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: 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 successivly 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: Devices and methods for utilizing electromagnetic radiation and other forms of energy to treat a volume of tissue at depth are described. In one aspect, a device modulates the flux incident on surface tissue to control and vary the depth in the tissue at which an effective dose of radiant energy is delivered and, thereby, treat a specific volume of tissue. The methods and devices disclosed are used to perform various treatments, including treatments to relieve pain and promote healing of tissue.

Abstract: Devices and methods for utilizing electromagnetic radiation and other forms of energy to treat a volume of tissue at depth are described. In one aspect, a device modulates the flux incident on surface tissue to control and vary the depth in the tissue at which an effective dose of radiant energy is delivered and, thereby, treat a specific volume of tissue. The methods and devices disclosed are used to perform various treatments, including treatments to relieve pain and promote healing of tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing a hard material, for example a hard biological material such as dental enamel or bone, with optical radiation. A treatment zone of the material is selectively cleaned of ablation products and other dirt to enhance processing efficiency, and a tip through which the optical radiation is applied to the treatment zone of the hard material is spaced slightly from the treatment zone during at least a portion of the time that hydrating fluid is being applied to the zone and/or while air or another gas is applied to the zone to clean the surface thereof.

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 emitting element coupled to an apparatus body to irradiate a portion of the oral cavity with phototherapeutic radiation along multiple directions. In one aspect, the apparatus is configured to direct radiation to at least one portion of the oral cavity, such as the teeth, cheeks, tongue, palate, throat, lymphatic tissue, blood, glands, follicles, collagen, pigmentation or facial tissue, generally. 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: Oral phototherapy applicators are disclosed that are sized and shaped so as to fit at least partially in a user's mouth with a plurality of bristles of elongate shape coupled to an apparatus body. The Applicators can be adapted to brush the user's teeth and further include at least one radiation emitter coupled to the body to provide phototherapeutic radiation to a portion of the oral cavity other than tissue in contact with the bristles. In one embodiment, the phototherapy emitter irradiates both a region of tissue in contact with the bristles and a portion of the oral cavity that is not in contact with the apparatus. For example, the apparatus can include at least one emitter that irradiates tooth tissue in contact with the bristles and gum tissue surrounding the tooth tissue.

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 and systems are disclosed for phototreatment in which replaceable containers comprising one or more adjuvant (consumable or re-useable) substances are employed. The adjuvant substance can be, for example, a topical substance or a coolant. Systems are disclosed for using a topical substance to detect contact of a phototreatment device with a tissue, detect speed of a phototreatment device over the tissue, detect regions of tissue that have been treated by a phototreatment device and/or to provide other benefits to the tissue such as improved skin tone and texture, tanning, etc. Safety systems are also disclosed that ensure that a proper consumable substance and/or container is connected to a phototreatment device and/or directed to a proper target. Additionally, cooling systems and methods that utilize phase change materials for extracting heat from a light generating device are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dermatology treatment are provided which involve the use of continuous wave (CW) radiation, preheating of the treatment volume, precooling, cooling during treatment and post-treatment cooling of the epidermis above the treatment volume, various beam focusing techniques to reduce scattering and/or other techniques for reducing the cost and/or increasing the efficacy of optical radiation for use in hair removal and other dermatological treatments. A number of embodiments are included for achieving the various objectives indicated above.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for targeting lipid-rich tissue to effect a desired, the method/apparatus involving irradiating the lipid-rich tissue with energy at a wavelength preferentially absorbed by lipid cells, such wavelength being preferably in a band between 880 nm and 935 nm, 1150 nm and 1230 nm, 1690 nm to 1780 nm, or 2250 nm to 2450 nm with a fluence and duration sufficient to achieve a desired treatment. For preferred embodiments, the irradiation wavelength is between 900–930 nm, 1190–1220 nm, 1700–1730 nm, or 2280–2350 nm. The method and apparatus may for example be used to target one or more sebaceous glands for the treatment of acne or hair removal, to target subcutaneous fat for removal thereof or for targeting fat on anatomical elements for various purposes.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for processing biological tissue and dental materials which involves providing or distributing a substance containing abrasive particles to an area in front of at least a portion of a surface of the tissue/material and irradiating both the substance and the portion of the surface with light from a selected source, the light being selected and delivered in a manner such that selective ablation is caused on the substance sufficient to force the abrasive particles under a selected pulse against the portion of the surface. Ablation may be of the particles themselves or the particles may be contained within a shell, with ablation being of the shell. The substance is preferably delivered as a series of distribution pulses with the light being delivered either continuously or as light pulses having a predetermined relationship to the distribution pulses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for hair growth management by applying low energy optical radiation to a treatment area of a patient's skin, which radiation is sufficient to at least traumatize a matrix portion of each follicle being treated, but not to cause either necrosis of most of each said follicle or immediate gross alteration of any hair shaft therein. The treatments are preferably performed a plurality of times at selected time intervals to achieve a desired level of hair growth management.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing a therapeutic treatment on a patient's skin by concentrating applied radiation of at least one selected wavelength at a plurality of selected, three-dimensionally located, treatment portions, which treatment portions are within non-treatment portions. The ratio of treatment portions to the total volume may vary from 0.1% to 90%, but is preferably less than 50%. Various techniques, including wavelength, may be utilized to control the depth to which radiation is concentrated and suitable optical systems may be provided to concentrate applied radiation in parallel or in series for selected combinations of one or more treatment portions.

Abstract: A light energy delivery head is provided which, in one aspect, mounts laser diode bars or other light energy emitters in a heat sink block which is adapted to cool both the emitters and a surface of a medium with which the head is in contact and to which it is applying light energy. In another aspect, various retroreflection configurations are provided which optimize retroreflection of back-scattered light energy from the medium. The size of the aperture through which light energy is applied to the medium is also controlled so as to provide a desired amplification coefficient as a result of retroreflection.

Abstract: A light energy delivery head is provided which, in one aspect, mounts laser diode bars or other light energy emitters in a heat sink block which is adapted to cool both the emitters and a surface of a medium with which the head is in contact and to which it is applying light energy. In another aspect, various retroreflection configurations are provided which optimize retroreflection of back-scattered light energy from the medium. The size of the aperture through which light energy is applied to the medium is also controlled so as to provide a desired amplification coefficient as a result of retroreflection.

Abstract: A system for treating a selected dermatologic 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: Methods and apparatus for hair treatment are disclosed which comprise applying electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to a skin treatment area to deposit energy in one or more hairs so as to modify a shape and/or chemical structure of at least a portion of the hairs. The applied radiation can cause heating of the hair tips, so as to modify their shape, e.g., reduce sharpness of the hair tips. Modification of the hair can involve heat-induced changes to the shape, composition, or function of the hair tip, hair shaft, and/or hair matrix that make the hair less capable of re-entering the skin. The methods and apparatus can treat and/or prevent pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) in the treatment area. A method is also disclosed for managing hair growth using wavelengths between 1200 nm and 1400 nm.

Abstract: The present invention provide methods for treating acne by exposing affected follicles to at least one, and preferably two or all three, of the following radiation pulses: a radiation pulse (PC pulse) having a wavelgnth components in a range of about 360-700 nm; a radiation pulse (PTV pulse) having wavelength components in a range of about 470 nm to 650 nm and/or in a range of about 500 nm to about 620 nm; and a radiation pulse (PTIR pulse) having wavelength components in a range of about 900 nm to about 1800 nm. The irradiated treatment region is preferably maintained at a temperature of about 38 to 43 C in order to enhance the efficacy of the treatment.