SKIN TREATMENT DEVICE

Abstract

The skin treatment device that generates high intensity pulses of broadband light and includes a body, a light source to deliver light energy pulses, a control system to control the light source to deliver the light energy pulses, a primary lightguide including a solid material defining a first skin contact surface for guiding light energy to the skin of a subject, a cooling arrangement to cool the solid material, and a head configured to be mountable and demountable to the body. The device is operable in a first operable configuration with the head demounted from the body and a second operable configuration where the head is mounted to the body. In the second operable configuration, the first skin contact surface is spaced apart from the subject's skin and the light energy pulses pass through both the solid material and a light energy pulse transmission channel of a secondary lightguide.

Claims

1. A skin treatment device comprising: a body; a light source housed within the body and configured to deliver light energy pulses; a control system configured to control the light source to deliver the light energy pulses; a primary lightguide configured to guide the light energy pulses from the light source onto a subject's skin, wherein the primary lightguide comprises a solid material through which the light energy pulses are transmitted, and wherein the solid material defines a first skin contact surface for providing contact with the subject's skin; a cooling arrangement configured to cool the solid material; and a head configured to be mountable and demountable to the body, wherein the head comprises: a rearward end for releasably mounting to the body; a forward end comprising a second skin contact surface; and a secondary lightguide defining a light energy pulse transmission channel extending between the forward end and rearward end; wherein the rearward end extends to the forward end; wherein the second skin contact surface defines an opening to the light energy pulse transmission channel; and wherein the second skin contact surface extends around at least a part of a periphery of the opening; wherein the device is configured to be operable in a first operable configuration with the head demounted from the body and in a second operable configuration where the head is mounted to the body, such that in the second operable configuration, the first skin contact surface is spaced apart from the subject's skin and the light energy pulses pass through both the solid material of the primary lightguide and the light energy pulse transmission channel of the secondary lightguide.

2. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the solid material of the primary lightguide; wherein the control system is further configured to control operating parameters of the cooling arrangement dependent upon the measured temperature of the solid material.

3. The skin treatment device according to claim 1 further comprising a detector for detecting whether the head is mounted or demounted from the body.

4. The device according to claim 1 further comprising an adaptor for securing to the body and arranged to partially obscure the first skin contact surface.

5. The skin treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the device is further configured to detect whether the head is mounted or demounted from the body; and wherein the control system is further configured to modify operation of the device dependent on the whether the head is mounted or demounted from the body.

6. The skin treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured to: control delivery of multiple light energy pulses; control delivery of an optical power output; and cause modification to the optical power output dependent upon whether the head is mounted or demounted from the body; and wherein the optical power output is defined as light output energy per pulse emitted from the device divided by the time between consecutive pulses.

7. The skin treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the device is further configured to detect whether the head is mounted or demounted from the body; and wherein the control system is further configured to: control delivery of multiple light energy pulses; control a time period between delivery of consecutive pulses; and select the time period from a plurality of different time periods dependent upon whether the head is mounted or demounted from the body.

8. The skin treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the solid material comprises glass or sapphire.

9. The skin treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the primary lightguide further comprises a filter configured to filter out predetermined wavelengths of light energy.

10. The skin treatment device according to claim 1, wherein a majority of the light energy pulse transmission channel comprises a through-bore.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second skin contact surface is further defined by a peripheral rim extending around the opening to the light energy pulse transmission channel of the secondary lightguide.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling arrangement is a Thermoelectric Cooling System (TEC).

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling arrangement is activated in both the first and second operable configurations.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the head further comprises sensors disposed adjacent the opening; and wherein, where in the second operable configuration, the control system is further configured to receive sensor outputs from the sensors and based on the sensor outputs, control operation of the device.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises sensors disposed adjacent the first skin contact surface; and wherein, where in the first operable configuration, the control system is further configured to receive sensor outputs from sensors and based on the sensor outputs, control operation of the device.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the forward end of the head comprising the second skin contact surface is at least partially moveable from a rest position to a deflected position to accommodate the geometry of the subject's skin.

17. The device according to claim 2, wherein the control system is further configured to: control delivery of multiple light energy pulses; control delivery of an optical power output; and reduce the optical power output if the measured temperature of the solid material reaches or exceeds a threshold value; wherein the optical power output is defined as light output energy per pulse emitted from the device divided by the time between consecutive pulses.

18. The device according to claim 2, wherein the control system is further configured to prevent delivery of a light energy pulse if the measured temperature of the solid material reaches or exceeds a threshold value.

19. The skin treatment device according to claim 6, wherein the optical power output is greater when the head is mounted to the body than when the head is demounted to the body.

