Abstract: A fractional treatment system can be configured with a laser wavelength that is selected such that absorption of the laser wavelength within the tissue increases as the tissue is heated by the laser (e.g., 1390-1425 nm). Desirably, the laser wavelength is primarily absorbed within a treated region of skin by water and has a thermally adjusted absorption coefficient within the range of about 8 cm?1 to about 30 cm?1. An adjustable mechanism can be used to adjust the beam shape, beam numerical aperture, beam focus depth, and/or beam size to affect the treatment depth and or the character of the resulting lesions. The system may be designed to be switchable between a treatment mode that is semi-ablative and a treatment mode that is not semi-ablative. Adjustment of these parameters can improve the efficiency and efficacy of treatment.

Abstract: The invention describes a treatment for skin containing selected targets that provides feedback in response to a measurement enabled by the ablation of holes. The inventive apparatus includes an electromagnetic source configured to emit ablative electromagnetic energy, a delivery system, a sensing element, and a controller. The delivery system can be configured to receive ablative energy from the electromagnetic source and deliver it to multiple discrete locations at the selected region to form a pattern of discrete holes in epidermal and dermal tissue of the skin. The lipid content a portion of the tissue can be evaluated using a sensing element. At least one pulse of electromagnetic energy is delivered to the skin under control of a controller in response to the result of a measurement by the sensing element. The apparatus may include a positional sensor to provide additional dosage control, particularly when the inventive method is used with a continuously movable handpiece.

Abstract: The invention describes a treatment for skin wherein a pattern of holes is ablated in a selected region of skin tissue using an optical source. Substantially nonablative energy is delivered to the selected region to at least two holes in the pattern to thermally heat a target in or just beneath the skin, such as hair follicles, sebaceous glands, or subcutaneous fat. The invention may further be improved by adding a feedback mechanism that adapts the nonablative energy in response to a measurement enabled by the ablation of holes. The apparatus may include a positional sensor to provide additional dosage control, particularly when the inventive method is used with a continuously movable handpiece.

Abstract: An optical pattern generator includes one or more multi-faceted rotating optical elements that introduce an offset that is rotation insensitive. The component that generates the offset is rotationally symmetric around the rotational axis of the optical element. Thus, as the optical element rotates, the effect of the offset component does not change. In addition, rotating optical elements may be designed to counteract unwanted optical effects of each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for controlling light-induced tissue treatment. In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, the invention provides for improved, real-time control of the light beam operational parameters which enables greater safety, efficiency, uniformity and continuity of the treatment process.

Abstract: An optical pattern generator includes one or more multi-faceted rotating optical elements that introduce an offset that is rotation insensitive. The component that generates the offset is rotationally symmetric around the rotational axis of the optical element. Thus, as the optical element rotates, the effect of the offset component does not change. In addition, rotating optical elements may be designed to counteract unwanted optical effects of each other.

Abstract: A counter-rotating disk scanner together with another scan mechanism provides two-dimensional optical scanning. The counter-rotating disk scanner includes counter-rotating scan disks that implement the scanning action as they rotate through an optical axis of the system.

Abstract: An optical pattern generator includes one or more multi-faceted rotating optical elements that introduce an offset that is rotation insensitive. The component that generates the offset is rotationally symmetric around the rotational axis of the optical element. Thus, as the optical element rotates, the effect of the offset component does not change. In addition, rotating optical elements may be designed to counteract unwanted optical effects of each other.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of laser scanning systems using a multifaceted rotating polygon or pyramid as the scanner. In particular, a beam of light, such as that generated by a laser beam, is directed onto a first facet of the scanner. This beam is expanded and reflected back to the same facet or any other facet on the scanner by optical means positioned adjacent the scanner so that the beam is caused to follow the facet of the scanner upon which the beam is reflected during a complete scan and to shift to the next facet for the following scan.

Abstract: An optical data recording system in which during recording the image of the acoustic pulse at the writing surface is made to move at the same relative velocity with respect to the recording medium whereby motion blur is minimized or reduced. The writing beam, such as that generated by a laser, is incident on acousto-optic device (such as a Bragg cell) and may be diffracted (deflected) at an angle determined by the frequency of a source applied to the device. By selecting the system magnification, in one embodiment, between the device and the recording medium such that the magnification is substantially equal to the ratio of the velocity of the recording medium, to the velocity of the sound wave in the acousto-optic device, the image of the acoustic pulse follows the surface of the recording medium and permits imaging of the video signal to the recording medium without blurring.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for improving the efficiency and resolution of laser scanning systems using a multi-faceted rotating polygon as the scanner device. In particular, an acousto-optic Bragg cell is utilized as an active optical element to both modulate, in response to an electrical input signal, and deflect an incident laser beam so that the modulated beam is caused to follow, or track, one facet of the scanner during a complete scan and to shift to the adjacent facet for the following scan. The scanning system is operated in a manner wherein during recording the image of the acoustic pulses at the surface of a recording medium are made to move at the same relative velocity, in the opposite direction, as the velocity of the laser recording, or write beam whereby imaging of the input electrical signal on the recording medium surface is accomplished without blurring.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of laser scanning systems using a multi-faceted rotating polygon as the scanner device. In particular, an acousto-optic Bragg cell is utilized as an active optical element to both modulate and deflect an incident laser beam so that the modulated beam is caused to follow one facet of the scanner during a complete scan and to shift to the adjacent facet for the following scan.