Abstract: The invention provides a power supply or drive circuit for a pulsed flashlamp which utilizes a two-core component having common windings as both an inductor for arc mode drive and for breakdown triggering of the lamp. Discharge of a capacitor through the inductor and lamp is controlled by a high-speed semiconductor switch which is turned on and off by a suitable control, current flowing from the inductor through a one-way path including the lamp when the switch is off. The control maintains the ratio of the power variation through the lamp to the average power through the lamp substantially constant. The controls may also be utilized to control output pulse shape. Novel protective features are also provided for circuit components during turn on periods for the switch.

Abstract: Methods and devices for ablating portions of a tissue volume with electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to produce lattices of EMR-treated ablation islets in the tissue are disclosed, including lattices of micro-holes, micro-grooves, and other structures. Also, methods and devices for using the ablated islets are disclosed, including to deliver chromophores, filler, drugs and other substances to the tissue volume.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth by applying optical radiation thereto of a wavelength able to reach the depth of the region and of a selected relatively low power for a duration sufficient for the radiation to effect the desired treatment while concurrently cooling tissue above the selected region to protect such tissue. Treatment may be enhanced by applying mechanical, acoustic or electrical stimulation to the region.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described that provide for eye-safe treatments using a photocosmetic device on skin tissue. In particular, various eye-safety devices protect the eye, including both the retina and the iris, as well as provide additional skin safety. The devices and methods described are particularly useful in consumer devices, but are useful in other devices also.

Abstract: Methods and devices for ablating portions of a tissue volume with electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to produce lattices of EMR-treated ablation islets in the tissue are disclosed, including lattices of micro-holes, micro-grooves, and other structures. Also, methods and devices for using the ablated islets are disclosed, including to deliver chromophores, filler, drugs and other substances to the tissue volume.

Abstract: Methods of treatment of tissue with electromagnetic radiation (“EMR”) to produce lattices of photoselective islets and other energy selective islets in tissue are disclosed. Also disclosed are devices and systems for producing lattices of EMR-treated islets in tissue, and cosmetic and medical applications of such devices and systems.

Abstract: Photocosmetic device for use in medical or non-medical environments (e.g., a home, barbershop, or spa), which can be used for a variety of tissue treatments. Radiation is delivered to the tissue via optical systems designed to pattern the radiation and project the radiation to a particular depth. The device has a variety of cooling systems including phase change cooling solids and liquids to cool treated skin and the radiation sources. Contact sensors and motion sensor may be used to enhance treatment. The device may be modular to facilitate manufacture and replacement of parts.

Abstract: Photocosmetic device for use in medical or non-medical environments (e.g., a home, barbershop, or spa), which can be used for a variety of tissue treatments. Radiation is delivered to the tissue via optical systems designed to pattern the radiation and project the radiation to a particular depth. The device has a variety of cooling systems including phase change cooling solids and liquids to cool treated skin and the radiation sources. Contact sensors and motion sensor may be used to enhance treatment. The device may be modular to facilitate manufacture and replacement of parts.

Abstract: A system for treating a selected dermatological problem and a head for use with such system are provided. The head may include an optical waveguide having a first end to which EM radiation appropriate for treating the condition is applied. The waveguide also has a skin-contacting second end opposite the first end, a temperature sensor being located within a few millimeters, and preferably within 1 to 2 millimeters, of the second end of the waveguide. A temperature sensor may be similarly located in other skin contacting portions of the head. A mechanism is preferably also provided for removing heat from the waveguide and, for preferred embodiments, the second end of the head which is in contact with the skin has a reflection aperture which is substantially as great as the radiation back-scatter aperture from the patient's skin.

Abstract: Oral phototherapy applicators are disclosed that are sized and shaped so as to fit at least partially in a user's mouth and have at least one radiation emitter coupled to an apparatus body to irradiate a portion of the oral cavity with phototherapeutic radiation in at least two separate spectral bands. In one embodiment, the spectral bands are distinct. In another, the bands overlap but provide different therapeutic effects. The apparatus can further include bristles to provide a phototherapeutic toothbrush. Alternatively, the apparatus body can be adapted for placement in a fixed position relative to the oral cavity during phototherapy.

