U.S. patent application number 13/443381 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-17 for cooling system for a photocosmetic device.
This patent application is currently assigned to PALOMAR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Gregory B. Altshuler, James G. Burke, III, Joseph P. Caruso, Andrei V. Erofeev, Henry H. Zenzie. Invention is credited to Gregory B. Altshuler, James G. Burke, III, Joseph P. Caruso, Andrei V. Erofeev, Henry H. Zenzie.
Application Number | 20130018236 13/443381 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46604216 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130018236 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Altshuler; Gregory B. ; et
al. |
January 17, 2013 |
COOLING SYSTEM FOR A PHOTOCOSMETIC DEVICE
Abstract
Photocosmetic device for use in medical or non-medical
environments (e.g., a home, barbershop, or spa), which can be used
for a variety of tissue treatments. Radiation is delivered to the
tissue via optical systems designed to pattern the radiation and
project the radiation to a particular depth. The device has a
variety of cooling systems including phase change cooling solids
and liquids to cool treated skin and the radiation sources. Contact
sensors and motion sensor may be used to enhance treatment. The
device may be modular to facilitate manufacture and replacement of
parts.
Inventors: |
Altshuler; Gregory B.;
(Wilmington, MA) ; Caruso; Joseph P.; (Reading,
MA) ; Zenzie; Henry H.; (Dover, MA) ; Burke,
III; James G.; (Londonderry, NH) ; Erofeev; Andrei
V.; (North Andover, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Altshuler; Gregory B.
Caruso; Joseph P.
Zenzie; Henry H.
Burke, III; James G.
Erofeev; Andrei V. |
Wilmington
Reading
Dover
Londonderry
North Andover |
MA
MA
MA
NH
MA |
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
PALOMAR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES,
INC.
Burlington
MA
|
Family ID: |
46604216 |
Appl. No.: |
13/443381 |
Filed: |
April 10, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11603712 |
Nov 22, 2006 |
8182473 |
|
|
13443381 |
|
|
|
|
10154756 |
May 23, 2002 |
7204832 |
|
|
11603712 |
|
|
|
|
10052474 |
Jan 18, 2002 |
6663620 |
|
|
10154756 |
|
|
|
|
09473910 |
Dec 28, 1999 |
6517532 |
|
|
10052474 |
|
|
|
|
09078055 |
May 13, 1998 |
6273884 |
|
|
09473910 |
|
|
|
|
09268433 |
Mar 12, 1999 |
6508813 |
|
|
10154756 |
|
|
|
|
08759036 |
Dec 2, 1996 |
6015404 |
|
|
09268433 |
|
|
|
|
08759136 |
Dec 2, 1996 |
|
|
|
08759036 |
|
|
|
|
09078055 |
May 13, 1998 |
6273884 |
|
|
08759136 |
|
|
|
|
09634981 |
Aug 9, 2000 |
6511475 |
|
|
10154756 |
|
|
|
|
09078055 |
May 13, 1998 |
6273884 |
|
|
09634981 |
|
|
|
|
09847043 |
Apr 30, 2001 |
6653618 |
|
|
10154756 |
|
|
|
|
60363798 |
Mar 12, 2002 |
|
|
|
60115447 |
Jan 8, 1999 |
|
|
|
60164492 |
Nov 9, 1999 |
|
|
|
60077726 |
Mar 12, 1998 |
|
|
|
60115447 |
Jan 8, 1999 |
|
|
|
60077794 |
Mar 12, 1998 |
|
|
|
60046542 |
May 15, 1997 |
|
|
|
60077726 |
Mar 12, 1998 |
|
|
|
60200431 |
Apr 28, 2000 |
|
|
|
60292827 |
May 23, 2001 |
|
|
|
60363871 |
Mar 12, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/306 ;
607/88 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 26/0061 20130101;
A45D 44/005 20130101; A61B 2018/00904 20130101; A61N 1/328
20130101; A61B 2017/00747 20130101; A61B 18/203 20130101; A61B
2018/00029 20130101; A61B 2018/00476 20130101; A61B 2017/00765
20130101; A61B 5/0077 20130101; A61B 2017/00769 20130101; A61B
2090/065 20160201; A61B 2018/00452 20130101; A61B 2018/00011
20130101; A61B 2017/00026 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/306 ;
607/88 |
International
Class: |
A61N 5/06 20060101
A61N005/06; A61B 6/00 20060101 A61B006/00 |
Claims
1.-16. (canceled)
17. A device for applying electromagnetic radiation to skin,
comprising: a handpiece adapted for contact with the skin; a light
source configured to illuminate the skin; a contact sensor coupled
to the handpiece, wherein the contact sensor is capable of
determining if the handpiece is in contact with the skin; an
optical sensor coupled to the handpiece, wherein the optical sensor
measures illumination reflected from the skin; and a controller
coupled to the handpiece and responsive to the contact sensor and
the optical sensor.
18. The device of claim 17, wherein said controller is configured
to respond to the optical sensor and to measure pigmentation level
of the skin when the contact sensor detects contact between the
handpiece and the skin.
19. The device of claim 18, wherein the device further includes a
treatment energy source and the controller is configured to change
parameters based on the measured pigmentation level.
20. The device of claim 17, wherein said controller is configured
to measure pigmentation level of the skin in response to the
optical sensor.
21. The device of claim 20, wherein the device further includes a
treatment energy source and the controller is configured to change
parameters based on the measured pigmentation level.
22. The device of claim 17, wherein said controller is configured
to measure pigmentation level of the skin in response to the
contact sensor and the optical sensor.
23. The device of claim 17, further comprising two or more light
sources.
24. The device of claim 23, further comprising at least two
different types of light sources.
25. The device of claim 17, wherein the controller controls an
output device providing operator feedback.
26. The device of claim 25, wherein the output device is located
within the handpiece.
27. The device of claim 25, wherein the output device is an optical
output device.
28. A device for measuring the pigmentation level of skin,
comprising: a handpiece adapted for contact with the skin; a light
source configured to illuminate the skin; a contact sensor coupled
to the handpiece, wherein the contact sensor is capable of
determining if the handpiece is in contact with the skin; and an
optical sensor coupled to the handpiece, wherein the optical sensor
measures illumination reflected from the skin and is configured to
calculate and output skin pigmentation level based on the
measurement of illumination reflected from the skin, and wherein
pigmentation level measurement is enabled when the contact sensor
detects contact between the handpiece and the skin.
29. The device of claim 28, wherein the optical sensor is at least
one of a CCD or a CMOS device.
30. The device of claim 28, wherein the contact sensor is at least
one of an optical sensor, an electrical sensor, a mechanical
sensor, and a temperature sensor.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
11/603,712 ("the '712 application"), filed Nov. 22, 2006, which is
a continuation application of Ser. No. 10/154,756 ("the '756
application"), now U.S. Pat. No. 7,204,832, filed May 23, 2002,
which claims priority to provisional application Ser. No.
60/363,798, filed Mar. 12, 2002. The '756 application is also a
continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/052,474, filed Jan.
18, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,620, which application is a
continuation of application Ser. No. 09/473,910, now U.S. Pat. No.
6,517,532, filed Dec. 28, 1999, which application claims priority
to provisional application Ser. No. 60/115,447, filed Jan. 8, 1999,
claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/164,492,
filed Nov. 9, 1999, and is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 09/078,055, filed May 13, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No.
6,273,884, which application claims priority to provisional
application Ser. No. 60/046,542, filed May 15, 1997 and provisional
application Ser. No. 60/077,726, filed Mar. 12, 1998. The '756
application is also a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
09/268,433, filed Mar. 12, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,813, which
application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No.
60/115,447, filed Jan. 8, 1999 and provisional application Ser. No.
60/077,794, filed Jan. 8, 1999 and is a continuation-in-part of
application Ser. No. 08/759,036, filed Dec. 2, 1996, now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,015,404, and is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.
No. 08/759,136, filed Dec. 2, 1996, now abandoned, and is a
continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/078,055, filed May
13, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,884, which application claims
priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/046,542, filed May
15, 1997 and provisional application Ser. No. 60/077,726, filed
Mar. 12, 1998. The '756 application is also a continuation-in-part
of application Ser. No. 09/634,981, filed Aug. 9, 2000, now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,511,475, which application is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 09/078,055, filed May 13, 1998, now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,273,884, which application claims priority to provisional
application Ser. No. 60/046,542, filed May 15, 1997 and provisional
application Ser. No. 60/077,726, filed Mar. 12, 1998. The '756
application is also a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
09/847,043, filed Apr. 30, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,653,618 which
claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/200,431,
filed Apr. 28, 2000. The '756 application also claims priority to
provisional application Ser. No. 60/292,827, filed May 23, 2001.
The '756 application also claims priority to provisional
application Ser. No. 60/363,871, filed Mar. 12, 2002. The contents
of all of these prior application specifications are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Related Art
[0002] There exists a variety of conditions treatable using
photocosmetic procedures (also referred to herein as photocosmetic
treatments), including light-based (e.g., using a laser or lamp)
hair removal, treatment of various skin lesions, tattoo removal,
facial resurfacing, and skin rejuvenation. Currently, photocosmetic
procedures are performed using professional-grade devices that
cause destructive heating of target structures located in the
epidermis/dermis of a patient's skin.
[0003] To date, photocosmetic procedures have been performed in a
dermatologist's office, partially because of the expense of the
devices used to perform the procedures, partially because of safety
concerns related to the devices, and partially because of the need
to care for optically induced wounds on the patient's skin. Such
wounds may arise from damage to a patient's epidermis caused by the
high-power radiation and may result in significant pain and/or risk
of infection. While certain photocosmetic procedures, such as
CO.sub.2 laser facial resurfacing, will continue to be performed in
the dermatologist's office for medical reasons (e.g., the need for
post-operative wound care), there are a large number of
photocosmetic procedures that could be performed in a non-medical
environment (e.g., home, barber shop, or spa) if the consumer could
perform the procedure in a safe and effective manner. Even for
procedures performed in a medical environment, reduced skin damage
would reduce recovery time.
[0004] Photocosmetic devices for use in medical or non-medical
environments may benefit from following characteristics: (1) The
device must be safe. For example, it is necessary to avoid eye and
skin injuries. (2) Preferably the device is easy to use, thus
allowing an operator to achieve acceptable cosmetic results after
only reading a brief training period. (3) Preferably the device is
robust and rugged enough to withstand abuse. (5) Preferably the
device is easy to maintain. (6) Preferably the device is
manufacturable in high volume. (7) Preferably the device is
available at a reasonable price. (8) Preferably the device is small
and easily stored, for example, in a bathroom. Currently available
photocosmetic devices have limitations related to one or more of
the above challenges.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A first aspect of the invention is a photocosmetic device
for use on an area of a patient's skin comprising a treatment head
for use in close proximity to the patient's skin, at least one
source of electromagnetic radiation positioned within the treatment
head and configured to project radiation onto the area of skin, a
cooling surface thermally coupled to the at least one source, and a
mechanism to direct a phase change substance onto the cooling
surface. Optionally, the phase change substance comprises a liquid.
Alternatively, the phase change substance comprises a solid.
[0006] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the surface has a
texture. The texture may be a linear groove pattern or a concentric
groove pattern. Alternatively, the texture is a plurality of
projections. The mechanism may be a spray jet. The mechanism may
further comprise a valve coupled to the spray jet, wherein the
valve controls the amount of liquid projected onto the cooling
surface. A heat sensor may be used to produce a signal indicative
of the temperature of at least a portion of the area of skin, and a
controller maybe be used to receive the signal from the heat sensor
and control the valve in response to the temperature.
[0007] A container may be included to hold the substance. In some
embodiments, the substance is a refrigerant. For example, the
refrigerant comprises tetra fluoroethane. The solid may be ice or
an organic compound, or an Ga/In alloy.
[0008] The cooling surface may be a thermally conductive electrode
providing power to the source. Alternatively, the cooling surface
may be a surface of a thermally conductive heat sink that is
thermally coupled to the source. The cooling surface may have at
least one channel therethrough to receive the phase change
substance. Alternatively, the cooling surface has a plurality of
channels therethrough to receive the phase change substance, the
plurality of channels aligned along the length.
[0009] A second aspect of the invention is a photocosmetic device
for use on an area of a patient's skin comprising a treatment head
for use in close proximity to the patient's skin, at least one
electromagnetic radiation source configured to project radiation
through the treatment head onto the area of skin, and a first
mechanism coupled to the treatment head and configured to project a
first substance onto the patient's skin. The electromagnetic
radiation source may be positioned within the treatment head. The
device may include an optical system to transmit radiation to the
area of skin, the optical system having a surface configured to
contact the patient's skin. The device may further comprise a
cooling surface thermally coupled to the at least one source and
said surface; and second mechanism to project a phase change
substance onto the cooling surface, wherein the first mechanism is
configured to use a gas formed by the phase change of the second
substance to drive the first substance onto the patient's skin. The
device may further comprising a cooling surface thermally coupled
to the source and said surface, and a second mechanism configured
to project a portion of the first substance onto the cooling
surface.
[0010] The first substance may be a liquid and the portion of the
first substance projected onto the skin is a gas resulting from a
phase change of the first substance. Alternatively, the first
substance is a solid and the portion of the first substance
projected onto the skin is a liquid resulting from a phase change
of the first substance. In yet another alternative, the first
substance is a solid and the portion of the first substance
projected onto the skin is a gas resulting from a phase change of
the first substance.
[0011] The first substance may be a liquid, and the liquid may be a
lotion. Alternatively, the first substance may be a gas, and the
gas may be cooled air. The second substance may comprise a
plurality of components. The cooling surface may be a surface of a
thermally conductive electrode providing power to the source. The
cooling surface may be a surface of a thermally conductive heat
sink that is thermally coupled to the source. Optionally, the
source is one of a diode laser bar, light emitting diode and
lamp.
[0012] A third aspect of the invention is a device for use on an
area of a patient's skin comprising a treatment head for use in
close proximity to the patient's skin, at least one electromagnetic
radiation source positioned in the treatment head and configured to
project electromagnetic radiation onto the area of skin, a cooling
surface thermally coupled to the at least one source of
electromagnetic radiation and including at least one channel
therethrough, and a mechanism to project a substance onto the
cooling surface, and into the at least one channel.
