U.S. patent application number 13/097561 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-18 for hair growth modulation device.
This patent application is currently assigned to PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Chosei Hamada, Masato Kinoshita.
Application Number | 20110202115 13/097561 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39644526 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110202115 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kinoshita; Masato ; et
al. |
August 18, 2011 |
HAIR GROWTH MODULATION DEVICE
Abstract
A hair growth modulation device is configured to impart a
suitable quantity of irradiated light to a target site while
lowering the irradiation intensity required by a light irradiator
that generates modulating light for modulating hair growth. This
device is provided with a hair follicle approximating means that
causes hair follicles of body hairs at the target site to approach
the skin surface, thereby enhancing the irradiation efficiency of
modulating light irradiated to the hair follicles.
Inventors: |
Kinoshita; Masato;
(Hikone-shi, JP) ; Hamada; Chosei; (Kadoma-shi,
JP) |
Assignee: |
PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS CO.,
LTD.
|
Family ID: |
39644526 |
Appl. No.: |
13/097561 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12524566 |
Jul 24, 2009 |
|
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PCT/JP2008/050983 |
Jan 24, 2008 |
|
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13097561 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
607/88 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 18/203 20130101;
A61N 2005/0654 20130101; A61B 2018/00452 20130101; A61B 2018/00476
20130101; A61N 2005/067 20130101; A61N 5/0617 20130101; A61N
2005/0644 20130101; A61N 2005/0663 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
607/88 |
International
Class: |
A61N 5/06 20060101
A61N005/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 26, 2007 |
JP |
2007-017101 |
Jan 26, 2007 |
JP |
2007-017102 |
Claims
1. A hair growth modulation device comprising: a light irradiator
configured to continuously irradiate a modulating light having
energy not causing changes in cell morphology in a short period for
modulating hair growth to a target site of a human body; a hair
follicle approximating means configured to approximate hair
follicles of body hairs at the target site towards said light
irradiator when said modulating light is irradiate& wherein
said hair follicle approximating means is a mechanical epilating
means for epilating the body hairs, and wherein said mechanical
epilating means is provided with a head having pinching claws for
pinching the target site.
2-5. (canceled)
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Divisional Application of patent
application Ser. No. 12/524,566 filed on Jul. 24, 2009, which is a
371 application of Application No. PCT/JP2008/050983, filed Jan.
24, 2008, which is based on Japanese Application Nos. 2007-017101
and 2007-017102, both filed on Jan. 26, 2007, the entire contents
of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a hair growth modulation
device for promoting or inhibiting body hair growth (including
scalp hair) by irradiating light.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Although hair is known to be removed by laser light by using
a hair growth modulation device using light as described in
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2001-292285, attention is
currently being focused on modulation of the growth of body hair
with light having a quantity of light or luminous energy that does
not cause changes in cell morphology as observed with existing
therapeutic lasers.
[0004] Although body hair has a hair cycle during which hair
changes in cycles consisting of a growth period, a regressive
period and a rest period, when light, having a quantity of light or
luminous energy that does not cause changes in cell morphology as
observed with existing therapeutic lasers, is irradiated during the
above-mentioned rest period, together with growth of hair during
the growth period of the hair cycle proceeding rapidly, the absence
of the occurrence of cell damage as well as the absence of the
occurrence of adverse side effects such as burns has also been
confirmed. In addition, when hair is irradiated with light of the
above-mentioned quantity of light or luminous energy during the
growth period of the hair cycle, hair growth has been confirmed to
be effectively inhibited.
[0005] Furthermore, although the reason why scalp hair growth is
promoted or inhibited when the hair is irradiated with light at a
level that does not cause changes in cell morphology during the
rest period or growth period is not clear, based on the results of
analyses at the RNA level, activation of inflammatory cytokines is
thought to occur as a result of the light irradiation, and the
resulting promotion or inhibition of hair growth is thought to be
the result of this activation of inflammatory cytokines.
[0006] However, in promoting or inhibiting hair growth by
irradiating light for modulating hair growth as described above to
human skin, it is only required to radiate light of a suitable
light quantity without having luminous energy in the manner of a
laser in order to modulate hair growth, and for this reason a xenon
flash lamp is used for the light source. However, if it were
possible to lower the required quantity of light even further,
optical modulation of hair growth is expected to become more
appealing since it would be possible to use other light sources
that are inexpensive and easy to use.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0007] With the foregoing in view, an object of the present
invention is to provide a hair growth modulation device capable of
reducing the quantity of light required by modulating light for
modulating growth of body hair.
