Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides techniques for inducing collagen cross-linking in human tissue, such as cartilage, by inducing ionization of the water contained in the tissue to produce free radicals that induce chemical cross-linking in the human tissue. In an embodiment, a femtosecond laser operates at sufficiently low laser pulse energy to avoid optical breakdown of the tissue being treated. In an embodiment, the femtosecond laser operates in the infrared frequency range.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides techniques for inducing collagen cross-linking in human tissue, such as cartilage, by inducing ionization of the water contained in the tissue to produce free radicals that induce chemical cross-linking in the human tissue. In an embodiment, a femtosecond laser operates at sufficiently low laser pulse energy to avoid optical breakdown of the tissue being treated. In an embodiment, the femtosecond laser operates in the infrared frequency range.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a laser is scanned across biological tissue to alter the characteristics of the tissue. To alter the optical characteristics of a cornea, the laser is scanned in an annular pattern over a region having a ratio of the outer diameter of the region to the inner diameter of the region. The laser may also be used to irradiate cartilage in joints to treat osteoarthritis.

Abstract: A method of treatment of the cornea of an eye including exposing the cornea to a crosslinking medium, and applying a mechanical loading to the cornea, wherein the mechanical loading is selected as a strain proportional to the dimensions of the eye being treated. A method of altering the curvature of the cornea is provided including controlling a light source to apply light energy pulses to corneal tissue; wherein the light energy pulses are below an optical breakdown threshold for the cornea; ionize water molecules within the treated corneal layer to generate reactive oxygen species; and initiate crosslinking within the extracellular matrix of the cornea to change the physical properties of the cornea, e.g., the stiffness of the cornea.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides techniques for inducing collagen cross-linking in human tissue, such as cartilage, by inducing ionization of the water contained in the tissue to produce free radicals that induce chemical cross-linking in the human tissue. In an embodiment, a femtosecond laser operates at sufficiently low laser pulse energy to avoid optical breakdown of the tissue being treated. In an embodiment, the femtosecond laser operates in the infrared frequency range.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods, devices, and systems for generating spatially-resolved quantification of cross-linking in cartilage based on Raman scattering of excitation light. The examples presented demonstrate that the method provides a discriminating power sufficient to distinguish early onset of osteo-arthritis even before a patient is symptomatic.

Abstract: Femtosecond laser may be used to crosslink corneal collagen in absence of photosensitizers to correct refractive errors and enhance corneal mechanical properties of tissues, such as the cornea. The treatment time is reduced by defining treatment layers in the tissue being treated and focusing the laser at selected layers to effect treatment at the multiple layers. Volumetric exposure to the laser has been executed by treating multiple planar areas at varying depths, measured from the surface of the treated tissue.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides techniques for inducing collagen cross-linking in human tissue, such as cartilage, by inducing ionization of the water contained in the tissue to produce free radicals that induce chemical cross-linking in the human tissue. In an embodiment, a femtosecond laser operates at sufficiently low laser pulse energy to avoid optical breakdown of the tissue being treated. In an embodiment, the femtosecond laser operates in the infrared frequency range.

Abstract: Treatment systems and methods are disclosed that may be used to strengthen cartilage. The disclosed subject matter includes description of this advantage and associated experimental results. The systems and methods employ ultrafast laser-based treatment to induce crosslinks into the collagen network of the tissue media without the addition of a chemical agent. The system and related methods may also be used for other purposes discussed herein.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides systems and methods for modulating cytokine activity in a tissue. The system and methods can be used in a variety of tissues including the cornea. The methods of the disclosed subject matter includes a method of modulating cytokine activity within a cornea without treating keratoconus or altering curvature of the cornea, the method comprising: controlling a light source to apply light energy pulses to corneal tissue; wherein the light energy pulses: (a) are below an optical breakdown threshold for the cornea; (b) ionize water molecules within the treated corneal layer to generate reactive oxygen species; and modulate cytokine activity.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides techniques for inducing collagen cross-linking in human tissue, such as cartilage or cornea, without using a photosensitizer (e.g., riboflavin), by inducing ionization of the water contained in the tissue to produce free radicals that induce chemical cross-linking in the human tissue. In an embodiment, a femtosecond laser operates at sufficiently low laser pulse energy to avoid optical breakdown of tissue. In an embodiment, the femtosecond laser operates in the infrared frequency range.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of treating a cornea. The method includes controlling a light source to apply light energy pulses to a single corneal layer selected from the group consisting of: an anterior corneal layer and a posterior corneal layer. The light energy pulses are below an optical breakdown threshold for the cornea and ionize water molecules within the treated corneal layer to generate reactive oxygen species that cross-link collagen within the single corneal layer. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of treating a cornea. The method includes controlling a light source to apply light energy pulses to at least a corneal stroma layer of a cornea. The light energy pulses are below an optical breakdown threshold for the cornea and ionize water molecules within the treated corneal stromal layer to generate reactive oxygen species that cross-link collagen within the cornea.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods, devices, and systems for generating spatially-resolved quantification of cross-linking in cartilage based on Raman scattering of excitation light. The examples presented demonstrate that the method provides a discriminating power sufficient to distinguish early onset of osteo-arthritis even before a patient is symptomatic.

Abstract: Fluid monitoring devices and/or systems are provided for monitoring fluid output, including volume and flow rate. A high resolution, low cost electronic fluid monitoring device and system collects fluid such as urine and includes a force sensor that correlates the force of gravity on a fluid collection container with strain and converts it to electrical energy. The force registered on the sensor is correlated with fluid content using a pre-programmed machine learning based algorithm and can be used to identify fluid volume and flow rate. Vertical adjustment and rotational adjustment systems for the device are also described.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides techniques for inducing collagen cross-linking in human tissue, such as cartilage or cornea, without using a photosensitizer (e.g., riboflavin), by inducing ionization of the water contained in the tissue to produce free radicals that induce chemical cross-linking in the human tissue. In an embodiment, a femtosecond laser operates at sufficiently low laser pulse energy to avoid optical breakdown of tissue. In an embodiment, the femtosecond laser operates in the infrared frequency range.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides techniques for inducing collagen cross-linking in human tissue, such as cartilage or cornea, without using a photosensitizer (e.g., riboflavin), by inducing ionization of the water contained in the tissue to produce free radicals that induce chemical cross-linking in the human tissue. In an embodiment, a femtosecond laser operates at sufficiently low laser pulse energy to avoid optical breakdown of tissue. In an embodiment, the femtosecond laser operates in the infrared frequency range.

Abstract: A system and method for Raman spectral analysis for diagnostic purposes to identify the disease state of biological tissue. The sampled tissue can be any human or animal tissue, including but not limited to prostate, breast, cervical tissue, etc. Raman spectroscopy is used to provide Raman bands which are decomposed and their chemical fingerprints identified after mathematical modeling. The method enables identification of chemical compounds in the tissue being diagnosed. Comparison with reference samples permits inferences concerning the presence or absence of disease, the stage of disease, and/or the response of disease to treatment. The method provides sufficient information about the chemical composition of the tissue to differentiate between normal and abnormal states, and may also reveal the locations of abnormalities. The method may also be used to monitor the treatment of a subject and/or the response of disease to drugs or other treatments.