[0013] The substance may be a liquid or a gas.
[0014] A fourth aspect of the invention is a device for use on an
area of a patient's skin comprising at least one electromagnetic
radiation source configured to project radiation onto the area of
skin, a cooling surface thermally coupled to the at least one
source, and a solid mass thermally coupled to the cooling surface,
the solid mass changing phase in response to heat absorbed from the
cooling surface.
[0015] In some embodiments the solid mass is ice or may be dry ice.
The device may further comprise a mechanism to bring the solid mass
into contact with the cooling surface. The device may further
comprise a treatment head, wherein the source is positioned within
the treatment head. The source may be one of a diode laser bar,
light emitting diode and lamp.
[0016] The cooling surface is a surface of a thermally conductive
electrode providing power to the source or a thermally conductive
heat sink that is thermally coupled to the source.
[0017] A fifth aspect of the invention is a device for use on an
area of a patient's skin comprising at least one electromagnetic
radiation source configured to project electromagnetic radiation
onto the area of skin, a cooling surface thermally coupled to the
at least one source, a solid mass thermally coupled to the cooling
surface, at least a portion of the mass becoming a liquid in
response to absorption of heat from the cooling surface, and an
exhaust vent configured to receive a portion of the liquid and
project the portion of the liquid onto the patient's skin.
[0018] The device may further comprise a mechanism for combining
the liquid with a chemical substance and directing the liquid and
chemical combination onto the patient's skin.
[0019] A sixth aspect of the invention is a device for use on an
area of a patient's skin comprising at least one electromagnetic
radiation source configured to project electromagnetic radiation
onto the area of skin, a cooling surface thermally coupled to the
at least one source, and a reaction chamber thermally coupled to
the cooling surface and containing at least a first chemical
compound and a second chemical compound, the first and second
chemical compounds selected to provide an endothermic reaction
within the reaction chamber.
[0020] The cooling surface may be a surface of a thermally
conductive electrode providing power to the source, or the cooling
surface may be a surface of a thermally conductive heat sink that
is thermally coupled to the source.
[0021] A seventh aspect of the invention is a device for use on an
area of a patient's skin comprising a treatment head for use in
close proximity to the patient's skin, at least one source of
electromagnetic radiation positioned in the treatment head and
configured to project electromagnetic radiation onto the area of
skin, and a cooling surface thermally coupled to the at least one
source of electromagnetic radiation, the cooling surface having a
channel therethrough to allow a low-boiling point liquid to flow
onto a surface of the cooling surface.
[0022] The device may further comprise a valve connected to the
channel to control the evaporation of the low-boiling point liquid.
The device may also further comprise a heat sensor to produce a
signal indicative of the temperature of the area of skin, and a
controller to receive the signal from the heat sensor and control
the valve in response to the signal. The device may have a pressure
source is coupled to the channel to control the boiling of the
low-boiling point liquid. The source is one of a laser diode bar,
light emitting diode and lamp.
[0023] The eighth aspect of the invention is a device for use on an
area of a patient's skin comprising a treatment head for use in
close proximity to the patient's skin, at least one electromagnetic
radiation source positioned in the treatment head and configured to
project radiation onto the area of skin, a heat spreader thermally
coupled to the at least one source, and a cooling surface thermally
coupled to the heat spreader. The source may be one of a diode
laser bar, light emitting diode and lamp. The cooling surface may
be a surface of a thermally conductive electrode providing power to
the source, or may be a surface of a thermally conductive heat sink
that is thermally coupled to the source.
[0024] A ninth aspect of the invention is a cooling system for
cooling a heat generating device a cooling surface thermally
coupled to the heat generating device, and a nozzle configured to
project a high pressure liquid, the liquid forming a flowing liquid
on the cooling surface. The high pressure liquid may be projected
such that the liquid forms a stream of liquid the entire distance
between the nozzle and the cooling surface. The cooling surface may
be textured. Optionally the cooling system may further comprise a
cooling chamber to redirect the liquid to the cooling surface. The
cooling chamber may include sidewalls and a cover. While many of
the embodiments are described with reference to performing
photocosmetic treatments in a non-medical environment, it is to be
understood that the benefits of aspects of this invention apply to
medical devices as well as non-medical devices, and the invention
applies to either without limitation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Illustrative, non-limiting embodiments of the present
invention will be described by way of example with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numeral is for
the common elements in the various figures, and in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of some basic elements of
a photocosmetic device according to some aspects of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 2A is a side view of one example of a radiation system
according to some aspects of the present invention for use in
performing a photocosmetic procedure on an area of a patient's
skin;
[0028] FIG. 2B is a schematic top view of an irradiated area of a
patient's skin taken along lines 2B-2B' of FIG. 2A;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a side view of an example of a radiation system
that is capable of forming two areas of radiation on an area of a
patient's skin;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a top view of one example of a system appropriate
for formation of islands of treatment;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of one
embodiment of a head according to aspects of the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional side view one example of one
embodiment of a cooling system that uses evaporative cooling;
[0033] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment
of a cooling system utilizing a cooling liquid;
[0034] FIG. 6C is a schematic of another embodiment of a cooling
system utilizing a cooling liquid and having a cooling chamber;
[0035] FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment a
head utilizing a cooling liquid in which the exhaust vent is
separated from the port through which cooling liquid enters
chamber;
[0036] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a
cooling system having channels;
[0037] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment
of a head utilizing evaporative cooling of a liquid;
[0038] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a
cooling system using a solid phase-change material according to
aspects of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a
cooling system using an endothermic chemical reaction for
cooling;
[0040] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a
device having an exhaust vent to cool a patient's skin;
[0041] FIG. 12A is a side view of one example of an embodiment of a
single-element optical system appropriate for use with
photocosmetic devices according to some aspects of the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 12B is a ray trace of one example of an embodiment of
an optical system as illustrated in FIG. 12A;
[0043] FIG. 13A is a side view of one example of an embodiment of a
two-element cylindrical optical system appropriate for use with
photocosmetic devices according to some aspects of the present
invention;
[0044] FIG. 13B is a ray trace of one example of an embodiment of
an optical system as illustrated in FIG. 13A;
[0045] FIG. 14A is a side view of another example of a embodiment
of a two-element cylindrical optical system appropriate for use
with photocosmetic devices according to some aspects of the present
invention;
[0046] FIG. 14B is a ray trace of one example of an embodiment of
an optical system as illustrated in FIG. 14A;
[0047] FIG. 15A is a side view of another example of a embodiment
of a two-element cylindrical optical system appropriate for use
with photocosmetic devices according to some aspects of the present
invention;
[0048] FIG. 15B is a ray trace of one example of an embodiment of
an optical system as illustrated in FIG. 15 A;
[0049] FIG. 16A is a schematic illustration of an exemplary
embodiment of a head for performing photocosmetic procedures;
[0050] FIG. 16B is a schematic illustration of an exemplary
embodiment of a head for performing photocosmetic procedures that
also provides the capability to perform muscle stimulation during a
photocosmetic procedure;
[0051] FIG. 17A is a schematic of one example of one embodiment of
an apparatus according to some aspects of the invention, which
optically determines contact between an optical element and the
surface of a patient's skin;
[0052] FIG. 17B is a schematic of one example of one embodiment of
an apparatus according to some aspects of the invention, which
optically determines contact between an optical element and the
surface of a patient's skin;
[0053] FIG. 17C is a schematic of one example of one embodiment of
an apparatus according to some aspects of the invention, which
electrically determines contact between an optical element and the
surface of a patient's skin;
[0054] FIG. 18A is a cutaway side view of one embodiment of a
handpiece having a motion sensor;
[0055] FIG. 18B is a schematic of one example of an embodiment of a
motion sensor system;
[0056] FIG. 19 is a schematic of another example of an apparatus
having an optical motion sensor;
[0057] FIG. 20 is a schematic of one example of one embodiment of a
handpiece illustrating some aspects of a self-contained
photocosmetic device according to the present invention;
[0058] FIG. 21 is a schematic of one example of an embodiment of a
handpiece docking station for docking a self-contained
photocosmetic device;
[0059] FIG. 22 is a schematic of one example of one embodiment of a
handpiece having a detachable head;
[0060] FIG. 23 is a schematic illustrating a modular handpiece
having one or more components suitable for user-replacement;
[0061] FIG. 24 is a schematic illustrating a modular optical
assembly having one or more components suitable for
user-replacement;
[0062] FIG. 25 is a schematic of one example of a photocosmetic
device illustrating some aspects of the present invention;
[0063] FIG. 26A is a schematic of one example of a photocosmetic
head illustrating aspects of the present invention directed to
treating a curved area of skin;
[0064] FIG. 26B is a schematic of one embodiment of two
transmission systems of a head to treat a curved surface;
[0065] FIG. 27 is a schematic illustrating an embodiment of some
aspects of handpiece 2700 according to the present invention;
and
[0066] FIG. 28 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a
photocosmetic device according to at least some aspects of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0067] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of some basic elements of
a photocosmetic device 100 according to some aspects of the present
invention. Area 110 is an area of a patient's skin on which a
selected photocosmetic treatment is to be performed. Area of skin
110 has a basal layer 140 in between an epidermal layer 120 and a
dermal layer 130. Typically, photocosmetic treatments involve
treating a target area located within epidermal layer 120 or dermal
layer 130. For example, in the case of hair removal, it may be
desirable to heat a bulb 150 of a hair follicle 160. Alternatively,
only a portion of bulb 150 may be heated, for example, the basement
membrane 152 between the papilla and the follicle.
[0068] In some embodiments of the present invention, the major
sub-systems of device 100 include a handpiece 170, a base unit 120
and cord 126 to couple handpiece 170 to base unit 120. Base unit
120 may include a power supply 124 to power control electronics 122
and electromagnetic radiation (EMR) source 125. Power supply 124
can be coupled to handpiece 170 via cord 126. Cord 126 is
preferably lightweight and flexible. Alternatively, as described
with reference to FIG. 21 below, cord 126 may be omitted and base
unit 120 may be used as a charging station for a rechargeable power
source (e.g., batteries or capacitors) located in handpiece 170. In
some embodiments, base unit 120 can be completely eliminated by
including a rechargeable power source and an AC adapter in the
handpiece 170.
[0069] Handpiece 170 includes a treatment head 180 (also referred
to simply as a head) configured to be in contact with a patient's
skin, and a handle 190 that may be grasped by an operator to move
head 180 in any direction across the patients skin. For example,
head 180 may be pushed across the skin in a forward direction 105
or pulled across the skin in a backward direction 106. Typically,
during a given stroke, contact will be maintained between head 180
and the patient's skin 110 while head 180 is moved. Handpiece 170
may be mechanically driven or hand-scanned across the skin surface
of area 110. Firm contact between head 180 and skin 110 is
preferable to ensure good thermal and optical contact. As described
in greater detail below, in some embodiments of the present
invention, head 180 and/or area of skin 110 are cooled by a passive
or active cooling apparatus to prevent damage to the head and
reduce the occurrence of skin damage (e.g., wounds).
[0070] In an exemplary embodiment, source 125 is located in
handpiece 170, for example in head 180. Alternatively, source 125
is located in base unit 120 and connected to head 180 via an
optical fiber 128. Optical fiber 128 may extend through handle 190,
or may be otherwise connected to head 180 for the purpose of
delivering light to the patient's skin.
[0071] In some embodiments, controls 122 receive information from
head 180 over lines 132, for example information relating to
contact of head 180 with skin 110, the rate of movement of head 180
over the patient's skin, and/or skin temperature. Controls 122 may
transmit control signals to head 180 over lines 132. Lines 132 may
be part of a cable that is also connected to head 180 through
handle 190 or may be otherwise connected to the head. Controls 122
may also generate outputs to control the operation of source 125
and may also receive information from the source. Controls 122 may
also control a selected output device 119, for example an audio
output device (e.g., buzzer), optical output device, a sensory
output device (e.g., vibrator), or other feedback control to an
operator. Depending on operator preference, other commonly used
output devices may also be used. In some embodiments, output device
119 is located within handpiece 170.
[0072] FIG. 2A is a side view of one example of an illumination
system 200 according to some aspects of the present invention for
use in performing a photocosmetic procedure on an area of a
patient's skin 110. FIG. 2B is a schematic top view of an
irradiated area of a patient's skin 110 taken along lines 2B-2B' of
FIG. 2A. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, system 200,
including an EMR source 204, is located in the head of a
photocosmetic device (e.g., head 180 in FIG. 1) such that the EMR
source is located proximate the skin surface 110.
[0073] Depending on the treatment to be performed, source 204 may
be configured to emit at a single wavelength, multiple wavelengths,
or in a wavelength band. Source 204 may be a coherent light source,
for example a ruby, alexandrite or other solid state laser, gas
laser, diode laser bar, or other suitable laser light source.
Alternatively source 204 may be an incoherent light source for
example, an LED, arc lamp, flashlamp, fluorescent lamp, halogen
lamp, halide lamp or other suitable lamp.
[0074] An optical system 206, comprised of a plurality of optical
elements, includes a surface 207 for transmitting radiation from an
EMR source 204 and for contacting the patient's skin 110. Further
details of optical system 206, are given below with reference to
FIGS. 12-16. The phrase "optical system" is used herein to refer to
a system for transmitting any type of optical radiation suitable
for performing photocosmetic procedures.
[0075] In some embodiments, source 204 has an extended dimension in
the x-direction (e.g., the light source is substantially linear).
One of ordinary skill would understand that a plurality of point
sources may be combined to form a substantially linear source.
Additionally, relatively small linear sources may be combined to
form a single, longer continuous linear source, or a longer linear
source having one or more discontinuities. For example, source 204
may be a diode laser bar having a 1 cm long emission line and a few
micron line width; optionally source 204 may include two or three
bars placed in a line along the x-direction to create a 2 cm or 3
cm long emission line.
[0076] Alternatively, linear sources may be placed adjacent to one
another in the y-direction to form a source having an increased
line width. System 200 may include one or more additional sources
205, similarly or differently configured than the one or more
sources 204. In embodiments having two sources, source 204 and
source 205 may emit at the same or different wavelength ranges.
