U.S. patent application number 14/885108 was filed with the patent office on 2016-04-21 for light emitting hands free device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lexington International, LLC. Invention is credited to Alena MICHAELS, David MICHAELS, James SMERIGLIO, Randy VELIKY.
Application Number | 20160106999 14/885108 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54366517 |
Filed Date | 2016-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160106999 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MICHAELS; David ; et
al. |
April 21, 2016 |
LIGHT EMITTING HANDS FREE DEVICE
Abstract
A light emitting device for a human having a scalp with hair,
the device includes a flexible arcuate base configured to contour a
portion of the scalp. The base has a width between 20 mm and 120 mm
and includes an interior and an interior surface. At least one
array of teeth is coupled to the interior surface, each tooth in
the at least one array of teeth being pressed against the scalp
when the base is contoured about the scalp. Each tooth is
configured to part the hair when the at least one array of teeth is
pressed against the scalp. An array of at least one of light
emitting diodes and laser diodes coupled to the based proximate the
at least one array of teeth.
Inventors: |
MICHAELS; David; (Boca
Raton, FL) ; VELIKY; Randy; (Lighthouse Point,
FL) ; SMERIGLIO; James; (Jupiter, FL) ;
MICHAELS; Alena; (Boca Raton, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lexington International, LLC |
Boca Raton |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54366517 |
Appl. No.: |
14/885108 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62066016 |
Oct 20, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/20 ;
607/89 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61N 2005/0662 20130101;
A61M 2037/0007 20130101; A61M 37/00 20130101; A61N 2005/0647
20130101; A61N 2005/0643 20130101; A61N 2005/0652 20130101; A61N
2005/067 20130101; A61N 2005/0659 20130101; A61N 5/0617 20130101;
A61N 2005/0626 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61N 5/06 20060101
A61N005/06; A61M 37/00 20060101 A61M037/00 |
Claims
1. A light emitting device for a human having a scalp with hair,
comprising: a flexible arcuate base configured to contour a portion
of the scalp, the base having a width between 20 mm and 120 mm, the
base including an interior and an interior surface; at least one
array of teeth coupled to the interior surface, each tooth in the
at least one array of teeth being pressed against the scalp when
the base is contoured about the scalp, each tooth being configured
to part the hair when the at least one array of teeth is pressed
against the scalp; and an array of at least one of light emitting
diodes and laser diodes coupled to the based proximate the at least
one array of teeth.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one array of teeth
includes at least two arrays of teeth, and wherein the at least two
arrays of teeth and the array of at least one light emitting diodes
and laser diodes are substantially parallel to each other, and
wherein the array of at least one light emitting diodes and laser
diodes is disposed between the at least two arrays of teeth.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least two arrays of teeth
are removeably coupled to the interior surface.
4. The device of claim 3, further including a resilient element
disposed between the interior surface and one of the at least two
arrays of teeth, the resilient element configured to facilitate the
movement of one of the at least two arrays of teeth from a first
position away from the interior surface to a second position
adjacent the interior surface.
5. The device of claim 1, further including a proximity sensor
coupled to the base, the proximity sensor being configured to
automatically activate the array of at least one of light emitting
diodes and laser diodes when the user's scalp is a predetermined
distance away from the proximity sensor.
6. The device of claim 1, further including an image capture
element coupled to the base, the image capture element being
configured to capture an image of at least a portion of the scalp
when the base is contoured about the scalp.
7. The device of claim 1, further including a reservoir within the
base configured to retain a hair growth stimulating fluid.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the base includes a battery
configured to be charged by an inductive charging element.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the base defines a substantially
watertight seal around the array of at least one of light emitting
diodes and laser diodes.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the base defines a length,
wherein the at least one array of teeth and the array of at least
one light emitting diodes and laser diodes span substantially the
entire length of the base.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one array of teeth
is configured to part the hair of the scalp when the base is moved
from the first position on the scalp to the second position of the
scalp.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one array of light
emitting diodes and laser diodes includes light emitting diodes,
and wherein the light emitting diodes are configured to emit light
in the wavelength range of at least one 610-690 nm, 400-500 nm,
800-900 nm, and 1000-1200 nm.