20. The skin treatment device according to claim 6, wherein the optical power output is between 1.5-3 times greater when the head is mounted to the body than when the head is demounted to the body.

21. The skin treatment device according to claim 7, wherein the time period is longer when the head is demounted from the body than when the head is mounted to the body.

22. The device according to claim 12 wherein the TEC comprises: a thermoelectric cooler; a heat exchanger; a heat pipe between the thermoelectric cooler and the heat exchanger; and a fan configure to direct air towards the heat exchanger.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate multiple embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter and serve to explain the principles of the presently disclosed subject matter. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter in any manner.

[0056] FIGS. 1A, 1B are schematic perspective views of a device according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention with a head attached in FIG. 1A and detached in FIG. 1B.

[0057] FIGS. 2A, 2B are schematic cross sectional views of a device according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention with a head attached in FIG. 2A and detached in FIG. 2B.

[0058] FIGS. 3A, 3B are schematic perspective views of a device according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention with a head attached in FIG. 3A and detached in FIG. 3B.

[0059] FIGS. 4A, 4B are schematic perspective views of a device according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention with a head attached in FIG. 4A and detached in FIG. 4B.

[0060] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a device according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention with an adaptor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0061] Although certain embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that the disclosure is limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Other embodiments of the disclosure are capable of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, in describing the embodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0062] It should also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. References to a composition containing a constituent is intended to include other constituents in addition to the one named.

[0063] Ranges may be expressed herein as from about or approximately or substantially one particular value and/or to about or approximately or substantially another particular value. When such a range is expressed, other exemplary embodiments include from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value.

[0064] Herein, the use of terms such as having, has, including, or includes are open-ended and are intended to have the same meaning as terms such as comprising or comprises and not preclude the presence of other structure, material, or acts. Similarly, though the use of terms such as can or may are intended to be open-ended and to reflect that structure, material, or acts are not necessary, the failure to use such terms is not intended to reflect that structure, material, or acts are essential. To the extent that structure, material, or acts are presently considered to be essential, they are identified as such.

[0065] It is also to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified. Moreover, although the term step may be used herein to connote different aspects of methods employed, the term should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly required.

[0066] The components described hereinafter as making up various elements of the disclosure are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable components that would perform the same or similar functions as the components described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the disclosure. Such other components not described herein can include, but are not limited to, for example, similar components that are developed after development of the presently disclosed subject matter. Additionally, the components described herein may apply to any other component within the disclosure. Merely discussing a feature or component in relation to one embodiment does not preclude the feature or component from being used or associated with another embodiment.

[0067] To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the disclosure, various illustrative embodiments are explained below. Referring to FIG. 1A there is a schematic perspective representation of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Presented is an IPL device 2 comprising a housing/body 4 configured to be received in the hand of a user. The device connects to a mains power source via cord 6 and comprises a user operated trigger in the form of a push button 8 for causing operation. A vent 10 is provided in the housing for exhausting hot air. At a forward end 11 of the housing 4 a head 12 is shown mounted relative to the housing 4. The head comprises a rearward end 14a configured to mount and demount relative to the housing 4 and a forward end 14b defining a (second) skin contact surface 16 in the form of a peripheral rim surrounding an output window 18 through which light energy pulses are transmitted. The output window 18 is an opening into the head 12, specifically into a secondary lightguide 20 typically in the form of a channel comprising aluminum channel walls for directing the light energy pulses through the output window 18 and onto the skin of a user. The channel may comprise a through-bore extending through the entirety of the head from the forward to a rearward ends 14b, 14a. One or more sensors are provided in the skin contact surface 16 for determining contact with the skin of a user, from which an output is transmitted to the control system for controlling operation of the device 2. With the head 12 mounted to the housing 4, the device is operable in a configuration where there is no physical contact of the leading end of the body 4 with the user's skin, rather it is the peripheral rim of the head that contacts the skin.

[0068] Referring now to FIG. 1B, the head 12 is demounted from the housing 4. The device 2 is therefore operable in a first operable configuration without the presence of the head 12. The forward end of the housing 4 is shaped to receive the head 12 and comprises a primary lightguide 24 comprising a material 26 having a first skin contact surface 28. In operation, the first skin contact surface 28 of the material 26 communicates with the skin and provides a cooling effect as described further with respect to FIGS. 2A, 2B.

