U.S. patent application number 14/070632 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-28 for hair removal apparatus for personal use and the method of using same.
This patent application is currently assigned to SYNERON MEDICAL LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Shimon Eckhouse, Tuvia Dror Kutscher. Invention is credited to Shimon Eckhouse, Tuvia Dror Kutscher.
Application Number | 20140243607 14/070632 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40885724 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140243607 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eckhouse; Shimon ; et
al. |
August 28, 2014 |
HAIR REMOVAL APPARATUS FOR PERSONAL USE AND THE METHOD OF USING
SAME
Abstract
Hair or partial hair removal system and hair growth deterrent
that includes mechanical process for cutting, plucking or shaving
hair follicles, along with pre and/or post skin treatment
techniques. The skin treatment techniques can include the
application of energy to the skin surface before, after and/or
during the application of the mechanical process. Such techniques
include the application of heat and/or energy from illumination
sources and/or RF emitters. Further skin treatment techniques
include the application of solutions before, after and/or during
the mechanical process and/or the application of heat and/or
energy. Overall, the system operates to treat an area of skin to
facilitate the removal of all or a portion of hair, retard further
growth, and recovery of skin surface.
Inventors: |
Eckhouse; Shimon; (Haifa,
IL) ; Kutscher; Tuvia Dror; (Shoham, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Eckhouse; Shimon
Kutscher; Tuvia Dror |
Haifa
Shoham |
|
IL
IL |
|
|
Assignee: |
SYNERON MEDICAL LTD.
Yokneam Illit
IL
|
Family ID: |
40885724 |
Appl. No.: |
14/070632 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12355749 |
Jan 16, 2009 |
|
|
|
14070632 |
|
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|
|
61021723 |
Jan 17, 2008 |
|
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61045282 |
Apr 16, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/249 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2018/00452
20130101; A45D 26/0023 20130101; A61B 2018/00577 20130101; A61B
2018/00875 20130101; A61B 2018/00476 20130101; A61B 1/06 20130101;
A61B 18/18 20130101; A61B 18/203 20130101; A45D 26/00 20130101;
B26B 19/42 20130101; B26B 19/46 20130101; B26B 21/48 20130101; A61B
2018/00029 20130101; A61B 2018/1807 20130101; A61B 2018/1467
20130101; A61B 18/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/249 |
International
Class: |
A61B 18/18 20060101
A61B018/18; A45D 26/00 20060101 A45D026/00; A61B 1/06 20060101
A61B001/06 |
Claims
1. An applicator for hair removal, the applicator comprising: an
exchangeable mechanical hair removal mechanism; two illumination
cartridges being detachable from an applicator casing configured to
follow a treated skin segment contour and provide illumination with
one or more wavelengths; and one or more sensors, with at least one
of the sensors being a motion direction sensor configured to
activate the illumination cartridges according to the applicator
displacement direction when the applicator is applied to a subject
skin and displaced over the skin, wherein the hair removal
mechanism is located between the two illumination cartridges.
2. The applicator according to claim 1, further comprising two RF
electrodes, each RF electrode being arranged between the respective
illumination cartridge and the hair removal mechanism, wherein the
RF electrodes are configured to provide RF energy to heat a segment
of skin being in contact with the RF electrodes and located between
the RF electrodes.
3. The applicator according to claim 1, further comprising two RF
electrodes, wherein each of the two illumination cartridges is
arranged between the respective RF electrode and the hair removal
mechanism, and wherein the RF electrodes are configured to provide
RF energy to heat a segment of skin being in contact with the RF
electrodes and located between the RF electrodes.
4. The applicator according to claim 1, further comprising two
pairs of RF electrodes, wherein each of the two illumination
cartridges is arranged between the respective pair of RF
electrodes, wherein the hair removal mechanism is arranged between
the two pairs of RF electrodes, and wherein the RF electrodes are
configured to provide RF energy to heat a segment of skin being in
contact with the RF electrodes and located between the RF
electrodes.
5. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the illumination
cartridges pressed-in activate electrical and electronic circuits
of the applicator.
6. The applicator according to claims 1, wherein at least one
sensing mechanism is configured to increase supply of RF energy to
RF electrodes or activate illumination sources packed in the
illumination cartridges.
7. The applicator according to claim 6, wherein the sensing
mechanism is one of a group of direction sensors, micro switches,
temperature sensors, or an impedance sensing mechanism.
8. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the hair removal
mechanism is one of a group of rotary based tweezing epilator,
spring type epilator, razor, or electric shaver.
