DERMATOLOGICAL METHOD AND DEVICE

Abstract: The invention relates to a dermatological method and device to promote healing of injuries and/or scars on the surface of skin, which makes possible simple and efficient treatment of skin surface with polarized light. The dermatological method according to the invention is characterized by that a translucent polarizing layer is put above the injury and/or scar to be treated and a multipolar light is let through said translucent polarizing layer from outside and the skin surface is light with the polarized light passing through the light-polarizing layer. The dermatological device according to the invention has a base layer which is known in itself and said base layer fits well to the surface of the skin. The device is characterized by that it has a flexible light-polarizing layer to be placed above the skin surface to be treated and said light-polarizing layer joins a base layer and fits flexibly to the surface of the skin.

Description: Dermatological method and device The invention relates to a dermatological method and device to promote healing of injuries and/or scars on the surface of skin, which makes possible simple and efficient treatment of skin surface with polarized light. To heal pathological skin affections respectively to promote healing beside the generally applied medicinal treatment it is also a well-known method to heal injuries or scars on the surface of the skin with polarized light, which helps healing by stimulating processes taking place in cells. Practical clinical experiences prove, that application of polarized light, lighting of wounds or scars on the surface of the skin considerably accelerates healing. According to comparative tests treatment with polarized light initiated process of healing even in case of chronic sores of long duration, during which at first sores emptied, secretion decreased, then ceased, capillaries appeared on the sore base, epithelisation started around the edge of the wound and a steady healing started. According to the prior art HU 186 081 patent description makes known equipment suitable for stimulating biological processes in connection with cell activity, particularly to heal pathological skin affections, sores, ulcers and other injuries of the body with equipment producing linearly polarized light. The equipment has an incoherent source of light emitting light of more than 300 nm wave-length, a polarizator built in or separate, and a light-deflecting system leading the rays to the given direction. Patent description HU 210 570 makes known a curing lamp emitting polarized light. In the lamp described by the patent there is a housing, a handle built-in the housing and a maximum 100 W electric bulb arranged in the housing. The device has among others a reflector arranged directly behind the bulb, a polarizator placed in the light-beam of the bulb, and a color-filter sheet filtering ultra-violet components from the light emitted. The disadvantage of the known solutions of using polarized hght for curing is, that a separate device is needed for hghting the surface of the injury to be cured, and the surface to be cured can be hghted only periodically during treatment sessions. During treatment hghting is of great intensity, but relatively short-term, so the injury is hghted for a relatively short time during relatively short periods of the healing. An additional disadvantage is, that it is difficult or can hardly be guaranteed in case of the known solutions, that the polarization direction of the hght reaching the skin surface is always identical. In case of applying a lamp emitting polarized hght the position of the part of the body or the body surface can change even during a single session compared to the lamp, which causes the change of the direction of the polarization direction of the hght reaching the skin surface, which may decrease the efficiency of the treatment. Working out the solution according to the invention our aim was to make a method and device, which can ensure continuos hghting of the surface of the injury with low-intensity polarized hght and can ensure keeping the direction of the polarized hght identical during the whole treatment. We realized, when working out the solution, that if the hghting of the surface of the injury or scar to be healed is carried out with a device put on the skin surface, transforming outside hght into polarized hght, then the set aim can be achieved. The object of the invention is a dermatological method to promote healing of injuries and/or scars on the surface of skin, when skin surface treated is lighted with polarized hght. Said method is characterized by that a translucent polarizing layer is put above the injury and/or scar to be treated and a multipolar hght is let through said translucent polarizing layer from outside and the skin surface is hghted with the polarized hght passing through the hght-polarizing layer. The object of the invention further is a dermatological device to promote healing of injuries and/or scars on the surface of skin, realizing preferably the method according to the invention, has a base layer which is known in itself and said base layer fits well to the surface of the skin. The device is characterized by that it has a flexible light- polarizdng layer to be placed above the skin surface to be treated and said hght-polarizing layer joins a base layer and fits flexibly to the surface of the skin. In a preferred apphcation of the method according to the invention, the hght passing through hght-polarizing layer to the skin surface is either linearly polarized or circularly polarized hght. A color-filter layer and/or hght-filtering layer is aprHied below and/or above polarizing layer and the wave-length of the hght getting to the skin surface is in the range of the visible hght, it is preferably blue, or purple, or red, or orange. The hghting of the skin surface takes place continuously or periodically during the treatment. In another preferred apphcation of the method according to the invention the multipolar hght apphed is a natural hght, preferably sunhght. The multipolar hght is artificial hght, in given case the hght of electric bulbs, or neon, or mercury-arc tube or laser. In a further preferred apphcation of the method according to the invention, medicine or a curative product is placed before or at the same time of the placement of the hght-polarizing layer on the skin surface to be treated. In a preferred embodiment of the dermatological device according to the invention, the device has a flexible