Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for treatment of skin disorders. More particularly, the disclosed invention is directed toward the use of multiple light sources for treating skin with or without the use of a topical compositions or photomodulation enhancing agents. Dual light emitting diodes may, for example, be used at relatively low power (less than about 10 J/cm2) to photomodulate skin or living tissue to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, acne, acne bacteria, and other skin disorders.

Abstract: The invention can be characterized as method for stimulating or inhibiting gene expression by photomodulating living cells using a source of narrowband multichromatic electromagnetic radiation. The cells may include, among others, nerve cells, skin cells, retinal cells, heart cells, stem cells, brain cells, cells found in human organs, cells found in hair follicles, and cells found in the human eye or retina. Photomodulation may be enhanced using topically or orally administered compositions. The source of narrowband multichromatic electromagnetic radiation may include at least one light emitting diode (LED) that can emit radiation having a wavelength of from about 300 nm to about 1600 nm.

Abstract: A method for activating or inhibiting the differentiation of stem cells including exposing the stem cells to a source of narrowband multi chromatic electromagnetic radiation under conditions effective to activate or inhibit cell differentiation.

Abstract: A method for stimulating, inhibiting, or regulating gene expression including exposing a living cell with at least one gene to an administered source of narrowband, multichromatic electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for treating and preventing skin disorders. More particularly, the disclosed invention is directed toward the prevention of acne and acne scarring by treating sebaceous oil glands and the surrounding tissue with an exogenous chromophore composition and then exposing the target tissue to visible, infrared, or ultraviolet light to inhibit the activity of the oil gland and eliminate acne bacteria. The method of the present invention may be further augmented by enhancing the penetration of the topical composition into the oil gland and surrounding tissue through the use of procedures including enzyme peeling, microderm abrasion, or ultrasound.

Abstract: The invention provides hydrogen selective metal-insulator-semiconductor sensors which include a layer of hydrogen selective material. The hydrogen selective material can be polyimide layer having a thickness between 200 and 800 nm. Suitable polyimide materials include reaction products of benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride 4,4-oxydianiline m-phenylene diamine and other structurally similar materials.

Abstract: Carbon monoxide sensors suitable for use in hydrogen feed streams and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The sensors are palladium metal/insulator/semiconductor (Pd-MIS) sensors which may possess a gate metal layer having uniform, Type 1, or non-uniform, Type 2, film morphology. Type 1 sensors display an increased sensor response in the presence of carbon monoxide while Type 2 sensors display a decreased response to carbon monoxide. The methods and sensors disclosed herein are particularly suitable for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs).

Abstract: Compositions of plant carbohydrates for dietary supplements and nutritional support for promotion and maintenance of good health. Defined nutritionally effective amounts of one to eleven essential saccharides, glyconutrients, are used in various inventive compositions as dietary supplements. The dietary composition herein can include phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, and other non-toxic nutrients. The glyconutritional dietary supplement herein provides essential saccharides which are the building blocks of glycoproteins. These compositions, when administered orally or topically, have been found to improve the well being of mammals suffering from a variety of disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for treatment of skin disorders. More particularly, the disclosed invention is directed toward the treatment of acne and acne scarring by treating sebaceous oil glands and the surrounding tissue with an exogenous chromophore composition and then exposing the target tissue to visible, infrared, or ultraviolet light to inhibit the activity of the oil gland and eliminate acne bacteria. The treatment method of the present invention may be futher augmented by enhancing the penetration of the topical composition into the oil gland and surrounding tissue through the use of procedures including enzyme peeling, microderm abrasion, or ultrasound.

Abstract: A cage in which two pulley wheels are mounted with tangent circumferences so that their circumferential cable grooves surround a cable passing between the wheels. The cage freely rotates about an axis that passes between the wheels. The cage axis is normal to the plane of the parallel wheel axes. The cage extends forward of the wheels and forms two curved edges on opposed sides of the cage axis. Each curve has an apex at its forward-most point. A flexible cable passes through the cage, between the wheels, and forward between the curves. Extending the cable substantially away from the plane of the wheels causes it to contact one of the curves. This rotates the cage so that the wheels are aligned with the cable deflection. This switches the cable to one or the other of the wheels, and provides low friction cable operation for any cable direction.