13. A hair growth system for use with a human scalp having hair,
comprising: a base configured to contour the scalp, the base
including an interior and an interior surface, the base having a
width of between 20 mm and 120 mm; at least two arrays of teeth
coupled to the interior surface, each tooth in the at least two
arrays of teeth being pressed against the scalp when the base is
contoured about the scalp, each tooth being configured to part the
hair when the at least two arrays of teeth are pressed against the
scalp; an array of laser diodes disposed within the interior
between the at least two arrays of teeth; and a control unit in
communication with and remote to the base, the control unit being
configured to activate the array of laser diodes.
14. The system of claim 13, further including a proximity sensor
coupled to the base, the proximity sensor being configured to at
least one of automatically activate the array of laser diodes when
the user's scalp is a predetermined distance away from the
proximity sensor and enable activation of the array of laser diodes
by the control unit.
15. The system of claim 13, further including an image capture
element coupled to the base, the image capture element being
configured to capture one or more images of the scalp when the base
is contoured about the scalp.
16. The system of claim 13, wherein the control unit includes a
processor configured to determine an extent of hair growth based on
at least one of a frequency of use of the base, a duration of time
per each use of the base, and the one or more captured images of
the scalp.
17. The system of claim 13, wherein the control unit includes a
processor configured to compile the one or more images of the scalp
and determine whether substantially the entirety of the scalp has
been exposed to light emitted from the array of laser diodes.
18. The system of claim 13, wherein the base includes a reservoir
configured to store a hair growth stimulating fluid, and wherein
the control unit is in communication with the reservoir and
configured to dispense fluid from the reservoir.
19. The system of claim 13, wherein the base includes an
accelerometer, and wherein the accelerometer is in communication
with the control unit, and wherein the control unit is configured
to measure the speed at which the base is moved about the
scalp.
20. A hair growth system for use with a human scalp having hair,
comprising: a flexible arcuate base configured to contour the
scalp, the base including an interior and an interior surface, the
base having a width between 20 mm and 120 mm; at least two arrays
of teeth coupled to the interior surface, each tooth in the at
least two arrays of teeth being pressed against the scalp when the
base is contoured about the scalp, each tooth being configured to
part the hair when the at least two arrays of teeth are pressed
against the scalp; an array of laser diodes disposed within the
interior between the at least two arrays of teeth; the base being
movable from a first position on the scalp to a second position of
the scalp without the at least two arrays of teeth losing contact
with the scalp; a resilient element being coupled to at least one
of the at least two arrays of teeth, the resilient element
configured to facilitate the movement of one of the at least two
arrays of teeth from a first position away from the interior
surface to a second position adjacent the interior surface; image
capture element coupled to the base, the image capture element
being configured to capture one or more images of the scalp when
the base is contoured about the scalp; and a control unit in
communication with and remote to the base, the control unit being
configured to activate the array of laser diodes; the control unit
includes a processor configured to: compare the captured one or
more images of the scalp and determine the extent of follicle
density; and compile the one or more images of the scalp and
determine whether substantially the entirety of the scalp has been
exposed to light emitted from the array of laser diodes.
21. The device of claim 1, wherein the base is movable from a first
position on the scalp to a second position of the scalp without the
at least one array of teeth losing contact with the scalp.
22. The system of claim 13, wherein the base is movable from a
first position on the scalp to a second position of the scalp
without the at least two arrays of teeth losing contact with the
scalp.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 62/066,016, filed Oct. 20, 2014, entitled
LIGHT EMITTING HANDS FREE DEVICE, the entirety of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to light emitting hands free
devices to stimulate hair growth.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Laser emitting combs and helmets have been devised to treat
hair loss or otherwise stimulate new hair growth. Such devices,
however, either provide for a single angle and/or position that
therapeutic light can be emitted to the scalp, such as in a
stationary helmet in which light may be obstructed by the user's
existing hair, or require the user to remember which areas of the
scalp were treated as the device is moved over the scalp, such as
in a hair comb. In either case, there is a difficulty in ensuring
that the entire scalp is treated with light with limited user
involvement.
