Abstract: An optical resonance scanner has a spring-elastic bending element (10) excitable to effect rotational oscillations about a longitudinal axis (A-A) using a stationary magnet (9) and a stationary drive coil (5) that is wound around a pole shoe (20). The pole shoe (20) is magnetically coupled to the magnet (9) and has two mutually opposite free ends (21, 22) between which the bending element (10) is arranged symmetrically so that a magnetic flux can be transferred substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (A-A). In superimposition of the magnet- and coil-induced magnetic fluxes the magnet (9) and a first half (23) of the pole shoe (20) form a first magnetic circuit (30), and the magnet (9) and a second half (24) of the pole shoe (20) form a second magnetic circuit (31), which run in opposite senses with respect to one another in a plane perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (A-A) through a magnetizable section (6) of the bending element (10).

Abstract: An optical resonance scanner has a spring-elastic bending element (10) excitable to effect rotational oscillations about a longitudinal axis (A-A) using a stationary magnet (9) and a stationary drive coil (5) that is wound around a pole shoe (20). The pole shoe (20) is magnetically coupled to the magnet (9) and has two mutually opposite free ends (21, 22) between which the bending element (10) is arranged symmetrically so that a magnetic flux can be transferred substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (A-A). In superimposition of the magnet- and coil-induced magnetic fluxes the magnet (9) and a first half (23) of the pole shoe (20) form a first magnetic circuit (30), and the magnet (9) and a second half (24) of the pole shoe (20) form a second magnetic circuit (31), which run in opposite senses with respect to one another in a plane perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (A-A) through a magnetizable section (6) of the bending element (10).

Abstract: A connector for interconnecting a waveguide with a light component (e.g., another waveguide) for allowing light communication therebetween. Assemblies for connecting a waveguide can be formed with the connector. In one embodiment, the connector is employed for connecting to a waveguide useful in performing medical applications such as provision of photodynamic therapy.

Abstract: The invention described herein is an apparatus for performing photodynamic therapy comprising: a waveguide, a light source in communication with one end of the waveguide, a photodynamic tip in communication with another end of the waveguide wherein the photodynamic tip is designed to be securely but removably attached to a scaling tip of a scaler and the apparatus delivers light in a desired illumination pattern and in at least one predetermined wavelength to activate a photosensitizing composition for the killing of microbes. The invention also includes a method for using the apparatus in conjunction with a scaler to perform sonophotodynamic therapy and a method for making the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention presents devices, kits, systems and methods that can be used to otitis externa. For example, a method of present invention includes applying a photosensitizing composition to treatment site within ear cavity where microbes causing otitis externa are located; inserting at least a portion of a light delivery device into the cavity; and applying light to the treatment site at a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizing composition so as to inhibit or eliminate the microbes and/or to reduce inflammation at the treatment site but without causing physiological damage to host tissue within the ear cavity; wherein the light is delivered by the light delivery device to the treatment site and the light delivery device is in light communication with a light source via a waveguide.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alignment system comprising a base having a feature that accepts a first optical element, a first eccentric element having a through hole that accepts an eccentric assembly comprising a second eccentric element having a feature that accepts a second optical element and is attached to the second optical element via second attachment means, wherein the first eccentric element is engaged with the base via first attachment means and axial alignment between optical axis of the first optical element and optical axis of the second optical element is achieved by rotationally adjusting at least one of the eccentric elements relative to the base. The present invention also provides methods to make and use this alignment system.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical probe employed for the delivery of light. More particularly, the present invention relates to an optical probe, a probe tip or combination thereof and its uses for delivery of light to upon surfaces of tissue and other portions of the human body or other organisms.

Abstract: The present invention presents devices, kits, systems and methods that can be used to deliver and activate a photosensitizing composition in a cavity. For example, a device of the present invention includes a member having a base portion, an insert portion adapted for insertion into the cavity, and a pocket adapted for communication with a waveguide which is connected to a light source for delivering light to the device, wherein the pocket includes a light dispersing section that is adapted for light communication with distal end of the waveguide and desired illumination pattern for photodisinfection of the cavity is provided by at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting of: surface finish of the light dispersing section, geometry of the light dispersing section, surface finish of the member, geometry of the member, and a combination thereof. The present invention can be used for humans, other animals, and inanimate objects.

Abstract: The present invention presents devices, kits, systems and methods that can be used for nasal decolonization of microbes and treatment of MRSA, E. coli, and E. fecalis. For example, it includes a method for nasal decolonization of microbes comprising: applying a photosensitizing composition comprising methylene blue to anterior nares; inserting at least a portion of a light delivery device into the nasal cavity; and applying light to the anterior nares at a wavelength ranges from about 650 nm to 680 nm; wherein the light is delivered by the light delivery device to the anterior nares; the light delivery device is in light communication with a light source via a waveguide; and over 90% of the microbes at the anterior nares is eliminated by the nasal decolonization.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alignment system comprising a base having a feature that accepts a first optical element, a first eccentric element having a through hole that accepts an eccentric assembly comprising a second eccentric element having a feature that accepts a second optical element and is attached to the second optical element via second attachment means, wherein the first eccentric element is engaged with the base via first attachment means and axial alignment between optical axis of the first optical element and optical axis of the second optical element is achieved by rotationally adjusting at least one of the eccentric elements relative to the base. The present invention also provides methods to make and use this alignment system.

Abstract: The invention described here is an improved hand piece for the delivery of light and a system employing the hand piece. The hand piece typically includes a body and an optical element such as an optical fiber coextensive with the body. The system can include a remote light source and an optical element (e.g., a source optical fiber) for providing light to the hand piece.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to improve a projector lens, comprising an optical element for shaping radiation fields emitted from light guides, such that the light guide may be optimally coupled to the optical element. Said aim is achieved, whereby the optical element is embodied in a monolithic body, comprising a radiation field forming region and a connector region for the light guide, which form part of the optical element and the connector region comprises a connector surface for a front face of the light guide which approximately matches a diameter of the light guide and is arranged offset from a vicinity of the connector region.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to improve a projector lens, comprising an optical element for shaping radiation fields emitted from light guides, such that the light guide may be optimally coupled to the optical element. Said aim is achieved, whereby the optical element is embodied in a monolithic body, comprising a radiation field forming region and a connector region for the light guide, which form part of the optical element and the connector region comprises a connector surface for a front face of the light guide which approximately matches a diameter of the light guide and is arranged offset from a vicinity of the connector region.

Abstract: A plug for light wave conductors or photo-conductors with a plug housing into a rear end of which a photo-conductor bundle with at least two photo-conductor fibers is introduced, and from an oppositely lying front end of which there emerge ferrules, into which, in each case, one of the photo-conductor fibers is introduced. The ferrules are supported in a ferrule housing which is installed in a plug housing correspondingly formed for the reception of the ferrule housing. The ferrules are movable, spring-loaded in their axial direction, in which the plug is intended for being plugged together with a coupling housing that receives this plug. The ferrule housing comprises a core housing and a core interior housing, which are designed for the reception of two ferrules. The ferrules are supported in the core housing. Front ends of the ferrules extend forward through the core housing and rear ends of the ferrules extend into the core interior housing.