[0077] In embodiments having multiple EMR sources 204, 205, it may
be desirable to activate only selected sources for a given
treatment. For example, in embodiments having sources emitting at
different wavelengths, for certain applications, for example, hair
removal, it may be preferable to only activate a selected one or
more sources and for certain other applications, for example, acne
treatment or skin rejuvenation, to activate a selected one or more
other sources. While sources are discussed as emitting radiation at
a wavelength, one of ordinary skill would understand that any
radiation source produces light over a finite range of wavelengths,
accordingly a specified wavelength may be a part of a broader
range.
[0078] Radiation source 204 may be a pulsed or continuous wave (CW)
source. For applications that require coverage of large areas such
as hair removal, CW diode laser bars may be preferable. A method of
utilizing continuous wave (CW) light sources for the treatment of
various dermatologic disorders is described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,273,884 B1 entitled "Methods and Apparatus for Dermatology
Treatment," to Altshuler, et al., the substance of which is hereby
incorporated by reference. Some aspects of that patent teach the
use of a CW light source in combination with a contact optical
delivery system that can be either hand scanned or mechanically
driven across the skin surface to create a precise temperature rise
in the targeted biological structures (i.e., using continuous
contact scanning (CCS)).
[0079] Most commercial diode laser bars exhibit lifetimes of
>5000 hours, but application according to the present invention
may only require 10-100 hour lifetimes. Accordingly, in some
embodiments of the present invention, a source 204 may be
overdriven with current to increase radiation output, thus causing
the diode laser to operate at a higher temperature, and thereby
sacrificing lifetime.
[0080] Diode laser bars appropriate for use with the present
invention include diode laser bars emitting at wavelengths of
790-980 nm or other suitable wavelengths. Examples of sources of
diode laser bars appropriate for use with aspects of the present
invention include Coherent Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif., or Spectra
Physics of Mountain View, Calif. The above examples of sources 204,
205 are exemplary and it should be understood that aspects of the
present invention include devices and apparatus using any
appropriate EMR source currently available or
yet-to-be-developed.
[0081] For some embodiments of the present invention, for example
those requiring either low power or for treatment of small areas of
a patient's skin, LEDs may be used as light sources 204, 205. LEDs
are available in a wide range of emission wavelengths. Similar to
the diode laser sources discussed above, multiple LEDs emitting at
different wavelengths could be used in a single optical system.
Typical lifetimes for LEDs are in the 50,000-hour range; similar to
laser diodes, it may be possible to overdrive an LED and sacrifice
lifetime to generate higher optical power. For applications that
require high power density, a reflective concentrator (e.g., a
parabolic reflector) could be used to decrease the spot size at the
skin surface.
[0082] Broadband sources (e.g., low-power halogen lamps, arc lamps
and halide lamps) are another type of light source that could be
used as sources 204, 205. One or more optical filters 240 and 242
can be used to provide a wavelength band of interest for a given
application. Multiple lamps can be combined to produce high power,
and, similar to the case of LEDs, a concentrator could be used to
decrease the spot size at the skin surface. In some embodiments,
several different types of light sources can be incorporated into a
photocosmetic device (e.g., device 100 of FIG. 1).
[0083] In some embodiments of system 200, a beam splitter 230
splits radiation from source 204 to form a first portion of EMR and
a second portion of EMR. The first portion and second portion may
be filtered by filters 240 and 242 respectively. After filtering,
the portions may have the same or different wavelength ranges. The
functions of the first and second portions may be the same or
different. For example, the function of the second portion of EMR
may be to preheat the patient's skin 110 in preparation for
treatment by the first portion of EMR. Alternatively, both the
first portion of EMR and the second portion of EMR may provide
treatment.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 2B, in some embodiments, optical system
206 (visible in FIG. 2A) is configured to form a first area of
radiation 210 along a first axis 211 on the patient's skin 110.
First area of radiation 210 is formed from at least a first portion
of electromagnetic radiation from source 204 (visible in FIG. 2A).
In some embodiments, a second area of radiation 220 along a second
axis 221 is formed on the patient's skin 110. Second area of
radiation 220 may be formed from a second portion of
electromagnetic radiation from the radiation source 204;
alternatively second area of radiation 220 may be formed from light
from second radiation source 205 (visible in FIG. 2A).
[0085] In some aspects of the present invention, the first axis 211
and second axes 221 are parallel; however in other embodiments, the
axes 211, 221 are not parallel. System 206 may be configured to
form the first area 210 a selected distance from the second area
220, or may be configured such that the first portion of radiation
overlaps at least a part of the second portion of radiation.
Optionally, system 206 is configured to form (e.g., focus or
collimate) the first portion and second portion substantially as
lines. Optical system 200 may be configured to produce one or more
lines of light at the skin surface, each having a length of 1-300
mm and a width of 0.1-10 mm. Astigmatism of the beam can be in the
range 0.01-0.5. The term "astigmatism" is herein defined to mean
the ratio of beam width to the beam length. Also, optionally,
system 206 may be configured to form one or more additional areas
of radiation along additional axes (not shown) on the patient's
skin 110, the additional areas of radiation formed from
corresponding additional portions of electromagnetic radiation from
the radiation source 204 or 205, or radiation from one or more
additional radiation sources.
[0086] FIG. 3 is a side view of another example of an illumination
system 300 for use in performing photocosmetic procedures, that is
capable of forming two areas of radiation 311, 316 on an area of a
patient's skin 110. In system 300, two optical systems 310, 315,
instead of a single optical system 206 (FIG. 2), each generate a
corresponding area of radiation 311, 316 (e.g., areas of radiation
210, 220). The radiation used to generate the lines may be from two
sources 304, 305 or a single divided source as described above with
reference to FIG. 2.
[0087] FIG. 4 is a top view of one example of an illumination
system 400 appropriate for formation of islands of treatment.
System 400 includes a plurality of sources 410 (e.g., a
conventional laser diode emitting a line or circular spot of
illumination), each having a corresponding optical system 415 to
direct light onto an area of skin. The illustrated system may be
used to create a square (or arbitrarily shaped) matrix of focal
spots having islands of treatment within the area of skin. The term
"island" as used here is defined to mean an area of specified
treatment separated from other areas of the specified treatment,
such that areas between two or more areas receive radiation in an
amount below that necessary to achieve the specified treatment.
Islands of illumination are discussed in greater detail in U.S.
Provisional patent application Ser. No. 10/033,302, filed Dec. 27,
2001, by Anderson, entitled "Method and Apparatus for EMR
Treatment" the substance of which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0088] For embodiments of photocosmetic devices according to the
present invention that utilize high-power sources, management of
waste heat from the sources is important for avoiding wounds and
other injuries to the consumer. For example, in the case of a
photocosmetic device that includes diode laser bars in the
handpiece, up to 60% of the electrical energy may be dissipated in
non-optical waste heat. In addition to the removal of heat to avoid
wounds, removal of heat may be important to prevent the source from
overheating and shortening the lifetime of the source.
[0089] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of one
embodiment of a head 500 according to aspects of the present
invention. Head 500 includes an illumination system including an
EMR source (e.g., diode laser bar 510) and an optical system 520.
Head 500 may be located in a housing to protect the optical
components and to protect the operator of a photocosmetic device;
the housing is omitted to avoid obfuscation. In FIG. 5, a diode
laser bar 510 operates as the source of electromagnetic radiation
(e.g., source 204 in FIG. 2) and may be used to form one or more
areas of radiation (e.g., 210, 220 in FIG. 2). Diode laser bar 510
is located between positive electrode 515 and negative electrode
516. Electrodes 515, 516 provide electrical power to diode laser
bar 510, and may be made of any suitable material having good
electrical conductivity. In some embodiments, electrodes 515, 516
are in thermal contact with diode laser bar 510, and have good
thermal conductivity to transfer waste heat away from diode laser
bar 510. For example, electrodes 515 and 516 may be made of
aluminum or copper.
[0090] Optionally, waste heat from diode laser bar 510 may be
transferred via electrodes 515 and 516 to a heatsink 530. Heat sink
530 may be made of any material having good thermal conductivity to
transfer waste heat away from diode bar 510. For example, heat sink
530 may be made of aluminum or copper. Heat sink 530 can be cooled
by any appropriate, known method of cooling including a stream of
air. Optionally, cooling may be enhanced by adding fins (not shown)
to heat sink 530. Alternatively, heat sink 530 may be cooled by one
or more of the heat removal methods discussed below with reference
to FIGS. 6-11. Also optionally, a heat spreader 522 may be located
between electrodes 515, 516 and heatsink 530. Heat spreader 522 is
thermally coupled to electrodes 515, 516 and heat sink 530. Heat
spreader 522 may be made of any suitable material having good
thermal conductivity; preferably heat spreader 522 is electrically
insulative. Diamond and carbon fiber are two examples of materials
suitable for use as heat spreaders.
[0091] In some embodiments, electrodes 515, 516 are configured to
be heat sinks to conduct waste heat away from diode laser bar 510.
Accordingly, heat sink 530 and heat spreader 522 may be omitted. In
such embodiments, electrodes 515 and 516 can be made of any
materially exhibiting good thermal and electrical conductivity.
Optionally, one or more thermal sensors 524 (e.g. a thermocouple, a
thermistor) may be used to monitor a temperature indicative of a
patient's skin (e.g., the temperature at the interface of an
optical system 520 and electrode 516) for use in a cooling system
as described below.
[0092] Diode laser bar 510 may be secured to electrodes 515 and 516
using any method capable of maintaining good electrical contact
between bar 510 and electrodes 515,516. In embodiments where
transfer of waste heat is desired, any suitable method of achieving
good thermal and electrical contact may be used. In one embodiment,
diode laser bar 510 is clamped between the two electrodes 515 and
516. A spring or other suitable device may be used to clamp diode
laser bar 510 firmly between electrodes 515, 516. In another
embodiment, diode laser bar 510 may also be glued in place with
thermal/electrical conductive epoxy. In another embodiment, diode
laser bar 510 is soldered in place with a low-temperature solder
(In or Au/Sn solder, etc.). Automated soldering may be achieved
using an indium preform placed between diode laser bar 510 and
electrodes 515 and 516, and applying heat using a die bonder to
heat, compress, and then cool the solder and diode bar. Optionally,
a spacer 525, made out of a material with high thermal and low
electrical conductivity such as BeO, may be included to provide
electrical insulation between the electrodes 515 and 516.
[0093] According to some aspects of the present invention, optical
system 520 couples light from diode laser bar 510 to a patient's
skin. Optical system 520 may be separated from diode laser bar 510
by an air gap 511. Exemplary optical systems 520 are described in
greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 12-15. In embodiments
according some aspects of the present invention, optical system 520
is configured to contact an area of a patient's skin, and the
optical surface 521 is cooled to provide cooling to the patient's
skin.
[0094] In some embodiments, cooling of diode laser bar 510 and
optical system 520 are achieved using a single cooling system. For
example, electrodes 515, 516 may be thermally coupled to optical
system 520 along dimensions A; accordingly, both diode laser bar
510 and optical system 520 may be cooled by cooling the electrodes
515, 516 directly or via cooling of a heat sink 530 that is
thermally coupled to electrodes 515, 516. Dimensions A are
typically both between roughly 1 and 10 mm. Further detail
regarding simultaneous cooling of an optical source and an optical
system are given in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/473,910, filed
Dec. 28, 1999, the substance of which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0095] Contact cooling of the skin may be used to protect a
patient's epidermis during delivery of high-fluence radiation to
the skin, for example at wavelengths where melanin exhibits
significant absorption. In some embodiments of head 500, optical
system 520 includes a sapphire element configured to contact a
patient's skin due to its good optical transmissivity and thermal
conductivity. As described above, optical system 520 may be cooled
to remove heat from the sapphire element during treatment.
Optionally, prior to treatment with the photocosmetic device, a
lotion that is transparent at the operative wavelength(s) may be
applied on the skin. Preferably, the location is thermally
conductive to enhance heat removal from the skin through optical
surface 521. Preferably, the lotion also facilitates the gliding
motion of the optical system 520 over the skin surface and has a
refractive index match between contact surface 520 and the skin 110
to provide efficient optical coupling of the radiation into the
skin.
[0096] The lotion may also be used to show which skin areas have
been treated by choosing a lotion with optical properties (e.g.,
color or reflectance) that are altered in response to irradiation
by an EMR source (e.g., laser diode 510). For example, if the
lotion is initially a given color, after irradiation it would
become transparent (or a different color). The ability to
distinguish treated from untreated areas is particularly important
for treatments such as hair removal that are performed over a large
surface area.
[0097] FIG. 5 also illustrates one embodiment of a system for
cooling diode bar 510 and optical system 520 via heat sink 530. In
FIG. 5, a heat absorbitive liquid flows through a thermally
conductive conduit 540 that is thermally coupled to heatsink 530.
For example, in one embodiment, water is used as the liquid.
Optionally water may be provided by attaching a source of cold
water, such as tap water; referring to FIG. 1, water may be
provided through a handle 190 having suitable plumbing.
Alternatively, a closed-circuit cooling loop having a heat
exchanger (not shown) to remove heat from the liquid; the heat
exchanger may be located in handle 190 or base unit 120.
[0098] Referring again to FIG. 5, conduit 540 covers at least a
portion of one or more surfaces, for example, surface 542 of heat
sink 530. A single planar conduit may cover the entirety of one or
more surfaces of heat sink 530. Alternatively, a plurality of
conduits, each covering a portion of a surface heatsink 530, may be
used. Alternatively, one or more conduits 540 may cover at least a
portion of electrodes 515, 516. Since cooling may be applied to
either heat sink 530, directly to electrodes 515, 516, a surface of
a heatsink (e.g., surface 542), a surface of an electrode, or any
other appropriate surface from which heat is to be removed shall
hereinafter be referred to as a "cooling surface." While a cooling
surface is illustrated as an external surface, it is to be
understood that a cooling surface may be an internal surface, such
as a surface exposed to a conduit through a heat sink or an
electrode.
