Abstract:
A method of treating the skin and accelerating its natural anti-aging and wound-healing processes by using photorejuvenation at a specified total light flux at a specified range of wavelengths from a hand-held light source in combination with the topical ingredients including extracts. Some extracts may be  panax ginseng, camellia sinensis,  and/or  gynostemma pentaphyllum,  to effect superior transdermal penetration and intra-cellular delivery, effecting greater bioavailability and bioutilization of some other anti-aging topicals.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This patent application discloses a system and method for treating skin by initiating its wound-healing process and increasing cellular metabolism through usage of a light-emitting device in combination with a trans-dermal and intra-cellular ingredient delivery complex that is combined with select active ingredients to produce a synergistic effect which is greater than that accomplished with either light or dermal cosmetics alone. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Americans spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year in skin-care products to protect and/or revitalize skin. The world market for such beauty-related products is growing and becoming more important. Some products include natural compounds that include beneficial effects. Others have designed and researched new therapies designed to improve skin health, which use light to help repair damaged skin. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/660,088 discloses the use of specific pulse wavelengths and photoactive compounds to improve skin conditions, but discloses the use of fairly ineffective wavelengths and photoactive compounds for the stated purpose. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 6,676,655 discloses a range of topical ingredients to be used in association with electromagnetic radiation, but has a limited effective period due to a less-than-optimal selection of compounds disclosed. U.S. Pat. No. 7,303,772 discloses some topical compounds for improved skin care, but likewise misses important compounds and amounts, rendering such compounds less effective. U.S. Pat. No. 7,101,385 discloses a method for treating cellulite with phototherapy, but the phototherapy disclosed does not induce angiogenesis and wound-healing response. 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,634 also teaches the advantages of phototherapy for inducing the nitrous oxide effect of dilating vascular walls, but does so within a limited infrared light source without botanical extracts in combination with topical ingredients, reducing the over-all effectiveness of such a procedure. 
         [0004]    Additionally, previous light source devices have either been less effective or ineffective because of incorrect wavelengths emitted and a power output insufficient to sustain beneficial effects of light therapies. Other previous light sources having sufficient power output are large and very expensive, eliminating their potential use in personal care and grooming, requiring instead expensive trips to a dermatologist or other skin care professional. Additionally, the successful use of light alone to promote effective skin rejuvenation requires significant optical energy. This requires a very long treatment time per session, sometimes lasting hours, or uncomfortably high light levels to impart enough optical energy to create the biological conditions necessary for some skin benefits, typically producing modest, but notable cosmetic results. 
         [0005]    Thus, previous innovations have relied upon specific pulses of light utilizing a laser or other device, and certain compounds that have limited potential for helping skin improvements. Additionally, each of the current treatments has limited performance, both in the effective time that the treatment lasts, as well as the initial effectiveness. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    This application discloses a device and associated methods for wound-healing and anti-aging procedures in the skin of an individual. In the presence of specified light wavelengths and topical actives, wound-healing and other beneficial processes conducive to anti-aging may be accelerated through increased action of angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth. Nitric oxide may also play a large part in angiogenesis, especially through a combination of specific light flux, including particular intensities and wavelengths, and some particular topical actives. Nitric oxide increases the effects of angiogenesis, resulting in significant wound-healing acceleration that results in tighter, firmer, and more wrinkle-free skin, which may also contribute to anti-aging, or maintaining a youthful appearance of the skin. 
         [0007]    A light emitter may be used in conjunction with particular topical agents. The light emitter may include many discrete LED devices radiating in specific wavelengths, for example from about 570 nm-1000 nm, or combinations of wavelengths, enclosed in a flexible and compact device of such a size and configuration that it may be easily manipulated by an individual for personal use. When light of the particular wavelengths is absorbed, it may provide accelerated benefits for many biological components in the skin. The absorbed energy may be utilized by nearly every cell in the skin and supporting tissues, providing many beneficial effects. 
         [0008]    The light emitter may produce a sensed feeling of warmth that originates from a portion of the absorbed energy converted into heat in the dermis. Biological components in skin produce noticeable anti-aging cosmetic effects when stimulated such as wrinkle reduction and increased skin firmness. In addition, this light therapy produces significant collagen bundle remodeling, which helps to create a more robust and organized ExtraCellular Matrix (ECM) to better support and encompass skin tissue. 
