A laser system for hard and soft biological tissues utilizes a laser (206), dye spray applicator (205), and a rinse spray applicator (212) in concert within a single handpiece (200) to create a computer programmable system that delivers a precise means of controlled ablation. The handpiece (200) is first used to apply dye (209) to a targeted treatment surface (210). Then it is used to apply a laser beam to the dyed treatment surface. This is followed by applying a rinse agent (215) through the same handpiece (200) to remove debris and combustion by-products. The steps are then repeated until the operation is complete.

An illustrative method of treating a patient having an eye condition includes determining that the patient has a closed-angle or narrow-angle glaucoma. The method further includes treating the closed-angle or narrow-angle glaucoma during a surgical procedure performed on the patient. The method further includes, during the surgical procedure, treating the patient with an excimer laser to create a plurality of perforations in the trabecular meshwork by applying a plurality of shots to the trabecular meshwork from the excimer laser.

A hair removal device performs hair removal treatment with light emitted from a light source, and includes: a light source unit including the light source; an imaging unit capable of taking an image of a treatment target area of the skin; a pore specifying unit that specifies a pore present within the treatment target area on the basis of image data of the treatment target area whose image has been taken by the imaging unit; a shift amount detecting unit that detects a shift amount of a pore position associated with a position shift of the hair removal device from the pore position of the time the image of the treatment target area has been taken; and the irradiation position correcting unit that corrects an irradiation position of light with respect to the pore on the basis of the shift amount detected by the shift amount detecting unit.

In one aspect, devices for light treatment of skin are described herein. A device described herein, in some embodiments, comprises an interior compartment having a proximal end and a distal end, and an optical aperture disposed at the distal end. The device also comprises a laser or BBL source that produces a laser or BBL beam. The laser or BBL beam has a first optical path within the interior compartment, between the proximal end and the distal end. Additionally, the first optical path exits the interior compartment through the optical aperture. The device further comprises an imaging system that receives a return signal from the aperture. The return signal received from the aperture has a second path within the interior compartment. Further, a selectively reflective optical element is disposed in the first and second optical paths. The selectively reflective optical element generally transmits the laser or BBL beam.

In one aspect, devices for light treatment of skin are described herein. A device described herein, in some embodiments, comprises an interior compartment having a proximal end and a distal end, and an optical aperture disposed at the distal end. The device also comprises a laser or BBL source that produces a laser or BBL beam. The laser or BBL beam has a first optical path within the interior compartment, between the proximal end and the distal end. Additionally, the first optical path exits the interior compartment through the optical aperture. The device further comprises a camera that receives light from the aperture. The light received from the aperture has a second optical path within the interior compartment. Further, a selectively reflective optical element is disposed in the first and second optical paths. The selectively reflective optical element generally transmits the laser or BBL beam but generally reflects at least a portion of the light from the aperture toward the camera.

According to an aspect, there is provided a handheld device (2) for applying energy pulses to skin (17) of a subject to perform a treatment operation as the handheld device is moved across the skin, the handheld device comprising: an aperture (6) that is to be placed adjacent to the skin; at least one energy source (8) for generating an energy pulse and for providing the energy pulse through the aperture to perform the treatment operation on 5 skin adjacent the aperture, wherein the at least one energy source has a minimum pulse repetition period following the generation of an energy pulse before a subsequent energy pulse can be generated; a first skin property sensor (14) for measuring a skin property and for outputting a first measurement signal representing measurements of the skin property at a first sensing position (24), wherein the skin property is a property that changes in response to the application of an energy pulse to the skin, and wherein the first sensing position is in front of the aperture relative to an intended motion direction of the handheld device over the skin; a second skin property sensor (16) for measuring the skin property and for outputting a second measurement signal representing measurements of the skin property at a second sensing position (26), wherein the second sensing position is behind the aperture relative to the intended motion direction; a memory unit (56); and a control unit (10) that is coupled to the at least one energy source to control the generation of energy pulses by the at least one energy source, and coupled to the first skin property sensor and the second skin property sensor to obtain the first measurement signal and the second measurement signal, wherein the control unit is configured to store a profile of at least the first measurement signal in the memory unit; wherein the control unit is further configured to, when the handheld device is moving in the intended motion direction over the skin: analyse the profile of the first measurement signal to determine if the first skin property sensor is passing over a previously treated area of skin; on detecting that the first skin property sensor is not passing over a previously treated area of skin, control the at least one energy source to generate an energy pulse if, or once, the minimum pulse repetition period following the generation of a previous energy pulse has expired; on detecting that the first skin property sensor is passing over a previously treated area of skin, performing the consecutive operations of: preventing the generation of an energy pulse, even if the minimum pulse repet

A device for implanting heat deformable fixation elements of different sizes in a bone, comprises a hand piece extending from a proximal end to a distal end and including an internal optical waveguide connected to a laser source and open to the distal end of the hand piece and a light guiding tip extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end of the light guiding tip being removably mechanically and optically connectable to the distal end of the hand piece and the distal end of the light guiding tip being configured to permit removable attachment of a bone fixation element, the light guiding tip including an optical waveguide, wherein the light guiding tip is configured to control a total radiant energy Q transmitted from the laser source to the bone fixation element

An apparatus and a system for performing thermotherapy on at least a portion of a tissue site is described. The apparatus and system comprise a heating probe comprising an emitting area. The heating probe is connectable to an energy source for heating the tissue by the emitting area. The apparatus and system comprise a sleeve. The heating probe is arrangable in the sleeve, and the sleeve is configured to be slid along the heating probe in a distal and/or proximal direction for positioning of the emitting area in said portion of tissue for controlling the thermotherapy.

A dental procedure performed on target tissue without anesthetic or anesthesia including preconditioning the target tissue using a laser device constructed to produce light in a wavelength range of 2750 nm to 11500 nm, to provide an energy fluence in a range of 50 J/cm.sup.2 to 100 J/cm.sup.2, and to operate in a free running pulsed mode providing 60 ?m bursts at a frequency of at least 50 Hz. Preconditioning includes selecting a combination of average optical output power and preconditioning time to administer low level laser therapy. The laser device is adjusted to deliver light through the light guide of the laser device at the selected average optical output power. Light delivered through the light guide of the adjusted laser device is directed toward the target tissue for the selected preconditioning time providing analgesia to the target tissue. Oral tissue is removed from the preconditioned target tissue during analgesia.

The present invention relates to a flexible surgical system for endoscopic spinal decompression and methods thereof. Various methods of accessing the epidural space with this instrument are described. The system design enables placement of the device through several approaches. It is then advanced under direct visualization or fluoroscopic (X-Ray), for example, into areas of the spine including lumbar (low back), thoracic (mid and upper back) and cervical (neck). The pathologies encroaching upon the spinal space can then be visualized wherein the epidural membrane can optionally be displaced to further aid in visualization. The membrane can be used to protect regions of tissue adjacent the site to tissue removal.