9. The applicator according to claim 8, wherein the hair removal
mechanism comprises rotary based tweezers including a lever
terminated by a blade with a preset and regulated difference
between the location of the tweezers and the location of the blades
of lever, and wherein a pulling force of the rotating tweezers is
set to tension the hair without pulling it out of the skin and form
a goose bump protruding over the rest of the skin surface
surrounding the hair such that when the blade cuts the hair the
hair retracts deeper than skin surface.
10. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the illumination
cartridges include at least one of a group of illumination sources
consisting of an incandescent lamp, xenon lamp, laser diode, LED,
laser or a combination of them.
11. The applicator according to claim 10, wherein the at least one
illumination source operates in a continuous or pulse operation
mode, and wherein the respective illumination source or cartridge
is interchangeable and removable.
12. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the illumination
cartridges have a freedom of movement with respect to the
applicator casing.
13. The applicator according to claim 1, further comprising skin
and hair pre-treatment and post-treatment devices, wherein the skin
and hair pre-treatment device is operative to clean by spray or
cleaning solution the skin to be treated and hair post-treatment
device is operative to disperse over the treated segment of skin a
cream or lotion reducing skin irritation.
14. An applicator for hair removal, comprising: a
fitting-the-palm-casing; one or more illumination sources
configured to provide illumination with one or more wavelengths; an
exchangeable mechanical hair removal mechanism; at least one
direction sensor configured to activate at least one illumination
source according to the applicator displacement direction when the
applicator is applied to a subject skin and displaced over the
skin; and at least one cartridge which package the respective
illumination source, wherein each cartridge is detachable from the
applicator casing and has a freedom of movement with respect to the
applicator casing; wherein the applicator further comprises RF
electrodes configured to provide RF energy to a segment of skin
being in contact with the electrodes and located between the
electrodes, to induce current which heats the skin so as to weaken
or destroy residual hair follicles and bulbs.
15. The applicator according to claim 14, wherein RF electrodes are
located on both external and internal sides of the respective
cartridge.
16. The applicator according to claim 14, further comprising at
least one sensing mechanism configured to: increase supply of RF
energy to the RF electrodes; or activate the one or more
illumination sources.
17. The applicator according to claim 14, further comprising at
least one cosmetic material dispenser configured to dispense a
cosmetic material over the skin segment to be treated.
18. The applicator according to claim 17, wherein the at least one
cosmetic material dispenser comprises at least one first dispenser
configured to dispense a skin pre-treatment cleaning solution and
at least one second dispenser configured to dispense a skin
post-treatment cream or lotion.
19. The applicator according to claim 17, wherein illumination flux
produced by the respective illumination source is configured to
heat the skin so as to weaken the hair follicle and hair shaft and
destroy the remaining hair follicles and bulbs not removed by the
mechanical hair removal mechanism.
20. The application according to claim 16, wherein the sensing
mechanism is an impedance sensing circuit configured to: sense the
impedance change from an infinite value to a measurable finite
value; and enable, if a finite impedance between the RF electrodes
in sensed: RF emission; treated skin segment illumination by at
least one illumination source; and application of post-treatment
cream or lotion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a non-provisional application filed in the United
States Patent Office under 37 CFR 1.53(b) and 35 U.S.C. 111 as a
continuation of the United States Patent Application for patents
Ser. No. 12/355,749 filed on Jan. 16, 2009, which application
claims priority to United States Provisional Application for patent
that was filed on Jan. 17, 2008 and assigned Ser. No. 61/021,723,
and of the United States Provisional Application for patent that
was filed on Apr. 16, 2008 and assigned Ser. No. 61/045,282, all of
which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The method and apparatus disclosed herein are related to the
field of personal cosmetic procedures and in particular to hair
removal procedures.
[0003] External appearance is important to practically everybody.
In recent years, methods and apparatus have been developed for
different cosmetic treatments. Among these cosmetic treatments
includes hair removal, treatment of vascular lesions, skin
rejuvenation, as well as others. In some of these treatments, the
skin surface is illuminated by visible or infra red (IR) radiation,
generally termed optical radiation, to heat lower tissue volumes to
a sufficiently high temperature so as to achieve a desired effect,
which is typically in the range of 38-80 degrees Celsius. One such
desired effect may include weakening of the hair follicle or root
destruction. Another desired effect may include hair re-growth
retardation, which is typically achieved by illumination of earlier
depilated skin surface by laser, LED, Xenon lamp, Intense Pulsed
Light (IPL), or incandescent lamp radiation, generally termed
optical radiation. The optical radiation may have a single
wavelength, such as is the case with lasers, or several wavelengths
as is the case for incandescent lamps. The wavelengths are selected
to be optimal for the color of the contrasted component of the
treated skin segment and are typically in the range of 400 to 1800
nm.