         [0009]    Active ingredient transport compounds that are designed to improve trans-dermal penetration and intra-cellular transport and permeation may also be employed with some topical agents. In combination with light therapy, active compounds in a topical agent may be absorbed and utilized more rapidly that without light therapy. Also, a marked and tactile effect has been noted by using the proposed formulations that provide a remarkable long-lasting effect as a result of light-therapy stimulation, lasting up to twelve hours after using the light emitter. Light therapy enhances dermal and cellular transport mechanisms to deliver extended deep penetrating responses when combined with compounds such as  panax ginseng, gynostemma pentaphyllum, camellia sinensis, rehmannia glutinosa, rhodiola rosea,  and  sophora flavescens.  Some formulations can produce the proper effect. 
         [0010]    Many medium- to large-molecular weight ingredients such as phenolics (e.g., green tea ECCG) and polysaccharides are difficult to pass through the epidermis to the dermis, basal, and sub-dermal regions of the skin. In addition, many active ingredients such as peptides and other compounds can be strongly absorbed in the upper regions of the dermis, reducing supplementation (concentration) to the dermal-epidermal junction, basal layers, and below. The combined use of a light therapy device and topical agents may (1) improve trans-dermal penetration and greatly increase trans-dermal absorption rate, and (2) improve intra-cellular transport and permeation, which increases bioavailability and/or bioutilization of select active ingredients. 
         [0011]    One physiological mechanism called gap junction intra-cellular signaling (GJIS) may be enhanced by light stimulation. GJIS is a mechanism by which surrounding cells “communicate” with each other, sending chemical signals that stimulate and promote macro-responses within living tissue. Increasing activity of this mechanism may contribute greatly to overall skin stimulation and utilization of active ingredients. If GJIS is enhanced, then skin tissues may more readily accept and utilize active ingredients, and produce a more homogeneous response. The use of a light therapy device and topical agents as described below purposefully exploits this mechanism in a unique way. 
         [0012]    Active ingredients, such as those described herein, can work in synergy with light therapy, and the trans-dermal and intra-cellular delivery complex. When skin tissues are primed with key supportive active ingredients, an enhanced cosmetic response may be achieved. For example, some of these important actives support and extend cellular activity through increased ATP synthesis and oxygen respiration. Other compounds promote collagen tension and remodeling, giving a very noticeable tightening effect after light therapy. This particular response further serves as a tactile effect of the power of light therapy to the consumer. Effective use of peptide complexes in combination with light therapy and the trans-dermal and intra-cellular delivery complex may produce significant anti-aging responses. This is due to enhanced cellular energy present while influencing selected genes to up-regulate or down-regulate certain growth signals. Therefore, wound-healing peptides combined with the light stimulation may provide a superior result than just peptides alone. 
         [0013]    These and other aspects of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The following description can be better understood in light of Figures, in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a light therapy device; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates the light therapy device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a light therapy device in use on a portion of skin on an individual. 
       
    
    
       [0018]    Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the skin treatment system and associated apparatus and methods. In the Figures, the thickness and configuration of components may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals in different Figures represent the same component. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Aspects and features of skin treatment systems including light emitting devices and topical agents are disclosed and described below. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, use of skin treatment systems and associated methods disclosed herein may result in a prolonged increase in capillary circulation and growth of new capillaries, utilizing a method that does not involve the use of skin irritation ingredients, at the same time increasing dermal cellular metabolism to drive this process. This therapy is extremely conducive to tissue regeneration and repair, enhancing the cosmetic effect 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, skin treatment systems and methods may include light therapy device  100  as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . Light therapy device  100  may include body  110 , a plurality of LED arrays  120 ; including discrete LEDs  122 , cord  130 , controller  140 , and power supply attach  150 . Body  110  maybe designed to be held by an individual in close proximity to treatment site  170  on an individual ISO. Body I  10  may be of any size or dimension consistent with operation and functionality of light therapy device  100  as described below. For example, body  110  may be ergonomically shaped and designed to be easily and comfortably held by an individual on or adjacent to treatment site  170  for a desired period of treatment time. In some embodiments, body  110  may be made of plastic, metal, foam, rubber, glass, or any other material suitable for such uses and functionality. For example, in some embodiments, body  110  may provide an emitting area of light therapy device  100  of between about 6.5 cm 2  and about 300 cm 2 . In other embodiments, the device emitting area may be about 155 cm 2  (24 in 2 ). Emitting area may be defined as the dimensional surface area of the light-emitting panel of the light therapy device  100 . Because of beam divergence, illuminated area on treatment area  170  will be larger, depending upon the distance light therapy device  100  may be held away from the surface of treatment area  170 . 