base layer joining the surface of the skin which is known in itself, and the surface of the device fitting to the skin surface is provided preferably with a self-adhesive layer and further the hght-polarizing layer is a flexible polar film. In another preferred embodiment of the dermatological device according to the invention, the device is formed as a surgical plaster with a skin-friendly base layer and a skin-friendly adhesive layer which are known in themselves and the hght-polarizing layer of said surgical plaster is shaped from a translucent polarizing film placed in a window formed on the base layer. The hght-polarizing layer is either linearly polarized or circularly polarized light-polarizer. In a further preferred embodiment of the dermatological device according to the invention, one or more hght-filter layer, preferably color-filter or hght-intensity filter, in given case ultraviolet-filter and/or infrared filter, is placed Delow or above the hght polarizing layer, said color-filter or hght-intensity filter, in given case ultraviolet-filter and/or infrared filter are preferably made of flexible films. The base layer and/or the hght-polarizing layer and/or the color-filter layer is provided with perforation. In a further preferred embqdiment of the dermatological device according to the invention, the part of the device joining the skin contains medicine or a curative product. We will present the method according to the invention with the following examples of apphcation: Example 1 One of the main fields of apphcation of the method according to the invention is treating the skin surface with hght of great intensity, appropriate occasional iUumination. It can be applied in case of skin surfaces, which require intensive treatment and are situated on a part of the body which is covered by clothes, therefore outside natural hght can not reach them. The duration of treatment is preferably 3-5 minutes, the apphed intensity is 4...10 W/square metre. The wave-length of the applied hght is 400...450 nm (blue), or 700...750 nm (red). Example 2 Another main field of apphcation of the method according to the invention is, when the skin surface is spontaneously hghted with relatively low-intensity hght, preferably from a natural or artificial hght source coming from the outer surroundings. It is especially appropriate, when the surfaces to be treated are on parts of the body where they are not regularly covered by clothes, so they are effected by sunhght or artificial hghting. This solution can be advantageously apphed in case of skin surfaces not requiring intensive treatment, for examples warts, spots, scars. The duration of the hghting is continuous, respectively dependent on outer lighting. This way long-term treatment is possible, which for example in the case of a polar-film placed as a surgical plaster require no special arrangement. In case of treatment with spontaneous outer hght the intensity of the curing hght can range from a few tenth W/square metre upto a few W/square metre. To prevent adverse effects of bearning sunhght we can preferably apply a hght-filtering layer. We can choose the color required according to the clinical experiences from the spectrum of the outer hght with an appropriately apphed color-filter. The solution according to the invention will be described further with the help of the enclosed figures: FIG.l shows the principle of the method of the device according to the invention. FIG.2 shows the mode of the operation of the device according to the invention in case of a preferred embodiment. FIG.3 shows the mode of the operation of the device according to the invention in case of another preferred embodiment. FIG.4 shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention in case of a definite realization as a surgical plaster in elevation. FIG.5 shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention in section. FIG.6 shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention apphed as covering film of injuries on a bigger skin surface in elevation. FIG.l shows the principle of the method of the device according to the invention. In the base case the mcoming outer multipolar hght 6 gets to the hght-polarizing layer 4, which produces linearly polarized hght 7. This polarized hght 7 gets to the skin surface 8. FIG.2 shows the mode of the operation of the device according to the invention in case of a preferred embodiment. This case the outer hght 6 goes through first the hght-filtering layer 5, then it gets to the hght- polarizing layer 4, and from there it proceeds as linearly polarized hght 7 to the skin surface 8 to be treated. The hght-filtering layer 5 is preferably a color-filter, or ultraviolet-filter, which ensures the choosing of the required color, or the filtering of the harmful radiation, for example the filtering of the ultraviolet radiation. FIG.3 shows the mode of operation of the device according to the invention in case of another preferred embodiment. This case the outer multipolar hght 6 first gets to the hght-polarizing layer 4 and proceeds from there as polarized hght 7 through the hght-filter layer 5 to the skin surface 8 to be cured. The hght-filter layer 5 will help choose the required color from the polarized hght 7, respectively filter the harmful radiation, for example ultraviolet radiation. FIG.4 shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention in case of a definite realization as a surgical plaster in elevation. The base layer 1 of the device can be seen in the figure. The hght-polarizing layer 4 as a film is placed in the window 3 of the base layer 1. The device has a preferably skin-friendly self-adhesive layer 2 providing an easy way of placing said self-adhesive layer 2 on the skin surface 8 to be treated. The device formed this way as a surgical plaster polarizes the natural hght, and the hght gets to the skin in an always identically polarized way. FIG.5 shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention in section. As it can be seen in the figure, there is a self- adhesive layer 2 below the base layer 1 ensuring self-adhesive fixing to the skin. The hght-polarizing layer 4 and the hght-filtering layer 5 arranged above it can be seen in the lower part of the window 9 of the device. In case of preferred embodiment seen in the figure the base layer 1 is provided with perforation 9 ensuring airing of the skin. FIG.6 shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention apphed as covering foil of injuries on a bigger skin surface in elevation. In case of this preferred embodiment