Abstract: Pain localized to a particular body area is treated by subjecting the affected body area to a flexible array of light emitting units that conforms to the contour of the affected body area, thereby delivering a therapeutic dose of light to that affected body area. A flexible array of light emitting units is conformingly placed onto the localized pain area. The light emitting units are energized to deliver a therapeutic dose of light over the localized pain area. Additionally, the same methodology is useful for treating facial wrinkles, remodeling facial and body collagen and providing holistic relaxation and stress relief.

Abstract: A concentration of a photosensitizing drug in a patient, for PhotoDynamic Therapy treatment of the patient by a treatment light at a treatment light wavelength is determined by the steps of drawing a tissue sample from the patient, powderizing the tissue sample, extracting the photosensitizing drug from an amount of the powderized tissue sample with a solvent to form an extract, irradiating the extract with an interrogation light at an interrogation wavelength range of an absorption band bluer than the treatment light wavelength, measuring a magnitude of an emission signal at the treatment light wavelength, the emission signal caused by the irradiation of the extract, and comparing the measured magnitude to a magnitude/concentration calibration curve to determine the concentration of the photosensitizing drug.

Abstract: A filtering connection to optical light cable is a body having a hollow bore extending through the body, with a single or multicomponented optical element positioned coaxially in the hollow bore. An interior threaded portion with a standard thread is formed at one end of the hollow bore while an exterior threaded portion with a mating standard thread is formed about the other opposite end of the hollow bore.

Abstract: A concentration of a photosensitizing drug in a patient, for PhotoDynamic Therapy treatment of the patient by a treatment light at a treatment light wavelength, is determined by the steps of drawing a blood sample from the patient, separating a blood plasma portion from the blood sample, irradiating the blood plasma portion with an interrogation light at an interrogation wavelength range at an absorption band bluer than the treatment light wavelength, measuring a magnitude of an emission signal at the treatment light wavelength, the emission signal caused by the irradiation of the blood plasma portion, and comparing the measured magnitude to a magnitude/concentration calibration curve to determine the concentration of the photosensitizing drug.

Abstract: A concentration of a photosensitizing drug in a patient, for PhotoDynamic Therapy treatment of the patient by a treatment light at a treatment light wavelength, is determined by the steps of drawing a blood sample from the patient, diluting the blood sample to form a diluted sample, irridating the diluted sample with an interrogation light at an interrogation wavelength range at an absorption band bluer than the treatment light wavelength, measuring a magnitude of an emission signal at the treatment light wavelength, the emission signal caused by the irradiation of the diluted sample, and comparing the measured magnitude to a magnitude/concentration calibration curve to determine the concentration of the photosensitizing drug.

Abstract: A concentration of a photosensitizing drug in a patient, for PhotoDynamic Therapy treatment of the patient by a treatment light at a treatment light wavelenght, is determined by the steps of drawing a blood sample from the patient, spreading the blood sample between two optically transmissive plates to form a spread sample, irradiating the spread sample with an interrogation light at an interrogation wavelength range of an absorption band bluer than the treatment light wavelength, measuring a magnitude of an emission signal at the treatment light wavelength, the emission signal caused by the irradiation of the spread sample, and comparing the measured magnitude to a magnitude/concentration calibration curve to determine the concentration of the photosensitizing drug.

Abstract: A fluorescence spectrometer for determining a concentration of a photosensitizing drug in a patient, for PhotoDynamic Therapy treatment of the patient by a treatment light at a treatment light wavelength, the fluorescence spectrometer comprising a light source that directs an interrogation beam at a blood or blood plasma sample at an interrogation wavelength range bluer than the treatment light wavelength, measuring a magnitude of an emission signal at the treatment light wavelength, the emission signal caused by the irradiation of the sample, and comparing the measured magnitude to a magnitude/concentration calibration curve to determine the concentration of the photosensitizing drug. A CPU controls the components and makes the comparison and determination.

Abstract: A laser initiated process generates a shock wave of sufficient strength to produce a sintered product. The sintered product is prepared from at least a fuel and an oxidizer that will sustain an explosion in a reaction vessel. The explosion is initiated by introducing a laser beam into the reaction vessel and a shock wave begins to propagate at the point where the explosion is initiated. A sintered product is prepared when the shock wave is sufficiently strong to densify the product. Although the reaction will proceed using a two-component fuel-oxidizer mixture, the reaction is especially useful for producing sintered doped or undoped silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) from a reaction mixture containing at least silicon tetrachloride, hydrogen and oxygen. The sintered SiO.sub.2 can be deposited on a deposition surface situated in the reaction vessel to produce a preform that can be processed to produce an optical fiber.

Abstract: A method of forming a predetermined pattern on a substrate or support. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of:(a) providing a laser beam having sufficient power to vaporize a specified pattern-forming material;(b) providing an assembly comprising (i) a substrate which is transparent to the laser and which forms an intimate contact interface with (ii) a smooth layer of the selected pattern-forming material;(c) focusing the laser beam through the substrate at or near the interface of the pattern-forming material; and(d) moving the substrate and the laser beam relative to each other according to the predetermined pattern to selectively deposit the pattern-forming material on the substrate according to the predetermined pattern.

Abstract: Directed to the use of non-resonant laser energy to initiate reactions in reaction mixtures containing ingredients of the kind and in the amounts capable of forming chain reactions.

Abstract: The production of polymeric bodies having included, isolated areas of fine metal or metal oxide particles dispersed therein by mixing a metal compound with a polymer, converting the resulting mixture to a desired shape and irradiating selected areas of the shape with laser light to decompose the metal compound in the irradiated areas.

Abstract: Irradiation of a molecular specie by itself or in the presence of a secondary material at a pressure above a threshold value for the particular system by a laser of predetermined minimum power and having a frequency displaced from an absorption line of the specie causes severance of the weakest bond and a yield of products containing at least one dissociative fragment from said specie. A Rogowski type TEA CO.sub.2 --N.sub.2 --He laser has been used successfully on a wide variety of molecular species. Solid, liquid and gaseous end products have been obtained depending upon the starting materials. When solids have been produced they are in the form of microfine particles or microfine aggregates. A neodymium glass laser has also been used successfully.