[0004] Presently, a number of Radio Frequency (RF) based methods
for treatment of deeper skin or tissue layers have been developed
and are available. In these methods, electrodes are applied to the
skin and an RF voltage in pulse or continuous waveform (CW) is
applied across the electrodes. The properties of the RF voltage are
selected to generate RF induced current in a volume of tissue to be
treated. The current heats the tissue to the required temperature,
which is typically in the range of 38-80 degrees Celsius.
[0005] However, the above-described equipment that utilizes
electrodes is both costly and bulky. Further, such equipment is
typically operated in an ambulatory set-up by a qualified operator
and frequently requires the presence of medical personnel
specialized in such treatments. Therefore, there is a need in the
art for a small size, low cost, and safe to use apparatus that may
be operated by the user, enabling him/her to conduct skin treatment
and get results similar or identical to those provided by
professional equipment used for skin treatments.
[0006] Glossary
[0007] Several terms are utilized throughout this disclosure. The
definitions for these terms are provided here for convenience.
[0008] The term "illumination sources" and "light sources" as used
in the present disclosure has the same meaning and includes sources
of visible and invisible infrared radiation.
[0009] As used herein, the term "hair removal" includes partial or
complete hair removal from the treated skin surface as well as hair
re-growth retardation.
[0010] The term "skin surface" relates to the most external skin
layer, which may be stratum corneum.
[0011] The term "tissue" relates to skin layers located below the
stratum corneum. The layers may be located immediately below the
stratum corneum and as deep as 6 or even 7 mm below the stratum
corneum.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0012] Various embodiments are directed towards an apparatus,
system or method of providing complete or partial hair removal and
hair growth deterrent. The embodiments may include various elements
that may include, but are not limited or required in all
embodiments. Some of these elements are: (a) a mechanical process
for cutting, plucking or shaving hair follicles; (b) integrated
and/or removable cartridges to provide the application of heat
and/or energy to the skin surface before, after and/or during the
application of the mechanical process; (c) further skin treatment
techniques including the application of solutions before, after
and/or during the mechanical process and/or the application of heat
and/or energy. Overall, the various embodiments operate to treat an
area of skin to facilitate the removal of all or a portion of hair,
retard further growth, and recovery or health maintenance of the
skin surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0013] The disclosure is provided by way of non-limiting examples
only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like
reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the
different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale,
emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of
the method.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary
embodiment of the apparatus for personal use for hair removal.
[0015] FIGS. 2A-2C are schematic illustrations of the first
exemplary embodiment of the applicator of the apparatus of FIG.
1.
[0016] FIGS. 3A-3D are schematic illustrations of an exemplary
embodiment of a hair removal mechanism of the applicator.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a magnified schematic illustration of a cut and
refracted back hair follicle (shaft).
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the second exemplary
embodiment of the hair removal mechanism of the applicator.
[0019] FIGS. 6A-6C are schematic illustrations of an exemplary
embodiment of an illumination cartridge of the applicator.
[0020] FIGS. 7A-7B are schematic illustrations of additional
exemplary light source configuration of the applicator.
[0021] FIGS. 8A-8E are schematic illustrations of the third
exemplary embodiment of the applicator.
[0022] FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, collectively referred to as FIG. 9, are
schematic illustrations of a hair removal treatment using the first
exemplary embodiment of the present applicator.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a hair removal
treatment using the second exemplary embodiment of the present
applicator.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of the forth exemplary
embodiment of the present applicator.
[0025] FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B, collectively referred to as FIG. 12,
are photographic images of a segment of a subject skin treated by
the present method (FIG. 12B) and an image of a untreated segment
(control segment) of a subject skin (FIG. 12A).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The principles and execution of the apparatus and the method
described thereby may be understood with reference to the drawings
and the accompanying description of non-limiting, exemplary
embodiments.
