Abstract:
A skin proximity sensor and method are disclosed in a dermatologic treatment device that includes a bezel or similar surface, and a treatment source capable of being activated to supply a dermatologic treatment through the bezel or surface, such as a window or similar port. A plurality of contacts leading to remotely located capacitors, in some embodiments, or a plurality of capacitive sensors in other embodiments, is positioned in or under the bezel and around the window, and control circuitry coupled to the plurality of capacitors senses the change in capacitance due to skin and inhibits activation of the dermatologic treatment device unless the proximity of skin is sensed. The presence of skin is detected, for example, by measuring changes in charge and discharge times, indicating a variation in capacitance.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims the benefit of the following U.S. patent applications, all of which are owned by the same assignee as the present invention and incorporated in full by reference: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/783,603, filed Feb. 19, 2004, entitled “Eye-Safe Dermatologic Treatment Apparatus And Method,” naming as inventors Robert E. Grove, Mark V. Weckwerth, Tobin C. Island; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/545,963, filed Oct. 10, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/783,607, entitled Self-Contained, Diode-Laser-Based Dermatologic Treatment Apparatus and Method, filed Feb. 19, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,563 and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/829,747, filed Jul. 27, 2007, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/783,880, filed Feb. 19, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,250,045, entitled “Self-Contained Eye-Safe Hair-Regrowth-Inhibition Apparatus And Method,” naming as inventors Tobin C. Island, Robert E. Grove, and Mark V. Weckwerth; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/787,720, entitled “Optical Sensor and Method for Identifying the Presence of Skin” and filed Feb. 25, 2004; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/794,504, entitled “Method and Device for Sensing Skin Contact”, filed Mar. 5, 2004; and provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/954,682, filed Aug. 8, 2007, and having the same title and inventors as the present application. In turn, the foregoing utility applications claim the benefit of one or more of the following provisional applications, also incorporated by reference: U.S. provisional patent applications No. 60/451,091, filed Feb. 28, 2003; 60/456,379, filed Mar. 20, 2003; 60/458,861, filed Mar. 27, 2003; 60/472,056, filed May 20, 2003; 60/450,243, filed Feb. 25, 2003; 60/450,598, filed Feb. 26, 2003; 60/452,304, filed Mar. 4, 2003; 60/451,981, filed Mar. 4, 2003; 60/452,591, filed Mar. 6, 2003; and 60/456,586, filed Mar. 21, 2003, all of which are assigned to the assignee of the subject application. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to devices and methods which involve skin contact sensors for dermatologic treatment, and more particularly relates to capacitive sensors in dermatologic devices for detecting the proximity of human skin. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many skin treatment devices require contact between an active area of the device and the skin for reasons of safety and/or efficacy. 
         [0004]    For example, in light-based hair removal systems, the light energy is typically delivered through a transparent surface that makes contact with the skin. In such systems, the active area of the device is the light-emitting surface, and contact between this surface and the area of the skin to be treated is desirable both to ensure good transmission of the light to the treatment area, and, depending upon whether the device is otherwise eye safe, to aid in eye safety by eliminating stray light that might pose an eye hazard. At the same time, it is desirable to provide a system which does not require that the light-emitting surface be pressed into the skin to such a degree that the skin deforms. 
         [0005]    Other examples of treatment devices that require skin contact include (1) devices that require contact only to prevent light leakage, such as a UV illuminator that requires no skin cooling but has a contacting baffle to prevent stray light, or (2) devices that require contact only for their mechanism of action and not to prevent light leakage, such as a thermal heater that delivers a pulse of heat through direct conduction to the skin. Other dermatological devices and methods that involve skin contact include ultrasound and radio frequency applications, such as wrinkle reduction. Some dermatological devices and methods provide skin contact through an interface material, such as ultrasound gel, oil, water, or index matching fluid. It is to be understood that these devices and methods are still considered to be skin contacting for the purposes of this application. 
         [0006]    A significant problem for such devices is that the operator may angle or tilt the device&#39;s applicator such that it is not substantially perpendicular to the skin. This can create the situation where the entire surface of the active area is not in contact with the skin, and therefore the objective of efficacy and, for those devices which are not otherwise eye safe, will not be achieved. 
