Abstract:
A skin treatment device includes a body having a treatment head at one end and a dispenser head at another end. The treatment head includes a potting containing at least one light source for emitting electromagnetic radiation having desired characteristics for treating one or more skin conditions. A skin contacting surface is disposed at one end of the potting and is adapted for transmitting electromagnetic radiation emitted from the light source to a user&#39;s skin. A vibrator is directly or indirectly in contact with the other end of the potting for causing the skin contacting surface to vibrate. The dispenser head includes a dispensing assembly for dispensing a desired substance for use in treating one or more skin conditions.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This specification relates to treatment devices and in particular to portable hand held devices for treating conditions, such as skin conditions, through the application of light, heat and/or vibration therapies. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A variety of skin conditions may be treated through the topical application of therapeutic substances and controlled exposure to specific wavelengths and intensities of light (electromagnetic radiation). Treatment of such skin conditions may be enhanced by mechanical stimulation such as vibratory stimulation or the application of heat to the desired treatment area. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In one aspect there is provided a skin treatment device including a potting containing one or more light sources for emitting electromagnetic radiation having desired characteristics for treating one or more skin conditions, a skin contacting surface disposed at one end of the potting, the skin contacting surface being adapted for transmitting electromagnetic radiation emitted from the at least one light source to a user&#39;s skin and to transfer heat generated by operation of the at least one light source to the user&#39;s skin, a vibrator directly or indirectly contacting the other end of the potting, the vibrator being adapted for causing the skin contacting surface to vibrate and a control assembly for controlling operation of the light source and the vibrator. 
         [0004]    In another aspect there is provided a skin treatment device, including a body having a treatment head at one end and a dispenser head at another end, the treatment head including one or more light sources for emitting electromagnetic radiation having desired characteristics for treating one or more skin conditions and to transfer heat generated by operation of the at least one light source to the user&#39;s skin, the dispenser head including a dispensing assembly for dispensing a desired substance for use in treating one or more skin conditions and a control assembly for controlling operation of the light source. 
         [0005]    In yet another aspect there is provided a treatment head for a skin treatment device, the treatment head including a potting containing at least one light source for emitting electromagnetic radiation having desired characteristics for treating one or more skin conditions, a skin contacting surface disposed at one end of the potting, the skin contacting surface being adapted for transmitting electromagnetic radiation emitted from the at least one light source to a user&#39;s skin and to transfer heat generated by operation of the at least one light source to the user&#39;s skin, a vibrator directly or indirectly contacting the other end of the potting, the vibrator being adapted for causing the skin contacting surface to vibrate. 
         [0006]    Other aspects and features of the teachings disclosed herein will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of the specific examples of the specification. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the drawings to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is perspective view simplified illustration of a treatment device in accordance with one example; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are perspective sectional view simplified illustrations of the device of  FIG. 1  as viewed along lines W-W; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view simplified illustration of the device of  FIG. 1  showing the dispenser head removed from the remainder of the device; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view simplified illustration of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged sectional view simplified illustration of the treatment head for the device of  FIG. 1  as viewed along lines W-W 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of certain functional components for the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view simplified illustration of a treatment head of a treatment device in accordance with another example; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view simplified illustration of a treatment head of a treatment device in accordance with another example; and 
           [0016]      FIGS. 9A-9F  are plan views simplified illustrations of more examples of skin contacting surfaces for a treatment device. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    The claimed device is not limited to devices having all of the features of any one device or method described below or to features common to multiple or all of the devices described below. The claimed device may include a combination or sub-combination of the device elements or method steps described below. It is possible that a device or method described below is not an example of the claimed device. The applicant(s), and/or owner(s) reserve all rights in any device or method described below that is not claimed in this document and do not abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such device by its disclosure in this document. 
         [0018]    A treatment device  10  in accordance with an example is shown generally in  FIG. 1 . The device includes a treatment head  12 , a body  14  and a dispenser head  16 . 
         [0019]    Treatment head  12  includes a treatment assembly  20  ( FIGS. 2A and 2B ) disposed in a treatment head housing  22 . Treatment head housing  22  defines a cavity  24  ( FIG. 4 ) for receiving treatment assembly  20  and an aperture  26  at one end. Treatment assembly  20  includes at least one light source  28  that is at least partially encapsulated in a potting  30 . Light source  28  can be commonly a light emitting diode (LED), such as a chip-in-board or surface mount LEDs, and more commonly an encapsulated LED. 
         [0020]    Light source  28  commonly operates in the range of 400-1500 nm. More commonly light source  28  operates in the range of 400-450 nm for the treatment of acne (and most commonly 414 nm), 600-1000 nm for skin rejuvenation (and most commonly 660 nm) and 800-1000 nm for micro-circulation stimulation (and most commonly 870 nm). The energy output for treatment using light source  28  is commonly in the range of 5-15 J/cm 2 . For a blue light (414 nm) treatment the energy output is commonly about 6 J/cm 2 . For a treatment time of 120 seconds, the power density is commonly 50 mW/cm 2 . On some other wavelengths, the energy outputs may be in the range of 7 J/cm 2  and 8.4 J/cm 2  assuming the same amount of treatment time. And, if a single-point light source  28  is used, an energy output of 15 J/cm 2  or more may be applied. 
