Abstract: The apparatus for monitoring muscle contractions of a subject (for example as a check on epilepsy or Parkinson's disease) comprises: a first sensor arranged to be placed on a reference location on the body of a subject for sensing, over a prolonged period of time, a reference parameter derived from at least one of movement and electrical activity of the muscles of the body at the reference location; at least one further sensor arranged to be placed on a chosen location on a limb of a subject, for sensing, over a prolonged period of time, a monitoring parameter derived from at least one of movement and electrical activity of the muscles of the limb at the chosen location; comparison means for comparing the monitoring parameter with the reference parameter; and output means for producing an output by comparison of the monitoring parameter and the reference parameter, the output comprising either recorded data which provide a record of an epileptic event in the prolonged period of time or an alarm output after t

Abstract: At least one electric discharge lamp capable of generating a broadband output pulse of a range of wavelengths in the visible spectrum, the output pulse having a predetermined time interval and a predetermined total electrical energy input for the pulse, has a drive circuit for delivering energy pulses to the electrical discharge lamp, as well as a sensor for sensing an optical output from the discharge lamp; and a control mechanism for operating the drive circuit in response to variations in optical output detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A flashlamp drive circuit including a storage capacitor which is charged and selectively discharged in order to drive a flashlamp. A capacitor (116) is connected in parallel with each respective flashlamp (106) in a bank of flashlamps. Each capacitor (116) has a comparatively small capacitance so as to be capable of storing only a portion of the total energy pulse required to be delivered to the respective flashlamp (106). A controller, comprising a digital signal processor (118) and a microprocessor (120) is provided to control the operation of all of the flashlamps (106) in the bank via respective switch mechanisms (110). In use, each energy (or drive) pulse delivered to a flashlamp (106) is comprised of a plurality of smaller energy packets resulting from repeated charging and discharging of the respective capacitor (116).

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a removable coating formulation for a surface of a vertebrate animal body (such as an aqueous coating formulation); with at least two light-emitting diodes which can be secured to the surface by the formulation such that illumination therefrom can be directed towards tissue in the animal body. The light-emitting diodes are such that, when connected to an electrical power supply, they have an illumination power output substantially in the range causing photochemical effects in the animal tissue, and they are provided with a connection to an electrical power supply.

Abstract: At least one electric discharge lamp capable of generating a broadband output pulse of a range of wavelengths in the visible spectrum, the output pulse having a predetermined time interval and a predetermined total electrical energy input for the pulse, has a drive circuit for delivering energy pulses to the electrical discharge lamp, as well as a sensor for sensing an optical output from the discharge lamp; and a control mechanism for operating the drive circuit in response to variations in optical output detected by the sensor.

Abstract: Wrinkles are cosmetically removed from a superficial area of mammalian skin tissue having an epidermal layer, a basal layer, and a dermal layer, by irradiating the dermal layer through the basal layer, the irradiation having an energy density in the range 5J/cm2 or less, and being selected to be absorbed by a chromophore in the dermal layer such that collagen present in the dermal layer is heated, while the basal layer remains intact so as to substantially inhibit contact of the dermal layer with ambient air.

Abstract: Glazing panels such as vehicle glazing panels bonded to a supporting frame are released by firstly arranging light energy delivery means adjacent the panel and subsequently transmitting light energy from the delivery means through the panel thereby to effect release of the panel from the frame. The light may be pulsed according to a predetermined regime and may be delivered by a discharge lamp having rapidly attenuating intensity. The mechanism of panel release may be by thermal degradation of the bonding material, cleavage of material at a surface of, or within the body of the panel, or a combination of such mechanisms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the cosmetic treatment of a skin condition (particularly Acne Vulgaris). Illuminating radiation (including radiation of a predetermined wavelength) is directed toward a target zone in accordance with a predetermined delivery regime. A plurality of interactions are effected at the target zone including a reaction leading to at least partial disabling or eradication of the cause of the skin condition, and non-ablative heating of tissue stimulating an inflammatory response to a degree sufficient to effect collagen production. The two-fold interaction system effected by the illuminating radiation provides an extremely effective cosmetic effect.

Abstract: Glazing panels such as vehicle windscreens bonded to a supporting frame are released by firstly arranging light energy delivery means adjacent the panel and subsequently transmitting light energy from the delivery means through the panel thereby to effect release of the panel from the frame. The light may be pulsed according to a predetermined regime and may be delivered by a discharge lamp having rapidly attenuating intensity, or quasi continuous wave pulsed laser. The mechanism of panel release may be by thermal degradation of the bonding material, cleavage of material at a surface of, or within the body of the panel, or a combination of such mechanisms.

Abstract: Light from solid state devices is applied to an area of skin under conditions that produce an improvement in the appearance of an area of skin, without significantly damaging the skin. Preferred light sources are light emitting diodes (LEDs) and diode lasers, preferably selected to produce at least a substantial portion of their output in with a narrow band of wavelengths between 570 and 600 nm, more preferably within a wavelength band no greater than 15 nm, and most preferably including a substantial portion of their output at about 585 nm. A controller drives the light sources in at least one of a banked, overpulsed, and super pulsed modes. Pulsing is preferably accomplished using a pulse width of between about 1 &mgr;sec and 1 msec.

Abstract: Vascular blemishes are reduced by directing pulsed laser radiation to converge toward the blemishes in a plurality of directions, each beam of radiation being derived from a primary radiation source or from a separate radiation source, thereby to cause selective thermolysis of blood vessels in the blemishes.

Abstract: Glazing panels such as vehicle windscreens bonded to a supporting frame are released by firstly arranging light energy delivery means adjacent the panel and subsequently transmitting light energy from the delivery means through the panel thereby to effect release of the panel from the frame. The light may be pulsed according to a predetermined regime and may be delivered by a discharge lamp having rapidly attenuating intensity, or quasi continuous wave pulsed laser. The mechanism of panel release may be by thermal degradation of the bonding material, cleavage of material at a surface of, or within the body of the panel, or a combination of such mechanisms.

Abstract: Vascular lesions are treated by using an apparatus which comprises a dye laser, one or more flashlamps, and at least one pulse generating circuit for driving the flashlamps, the pulse generating circuit arranged to produce driving current pulses having a risetime of less than 100 microseconds resulting in corresponding laser output pulses, having a risetime of less than 100 microseconds.

Abstract: Mammalian hair is depilated by pulsing a laser source emitting radiation in the range 600 to 1500 nm, each pulse having a duration of 1 &mgr;sec to 200 msec, and a radiation exposure dose of 2 to 25 J/cm2, so as to irradiate successive zones of a treatment area of a patient's skin and thereby destroy subdermal biological material associated with hair growth.

Abstract: Vascular blemishes are reduced by directing pulsed laser radiation to converge toward the blemishes in a plurality of directions, each beam of radiation being derived from a primary radiation source or from a separate radiation source, thereby to cause selective thermolysis of blood vessels in the blemishes.

Abstract: Wrinkles are cosmetically removed from a superficial area of mammalian skin tissue having an epidermal layer, a basal layer, and a dermal layer, by irradiating the dermal layer through the basal layer, the irradiation being selected to be absorbed by a chromophore in the dermal layer such that collagen present in the dermal layer is heated, while the basal layer remains intact so as to substantially inhibit contact of the dermal layer with ambient air.