Abstract: A system and method for using a light source to treat tissue with NIR light. The operation provides for generating higher temperatures in deeper layers of tissue relative to higher layers of tissue. The increased temperature in dermal layers can operate to induce collagen shrinkage, or remodeling. One of the light sources for providing a broad spectrum of NIR light is a filament light. The light from the filament lamp can be selectively filtered, and after filtering this light is applied to the skin, where the selective filtering can enhance the ability to elevate the temperature of deeper layers of tissue, relative to layers of tissue which are closer to the surface of the skin.

Abstract: System and methods for minimally invasive treatment of snoring are described. According to one system and method, laser energy is applied to tissue of a soft palate and/or uvula to create a pattern of multiple treatment spots in the tissue. According to another system and method, electromagnetic energy from a filament light source is impinged of soft palate and/or uvula tissue to achieve volumetric heating of the tissue. The systems and methods increase rigidity and/or reduce laxity of the tissue, and/or volumetrically reduce the tissue, thereby diminishing snoring.

Abstract: A system and method for providing light treatments to a patients skin, which could include both dermal and epidermal regions. The system and method utilize multiple hand pieces where each hand piece can deliver light from a different light source. The system and method provide for control over the different light source corresponding to the different hand pieces based on whether the hand pieces are held in storage positions in a hand piece management unit. A control unit of the system provides operates to cause a user interface display to communicate information to a user based on the positions of the different hand pieces. Further, the system and method can provide a user with access to different aspects of the systems operation based on the positions of the hand pieces.

Abstract: A system and method for using a light source to treat tissue with NIR light. The operation provides for generating higher temperatures in deeper layers of tissue relative to shallower layers of tissue. The increased temperature in dermal layers can operate to induce collagen shrinkage, or remodeling. One of the light sources for providing a broad spectrum of NIR light is a filament light. The light from the filament lamp can be selectively filtered, and after filtering this light is applied to the skin, where the selective filtering can enhance the ability to elevate the temperature of deeper layers of tissue, relative to layers of tissue which are closer to the surface of the skin.

Abstract: A hair removal device (22) includes a cooling surface (34) which is used to contact the skin (6) prior to exposure to hair tissue-damaging laser light (74) passing from a radiation source (36) through a recessed window (46). The window is laterally offset from the cooling surface and is spaced apart from the cooling surface in a direction away from the patient's skin to create a gap between the window and the skin. The window preferably includes both an inner window (46) and an outer, user-replaceable window (48). The laser-pulse duration is preferably selected according to the general diameter of the hair.

Abstract: A dermatological treatment device is disclosed for generating a matrix of two dimensional treatment spots on the tissue. A handpiece carrier a laser which generates a beam of laser pulses. The pulses are focused onto the tissue with a lens system. A diffractive element is positioned between the laser and the lens system for splitting the laser beam into a plurality of sub-beams. A scanner translates the beam over the diffractive element to generate the two dimensional spot pattern. The laser has a semi-monolithic resonator design with one integral end mirror defining the output coupler and a second, independent mirror for adjustment.

Abstract: System and methods for minimally invasive treatment of snoring are described. According to one system and method, laser energy is applied to tissue of a soft palate and/or uvula to create a pattern of multiple treatment spots in the tissue. According to another system and method, electromagnetic energy from a filament light source is impinged of soft palate and/or uvula tissue to achieve volumetric heating of the tissue. The systems and methods increase rigidity and/or reduce laxity of the tissue, and/or volumetrically reduce the tissue, thereby diminishing snoring.

Abstract: A radiation delivery module (8) includes a body (48) supportable on a patient's skin and defines a skin surface plane generally aligned with the patient's skin surface (40). A radiation source (22) is mounted to the body and produces a beam (34) of tissue-damaging radiation directed transverse to and at the skin surface plane. The radiation beam creates a radiation spot (42) having a length (36) and a width (44) at the skin surface plane, the length being at least about 5 to 10 times the width. A number of scanned diode laser radiation sub-sources (64) each directing a radiation beam component (66) at the radiation spot may be used. The radiation source may include a rod lens as a focusing optical element. The radiation delivery module may also include a radiation source translator (18) so that the radiation spot moves in a direction generally perpendicular to the length of the radiation spot.

Abstract: A hair removal device (22) includes a cooling surface (34) which is used to contact the skin (6) prior to exposure to hair tissue-damaging laser light (74) passing from a radiation source (36) through a recessed window (46). The window is laterally offset from the cooling surface and is spaced apart from the cooling surface in a direction away from the patient's skin to create a gap between the window and the skin. The window preferably includes both an inner window (46) and an outer, user-replaceable window (48). The laser-pulse duration is preferably selected according to the general diameter of the hair.

Abstract: A system and method for providing light treatments to a patients skin, which could include both dermal and epidermal regions. The system and method utilize multiple hand pieces where each hand piece can deliver light from a different light source. The system and method provide for control over the different light source corresponding to the different hand pieces based on whether the hand pieces are held in storage positions in a hand piece management unit. A control unit of the system provides operates to cause a user interface display to communicate information to a user based on the positions of the different hand pieces. Further, the system and method can provide a user with access to different aspects of the systems operation based on the positions of the hand pieces.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method for providing for pulses or relatively low energy light to an area of skin being treated. Typically, these low energy pulses will include shorter wavelength light, and will provided for multiple pulses of light for the area being treated. The pulse width is determined by the characteristics of a storage capacitor and the flashlamp. The overall system design can be relatively simple, and the operation of such a system can allow for operation by relatively inexperienced users. Due to the low energy pulse, it can be necessary to apply a greater overall amount of energy per treatment area relative to other previous systems, but due to the relatively long period of time between pulses the operation is such that risk of injury is significantly reduced relative to prior systems.

