Abstract: An apparatus that will alter the fibrous strands in the fatty layers of the skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite and adipose tissue. Electromagnetic energy is used to selectively shrink or alternatively photoacoustically ablate the collagen in the constricting bands of connective tissue that causes the dimpled appearance of cellulite and adipose tissue while avoiding damage to the surrounding fatty cells.

Abstract: A method of treating microbial infections, which consists of the steps of sequentially and repeatedly irradiating the microbe with continuous or pulsed infrared radiation and continuous or pulsed cooling such that heat and cold alternatively penetrates to the site of the infection in order to inactivate the pathogen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that will alter the fibrous strands in the fatty layers of the skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite and adipose tissue. Electromagnetic energy is used to selectively shrink or alternatively photoacoustically ablate the collagen in the constricting bands of connective tissue that causes the dimpled appearance of cellulite and adipose tissue while avoiding damage to the surrounding fatty cells.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the flux and separation properties of water filtration membranes by oxidizing raw or processed water constituents with direct photolysis of the water matrix by pulsed blackbody UV, yielding ozone and hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals and other short lived oxidizing species. The result thereof, causing precipitation of inorganic molecules or organically complexed minerals, partial or complete mineralization of organic molecules and the deactivation or destruction of microbes including: virus, bacteria and protozoa. The system and method comprises a pulsed blackbody, deep-UV reactor having at least one treatment chamber, the reactor having a conveying assembly to convey the water to be treated into the chamber; a filter assembly to screen the UV treated water; a caustic supply means for the post-treatment of water; a recovering assembly recovering the permeate at an outlet of the filtration means. The effect of such UV water treatment is multifaceted.

Abstract: A reactor system for decontamination of water by photolytic oxidation utilizing near blackbody radiation, the system comprising (1) a reaction chamber defining an internal space with an inlet and an outlet; and (2) a broadband radiator for generating radiant energy with wavelengths between about 150 nm and about 3 &mgr;m, the broadband radiator disposed within the reaction chamber, such that a sufficient dosage of broadband radiation irradiates the contaminants and/or the oxidant within the internal space of the reaction chamber thereby causing photolytic oxidation of the contaminants by direct action of the radiation on the contaminants to break chemical bonds by sustaining a free radical chain reaction of oxidizing components, thus breaking down the contaminants by way of atomic abstraction of the components of the contaminants. In preferred embodiments, at least a portion of the radiant energy is generated in a pulsed mode, such as between about 1 and about 500 pulses per second.

Abstract: A reactor system for decontamination of water by photolytic oxidation utilizing near blackbody radiation, the system comprising (1) a reaction chamber defining an internal space with an inlet and an outlet; and (2) a broadband radiator for generating radiant energy with wavelengths between about 150 nm and about 3 .mu.m, the broadband radiator disposed within the reaction chamber, such that a sufficient dosage of broadband radiation irradiates the contaminants and/or the oxidant within the internal space of the reaction chamber thereby causing photolytic oxidation of the contaminants by direct action of the radiation on the contaminants to break chemical bonds by sustaining a free radical chain reaction of oxidizing components, thus breaking down the contaminants by way of atomic abstraction of the components of the contaminants. In preferred embodiments, at least a portion of the radiant energy is generated in a pulsed mode, such as between about 1 and about 500 pulses per second.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removal of material from a substrate or structure including a broadband flashlamp-type radiator for providing broadband radiant energy, an ultraviolet radiator, lamp head or other focusing means for directing the broadband radiant energy and ultraviolet radiant energy onto the surface of the coating or coatings or other material to be removed, thereby resulting in the ablation and photodissociation of the material, and a residual constituents removing means, such as flowing CO.sub.2 pellets, liquid CO.sub.2, jets of compressed air, particles or other flowing gases or liquids.

Abstract: Thermal modification of dermatological tissue using non-laser infrared light energy. A high energy incandescent-type lamp, such as a quartz tungsten halogen lamp, operated in a pulsed mode with a high voltage input, creates a particular energy output. Applications of such apparatus and methods include treatment of the dermis and/or sub-epidermal tissues for the purpose of skin recontouring, thermal destruction of hair follicles for the purpose of hair removal, and others.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removal of material from a substrate including a near black-body flashlamp-type radiator means for providing radiant electromagnetic energy, an ultraviolet radiator means, lamp head or other focusing means for directing the light energy and ultraviolet radiation onto the surface of the coating or coatings to be removed, thereby resulting in the photoablation and photodissociation of the material, and a residual constituents removing means, such as CO.sub.2 pellets.