         [0022]    Body  110  may be configured to support, position, and/or hold LED arrays  120 . LED arrays  120  may include a plurality of discrete LEDs  122 . Body may hold several LED arrays  120 . For example, in  FIG. 2 , light therapy device  100  includes ten LED arrays  120 , each LED array containing  12  discrete LEDs  122 . In some embodiments, body  110  may include between about two and  50  LED arrays  120 , or as many or as few as allows functioning of light therapy device. 
         [0023]    LED arrays  120  may be arranged in any manner on body  110  to allow for sufficient light energy to be directed to a treatment area, as described previously and below. Each LED array  120  may include at least two LEDs  122  and as many as desired by one of ordinary skill. LEDs  122  may be any LED or similar device that emits narrowband, multichromatic electromagnetic radiation in the desired spectrum ranges, described in further detail below, such as standard LEDs  122 , a laser, a fluorescent light source, an organic light-emitting diode, a light-emitting polymer, a xenon arc lamp, a metal halide lamp, a filamentous light source, an intense pulsed light source, a sulfur lamp, or other similar sources with an output in the desired ranges. LEDs  122  may be functionally attached to each LED array  120  as desired by one of ordinary skill. For example, LEDs  122  may be in series or in parallel in each LED array  120 . Similarly, each LED array  120  may be functionally attached to light therapy device  100  in series or in parallel with each other, depending on the circuit design and preference of one of ordinary skill. 
         [0024]    LEDs  122  may have wavelengths between about 570-1000 nm. In some embodiments, LEDs  122  may have a range of between about 830-880 nm. LEDs  122  may be selected such that some of LEDs  122  have slightly different wavelengths than other of LEDs  122 , depending on the desired wavelengths to be applied. Similarly, LEDs  122  with particular wavelengths may be selected based on their effectiveness with a particular compound or ingredient in a selected topical agent  160 . For example, light therapy device  100  may use LEDs  122  each having a peak wavelength of 850 nm because of preferred quantum efficiency. In some embodiments, the spectral bandwidth of LEDs  122  may have a FWHM (full width half maximum) of about 10 to 60 nm. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, light therapy device  100  may output emitted radiometric optical power as measured on the surface of treatment area  170  of between about 16.7 mW/cm 2  and about 120 mW/cm 2 . In some embodiments, the emitted radiometric optical power may be about 40 mW/cm 2  and about 80 mW/cm 2 . In other embodiments, the emitted radiometric optical power of light therapy device may be about 60 to 80 mW/cm 2 . Power below about 16.7 mW/cm 2  may be less desirable because light reactive agents in topical agent  160  may be under utilized as some agents tend to degrade with time, limiting the amount of beneficial biological activity available with light emitted from light therapy device  100  and topical agent  160 . Power above about 120 mW/cm 2  may also be undesirable as such a power level may produce uncomfortable tissue heating in treatment area  170  following application of light therapy device  100 . 
         [0026]    Controller  140  may be a current controller that regulates the current supplied to LED arrays  120  and LEDs  122 . Power supply attach  150  may be designed to receive power from any conventional power supply, as desired by one of ordinary skill. For example, power supply attach may be connected to a conventional AC adapter, which provides DC power from a standard AC source, such as a 120V residential power source. Controller  140  may be a solid state device, or may be any device that functions to control the supply of power to LED arrays  122  consistent with the desired function of light therapy device  110  as described further below. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of usage of light therapy device  100  on a treatment area  170  of an individual  180  (ere, treatment area  170  is located on the forearm of the individual  180  receiving the therapy). Topical agent  160  may be applied to treatment area  170  prior to applying light therapy device  100 . Topical agent  160  may be applied on and massaged into the skin of treatment area  170  until absorbed. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the skin treatment system may be used to provide treatment to an individual by applying topical agent  160  to treatment area  170 . A user or skin-care professional may select topical agent  160  for use with light therapy device  100 . Topical agent  160  may be selected based on ingredients, active agents, and effectiveness in conjunction with light therapy device  100 , beneficial compounds, etc. Specific examples of desirable topical agents for use with light therapy device  100  are further discussed below at length. Topical agent  160  may be applied to treatment area  170 . 