Abstract: Methods and devices for ablating portions of a tissue volume with electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to produce lattices of EMR-treated ablation islets in the tissue are disclosed, including lattices of micro-holes, micro-grooves, and other structures. Also, methods and devices for using the ablated islets are disclosed, including to deliver chromophores, filler, drugs and other substances to the tissue volume.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a dermatological device that comprises a optical mask that is adapted to receive a radiation beam, e.g., from an external radiation source via an optical fiber, and to transform the beam into a plurality of beamlets. A zoom lens system is optically coupled to the optical mask so as to receive the beamlets, wherein zoom lens system is capable of focusing the beamlets into a plurality of separate skin portions. The zoom lens system can provide adjustable magnification while substantially preserving the locations of the focused spots within the skin. By way of example, the zoom lens system can be a parfocal inverting optical system.

Abstract: Methods and devices for ablating portions of a tissue volume with electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to produce lattices of EMR-treated ablation islets in the tissue are disclosed, including lattices of micro-holes, micro-grooves, and other structures. Also, methods and devices for using the ablated islets are disclosed, including to deliver chromophores, filler, drugs and other substances to the tissue volume.

Abstract: Methods and devices for ablating portions of a tissue volume with electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to produce lattices of EMR-treated ablation islets in the tissue are disclosed, including lattices of micro-holes, micro-grooves, and other structures. Also, methods and devices for using the ablated islets are disclosed, including to deliver chromophores, filler, drugs and other substances to the tissue volume.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for treatment of tissue, such as skin tissue, using acoustic energy, such as ultrasound. The ultrasound can be used for various purposes include hair removal and permanent hair reduction, removal of tattoos, and other cosmetic procedures. In some embodiments, ultrasound is produced using an optical-to-acoustic converter, and, in some embodiments, ultrasound is focused.

Abstract: The present invention provides a handheld dermatological device for visualizing a skin treatment region prior to, during, or after therapeutic treatment with therapeutic energy. An apparatus according to the teachings of the invention can include an image capture device and a display device mounted to the apparatus and electrically coupled to the image capture device. The display device is capable of displaying images of the treatment area captured by the image capture device. The apparatus can further include a head capable of transmitting therapeutic energy to a treatment area, which can be precisely aligned by the user to a desired portion of the treatment area through the use of the display device. In some embodiments, the apparatus can include one or more illumination sources for illuminating a skin target region, and shield for shielding the image capture device from direct reflection of the illuminating radiation from a selected skin surface portion.

Abstract: Photocosmetic device for use in medical or non-medical environments (e.g., a home, barbershop, or spa), which can be used for a variety of tissue treatments. Radiation is delivered to the tissue via optical systems designed to pattern the radiation and project the radiation to a particular depth. The device has a variety of cooling systems including phase change cooling solids and liquids to cool treated skin and the radiation sources. Contact sensors and motion sensor may be used to enhance treatment. The device may be modular to facilitate manufacture and replacement of parts.

Abstract: Methods of treatment of tissue with electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to produce lattices of EMR-treated islets in the tissue are disclosed. Specifically, methods of treating internal hard and soft tissues, such as but not limited to organs, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, vessels and nerves, with such EMR-treated islets are described. Also disclosed are devices and systems for producing lattices of EMR-treated islets in tissue, and cosmetic and medical applications of such devices and systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for treating tissue in a region at depth while protecting non-targeted tissue by cyclically applying cooling to the patients skin, and preferably to the region, and by applying radiation to the patient's skin above the region to selectively heat tissue during and/or after cooling is applied. At least one of cooling and radiation my be applied by successively passing a continuous output applicator over the patient's skin. Treatment may also be enhanced by applying mechanical, acoustic or electrical stimulation to the region.

Abstract: Methods for dental treatment including applying a non-toxic chromophore to a portion of the oral cavity and delivering a low dose of radiation to the chromophore during a session, the radiation having a wavelength in the absorption band of the non-toxic chromophore and the dose being lower than the power density to which the chromophore is normally responsive. Thereafter the step of applying radiation is repeated in subsequent sessions until the chromophore is activated.