Genetronics, Inc.

Acculase Inc.

Other

Strata Skin Sciences, Inc.

Braun Gmbh

Gentronics Inc.

Jeffrey I Levatter

Gunter A Hofmann

Sukhendu B Dev

Gurvinder S Nanda

Steven C Dimmer

Darrel Dean Drinan

Diethard Merz

David Brooks

Adrian P Alting-Mees

A device for applying targeted phototherapy to an area of diseased skin to place a skin condition into remission and a method of determining a maximum tolerable dose of phototherapy applied to a treatment area of diseased skin to determine an optimum therapeutic dose to quickly place a skin condition into remission. The device can include a housing and an optical matrix arranged within the housing that are attached to a dosimetry device. The optical matrix includes a plurality of at least one of absorptive, reflective and/or partially transmissive regions or arrays of perforations that each permits a different percentage of light to be delivered to an individual's skin. Jigs can be included to arrange a plurality of varying exposures to be placed on the patient's skin. An assessment can then be made as to the maximum tolerable dose of phototherapy that can be applied to the individual's skin in order to place a skin condition into remission.

Device for targeted treatment of dermatosis

A device that is connectable to a phototherapy apparatus for applying targeted phototherapy to an area of skin to place a skin condition into remission and a method of determining a maximum tolerable dose of phototherapy applied to a treatment area to determine an optimum therapeutic dose to quickly place a skin condition into remission. The dosimetry device can include a housing and an optical matrix arranged within the housing. The optical matrix includes a plurality of at least one of absorptive, reflective and/or partially transmissive regions that each permits a different percentage of light to be delivered to an individual's skin. An assessment can then be made as to the maximum tolerable dose of phototherapy that can be applied to the individual's skin in order to place a skin condition into remission.

Device for targeted treatment of dermatoses

A fiber optic laser catheter assembly for use in removing, or largely debulking, obstructions or occlusions from a lumen in a living body. The catheter assembly includes an outer tubular sheath, an optical fiber extending through the sheath, and a fiber guide for holding the fiber within the sheath. In all of the disclosed embodiments, the obstructions are removed by controllably positioning an optical fiber's distal tip in a succession of selected radial and circumferential positions so as to sculpt away the obstruction without substantial risk of mechanically or thermally damaging the vessel. Several of the embodiments are configured such that the portion of the occlusion that can be reliably sculpted away has a radius greater even than the radius of the catheter assembly itself.

Fiber optic laser catheter and method of using it

A body composition analysis and display system provides a display of averaged data for selected body composition factors, such as body weight and body fat percentage, at a plurality of selected intervals over a period of time. The user's body fat percentage is determined by measuring the user's body impedance.

Body composition analyzer with trend display

A method and apparatus for in vivo electroporation therapy. Using electroporation therapy (EPT) as described in the invention, tumors treated by a combination of electroporation using the apparatus of the invention and a chemotherapeutic agent caused regression of tumors in vivo. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of EPT utilizing low voltage and long pulse length for inducing cell death. One embodiment of the invention includes a system for clinical electroporation that includes a needle array electrode having a &ldquo;keying&rdquo; element that determines the set point of the therapy voltage pulse and/or selectable array switching patterns. A number of electrode applicator designs permit access to and treatment of a variety of tissue sites. Another embodiment provides a laparoscopic needle applicator that is preferably combined with an endoscope for minimally invasive EPT.

Method of electroporation mediated delivery of drugs and genes

Method of programming an array of needle electrodes for electroporation therapy of tissue

Minimally invasive apparatus and method to electroporate drugs and genes into tissue

A method and apparatus for in vivo electroporation therapy. Using electroporation therapy (EPT) as described, tumors treated by a combination of electroporation using the apparatus and a chemotherapeutic agent caused regression of tumors in vivo. In one embodiment, a method of EPT utilizes low voltage and long pulse length for inducing cell death. One embodiment includes a system for clinical electroporation that includes a needle array electrode having a 'keying' element that determines the set point of the therapy voltage pulse and/or selectable array switching patterns. A number of electrode applicator designs permit access to and treatment of a variety of tissue sites. Another embodiment provides a laparoscopic needle applicator that is preferably combined with an endoscope for minimally invasive EPT.

Method of Selectively applying needle array configurations

A method and apparatus for in vivo electroporation therapy. Using electroporation therapy (EPT) as described in the invention, tumors treated by a combination of electroporation using the apparatus of the invention and a chemotherapeutic agent caused regression of tumors in vivo. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of EPT utilizing low voltage and long pulse length for inducing cell death. One embodiment of the invention includes a system for clinical electroporation that includes a needle array electrode having a 'keying' element that determines the set point of the therapy voltage pulse and/or selectable array switching patterns. A number of electrode applicator designs permit access to and treatment of a variety of tissue sites. Another embodiment provides a laparoscopic needle applicator that is preferably combined with an endoscope for minimally invasive EPT.

Apparatus for addressing needle array electrodes for electroporation

Electroporation therapy apparatus

A high energy laser-to-fiberoptic waveguide coupling method and apparatus is disclosed for optically coupling substantially all of the beam of a high energy laser into a small diameter optical fiber. High energy lasers often generate beams having cross-sectionally non-uniform energy densities. The coupling apparatus includes an optical fiber segment located between the laser and the small diameter optical fiber, for receiving substantially all of the non-uniform beam and for transforming it into a circular cross-section beam of uniform energy density. Substantially all of the uniform beam is directed into the small diameter optical fiber.

Method and apparatus for coupling high energy laser to fiberoptic

An apparatus and method for detecting and measuring optical fiber output by measuring backscatter fluorescence from at least a partial coating or layer of fluorescent material at approximately the end of the optical fiber.

Optical fiber power output measuring means

An apparatus for transmitting high power laser energy through a flexible optical fiber comprising a relatively large solid optical fiber coupled to a relatively short segment of a flexible liquid optical fiber at the distal end of the solid optical fiber. The liquid fiber is a hollow tube filled with highly transparent liquid and is capable of transmitting high power laser energy while remaining flexible.

Liquid filled flexible distal tip light guide

A rare gas-halogen excimer laser in which the laser gases are exposed only to compatible materials that react with the laser gases to produce stable reaction products having a low vapor pressure, so as to reduce contamination of the gases and optics. High-purity nickel is the preferred material for components that are electrically conductive, and high-purity alumina is the preferred material for components that are non-electrically conductive. No non-compatible materials are used. In another feature, magnetic fluid seals are provided for the laser's fan-shaft, to isolate the shaft bearings and thereby isolate any non-compatible lubricant for the bearings. The fan uses magnetic coupling so that an isolating enclosure may be placed over the magnetic fluid seal to prevent the leakage of gases into the surrounding environment if the seal ever fails. In yet another feature of the invention, the excimer laser includes a window assembly that is movable and sized such that a succession of non-overlapping portions of it may be selectively fixed in the path of the exiting laser beam. An excimer laser that is both reliable, safe and long-lasting is thereby provided.

Rare gas-halogen excimer laser

A high power excimer laser emits a pulsed output at a high repetition rate in the ultraviolet wavelength region and a uniform power output across the laser beam. By subjecting doped silicon wafers to the pulsed laser output, epitaxial regrowth of silicon crystals can be induced to repair damage to the silicon crystal structure which normally occurs during implantation of the dopant materials.

Growing community of inventors

Rancho Santa Fe, CA, United States of America

Jeffrey I Levatter