[0004] Helmet devices having lasers extending from the helmet
toward the scalp have been devised to provide for hand-free light
treatment of the scalp. However, such devices are not movable about
that the scalp, they simply press down onto the scalp or hair when
the helmet is worn by the user. Thus, helmet devices provide no
mechanism to part the user's existing hair such that the light
reaches the scalp, but rather are limited to delivering light to
wherever the helmet is positioned on the scalp, which may be
obstructed by the user's hair.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present application provides a light emitting device for
a human having a scalp with hair, the device includes a flexible
arcuate base configured to contour a portion of the scalp. The base
has a width between 20 mm and 120 mm and includes an interior and
an interior surface. At least one array of teeth is coupled to the
interior surface, each tooth in the at least one array of teeth
being pressed against the scalp when the base is contoured about
the scalp. Each tooth is configured to part the hair when the at
least one array of teeth is pressed against the scalp. An array of
at least one of light emitting diodes and laser diodes coupled to
the based proximate the at least one array of teeth.
[0006] In another embodiment, a hair growth system for use with a
human scalp having hair is included, the system includes a base
configured to contour the scalp, the base including an interior and
an interior surface and has a width of between 20 mm and 120 mm. At
least two arrays of teeth are coupled to the interior surface, each
tooth in the at least two arrays of teeth is pressed against the
scalp when the base is contoured about the scalp. Each tooth is
configured to part the hair when the at least two arrays of teeth
are pressed against the scalp. An array of laser diodes is disposed
within the interior between the at least two arrays of teeth. A
control unit is in communication with and remote to the base, the
control unit being configured to activate the array of laser
diodes.
[0007] In yet another embodiment, the system includes a flexible
arcuate base configured to contour the scalp, the base including an
interior and an interior surface and having a width between 20 mm
and 120 mm. At least two arrays of teeth coupled to the interior
surface, each tooth in the at least two arrays of teeth being
pressed against the scalp when the base is contoured about the
scalp. Each tooth is configured to part the hair when the at least
two arrays of teeth are pressed against the scalp. An array of
laser diodes is disposed within the interior between the at least
two arrays of teeth. The base is movable from a first position on
the scalp to a second position of the scalp without the at least
two arrays of teeth losing contact with the scalp. A resilient
element is coupled to at least one of the at least two arrays of
teeth, the resilient element configured to facilitate the movement
of one of the at least two arrays of teeth from a first position
away from the interior surface to a second position adjacent the
interior surface. An image capture element is coupled to the base,
the image capture element being configured to capture one or more
images of the scalp when the base is contoured about the scalp. A
control unit in communication with and remote to the base is
included, the control unit being configured to activate the array
of laser diodes; the control unit includes a processor configured
to compare the captured one or more images of the scalp and
determine the extent of follicle density and compile the one or
more images of the scalp and determine whether substantially the
entirety of the scalp has been exposed to light emitted from the
array of laser diodes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1A is a front view of a light emitting hands free
device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
application;
[0009] FIG. 1B is a top view of the light emitting device shown in
FIG. 1A;
[0010] FIG. 1C is a side view of the light emitting device shown in
FIG. 1A;
[0011] FIG. 2A is a side and inside-out surface view of an
embodiment of the light emitting device shown in FIG. 1A;
[0012] FIG. 2B is a side and inside-out surface view of an
embodiment of the light emitting device shown in FIG. 1A;
[0013] FIG. 2C is a side and inside-out surface view of an
embodiment of the light emitting device shown in FIG. 1A;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side perspective component view of two arrays of
teeth coupled to the base of the device shown in FIG. 1A;
[0015] FIG. 4A is a side inside-out surface view of the embodiment
of the light emitting device shown in FIG. 2A;
[0016] FIG. 4B is a side inside-out surface view of the embodiment
of the light emitting device shown in FIG. 4B;
[0017] FIG. 4C is a side inside-out surface view of the embodiment
of the light emitting device shown in FIG. 2C;
[0018] FIG. 5A is a side view of an embodiment of the light
emitting device shown in FIG. 1A;
[0019] FIG. 5B is a side inside perspective view of the embodiment
of the light emitting device shown in FIG. 1A;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of a
light emitting device constructed in accordance with the principles
of the present application.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of
the light emitting device constructed in accordance with the
principles of the present application being disposed around a
user's head and in communication with a portable electronic device;
and
[0022] FIG. 8 is side perspective of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7
with one array of teeth.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] As used here, relational terms, such as "first" and
"second," "over" and "under," "front and rear," and the like, may
be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another
entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any
physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or
elements.
