Abstract: An exemplary treatment system can be provided which can include a laser system configured to emit at least one laser beam, and an optical system configured to focus the laser beam(s) to a focal region at a selected distance from a surface of a tissue. The focal region can be configured to illuminate at least a portion of a target. The optical system can cause an irradiation energy transferred to the focal region of the laser beam(s) to (i) generate a plasma in a first region of the tissue adjacent to the target, and (ii) avoid a generation of a plasma in a second region of the tissue. The optical system has a numerical aperture that is in the range of about 0.5 to about 0.9. An exemplary method can also be provided to control such treatment system.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide method and apparatus for facilitating stretching of a biological tissue by forming a plurality of micro-slits in the tissue. Each micro-slit can be less than about 2 mm or less than about 1.5 mm long, or even less than about 1 mm, such that small gaps that can heal quickly can be formed when the tissue is stretched. The micro-slits can be formed using a plurality of cutting arrangements or an ablative laser. The micro-slits can be formed in various patterns, including staggered rows, circular or spiral patterns, or random patterns.

Abstract: A method for treating vascular diseases is provided. The method includes fabricating a sterile ice slurry including water and ice particles, cooling the sterile ice slurry to a predetermined temperature, and injecting the sterile ice slurry into a desired tissue region. The desired tissue region includes perivascular adipose tissue.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions comprising, and methods for using, biocompatible cold slurries and methods of administering the same to provide reversible inhibition of peripheral nerves in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a slurry comprising: a plurality of sterile ice particles having a largest cross-sectional dimension less than about 1.5 mm; and a biocompatible surfactant. Another aspect of the invention provides a slurry including: a plurality of sterile ice particles having a largest cross-sectional dimension less than about 1.5 mm; a biocompatible surfactant; and a foam comprising a plurality of gas bubbles. Another aspect of the invention provides a slurry including: a plurality of sterile ice particles having a largest cross-sectional dimension less than about 1.5 mm; and a biocompatible excipient. Another aspect of the invention provides a slurry including: a plurality of sterile ice particles having a largest cross-sectional dimension less than about 1.5 mm; and a lipolytic agent.

Abstract: Devices and methods for improving the infection-healing behavior of a biological wound are disclosed. The device can comprise: a matrix; a light-emitting layer comprising a plurality of light sources; a controller in electrical communication with the light sources, the controller being configured to execute a program stored in the controller to activate the light sources to irradiate the wound or a region adjacent the wound with light for a period of time when the device is placed over the wound; and an antimicrobial adjuvant present as part of the device in an amount effective to synergistically potentiate antimicrobial activity of the light with respect to microbes on or adjacent the wound. The wound may include microbes in a biofilm. In one embodiment, the antimicrobial adjuvant comprises a substituted naphthalene, such as menadione. In one embodiment, the antimicrobial adjuvant comprises near infrared radiation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing a hair transplant using a hair transplant device. The hair transplant device includes a coring needle, a housing, and a user interface. The coring needle forms a coring lumen configured to extract a hair follicle from a donor site of a donor. The coring needle has a distal cutting end configured to move between an opened position and a closed position based on a heat memory of a material of the distal cutting end. The housing at least partially surrounds the coring needle, and the user interface extends from the housing and is movable relative to the coring needle to push the hair follicle from the coring lumen into a recipient site of a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods that allow for treating sleep apnea by removing adipose tissue and increasing collagen production in a patient's upper airways by injecting ice slurry comprising ingredients such as sterile water, a biocompatible surfactant such as glycerol, and saline into the target area.

Abstract: A method for treating vascular diseases is provided. The method includes fabricating a sterile ice slurry including water and ice particles, cooling the sterile ice slurry to a predetermined temperature, and injecting the sterile ice slurry into a desired tissue region. The desired tissue region includes perivascular adipose tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing a hair transplant using a hair transplant device. The hair transplant device comprises a coring needle, a splitting needle, a housing, and a user interface. The coring needle forms a coring lumen configured to extract a hair follicle from a donor site. The splitting needle is configured to create an opening in a recipient site. The housing at least partially surrounds one of the coring needle and the splitting needle. The user interface extends from the housing and is movable relative to the coring needle to push the hair follicle from the coring lumen into the opening in the recipient site formed by the splitting needle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing carbon monoxide from whole blood are provided. In one configuration, an extracorporeal phototherapy system includes an oxygenator and a light source configured to output light and arranged to emit the light output by the light source onto at least one surface of the oxygenator. The oxygenator includes a plurality of membrane layers each having a plurality of microporous hollow fiber membranes. The plurality of microporous hollow fiber membranes each include an external surface and an internal channel. Each of the plurality of membrane layers may be rotationally offset with respect to an adjacent layer. The oxygenator further includes a gas inlet port in fluid communication with a first end of the internal channels, a gas outlet port in fluid communication a second end of the internal channels, a blood inlet port, and a blood outlet port.