         [0007]    Another problem for light-based devices is to ensure that the light-emitting surface is contacting a surface appropriate for treatment rather than, for example, eyeglasses. Typical contact sensors would generally sense positive contact if an applicator was applied to a person&#39;s eyeglasses, creating a potential for emission directly into the eye that, for many devices, could lead to serious injury or blindness. A similar condition could be created with household window panes or other similar transparent surfaces, whereby a contact sensor could sense contact against the window and light could be dangerously emitted into the ambient environment. It is desirable, therefore, for a dermatologic contact sensor not to be activated by eyeglasses or similar surfaces, but preferably only by a surface suitable for treatment. 
         [0008]    A review of the state of the art shows that the existing devices and methods have important deficiencies. In particular, the existing designs do not solve the problem described above where the device applicator is applied at an angle and do not properly detect skin. While various mechanical systems exist which attempt to prevent dangerous emissions, most mechanical devices are complicated, costly and unreliable, as well as other shortcomings. A key advantage of capacitive sensing is its inherent imperviousness to ESD damage since no direct electrical connection to the skin is required. Although not necessary for capacitive sensing, it is possible to insulate the sensors of a capacitive sensor with a thin, electrically insulating, dielectric material. 
         [0009]    Thus, there is a clear need for a practical contact sensor for skin treatment devices that would detect skin contact and also ensure skin contact across the entire active area of the device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The foregoing and other problems and disadvantages of contact sensors in skin treatment devices are overcome by the present invention of a dermatologic treatment device comprising a capacitive skin sensing structure. The capacitive sensing structure permits activation of an associated treatment source only when skin is detected and the active area of the treatment source is properly in contact with the treatment area. In an embodiment, the capacitive sensing structure comprises a plurality of sensors, for example, three, positioned around the periphery of the treatment area. Each sensor is a planar metal region that forms one electrode of a parallel plate capacitor, the second electrode being formed by a corresponding region of the skin. By properly arranging the sensors around the active area, when the capacitive sensing structure contacts skin, the user can be assured that the active area of the treatment device is also in contact with skin, even though no deformation of the skin is necessary. The juxtaposition of skin against the sensing structure causes the capacitance of the sensing structure to change with an identifiable characteristic such that associated control circuitry can detect the difference. Once that change is capacitance is detected, the control circuitry permits the treatment source to be activated. At the same time, juxtaposition of other materials against the surface does not properly change the capacitance of the sensor, and the associated control circuitry will not permit the treatment source to be activated. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment the treatment source includes a source of electromagnetic radiation, and the active area of the treatment source comprises a window through which electromagnetic radiation is emitted. The source of electromagnetic radiation and the dermatologic treatment can be configured to provide hair regrowth inhibition. In such an embodiment, activation of the source of magnetic radiation will be inhibited unless contact with skin is sensed by way of the sensors, without requiring deformation of the skin. 
         [0012]    Other embodiments of the dermatologic treatment device are contemplated in which the treatment source is a source of electromagnetic radiation which is configured for such treatments as acne treatment, photorejuvenation, wrinkle reduction, depigmentation, or repigmentation, and the activation of the source of magnetic radiation is inhibited unless contact with skin is sensed by way of the capacitive sensing structure. 
         [0013]    In further embodiments of the present invention, the active area of the treatment device is surrounded by a bezel which forms a substantially planar surface with the active area. The capacitive sensors are maintained behind the bezel but in sufficiently close proximity to it that they can sense the presence of skin. The substantially planar surface ensures good contact between the active area and the skin without deformation of the skin. In other embodiments, the active area can be placed forward of the bezel surface, and the sensitivity of the capacitive sensor structure can be configured to permit activation of the treatment source without deformation of the skin. In still other embodiments, the active area can be placed sufficiently forward of the skin sensing structure that deformation of the skin is required before the capacitive sensor will permit activation of the treatment source. In other embodiments, the number of skin contacting sensors is varied from one to six or more. 
