Abstract: A dermatologic treatment apparatus comprising a light emitting part, for emitting light for dermatological treatment. The apparatus further comprises a skin treatment dressing. The skin treatment dressing is a bioactive dressing and is arranged to adhere to a user's skin, during use. The skin treatment dressing is arranged with the light emitting part such that, in use, light from the light emitting part passes to the skin treatment dressing. The skin treatment dressing is configured such that the light from the light emitting part passes through the skin treatment dressing to a user's skin.

Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of human or animal tissue by light includes a light source for directing light towards the tissue in use, an applicator having a tissue-facing surface, a detector for detecting in use proximity of the tissue-facing surface to the tissue, and a control element responsive to the detector for controlling the light source to direct light to be incident on the tissue in use only when the tissue-facing surface is spaced from the tissue.

Abstract: An electrode generally comprises a body, which makes up the electrode and which is formed as a thin flexible polymeric substance such as urethane foam. The electrode body includes a central inner conductive area, which is associated with a first electrode connector. Around the inner conductive area is a non-conductive area formed as a ring around the inner conductive area and there is also an outer conductive area provided as a ring, concentrically arranged around the non-conductive area. Electrode connector (6B) is connected to the outer conductive ring. The electrode body, which has a release tag and is supported on a backing sheet and body can be peeled off the backing sheet using the release tag. The condition of the electrode can be evaluated using a test device, which can for example measure electrical impedance across the electrode via electrodes (6A) and (6B).

Abstract: A portable hair treatment device 1 includes a hand held portion or wand 2 containing a laser and associated optics for effecting skin treatment. The device includes a main base unit 3 including a recess shaped to receive the hand held unit 2 when not in use. At least one of the base unit 3 and the wand 2 includes a portable power source, e.g. a battery, to enable self-powered use.

Abstract: A hair treatment device for the treatment of the human or animal skin by laser radiation to prevent or reduce hair growth, which device includes a laser radiation source for emitting a laser radiation beam; beam deflecting elements for deflecting the radiation beam across the skin, the deflecting elements including a lens through which the beam of laser radiation passes, and elements for moving the lens to effect deflection of the beam.

Abstract: A defibrillator incorporates an analyser (2) arranged to receive signals from a patient's heart (such as from electrode pads (6) placed on the patient's chest). A charging circuit (4) enables the electrodes (6) to deliver a charge from the charging circuit to the patient. The analyser is arranged to compare one or more heart rhythm sequences from the patient with predetermined data relating to a heart rhythm and, depending on a result of an initial part of comparison, the analyser is arranged to activate starting of charging of the charging circuit, whilst comparison continues, in readiness for possible delivery of a shock to the patient.

Abstract: A portable defibrillator includes a self-test circuit in which electrical energy is discharged from one or a bank of capacitors to a charge receiving circuit which recycles the energy to a rechargeable battery to prolong the original battery charge. A charge receiving circuit may contain a relatively high Ohmic value/low Wattage resistor such that the discharge occurs over a relatively long period of time, rendering a heat sink unnecessary. The resistor may be a single high value resistor or a network of plural smaller value resistors. Optional switching of the discharge electrical energy during a self-test either recycles it to the rechargeable battery or discharges it through the resistor. The self-test may be carried out on a bank of capacitors in rotation, discharging energy from one capacitor into the next such that all capacitors are charged and discharged from substantially a single power input.

Abstract: A self test system for a medical device the medical device being arranged to send information concerning components of the medical device to an indicator which can show the status of the components when tested, characterised in that the self test system includes one or more self test units which can self test one or more individual components of the medical device, the self test being activated independently of operation of the medical device and not by a signal from a processor associated with the medical device.

Abstract: A portable defibrillator which includes a self-test circuit (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 & 9) in which during the self-test electrical energy is discharged from one or a bank of capacitors (4) to a change receiving circuit (5, 8) which recycles the energy to a rechargeable battery (1) to thereby prolong the original charge within the battery. An alternative embodiment of the invention includes a charge receiving circuit (I1-I4, S1-S3, 21) containing a relatively high Ohmic value/low Wattage resister means (21) such that the discharge occurs over a relatively long period of time, therefore dispensing with the requirement for a heat sink. The resistor means may be a single high value resistor or comprise a network (21a) of two or more smaller value resistors. The invention also provides optional switching (5, I1-I4, S1-S3, 21) of the discharge electrical energy during a self-test to either recycle it to the rechargeable battery or discharge it through the resitor.

Abstract: A defibrillator incorporates an analyser (2) arranged to receive signals from a patient's heart (such as from electrode pads (6) placed on the patient's chest). A charging circuit (4) enables the electrodes (6) to deliver a charge from the charging circuit to the patient. The analyser is arranged to compare one or more heart rhythm sequences from the patient with predetermined data relating to a heart rhythm and, depending on a result of an initial part of comparison, the analyser is arranged to activate starting of charging of the charging circuit, whilst comparison continues, in readiness for possible delivery of a shock to the patient.

Abstract: An electrode generally comprises a body, which makes up the electrode and which is formed as a thin flexible polymeric substance such as urethane foam. The electrode body includes a central inner conductive area, which is associated with a first electrode connector. Around the inner conductive area is a non-conductive area formed as a ring around the inner conductive area and there is also an outer conductive area provided as a ring, concentrically arranged around the non-conductive area. Electrode connector (6B) is connected to the outer conductive ring. The electrode body, which has a release tag and is supported on a backing sheet and body can be peeled off the backing sheet using the release tag. The condition of the electrode can be evaluated using a test device, which can for example measure electrical impedance across the electrode via electrodes (6A) and (6B).