[0027] Reference is made to FIG. 1, which is a schematic
illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus for
personal hair removal. Apparatus 100 comprises an applicator 104
adapted for sliding movement on a subject skin, a charging device
108, and a harness 112 connecting between applicator 104 and
charging device 108. Harness 112 enables electric communication
between applicator 104 and charging device 108. Apparatus 100 may
receive power supply from a regular electric supply network
receptacle, or from a rechargeable or regular battery. LED 118
indicates operational status of applicator 104.
[0028] FIG. 2A is a first side planer view of a first exemplary
embodiment of the applicator of the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2B is
a second side planer view in the direction of arrow E of FIG. 2A of
the first exemplary embodiment of the applicator of the apparatus
of FIG. 1. FIG. 2C is a top planer view in the direction of arrow D
of FIG. 2A of the first exemplary embodiment of the applicator of
the apparatus of FIG. 1. The series of drawings represented in
FIGS. 2A-2C may be referred to collectively as FIG. 2. Applicator
104 (FIG. 2A) is shown to include an ergonomically designed casing
204 which fits the hand, having a first end 208 and a second end
212. One or more illumination sources 216, at least one hair
removal mechanism 220, and at least one contact to skin sensing
mechanism shown as micro switches 228 for activating illumination
sources 216 and a hair removal mechanism 220. Micro switches 228
are located at the first end 208 and are activated by slight
pressure developed by application of applicator 104 to skin (not
shown). When depressed, micro switches 228 enable one or more
illumination sources 216 and other electric and electronic circuits
of applicator 104. In one embodiment, illumination sources 216 and
other electric and electronic circuits may each be operated
independently and have their own ON and OFF switch mechanisms, for
example, RF current sensing mechanism. It will also be appreciated
that in some embodiments, other sensor mechanisms may also be
utilized such as capacitive coupling, ground detection, a
mechanical on/off switch operated by a user as well as other
techniques.
[0029] The illumination sources 216 may include a variety of
sources, a few non-limiting examples include an incandescent lamp,
xenon lamp, laser diodes, LED, laser or even a combination of two
or more of these sources as well as other sources. Illumination
sources 216 may operate in a pulsed, continuous, graduated,
modulated, oscillating or other operation mode as well as a
combination of two or more of these modes. The power and
operational times of the sources are selected to avoid potential
damage to the treated segment of skin. In some embodiments each of
the illumination sources 216 may be packed in a cartridge-like
packaging 224 detachable from the ergonomically designed,
fitting-the-hand casing 204 of applicator 104. The cartridge like
packaging of the illumination source advantageously allows
different illumination sources to be used with the same applicator.
Each of the cartridges, like illumination sources 216 packaging
224, may be mounted on springs or a flexible mounting enabling
freedom of movement of the cartridge-like packaging 224 with light
source 216 in respect to applicator casing 204 as shown by arrow
240 in FIG. 2B. This allows cartridge 224 with illumination sources
216 to follow skin/casing contour 244 when applicator 104 is
translated (moved) over a segment of skin to be treated. Motion
direction sensor 232 senses the applicator movement direction and
provides a signal for proper switching of the light sources
216.
[0030] A cooling arrangement, possibly a fan (not shown) which may
be placed at a section 236 located at the second end 212 of
applicator 104. The fan removes the heat generated by the operation
of electric and electronic circuits and lamps or LEDs of applicator
104 and enables normal operating conditions of the applicator.
[0031] FIG. 2C is a schematic illustration of a top view of the
first end 208 of the exemplary embodiment of applicator 104. FIG.
2C shows the cartridge-like packaging 224 of light source 216, hair
removal mechanism 220, and micro switches 228.
[0032] FIG. 3A illustrates a first state of the operation of an
exemplary hair removal mechanism in operation. FIG. 3B illustrates
a second state of operation of the exemplary hair removal mechanism
in operation. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A,
hair removal mechanism 220 may include at least one, and in some
embodiments more than one, set of tweezers 308 attached to a holder
316 rotating around axis 312. Adjacent to tweezers 308 attached to
the same axes is a lever 320 terminated by a blade 324.
Alternatively, lever 320 may be rigidly coupled to tweezers 308 to
ensure a constant follow-up after tweezers 308. There is a preset
difference or offset between the location of tweezers 308 and the
location of blades 324 of lever 320 with respect to skin 330.
Typically, blade 324 would be located closer to skin 330 than
tweezers 308. The difference in the location of blade 324 and
tweezers 308 may be regulated according to the type of skin, hair,
and particular treated segment of the subject casing.
[0033] For hair 304 removal, tweezers 308 are applied to skin 330.
