Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for permanent or semi-permanent removal of hair through the activation of microparticles introduced into hair follicles. Microparticles are incorporated into a composition that is topically applied to the skin. These microparticles containing or consisting of chromophores or chemically activated molecules are of a variety of shapes and sizes. Microparticles are within a size range of 1 micron to 70 microns, and preferably between 10 and 50 microns. Microparticles of this size and variety of shapes enter hair follicles on all areas of the skin without entering other areas of the skin, such as the stratum corneum or sweat gland channels. Treatment of the skin with electromagnetic radiation, ultrasonic radiation or chemical means activates the chromophore or chemically activated compounds, thus destroying the hair follicle without damaging other areas of the skin.

Abstract: The invention concerns a laser photocoagulator comprising a laser emitting at a wavelength within the ICG absorption spectrum and provided with focusing means and a programmed or controlled module powering the laser such that the mean fluence (F) at the focus starting from an initial time varies according to an increasing function in time not varying at any time by more than 10% of an increasing monoexponential corresponding to formula F−F0(1−e−t/r) wherein F is the initial fluence and &tgr; is a time constant ranging between 3 and 5 mn.

Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for permanent or semi-permanent removal of hair through the activation of microparticles introduced into hair follicles. Microparticles are incorporated into a composition that is topically applied to the skin. These microparticles containing or consisting of chromophores or chemically activated molecules are of a variety of shapes and sizes. Microparticles are within a size range of 1 micron to 70 microns, and preferably between 10 and 50 microns. Microparticles of this size and variety of shapes enter hair follicles on all areas of the skin without entering other areas of the skin, such as the stratum corneum or sweat gland channels. Treatment of the skin with electromagnetic radiation, ultrasonic radiation or chemical means activates the chromophore or chemically activated compounds, thus destroying the hair follicle without damaging other areas of the skin.

Abstract: The apparatus for uniting the lips of a wound comprises a laser having an emission wavelength chosen such that it can perform tissue bonding and unite the lips of a wound, and a holding piece suitable for being secured to the tissue around the wound so as to keep the lips of the wound approximated, at least while the wound is being exposed to said laser radiation, the holding piece including at least one region suitable for being positioned over the wound and sufficiently transparent at the wavelength of the laser radiation for the energy from said radiation to be sufficient, after it has passed through said region, to perform the desired tissue bonding.

Abstract: The invention relates to device making it possible to apply a chromophoric composition to the skin, said device including a chromophoric composition containing at least one chromophoric agent. The chromophoric composition is in the form of a layer of constant thickness bonded to one face of backing, at least prior to being applied to the skin, the chromophoric agent or agents being distributed uniformly in said composition, and the type of the composition being chosen such that light energy from laser radiation is transformed locally into heat and/or the chemical structure(s) of the chromophoric agent(s) is/are modified locally.

Abstract: A method for eliminating unwanted hairs is provided. The method includes applying an effective amount of a composition including microparticles to the surface of the skin where the hairs are situated and removing the composition remaining on the surface of the skin. The microparticles contain chromophores and a second material different from the chromophores. At least 80% by weight of the microparticles have a diameter of between 3 &mgr;m and 10 &mgr;m. A composition containing a solvent which dissolves the chromophores may then be applied to the surface of the skin. Laser radiation is then applied in one or more shots. The emitted wavelength of the laser radiation is absorbed by the chromophores. The light energy and the emission duration of the laser energy are sufficient to damage and/or kill the cells responsible for the growth of the hair.

Abstract: Mammalian skin is treated and advantageously smoothed, for example to remove wrinkles, lines, warts and scars therefrom, by topically applying thereto a composition which comprises at least one laser-absorbing chromophore formulated into a physiologically acceptable carrier, diluent or vehicle therefor, and laser-irradiating the skin thus treated with an intensity sufficient to locally convert the light energy into heat energy in the applied composition and advantageously effecting tissue ablation of the surface of the treated skin, said applied composition and the thickness thereof having an absorbance at the emission wavelength of the laser such that the light energy transmitted into the skin generates no undesired irreversible tissue or cell damage.

Abstract: A device for measuring the pH of an appropriate target, without direct contact with the target, includes a light source for selecting a plurality of wavelengths for excitation of fluorescence of a fluorescent marker fixed to the target. The fluorescence emission spectrum is dependent on pH, the excitation wavelength being switched from one wavelength to another. Light is transmitted from the light source to the target, and the emitted fluorescence is collected, detected and read. The pH of the target is calculated from the ratio of the emitted fluorescence signals obtained successively at least at two excitation wavelengths.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of treatment in the field of dermatology, for the treatment of cutaneous angio dysplasias, using the energy emitted by a laser source, as well as to an apparatus for the treatment of skin angiomas implementing the process. The apparatus includes a laser source suitable for supplying laser radiation, a treatment instrument for receiving the laser radiation from the source and whereby a plurality of consecutive laser shots is effected to form a plurality of resulting impacts on the area of the body to be treated. Following each shot, the area of the body thus treated has, at the resulting impact, at least a given relaxation time. The apparatus includes a support frame, an optical fiber disposed in the frame. The optical fiber has two ends, the first of the ends being suitable for connection to the laser source via the connecting means, the second end being mobile and suitable for generating a displaceable laser spot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for heat treatment of tissue. The device comprises a laser (20) provided with means enabling it to emit laser radiation in the form of a sufficient number of pulses to deliver a total energy that provides the heat treatment of the tissues, the device being characterized in that it includes means (30, 40) for adjusting the number and the duration of the pulses, said means enabling at least two pulse sequence groups to be emitted: a first pulse sequence group delivering about 70% to 80% of the total energy, and a second pulse sequence group delivering 30% to 20% of the total energy. The invention makes it possible to shorten the total time required for heat treatment of tissues.