Abstract: An injection apparatus, including: a needle configured to be inserted into a tissue; a light source to deliver light to the tissue to generate reflected light; a detector to detect the reflected light from the tissue; a processor coupled to the detector and configured to: analyze the reflected light from the tissue to identify a tissue type associated with the reflected light, and provide an output to a user based on the identified tissue type.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing CO from blood, the apparatus including: a housing configured to house blood obtained from a body of a subject within an interior of the housing; a plurality of gas-permeable tubules disposed within the interior of the housing; an optical intrusion coupled to the housing and configured to project into the housing, the optical intrusion configured to transmit light into the interior of the housing; and a light source optically coupled to the optical intrusion, the light source being configured to emit light which is coupled via the optical intrusion into the interior of the housing such that the emitted light interacts with the blood from the body of the subject.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide method and apparatus for facilitating stretching of a biological tissue by forming a plurality of micro-slits in the tissue. Each micro-slit can be less than about 2 mm or less than about 1.5 mm long, or even less than about 1 mm, such that small gaps that can heal quickly can be formed when the tissue is stretched. The micro-slits can be formed using a plurality of cutting arrangements or an ablative laser. The micro-slits can be formed in various patterns, including staggered rows, circular or spiral patterns, or random patterns.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an autologous bio-filler to a patient is provided. The method includes harvesting dermal columns from a harvesting site and mincing the dermal columns into microsegments, where the microsegments form the autologous bio-filler. The method also includes injecting the autologous bio-filler into a recipient site of the patient.

Abstract: An exemplary treatment system can be provided which can include a laser system configured to emit at least one laser beam, and an optical system configured to focus the laser beam(s) to a focal region at a selected distance from a surface of a tissue. The focal region can be configured to illuminate at least a portion of a target. The optical system can cause an irradiation energy transferred to the focal region of the laser beam(s) to (i) generate a plasma in a first region of the tissue adjacent to the target, and (ii) avoid a generation of a plasma in a second region of the tissue. The optical system has a numerical aperture that is in the range of about 0.5 to about 0.9. An exemplary method can also be provided to control such treatment system.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing CO from blood, the apparatus including: a housing configured to house blood obtained from a body of a subject within an interior of the housing; a plurality of gas-permeable tubules disposed within the interior of the housing; an optical intrusion coupled to the housing and configured to project into the housing, the optical intrusion configured to transmit light into the interior of the housing; and a light source optically coupled to the optical intrusion, the light source being configured to emit light which is coupled via the optical intrusion into the interior of the housing such that the emitted light interacts with the blood from the body of the subject.

Abstract: An injection apparatus, including: a needle configured to be inserted into a tissue; a light source to deliver light to the tissue to generate reflected light; a detector to detect the reflected light from the tissue; a processor coupled to the detector and configured to: analyze the reflected light from the tissue to identify a tissue type associated with the reflected light, and provide an output to a user based on the identified tissue type.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions comprising, and methods for using, biocompatible cold slurries and methods of administering the same to provide reversible inhibition of peripheral nerves in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of apparatus and method for obtaining one or more portions of biological tissue (“micrografts”) to form grafts are provided. For example, a hollow tube can be inserted into tissue at a donor site, and a pin provided within the tube can facilitate controlled removal of the micrograft from the tube. Micrografts can be harvested and directly implanted into an overlying biocompatible matrix through coordinated motion of the tube and pin. A needle can be provided around the tube to facilitate a direct implantation of a micrograft into a remote recipient site or matrix. The exemplary apparatus can include a plurality of such tubes and pins for simultaneous harvesting and/or implanting of a plurality of micrografts. The harvested micrografts can have a small dimension, e.g., less than about 1 mm, which can promote healing of the donor site and/or viability of the harvested tissue.