         [0021]    A plurality of light sources  28  are commonly encapsulated within potting  30  such as, for example purposes only, a cluster of seven or any other number of encapsulated LED light sources evenly distributed in a circular arrangement as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . Other configurations of shapes and arrangements may be employed such as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 . Potting  30  for example purposes only, can be a transparent epoxy potting that encases a substantial portion of light source  28 . When light source  28  comprises one or more encapsulated LEDs, such a transparent epoxy potting  30  commonly has a refractive index that is similar to the refractive index of the epoxy material used to encapsulate the LEDs. An acrylic epoxy potting  30  could be selected for instance due to its refractive index of approximately 1.5 at 20 degrees Celsius which is similar to the refractive index range of 1.47-1.52 for the LED epoxy encapsulation. 
         [0022]    In one example of device  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , potting  30  is disposed in a cavity  24  ( FIG. 4 ), generally flush with aperture  26 . The tips of the encapsulated LED light sources  28  protrude a short distance (commonly between 0.5-5 mm) from aperture  26 . The exposed face of potting  30  and the protruding tips of encapsulated LEDs together define a skin contacting surface  34  of treatment assembly  20 . Skin contacting surface  34  may alternatively be defined by a faceplate  36  ( FIGS. 5 ,  7  and  8 ), commonly formed of a transparent epoxy material, disposed at the end of treatment head  12  and adapted for transferring light, heat and vibration energy to the skin such as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 . Faceplate  36  may be removably connected to the end of treatment head  12  by a connection  48  ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ) such as a snap fit over a bead  39  on treatment head housing  22 , a threaded connection (not shown) or other suitable means of removable connection. The removable connection allows a user to interchangeably fit a variety of faceplates according to a desired treatment. 
         [0023]    The remainder of potting  30  is disposed within cavity  24  ( FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  7  and  8 ) and includes a non-skin contacting surface  38 , disposed on a side of potting  30  opposite to skin contacting surface  34  and connected to a first printed circuit board (PCB)  40 . First PCB  40  includes a plurality of vent holes (not shown) that allow air to escape when the molten material for forming potting  30  is disposed within treatment head housing  22 . 
         [0024]    Potting  30  acts to transfer heat generated from light sources  28  to skin contacting surface  34 . It has been found that encapsulated LED light sources  28  generate sufficient heat, upon transfer through skin contacting surface  34 , to aid in the treatment of a variety of skin conditions. Typically, sufficient heat is generated for the skin contacting surface  34  to feel warm against the skin of a user (commonly in the range of 37 to 45 degrees Celsius). In an alternative example as shown in  FIG. 8 , a heater  44  may be disposed in potting  30  to provide a greater amount of heat or a more consistent temperature than might be achieved by heat transfer from light sources  28  alone. A radio frequency energy emitter  45  could also be disposed in potting  30  for emitting radio frequency energy for use during treatment. Sensors (not shown) such as temperature sensors and proximity sensors may also be disposed in treatment head  12  for use in controlling operation of device  10 . 
         [0025]    Skin contacting surface  34  commonly includes formations  46  for optimizing the application of a desired treatment to the skin. It is believed that formations  46  improve performance of device  10  in a number of ways including stretching the skin, opening pores and optimizing the transfer of light, heat and most notably vibration energy from the device  10  to the skin. 
         [0026]    Formations  46  may include one or more protrusions  46   a  ( FIG. 8 ) or depressions  46   b  ( FIG. 7 ) having a variety of shapes and arrangements such as shown in  FIG. 7-9  or a combination of each. Formations  46  commonly have a height H or depth D in the range of 0.5-5 mm. Formations  46  may have smooth surfaces or abrasive surfaces depending on the desired treatment. Formations  46 , and most commonly depressions  46   b,  may be sized to fully surround and envelope skin conditions such as warts, blisters or pimples. 
         [0027]    Treatment assembly  20  further includes a vibrator  42  ( FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  7 , and  8 ), such as, for example, a disc type vibration motor, that engages first PCB  40  on a side opposing the side in contact with rear surface  38  of potting  30  commonly along a common axis A with potting  30 . Vibrator  42  is secured to first PCB  40  commonly using an epoxy, welds or other suitable attachment to ensure that vibrations translate to skin contacting surface  34 . Vibrator  42  is driven through pulse width modulation under control of a microcontroller  48  ( FIG. 6 ) at a desired operating frequency using a constant vibration driving scheme to adjust to a variable voltage range as batteries deplete overtime from full power to low power. Vibrator  42  may operate at subsonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequencies and most commonly in the range of 5000-25000 Hz. 
         [0028]    Commonly, treatment head housing  22  and treatment assembly  20  are formed as one integrated piece. This is accomplished by first soldering the one or more light sources  28  (commonly encapsulated LEDs) to a first side of first PCB  40 . First PCB  40  with the attached light sources  28  is then disposed in treatment head housing  22  and light sources  28  and first side of first PCB  40  are encapsulated by depositing potting material through aperture  26  to form potting  30 . Sufficient potting is provided to fill cavity  24  and bond first PCB  40 , light sources  28  and treatment head housing  22  together into one integrated piece. Vibrator  42  is then disposed on opposing side of first PCB  40  and permanently affixed to first PCB  40  using epoxy, welds or other suitable attachments. 