[0069] Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 2B, cross sectional views of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention is presented with the head 12 in communication with the housing 4 (FIG. 2A) and with the head 12 removed from the housing 4 (FIG. 2B). The device comprises a charge storage device 30 in the form of a capacitor and a control system 32 for controlling operation of the device including discharge of the capacitor over the flashlamp 34. Further provided is a fan 36 for directing cooling air across the flashlamp 34 and out of the vent 10. Referring to FIG. 2B, the primary lightguide represented by a dashed line 24 is defined between the flashlamp 34 and the first skin contact surface 28. The primary lightguide 24 comprises the solid material 26 typically comprising glass or sapphire having at a trailing edge a filter 38 which may be a coating on the material 26 for filtering most harmful wavelengths of light in the UV and blue wavelength ranges that are inherently emitted by the flashlamp 34. The primary lightguide comprises a light reflective wall defining a channel 39 in which is positioned the solid material 26. The solid material 26 abuts against the wall meaning light energy pulses must travel through the solid material.

[0070] During operation of the device in a first operable configuration with the head 12 demounted from the housing 4 the solid material 26 will heat up due to transmission losses and conduction during the emission of each energy pulse from the flashlamp 34. Without cooling the material 26 it is likely that the material may reach a temperature painful or harmful to the skin. The device 2 therefore further comprises a cooling arrangement for cooling the material 26 in the form of a Thermoelectric Cooling System (TEC) comprising a thermoelectric cooler such as a peltier 40, heat pipes 42 and heat exchanger 44. The fan 36 drives air across the heat exchanger 44. Air inlet 46 is provided in the housing for enabling passage of cooling air to the heat exchanger 44. A significant benefit of utilizing a solid material 26 is that it may be cooled to a temperature below normal skin temperature which means the skin contact surface 28 of the material 26 cools the skin which is particularly beneficial for sensitive treatment areas such as underarm and bikini areas.

[0071] The rearward end 14a of the head 12 is configured to be mounted to the leading portion of the housing 4 through a connector 50. In the illustrative embodiment the connector 50 extends outwardly from the rearward end 14a of the head 12 and seats into a corresponding opening in the forward end of the housing 4. Engagement between the connector 50 and the housing couples the head 12 to the housing 4. Additional or alternative connections may be provided for enabling engagement such as mechanical or magnetic attachment mechanisms. Electronics present in the head (as described further below) are coupled to the control system with the head mounted by the connector 50.

[0072] The device is capable of determining that the head is mounted to the body and/or that the head is detached from the body and operation of the device is modified. This may be achieved for example by a sensor output or the detection of an electrical connection between electronics provided in the head. The operative parameter is typically power, and the control system enables a higher output power output with the head mounted compared to the optical power output with the head demounted. In the first operable configuration with the head detached, as an example the optical power is at a reduced value of 6 W. To produce this power the optical power may be output at 18 J and three seconds between flashes, where 18 J may be 6 J/cm.sup.2 for a 3 cm.sup.2 treatment area. The TEC is operational at a suitable power to control the temperature of the solid material 26 such that the skin contact surface 28 cools the skin. In the second operative configuration with the head mounted to the housing, a relatively high optical power can be output. For example, 20 W may be produced by 18 J and 0.9 seconds between flashes, where 18 J may again be 6 J/cm.sup.2 for a 3 cm.sup.2 treatment area. In this second operational configuration, the TEC may be switched off or operated at reduced power (compared to the optical power) due to the spacing of the first skin contact surface 28 from the skin.

[0073] Referring back to FIGS. 2A, 2B, the head 12 defines the second skin contact surface 16 which sits against the skin in use. The secondary lightguide is defined between the first skin contact surface 28 and the second skin contact surface 16. The secondary lightguide comprises a reflective wall 52 defining a channel or pathway for the light energy pulses. The channel is an airgap, and the secondary lightguide may be termed a light pipe. Typical lightguides comprise a reflective aluminum wall defining the channel, with no solid medium that can contact the skin. The second skin contact surface is the peripheral rim of the leading end of the head 12.

[0074] Referring now to FIGS. 3A, 3B, perspective representations of a device according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention is presented from a front view with the head 12 attached (FIG. 3A) and detached (FIG. 3B). It is important in devices according to the present invention that good skin contact is required before allowing emission of a pulse of energy from the flashlamp. Good contact can be defined as a condition where the light output area is sufficiently covered by skin that any stray optical radiation is below harmful levels. As such, safety features are implemented so that the device will not emit radiation unless the device is in contact with a user's skin to minimize stray optical radiation from the device in operation which may be at unsafe levels for the eyes. This is typically achieved through the provision of multiple sensors adjacent each side of the output window (for example above, below and to either side of a rectangular output window) in the head of the device where a surface must be detected by each sensor as a requirement for radiation to be emitted. If one sensor does not measure a threshold value, then it is determined by the control system of the device that there is no skin contact and firing is prevented. This is to prevent the device firing when good contact with the skin is not achieved with the associated risk of the emission of potentially harmful levels of stray optical radiation. Stray optical radiation can be defined as light emitted by the device that is intended to be absorbed by the target skin area for treatment purposes, but either misses the intended target, is reflected or remitted from the target. Various sensors may be utilized such as capacitive contact sensors or proximity sensors.