[0099] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional side view one example of one
embodiment of a cooling system 600 that uses evaporative cooling.
In FIG. 6, a phase change liquid is sprayed from one or more spray
jets 610 and 620 onto the cooling surface 623. The liquid can be
any suitable evaporative liquid, such that the liquid evaporates in
response to heat absorbed from the cooling surface. In some
embodiments, the liquid is a low-temperature boiling-point liquid,
directed on the heat sink such that as the liquid boils in response
to heat absorbed from the cooling surface 623. In some embodiments,
the liquid is tetrafluoroethane (boiling point -26.degree. C.),
CO.sub.2 (boiling point -78.degree. C.) although any other suitable
liquids (e.g., freon or liquid nitrogen) could also be used. In
some embodiments, the liquid is atomized by spray jets 610 and
620.
[0100] Optionally, the liquid can be contained in a container 625
located in the base unit or handle. Preferably, container 625 is
conveniently accessible by a user so as to be user-replaceable. A
conduit 626 is used to transport the liquid to spray jets 610 and
620. The amount of coolant flow is regulated by valve 627, which
can be controlled manually or electrically using information
regarding the amount of heat present in a system (e.g., system 500
of FIG. 5). For example, a sensor (e.g., sensor 524 in FIG. 5) can
be used to control a feedback-controlled solenoid in valve 627.
Optionally, each spray jet 610 and 620 can be a combination valve
and spray jet eliminating the need for a separate valve 627.
[0101] Optionally, the cooling surface 623 from which evaporation
occurs can be textured to increase the surface area from which the
liquid can be evaporated. Although triangular texturing 615 of the
evaporative surface is shown, any shape suitable for increasing
surface area may be implemented. The illustrated triangular
texturing 615 may be a part of a linear grooves pattern, a
cross-sectional view of a concentric circular groove pattern or any
other appropriate groove pattern. Other texturing includes a
plurality of projections (e.g, semispheres, cylinders, or pyramids
projecting from the cooling surface). Optionally, a collar 630 may
be used to surround spray jets 610, 620 and heat sink 530 to
contain the spray.
[0102] A phase change liquid may also be used to cool the
electronics 644 used to power and/or control a photocosmetic
device. In particular, power field effect transistors (FETs) used
to control the power of a photocosmetic device generate a large
amount of heat. Conventionally, power FETs have been cooled using a
relatively large heat sink, and a fan to remove heat. Such systems
tend to be large and heavy. Cooling systems according to the
present invention provide an alternative method of cooling.
[0103] Optionally, a portion of the phase change liquid conduit 626
that provides liquid to remove heat generated by the EMR source may
be configured to direct a portion of the phase change liquid to the
spray jet 640. Spray jet 640 directs a portion of the phase change
liquid onto a cooling surface (e.g., a surface of a heat sink 642).
A heat sensor 646 (e.g., a thermistor) may be used to control the
amount of liquid projected onto cooling surface, for example, by
controlling a valve 650.
[0104] FIG. 6B is a schematic of another embodiment of a cooling
system 650 for use in a head utilizing a flowing, cooling liquid
605. In FIG. 6B, a high-pressure liquid is maintained in a
container 655 (e.g., tetrafluoroethane under 1 to 5 atmospheres of
pressure) and projected through a nozzle 660 onto a cooling surface
665. The projected liquid 607 from nozzle 660 may be in the form of
droplets or stream of liquid. In some embodiments, the liquid is
projected as a stream to overcome the poor aerodynamic properties
(i.e., high drag) of droplets, thus improving the heat removal
properties of cooling system 650. As described above, cooling
surface 665 may be any material that is a good conductor of heat
(e.g., copper or silver). Preferably, cooling surface 665 is
selected to have dimensions large enough such that the liquid 655
evaporates from surface 665 rather than drips off said surface.
[0105] Projected liquid 607 from nozzle 660 is projected onto
cooling surface 665 to form a flowing liquid 605 on cooling surface
665. Nozzle 660 and cooling surface 665 may be selected such that
the liquid 607 projected from the nozzle 660 is a stream of liquid
the entire distance between the nozzle 660, and upon impinging
surface 665 forms a flowing liquid at cooling surface 665.
Alternatively, nozzle 660 and cooling surface 665 may be selected
such that the liquid 607 projected from nozzle 660 may form a spray
of droplets between nozzle 660 and cooling surface 665 before
aggregating to form a flowing liquid at cooling surface 665.
Because liquid projected from nozzle 660 is under high pressure,
the flowing liquid on the cooling surface 665 flows across the
cooling surface 665 at a relatively high speed V.
[0106] Forming a flowing liquid 605 on cooling surface 665 may be
used to provide increased heat removal from surface 665 compared to
conventional cooling system in which droplets (i.e., a non-flowing
liquid) are formed on cooling surface 665. For example, the
improved heat removal may result from the fact that droplets (as
formed in a conventional system) are not formed in sufficient
number or density to achieve and maintain a selected amount of heat
removal.
[0107] FIG. 6C is a schematic of another embodiment of a cooling
system 670 for use in a head, utilizing a cooling liquid 655 and
having a cooling chamber 684. Head 670 has sidewalls 675 and a
cover 680 having a port 682 for entry of the liquid 655 from nozzle
660. Sidewall 675 and cover 680 form chamber 684. Port 682 may also
serve as an exhaust vent for evaporated cooling liquid. As
indicated by arrows 686, sidewalls 675 and cover 680 redirect the
liquid 655 from cover 680 back to the cooling surfaces 665. The
sidewalls 675 are preferably selected to be thermally coupled to
the cooling surface 665 such that liquid contacting the sidewalls
675 may remove heat from the cooling surface 665. Optionally, the
side walls 675 may be integrated with cooling surface 665 such that
liquid contacting the sidewall 675 may remove heat. In some
embodiments, it may be preferable that cover 680 have poor thermal
conductivity and poor wetting characteristics for the cooling
liquid to improve the likelihood that the cooling liquid will reach
the cooling surface 665. For example, in some embodiments, cover
680 is made of a polymer or organic glass. Although chamber 684 is
illustrated as having sidewalls and a cover forming an angle
therebetween, the chamber may be formed having a continuous
curvature.
[0108] Because port 682 operates as an exhaust vent from evaporated
liquid 655, the area S of port 682 determines the pressure
maintained within chamber 684. In some embodiments, port 682 is
selected to have a area S large enough to prevent back pressure
that slows the speed of the liquid projected on the cooling surface
665; however, port 682 may be selected to be small enough to allow
the cover 680 to redirect a significant portion of liquid back to
the cooling surface 665, and to maintain pressure in chamber 684 to
keep the liquid from evaporating too quickly. For example, port
area S may be approximately one hundred to two hundred times as
large as the area s of nozzle 660. In some embodiments, the cooling
liquid is selected to be a liquid that has an boiling temperature
(i.e., evaporation temperature) of less than -26 degrees Celsius
for pressures less than or equal to atmospheric pressure.
[0109] FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment a
laser head 690 utilizing a cooling liquid in which the exhaust vent
692 is separated from the port 694 through which cooling liquid
enters chamber 696. Chamber 696 is bounded by a cooling surface
688, side walls 693, and a cover 695. Cooling surface 688 is
thermally coupled to source 525, and optical system 520 via
coupling plates (described in greater detail below). A cooling
liquid from nozzle 698 is projected onto textured cooling surface
688. A portion of the cooling liquid which does not contact cooling
surface 688 directly is redirected by side walls 693 and cover 695
as indicated by arrows 686.
[0110] Optionally, cover 695 may be selected to have a resonant
frequency to enhance its ability to redirect the liquid to cooling
surface 688. Also, optionally a means to reduce the kinetic energy
of the liquid (e.g., propeller, not shown) may be placed between
the nozzle 698 and the cooling surface 688 to cool the liquid.
[0111] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a
head 700 for contacting skin surface 110. Head 700 has channels 730
and 731 in the electrodes 515, 516). Evaporative cooling may occur
along the bottom surface of electrodes 515, 516 and along the
surface of channels 730, 731, thus increasing the cooling surface
area of head 700. Preferably, the location of channels 730 and 731
is proximate diode laser bar 510. In one embodiment, channels 730,
731 are located along the length of the diode laser bar 510 (i.e.,
along direction-x). In some embodiments, channels 730, 731 are
located proximate a spray jet 610 to receive spray. Channels 730
and 731 may have a rectangular cross section or any other shape
appropriate to improve cooling. For example, openings 740, 742 may
be flared to receive spray from spray jet 610. As an alternative to
a single channel extending along the length of the diode bar 510, a
series of channels may be placed on one or both sides of diode
laser bar 510 along the length of the diode laser bar.
[0112] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment
of a cooling system 800. In FIG. 8, a liquid is used to remove heat
from cooling surface 823 but the liquid is not used in spray form.
In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, liquid flows out of
reservoir 825 into a plurality of channels 832 located within
cooling surface 823. The length of each of the plurality of
channels 832 extends in the direction of the length of source 510.
The liquid is brought into thermal contact or physical contact with
cooling surface 823.
[0113] Optionally, the liquid may be a low-boiling point liquid
that evaporates in response to heat absorbed from cooling surface
823. A valve 833 may be used to control the liquid evaporation;
when significant cooling is desired, valve 833 is opened and a
pressure less than equilibrium is applied to the liquid to
facilitate evaporation. The pressure drop causes the liquid to
boil, which removes heat from cooling surface 823. Although
channels 832 are illustrated as extending in a direction parallel
to the length of light source 510, and the channels are illustrated
as having rectangular cross sections, other shape of channels 832
aligned in one or more in various directions are possible and are
within the scope of the present aspect of the invention. A feedback
signal can be derived from a thermal sensor (e.g., sensor 524 in
FIG. 5) to control a solenoid in control valve 833.
[0114] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of another exemplary
embodiment of a head 900 for contacting a skin surface 110. Head
900 has a cooling system having a cooling surface 923 that is
brought into physical contact with a solid mass (also referred to
as a phase change solid). At least a portion of the solid mass 834
changes phase in response to heat absorbed from cooling surface
923. The phase change may be from a solid to liquid, or a solid to
a gas. In some embodiments, the solid has a melting temperature
between approximately -10 C and +30 C; however, in some
applications, materials undergoing a phase change outside this
range, particularly below this range, may be utilized.
[0115] In some embodiments, the solid mass is conveniently located
within a device handpiece (e.g. handpiece 170 in FIG. 1) so as to
be user replaceable. In some embodiments, the solid mass is
contained in an insulating sleeve to avoid contact with user's
hands, and/or to minimize melting do to exposure to room
temperature. In the illustrated embodiment, temperature control can
be achieved by using a manually or electrically controlled solenoid
or a spring 835 to bring the solid mass in and out of contact with
cooling surface 923.
[0116] In one embodiment of the phase-change cooling system, the
phase-change solid is ice. In this embodiment, a user could keep
one or more frozen ice blocks in his/her freezer. When the user
wanted to operate the photocosmetic device, a frozen ice block
could be inserted in the device. In another embodiment, dry ice,
which has a significantly lower melting point than water, could
also be used to achieve greater cooling capacity. It is to be
understood that the ice block may contain water, or water with one
or more additives to treat a user's skin.
[0117] In some embodiments, commercially available organic
compounds (e.g., paraffin wax-based materials, fatty acids,
cross-linked polyethylenes) may be used as phase change solids.
Examples of appropriate paraffin wax materials include RT25
produced by Rubitherm GmbH. RT25 has a melting point of
27.7.degree. C. In other embodiments, greases having melting points
in the 20-35.degree. C. range may be used as the phase change
solid. In another embodiment, Ga or a Ga alloy (e.g., Ga/In,
Ga/In/Sn, or Ga/In/Sn/Zn), which is tailored to exhibit a melting
point in the 15->50.degree. C. range, is used as the solid mass.
In a Ga/In alloy, the relatively high thermal conductivity of Ga
(40.6 W/m*K) and In (81.6 W/m*K) would help to spread the waste
heat throughout the alloy volume. A disposable phase-change cooler
cartridge may be used to contain the phase-change solid; for
example, the phase change solid may be used either once and then
discarded or may be rechargeable (i.e., resolidified one or more
times).
[0118] FIG. 10 is an embodiment of a head 1000 having a cooling
system in which an endothermic chemical reactions is used for
cooling. Examples of appropriate reactions are ammonium nitrate
(NH.sub.4NO.sub.3) or ammonium chloride (NH.sub.4Cl) introduced
into water causing an endothermic reaction. For example, if 200 ml
of water is mixed with 200 g of ammonium nitrate, a temperature of
approximately -5.degree. C. can be achieved, thus allowing
absorption of a heat.
[0119] In FIG. 10, an endothermic reaction is contained within a
reaction chamber 1050, and the reaction chamber is thermally
coupled to cooling surface 1023. In some embodiments, reaction
chamber 1050 could be coupled to the cooling surface1023 via a
material having a good thermal conductivity. In some embodiments,
the mechanism includes a thin membrane 1051 separating a first
chamber of water and another chamber of ammonium chloride. In some
embodiments, membrane 1051 can be broken to initiate the reaction
and the reaction chamber could be a disposable container. For
example, the user could apply force to a flexible plastic reaction
chamber to break a membrane and thereby produce a reservoir of cold
liquid prior to turning on the device. Alternatively, the membrane
may be removed or otherwise manipulated according to any known
means to allow contents of the first chamber and the second chamber
to interact.
[0120] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a
device 1100 having a conduit 1110 and an exhaust vent 1120. In FIG.
11, a liquid or gas entering exhaust vent 1120 is directed to an
area of skin 1130 so as to pre or post cool the area of skin 1130
during treatment. For example, a portion of the same cooling liquid
that is sprayed onto cooling surface 530 or the gas resulting from
the evaporation of the liquid may enter conduit 1110 and be sprayed
onto skin by vent 1120. The portion of liquid may be condensed
evaporate or simply excess liquid. If, as described above, tap
water was utilized for cooling (or an ice phase-change cooler as
described with reference to FIG. 9), it may be possible to divert a
portion of the water after the water was used to cool the cooling
surface 530. In some embodiments, the pressure from a gas resulting
from a phase change cooling system may be used to drive a lotion
onto a patient's skin. Although the illustrated embodiment
illustrates diverting a portion of the cooling liquid after it is
used to cool surface 530, in some embodiments a portion of the
cooling liquid may be directly projected onto the skin without
being used to cool the cooling surface 530.