[0024] Referring now to the drawings in which like reference
designators refer to like elements, there is shown in FIGS. 1A-1C
and exemplary light emitting hands free device constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present application and
designated generally "10." The device 10 may be constructed of
rigid materials such as polycarbonate and/or other elastic and
resilient materials, such as thermoplastic polyurethane, or metals
and metal alloys. In particular, the device 10 may include an
elongate base 12 biased in a substantially arcuate or semi-circular
configuration. In particular, the base 12 may include an exterior
surface 14 composed of a resilient material shaped in substantially
the same arc defined the top of human scalp extending between the
user's two ears. The base 12 may extend from a position just above
the user's left ear, across the scalp, and terminate at a position
just about the user's right ear. In an exemplary configuration, the
length of the base 12 is between approximately 175-240 mm and the
width of the base is approximately 20-120 mm. The base 12 may
define a sloped or curved surface along its width. For example, as
shown in FIG. 1C, the base 12 may increase in height to a maximum
height of approximately 140 mm as it extends from the front of the
user's scalp to the back of the user's scalp and then may decrease
in height as it extends toward the posterior of the scalp. It is
contemplated that the base 12 may define any slope along its width
or length to facilitate a proper contour of the base 12 about the
user's scalp. For example, the base 12 may include an extension
element (not shown) configured to provide an adjustment in the
overall length of the base 12 to accommodate differently sized
scalps. The extension element may, for example, a telescoping
member or resilient elastic member disposed within the interior of
the base to increase the length of the base 12 as needed.
[0025] The base 12 may include a power panel 16 extending at least
a portion of the length of the base 12, and in one configuration,
substantially the entire length of the base 12. In the embodiments
shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the power panel 16 is positioned at
approximately the center of the width of the base 12 and may be
identified by a different color than that of the remainder of the
base 12. The base 12 may define a recess (not shown) sized to
receive the power panel 16. In one embodiment, the power panel 16
is releasably affixable to the base 12 within the recess such that
it may be modular. In particular, the power panel 16 may readily
snap into and out of the base 12 to connect the power panel 16. In
other embodiments, the power panel 16 is permanently affixed to the
base 12. The power panel 16 may include a rechargeable battery (not
shown) such as a lithium ion battery, or a non-rechargeable
battery, in communication with the various powered components of
the device 10 discussed in more detail below, an on/off power
switch 18, a timer 20, and a vibration adjustment actuator (not
shown).
