Abstract: In an electonic key associated with a device for skin treatment there is a housing and an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit is positioned within the housing, wherein the device for treating human tissue comprises a surgical instrument having a gas conduit terminating in a plasma exit nozzle, and an electrode associated with the conduit, and a radio frequency power generator coupled to the instrument electrode and arranged to deliver radio frequency power to the electrode in single or series of treatment pulses for creating a plasma from gas fed through the conduit, the pulses having durations in the range of from 2 ms to 100 ms.

Abstract: A tissue treatment system has a radio frequency generator and a handheld treatment instrument that generates a gas plasma jet for delivering thermal energy to a tissue surface to be treated. Incorporated in the housing for the generator is a calibration device for adjusting the energy output of the generator, if necessary, at the beginning of a treatment session. The calibration device has a target element with a target surface, a transducer for sensing changes in temperature of the target element with respect to the temperature of a reference element, and an energy output adjuster for adjusting the radio frequency energy output of the generator in response to a calibration signal generated by the transducer. The generator housing has a receptacle for locating the nozzle of the handheld instrument in juxtaposition with the target element so that when a plasma burst is generated as part of a calibration sequence it is incident on the target surface.

Abstract: In tissue treatment apparatus for skin resurfacing having a handheld treatment instrument with electrodes connected to a radio frequency generator, a plasma jet is produced by ionising gas passing through a gas conduit in the instrument, the plasma emerging from a nozzle at an end of the conduit. Incorporated in the instrument is an optical detector that receives radiation emitted by the plasma directly from within the conduit and produces output signals which are processed to indicate a fault condition in the absence of radiation within a predetermined interval after the commencement of delivery of RF energy to the instrument or if the radiation is not of an approximately constant level during the delivery of RF energy.

Abstract: A tissue treatment system includes a radio frequency (r.f.) generator, a treatment instrument connectible to the generator and to a source of ionisable gas and operable to produce a plasma jet at a nozzle of the instrument when supplied with the ionisable gas and energised by the generator. The generator is adapted to supply treatment energy to the instrument in the form of at least one discrete burst of pulses of r.f. energy, the burst having a preset number n of pulses, where 2?n?5.

Abstract: A method for skin treatment comprises the steps of delivering at least one pulse of radio frequency power to at least one electrode in order to create an electric field; passing gas through the electric field in order to form plasma from the gas; and applying the plasma to the surface of skin. The amount of radio frequency power may be relatively low such that the application of plasma causes denaturation of collagen within the collagen-containing tissue beneath the skin surface, which may promote the generation of new collagen within the collagen-containing tissue.

Abstract: A method for skin treatment comprises the steps of delivering at least one pulse of radio frequency power to at least one electrode in order to create an electric field; passing gas through the electric field in order to form plasma from the gas; and applying the plasma to the surface of skin. The amount of radio frequency power may be relatively low such that the application of plasma causes denaturation of collagen within the collagen-containing tissue beneath the skin surface, which may promote the generation of new collagen within the collagen-containing tissue.

Abstract: A database architecture for an air traffic information display system includes a data manager including a first interface, a first database server connected to the data manager via the first interface, a firewall connected to the first database server; and a second database server connected to the first database server via the firewall and including a stored procedure for copying data from the first database. The second database server is used for computations based upon the data transactions pulled from the first database server. Thereby off-loading the first database server so that it can be more responsive to the data manager with respect to current changes. The firewall between the two servers prevents the data in the first server from being corrupted by users of the system.

Abstract: An air traffic information display system includes a server having data manager. The data manager includes a first interface connected with a first database server and a plurality of second interfaces connected to a plurality of clients. The data manager includes a subscription list for the plurality of clients for providing the clients with data updates. The subscription list also includes criteria for each client. The data updates are distributed based upon the criteria of each client.

Abstract: A tissue treatment system has a radio frequency generator and a handheld treatment instrument that generates a gas plasma jet for delivering thermal energy to a tissue surface to be treated. Incorporated in the housing for the generator is a calibration device for adjusting the energy output of the generator, if necessary, at the beginning of a treatment session. The calibration device has a target element with a target surface, a transducer for sensing changes in temperature of the target element with respect to the temperature of a reference element, and an energy output adjuster for adjusting the radio frequency energy output of the generator in response to a calibration signal generated by the transducer. The generator housing has a receptacle for locating the nozzle of the handheld instrument in juxtaposition with the target element so that when a plasma burst is generated as part of a calibration sequence it is incident on the target surface.

Abstract: A cosmetic method of regenerating the reticular architecture of tissue is disclosed. The method uses a source of thermal energy with a low thermal time constant, and comprises the step of operating the thermal energy source to form first and second adjacent regions of thermally-modified tissue in the region of the DE Junction. The first region overlies the second region and is thermally modified to a greater extent than the second region.