[0121] Optionally, one or more additives may be added to the liquid
via conduit 1112 (e.g., to form a cooling lotion) prior to spraying
on the skin. The additives could be stored in a cartridge (not
shown) in the handpiece or base unit. In some embodiments, to
achieve a "shower effect," all of the water exiting the heatsink
could be exhausted onto the skin. As an alternative to using the
evaporative liquid, an alternative source of gas, liquid or lotion
(i.e., independent of the cooling system) could be stored in a
cartridge in the handpiece or the base unit and dispensed while the
handpiece is moved across the skin surface.
[0122] To avoid obfuscation, the following exemplary embodiments of
optical systems for use with aspects of the present invention will
be described with reference to a single electromagnetic radiation
source; however as described above, one or more sources may be used
to form one or more areas of radiation. In the exemplary optical
systems described below, each of the surfaces having optical power
has optical power along a first axis (e.g., the y-axis) and zero
optical power along an axis normal to the first axis (i.e., the
x-axis). That is, the lenses are cylindrical. Although the
embodiments discussed below have planar or cylindrical curvatures,
other refractive or diffractive optical designs are within the
scope of the present invention.
[0123] FIG. 12A is a side view of one example of an embodiment of a
single element optical system 1200 appropriate for use with
photocosmetic devices according to some aspects of the present
invention. Optical system 1200 includes an element 1210 for
transmitting light from an electromagnetic radiation source 1220
(e.g., a laser diode bar) to a patient's skin 110. Element 1210 has
an input surface 1211 and an output surface 1212 configured to
contact a patient's skin surface.
[0124] Source 1220 is closely coupled to input surface 1211 of the
element 1210 (e.g., 1 mm separation); close coupling enables a
large fraction of light along a highly divergent fast-axis of a
laser diode source to be transmitted to a patient's skin. In some
embodiments, input surface 1211 has an antireflective (AR)
coating.
[0125] As described above, element 1210 is made of a material
substantially transparent at the operative wavelength, and
preferably made of a material that is thermally conductive to
remove heat from a treated skin surface (e.g., sapphire). In some
embodiments, the lateral sides 1213 of element 1210 are coated with
a material reflective at the operative wavelength (e.g., copper,
silver or gold). Additionally, the space 1221, between source 1220
and input surface 1211, may be surrounded with a reflective
material to increase the strength of light incident on surface
1211.
[0126] In one embodiment, optical element 1210 is a sapphire plate
(i.e., surfaces 1211 and 1212 are planar, and have no optical
power). In another embodiment of optical system 1200, optical
surface 1212 has a cylindrical curvature (as shown in FIG. 12) and
is selected to converge light incident on surface 1212. For
example, in one embodiment, surface 1212 has a radius of curvature
of approximately 3 mm. This system can be used to treat skin
structures that require high treatment fluence. For example, the
lens system of FIG. 13 can be used to target stem cells of hair
follicle, sebaceous gland, infrainfundibulum, vascular tissue,
tattoos, or collagen.
[0127] In some embodiments, lateral surfaces 1213 have a length L
approximately in the range 5-50 mm, and a cross-sectional width
(measured in the x-direction) and height (measured in the
y-direction) are selected to collect light from source 1220. For
example, for a source comprised of two 1 cm diode laser bars
close-coupled to element 1210, the cross-sectional width is
selected to be 2 cm, and the cross-sectional height is 2 cm.
[0128] As illustrated, optical element 1210 transmits a portion of
light from source 1220 directly to surface 1212 with no reflections
on lateral surfaces 1213 (e.g., exemplary ray 1230) and a portion
of light from source 1220 is reflected from lateral surfaces 1213
prior to reaching surface 1212 (e.g., exemplary ray 1232). An
element, such as element 1210, that directs a portion of light from
source to surface using total internal reflection is also referred
herein to as a "waveguide."
[0129] Optionally, a tip reflector 1222 may be added to redirect
light scattered out of the skin back into the skin (referred to as
photon recycling). For wavelengths in the near-IR, between 40% and
80% of light incident on the skin surface is scattered out of the
skin; as one of ordinary skill would understand the amount of
scattering is partially dependant on skin pigmentation. By
redirecting light scattered out of the skin back toward the skin
using tip reflector 1222, the effective fluence provided by system
1200 can be increased by more than a factor of two. In one
embodiment, tip reflectors 1222 extend a total of 3 mm from the
upper lateral surface and lower lateral surface of element 1210. In
some embodiments, tip reflectors 1222 have a copper, gold or silver
coating to reflect light back toward the skin.
[0130] A reflective coating may be applied to any non-transmissive
surfaces of the device that are exposed to the reflected/scattered
light from the skin. As one of ordinary skill in the art would
understand, the location and efficacy of these surfaces is
dependent on the chosen focusing geometry and placement of the
light source(s). Photon recycling is discussed further in U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/634,981, filed Aug. 9, 2000, entitled
"Heads for Dermatology Treatment," by Altshuler, et al., and
application Ser. No. 09/268,433, filed Mar. 12, 1999; the substance
of both is hereby incorporated by reference. FIG. 12B is a ray
trace of one example of an embodiment of such an optical system
1200 having a source 1220 and an element 1210 as illustrated in
FIG. 12A.
[0131] FIG. 13 is a side view of one example of an embodiment of a
two-element cylindrical optical system 1300 appropriate for use
with photocosmetic devices according to some aspects of the present
invention, in which a collimator 1310 is used in conjunction with
element 1210. In FIG. 13, a fast-axis collimator 1310 is very
closely coupled to optical source 1220 (e.g., 0.09 mm). In one
embodiment, collimator 1310 has a length 1.5 mm, a planar input
surface 1311, and an output surface 1312 having a curvature of to
collimate the output of collimator 1310. Element 1210 is located
0.1 mm from output surface 1312. Collimator 1310 produces a beam of
radiation that is substantially collimated in the y-dimension at
output surface 1312. For example, collimator 1310 may be a lens
module number S-TIH53 produced by Limo Gmbh of Dortmund,
Germany.
[0132] The collimated beam is projected onto input surface 1211 of
optical element 1210. As described above, element 1210 may be a
plate or may be weakly converging (e.g., output surface 1212 may
have a radius of curvature equal to 3 mm) to compensate for
scattering in the skin. This system can be used to treat skin
structures that require high treatment fluence. For example, the
lens system of FIG. 13 can be used to target stem cells of hair
follicle, sebaceous gland, infrainfundibulum, vascular, tattoo, or
collagen. FIG. 13B is a ray trace of one example of an embodiment
of such an optical system 1300 having a source 1220 and a
collimator 1310 and an element 1210 as illustrated in FIG. 13A.
[0133] FIG. 14A is a side view of another example of an embodiment
of a two-element cylindrical optical system 1400 appropriate for
use with photocosmetic devices according to some aspects of the
present invention. In optical system 1400, the fast-axis collimator
1310 of FIG. 13 is used in conjunction with an element 1420 located
0.1 mm from surface 1312 of collimator 1310 to project light from
source 1220. Element 1420 has an input surface 1421 with a
curvature of 1 mm, a planar output surface 1422, and a length of 1
mm. System 1400 focuses light at approximately 1 mm from surface
1422 (i.e., 1 mm below the skin surface for embodiments in which
surface 1422 is configured to be in contact with a patient's skin).
In one embodiment, the heights of elements 1310 and 1420 are
selected to be 1.5 mm. In some embodiments, lens 1420 is made of
sapphire. This system can be used to target shallow skin structures
that require high treatment fluence. For example, the lens system
of FIG. 14 can be used to target psoriasis, sebaceous glands, hair
shafts, or hair stem cells. FIG. 14B is a ray trace of one example
of an embodiment of such an optical system 1400 having a source
1220 and a collimator 1310 and an element 1420 as illustrated in
FIG. 14A.
[0134] FIG. 15A is a side view of another example of a embodiment
of a two-element cylindrical optical system 1500 appropriate for
use with photocosmetic devices according to some aspects of the
present invention. FIG. 15 illustrates an optical system 1500 that
can be used, for example, to focus the diode light deeper than the
optical system 1400 in FIG. 14. For example, optical system 1500
may focus the diode light approximately 2 mm below the skin surface
(i.e., 2 mm from surface 1522) to target deep structures (e.g. hair
bulb, deeper blood vessels, subcutaneous fat) in the skin.
[0135] System 1500 is a two-element symmetrical lens system to
project light from a source 1220. A first element 1510 is located
approximately 1.4 mm from source 1220 and has a input surface 1511
that is planar and an output surface 1512 having curvature of 2.5
mm; accordingly, lens 1510 quasi-collimates the light from light
source 1522. A second lens 1520 having an input surface 1521 with a
curvature of 2.5 mm and a planar output surface 1522; accordingly
lens 1522 focuses the quasi-collimated light 2 mm below the skin
surface. In the illustrated embodiment, aberrations in the optical
system are balanced to achieve a substantially uniform (i.e., "flat
top") spatial optical intensity profile at output surface 1522. The
flat top intensity profile is substantially determined by spherical
aberration in a plane transverse to the cylindrical surface 1522.
In some embodiments, lenses 1510 and 1520 are made of sapphire.
FIG. 15B is a ray trace of one example of an embodiment of such an
optical system 1500 having a source 1220 and an element 1510 and an
element 1520 as illustrated in FIG. 15A.
[0136] FIG. 16A is a schematic illustration of an exemplary
embodiment of a head 1600 for performing photocosmetic procedures.
Head 1600 is illustrated without a housing to facilitate
description. As described above head 1600 will be moved along an
area of a patient's skin, typically in direction 1602 or direction
1604.
[0137] Head 1600 includes an optical system 206 to transmit light
from an EMR source 1630. Electrodes 1620 activate an EMR source
1630. An electric insulator 1650 may be located between electrodes
1620 to prevent electrical contact between electrodes 1620.
Electrodes 1620 may be tapered to reduce the region of contact with
a patient's skin.
[0138] FIG. 16B is a schematic illustration of an exemplary
embodiment of a head 1650 for performing photocosmetic procedures
that also provides the capability to perform muscle stimulation
during a photocosmetic procedure. Electrical muscle stimulation is
a well-known physical therapy procedure that may enhance the
efficacy of some photocosmetic procedures. For example, electrical
muscle stimulation may be used to improve the efficacy of wrinkle
treatment or cellulite treatment.
[0139] In one embodiment, two electrodes 1610 for delivering the
electrical stimulation are located on opposite sides of optical
system 206, on a portion of head 1600 that is designed to be in
contact with a patient's skin during a photocosmetic treatment
(i.e., during the delivery of EMR by system 206). One electrode
1610 contacts an area of a patient's skin prior to optical system
206 and the other electrode 1610 contacts an area of skin after
optical system 206.
[0140] A thermally conductive electric insulator 1615 (e.g., made
of BeO or diamond or other suitable material) can be used to
prevent electrical contact between electrodes 1610 which provide
electrical stimulation, and electrodes 1620 which activate EMR
source 1630. An electric insulator 1650 may be located between
electrodes 1620 to prevent electrical contact between electrodes
1620.
[0141] By applying a constant (or pulsed) electrical current to a
patient's skin via electrodes 1610 while the handpiece is scanned
across the skin surface, simultaneous muscle stimulation and
electromagnetic treatment can be achieved. In some embodiments,
electrodes may provide radio frequency (RF) current through skin.
Alternatively, electrodes, 1610 may provide a DC current or a
microwave field. In some embodiments, skin can be scanned with a RF
current or microwave field to selectively heat a portion of skin to
be treated with EMR radiation. Preheating skin may enable the power
of the EMR source 1630 to be decreased.
[0142] FIG. 17A is a schematic of one example of one embodiment of
an apparatus according to some aspects of the invention, which
determines contact between an optical element 1704 (e.g., element
1210 of FIG. 12) and the surface of a patient's skin 1701. To
provide eye safety, in some embodiments of photocosmetic devices, a
contact sensor is used to enable an electromagnetic treatment
source (e.g., source 510 of FIG. 5) to activate only when the
device is in contact with a patient's skin.
[0143] In FIG. 17A, an illumination source 1702 (e.g., diode laser
or LED, separate from the treatment source) is mounted a few
millimeters (e.g., 5 mm) away from element 1704, and directed
toward skin surface 1701. Optionally, illumination source 1702 may
be mounted to direct light toward skin surface 1701 through element
1704. Source 1702 may emit radiation at the same wavelength as the
treatment source 510 but preferably emits radiation at a different
wavelength than the treatment source 510. A detector 1712 is
located to detect light from the illumination source that is
reflected or scattered from the surface of skin 1701. Optionally, a
filter 1708 may be added to selectively transmit light from source
1702, and to eliminate wavelengths of light corresponding to the
treatment source 510 and any other extraneous wavelengths of
light.
[0144] In the case of poor or no skin contact, a relatively large
amount of radiation light from source 1702 would reflect or scatter
from the skin surface 1701 through the optical system 1704 to
detector 1712. As illustrated in FIG. 17B, when element 1740 is in
good contact with the skin surface 1701, scattering and absorption
in the skin would attenuate light from the illumination source
1702, and a relatively small amount of radiation would reach
detector 1712. Thus, by using an electronic means (e.g., a
comparator) to measure the output of detector 1712, and selecting
an appropriate threshold, the treatment source can be configured to
activate only when the output of detector 1712 is below the
threshold. Optionally, source 1702 and/or detector 1712 may be
located in a base unit and one or more optical fibers may be used
to couple light from the handpiece to the source or detector.
[0145] In another embodiment, detector 1712 detects light from the
treatment source to determine contact between element 1740 and skin
surface 1701. In such a system, light from source 510 is scattered
and reflected by skin surface 1701 through element 1704 to detector
1712. A radiation filter 1708 may selectively transmit this
scattered and reflected radiation to detector 1712. In this
embodiment, the treatment source 510 is maintained at a low-power
eye-safe mode until firm contact with the skin surface 1701 is
made. When there is no or poor contact between skin surface 1701
and element 1704, the output of detector 1712 is relatively low.