         [0029]    Light therapy device  100  may be placed above treatment area  170  for a period of time, for example between about 5 and 30 minutes, which may be selected depending on the power output of light therapy device  100  and the particular topical agent  160  selected. Light therapy device  100  may be removed from treatment area  170 . In some embodiments, treatment area  170  may be cleaned and treated further with topical agent  160 , another different topical agent, and/or light therapy device  100   
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the total energy absorbed by treatment area may determine the effectiveness of the treatment. For example, in some embodiments, a total energy flux of between about 10-140 J/cm 2  during a single treatment session may be effective to improve skin health and promote regeneration and healing. However, a low energy output of a light source requires that the light source be present for a significant period of time to accrue the desired total energy flux, leading to user discomfort. Similarly, some compounds in topical agent  160  may have a limited time of bio-effectiveness and/or bio-availability, as the compounds react and are utilized. Thus, a sufficiently high total energy output in light therapy device should be sufficient to allow maximum effectiveness of the combination of some embodiments of topical agent  160  and light therapy device  100 , reducing the time needed in a single treatment session and maximizing the bio-effectiveness of topical agent  160 . 
         [0031]    During and after treatment, for up to twelve hours later, individual  180  may experience a significant rejuvenating and tactile effect in the skin such as tingling, extended warmth, pulsations, etc. in treatment area  170 . The treatment process may be continued 3 to 4 times per week for 4 to 8 weeks. Repeating treatments resume every 1 to three months after initial treatment is completed and can continue indefinitely until the desired results are attained. Additionally, light energy from light therapy device  100  may fortify the skin of younger people in their twenties and thirties against the cumulative effects of photo-aging. This light therapy can produce compounding benefits for up to two months after completing a round of treatment with the light emitter. The emitter is ideally used up to three or four times per week for the first month of treatment. At normal optical power, the treatment interval is repeated every other month to two months. If reduced optical power is desired or necessary, then the light therapy should be repeated every other month. 
         [0032]    A major advantage of the use of light having a wavelength between about 570-1000 nm is the ability for deep tissue penetration—up to 25 mm or more. Most topically applied compounds and agents do not penetrate more than 1 mm to 4 mm. In some embodiments, skin treatment systems with light therapy device  100  and topical agent  160  may create a deep and long-lasting cosmetic effect when combined to allow for deep penetration of bio-effective agents in topical agent  160  due to the effects of topical agent  160  and light therapy device  100 , allowing for deeper penetration of topical agent  160  than without use of light therapy device  100 , allowing for a trans-dermal and intra-cellular delivery complex. This is partially due to increased energy delivered to cellular tissue from light therapy, and the resulting vasodilation effect that the combined topical and light therapy produce. 
         [0033]    Some compounds that may be included in topical agent  160  for specific benefits along with light therapy device may include  gynostemma pentaphyllum  and  panax ginseng.  Ginsenosides from  panax ginseng  may be derived from common ginseng (e.g.,  panax ginseng  or Korean ginseng), and have proven to be very effective in activating potassium channels in smooth muscle cells through nitric oxide pathways, active participants in tissue regeneration, and active in modulating angiogenesis. In particular, certain components of ginsenosides may be particularly effective in the angiogenic process. For example, Re is active in the nitric oxide pathway of angiogenesis; Rg1 is active in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation; Rg3 induces smooth muscle relaxation and inhibits phenylephrine-induced vascular contraction; and Rd attenuates neuroinflammation of dopaminergic cells; each of which has an effect in the wound-healing process. In addition, other ginsenoside components may play parts in the Ca 2+ -activated K +  channels in endothelial cells, which may also play a part in the wound-healing process. In some embodiments, topical agent  160  having extracts of  panax ginseng  containing from about 5% to 35% ginsenosides. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, a topical active that may be included in topical agent  160  is the extract of  camellia sinensis,  also proven to have angiogenic effects in part from the phenolic compounds. This, combined in specific proportions with the extract of  gynostemma pentaphyllum,  has proven remarkable benefits that have been seen above and beyond those observed by any of the single ingredients alone, and in combination with light therapy device  100 , provide synergistic effects not predicted or provided for by previous technologies. In some embodiments, topical agent  160  may include extracts from  camellia sinensis  containing from about 5% to 45% epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) by volume. Other particularly effective compounds for use in topical agent  160  may include one or more of extracts of  gynostemma pentaphyllum  containing from about 5% to 45% gypenosides by volume,  rehmannia glutinosa  containing from about 1% to 2% catapol by volume,  rhodiola rosea  containing from about 1% to 5% rosavins by volume, and/or about 0.25% to 2% salidroside by volume, and  sophora flavescens  containing from about 5% to 16% alkaloids by volume. Similarly, topical agent  160  may include any one of or combination of each of the extracts described above. 
