APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ADIPOSE TISSUE REDUCTION

Abstract

A lipolysis apparatus and method of using a low power laser or light emitting diode (LED) light sources in conjunction with a mechanical vibrator to non-invasively irradiate a patient's skin to achieve reduction of adipose tissue, body shaping, and body contouring. The light source is in a range of red light with wavelength ranging from 620 nm to 629 nm and 10 MW to 50 MW in power output.

Claims

1. A lipolysis apparatus for fat removal, body shaping, and body contouring, the lipolysis apparatus comprises: a treatment applicator, wherein the said treatment applicator comprises at least one low power light source, the light source emits a wavelength in the range from about 620 nm to about 629 nm to a patient's treatment area, from said treatment applicator; and at least one vibration motor, wherein the vibration motor is attached to the treatment applicator.

2. The lipolysis apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power output of each light source ranges from about 10 MW to about 50 MW.

3. The lipolysis apparatus of claim 2, wherein the light source is a light emitting diode (LED).

4. The lipolysis apparatus of claim 3, wherein the treatment applicator comprises a plurality of transparent windows or lenses disposed at one side surface, and a plurality of LED diodes that are located within the transparent windows or lenses.

5. The lipolysis apparatus of claim 4, further comprises at least one heat dissipating plate, wherein the said heat dissipating plate is mechanically connected to the said treatment applicator.

6. The lipolysis apparatus of claim 1, wherein the treatment applicator can be bent to conform to the contours of the treatment area.

7. The lipolysis apparatus of claim 6, wherein the treatment applicator comprises: (a) a flexible frame that can be bent up to 360 degrees; and (b) a multiple of treatment panels, wherein each treatment panel comprises of a multiple of LED light sources, a transparent window that allows light to pass through to reach the skin treatment area, and a vibration motor.

8. The lipolysis apparatus of claim 7, further comprises a fastener that will attach to a patient's treatment area.

9. The lipolysis apparatus of claim 8, wherein the fastener comprises of at least one strap loop on the flexible frame and at least one strap that can be fastened to the user.

10. The lipolysis apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit has a display screen and an operator input interface.

11. The lipolysis apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a timer that controls the time duration of the treatment, wherein the time duration of the timer can be set by using the operator input interface.

12. The lipolysis apparatus of claim 10, wherein the operator input interface comprises a button to start the treatment and a button to stop the treatment.

13. The lipolysis apparatus for fat removal, body shaping, and body contouring, the lipolysis apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source is a low power laser.

14. A lipolysis apparatus for fat removal, body shaping, and body contouring, the lipolysis apparatus comprises: a treatment applicator, wherein the said treatment applicator comprises at least one low power light source, the light source emits a wavelength in the range from about 661 nm to about 669 nm to a patient's treatment area, from said treatment applicator; and at least one vibration motor, wherein the vibration motor is attached to the treatment applicator.

15. A lipolysis apparatus for fat removal, body shaping, and body contouring, the lipolysis apparatus of claim 14, wherein the light source is a low power laser.

16. A method for removing or reducing adipose tissue from the body of a patient, comprising: a) applying laser or LED light to the adipose tissue externally; and b) simultaneously applying mechanical vibration to the area of the body where the laser energy is applied.

17. The method for removing or reducing adipose tissue from the body of a patient of claim 16, wherein an array of laser or LED light sources are used to irradiate the treatment area, and the peak wavelength range is approximately between 620 nm to approximately 629 nm, and wherein the time duration to apply the light irradiation and vibration treatment ranges from about 5 to about 15 minutes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the main components of an embodiment of the lipolysis apparatus.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the main electronic components of the lipolysis apparatus.

[0011] FIG. 3(a) is a perspective front view of an embodiment of the light applicator.

[0012] FIG. 3(b) is a perspective back view of an embodiment of the light applicator.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the light applicator when folded

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

[0014] For a more complete understanding of the present invention parts, reference is now made to the following descriptions:

[0015] 100 Control unit.