[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 1A, and 2A-2C, the device 10 may
include a plurality of teeth 22 and a plurality of diodes 24
disposed an interior surface 26 of the base 12. The plurality of
teeth 22 may be composed of a resilient or rigid material, for
example polyurethane or polycarbonate, and a define a blunted edge
as to be atraumatic to the scalps is the interior surface is
positioned on and/or moved across the user's scalp. In an exemplary
configuration, each of the plurality of teeth 22 taper inward in
width as they extend away from the interior surface 26. The
plurality of teeth 22 may be arranged in one or more arrays along
the interior surface 26. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the
plurality of teeth 22 are arranged in three substantially linear
teeth arrays 28 along the interior surface 26. The teeth arrays 28
may be substantially parallel to one another and substantially
equidistant from an adjacent teeth array 28. In the configuration
shown in FIG. 2A, each teeth 22 in the teeth array 28 is spaced
approximately 7 mm from an adjacent tooth 22 and span substantially
then entire length of the interior surface 26 of the base 12. Each
tooth 22 may be configured to part the user's hair as the base 12
is moved over the user's scalp, or to part hair while the base 12
is stationary over a particular part of the user's scalp. For
example, the base 12 may be pivoted about the user's scalp, from
front to back or from back to front, to a desired treatment region
on the user's scalp while each tooth 22 maintains contact with the
user's scalp and/or hair. The pivot point may be the ends of the
base 12 proximate the ears. As the base 12 is moved over the user's
scalp to a desired position, the user's hair may be pinned down or
otherwise parted by the teeth 22 to provide for at least a
substantially unobstructed pathway for the light emitted from the
diodes 24 to treat the user's scalp.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 3, one or more of the arrays 28 may
further include a resilient element 29 positionable proximate the
interior surface 26 and the array 28. The resilient element 29,
which may be a spring or an elastic material, may facilitate the
movement of the respective array 28 from a first position away from
the interior surface 26 to a second position adjacent the interior
surface 26. In particular, when the array 28 is coupled to the base
12, the resilient element 29 is disposed between the interior
surface and the array 28, for example, as protrusion extending away
from the array 28. When the user positions the base 12 onto the
scalp, the resilient element 29 may be pressed against the interior
surface 29 which allows the flexion of the respective array 28
where the force is applied, which may provide for comfort around
the scalp and/or a better fit of the array 28 to the scalp.
[0028] Referring back now to FIGS. 2A-2C, each teeth array 28 may
be spaced approximately 30 mm, for example, a range from 10 mm-50
mm, from an adjacent teeth array 28 to provide for a particular
arrangement of diodes 24. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the
diodes 24, may be arrange in diode arrays 30 similar to the teeth
arrays 28. In the configuration shown in FIG. 2A, each diode 24,
which may be a laser or light emitting diode, at any wavelength of
light, or a combination of wavelengths of light, for example,
multi-chromatic light, two diode arrays 30 may be disposed between
two teeth arrays 28 for a total of four diode arrays 30. One diode
array 30 may emit laser light, while another may emit white light,
or a light at a particular wavelength, for example, yellow, green,
red, blue, infrared and in the wavelengths of approximate 610-690
nm, 400-500 nm, 800-900 nm, and 1000-1200 nm. For example, one
diode array 30 may contain diodes 24 emitting light in the
wavelength of 610-690 nm and another diode array 30 may contain
diodes 24 emitting light in the wavelength of 1000-1200 nm.
Alternatively, all the diodes 24 may emit light at a first
wavelength and may be modular with diodes 24 or diode arrays 30
configured to emit light at a second wavelength different than the
first wavelength.
[0029] In the configuration shown in FIG. 2A, each diode array 30
is substantially parallel to every other diode array 30 and may be
longitudinally offset from an adjacent diode array 30 and/or every
other diode array 30. For example, FIG. 2A shows a configuration of
the device 10 with four diode arrays 30, each array having a 22
diodes for a total of 82 diodes 24. The diodes 24 may be positioned
such that each diode 22 has a different vertical and/or horizontal
orientation than each and every other diode 24, such that each
diode 24 targets a different area of the scalp. In other
configurations, a single array of teeth 28 may be included along
any horizontal positional, with diodes 24 disposed in arrays 30 on
one or both sides of the array 28 such that the array 28 and the
diodes are substantially parallel to each other, although any
configuration and placement of the arrays 30 and one or more arrays
28 are contemplated.
[0030] In the configuration shown in FIG. 2B, two diode arrays 30
may be disposed between two teeth arrays 28 for a total of four
diode arrays 30, however, half the number of diodes 24 are included
in each diode array 30. In particular, in each diode array 30, 11
diodes are included as opposed to 22 diodes per diode array 30 as
shown in FIG. 2A. To achieve the configuration shown in FIG. 2B,
the power panel 16 shown in FIG. 2A may be substituted for the
power panel 16 shown in FIG. 2B, or alternatively, the diodes 24
may be deactivated by the user for a particular treatment
optionally programmed into the power panel 16 such that every other
diode 24 is deactivated. Alternatively, the deactivated diodes 24
may be replaced by nubs or other non-electric material to space the
activated diodes 24 from one another. Similar to FIG. 2B, the
configuration shown in FIG. 2C includes four diode arrays 30 of 11
diode with half of the diodes 24 in each diode array 30 being
deactivated. In particular, each diode array 30 includes 11
consecutive diodes 24 that are activated followed by eleven
consecutive deactivated diodes 24 or other non-electric material.