Abstract: A tissue treatment system has a handheld treatment instrument that generates a gas plasma jet for delivering thermal energy to a tissue surface to be treated. Incorporated in the handpiece is an optical target marking projector for projecting a visible target marker onto the tissue surface when spaced from a distal end of the handpiece. The marker indicates a treatment area and is generated by illuminating an apertured mask and transmitting light from the mask via an optical fibre guide to an exit aperture adjacent a gas plasma nozzle of the instrument. A method regenerates the reticular architecture of tissue whilst illuminating the treatment area using the target marker.

Abstract: A method for skin treatment comprises the steps of delivering at least one pulse of radio frequency power to at least one electrode in order to create an electric field; passing gas through the electric field in order to form plasma from the gas; and applying the plasma to the surface of skin. The amount of radio frequency power may be relatively low such that the application of plasma causes denaturation of collagen within the collagen-containing tissue beneath the skin surface, which may promote the generation of new collagen within the collagen-containing tissue.

Abstract: A method for skin treatment comprises the steps of delivering at least one pulse of radio frequency power to at least one electrode in order to create an electric field; passing gas through the electric field in order to form plasma from the gas; and applying the plasma to the surface of skin. The amount of radio frequency power may be relatively low such that the application of plasma causes denaturation of collagen within the collagen-containing tissue beneath the skin surface, which may promote the generation of new collagen within the collagen-containing tissue.

Abstract: A database architecture for an air traffic information display system includes a data manager including a first interface, a first database server connected to the data manager via the first interface, a firewall connected to the first database server; and a second database server connected to the first database server via the firewall and including a stored procedure for copying data from the first database. The second database server is used for computations based upon the data transactions pulled from the first database server. Thereby off-loading the first database server so that it can be more responsive to the data manager with respect to current changes. The firewall between the two servers prevents the data in the first server from being corrupted by users of the system.

Abstract: An air traffic information display system includes a server having data manager. The data manager includes a first interface connected with a first database server and a plurality of second interfaces connected to a plurality of clients. The data manager includes a subscription list for the plurality of clients for providing the clients with data updates. The subscription list also includes criteria for each client. The data updates are distributed based upon the criteria of each client.

Abstract: A method for skin treatment comprises the steps of delivering at least one pulse of radio frequency power to at least one electrode in order to create an electric field; passing gas through the electric field in order to form plasma from the gas; and applying the plasma to the surface of skin. The amount of radio frequency power may be relatively low such that the application of plasma causes denaturation of collagen within the collagen-containing tissue beneath the skin surface, which may promote the generation of new collagen within the collagen-containing tissue.

Abstract: A tissue resurfacing system has a handheld surgical instrument with a gas conduit (38) which terminates in an exit nozzle (180N). Inside the conduit is an inner electrode (54). A tubular coaxial outer electrode (70) constitutes part of the wall of the conduit. Coupled to the instrument is a radio frequency power generator which delivers high level radio frequency energy in single-shot or repeated bursts to the electrodes (54, 70) while gas is flowing through the conduit (38) so as to create a gas plasma between the electrodes which then emerges from the nozzle (180N) for tissue treatment. A resonant focussing element (480) may be located in the conduit (38) between the electrodes (54, 70) to aid plasma striking. The combination of high peak power (e.g. greater than 750 W) and short treatment pulses (e.g. less than 30 ms) allows rapid surface treatment without significant thermal effects at unwanted depths.

Abstract: A method for skin treatment comprises the steps of delivering at least one pulse of radio frequency power to at least one electrode in order to create an electric field; passing gas through the electric field in order to form plasma from the gas; and applying the plasma to the surface of skin. The amount of radio frequency power may be relatively low such that the application of plasma causes denaturation of collagen within the collagen-containing tissue beneath the skin surface, which may promote the generation of new collagen within the collagen-containing tissue.

Abstract: A method for skin treatment comprises the steps of delivering at least one pulse of radio frequency power to at least one electrode in order to create an electric field; passing gas through the electric field in order to form plasma from the gas; and applying the plasma to the surface of skin. The amount of radio frequency power may be relatively low such that the application of plasma causes denaturation of collagen within the collagen-containing tissue beneath the skin surface, which may promote the generation of new collagen within the collagen-containing tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument has coaxial inner and outer tubular members (1,2) made of a conductive material to form a coaxial transmitting line. The inner member (1) is preferably dimensioned to receive a laparoscopic tool with the working elements of the tool projecting beyond a distal end (1D) of the inner member (1). Alternatively, the inner member (1) may, itself, incorporate a working element at its distal end. The outer member (2) is connected to the inner member (1) at a distance from the distal end (1D) of the later, and a radio frequency (r.f.) feed (4) is connected to the inner member (1) distally of the connection (7) between the inner and outer members. Between the connections there is an r.f. isolating structure formed by or associated with the inner member (1) to present a series impedance between the connections (4,7) at an operating frequency of the instrument.