[0016] 102 Operator Input

[0017] 103 Display panel.

[0018] 104 Timer.

[0019] 200 Treatment applicator.

[0020] 201 Power inlet.

[0021] 202 PCB control board.

[0022] 203 Solid state relays.

[0023] 204 Light source.

[0024] 205 Vibration motor.

[0025] 206 Treatment panel.

[0026] 207 Motor Housing

[0027] 208 Transparent window.

[0028] 209 Applicator frame.

[0029] 210 strap loop.

[0030] 211 Flexible contact frame.

[0031] 212 strap

[0032] 300 Connection cable.

DETAILED DESCRPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The following detailed description includes preferred embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the main components of an embodiment of a lipolysis apparatus using a low power laser or LED light source. The portable apparatus comprises a control unit (100), a treatment applicator (200), and a connection cable (300) connecting the control unit (100) and the treatment applicator (200). On the control unit (100), there is an operator interface comprising input buttons (102) for entering setting parameters and a display panel (103) for displaying system and timer status.

[0035] FIG. 2 further illustrates the internal components of the lipolysis apparatus. The control unit (100) houses a power source (101) which provides power to the treatment applicator (200) via the connection cable (300) and a power inlet (103). The operator input (102) component of the control unit (100) is connected to the PCB (printed circuit board) control board (202) of the treatment applicator (200) via the connection cable (300) as well. The operator input (102) also sets a timer (104). The display panel (103) displays system status, operator input, and the timer information. The PCB control board (202) is electronically connected to one or more solid state relays (203) that control that switch on and off the light sources (204). The PCB control board (202) is also electronically connected to and controls at least one vibration motor (205) that is/are housed in the treatment applicator (200) or attached to the treatment applicator (200).

[0036] FIG. 3 shows the prospective front and back views of an embodiment of the treatment applicator (200). In this embodiment, the treatment applicator (200) comprises of multiple treatment panels (206). Each treatment panel (206) houses a PCB control board (202), a multiple of solid state relays (203), a multiple of light sources (204), such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), and a vibration motor (205) located in the motor housing (207) at the back of the treatment panel (206). The front of the treatment panel (206) comprises a transparent window (208) that allows light to pass through to reach the skin treatment area. The multiple of treatment panels (206) are arranged in an applicator frame (209) to form a belt-shaped applicator. Each end of the applicator frame comprises a strap loop (210). The applicator frame (209) also comprises a flexible contact frame (211) that is in touch with the patent skin during treatment. The flexible contact frame (211) is made of flexible materials, such as suitable synthetic polymer, and may be shaped to desirable contours to accommodate various sizes of the treatment area.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows the treatment applicator (200) configured in a bent contour to fit a treatment area, such as an abdomen and waist area. A section of strap (212) is fit through the strap loops (210) to fix the treatment applicator to the user's body. Velcro patches, clips, or other mechanisms can be used for fastening the strap.

[0038] Embodiments of the light source (204) can be light emitting diodes (LEDs) or laser sources. In some embodiments, their output power ranges from 10 MW to 50 MW. In other embodiments, they operate in the red wavelength range of 620 nm to 629 nm or in the range from 661 nm to 669 nm. There may be an additional heat dissipating plate located in the treatment panel (206) for dissipating heat generated from the light sources. The transparent windows (208) can be embodied as lenses to focus light to desirable intensity on the treatment area. The lipolysis device may be operated in a rhythm mode in which the vibration is repeatedly ran through a multitude of programs at predetermined intervals. The duration and the mode of operation can be setup by the operator using the operator input buttons (102). The applicator frame (209) may have grips formed at appropriate places on one or both sides thereof.

[0039] The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate the principles, preferred or example embodiments, and modes of assembly and operation, of the invention; however, the invention is not, and shall not be construed as being exclusive or limited to the specific or particular embodiments set forth hereinabove.