         [0014]    Other embodiments comprise a capacitive skin sensor that is activated when the active area is merely in close proximity to the skin, and can be used for procedures in which any contact with the skin is undesirable. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the sensors are merely small conductive contact areas, for example on the order of one millimeter in diameter. Each of the sensors are electrically connected to an associated, remotely located fixed capacitor. In an embodiment, one capacitor is associated with each contact area, although this one-to-one correspondence is not necessarily used in every such embodiment. 
         [0015]    In accordance with the present invention, a method for providing a skin contact sensor in a dermatologic treatment device having a skin contacting structure and a treatment source capable of being activated to supply a dermatologic treatment through the skin contacting structure, includes the steps of positioning a plurality of capacitive sensors around a periphery of the active area of a treatment source, and inhibiting activation of the treatment source unless the present of skin is indicated by signals from the plurality of sensors. The method can further include the step of configuring the active area together with the plurality of sensors so that no deformation of the skin is required, and can, alternatively, include the step of configuring the active area relative to the sensors so that deformation of the skin is required. 
         [0016]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a skin contact sensor and method suitable for use in dermatologic treatment devices. 
         [0017]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a skin contact sensor and method for dermatologic treatment devices in which the skin contact sensor inhibits activation of a treatment source in the device unless contact with a compliant surface is sensed. 
         [0018]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a dermatologic treatment device having a skin contact sensor including a plurality of sensors positioned around a periphery of a skin contacting structure and circuitry coupled to the plurality of sensors and configured to inhibit activation of a treatment source in the device other than in the presence of skin. 
         [0019]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a skin contact sensor and method for use in dermatologic treatment devices in which a plurality of sensors are positioned around a treatment window and the plurality of sensors are positioned relative to a skin contacting surface such that no deformation of skin is required during use of the treatment device. 
         [0020]    It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a skin contact sensor configuration and method in a dermatologic treatment device in which a three or more sensors are positioned around a treatment window and a skin-contacting surface of the treatment window is substantially coplanar with a bezel. 
         [0021]    These and other objectives, advantages and features of the present invention will be more readily understood upon considering the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the accompanying drawings. 
         [0022]    Attention is drawn to the aforementioned Related Applications. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that aspects and features disclosed in those applications may be configured so as to be suitable for use with the contact sensor device and method described herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  illustrates in side elevational view one example of a treatment device such as might be used in connection with the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the device of  FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of a treatment source together with a capacitive skin sensor structure. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  shows the capacitive sensing structure of  FIGS. 1-4 , including the associated ribbon cable. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the barrel and associated components shown in  FIG. 2 , including the capacitive sensor structure and active area of the treatment device. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the subassembly of  FIG. 3 , showing a ribbon cable connecting the capacitive sensor structure to control circuitry. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram showing the operation of the capacitive sensing structure in combination with the control circuitry to permit the light source, or treatment source, to be activated. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram showing the operation of the capacitive sensing structure that incorporates remote capacitors and smaller skin sensors. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a flow diagram illustrating a calibration process used with some embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0031]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1 and 2 ,  FIG. 1  shows a dermatologic treatment device such as might be used with the present invention.  FIG. 2  shows a more detailed view of a treatment source and a capacitive skin sensor intended to be integrated therewith. In typical embodiments, although not necessarily in every embodiment, the present invention is integrated into the treatment device. For purposes of clarity, such an integrated device is illustrated in the Figures and will be described hereinafter. In addition, while the device shown in the Figures and discussed hereinafter uses light for the purpose of hair removal or reduction, it will be appreciated that this arrangement is merely exemplary, and devices utilizing the present invention can include acne treatment devices, repigmentation devices, and so on, and can use different types of treatment sources including radiation of other wavelengths. Further, while the device shown in  FIG. 1  is hand held, self contained and portable, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not so limited and can be used with devices having none or only some of these features. 
         [0032]    In the device of  FIG. 1 , a treatment device  10  includes a housing  15 , a battery  20 , control circuitry  25 , a heat sink  30  on which are mounted a treatment source  35  ( FIG. 2 ) which can, for example, comprise one or more laser diodes  35 A of a wavelength suited to the particular type of treatment, and a barrel  40  affixed to the front of the heat sink and aligned with the treatment source. A bezel  45  encloses an active area better seen in  FIG. 2 , which can, for example, comprise a window  50  in optical communication with the treatment source  35 . For the illustrated embodiment, a mixer  55  and diffuser  60  are maintained within the barrel  40 . For the particular design shown, the diffuser, treatment source, and remaining components are configured to be eye safe with regard to retinal damage, although the present invention is not limited to such eye safe configurations. 