However, when element 1704 is in good contact with the skin surface
1701, the output of detector 1701 is relatively high. Thus,
treatment source 510 would be configured to fire only when the
output of detector 1712 was above a threshold level.
[0146] Alternatively, instead of source 1702 and detector 1712, a
standard optical contact detector that is in an optical computer
system mouse can be used, for example, the optical contact system
in a CordLess Mouseman.TM. produced by Logitech of Fremont,
Calif.
[0147] As an alternative to the optical methods of determining
contact, electrical methods can be used to detect contact between
element 1704 and a patient's skin 1701. FIG. 17C is a
cross-sectional view of handpiece having two electrical contacts
located in a portion of the handpiece such that when element 1704
is in contact with skin 1701, contacts 1720 are also in contact
with skin 1701. Contact can be determined by measuring resistance
(or capacitance) between the contacts. Treatment source 510 would
be activated when resistance (or capacitance) between contacts 1720
was within a selected range (i.e., a range typical for skin). In
another embodiment, contacts 1720 may be magnetic sensors to detect
contact with skin surface 1701. In another alternative embodiment,
contacts may be mechanical sensors to detect contact with skin
surface 1701. For example, one or more spring-loaded pins or
buttons may be located such that when the element 1704 is in
contact with the skin the pin or button is depressed. Multiple
sensors, pins, buttons, or other mechanical sensors located around
the perimeter of element 1704 could be used to help ensure that the
entire surface of element 1704 face was in good contact with skin.
Alternatively, contacts 1720 can be conventional load cells to
determine contact with skin surface 1701. Contacts, sensors, pins,
buttons, or other mechanical sensors that allow for the measurement
of resistance or capacitance may be preferred to ensure that the
contact is with skin and not with another surface, for example, a
mirror or countertop.
[0148] In another embodiment, one or more temperature sensors are
used to determine contact with skin surface 1701. A typical skin
surface temperature is in the 30-32.degree. C. range; accordingly
temperature sensors could be located near a surface of the device
which contacts a patient's skin, and contact could be determined to
occur when the measured temperatures were within a selected range
(e.g., 23-27.degree. C.). Alternatively, contact could be
determined to have occurred when the temperature sensors measured a
temperature versus time slope indicative of contact. In still
another embodiment, where lotion is to be dispensed on the skin
(described above with reference to FIG. 11), skin contact could be
detected by using a pressure sensor within spray jet 1120. The
pressure sensor would measure the pressure needed to eject the
lotion onto the skin. Only when the handpiece was in good contact
with the skin would relatively high pressure be provided to
dispense the lotion.
[0149] Contact sensor designs are described in greater detail in
U.S. application Ser. No. 09/847,043, by Henry Zenzie, filed Apr.
30, 2001, entitled "Contact Detecting Method and Apparatus for an
Optical Radiation Handpiece," the substance of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0150] A handpiece is preferably scanned across a patient's skin
within a specified speed range. If the handpiece is moved too
slowly (typical minimum speed limit would be between 5 and 25 mm/s
depending on the application), the light dosage will be too high
and undesired thermal damage may result. Correspondingly, if the
handpiece is moved too quickly (typically the maximum speed limit
would be between 50 and 500 mm/s depending on the application), the
light dosage will be too low to achieve treatment efficacy. Thus,
only when the handpiece is scanned within this speed range does the
handpiece emit electromagnetic radiation for treatment. An
exemplary speed range for operation of a photocosmetic hand piece
for hair removal/growth delay is 10-500 mm/s which corresponds to
the speed ranges with which is approximately equal to the speed
which a typical razors passes over their skin.
[0151] FIG. 18A is a cutaway side view of one embodiment of a
handpiece 1800 having a motion sensor 1820 for determining
handpiece speed. Motion sensor 1820 may be used to prevent injury
to skin 1810 by providing feedback control to a treatment source
(e.g., source 510 in FIG. 2), such that if the handpiece remains
motionless or if the movement across the skin 1810 is too slow or
too fast, the intensity of source may be decreased or increased,
respectively, or the source may be turned off. Optionally, the
treatment source may be disabled instead of reduced in power. In
one embodiment, a wheel 1821 is positioned to make physical contact
with skin 1810, such that the wheel rotates as handpiece 1800 is
moved relative the skin 1810, and handpiece speed can be
determined.
[0152] Handpiece 1800 may be configured to inform the operator when
the handpiece speed is inside or outside of an acceptable speed
range. For example, a tactile indicator (e.g., a vibrator) could be
configured to vibrate the handpiece when the handpiece speed is
inside or outside the desired range. Alternatively, a visual
indicator 1804 (e.g., an LED) or an audio indicator (e.g., a
beeper) may be used to inform the operator that the handpiece speed
is inside or outside the desired range. In some embodiments,
multiple indicators 1806 (e.g., LEDs having different colors, or
different sound indicators) may be used to inform the operator that
the handpiece speed is either too high or too low or is within the
desired range.
[0153] FIG. 18B is a schematic of one example of an embodiment of a
motion sensor system having at least one wheel 1821. Preferably a
second wheel 1821 is added and located on an opposite side of
optical system 206 to ensure that the entire skin contacting
surface of the optical system 206 moves at a rate of speed within
the acceptable range to provide uniform illumination on a patient's
skin.
[0154] In one embodiment, each external wheel 1821 is coupled to a
corresponding auxiliary internal wheel 1822 having perforations
around its perimeter. A source 1830 projects light in the direction
of a corresponding detector 1832 so that as a wheel 1821 rotates,
the perforations of auxiliary wheel 1822 alternately transmit and
block light projected by source 1830; as a result, as handpiece
1800 (visible in FIG. 18A) moves across a patient's skin, detectors
1832 produce a signal having a chain of pulses.
[0155] One of ordinary skill would understand that the speed of the
handpiece across a patient's skin is proportional to the rate at
which the pulses occur. A controller 1834 correlates the pulse rate
to the handpiece speed. The above-described perforated auxiliary
wheel design is similar to a standard computer system mouse design,
for example, a mouse wheel in the 3 Bth Wheel Mouse produced by
Logitec Corporation of Fremont, Calif., which is just one example
of an apparatus to measure handpiece speed, many other apparatus
are possible and are within the scope of this aspect of the
invention. For example, in an alternative embodiment, a simple
electric motor is coupled to wheel 1821 to generate a voltage that
is proportional to handpiece speed.
[0156] FIG. 19 illustrates another optical apparatus 1900 having a
motion sensor for determining handpiece speed. In apparatus 1900, a
light source 1902 (e.g. an infrared LED) is coupled into the
transmitting fiber 1904. A light detector 1910 (e.g., an
inexpensive CCD camera or a diode sensor) is coupled to the end of
a receiving fiber 1906. In apparatus 1900, the ends of the
transmitting fiber 1904 and receiving fiber 1906 are coupled
together to form a single fiber end 1909 that is in contact with
the skin 1908. A portion of light projected onto skin surface 1908
by transmitting fiber 1904 through fiber end 1908 is reflected or
scattered from the skin surface 1908 and received by receiving
fiber 1906 through fiber end 1909 and detected by detector 1910.
Because the skin surface 1908 has a semi-periodic structure (e.g.,
the distances between similar tissues such as hair follicle,
vessels, glands are almost constant structure) detector output is
modulated at a rate dependent on the handpiece speed. One of
ordinary skill would understand that handpiece speed can be
calculated from the modulated detector output. Optionally, a second
transmitting fiber 1905 and receiving fiber 1907 coupled together
through fiber end 1911 may be added, so that the first and second
transmitting fiber/receiving fiber pairs are located on opposite
sides of optical system 206 to ensure that the entire
skin-contacting surface of optical system 206 moves across the skin
with in the acceptable range to provide uniform illumination on a
patient's skin.
[0157] In system 1900, each transmitting fibers 1904, 1905 is
coupled to a corresponding receiving fiber 1906, 1907;
alternatively, a transmitting fiber and corresponding receiving
fiber, may contact the skin at distinct, separated points (i.e.,
the transmitting fiber and corresponding receiving fiber are not
coupled at the skin); in such an embodiment, the ends of the fibers
contacting the skin may be separated by any distance at which
photons scattered by tissue layers can be reliably detected. In
such embodiments, the upper bound on the fiber spacing occurs when
the light coupled into receiving fiber is reduced to a point at
which the amount of scattered photons generates a signal that is
too small to be accurately detected.
[0158] Although optical apparatus for measuring handpiece speed
have been described, it should be understood that other methods of
speed measurement are with the scope of this aspect of the
invention. For example, electromagnetic apparatuses that measure
handpiece speed by recording the time dependence of electrical
(capacitance and resistance)/magnetic properties of the skin as the
handpiece is moved relative the skin. Alternatively, the frequency
spectrum or amplitude of sound emitted while an object is dragged
across the skin surface can be measured and the resulting
information used to calculate speed because the acoustic spectrum
is dependent on speed. Another alternative is to use thermal
sensors to measure handpiece speed, by using two sensors separated
by a distance along the direction in which the handpiece is moved
along the skin (e.g., one before the optical system and one after).
In such embodiments, a first sensor monitors the temperature of
untreated skin, which is independent of handpiece speed, and a
second sensor monitors the post-irradiation skin temperature; the
slower the handpiece speed, the higher the fluence delivered to a
given area of the skin, which results in a higher skin temperature
measured by the second detector. Therefore, the speed can be
calculated based on the temperature difference between the two
sensors.
[0159] An alternative system to measure handpiece speed using
thermal characteristics uses a heat source (e.g. the treatment
source or another means of heating an area of skin) located a
selected distance from a thermal sensor along the direction in
which the handpiece is moved along the skin. In such embodiments,
the handpiece speed can be determined from the temperature measured
by the thermal sensor. For a low handpiece speed, the heat would
have sufficient time to propagate through the skin from the heat
source to the thermal sensor; however, at high speed the heat would
not have time to reach the thermal sensor. Thus, a high skin
temperature measured by the thermal sensor would indicate low speed
whereas a low skin temperature would indicate high speed.
[0160] In an alternative embodiment of a speed sensor, an optical
apparatus is used to measure handpiece speed using Doppler-shift
techniques. In such a system, the wavelength of light from a probe
laser is projected onto the skin and the speed is determined by
shifted frequency of a reflected portion of the light.
[0161] In any of the above embodiments, a speed sensor may be used
in conjunction with a contact sensor (e.g., a contact sensor as
described above with reference to FIGS. 17A-17C). In one embodiment
of a handpiece, both contact and speed are determined by the same
component. For example, an optical-mouse-type sensor such as is
used on a conventional computer optical mouse may be used to
determine both contact and speed. In such a system, a CCD (or CMOS)
array sensor is used to continuously image the skin surface. By
tracking the speed of a particular set of skin features as
described above, the handpiece speed can be measured and because
the strength of the optical signal received by the array sensor
increases upon contact with the skin, contact can be determined by
monitoring signal strength. Additionally, an optical sensor such as
a CCD or CMOS device may be used to detect and measure skin
pigmentation level or skin type based on the light that is
reflected back from the skin; a treatment may be varied according
to pigmentation level or skin type.
[0162] In some embodiments of the present invention, a motion
sensor is used in conjunction with a feedback loop or look-up table
to control the radiation source output. For example, the emitted
laser power can be increased in proportion to the handpiece speed
according to a lookup table. In this way, a fixed skin temperature
can be maintained at a selected depth (i.e., by maintaining a
constant flux at the skin surface) despite the fact that a
handpiece is moved at a range of handpiece speeds. The power used
to achieve a given skin temperature at a specified depth is
described in greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/634,981, which was incorporated by reference herein above.
Alternatively, the post-treatment skin temperature may be
monitored, and a feedback loop used to maintain substantially
constant fluence at the skin surface by varying the laser output
power. Skin temperature can be monitored by using either
conventional thermal sensors or a non-contact mid-infrared optical
sensor. The above motion sensors are exemplary; motion sensing can
be achieved by other means such as sound (e.g., using Doppler
information).
[0163] Although the above embodiments were discussed with reference
to a system monitoring handpiece speed as moved by an operator, the
handpiece could be mounted on a translation stage to move the
handpiece at controlled, predetermined speed across the skin
surface. In such an embodiment, the apparatus would be positioned
relative the patient to treat a selected area of skin, and the
translation stage could be moved to a subsequent area as
necessary.
[0164] FIG. 20 is a schematic of one example of one embodiment of a
handpiece 2000 illustrating some aspects of a self-contained
photocosmetic device. Handpiece 2000 includes an optical source
2055, a power supply 2047, an optical system 2044, a cooling system
2046, and a speed and/or contact sensor 2048. The device is shown
in contact with an area of skin 2043. Optical system 2044 couples
light from light source 2055 into the skin treatment area 2043.
[0165] Cooling system 2046 can be a phase-change cooler or any
other appropriate cooling system. In some embodiments cooling
system 2046 is in good thermal contact with the heatsink 2045 (or
electrodes or other cooling surface, not shown). A power supply
2047 (e.g., battery or capacitor) supplies electrical current to
optical source 2055. Contact and/or speed sensor 2048 ensures safe
and effective treatment as described herein above. Although a
contact and speed sensor is illustrated as a single component, it
should be understood the contact and speed sensor may be different
components and there may be multiple of each type of sensor as
described above. Control electronics 2049 process data from
contact/speed sensors 2048 or other sensors (e.g., thermal sensors)
and control optical source 2055 and cooling system 2046. Cooling
system 2046 may be cooled prior to treatment via a thermal-contact
plate 2050. Power source 2047 may be charged via electrical contact
2051. On/off button 2052 controls the electrical power. A housing
2053 may be used to enclose, protect, or mount one or more of the
above parts.