As shown in FIG. 2C, each diode array 30 includes the opposite
configuration of activated diodes 24 compared to an adjacent diode
array 30.
[0031] Now referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, 5A-B, and FIG. 6, the teeth
arrays 28 may be disposed in channels 32 defined by the base 12. In
particular, each tooth 22 may extend away from the interior surface
26 from one channel 32 such that each teeth array 28 defines an
arcuate configuration. Each diode 24 is positioned between at least
two teeth 22 to facilitate the light emitted from each diode 24
being substantially unobstructed when a beam of laser light or
non-laser light is emitted to the scalp. Alternatively, no channels
32 may be included and the proximal end of each tooth 22 may be
substantially planar to a corresponding diode 24. Alternatively,
each diode 24 and each diode array 30 may be recessed with respect
to the arrays of teeth 28. For example, each diode 24 may be
enclosed within an interior of the base 12, for example, by a
transparent cover, that allows light to be emitted from each diode
24 while maintaining a smooth interior surface 26. In such a
configured, the base may be watertight or substantially watertight
such that water does not enter the interior to damage the diodes
24.
[0032] In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, two arrays of teeth 28
are disposed on the interior surface 26. In FIG. 8, one array of
teeth 28 is included adjacent the diode arrays 30 and may be on
either side of the diode arrays 30. In either configuration, each
array of teeth 28 is configured to part the users hair as the base
12 is moved and/pivoted about the scalp. In the configuration shown
in FIG. 7, the arrays of teeth 28 are disposed toward the edges of
the interior surface 26 creating a single channel 32 substantially
spanning the width between the two arrays of teeth 28 an
substantially spanning the length of the base 12. Removeably
insertable within the channel 32 may be modular band 34 lockingly
engageable within the channel 32. The band 34 may snap-fit within
the channel 34 and be in electrical communication with the power
panel 16 when inserted within the channel 34. Affixed to the band
34 are the plurality of diodes 24 and arrays 30, which may be
arranged in any pattern and any number of arrays 30. For example,
four arrays 30 are included in the embodiment in FIG. 7. It is
further contemplated that other bands 34 may be snap-fit within the
channel 34 to provide for a particular configuration of diodes 24,
which may each emit light in a particular wavelength range of light
as discussed above. In such a configuration, the modular band 34
may form a water tight seal within the interior surface 26.
[0033] In an exemplary method of use of any of the above-described
embodiments, the user positions the interior surface 26 over a
front portion of the scalp and activates the device 10 with the
on/switch 18, or remotely, as discussed in more detail below, which
activates the timer 20 to count down from a predetermined treatment
time. For example, the diode arrays 30 may be activated for 3
minutes, or any duration, and then turn off. During those three
minutes, the teeth arrays 28 may vibrate to aid in the part of the
hair and/or provide gentle massage to the scalp. In a particular
configuration, neither the teeth 22 nor the user's hair obstruct
the pathway of light emitting from the diodes 24. After the
predetermined about of time, an alert may sound to indicate to the
user that the predetermined time period has concluded. The user may
then pivot or otherwise move the device 10 to a different
orientation of the scalp, for example the front of the scalp, the
middle of the scalp (as shown in FIG. 6) or the rear of the scalp
and continue treatment for an additional predetermined amount of
time without removing the device 10 from the scalp and/or losing
contact with the teeth 22 from the scalp or hair such that the hair
may be parted by the teeth 22 to create an unobstructed, or
substantially unobstructed, light path from the diodes 24 to the
scalp. In particular, the user may shift the base 12 from a first
position proximate the center of the scalp to a second position
proximate the front or rear of the scalp without disengaging the
base 12 from being pressed against the scalp.