[0008] The hair growth modulation device as claimed in the present
invention is provided with a light irradiator for irradiating
modulating light for modulating body hair growth to a target site
of a human body, and a hair follicle approximating means for
approximating hair follicles of body hairs at the target site
towards the light irradiator when the modulating light is
irradiated to the target site. As a result of approximating body
hair to be irradiated with light towards the skin surface, the
quantity of light that reaches the follicles increases. As a
result, high light irradiation efficiency sufficient for the
quantity of light irradiated to the hair follicles can be
maintained while being able to lower the capacity required by the
light irradiator, thereby making it possible to use a light source
having a low radiated quantity of light for the light
irradiator.
[0009] A mechanical shaving means for shaving body hair, a
mechanical epilating means for epilating body hair, or a suction
means for suctioning the skin surface can be preferably used for
the hair follicle approximating means.
[0010] Moreover, an abrasive means configured so as to approximate
hair follicles towards the skin surface by scraping the skin
surface at the target site can also be used for the hair follicle
approximating means. In this case, the reflectance of light at the
target site can be lowered by scraping the skin surface and making
it smooth, thereby enhancing the irradiation efficiency of the
modulating light and as a result, making it possible to further
lower the quantity of light required by the light source.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded front view of a hair growth modulation
device as claimed in a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2(A) is a perspective view of a hair growth modulation
device as claimed in a second embodiment of the present invention,
while FIG. 2(B) is a partial side view of the same;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a hair growth modulation
device as claimed in a third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a hair growth modulation
device as claimed in a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0015] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a hair growth
modulation device as claimed in a fifth embodiment of the present
invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0016] The following provides an explanation of the present
invention based on embodiments shown in the appended drawings. FIG.
1 shows a hair growth modulation device as claimed in a first
embodiment of the present invention. This device is provided with a
grip 10 provided with a shaving head 20 on the upper end thereof,
light irradiators 30 for irradiating modulating light for
modulating growth of body hair are formed on the upper end of the
grip 10, and the modulating light is irradiated onto skin of the
body through the shaving head 20. These light irradiators 30 use a
xenon flash lamp for the light source, and output modulating light
in the form of flashing light having a wavelength of 400 to 600 nm
to a target site on skin of the body in order to modulate growth of
body hair. Consequently, the light irradiators 30 are provided with
a drive circuit, for driving the xenon flash lamp and causing the
xenon flash lamp to continuously emit modulating light in a short
period of time of 1 ms or less, and a filter.
[0017] The shaving head 20 holds an outer blade 22 having a
plurality of blade holes, and shaves hair as a result of an inner
blade 12 protruding from the upper end of the grip 10 moving while
making sliding contact with the outer blade 22. The inner blade 12
is driven to reciprocate or rotate by a motor (not shown) housed
within the grip 10.
[0018] The light irradiators 30 are arranged on both sides of the
inner blade 12, and a lens (not shown) is provided for collecting
modulating light towards the vicinity of the portions of the inner
blade 12 and the outer blade 22 making contact, and modulating
light output through the lens is irradiated to the skin through the
blade holes of the outer blade 22.
[0019] A removable cap 24 is provided on the shaving head 20. This
cap is formed from a light-blocking material. This cap is made from
a light-blocking material. In a case where the cap is attached to
the shaving head, this cap is shaped to prevent modulating light
which escapes to the outside from the light irradiator.
[0020] A switch 14 arranged on the grip 10 operates the motor for
driving the inner blade 12 and the light irradiator 30, and
modulating light output from the light irradiator 30 is irradiated
to the skin through the blade holes of the outer blade 22 during
the operation of shaving body hair.
[0021] When cutting body hairs between the outer blade 22 and the
inner blade 12, since body hairs are cut while being pulled in the
direction of movement of the inner blade 12 as a result of skin
entering the blade holes of the outer blade 22, hair follicles of
the body hairs are pulled up to the skin surface, andmodulating
light is irradiated to hair follicles that have approached the skin
surface. Thus, even if the quantity of modulating light output from
the light irradiator 30 is equal, the quantity of light received by
the hair follicles increases in the case the locations of the hair
follicles irradiated with light are closer to the skin surface.