[0166] Optionally, a hair removal device 2054 may be located to
remove hair prior to irradiation by light from optical source 2055
to ensure that substantially no hair extends above the skin
surface. For example, hair removal device 2054 may be a blade razor
(e.g., a safety razor, a cartridge razor), an electric razor, a
stripping device wherein the hair adheres to a surface and is
pulled out as the handpiece is moved across a user's skin (e.g., a
device like the Epilady.TM. produced by Happy Lady, Inc.), an
abrasive device that grinds the hair, or a chemical compound that
dissolves the hair. A hair removal device may be made disposable
such that the hair removal device is easily replaceable by a user.
In the instance of coarse hair, a razor having one or a plurality
of blades may be used; however in the instance of fine hair, an
abrasive paper may be used. A body location having coarse hair
initially may have fine hair after one or more photocosmetic
treatments; accordingly, a blade razor may be used for the first
few treatments and an abrasive paper may be used for subsequent
treatments. In some embodiments, the abrasive paper may be simply
moved across the skin with a stroke of the photocosmetic device,
and in other embodiments the paper may be vibrated by a vibrating
mechanism (e.g., a motor).
[0167] FIG. 21 is a schematic of one example of an embodiment of a
handpiece docking station 2100 for docking a handpiece 2000.
Docking station 2100 is contained in housing 2155. Power supply
2156 charges battery/capacitor 2047 via electrical contact 2051.
Cooling material 2046 is cooled by chiller 2157 (e.g., a Peltier
element). For example, chiller 2157 may be used to recharge a
cooling system, by condensing a phase change liquid or freezing a
phase change solid. Heatsink 2058 dissipates heat produced by
chiller 2157. Heatsink 2058 may utilize gas, liquid, or solid
(phase change) media for heat removal or may simply be fins that
are cooled by exposure to room temperature. Umbilical 2159 contains
wires to supply electrical power to the docking station from an
electrical outlet and may further include tubing for water cooling
of heatsink 2058. A self-contained photocosmetic device, and a
handpiece docking station are described in greater detail in U.S.
Application No. 60/292,827, filed Dec. 28, 2000, by G. Altshuler et
al., entitled "Method and Apparatus for EMR Treatment," the
substance of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0168] For some embodiments of a photocosmetic device, it is
advantageous to have one or more replaceable components. For
example, in some embodiments, where the handpiece will likely be
dropped or otherwise abused, it may be advantageous to make one or
more optical systems removable from the handpiece. In addition, to
achieve a variety of treatments that each require different optical
sources or optical systems (e.g., treatment of pigmented lesion
removal and treatment to achieve hair removal), interchangeable
optical components would permit the user to perform different
applications with the same handpiece. Additionally, for systems
employing light sources or power sources having a limited lifetime,
replacement of the light sources at the end of useful life may be
desirable.
[0169] FIG. 22 is a schematic of one example of one embodiment of a
handpiece 2200 having a detachable head 2210. Handpiece 2200 has a
handle 2220 coupled to a head 2210. Handle 2220 may be coupled to
head 2210 using any known method of fastening. Preferably head 2210
includes optical components (e.g., head 1600 of FIG. 16A) to
facilitate the use of replaceable components.
[0170] FIG. 23 is a schematic of one example of an embodiment of a
modular handpiece 2300 having one or more components suitable for
ease of manufacturablity and/or user-replacement. For example,
handpiece 2300 facilitates assembly and/or replacement of a head
assembly 2310 (including an optical system), a cooling assembly
2320, and a power assembly 2330. Preferably, modular handpiece 2300
is configured such that when assembled, head assembly 2310 contacts
a mating power plug of power assembly 2330.
[0171] FIG. 24 is a schematic illustrating an optical assembly 2400
including a source 2410 (e.g., two diode-laser-bars). The source
2410 may be incorporated into a user-replaceable disposable
cartridge, including electrodes 2412, heat sink 2430, optical
system 2420 and coupling plates 2440. Coupling plates 2440 may be
used to fasten optical system 2420, source 2410, and heat sink
2430. Preferably the fastening mechanism of source 2410 is
configured to automatically align source 2410 to optical system
2420. Also preferably, coupling plates are made of a material
having a good thermal conductivity (e.g., copper) to conduct heat
from the optical system 2420. To simplify alignment of source 2410
and element 2420, source 2412 may be fixedly mounted to optical
system 2420.
[0172] In addition to replacing the source 2410 at the end of its
useable lifetime, it may also be desirable to facilitate the
user-replacement of light sources 2410 for use for different
cosmetic treatments without having to purchase multiple handpieces.
Furthermore, it may be desirable to facilitate user-replacement of
light sources 2410 based on skin type, hair type and/or on the
location of the area of skin to be treated (e.g., underarm, bikini,
leg, face).
[0173] FIG. 25 is a schematic of one example of a photocosmetic
device 2500 illustrating some aspects of the present invention.
Device 2500 has a head 2580 and a handle 2590. Head 2580 has a
first optical system 2510 (e.g., optical system 310 in FIG. 3) to
form a first area of radiation (e.g., area 311 in FIG. 3), and a
second optical system 2515 (e.g., optical system 315 in FIG. 3) to
form a second area of radiation (e.g., area 316 in FIG. 3) on a
patient's skin. As described above with reference to FIG. 3,
radiation to form the first area and the second area may be from a
single divided source or two sources (sources not shown). Device
2500 also includes a motion sensor system having a wheel 2521
(e.g., corresponding to wheel 1821 of FIG. 18), and a second wheel
2522 (e.g., corresponding to wheel 1822 of FIG. 18) located on an
opposite side of optical system 2510 to ensure that the entire skin
contacting surface of the optical element 2510 moves at a rate of
speed within the acceptable range to provide substantially uniform
illumination on a patient's skin.
[0174] FIG. 26A is a schematic of one example of a photocosmetic
head 2600 illustrating aspects of the present invention directed to
a treating curved area of skin (e.g., a jaw, back or arm). Head
2600 includes two pivoting transmission systems 2610 and 2620 for
delivering electromagnetic radiation. The components of head 2600
are substantially contained within a housing 2630 and coupled to a
base unit (not shown) via cord 2640. Housing 2630 is illustrated as
a transparent wire frame to facilitate description. The size of
components of head 2600 may be selected according to the body part
with which they are to be used, and multiple heads may be
connectable to cord 2640 to permit treatment of various body parts.
Alternatively, each head may have a fixed cord such that each cord
can be plugged into a base unit and removed.
[0175] FIG. 26B is a schematic of one embodiment of two
transmission systems 2610 and 2620 of a head to treat a curved
surface. Transmission systems 2610 and 2620 are illustrated without
a housing to illustrate there relative positioning. FIG. 26B
illustrates that transmission systems pivot in at least one
rotational direction to facilitate maintenance of contact with a
curved area of skin. For example, transmission systems 2610 and
2620 may be mounted at an angle relative to one another (e.g., 5-30
degrees) and mounted to enable rotation about axis X and X'.
[0176] FIG. 27 is a schematic illustrating an embodiment of some
aspects of handpiece 2700 according to the present invention.
Handpiece 2700 includes a housing 2710 having a handle 2702 and a
head 2704. Handpiece 2700 includes a head assembly 2710 (including
an optical system), a cooling assembly 2720, and a power assembly
2730.
[0177] FIG. 28 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a
photocosmetic device 2800 according to at least some aspects of the
present invention. Device 2800 includes a handpiece 2810, a base
unit 2820, a cord 2826 to couple handpiece 2810 to base unit 2820.
Handpiece 2810 may be grasped by an operator to move a head 2830
across a patient's skin (not shown). Head 2830 may be any head as
described herein above or any other suitable head to achieve a
photocosmetic treatment, for example, any of the treatments
described below.
[0178] The following is a discussion of examples of treatments that
can be achieved using apparatus and methods according the present
invention; however, the treatments discussed are exemplary and are
not intended to be limiting. Apparatus and methods according the
present invention are versatile and may be applied to any known or
yet-to-be-developed treatments.
[0179] Exemplary treatment mechanisms include absorption of light
by a chromophore within a tissue responsible for the unwanted
cosmetic condition or by a chromophore in proximity to the tissue.
Treatment may be achieved by limited heating of the target tissue
below temperature of irreversible damage or may be achieved by
heating to cause irreversible damage (e.g., denaturation).
Treatment may be achieved by direct stimulation of biological
response to heat, or by induction of a cascade of phenomena such
that a biological response is indirectly achieved by heat. A
treatment may result from a combination of any of the above
mechanisms. Optionally, cooling, DC or AC(RF) electrical current,
physical vibration or other physical stimulus/action may be applied
to a treatment area or adjacent area to increase the efficacy of a
treatment. A treatment may result from a single session, or
multiple sessions may be used to achieve a desired clinical
effect.
[0180] A device according to one or more aspects of the invention
may operate in a variety of optical ranges. For example,
electromagnetic radiation delivered to the skin may have wavelength
within the range 380-1900 nm. The power of the light delivered may
be in the range 0.001-300 W/cm, and exemplary scan speeds include
0.1-500 mm/sec. The desired radiation characteristics may be
achieved by any suitable LEDs, lamps, and diode lasers or any other
suitable light source presently available or yet-to-be
developed.
[0181] Radiation-induced hair removal is a cosmetic treatment that
could be performed by apparatus and methods according to aspects of
the present invention. In the case of hair removal, the principal
target for thermal destruction is the hair bulb and preferably the
hair matrix, hair papilla or basement membrane of the bulb. For
hair removal treatments, melanin located in the hair shaft and
follicle is the targeted chromophore. While the bulb contains
melanin and can thus be thermally treated, the basement membrane,
which provides the hair growth communication pathway between the
papilla within the bulb and the matrix within the hair shaft,
contains the highest concentration of melanin and may be
selectively targeted.
[0182] Wavelengths between 0.6 and 1.2 .mu.m are typically used for
hair removal. By proper combination of power, speed, and focusing
geometry, different hair related targets (e.g., bulb, matrix,
basement membrane, stem cells) can be heated to the denaturation
temperature while the surrounding dermis remains undamaged. Since
the targeted hair follicle and the epidermis both contain melanin,
a combination of epidermal contact cooling and long pulsewidth can
be used to prevent epidermal damage. A more detailed explanation of
hair removal is given in co-pending provisional patent application
No. 60/363,871, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HAIR GROWTH
CONTROL," by Rox Anderson, et al. filed Mar. 12, 2002, which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference.
[0183] Hair removal is often required over large areas (e.g. back
and legs), and the required power is therefore correspondingly
large (on the order of 20-500 W) in order to achieve short
treatment times. Current generation diode bars are capable of
emitting 40-60 W at 800 nm, which makes them effective for use in
some embodiments of photocosmetic device according to the present
invention.
[0184] Exemplary methods of hair growth management may be achieved
by combining low power irradiation of hair follicles with light and
physical extraction of hair shaft, and/or complete or non-complete
physical extraction of the hair follicle from the body. According
to some embodiments irradiation is achieved by irradiating a
portion of the skin containing the hair follicle with a light
source emitting at a range of wavelengths absorbed by melanin or
other endogenous or exogenous chromophores in the follicle.
Physical extraction can be performed by mechanical,
electromechanical or other suitable techniques. This treatment can
be used for either temporary hair reduction or permanent hair
reduction.
[0185] A first exemplary embodiment of a method of hair growth
management according to the present invention includes first
physically removing hair ("depilation") and then irradiating the
skin as described above. According to some embodiments, the hair
removal can be adjusted to remove mostly hair shafts from hair
follicles; alternatively hair removal may be down to keratinoized
zone. This depilation can be done by electromechanical depilation
or waxing.
[0186] Phototreatment can be performed, for example, using one of
the embodiments of photocosmentic device described above. According
to these embodiments, light is absorbed by melanin in hair matrix
and as a result of thermal injury hair growth is decelerated or
completely arrested.
[0187] Optionally, after depilation but before irradiation, a
topical lotion can be applied to the skin (e.g., via the handpiece)
in a treatment area to fill empty hair follicles corresponding to
the removed hair. In some embodiments, the transparent lotion is
selected to have a refractive index in a range suitable to provide
a waveguide effect to direct the light to a region of the skin to
be irradiated. Preferably the index of refraction of the lotion is
higher than the index of refraction of water (i.e., approximately
1.33 depending on chemical additives of the water). In some
embodiments, the index of refraction of the lotion is higher than
the index of refraction of the dermis (i.e., approximately 1.4). In
some embodiments, the index of refraction of the lotion is higher
than the index of refraction of the inner root sheath (i.e.,
approximately 1.55). In embodiments where the index of refraction
is greater than the index of refraction of the inner root sheath,
light incident on the surface of the skin can be delivered directly
to hair matrix without significant attenuation.
[0188] The effective pulse length used to irradiate the skin is
given by the beam size divided by the speed of scanning of the
irradiation source. For example, a 2 mm beam size moved at a
scanning speed of 50-100 mm/s provides an effective pulse length of
20-60 ms. For a power density of 250 W/cm the effective fluence is
5-10 J/cm.sup.2, which approximately doubles the fluence of the
light delivered by a device without the use of a high index
lotion.
[0189] In some embodiments, the pH of the lotion can be adjusted to
decrease the denaturation threshold of matrix cells. In such
embodiments, lower power is required to injure the hair matrix and
thus provide hair growth management. Optionally, the lotion can be
doped by molecules or ions or atoms with significant absorption of
light emitted by the source. Due to increased absorption of light
in hair follicle due to the lotion, a lower power irradiation
source may be used to provide sufficient irradiation to heat the
hair matrix.
[0190] A second exemplary embodiment of a method of hair growth
management according to the present invention includes first
irradiating the skin, and then physically removing hair as
described above. By first irradiating the skin, attachment of the
hair shaft to the follicle or the hair follicle to dermis is
weakened. Consequently, mechanical or electromechanical depilation
may be more easily achieved (e.g., by using a soft waxing or
electromechanical epilator) and pain may be reduced.
[0191] Irradiation can weaken attachment of hair bulb to skin or
subcutaneous fat; therefore it is possible to pull out a
significantly higher percentage of the hair follicle from the skin
compared to the depilation alone. Because the diameter of the hair
bulb is close to the diameter of the outer root sheath, pulling out
hair with hair bulb can permanently destroy the entire hair
follicle including stem cells. Accordingly, by first irradiating
and then depilating, new hair growth can be delayed or
terminated.