         [0035]    These specified topical actives may be combined with ingredients from another set of compounds that are more widely known for repairing aged and damaged skin, such as vitamins, peptides, fultlerenes, and other active ingredients in topical agent  160 . For example, topical agent  160  may include one or more extracts of compounds selected from the group consisting of peptides, retinoids, yeast extracts, anti-oxidants including fullerenes, anti-oxidant fruit extracts such as oligamerized lychee and green tea extracts, Mangosteen extract ( garcinia inangostana ), Acai extract ( euterpe oleracea ), Wolfberry ( lycium barbarur ) extract, skin moisturizers and humectants, fatty acids and fatty acid oils, chlorophyll-containing compounds, carotenoid-containing compounds, phyocobilin compounds, indocyanine green, methylene blue, rose Bengal, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin F, Retin A (Tretinoin), Adapalene, retinal, hydroquinone, kojic acid, a growth factor,  Echinacea , an antibiotic, an antifungal, an antiviral, a bleaching agent, an alpha hydroxy acid, a beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid, antioxidant triad compound, a seaweed derivative, a salt water derivative, algae and other derived algae extracts, phytoanthocyanin, a phytonutrient, plankton, a botanical product, a herbaceous product, a hormone, an enzyme, a mineral, a cofactor, insulin, minoxidil, lycopene, a natural or synthetic melanin, a metlloproteinase inhibitor, proline, hydroxyproline, an anesthetic, chlorophyll, bacteriochlorophyll, copper chlorophyllin, chloroplasts, carotenoids, phycobilin, rhodopsin, anthocyanin, inhibitors of ornithine decarboxylase, inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth hormone, inhibitors of phospholipase A2, inhibitors of S-adenosylmethionine, licorice, licochalone A, genestein, soy isoflavones, phytoestrogens, derivative, analogs, homologs, and subcomponents thereof and derivatives, subcomponents, immunological complexes and antibodies of the target skin, and synthetic and natural analogs therof, and combinations thereof. I combination with the other compounds discussed above, these secondary ingredients may be utilized more effectively than they would be without the presence of the primary ingredients, and exhibit greater bioavailability, which produces better cosmetic results for the user. 
         [0036]    Thus, the combined use of light therapy device  100  and topical agent  160  may greatly reduce the required treatment duration and device cost over traditional light treatment devices alone. The combination of light therapy device  100  and topical agent  160  together may result in increased utilization of active skin care ingredients in topical agent  160  by up to two times or more through greater tissue absorption, bioavailability, and/or bio-utilization than without light therapy device  100 . 
         [0037]    For example, cellular mitochondria may receive additional energy through light stimulation of the cytochrome-C oxidase enzyme. This energy may increase ATP synthesis of cells deep within the tissues for an extended period of time. Also, nitrous oxide may be produced, which relaxes capillary blood vessels, increasing microcirculation, enhancing cellular respiration, and encouraging fluid drainage in the dermis. Fibroblast cells are particularly stimulated from proper light therapy, creating new collagen and elastin. This action is important in maximizing benefits when combined with targeted active ingredients in the formulations. Certain positive growth factors may also be expressed, and several key inflammatory and other destructive compounds may be reduced in the presence of light. The dermal complex also experiences a reduction in MMP proteolytic activity, preserving newly constructed supportive tissues when treated with light therapy device  100  and topical agent  160 . 
         [0038]    Having described the preferred aspects, it is understood that the invention defined by the appended claims is not to be limited by particular details set forth in the above description, as many apparent variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.