         [0033]    In addition, and as shown particularly in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a capacitive sensing structure  65  is positioned at the front of the barrel, and includes an orifice  80  configured to substantially surround the window  50 . For the embodiment illustrated, the capacitive sensing structure  65  comprises three capacitive sensors  70 A-C positioned substantially equilaterally around the window  50 , although other embodiments can have one or more sensors, and the sensors need not be positioned at equal angles around the periphery of the window  50 . A ribbon cable  75 , or pigtail, connects the sensors  70 A-C to control circuitry  85 , best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The relationship between the window  50 , the orifice  80  and the remainder of the capacitive sensing structure  65  can be better appreciated from the perspective view of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0034]    To prevent artifact signals from occurring, the ribbon cable  75 , for some embodiments, comprises a polyimide base layer and polyimide coverlay of sufficient thickness to prevent contaminants from being deposited in close proximity to the inner conductive traces. In some embodiments, polyimide thickness in the range of one to ten or more one-thousandths of an inch can be used if necessary to provide a sufficient insulation layer to prevent the ribbon cable from providing sufficient stray capacitance to affect the operation of the sensors  70 A-C. 
         [0035]    From  FIGS. 4 and 5 , it can also be appreciated that the bezel  45  is substantially coplanar with the window  50 , such that the combination of the bezel and window provide a flat surface that permits operation of the device with no deformation of the skin in the target area. However, in alternative embodiments the relative positioning of the sensors  70 A-C and the window  50 , together with the shape of the bezel  45 , can be adjusted such that the device will operate without deformation of the skin even though the bezel and window are not co-planar. Similarly, the relative arrangement can also be configured to require deformation of the skin to permit the treatment source to be activated. Further, in some embodiments, such as where skin contact is not desirable, the sensors  70 A-C can be positioned to operate as proximity sensors, so that the device will operate without contact between the bezel  45  and the skin. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the bezel  45  is typically positioned such that the sensors  70 A-C contact the back of the bezel, although this need not be the case in all embodiments. In the embodiment shown, the bezel, or at least the tip portion of the bezel positioned over the sensors  70 A-C, can be made from polycarbonate, for example Panlite L-1225L, with a nominal thickness 0.015″+/−0.002″, and a dielectric constant on the order of  2 . 95 . Alternatively, the tip portion can be made from, among other materials, a polycarbonate/ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) blend such as GE Cycoloy C6200, with a dielectric constant of 2.8. As a further alternative, the tip portion can be made from ABS such as Cycolac GPM550, with a dielectric constant of 2.7, or an acrylic material such as Sumipex, having a dielectric constant of 3.3. However, some acrylic materials are brittle, which may be undesirable in at least some embodiments. A still further alternative is acetal, such as Delrin 900P, with a dielectric constant of 3.8. 
         [0036]    Referring next to  FIG. 6 , the electrical circuit comprising the capacitive sensors and associated control circuitry can be better appreciated. The sensors  70 A-C each provide a signal to a capacitive sensor and signal conditioning circuit  600 , which detects variations in the capacitance of the sensors and, depending upon the threshold set in the circuit  600 , notifies microcontroller  605  that skin has been detected. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the sensors  70 A-C are, in at least some embodiments, sensed by grounding two terminals of the sensor and detecting variations in the rate of charge or discharge measured at the third terminal. In addition, it will be appreciated that the sensors may be sensed sequentially or all at once, depending upon the configuration, although in a presently preferred arrangement the sensors are sensed sequentially. In an embodiment, the capacitive sensor structure  600  is a customized MC9S08QD4CSC microcontroller from Freescale, and the microcontroller circuit  605  is a P18LF452-I/PT, from Microchip. However, although the circuit  600  has been shown separately from the microcontroller (and associated circuitry)  605  in  FIG. 6 , those skilled in the art will recognize that the functions of the circuit  600  can be performed in the microcontroller  605 , and thus in many embodiments the circuit  600  and microcontroller  605  will be integrated as a single unit. The microcontroller  605  in turns provides control signals to a light source circuit  610 , which provides power to the light source  615 . 
