Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The apparatus is related to the field of skin treatment apparatuses and in particular to apparatuses for hair removal by electromagnetic radiation. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Unwanted hair removal using electromagnetic radiation such as pulses of coherent or incoherent light is known in the art. Hair removal has been achieved by inducing the absorption of light in hair follicles and surrounding skin. The light pulses parameters and in particular pulse duration, pulse energy and spectral composition are selected to destroy the hair follicles in the selected skin area. 
         [0003]    Generally, hair removal is performed by shaving and the remaining hair shafts and follicles are further destroyed by application of a certain amount of electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic radiation incident on the skin is absorbed by hair shafts and almost always increases the temperature of the hair shafts. The energy carried by the electromagnetic radiation and in particular light pulses affects also the skin segment from which the hair has to be removed. Often, in course of the hair removal treatment the temperature of the hair bulbs and the hair shafts reaches a temperature of approximately 70° C. 
         [0004]    In course of hair removal treatment light pulses incident on the skin also could heat the skin to a relatively high temperature that could cause skin redness or even slight skin burns followed by burned skin malodor and vapors caused by the high temperature. 
         [0005]    Heated and sometimes burned hair shafts emit smoke and often malodor that disturbs the treatment recipient and the caregiver. This is especially pronounced in hairy areas, particularly characterized by dark thick hair. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present apparatus alleviates the unpleasant sensations of the treatment recipient (and of the caregiver) caused by the heated and sometimes burned hair shafts residuals and vapors emitted by the heated skin. The apparatus neutralizes the unpleasant sensation by emitting into the air a material containing fragrance or other aromatic substances that at least reduce the malodor sensation produced by heated and burned hair shaft sand vapors produced by the heated skin that disturbs the treatment recipient and the caregiver. 
         [0007]    The apparatus includes an illumination module with a source of light. In course of operation or even stand-by the source of light emits heat that usually is evacuated by a forced flow of cooling air. Typically, a fan produces a forced flow of cooling air. In one example, the material containing fragrance or other aromatic substances is loaded into a disposable cartridge located at the exhaust opening of the cooling air flow channel. The material could include a fragrance causing a pleasant and tranquilizing sensation to the treatment recipient. The material could also include ingredients absorbing the malodors produced by the heated and burned hair shafts and vapors produced by the heated skin. The material could be introduced into the exhausted air in form of a spray or a gas stream. Introduction of the material could be synchronized with the operation of the apparatus, such that the material is introduced in course of hair removal or skin treatment. Alternatively, the material could be introduced in course of the hair removal or skin treatment, before the hair removal or skin treatment, of after the hair removal or skin treatment. The material could be introduced in bursts or pulses or in a continuous material introduction mode. 
         [0008]    In one example, a material distribution device disperses the material in the ambient air. The distribution device could be a liquid spraying device or a gas distribution device. The material could include ingredients absorbing the malodors produced by the heated and burned hair shafts and vapors produced by the heated skin. The material could also include a fragrance causing a pleasant and tranquilizing sensation to the treatment recipient. The distribution device could be part of the source of light or an independent material distribution device. Introduction of the material could be synchronized with the operation of the apparatus, such that the material is introduced in course of hair removal or skin treatment. Alternatively, the material could be introduced in course of the hair removal or skin treatment, before the hair removal or skin treatment, of after the hair removal or skin treatment. The material could be distributed in bursts or pulses or in a continuous mode. 
         [0009]    In one example, the fragrance material is in form of a dry fragrance. A material distribution device distributes the material in the ambient air. The heat emitted by the source of light could be used to evaporate the dry fragrance. The dry fragrance could be in form of a solid bar or powder. The dry fragrance material could be distributed by a forced flow of cooling air. The dry fragrance material could be in form and shape of a disposable cartridge located at the exhaust opening of the cooling air flow channel. The dry fragrance material could also include ingredients absorbing the malodors produced by the heated and burned hair shafts and vapors produced by the heated skin. The material could also include a fragrance causing a pleasant and tranquilizing sensation to the treatment recipient. The distribution device could be part of the source of light or an independent material distribution device. Introduction of the material in the ambient air could be synchronized with the operation of the apparatus, such that the material is introduced in course of hair removal or skin treatment. Alternatively, the material could be introduced in the ambient air before the hair removal or skin treatment, after the hair removal or skin treatment, or continuously distributed in the ambient air. 
