An optical-fiber-based optical switch arrangement configured to redirect light from axial propagation to off-axis propagation due to axial repositioning of the optical fiber within the optical termination element and internally reflecting light in an annular fashion off the axis in one state of the switch arrangement and not in the other.

Systems, devices, and methods for identifying a target in vivo are disclosed. A target identification system for use in electrosurgery includes a probe, an optical splitter, and a spectroscopy system. The probe includes an optical pathway to pass a first optical signal to an anatomical target and at least a portion of a second optical signal from the anatomical target. The optical splitter includes a first port to direct the first optical signal to the optical pathway and to receive the at least a portion of the second optical signal from the optical pathway, a second port to receive the first optical signal, and a parabolic reflector to redirect the portion of the second optical signal. The spectroscopy system can identify a characteristic of the anatomical target based on the redirected at least a portion of the second optical signal.

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.

Systems, devices, and methods for identifying a target in vivo are disclosed. A target identification system for use in electrosurgery includes a probe, an optical splitter, and a spectroscopy system. The probe includes an optical pathway to pass a first optical signal to an anatomical target and at least a portion of a second optical signal from the anatomical target. The optical splitter includes a first port to direct the first optical signal to the optical pathway and to receive the at least a portion of the second optical signal from the optical pathway, a second port to receive the first optical signal, and a parabolic reflector to redirect the portion of the second optical signal. The spectroscopy system can identify a characteristic of the anatomical target based on the redirected at least a portion of the second optical signal.

Described is a laser ablation system arranged to dynamically adjust power output to provide increased stability and reduced fluctuations of emitted energy. Additionally described are a test catheter and calibration procedure for calibrating the laser ablation system for to dynamically adjust power output during an ablation procedure.

A medical laser system for outputting laser pulses includes at least one laser cavity configured to generate at least one laser pulse, a rotating mirror configured to receive and reflect the at least one laser pulse, a beam splitter configured to receive and reflect a portion of the at least one laser pulse received from the rotating mirror, an energy-sensing device configured to detect the portion of the at least one laser pulse, an energy measurement assembly configured to generate a feedback signal based on the portion of the at least one laser pulse detected by the energy-sensing device, and a controller configured to generate an electronic control pulse based on the feedback signal received from the energy measurement assembly to generate at least one adjusted laser pulse.

Methods and apparatus for dermatological laser treatment, e.g. for the removal of unwanted tattoos or other skin pigmentation. Removal of multiple colors with a single pulsed laser beam may be achieved using intensities in excess of about 50 GB/cm.sup.2. Methods for reducing the pain and tissue damage associated with laser tattoo removal include using a spot size of less than 2 mm with a fluence in the range of 0.5-10 J/cm.sup.2. Scanning the laser beam over an area of skin to be treated allows such areas to be treated accurately with scanning patterns calculated to promote rapid dissipation of heat away from treated portions of the skin. Multiple treatment rooms may be served by a single pulsed treatment laser by beam toggling, splitting or pulse-picking to minimise downtime of the laser.

According to an aspect. there is provided a treatment device (2; 400) for performing light-based treatment operations on or to a subject. The treatment device (2; 400) comprises a U-shaped light source (12; 202; 301; 402) for emitting a light pulse; a light exit window (10; 201) through which the light pulse is emitted from the treatment device (2; 400); and a reflector (302; 403) for reflecting the light pulse towards the light exit window (10; 201). The treatment device (2; 400) is configured to operate with the light source (12; 202; 301; 402) and the reflector (302; 403) in a first configuration (210; 310, 320) for performing hair removal on the subject. and with the light source (12; 202; 301; 402) and the reflector (302; 403) in a second configuration (220; 330) for performing skin rejuvenation on the subject.

A portable depilation instrument includes a shell, and a depilation mechanism and a heat dissipation mechanism inside the shell. The shell is provided with at least two outlets and one inlet, the shell introduces an external cooling medium from the inlet, the heat dissipation mechanism includes a heat conductive component, the depilation mechanism includes a refrigeration element and an emitter, the heat conductive component isolates the refrigeration element from the emitter in two mutually sealed channels, namely, a first channel and a second channel, the first channel and the second channel are respectively in communication with two outlets, and one of the outlets allows the first channel or the second channel to pass through inside of the entire shell from one end to the other end. Due to complete isolation and a push force, air can be discharged only from a respective corresponding outlet after a heat exchange.

A laser device including a resonator including a columnar solid-state laser rod, a first reflective film provided on a first end face of the solid-state laser rod, and a second reflective film provided on a second end face of the solid-state laser rod opposite to the first end face; and a flash lamp configured to excite the solid-state laser rod. The first reflective film and the second reflective film are of an ion beam sputtered coating film capable of preventing moisture from entering from outside air. The first reflective film is lower in reflectance than the second reflective film.