[0192] Treatment of cellulite is another example of a cosmetic
problem that may be treated by apparatus and methods according to
aspects of the present invention. The formation of characteristic
cellulite dimples begins with poor blood and lymph circulation,
which in turn inhibits the removal of cellular waste products. For
example, unremoved dead cells in the intracellular space may leak
lipid over time. Connective tissue damage and subsequent nodule
formation occurs due to the continuing accumulation of toxins and
cellular waste products.
[0193] The following are two exemplary treatments for cellulite,
both of which aim to stimulate both blood flow and fibroblast
growth. In a first exemplary treatment, localized areas of thermal
damage are created using a treatment source emitting in the
near-infrared spectral range (e.g., at a wavelength in the range
650-1850 nm) in combination with an optical system designed to
focus 2-10 mm beneath the skin surface. In one embodiment, light
having a power density of 1-100 W/cm is delivered to the skin
surface, and the apparatus is operated at a speed to create a
temperature of 45 degrees Celsius at a distance 5 mm below the
skin. Cooling may be applied to avoid or reduce damage to the
epidermis to reduce wound formation. Further details of achieving a
selected temperature a selected distance below the skin is given in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/634,691, filed Aug. 9, 2000,
the substance of which was incorporated by reference herein above.
The treatment may include compression of the tissue, massage of the
tissue, or multipasses over the tissue.
[0194] In a second exemplary treatment, a treatment source emitting
near-infrared light (e.g., a light emitting diode emitting at a
wavelength in the range 700-1300 nm) is used to focus the light a
distance 2-10 mm beneath the skin surface, to elevate the
dermis/subcutaneous fat temperature to a point well below the
thermal damage threshold (e.g., a temperature in the range 42-60
degree Celcius). According to the second exemplary treatment,
heating may increase the rate of lipolysis (i.e., fat breakdown)
and cause apoptosis (i.e., programmed cell death) of fat cells.
Optionally, a topical lipolytic cream may be used in combination
with the second exemplary treatment; the elevated temperature
profile in the dermis/subcutaneous fat may enhance cream
penetration and thus increase its efficacy. Due to very long
thermal relaxation time of subcutaneous fat (i.e., longer than 1
minute), multiple scanning treatments of an area can achieve the
desired heating of the fat, while maintaining normal skin surface
temperature. The above exemplary treatments may be used for fat
metabolism activation and fat reduction.
[0195] Acne is another very common skin disorder that can be
treated using apparatus and methods according to aspects of the
present invention. Acne results when sebum from the sebaceous gland
cannot reach the skin surface via the hair follicle, and a
bacterial infection occurs within the hair follicle. Photocosmetic
treatment is an alternative to traditional treatments (e.g.,
topical and oral medications).
[0196] The following are exemplary methods of treating acne
according to the present invention. In each of the exemplary
methods, the actual treated area may be relatively small (assuming
treatment of facial acne), thus a low-power CW source may be used.
A first possible treatment is to selectively damage the sebaceous
gland to prevent sebum production. The sebaceous glands are located
approximately 1 mm below the skin surface. By creating a focal spot
at this depth and using a wavelength selectively absorbed by lipids
(e.g., in proximity of 0.92, 1.2, and 1.7 .mu.m), direct thermal
destruction becomes possible. For example, to cause thermal
denaturation, a temperature of 45-65 degrees Celsius may be
generated at approximately 1 mm below the skin surface using any of
the methods described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/634,691, filed Aug. 9, 2000, the substance of which was
incorporated by reference herein above.
[0197] Optionally, a linear matrix of focal spots (as described
above with reference to FIG. 4) may be used to create islands of
damage. Although the exact position of the sebaceous glands may not
be known, each treatment with a matrix of focal spots will result
in a certain number of sebaceous glands being damaged. Thus, by
treating the area multiple times, a significant number of sebaceous
glands will be damaged.
[0198] An alternative treatment for acne involves heating a
sebaceous gland to a point below the thermal denaturation
temperature (e.g., to a temperature 45-65 degrees Celsius) to
achieve a cessation of sebum production and apoptosis (programmed
cell death). Such selective treatment may take advantage of the low
thermal threshold of cells responsible for sebum production
relative to surrounding cells. Another alternative treatment of
acne is thermal destruction of the blood supply to the sebaceous
glands (e.g., by heating the blood to a temperature 60-95 degrees
Celsius).
[0199] For the above treatments of acne, the sebaceous gland may be
sensitized to near-infrared radiation by using compounds such as
indocyanine green (ICG, absorption near 800 nm) or methylene blue
(absorption near 630 nm). Alternatively, non-thermal photodynamic
therapy agents such as photofrin may be used to sensitize sebaceous
glands. In some embodiments, biochemical carriers such as
monoclonal antibodies (MABs) may be used to selectively deliver
these sensitization compounds directly to the sebaceous glands.
[0200] Although the above procedures were described as treatments
for acne, because the treatments involve damage/destruction of the
sebaceous glands (and therefore reduction of sebum output), the
treatments may also be used to treat excessively oily skin.
[0201] Another light-based method of treating acne involves
thermally destruction of the bacteria (P. acnes) responsible for
the characteristic inflammation associated with acne. Destruction
of the bacteria may be achieved by targeting porphyrins stored in
P. Acnes Porphyrines, such as protoporphyrins, coproporphyrins, and
Zn-protoporphyrins are synthesized by anaerobic bacteria as their
metabolic product. Porphyrines absorbs light in the visible
spectral region from 400-700 nm, with strongest peak of absorption
around 415 nm. By providing light in the selected wavelength ranges
in sufficient intensity heat resulting from absorption causes death
of the bacteria. For example, the desired effect may be achieved
using a treatment source emitting at a wavelength in the range
360-700 nm using an optical system designed to focus 0.2-1 mm
beneath the skin surface and a power density of 0.01-10 W/cm at the
skin surface.
[0202] Yet another technique for treating acne involves using light
to expand the opening of an infected hair follicle to allow
unimpeded sebum outflow. In one embodiment of the technique, a
lotion that preferentially accumulates in the follicle opening
(e.g., lipid consistent lotion with organic non organic dye or
absorbtion particles) is applied to the skin surface. A treatment
source wavelength is matched to an absorption band of the lotion.
For example, in the case of ICG doped lotion the source wavelength
is 790-810 nm. By using an optical system to generate a temperature
of 45-100 degrees Celsius at the infundibulum/infrainfundibulum,
for example, by generating a fluence of at skin surface (e.g.,
1-100 W/cm), the follicle opening can be expanded and sebum is
allowed to flow out of the hair follicle and remodeling of
infrainfundibulum in order to prevent comedo (i.e., blackhead)
formation.
[0203] Non-ablative wrinkle treatment, which is now used as an
alternative to traditional ablative CO.sub.2 laser skin
resurfacing, is another cosmetic treatment that could be performed
by apparatus and methods according to aspects of the present
invention. Non-ablative wrinkle treatment is achieved by
simultaneously cooling the epidermis and delivering light to the
upper layer of the dermis to thermally stimulate fibroblasts to
generate new collagen deposition.
[0204] In wrinkle treatment, because the primary chromophore is
water, wavelengths ranging from 0.8-2 .mu.m appropriate wavelengths
of treatment radiation. Since only wrinkles on the face are
typically of cosmetic concern, the treated area is typically
relatively small and the required coverage rate (cm.sup.2/sec) is
correspondingly low, and a relatively low-power treatment source
may be used. An optical system providing sub-surface focusing in
combination with epidermal cooling may be used to achieve the
desired result. Precise control of the upper-dermis temperature is
important; if the temperature is too high, the induced thermal
damage of the epidermis will be excessive, and if the temperature
is too low, the amount of new collagen deposition will be minimal.
A speed sensor (in the case of a manually scanned handpiece) or a
mechanical drive may be used to precisely control the upper-dermis
temperature. Alternatively, a non-contact mid-infrared thermal
sensor could be used to monitor dermal temperature.
[0205] Vascular lesions (e.g. port-wine stains, rosacea, spider
veins) present another cosmetic problem that could be treated by
apparatus and methods according to aspects of the present
invention. For treatment of vascular lesions, the target
chromophore is blood in these lesions. Exemplary treatment
wavelengths range from 0.4-0.6 .mu.m for superficial vascular
lesions and 0.6-1.3 for deep vascular lesions. In the case of
treatment of spider veins, the relatively large size and
corresponding long thermal relaxation time of the target tissue
requires a large deposition of energy over a long time period to
achieve thermal destruction and to preserve the epidermis. In
addition, aggressive epidermal cooling (particularly for patients
with darker skin type IV-VI) can be used to prevent epidermal
damage. The use of CW sources is advantageous in the treatment of
lesions because, similar to hair removal, part of the targeted
structure (vein wall) contains little blood and must be damaged by
thermal diffusion.
[0206] Pigmented lesions such as age spots can be removed by
selectively targeting the cells containing melanin in these
structures. These lesions are located using an optical system
focusing at a depth of 100-200 .mu.m below the skin surface and can
be targeted with wavelengths in the 0.4-1.1 .mu.m range. Since the
individual melanin-bearing cells are small with a short thermal
relaxation time, a shallow sub-surface focus is helpful to reach
the denaturation temperature.
[0207] Elimination of underarm odor is another problem that could
be treated by an apparatus and methods according to aspects of the
present invention. In such a treatment, a source having a
wavelength selectively absorbed by the eccrine/apocrine glands is
used to thermally damage the eccrine/apocrine glands. Optionally, a
sensitization compound may be used to enhance damage.
[0208] Tattoo removal is another procedure that can be achieved by
apparatus and methods according to aspects of the present
invention. Conventional devices for tattoo removal include short
pulsed (10-50 ns) Q-switched ruby, alexandrite, Nd:YAG and
frequency-doubled Nd:YAG for cosmetic tattoo removal. Typically, a
source wavelength is selected based on the color of the tattoo to
be removed (e.g., a green laser is used to remove a red portion of
a tattoo). Since the ink particles are actually incorporated into
individual cells, one embodiment of a thermal treatment for tattoo
removal cause the rupture of the cells, thereby releasing the
ink.
[0209] Exemplary embodiments of apparatus according to aspects of
the present invention for use in tattoo removal use a CW source,
and an optical system selected to tightly focus radiation from a
treatment source at the depth where the cells containing the ink
particles reside (e.g., 150-700 .mu.m) to rupture the
ink-containing cells. Alternatively, it may also be possible to
heat the cells below their thermal denaturation point and induce
apoptosis. In the case of embodiments designed to cause apoptosis,
healing may be enhanced by operating the radiation source in a
quasi-continuous mode while the handpiece is continuously scanned
across the skin surface to create areas in which cells are damaged
and areas of non-irradiated areas in between. In some embodiments,
feedback from a speed sensor could be used to control laser
emission and create equally spaced lines of damage independent of
handpiece speed. To completely remove the tattoo, multiple
treatments would be required.
[0210] In some conventional, relatively expensive tattoo-removal
apparatus, a Q-switched frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser emitting at
0.532 .mu.m is combined with an (Nd:YAG) emitting at 1.064 .mu.m,
and alexandrite laser emitting at 0.755 .mu.m; the lasers are
selectively operated to target cells containing various tattoo ink
colors. Embodiments of modular apparatus according to aspects of
the present invention, provide a relatively low-cost alternative to
the above system. For example, an embodiment of the present
invention may be configured to allow the use of optical sources
emitting at distinct wavelengths or wavelength bands or a single
source and optical components to modify the wavelength of the light
generated by a source. In particular, to achieve a wavelength close
to the 0.755 .mu.m wavelength, a 0.808 .mu.m diode laser bar may be
used; and a Nd:YAG crystal module could be inserted into the
handpiece that would be pumped by the diode laser bar to produce a
wavelength close to the 1.064 .mu.m wavelength; and to produce a
wavelength close to the 0.532-.mu.m wavelength, an SHG crystal may
be used to double the frequency of a laser diode emitting 1.064
.mu.m wavelength radiation. Alternatively, a
self-frequency-doubling crystal such as Nd:YCOB may be used.
[0211] Low-intensity therapy (LIT) is another procedure that can be
achieved by apparatus and methods according to aspects of the
present invention. LIT may be used to for treatment of wounds,
carpal-tunnel syndrome treatment, or to stimulate hair growth, or
to accelerate biochemical reactions. Power densities and
wavelengths (630-820 nm) typically used for LITs may be achieved
using diode lasers or LED treatment sources. Optionally one or more
of the above treatments may be used for veterinary LIT
applications.
[0212] Elimination of or reduction of the prominence of stretch
marks and scars are procedures that may be achieved using apparatus
and methods according to aspects of the present invention. Similar
to the case of non-ablative skin resurfacing, to achieve the above
procedures, it may be possible to stimulate collagen deposition and
wound healing by creating a thin thermally damaged layer in the
upper dermis.
[0213] Removal of warts is another procedure that can be achieved
using apparatus and methods according to aspects of the present
invention. Wart removal may be achieved using a source producing
light in the region of blood absorption (0.5-0.8 .mu.m). This
wavelength is selectively absorbed by hemoglobin, which appears to
shuts off the wart's blood supply.
[0214] Psoriasis is skin disorder that can be treated using
apparatus and methods according to aspects of the present
invention. Exemplary, embodiments of the present invention
configured to treat psoriasis emit at wavelengths near 800 nm.
Optionally, one or more sensitization agents such as photodynamic
drugs or ICG/Methylene blue may be used. Treatment may be applied
several times per week, and may be delivered in several different
ways including islands (or lines) of treatment. Additional
application of apparatus and methods according to aspects of the
present invention include facilitation of delivery of topical
medications and cosmetic preparations into skin.
[0215] Having thus described the inventive concepts and a number of
exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that the invention may be implemented in various ways, and that
modifications and improvements will readily occur to such persons.
Thus, the examples given are not intended to be limiting. The
invention is limited only as required by the following claims and
equivalents thereto. The invention is limited only as required by
the following claims and equivalents thereto. Also, it is to be
understood that the use of the terms "including," "comprising," or
"having" is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and
equivalents thereof as well as additional items before, after, or
in-between the items listed.
* * * * *