Holder 316 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow 328 and
concurrently with rotation may move linearly on the surface of skin
330 in the direction indicated by arrow 332. As tweezers 308
continue to rotate to the second state, they pick-up at least one
hair shaft or follicle 304 (FIG. 3B) and begin pulling it out of
skin 330. A pulling force generated by the rotation of tweezers 308
and assisted by linear movement of holder 316 applied to hair shaft
304 pulls together with hair shaft 304, skin 330 surrounding the
hair shaft and follicle. This force deforms skin 330 and forms a
type of goose bump or goose pimple 340 protruding over the rest of
the skin surface surrounding the follicle. Blade 324 cuts hair 304
(FIG. 3C) substantially close to the peak of goose bump 340. The
pulling force is set to a particular tension with respect to the
hair that is sufficient to impose a tension on the hair shaft but
not enough to pull the hair shaft out of the skin.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a magnified schematic illustration of a cut and
retracted back hair shaft or follicle. Following the cut of hair
shaft 304, skin 330 that formed goose bump 340, retracts or returns
to its normal at rest state. The residuals 306 of hair shaft 304
retract to the original position. The residual 306 of hair shaft
304 retracts deeper than skin surface or stratum corneum 330, such
distance being indicated by numeral 404 (FIG. 4), which marks the
difference in the locations of the cut end of the residual 306 of
the hair shaft 304 and skin surface 330. As can be seen in the
figure, the end of the residual 306 resides substantially below
skin surface 330. Numeral 408 indicates the underlying tissue.
[0035] FIG. 3C illustrates a third state of the operation of the
exemplary hair removal mechanism in operation. FIG. 3D illustrates
a fourth state of operation of the exemplary hair removal mechanism
in operation. Holder 316 (FIGS. 3C and 3D) continues to rotate in
the direction indicated by arrow 328 and move linearly or in any
other type of motion on the surface of skin 330 in the direction
indicated by arrow 332. In the third state, tweezers 308 catch
another hair shaft 304 and form bump 340 in the fourth operational
state in a way similar to the one explained above. Next, hair 304
is cut in a way similar to the way that the previous hair shaft was
cut. The tweezers 308 and blades 324 may be orientated in the same
direction or staggered and oriented in different directions. When
some of the tweezers 308 and blades 324 are oriented in different
directions, the user may move back along the earlier treated skin
segment and still be efficacious. When tweezers 308 and blades 324
are orientated in the same direction the user at the end of
treatment stroke may rotate applicator 104 and move it in the
opposite direction or simply reposition it to treat the next skin
segment.
[0036] Alternatively, the hair removal mechanism 220 may be any one
of the well-known mechanical hair removal mechanisms such as a
razor, shaving, or an electric shaver such as for example, feminine
electric shaver commercially available from Braun GmbH,
Germany--model 3470 SOFTPERFECT. This model also includes other
detachable heads of plucking and tweezing mechanisms. Similar or
even the same mechanisms are also, of course, applicable to male
hair removal/shavers. The illumination head/s may be attached and
operate with a conventional epilator with only one head of either a
shaver or epilator, or even a razor. The hair removal mechanism may
be an exchangeable mechanism, where the mechanism most appropriate
for the task is assembled on the applicator.
[0037] Illumination sources 216 (FIG. 2) may operate simultaneously
with hair removal mechanism 220. However; they illuminate a
different segment of skin from which hair removal mechanism 220 has
already removed hair. Illumination destroys or weakens hair
follicles and roots that are occasionally left, and should follow
mechanical hair epilation. In order to synchronize the operation of
illumination sources 216 with hair removal mechanism 220, a motion
direction sensor, or even just a direction sensor (not shown) that
switches between light sources 216 equips applicator 104. The
direction sensor may be of different types, for example, a rotating
wheel with a plurality of openings to modulate a source of light, a
mechanical switch of any type, an optical mouse type direction
sensor, an accelerometer, pressure sensors on the applicator 104
and others. Further, the direction sensor may determine
displacement speed and trigger an off state if the displacement
speed is lower than a target value or an on state if the
displacement speed is above a target value. It will be appreciated
that hysteresis may be applied in entering and exiting the on and
off states. For instance, the threshold displacement speed to
trigger the on state may be higher than the displacement speed to
trigger the off state. In addition, the hysteresis effect may be
obtained also by utilizing a time delay. For instance, once the on
state is entered, a time delay can be set to prevent entrance into
the off state during a desired delay. Likewise, once the off state
is entered, another time delay can be utilized to prevent the on
state from being immediately entered again. Activation of the
illumination sources by direction sensors alleviates occasional
skin burns or other treatment side effects, since illumination
sources are operative only when the applicator moves over the skin
in a minimum velocity. Moreover, it is possible to ensure that the
appropriate illumination source illuminating the treated skin
segment is activated based on the direction of advance of the
applicator 104. Illumination sources 216 operate typically in
continuous or pulse operation mode, but may also include any of the
above-mentioned, or a combination of two or more of the
above-mentioned operation modes, as well as other modes.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the second exemplary
embodiment of the hair removal mechanism. A comb type protective
plate 500 protects skin 330 and especially bumps 340 from
occasional damage by rotating blades 324 (FIG. 3). The comb type
protecting plate 500 may be attached to the applicator 104 or held
independently by a user. Blades 324 may be replaced by a fixed
blade, which would cut hair 304 pulled by tweezers 308. In such
embodiments, holder 316 in addition to rotation may have a linear
motion. Alternatively, two comb-like blades linearly sliding with
respect to each other may be implemented to cut the hair.