[0075] As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B in either condition (with or without the head attached) there are multiple capacitive skin contact sensors 60 positioned around the peripheral edge of the exit of the first and secondary lightguides. The sensors 60 are positioned around the peripheral rim 16 of the head 14 are disposed around the skin contact surface 28 of the material 26 with the head 14 removed. Outputs from the sensors are received by the control system, and control of the device is dependent upon the sensor output. For example, assuming a threshold capacitance is measured from the sensors, then the control system in the device does not prevent emission of an energy pulse as it is deemed there is contact with the skin and emission of an energy pulse is safe. An additional sensor such as a skin tone sensor 62 (which may measure reflectance) may be provided and the control system may use this measurement both to control whether an energy pulse may be emitted and also be used to control the energy of the light energy pulse emitted dependent upon the reflectance (and therefore determined skin tone).

[0076] In an embodiment of the invention, the sensors 60/62 at the forward end of the housing that are described as being disposed around the peripheral edge of the output window are carried by a detachable cover, configured to connect to the control system and operate in the same way as described above.

[0077] Referring now to FIGS. 4A, 4B, there are schematic perspective views of a device according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention with a head attached in FIG. 4A and detached in FIG. 4B. In this illustrative embodiment (and as schematically also presented in FIG. 3A) at least a portion of the forward end of the head 12 may be moveable. The forward end of the head 12 comprises a second skin contact surface 16. At least a part of the forward end of the head having the skin contact surface may be at least partially moveable from a rest position to a deflected position in order to accommodate the geometry of the skin to be treated. This may be achieved through the provision for example of one or more projections (two shown in the illustrative embodiment) 66 configured to deflect independently of one another to conform to the geometry of the skin. Each of the projections carry a sensor 60/62. The or each projection 66 is configured to be received into a corresponding opening in the body of the head 12, where the projection in the rest position extends outwardly from the opening in the head body, and in the deflected position the projection is at least partially withdrawn into an opening in the head body. The at least one projection is beneficially biased to the rest position by a spring and are each pivotally mounted relative to the head 12 body.

[0078] The device according to any of the illustrative embodiments may be configured to monitor the temperature of the material 26 of the primary lightguide 24, and the control system may be configured to control operating parameters of the TEC dependent upon the measured values. A suitable temperature sensor may be utilized such as a thermocouple of resistive temperature measuring device. The control system 32 may be configured to control parameters of the TEC (such as the peltier current) to maintain a constant material temperature at the first skin contact surface 28 independent of the speed in which the user activates the device to effect emission of consecutive pulses. The temperature monitoring may also be used to control the optical power (through either modification of the time between discharge of consecutive light energy pulses or energy per pulse) to assist with reduction of waste heat generated in the device and allow the material 26 to cool further and faster. Additionally, the temperature monitoring may also be utilized such that the control system prevents emission of a light energy pulse unless the material 26 temperature is within a predetermined temperature range. This means that if the temperature is too high for safe treatment, then discharge of a light energy pulse is prevented. This may occur when the device is first switched on, or when transitioning from the second to the first operational configuration, particularly if the device was operating at high optical power in the second operable configuration.

[0079] Additional optional features according to illustrative embodiment of the present invention may be the provision of multiple different heads 12 with different cross-sectional areas of the light output window. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, an adaptor 70 may be secured to the forward end of the housing 4 configured to reduce the first skin contact surface area 28. In such an embodiment the treatment area is reduced meaning that small areas, such as top lip can be treated with improved usability. Sensors 60 that are covered by the adaptor 70 are beneficially disabled in such a configuration.

[0080] It will be appreciated that in each of the illustrative embodiment the device is operable in at least two configurations, where the head 12 is either mounted to the housing 4 or is demounted from the housing 4. Accordingly, a significant advantage is provided in that a single device is reconfigurable depending on the area of the body in which the user wishes to treat. Therefore, the device 2 combines high power and speed of a Type 1 system with an increased safety and reduced pain of a Type 2 system in a single device without a corresponding increase in size, cost and weight.

[0081] It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims disclosed herein are not limited in their application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims.

[0082] Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the application and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments and claims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.

[0083] Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially including the practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent and legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the claims of the application, nor is it intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims in any way. Instead, it is intended that the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.