time. These laser can be coordinated by a synchronizer that sequentially triggers the lasers. A combining network merges the pulse laser beams into a combined beam and a delivery system conveys the combined pulse laser beam to a patient. An example of a delivery device is a single optical fiber. This invention enables production of the necessary pulse widths, on the order of 2 msec, which can not be achieved by individual dye lasers, generally lower than 0.8 msec. Also disclosed is a selective photothermolysis method. This method comprises irradiating a tissue section of a patient with a pulsed laser beam having a changing color across a time period of the pulse.

Abstract: A method for treating simple wrinkles caused by age or sun exposure comprises treating blood vessels in the wrinkles with laser light. The laser light may have a wavelength between 577 and 585 nm. The laser light may also be a laser light pulse having a pulse duration that is greater than 0.2 msec, or alternatively, greater than 0.5 msec. The output pulse may be generated with a dye laser, for instance, by exciting dye solution in a resonant cavity with one or more flashlamps. A further treatment method comprises irradiating wrinkle-bearing skin with a laser pulse where the pulse duration is selectively matched to the thermal relaxation time of blood vessels in the targeted skin.

Abstract: A long pulse alexandrite laser for treating dermatological specimens is disclosed. The use of alexandrite allows operation in the near-infrared, specifically in a 50 nm range surrounding 755. Infrared in this range allows good penetration while still achieving an acceptable ratio of hemoglobin to melanin absorption. In operation, the laser generates pulses having a durations between 5 and 100 msec and fluences between 10 and 50 J/cm2. A light delivery system is provided that transmits the laser light output pulse to dermatological targets of a patient. The invention is also directed to a hair removal system. Here, it is desirable to use an index-matching application on the skin sections to be treated, and a visual indicator is thermo- or photo-responsive or otherwise responsive to the laser light pulse to generate a visible change. Also, the invention is directed to a combined sclerotherapy and light treatment method and kit for unwanted veins.

Abstract: In a dye laser system, a porous bed filter is loaded with dye prior to operation of the system. With repeated firings, the dye solution is filtered by the porous bed filter to remove by-products of the laser process. Solute concentration is monitored and dye and additives removed by the filter are replenished by a metering pump. Precise temperature control assures consistent filtering of dye by the filter for more consistent color and energy output. To control the metering pump, the differential output of a two- channel absorption detector is digitized. The digitized signal is loaded into a counter which drives the metering pump. The useful lifetime of the dye solution is enhanced by incorporating pH buffers in the solution.

Abstract: A long pulse alexandrite laser system for treating dermatological specimens is disclosed. The use of alexandrite allows operation in the near-infrared, specifically in a 50 nm range surrounding 755. Infrared in this range allows good penetration while still achieving an acceptable ratio of hemoglobin to melanin absorption. In operation, the laser generates pulses; having a durations between 5 and 100 msec and fluences between 10 and 50 J/cm2. A light delivery system is provided that transmits the laser light output pulse to dermatological targets of a patient. The system is also directed to a hair removal. Here, it is desirable to use an index-matching application on the skin sections to be treated, and a visual indicator is thermo- or photo-responsive or otherwise responsive to the laser light pulse to generate a visible change. This provides the operator with a record of those parts of the skin that have already been treated.

Abstract: A method for treating simple wrinkles caused by age or sun exposure comprises treating blood vessels in the wrinkles with laser light. The laser light may have a wavelength between 577 and 585 nm. The laser light may also be a laser light pulse having a pulse duration that is greater than 0.2 msec, or alternatively, greater than 0.5 msec. The output pulse may be generated with a dye laser, for instance, by exciting dye solution in a resonant cavity with one or more flashlamps. A further treatment method comprises irradiating wrinkle-bearing skin with a laser pulse where the pulse duration is selectively matched to the thermal relaxation time of blood vessels in the targeted skin.

Abstract: In a dye laser system, a porous bed filter is loaded with dye prior to operation of the system. With repeated firings, the dye solution is filtered by the porous bed filter to remove by-products of the laser process. Solute concentration is monitored and dye and additives removed by the filter are replenished by a metering pump. Precise temperature control assures consistent filtering of dye by the filter for more consistent color and energy output. To control the metering pump, the differential output of a two-channel absorption detector is digitized. The digitized signal is loaded into a counter which drives the metering pump. The useful lifetime of the dye solution is enhanced by incorporating pH buffers in the solution.

Abstract: A method of selectively enhancing the effect of photothermal vascular targeting on tumor regression by administration of a bioreductive agent is disclosed.