Patent ID: 6976984
Filing Date: 2005-12-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A device for treating skin by means of radiation, which device comprises a housing, which accommodates a radiation source and which is provided with an exit opening for the radiation, a detector for detecting the presence of skin directly in front of the exit opening, and a control unit capable of activating the radiation source, wherein the detector is configured to measure a value or condition of a biophysical property in an area directly in front of the exit opening, the control unit comprising a comparator for comparing the value or condition of the property, measured by said detector, with a skin-characteristic value or condition of the property and being enabled to activate the radiation source only if the skin-characteristic value or condition is found, wherein the housing comprises a skin contact element in which the exit opening is formed and in which said detector is provided near the exit opening, and wherein the detector is provided with a light sensor and a light source for light of a predetermined wavelength, which light source is arranged next to the light sensor and optically separated at the skin contact element from said light sensor, the skin contact element adapted to be in contact with the skin during operation of the device and the light source and the light sensor configured to be in contact with the skin only if the skin contact element is in contact with the skin, the detector determining a scattering coefficient and/or absorption coefficient by comparing an amount of light measured by the light sensor with an amount of light generated by the light source.