[0039] FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, collectively referred to as FIG. 6,
depict a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an
illumination cartridge of the applicator. Enclosure 602, which may
be constructed of plastic, of cartridge 224 incorporates a source
of illumination such as an incandescent lamp, xenon flash lamp,
laser diode, LED, laser or a combination of two or more of these
sources as well as others. FIG. 6A illustrates cartridge 224 with a
xenon lamp 606 and a reflector 610 configured to collect a large
part of the irradiance emitted by the xenon lamp 606 and direct it
towards the treated segment of skin.
[0040] Plastic enclosure 602 of cartridge 224 includes two guides
618 supporting easy cartridge 224 insertion and cartridge movement
along a direction indicated by arrow 622. The disclosed cartridge
construction allows the treated skin segment contour 244 to be
easily followed, as shown in FIG. 2B, and uniform illumination
maintained of the treated skin segment. In one embodiment,
cartridge 224 movement is utilized to replace micro switches 228.
This may be enabled by allowing the pressed-in cartridge 224 to
activate electrical and electronic circuits of applicator 104 in a
mode similar to that of micro switches 228. Alternatively, guides
618 may be metalized and their descent would come in contact with a
conductor and thereby close an electric circuit. It is also
possible to have a section of guides to be transparent and another
section opaque. Linear movement of such guide can modulate a light
beam and activate or deactivate the electrical and electronic
circuits of applicator 104. As will be explained below, additional
methods of replacing micro switches by other sensing and switching
mechanisms can be used.
[0041] Reflector 610 is shown to be constructed from two similar
halves enabling free airflow for cooling lamp 606. Alternatively, a
reflector formed as an integral body with respective air intake
openings 608 may be used. Reflector openings 608 cooperate with
respective air vents or air intake openings 612 enabling convective
cooling of lamp 606 or LEDs (not shown).
[0042] FIGS. 7A and 7B, collectively referred to as FIG. 7, depict
a schematic illustration of another exemplary light source
configuration of the applicator. FIG. 7A illustrates cartridge 702
similar to cartridge 224 with a plurality of LEDs 706. Each of LEDs
706 may emit a single wavelength or a plurality of wavelengths.
LEDs 706 are configured to illuminate the treated segment of skin
by a flux having relatively uniform flux distribution. FIG. 7B
illustrates a cartridge 710 with two light sources 714, such as
Xenon or other type lamps. Sources 714 may be identical sources or
different light sources. Their illumination fields may overlap and
they may be configured to get a desired spectrum and illumination
distribution on the treated skin segment. Sources 714 may be
operated simultaneously, at different or partially overlapping
periods and at different operating modes e.g. pulsed. continuous or
otherwise.
[0043] The described applicator architecture supports different
combinations of hair removal mechanisms and illumination sources.
Accordingly, a particular combination of the exchangeable hair
removal mechanism and illumination sources may determine the mode
of operation of the applicator. The mechanical hair removal
mechanisms may be selected, for example, from a rotary-based
tweezing epilator, spring type epilator, razor, or electric shaver.
The illumination source may be, for example, selected from
continuous or pulse operating sources as well as the other
above-listed modes, sources providing a desired spectrum and
illumination distribution on the treated skin segment. There may be
a mix of sources operating simultaneously or at partially
overlapping periods. This selection provides a wide array of
combinations that may be adapted for different skin treatments.
