Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating various indications by lessening oxidative stress in a patient are provided. A pharmaceutical composition comprises between about 0.001% to about 10.0%), or more specifically between about 0.015% to about 5%, sodium iodine or catalase by weight. The iodine ion or the catalase dissociates hydrogen peroxide into water and molecular oxygen to interrupt biological events that result in negative side effects. The pharmaceutical composition further comprises in some cases a reducing agent or various carrier materials. The pharmaceutical composition is in some cases formulated for a variety of delivery methods.

Abstract: Wounds in the eye following surgery or injury are sealed by soaking the area with a riboflavin solution containing iodide ion and irradiating the wound area with UVA radiation in a selected wavelength range for a selected time period to promote cross-linking of tissue between opposite surfaces of the wound or between the incised wound surfaces and a graft or implant.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating various indications by lessening oxidative stress in a patient are provided. A pharmaceutical composition comprises between about 0.001% to about 10.0%), or more specifically between about 0.015% to about 5%, sodium iodine or catalase by weight. The iodine ion or the catalase dissociates hydrogen peroxide into water and molecular oxygen to interrupt biological events that result in negative side effects. The pharmaceutical composition further comprises in some cases a reducing agent or various carrier materials. The pharmaceutical composition is in some cases formulated for a variety of delivery methods.

Abstract: Wounds in the eye following surgery or injury are sealed by soaking the area with a riboflavin solution containing iodide ion and irradiating the wound area with UVA radiation in a selected wavelength range for a selected time period to promote cross-linking of tissue between opposite surfaces of the wound or between the incised wound surfaces and a graft or implant.

Abstract: Systems and methods of ophthalmologic or ocular phototherapy treatment are provided herein. In some embodiments, the systems and methods of ophthalmic or ocular phototherapy treatment comprise applying a treatment light beam in a predetermined wavelength or wavelength range corresponding to gold (yellow to orange), red, or at least part of both the gold and red visible light wavelength ranges to at least a portion of an eye. The treatment light beam may be applied to an entire eye. In some embodiments, the selected treatment area is irradiated with light in the selected gold and/or red wavelength range at a predetermined dose for a selected time period as a primary treatment in order to treat various eye conditions and reduce eye pain or discomfort, or help to promote eye wound healing following injury or surgery, or as a secondary treatment to augment eye treatment using light in different phototherapy treatment ranges.

Abstract: Ophthalmic treatment systems and methods of using the systems are disclosed. The ophthalmic treatment systems include (a) a light source device; (b) at least one optical treatment head operatively coupled to the light source device, comprising a light source array, and providing at least one treatment light; and (c) a light control device, which (i) provides patterned or discontinuous treatment light projection onto an eye (e.g., the cornea and/or sclera of an eye); or (ii) adjusts intensity of part or all of the light source array, providing adjusted intensity treatment light projection onto an eye (e.g., the cornea and/or sclera of an eye). The at least one treatment light promotes corneal and/or scleral collagen cross-linking.

Abstract: A system for bilateral or monocular photochemical cross-linking of corneal collagen employs selectable light in a selected wavelength band as the excitation source and riboflavin as the photosensitizer. The system has an illumination source which may have multi-spectral capability, light guides for delivery of light to the optical head for projection onto the corneal surface, selectable radiation patterns to accommodate individual corneal architecture, and red light phototherapy to limit apoptosis and accelerate healing time. Aiming beams provide alignment of the optical head to the patient cornea. A microprocessor-controlled rotary solenoid mechanical shutter provides discontinuous illumination for tissue reoxygenation, and devices and methods may be included for the in situ determination of oxygen utilization and the riboflavin content of the cornea.

Abstract: This invention provides a roadside mailbox that is installed in a housing that can be wholly or partially buried in the ground. The open top of the housing is closed by a door that is attached to one of the end walls by a hinge, which allows it to be pivotally moved from a closed position where it closes the top of the housing to an open position where it is substantially vertical. The mailbox is so mounted as to be pivotally movable between a secure storage position where it is entirely within the housing and an operational position where it is in position for use. Pivotal movement of the door and the mailbox is accomplished by a mechanism driven by electric power from a battery positioned in the vault, and it is operated by an actuator that can be wireless or hard-wired. A solar panel installed on the door keeps the battery charged. The mailbox also can be laterally movable so that it extends outwardly beyond the door to facilitate depositing and retrieving mail.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for decolonizing microbes from skin surfaces and body cavities, in particular the decoloniziation of MRSA from nasal cavities using UVC preferably combined with visible light. The device consists of a lightguide, dispensing tip plus accessories, and a housing with a UV source, optical filtering and light collection means, shutter and timer. An internal or external radiometer provides dosimetry information to the operator. The device has additional utility in killing microbes on skin surfaces and beneath nail beds. The lightguide itself comprises the holder for the dispensing tip for use in cavities and as a holder for surface use. The dispensing tips serve to protect decolonization subjects from cross-contamination and may act to shape the nasal cavity and the light distribution pattern of the emitted UVC and visible radiation.