Abstract: A hair removal device (22) includes a cooling surface (34) which is used to contact the skin (6) prior to exposure to hair tissue-damaging laser light (74) passing from a radiation source (36) through a recessed window (46). The window is laterally offset from the cooling surface and is spaced apart from the cooling surface in a direction away from the patient's skin to create a gap between the window and the skin. The window preferably includes both an inner window (46) and an outer, user-replaceable window (48). The laser-pulse duration is preferably selected according to the general diameter of the hair.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method for providing for pulses or relatively low energy light to an area of skin being treated. Typically, these low energy pulses will include shorter wavelength light, and will provided for multiple pulses of light for the area being treated. The pulse width is determined by the characteristics of a storage capacitor and the flashlamp. The overall system design can be relatively simple, and the operation of such a system can allow for operation by relatively inexperienced users. Due to the low energy pulse, it can be necessary to apply a greater overall amount of energy per treatment area relative to other previous systems, but due to the relatively long period of time between pulses the operation is such that risk of injury is significantly reduced relative to prior systems.

Abstract: A power supply comprising a chopper circuit with an inductive filter element may drive a flashlamp to direct flashlamp radiation to a patient's skin. The waveform may have a generally constant current value and may be substantially independent of pulse width repetition rate and of pulse repetition rate. The flashlamp may be selected according to the type of treatment and the expected width of the treatment area. The wavelength of the radiation to be directed to a patient may be limited to a shallow tissue-penetrating, strongly melanin-absorbing wavelength spectrum, such as at most about 590 to 850 nm or at most about 590 to 700 nm. The chosen wavelength spectrum may be-within the UVA through UVB wavelength spectrum so to cause localized pigmentation in a patient's skin. The chosen wavelength spectrum may be a continuous wavelength spectrum.

Abstract: A hair removal device (22) includes a cooling surface (34) which is used to contact the skin (6) prior to exposure to hair tissue-damaging laser light (74) passing from a radiation source (36) through a recessed window (46). The window is laterally offset from the cooling surface and is spaced apart from the cooling surface in a direction away from the patient's skin to create a gap between the window and the skin. The window preferably includes both an inner window (46) and an outer, user-replaceable window (48). The laser-pulse duration is preferably selected according to the general diameter of the hair.

Abstract: A radiation delivery module (8) includes a body (48) supportable on a patient's skin and defines a skin surface plane generally aligned with the patient's skin surface (40). A radiation source (22) is mounted to the body and produces a beam (34) of tissue-damaging radiation directed transverse to and at the skin surface plane. The radiation beam creates a radiation spot (42) having a length (36) and a width (44) at the skin surface plane, the length being at least about 5 to 10 times the width. A number of scanned diode laser radiation sub-sources (64) each directing a radiation beam component (66) at the radiation spot may be used. The radiation source may include a rod lens as a focusing optical element. The radiation delivery module may also include a radiation source translator (18) so that the radiation spot moves in a direction generally perpendicular to the length of the radiation spot.

Abstract: A hair removal device (22) includes a cooling surface (34) which is used to contact the skin (6) prior to exposure to hair tissue-damaging laser light (74) passing from a radiation source (36) through a recessed window (46). The window is laterally offset from the cooling surface and is spaced apart from the cooling surface in a direction away from the patient's skin to create a gap between the window and the skin. The window preferably includes both an inner window (46) and an outer, user-replaceable window (48). The laser-pulse duration is preferably selected according to the general diameter of the hair.

Abstract: A radiation delivery module (8) includes a body (48) supportable on a patient's skin and defines a skin surface plane generally aligned with the patient's skin surface (40). A radiation source (22) is mounted to the body and produces a beam (34) of tissue-damaging radiation directed transverse to and at the skin surface plane. The radiation beam creates a radiation spot (42) having a length (36) and a width (44) at the skin surface plane, the length being at least about 5 to 10 times the width. A number of scanned diode laser radiation sub-sources (64) each directing a radiation beam component (66) at the radiation spot may be used. The radiation source may include a rod lens as a focusing optical element. The radiation delivery module may also include a radiation source translator (18) so that the radiation spot moves in a direction generally perpendicular to the length of the radiation spot.

Abstract: A hair removal device (22) includes a cooling surface (34) which is used to contact the skin (6) prior to exposure to hair tissue-damaging laser light (74) passing from a radiation source (36) through a recessed window (46). The window is laterally offset from the cooling surface and is spaced apart from the cooling surface in a direction away from the patient's skin to create a gap between the window and the skin. The window preferably includes both an inner window (46) and an outer, user-replaceable window (48). The laser-pulse duration is preferably selected according to the general diameter of the hair.

Abstract: A hair removal device (22) includes a cooling surface (34) which is used to contact the skin (6) prior to exposure to hair tissue-damaging laser light (74) passing from a radiation source (36) through a recessed window (46). The window is laterally offset from the cooling surface and is spaced apart from the cooling surface in a direction away from the patient's skin to create a gap between the window and the skin. The window preferably includes both an inner window (46) and an outer, user-replaceable window (48). The laser-pulse duration is preferably selected according to the general diameter of the hair.