[0044] FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate variations in a third embodiment,
with the figures being referred to collectively as FIG. 8. FIG. 8A
depicts an additional embodiment in which the applicator 802
includes one or more RF electrodes 806 configured to contact the
treated segment of skin and provide RF energy to the segment of
skin 814 (FIG. 8B) located between electrodes 806, the RF energy is
generated by an RF generator located in applicator casing 810 (FIG.
8A). Typically, the electrical and electronic circuits of
applicator 802 include circuits that enable power to one or more
illumination sources and RF sources. When RF electrodes 806 touch
the subject skin (as illustrated in FIG. 8B), they provide a path
for the current of the electrical and electronic circuits of
applicator 802. An impedance sensing mechanism senses the impedance
change from an infinite value to a measurable finite value and
activates supply of RF energy having a magnitude sufficient to
produce a desired skin or tissue treatment effect. RF induced
current flows through tissue 818 as shown by lines 822 between
electrodes 806 heating tissue volume schematically indicated by
reference numeral 826. Thus, the use of an applicator is safer than
mechanical switching, since little or no RF is emitted if there is
no contact of RF electrodes 806 and the skin. The electrical
response to the impedance changes is faster than mechanical
switching and if one electrode loses contact with the skin, the RF
emission is instantly switched-off (Generally, a very low level of
RF power may continue to be emitted in order to be able to activate
the illumination sources and RF energy when contact with the skin
will be once again established.) Optionally, applicator 802 may
have an ON-OFF switch to switch off applicator 802 completely. FIG.
8C is another schematic illustration of the third exemplary
embodiment of the applicator. In this embodiment, RF electrodes 806
are located at the external side of the cartridges 224 and FIG. 8D
illustrates an additional of embodiment of the applicator, where RF
electrodes 806 are located on both sides of the cartridges 224.
FIG. 8E illustrates still a further embodiment of the applicator
802, where only one cartridge 224 is used with RF electrodes 806
located on both sides of the cartridge 224.
[0045] All earlier described applicator 104 (FIG. 2) components,
such as a hair removal mechanism, illuminators and their
functionality are mutatis mutandis applicable to applicator
802.
[0046] FIGS. 9A and 9B, collectively referred to as FIG. 9, depicts
a schematic illustration of a hair removal treatment using the
first exemplary embodiment of the present applicator. The first end
208 of applicator 104 is applied to skin 244. This applies slight
pressure on micro switches 228 and therefore hair removal mechanism
220 and appropriate illumination sources are enabled. (Generally,
both the hair removal mechanism and the illumination source may be
enabled by other mechanisms independent of a micro switch
mechanism). The user of the applicator translates applicator 104 in
a scanning motion in the first direction indicated by arrow 902
(FIG. 9A) from one segment of skin 244 to another skin segment.
During the translation, hair removal mechanism 220 removes hair
from the treated segment of skin 244. A motion direction sensor
senses the movement direction and activates trailing illumination
source located in cartridge 224-1 to illuminate a skin segment from
which the hair was removed. Continuous illumination flux produced
by the trailing illumination source 224-1 heats the skin segment
from which earlier hair was attempted to be removed mechanically,
weakens and perhaps destroys the hair follicles and bulbs. Typical
useful values of the illumination flux would have a value in the
range of 0.5 J/cm.sup.2 to 20 J/cm.sup.2. In addition to destroying
hair follicles and bulbs, illumination flux accelerates
skin-healing effect.
[0047] When applicator 104 moves in a second direction indicated by
arrow 906 (FIG. 9B), hair removal mechanism 220 functions in a
similar way and removes hair from the mechanically treated skin
segment. The motion direction sensor senses the change in the
movement direction and switches off the now leading illumination
source, relative to the new movement direction, located in
cartridge 224-1; the motion direction sensor then activates the
illumination source located in cartridge 224-2, which has now
become a trailing illumination source relative to the new movement
direction, to illuminate a skin segment. Illumination sources
located in cartridges 224-1 and 224-2 may operate simultaneously
(concurrently) with hair removal mechanism 220. However,
illumination sources located in cartridge 224-1 and 224-2 operate
on different segments of skin 244 than the hair removal mechanism
220 operates. Illumination sources may operate in a continuous mode
and their power set to cause a desired skin effect and prevent skin
burns. An optional temperature sensor may be used to continuously
measure skin temperature and accordingly deactivate the RF and/or
light sources.
