Abstract: A device that is connectable to a phototherapy apparatus for applying targeted phototherapy to an area of skin to place a skin condition into remission and a method of determining a maximum tolerable dose of phototherapy applied to a treatment area to determine an optimum therapeutic dose to quickly place a skin condition into remission. The dosimetry device can include a housing and an optical matrix arranged within the housing. The optical matrix includes a plurality of at least one of absorptive, reflective and/or partially transmissive regions that each permits a different percentage of light to be delivered to an individual's skin. An assessment can then be made as to the maximum tolerable dose of phototherapy that can be applied to the individual's skin in order to place a skin condition into remission.

Abstract: A device for applying targeted phototherapy to an area of diseased skin to place a skin condition into remission and a method of determining a maximum tolerable dose of phototherapy applied to a treatment area of diseased skin to determine an optimum therapeutic dose to quickly place a skin condition into remission. The device can include a housing and an optical matrix arranged within the housing that are attached to a dosimetry device. The optical matrix includes a plurality of at least one of absorptive, reflective and/or partially transmissive regions or arrays of perforations that each permits a different percentage of light to be delivered to an individual's skin. Jigs can be included to arrange a plurality of varying exposures to be placed on the patient's skin. An assessment can then be made as to the maximum tolerable dose of phototherapy that can be applied to the individual's skin in order to place a skin condition into remission.

Abstract: A device that is connectable to a phototherapy apparatus for applying targeted phototherapy to an area of skin to place a skin condition into remission and a method of determining a maximum tolerable dose of phototherapy applied to a treatment area to determine an optimum therapeutic dose to quickly place a skin condition into remission. The dosimetry device can include a housing and an optical matrix arranged within the housing. The optical matrix includes a plurality of at least one of absorptive, reflective and/or partially transmissive regions that each permits a different percentage of light to be delivered to an individual's skin. An assessment can then be made as to the maximum tolerable dose of phototherapy that can be applied to the individual's skin in order to place a skin condition into remission.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying targeted phototherapy to a skin treatment area includes a UVB module arranged to output light at about 308 nm having at least one flash lamp arranged to generate light including UVB light and a UVB transmissive window for transmitting UVB light generated by the flash lamp, a user interface, and a controller configured to detect when the user interface is actuated and to cause pulsing of the flash lamp in response to the actuation of the user interface. A method of applying targeted phototherapy to a skin treatment area includes contacting a phototherapy apparatus with the skin, the apparatus including at least one flash lamp and a UVB transmissive window, such that the window is positioned in alignment with the treatment area, and activating the flash lamp to cause pulsed UVB light at 308 nm to be transmitted through the window.

Abstract: A method of recharging an excimer laser Includes opening an outlet in a chamber containing spent laser gas at a first pressure, opening an inlet in the chamber, the inlet in communication with a laser gas container at a second pressure higher than the first pressure, and flowing fresh laser gas into the chamber and removing at least a portion of the spent laser gases from the chamber without using a vacuum pump.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for treating tissue including an ultraviolet excimer laser configured to output ultraviolet light, an optical line configured to receive said ultraviolet light into a first end and to output said ultraviolet light from a second end, a wavelength converting device configured to receive said ultraviolet light output from said optical line and to produce longer wavelength emissions, and a delivery device configured to direct said longer wavelength emission to said tissue.

Abstract: Treatment protocols for severe psoriasis include administering biologics, stopping all administration of the biologics after the severity of the psoriasis has reduced and has reached an equilibrium, mildness and/or a tolerable state of remission, and administering UV phototherapy. The biologics may include, for example, the biologics found in Amevive®, Enbrel®, Humira®, Raptiva®, and Remicade® and/or alefacept, etanercept, adalimumab, efalizumab, infliximab, and ustekinumab. The UV phototherapy may be repeated, for example daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, to keep the psoriasis in a mild state or in a tolerable state of substantial remission. Parameters for administering UV phototherapy may be determined based on skin tone, Fitzpatrick skin phenotype, the severity of the psoriasis, the area of exposure, and/or the MED.

Abstract: An excimer laser includes a chamber for containing laser gas, electrodes in the chamber disposed to excite the laser gas, thereby producing optical emissions, first and second mirrors arranged to form a resonator cavity, and a detector disposed to receive a portion of light transmitted through the first mirror. The first mirror is more reflective than the second mirror.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently operating a gas discharge excimer laser are disclosed. The excimer laser may include a chamber containing laser gases, first and second electrodes within the chamber, and a plurality of reflective elements defining an optical resonant cavity. The method may include setting the laser gases to a first pressure; after setting the gases to the first pressure, applying a first voltage to the electrodes, thereby propagating a laser beam in the optical resonant cavity; measuring energy of the beam; adjusting the first voltage until the energy of the beam is substantially equal to a target pulse energy; operating the laser for an amount of time; after the amount of time, measuring energy of the beam; and changing the pressure of the gases to a second pressure different from the first pressure.

Abstract: A method of recharging an excimer laser Includes opening an outlet in a chamber containing spent laser gas at a first pressure, opening an inlet in the chamber, the inlet in communication with a laser gas container at a second pressure higher than the first pressure, and flowing fresh laser gas into the chamber and removing at least a portion of the spent laser gases from the chamber without using a vacuum pump.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently operating a gas discharge excimer laser are disclosed. The excimer laser may include a chamber containing laser gases, first and second electrodes within the chamber, and a plurality of reflective elements defining an optical resonant cavity. The method may include setting the laser gases to a first pressure; after setting the gases to the first pressure, applying a first voltage to the electrodes, thereby propagating a laser beam in the optical resonant cavity; measuring energy of the beam; adjusting the first voltage until the energy of the beam is substantially equal to a target pulse energy; operating the laser for an amount of time; after the amount of time, measuring energy of the beam; and changing the pressure of the gases to a second pressure different from the first pressure.