         [0037]    For the treatment device shown in  FIG. 1 , in an embodiment it is preferred that skin be detected at each of the sensors  70 A-C before the microcontroller  605  will activate the treatment source, or light source,  35 . However, it will also be appreciated that, for some embodiments, it is not necessary to have all three detectors sense skin, in which case the microcontroller is programmed to operate in response to detection of skin at the appropriate number of sensors. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  shows an alternative embodiment of the sensors where the pads  70 A-C of  FIG. 1  are replaced with small sensors  700 A-C that extend through the bezel  710  and electrically connect to remote fixed capacitors  720 A-C by means of conductors  730 A-C. The small sensors  700 A-C are metal in an embodiment but in other embodiments can be other types of low impedance conductive material. This embodiment allows for a smaller overall capacitive sensing structure while maintaining ESD imperviousness as provided by the insulating dielectric material in the remote fixed capacitors. The smaller sensors of this embodiment do not need to make electrical contact with the skin. Instead, it is likely that, in at least some embodiments, an oxide layer or other incidental film on the sensors, or a layer of dead or dehydrated skin will entirely or partially insulate the sensor from the skin. Even if a sufficiently low resistive contact is not made between the skin and the sensor, an effectively large capacitance between the sensor and the skin will be present due to the relatively thin incidental film between the sensor and skin. This large capacitance will be in series with the relatively small remote capacitors such that this sensor capacitance will not effect the measurement of the remote capacitance. An additional feature of this arrangement is that the dielectric constant of the remote capacitors  720 A-C can be adjusted to provide the desired sensitivity for the detection of the proximity of skin to the sensors  700 A-C. As can be appreciated from  FIG. 7 , the remaining functions shown in  FIG. 7  are substantially identical, on a functional level, to the same functions in  FIG. 6 , and so like elements are given like reference numerals. The ability to place the place the capacitors  720 A-C somewhat remotely from surface of the bezel permits larger capacitors to be used, which can provide increased sensitivity. This arrangement also allows designs that protect against electrostatic discharge, because the remote placement of the capacitors allows the use of capacitors that have sufficient distance between the terminals to prevent arcing from one terminal to the other. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, it is desirable to calibrate the sensors since the sensitivity of the sensors can vary somewhat from device to device. This calibration can be achieved during manufacturing as shown in  FIG. 8 . At step  800 , a baseline capacitance in open air is measured. Then using a tool which replicates human skin with known and repeatable characteristics, at  810  the sensors are placed against the tool. This yields a change in capacitance, as measured at  820 . The change in capacitance between open air and direct contact with skin provides a range, which can then be used as shown at  830  to establish the characteristics of that specific sensor. 
         [0040]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous alternatives and equivalents can be implemented without deviating from the invention. As some examples, various sensor geometries can be used, including varying the number of sensors, the effective size of the sensors, the distance the sensor is recessed from the active skin-contacting surface of the device, and other such configurations. In an embodiment of the present invention, such as that illustrated in the Figures, the active area of each sensor  70  is less on the order of 0.200″×0.150″ [dimensions]. 
         [0041]    Likewise, other types of sensor circuitry can be used. The sensor output can be processed purely in hardware, or the device can employ a variety of different software and/or hardware algorithms to change safety, reliability, or effectiveness characteristics, such as allowing use if three of four buttons indicated contact. Additionally, the circuitry can compare signals from the sensors for various additional purposes, such as to estimate the total heat flux through the contact surface. 
         [0042]    It will therefore be appreciated that, while exemplary drawings and specific embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, the scope of the present invention is not be limited to the particular embodiments discussed. The embodiments shown and described are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and the invention is to be limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0043]    In addition, in methods that may be performed according to preferred embodiments herein and that may have been described above, the operations have been described in selected sequences. However, the sequences have been selected and so ordered for solely for clarity and convenience and are not intended to imply a requirement for any particular order for performing the operations, unless expressly set forth in the claims or as understood by those skilled in the art as being necessary.