[0048] As noted the illumination flux produced by the trailing
illumination source located in cartridge 224-1 generates the
effects described above of stunning the hair shaft growth as well
as skin-healing effect. The effect may be further enhanced by
proper selection of the illuminating wavelength and intensity.
[0049] The trailing and leading illumination sources typically, may
be operative to generate different flux values most appropriate for
getting the desired effect. When illumination sources are LED based
sources, such as shown in FIG. 7A, the trailing and leading
illumination sources may be operative to emit different wavelengths
more suitable for getting the desired effect. Generally, as
previously explained, the illumination source cartridge may be
constructed to include more than one lamp to operate them at
different power levels or emit energy at different spectrums, as
would be most appropriate for getting the desired treatment
effect.
[0050] FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a hair removal
treatment using another exemplary embodiment of the present
applicator. Applicator 1000 is applied to skin 1002 such that it
forms a contact between RF electrodes 806 and skin 1002. Impedance
sensing mechanism senses the change in the impedance from infinity
to a certain value and activates electric and electronic circuits
of applicator 1000. Thus, the impedance sensing mechanism can
replace the micro switch mechanism described earlier, although both
mechanisms may be combined to provide enhanced safety in the
treatment. Mechanical hair removal mechanism physically removes the
hair. RF induced current shown by lines 1022 heats tissue 1006 and
in particular volume 1026, weakens or even destroys residual hair
follicles and bulbs. The user of the applicator translates
applicator 1000 in a scanning motion from one segment of skin 1002
to another skin segment and heats respective tissue volumes 1026.
In the course of the translation, hair removal mechanism 220
removes hair from the segments of skin 1002 located over the heated
tissue volumes. Motion direction sensor 232 (FIG. 2A) senses the
movement direction and activates trailing illumination source 224
to illuminate a skin segment from which the hair was removed.
Illumination flux produced by the trailing illumination source 224
weakens the hair follicle and hair shaft, and to some extent, heats
the skin and destroys the remaining hair follicles and bulbs not
removed by mechanical means. In addition to destroying hair
follicles and bulbs, illumination flux accelerates skin-healing
effect. All disclosed above illumination flux and wavelength
variations and illumination source switching are mutatis mutandis
applicable to the present embodiment that uses RF to heat deeper
tissue layers.
[0051] The skin treatment results may be improved by proper
preparation of the skin segment to be treated. Post treatment rash
may be reduced by application of a solution, such as creams,
lotions or other liquid or powder. FIG. 11 is a schematic
illustration of the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present
applicator. Applicator 1100, in addition to the earlier described
hair removal mechanism 220, illumination sources 224, RF electrodes
806, and micro switches 228 includes a skin and hair pre-treatment
device 1104 and a skin and hair post treatment device 1108. The
skin and hair pre-treatment device 1104 may be operative to clean
by spray or similar solution a segment of skin to be treated. The
skin and hair post treatment device 1108 may be operative to
disperse over the treated segment of the skin a cream or solution
reducing irritation that the treatment may occasionally cause to
the skin. Optional variable length spacers 1112 may be used to
maintain a desired gap between the location of the hair removal
mechanism and the skin.
[0052] Typically, any one of the applicators described will be
electrically driven, i.e. by a drive rotating the hair removal
mechanism and operating other units of the applicators.
Alternatively, the applicator may be configured such that the
sliding movement over the skin of the subject would provide a
rotational movement to the hair removal mechanism.
[0053] Application of the method enables almost a hair free skin
area to be achieved due to mechanical hair removal, and retard or
completely eliminate hair re-growth enabled by (concurrent, or
subsequent, or prior to mechanical hair removal) RF application and
skin illumination Skin healing process is accelerated by selection
of proper skin illumination wavelengths.
[0054] FIG. 12 is a photographic image of a segment of a subject
skin treated by the present method (FIG. 12B) and an image of
non-treated segment (control) of a subject skin (FIG. 12A). The
treated segment 1206 does not contain even residual hair. The
non-treated segment 1202 is shown for comparative purposes.
[0055] Several embodiments have been described using detailed
descriptions thereof that are provided by way of example and are
not intended to be limiting. The described embodiments comprise
different features, not all of which are required in all
embodiments. Some embodiments utilize only some of the features or
possible combinations of the features. Variations of embodiments
that are described and embodiments comprising different
combinations of features noted in the described embodiments will
occur to persons of the art.
[0056] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
the follow claims are thus not limited to the disclosed
embodiments, features, functions, etc. but that rather the claims
may encompass additional embodiments.
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