Thus, in order to maintain a quantity of light required for
modulating hair growth for the quantity of light to be irradiated
to the hair follicles, the light irradiator 30 can be used at a
lower output in the case a hair shaving means composed of the outer
blade 22 and the inner blade 12 is present as compared with the
case in which it is not present.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a hair growth modulation device as claimed in a
second embodiment of the present invention. Although this device is
also provided with a shaving head 20 in the same manner as in the
above-mentioned first embodiment, the light irradiators 30 are
arranged outside of the outer blade 22 in the shaving head 20. The
light irradiators 30 are provided with a light source 32 and a
condenser lens 34, and modulating light is irradiated towards the
apex of the outer surface (surface contacting the skin) of the
outer blade 22. In this case, modulating light from the light
irradiators 30 is irradiated to the skin pushed against the outer
blade 22 without being blocked by the outer blade 22. A peripheral
wall 28 surrounding the outer blade 22 and the light irradiators 30
protrudes from the periphery of the shaving head 20, and reduces
the escape of modulating light to the outside.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a hair growth modulation device as claimed in a
third embodiment of the present invention. This device is similar
to the first embodiment with the exception of using an epilating
head 40 instead of the shaving head 20. The epilating head 40 is
provided with a rotating cylinder 42 on which is arranged a
plurality of pinching claws 44. The pinching claws 44 are arranged
in a row along the axial direction of the rotating cylinder 42.
According to movement of pinching claws 44 in the axial direction,
the pinching claws 44 are configured to pinch body hairs in a
condition where the pinching claws 44 are closed, and are
configured to release the body hairs in a condition where the
pinching claws 44 are opened. The rotating cylinder is driven to
rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing by a
motor (not shown), the pinching claws 44 open and close
accompanying this rotation, body hairs are pinched as a result of
the claws 44 closing in the vicinity of the location of X in the
drawing, body hairs are epilated as a result of the rotating
cylinder 42 continuing to rotate in the direction of the arrow, and
the epilated body hairs are subsequently released when the pinching
claws 44 open.
[0024] In the present embodiment, the light irradiators 30 are
provided with a light source 32 and a condenser lens 34, are
located to the side of the rotating cylinder 40 and in the
direction in which the pinching claws 44 epilate body hairs, and
irradiate light onto hair follicles that have been pulled up
towards the skin surface as a result of being pulled by the
pinching claws 44.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a hair growth modulation device as claimed in a
fourth embodiment of the present invention. This device uses a
suction head 50 instead of a shaving head, while other constituents
are the same as those of the first embodiment. A recess 52 is
formed on the leading end surface of the suction head 50 that
serves as a contact surface with the skin, the lens 34 of the light
irradiators 30 is arranged on the bottom wall of this recess 52,
and the skin is irradiated by modulating light from the light
source 32 within the suction head 50 through the lens 34. A portion
of the bottom wall of the recess 52 is connected to a suction pump
56 provided within the grip 10 through a suction pathway 54, and a
portion of the skin is pulled into the recess 52 by suctioning a
portion of the skin in contact with the leading end surface of the
suction head 50. Accompanying this, body hairs and hair follicles
are pulled towards the light source 32 and as a result thereof,
modulating light from the light irradiators 30 is efficiently
radiated to the hair follicles. The hair growth modulation device
as claimed in this embodiment is particularly effective in the case
of promoting the growth of body hair.
[0026] FIG. 5 shows a hair growth modulation device as claimed in a
fifth embodiment of the present invention. This device uses a head
60 provided with an abrasive roller 64 instead of a shaving head,
while other constituents are the same as those of the first
embodiment. The abrasive roller 64 is retained within a recess 62
formed in the leading end surface of the head 60 and is able to
rotate about the axis thereof, and causes hair follicles to
approach the skin surface, namely the light irradiators 30, by
scraping the old horny layer of the skin surface. As a result, the
irradiation efficiency of light onto the hair follicles can be
enhanced. In addition, although the old horny layer of the skin
surface lowers light transmittance by absorbing light in addition
to having high light reflectance, light reflectance can be reduced
by removing the old horny layer prior to irradiating modulating
light from the light irradiators 30, thereby making it possible to
increase the quantity of light reaching the roots of body hairs.
Moreover, the present embodiment can also be configured so as to
connect a suction pump (not shown) to the recess 62 as indicated in
the fourth embodiment. In this case, skin can be suctioned within
the recess 62 while removing the removed horny layer by pressing
the peripheral wall 68 surrounding the recess 62 against the skin,
thereby enabling hair follicles to get even closer to the light
irradiators 30 and further enhancing irradiation efficiency of the
modulating light. The abrasive roller 64 may also be driven to
rotate by a motor. Although the abrasive roller is disclosed as an
example of a scraping means for removing the horny layer by
scraping the surface of the skin, the present invention is not
necessarily limited thereto, but rather another scraping means can
also be used that demonstrates a similar function.
[0027] Furthermore, although the above-mentioned embodiments
indicate the use of a xenon flash lamp as a light source for the
light irradiators 30, that which outputs laser light may be used,
or a lamp having an output lower than that of a xenon flash lamp
may also be used.
* * * * *