Abstract: A method of treating spinal cord injury (SCI) includes transcutaneously irradiating at least a portion of a spinal environment of the patient with light having a power density of at least about 0.01 mW/cm2 at the portion of the spinal environment.

Abstract: An illumination system for a particle image velocimetry system has an illumination source, a hollow tapered optical funnel arranged to receive illumination light from the illumination source, a hollow optical waveguide optically coupled to an output end of the hollow tapered optical funnel, and a beam shaping optical system optically coupled to an output end of the hollow optical waveguide. The illumination system is constructed to provide a light sheet to illuminate particles within a fluid under observation. A particle image velocimetry system has such an illumination system.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the treatment of SCI by stimulating axon regeneration within the central nerve system. One aspect of the present invention provides methods of treating SCI with low power laser irradiation (LPLI). Another aspect of the present invention provides methods of treating SCI by modulating a gene activity to stimulate axon regeneration. In this regard, the present invention also provides compositions that modulate genes expression relating to the neuron-regeneration after SCI. Another aspect of the present invention provides methods for evaluating the effectiveness of a treatment for SCI.