Abstract: A system for enhancing and improving the transcutaneous or transdermal delivery of topical chemicals or drugs. A disposable container contains a substantially sterile unit dose of an active agent adapted for a single use in a medical treatment. The unit dose is formulated to enhance transport of the active agent through mammalian skin when the active agent is applied to the skin and the skin is exposed to light and/or ultrasound defined by at least one specific parameter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing hair growth stimulation using light energy, topical compositions, and combinations thereof. By using photomodulation resulting from cellular responses to exposure to specific wavelengths of light, optionally in conjunction with topical compositions and procedures for enhancing the penetration of such compositions, hair follicles are activated to produce hair growth.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for treatment of skin disorders. More particularly, the disclosed invention is directed toward the treatment of acne and acne scarring by treating sebaceous oil glands and the surrounding tissue with an exogenous chromophore composition and then exposing the target tissue to visible, infrared, or ultraviolet light to inhibit the activity of the oil gland and eliminate acne bacteria. The treatment method of the present invention may be futher augmented by enhancing the penetration of the topical composition into the oil gland and surrounding tissue through the use of procedures including enzyme peeling, microderm abrasion, or ultrasound.

Abstract: Compositions of plant carbohydrates for dietary supplements and nutritional support for promotion and maintenance of good health. Defined nutritionally effective amounts of one to eleven essential saccharides, glyconutrients, are used in various inventive compositions as dietary supplements. The dietary composition herein can include phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, and other non-toxic nutrients. The glyconutritional dietary supplement herein provides essential saccharides which are the building blocks of glycoproteins. These compositions, when administered orally or topically, have been found to improve the well being of mammals suffering from a variety of disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for microderm abrasion. In particular, the invention employs micro-sized particles that may be impacted into mammalian skin. The particles may, themselves, include an active agent that is to be delivered through the stratum corneum, or an active agent may be delivered through the abraded stratum corneum. The stratum corneum may be abraded by active agents or topical compositions formed into particles, hyperbaric particles, or other means.

Abstract: Carbon monoxide sensors suitable for use in hydrogen feed streams and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The sensors are palladium metal/insulator/semiconductor (Pd-MIS) sensors which may possess a gate metal layer having uniform, Type 1, or non-uniform, Type 2, film morphology. Type 1 sensors display an increased sensor response in the presence of carbon monoxide while Type 2 sensors display a decreased response to carbon monoxide. The methods and sensors disclosed herein are particularly suitable for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating various dermatalogical conditions using electromagnetic radiation. Particularly preferred are narrowband, multichromatic electromagnetic radiation emitters having a dominant emissive wavelength corresponding to the peak absorption wavelength of the mammalian tissue targetted for treatment. Topical compositions are disclosed for pretreating the targetted tissue to alter the peak absorption wavelength of the tissue.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for the photomodulation of living tissue. When photomodulated, living tissue will exhibit bioactivation or bioinhibition according to the present invention and, when using the disclosed sources of narrowband multichromatic radiation can cause significant dermatologic advantages such as hair removal, hair growth stimulation, wrinkle reduction, acne reduction and scar removal, vitiligo, etc. This invention may be applied to non-dermatological medical treatments including tumor growth inhibition, cell regeneration, the stimulation of tissue in organs, etc.

Abstract: A long pulse alexandrite laser hair removal system is disclosed using light pulses of greater than 1 msec and fluences between 10 and 50 J/cm2. The use of an alexandrite laser allows good penetration while still achieving an acceptable combination of hemoglobin and melanin absorption. The use an index-matching application on the skin sections to be treated is also described. This substance will be absorbed into the epidermal layer to provide better coupling of the laser light into the skin. Also, and most advantageously, it will reduce reflections at the epidermal-dermal junction, which can lead to the damage of the skin. Also a topical thermal or photochromic indicator is suggested since skin irradiation in the near-infrared generally does not produce any characteristic skin color change as is found when using pulsed dye lasers, for example.

Abstract: A system for producing preferential damage to hair exiting mammalian skin. A agent having an average diameter for enabling the agent to penetrate the hair duct is selected. The agent is designed to attach to, or become physically incorporated into, the hair shaft, the hair follicle, the hair bulb or the hair duct. The agent has an electromagnetic radiation absorption characteristic which enables the agent to absorb a first wavelength of electromagnetic radiation from a skin-penetrating electromagnetic radiation source, such as a laser. The agent is applied to the skin so that the agent penetrates the skin and attaches to or becomes physically incorporated into the hair shaft, the hair follicle, the hair bulb or the hair duct. The agent is exposed to the first wavelength of electromagnetic radiation and absorbs the first wavelength of electromagnetic radiation.