the base layer 1 is placed at the edge of the device and encloses the hght-polarizing layer 4 inside. Fixing to the skin takes place preferably with the self-adhesive layer 2 on the back of the base layer 1 as described above. In a possible preferred embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the device is made of skin-friendly materials, which are suitable for keeping near the skin for longer duration. The base layer 1 or in given case the polarizing layer 4 apphed as film or foil is provided with perforation 8. Therefore the device is of porous structure, ensuring airing and can be apphed as a scar-covering film. The shape of the device is in given case corresponds with the shape of the part of the body or skin surface to be treated. The colors preferably apphed during treatment are: purple with curative effect, blue with antiseptic effect. These colors can be apphed in the color-filter film in the device according to the invention for various definite preferred embodiments. In case the skin surface gets hght continuously the efficiency of the polarizing film is not critical, it is not necessary to use a thick film. UV-filter is advantageous to prevent undesired UV effects. During the treatment and for the hghting of the device according to the invention mainly only multipolar sources of hght should be used and the device emitting polarized hght is not or only to a lesser extent suitable. Due to the possibly different polarization, the skin surface might not g t hght, because the polarizing layer does not let polarized hght of different character through. The direction of polarization of the polarizing layer 4 is indicated with arrows on the finished product, it makes possible to always place the device on the skin surface to be treated with the appropriate polarization direction. The advantage of the solution according to the invention is, that it promotes healing of injuries without scars, respectively ehminating scars. It can be further advantageously apphed in the field of cosmetic preparations, to diminish inflammations, healing of plastic surgery scar- free, unwrinkhng. The device according to the invention ensures continuously the identical polarization level during the treatment. In case of use of a source of hght of appropriately, large hght-intensity hght the method and device according to the invention can be used for the stimulation and healing of tissues, for example muscle tissue, connecting tissue, cartilage, and bone situated 4-6 centimetres below the skin surface.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. Dermatological method to promote healing of injuries and/or scars on the surface of skin, when skin surface treated is hghted with polarized hght, characterized by that, a translucent polarizing layer is put above the injury and/or scar to be treated and a multipolar hght is let through said translucent polarizing layer from outside and the skin surface is hghted with the polarized hght passing through the hght-polarizing layer. 2. Method according to claim 1 characterized by that, the hght passing through hght-polarizing layer to the skin surface is either linearly polarized or circularly polarized hght. 3. Method according to claims 1 or 2 characterized by that, a color- filter layer and/or hght-filter layer is apphed below and/or above polarizing layer and the wave-length of the hght getting to the skin surface is in the range of the visible hght, it is preferably blue, or purple, or red, or orange. 4. Method according to any of claims 1 to 3 characterized by that, the hghting of the skin surface takes place continuously or periodically during the treatment. 5. Method according to any of claims 1 to 4 characterized by that, the multipolar hght apphed is a natural hght, preferably sunhght. 6. Method according to any of claims 1 to 4 characterized by that, the multipolar hght apphed is artificial light, in given case the hght of electric bulbs, or neon, or mercury-arc tube or laser. 7. Method according to any of claims 1 to 6 characterized by that, medicine or a curative product is placed before or at the same time of the placement of the hght-polarizing layer on the skin surface to be treated. - « ' / u u 08 8. Dermatological device to promote healing of injuries and/or scars on the surface of skin, realizing preferably the method according to claims 1 to 7 has a base layer which is known in itself and said base layer fits well to the surface of the skin, characterized by that, the device has a flexible hght-polarizing layer (4) to be placed above the skin surface to be treated and said hght-polarizing layer (4) joins a base layer (1) and fits flexibly to the surface of the skin (8). 9. Dermatological device according to claim 8 characterized by that, the device has a flexible base layer (1) joining the surface of the skin (8) which is known in itself, and the surface of the device fitting to the skin surface (8) is provided preferably with a self-adhesive layer (2) and further the hght-polarizing layer (4) is a flexible polar film. 10. Dermatological device according to claims 8 or 9 characterized by that, the device is formed as a surgical plaster with a skin-friendly base layer (1) and a skin-friendly adhesive layer (2) which are known in themselves and the hght-polarizing layer (4) of said surgical plaster is shaped from a translucent polarizing film placed in a window (9) formed on the base layer (1). 11. Dermatological device according to any of claims 8 to 10 characterized by that, the hght-polarizing layer (4) is either linearly polarized or circularly polarized hght-polarizer. 12. Dermatological device according to any of claims 8 to 11 characterized by that, one or more hght-filter layer (5), preferably color- filter or hght-intensity filter, in given case ultraviolet-filter and/or infrared filter, is placed below or above the hght polarizing layer (4), said color-filter or hght-intensity filter, in given case ultraviolet-filter and/or infrared filter are preferably made of flexible films. 13. Dermatological device according to any of claims 7 to 12 characterized by that, the base layer (1) and/or the hght-polarizing layer (4) and/or the color-filter layer (5) is provided with perforation (9). 14. Dermatological device according to any of claims 7 to 13 characterized by that, the part of the device joining the skin (8) contains medicine or a curative product.

Inventors: FOELDES GABOR, FOELDES, GABOR
Applicants: FOELDES GABOR, FOELDES, GABOR
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A61F13
IPC codes: A61F13