[0034] Continuing to refer to FIG. 6, the device 10, and in
particular the panel 16, may be in communication with a control
unit 36 configured to activate and control the device 10 and
optionally monitor treatments associated with the device 10. The
control unit 36 may be a watch with a wireless transmitted, for
example, the Apple Watch.TM., or a Smartphone, tablet computer, or
a computer running application software configured to communicate
with the device 10. In particular, the device 10 may include a
wireless transmitter/receiver 38 in communication with a processor
40 in the base 12 configured to processes the various commands
received from the control unit 36. For example, the Smartphone,
such as an iPhone.sup.m4, may have an application configured to be
operable by the user to turn on/off the device 10, activate the
diodes 24, turn on/off the timer of the device, turn on/off the
teeth arrays 28, activate and image capture element 42 coupled to
the base 12, and dispense a fluid from the base 12. In a particular
configuration, the image capture element 42, which may be a camera
be coupled to the interior surface 26, may be configured to image
sections of the scalp, when the base 12 is disposed or otherwise
contoured about the user's scalp. The image capture element 42 may
be substantially planar with the interior surface 26 as to not
protrude a distance away from the interior surface 26.
Alternatively, the image capture element 42 may protrude a distance
away from the interior surface and may be positioned on a gimbal or
structure configured to allow multiple axes of movement of the
image capture element 42. Although not shown, the base 12 may also
be foldable. For example, the base 12 may include a hinge proximate
one or both ends of the base proximate the ears of a user when the
device 10 is placed on a user's scalp. The hinge may allow for a
portion of the base to fold to an angle of at least 90 degrees to
allow the device 10 to be laid flat and stand on its own on a
surface.
[0035] The software application in the control unit 36 may be in
communication with the image capture element 42 and may activate
the image capture element 42 either automatically when the device
10 is activated or manually by the user. In an exemplary
configuration, when the user uses the device 10, the image capture
device 42 captures an image of a section of the scalp. The image of
the scalp is then analyzed to determine an average density of hair
follicles and/or extent of hair growth in that imaged section. Each
time the user uses the device 10 and treats the scalp with laser
and/or light 26 diodes, the image capture element 42 captures an
image of the treated section and compares it overtime. The change
in follicle density is calculated overtime such and displayed on
the display of the control unit such that the user can track the
progress of treatments. For example, images captured by the image
capture element 42 may be compiled to determine if the entire scalp
and/or the desired portion of the scalp has been treated with light
therapy and the extent of hair growth/follicle density on the scalp
as a whole or a target portion of the scalp. The application may
further be configured to calculate the change in follicle density
and/or extent of hair growth based on a number of factors. For
example, the application may include an algorithm that correlates
the extent of hair growth and/or follicle density based on at least
one of a frequency of use of the base 12, a duration of time per
each use of the base 12, and the one or more captured images of the
scalp. The user may further able to track his/her progress over
time to identify areas of the scalp that may require longer
treatment times or a different light intensity. The base 12 may
further include a reservoir 46 configured to store a hair growth
stimulating fluid. The control unit 36 may be in communication with
the reservoir 46 and configured to dispense fluid from the
reservoir 46 either out through an aperture in the base 12 in fluid
communication with the reservoir 46, or alternatively out through
one or more teeth 22, which may have apertures at their respective
distal ends in communication with the reservoir 46.
[0036] Moreover, the user data may be stored in the application and
a user profile generated based on the data, such that multiple
users may use the device 10 and a user specific treatment program
may be tailored for the individual needs of the user. For example
the algorithm may determine for a particular user that the
treatment time may need to be increased proximate the top of the
scalp, as opposed to the front or back, and initiate a treatment
program targeted toward hair growth in that particular region. To
further determine that that the device 10 is moved or otherwise
pivoted at a desired velocity about the scalp, the base 12 may
include an accelerometer 44 in communication with the processor 40
to record the speed and/or acceleration at which the device is
moving. If the device is moved above or below a predetermined
speed, the device may vibrate or otherwise alert the user through a
sound from the device or alert from the Smartphone 36 to increase
or decrease the speed of parting the user's hair with the teeth
array 28.
[0037] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly
shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was
made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the
accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications
and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is
limited only by the following claims.
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