Abstract: An excimer laser comprises a gas chamber, electrodes for creating rare gas/halide molecules that disassociate and produce optical emission, and reflective surfaces that form an optical resonant cavity. The excimer laser further comprises flow control surfaces that define gas flow paths and that control the flow of gas within the chamber. Preferably such flow control surfaces direct the gases away from the laser optics. More preferably, the flow control surfaces shield the path of the laser beam, at least in the proximity of the laser optics, from contaminants in the gases. Less contaminants yields less contamination of the laser optics. As a result, the laser device becomes more reliable and useful over longer periods of time. In addition, the laser gases are preferably exposed only to compatible materials that react with the laser gases to produce stable reaction products having a low vapor pressure, so as to reduce contamination of the gases and the optics.

Abstract: A fiber optic laser catheter assembly for use in removing, or largely debulking, obstructions or occlusions from a lumen in a living body. The catheter assembly includes an outer tubular sheath, an optical fiber extending through the sheath, and a fiber guide for holding the fiber within the sheath. In all of the disclosed embodiments, the obstructions are removed by controllably positioning an optical fiber's distal tip in a succession of selected radial and circumferential positions so as to sculpt away the obstruction without substantial risk of mechanically or thermally damaging the vessel. Several of the embodiments are configured such that the portion of the occlusion that can be reliably sculpted away has a radius greater even than the radius of the catheter assembly itself.

Abstract: A fiber optic laser catheter assembly for use in removing, or largely debulking, obstructions or occlusions from a lumen in a living body. The catheter assembly includes an outer tubular sheath, an optical fiber extending through the sheath, and a fiber guide for holding the fiber within the sheath. In all of the disclosed embodiments, the obstructions are removed by controllably positioning an optical fiber's distal tip in a succession of selected radial and circumferential positions so as to sculpt away the obstruction without substantial risk of mechanically or thermally damaging the vessel. Several of the embodiments are configured such that the portion of the occlusion that can be reliably sculpted away has a radius greater even than the radius of the catheter assembly itself.

Abstract: A body composition analysis and display system provides a display of averaged data for selected body composition factors, such as body weight and body fat percentage, at a plurality of selected intervals over a period of time. The user's body fat percentage is determined by measuring the user's body impedance.

Abstract: A body attribute analysis and display system provides a display of averaged data for selected body attributes, such as body weight, body fat percentage, and blood pressure, at a plurality of selected intervals over a period of time. The user's body fat percentage is determined by measuring the user's body impedance.

Abstract: A fiber optic laser catheter assembly for use in removing, or largely debulking, obstructions or occlusions from a lumen in a living body. The catheter assembly includes an outer tubular sheath, an optical fiber extending through the sheath, and a fiber guide for holding the fiber within the sheath. In all of the disclosed embodiments, the obstructions are removed by controllably positioning an optical fiber's distal tip in a succession of selected radial and circumferential positions so as to sculpt away the obstruction without substantial risk of mechanically or thermally damaging the vessel. Several of the embodiments are configured such that the portion of the occlusion that can be reliably sculpted away has a radius greater even than the radius of the catheter assembly itself.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in vivo electroporation therapy. Using electroporation therapy (EPT) as described in the invention, tumors treated by a combination of electroporation using the apparatus of the invention and a chemotherapeutic agent caused regression of tumors in vivo. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of EPT utilizing low voltage and long pulse length for inducing cell death. One embodiment of the invention includes a system for clinical electroporation that includes a needle array electrode having a “keying” element that determines the set point of the therapy voltage pulse and/or selectable array switching patterns. A number of electrode applicator designs permit access to and treatment of a variety of tissue sites. Another embodiment provides a laparoscopic needle applicator that is preferably combined with an endoscope for minimally invasive EPT.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in vivo electroporation therapy. Using electroporation therapy (EPT) as described in the invention, tumors treated by a combination of electroporation using the apparatus of the invention and a chemotherapeutic agent caused regression of tumors in vivo. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of EPT utilizing low voltage and long pulse length for inducing cell death. One embodiment of the invention includes a system for clinical electroporation that includes a needle array electrode having a “keying” element that determines the set point of the therapy voltage pulse and/or selectable array switching patterns. A number of electrode applicator designs permit access to and treatment of a variety of tissue sites. Another embodiment provides a laparoscopic needle applicator that is preferably combined with an endoscope for minimally invasive EPT.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in vivo electroporation therapy. Using electroporation therapy (EPT) as described in the invention, tumors treated by a combination of electroporation using the apparatus of the invention and a chemotherapeutic agent caused regression of tumors in vivo. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of EPT utilizing low voltage and long pulse length for inducing cell death. One embodiment of the invention includes a system for clinical electroporation that includes a needle array electrode having a “keying” element that determines the set point of the therapy voltage pulse and/or selectable array switching patterns. A number of electrode applicator designs permit access to and treatment of a variety of tissue sites. Another embodiment provides a laparoscopic needle applicator that is preferably combined with an endoscope for minimally invasive EPT.