Abstract: There is disclosed a process for improving wound healing, comprising administering ascorbate or derivatives thereof to a wound site at a concentration of at least 20 .mu.mol/L and irradiating the wound site with a low-power laser at a wave length of about 600 nm to about 1100 nm. The process for improving wound healing can be used for the healing of deep, interior wounds with longer wave length radiation and higher energy output radiation. The process can further be used for improving the healing of superficial skin wounds with shorter wave lengths and lower energy output of the low-power laser.

Abstract: A system for determining zinc protoporphyrin levels in whole blood using hematofluorometry without the need for oxygenation of the hemoglobin by derivatizing the hemoglobin to form a new compound having essentially the same spectral properties as oxygenated hemoglobin. A preferred reagent includes cyanide as the active ingredient.