         [0029]    Body  14  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 ) includes electric circuitry components aligned along axis A including a control assembly  50  accommodated in a body housing  52 . Control assembly  50  includes a second PCB  54  that is operably connected to vibrator  42 . A control switch  56  is disposed on the exterior of body housing  52  for controlling operation of the device  10 . Control switch  56  may be a simple on/off switch (as shown) or may have additional control settings for controlling operation of the device  10 . The additional control settings may include a vibration control for controlling the amount of vibration and/or a light source control for controlling the amount of light emitted by the light source. Control switch  56  is operably connected to microcontroller  48  ( FIG. 6 ) that is disposed on a third PCB  58 . Third PCB  58  in turn is connected to a power supply  60 , such as one or more replaceable or rechargeable batteries disposed within body housing  52 . Body housing  52  is removably connected to treatment head housing  22  to facilitate access to the batteries. Conveniently, batteries for power supply  60  may be disposed in a unitary battery holder  62 . 
         [0030]    An abrupt or sudden disturbance of device  10  such as falling and hitting a firm surface, may cause electric circuitry components of device  10 , such as, for example, PCBs  40 ,  54  and  58  as well as battery holder  62  to shift axially along, or perpendicularly to axis A ( FIG. 4 ), dislodge and lose physical contact with each other, breaking electrical contact between the components and deeming device  10  inoperable. 
         [0031]    Body  14  can also include a bias  64  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) disposed between divider  66  and battery holder  62  or at any other suitable location along axis A. Bias  64  may be, for example, a spring, a rubber cylinder or similar, be made of any compressible and expandable suitable material and act as a damper, dampening any movement of treatment device  10  electric circuitry components along axis A and pressing device  10  electric circuitry components against each other along axis A so that to prevent such axial or perpendicular movement and the dislodging the components in case of such a disturbance. 
         [0032]    Dispenser head  16  can include a dispensing assembly  70 , as shown in  FIG. 2A , disposed in a dispenser housing  72  covered with a removable cap  74  ( FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  4 ). Dispensing assembly  70  may be any suitable assembly for dispensing a substance for treating a user&#39;s skin. For example, dispensing assembly  70  may be a roller (as shown), a stick or a spray nozzle for dispensing treatment substance from a container (not shown) disposed in the dispenser housing  72 . The treatment substance may be any topical formulation, typically in liquid, gel or stick form, that may be used for treating specific conditions or that provides other desired effects, therapeutic or otherwise, prior, during or following treatment. 
         [0033]    Alternatively and optionally, dispenser head  16  can be hollow or solid and include removable or integrally attached cap  74  only. 
         [0034]    Dispenser head  16  may be removably attached to body  14  by a connection  82  disposed on a, for instance by a threaded or snap fit or magnetic connection, so that a different dispenser head  16  may be attached to body  14 . Different dispenser head  16  may contain a fresh supply of the treatment substance or an alternate type of treatment substance for desired applications. Alternatively, the substance container may be adapted to receive a refill (not shown) of treatment substance or the substance container may be removable through a hatch (not shown) so that a fresh container may be inserted 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , which is a block diagram illustrating the interoperability of certain functional components of the device  10 . Power supply  60  provides power to certain functional components while microcontroller  48  controls operation of the functional components. The microcontroller may include a processor and a memory. Some or all of the microcontroller&#39;s functionality, such as monitoring power supply  60  and monitoring and control of light source  28 , vibrator  42  and (optionally) heater  44 , may be programmed into its processor using software that may be stored in its memory. Control switch  56  permits manual control of microcontroller  48  and thus control of the functional components of device  10 . 
         [0036]    During use, a user may apply a treatment substance to a desired area of the user&#39;s skin using dispenser head  16 . Dispenser head  16  is conveniently located at one end of device  10  so that the user may then simply turn device  10  around to apply a desired treatment using treatment head  12 . The user may then activate control switch  56  to initiate the generation of light, heat and vibration energy. The user then applies the skin contacting surface  34  to the desired area of the user&#39;s skin to administer the desired treatment for a desired period of time (two minutes for example). The user may apply a desired amount of pressure against the user&#39;s skin to allow formations  46  in skin contacting surface to stretch the skin, open pores and optimize the delivery of the light, heat and vibration energy to the skin. The user may also move device  10  over the skin surface to further stimulate and treatment a larger skin surface area. 
         [0037]    The device is intended for use in treating a wide range of conditions that benefit from the application of a combination of light, heat and vibration energies. Typically such conditions are cosmetic or dermatological conditions such as acne, blemishes, warts, cellulite and age related conditions that benefit from the generation of micro-circulation and collagen production. The device may be used for treatment of other conditions such as vaginal warts as well. 
         [0038]    While the above description provides examples of one or more processes or devices, it will be appreciated that other processes or devices may be within the scope of the accompanying claims.