Abstract: A starter cell for starting a plant has a first opening at the topmost portion of the cell for facilitating plant seeding and growth, a second opening at the bottommost portion of the cell for facilitating root passage for air pruning of the root, and a plurality of inward-facing ridges formed vertically along the cell walls and along any cell comers. The cell is characterized in that the ridges are strategically placed to guide developing roots to avoid twisting and balling. In some embodiment the ridges have feet to provided for stacking, for example.

Abstract: The invention is a method for the treatment of autoimmune disease and cancer comprising the application of vitamin D precursors followed by UVA or UVB or exposure to blue light. The method can also include sequential or concurrent treatment with UVB irradiation and UVA irradiation or exposure to blue light. The invention is the vitamin D precursor compositions used in the invention.

Abstract: a starter cell for starting a plant has a first opening at the topmost portion of the cell for facilitating plant seeding and growth, a second opening at the bottommost portion of the cell for facilitating root passage for air pruning of the root, and a plurality of inward-facing ridges formed vertically along the cell walls and along any cell comers. The cell is characterized in that the ridges are strategically placed to guide developing roots to avoid twisting and balling. In some embodiment the ridges have feet to provided for stacking, for example.

Abstract: A targeted UV phototherapy apparatus has a UV radiation source for emitting UV radiation at a first wavelength and a phosphor element separate from the source for converting the UV radiation in the first wavelength to a different UV wavelength in the therapeutic UVB or UVA range. A radiation directing assembly directs radiation from the UV source to the separate phosphor element, and a shaped exit aperture placed directly against a lesion directs radiation emitted from the phosphor element onto a predetermined target area of the lesion.

Abstract: A UV phototherapy apparatus has a base unit containing a UVB arc lamp and an output port for delivery of UVB radiation within a predetermined range. A flexible, elongate optical guide is connected to the output port at one end and to a handpiece at the opposite end. The handpiece is arranged to convert the round beam from the optical guide into a predetermined straight-edged shape such as a rectangular beam, and has an exit aperture of corresponding shape for delivering the shaped beam to a target area of a patient. A beam isolating assembly in the optical path isolates UVB radiation in the predetermined range from the lamp output, so that at least 90% of the radiation directed into the optical guide is in the predetermined range.

Abstract: An improved excimer laser system for use in medical procedures such as transmyocardial laser revascularization is disclosed. The laser uses a number of novel design features to reduce the footprint and weight of the laser over prior designs; e.g., an improved recirculating fan design that employs a non-contacting magnetic coupling between fan motor and fan, and an improved laser diffusion mixer at the output.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device and method for delivering a therapeutic substance to a bodily tissue in a minimally invasive manner. The device includes an elongate flexible tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end. A control means is provided for enabling the distal end of the tubular member to be controllably flexed in a transverse manner for positioning the distal end of the tubular member proximate to the bodily tissue to be treated. A hollow needle is disposed at the distal end of the tubular member for delivering the therapeutic substance into the bodily tissue. A marking means is also included for indicating when a injection has been made in the tissue. The invention is particularly useful for treatment of ischemic heart disease by gene therapy.

Abstract: A gene transfer delivery apparatus and method includes a plurality of syringes retained in a syringe-retaining portion. Each syringe contains a predetermined quantity of treatment solution. The treatment solution may be expelled through a needle on the end of each syringe by depressing the syringe plunger associated with each syringe. The syringe-retaining portion of the delivery device is connected to a plunger portion which contains a main plunger capable of depressing the syringe plungers simultaneously. Since the syringe plungers are depressed uniformly, the delivery device allows for the precise injection of a fixed volume of fluid at plural locations and at a predetermined depth. A spring-biased platen is mounted on the device for flattening the tissue prior insertion of the needles into the tissue. A method of using the delivery device for treatment of ischemic heart disease by gene therapy is also disclosed.