         [0010]    In one example, the apparatus could include a pair of RF electrodes configured to apply RF to the segment of the skin to be treated. The RF electrodes could be located on the frame of the source of light and their operation could be synchronized with the operation of the source of light. Alternatively, RF energy could be applied to the treated segment of the skin before the hair removal or skin treatment or in overlapping in time periods. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an applicator for personal use for skin treatment according to an example; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a schematic cross section of the applicator of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a side view of the applicator of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of an illumination source according to an example; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of an applicator for personal use for skin treatment according to an example. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The smoke and/or vapor produced in course of hair removal or skin treatment, causing the malodor, are usually purged by the introduction of “external” fresh air at greater than atmospheric pressure. However, such smoke or vapor purging simply disperses the malodor in the room and reduces the malodor relative concentration, but does not resolve the problem. 
         [0017]    The present apparatus includes a material distributing device that distributes a material that could include a fragrance or an aromatic substance. The aromatic substance produces a pleasant smell neutralizing the malodor and tranquilizing the treatment recipient. The material could also include ingredients absorbing the malodor. The material could be distributed in course of the skin treatment, before the skin treatment or after the skin treatment. 
         [0018]    In the context of the present description the term “malodors” means unpleasant odors and in particular odors which originate from the skin treatment or hair removal treatment. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an applicator for personal use for skin treatment according to an example. Applicator  100  is shown to include an ergonomically designed casing  104 , which conveniently fits the hand palm. Casing  104  has a first or distal end  108  and a second end  112 , The second end  112  includes a receptacle  116  facilitating connection of applicator  104 , with help of a cord, to a docking unit (not shown) or to electrical supply network for charging. A decorative cover  120  covers an air intake opening of the applicator  100 . Also shown in the Figure is an ON/OFF switch  126  that could be combined with an indicator informing the user of the operational status of the applicator  100 . Alternatively, indicator  124  informing the user of the operational status of the applicator  100  could be a separate indicator. 
         [0020]    A first or distal end  108  of applicator  100  includes a receiving bay (not shown) configured to receive an illumination module  128 . Module  128  is configured to be applied to a segment of skin to be treated and perform cosmetic skin treatment, which could be just illumination of the skin segment to be treated. The illumination parameters could be selected to perform a desired treatment, which could be for example, hair removal or skin rejuvenation. ON/OFF switch  126  could switch ON or switch OFF skin illumination module  128  when the module is inserted in the receiving bay. Push buttons  136  and  138  could be operated to set different operating parameters of the illumination module  128 . The setting of the parameters could be done by a combination of a number of pushes on the buttons  136  and  138 . 
         [0021]    There could be a number of different illumination modules configured to be used with the same applicator, The different illumination modules could be configured to provide different operational parameters such as light power, wavelength, pulse duration and other operational parameters most suitable for a particular skin treatment or hair removal. For safety reasons electric contacts of each of the modules could be configured to activate electricity supply to illumination module  128  only when the module is inserted into the appropriate receiving bay. 
         [0022]    Each of illumination modules  128  could be packed in a cartridge like packaging detachable from the ergonomically designed, fitting the hand casing  104  of applicator  100 . The cartridge like packaging of the illumination modules supports use of different illumination modules with the same applicator and easy exchange of the modules. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is an example of a schematic cross section of the applicator of  FIG. 1 . Case  104  of applicator  100  could be implemented as a two part case and it is shown with one part removed or opened. Case  104  incorporates a blower or a fan  204  providing a stream of cooling air to the illumination module  128 , and a control printed circuit board  200 . Also shown are a source of light  212  with a reflector  216 , and a disposable cartridge  218 . Source of light  212  is configured to direct the light emitted by source of light  212  to the treated skin segment. Source of light  212  could direct the light with the help of reflector  216 . Alternatively, the internal walls of the illumination module could be coated by a material enhancing light reflection and directing the reflected light to the treated skin segment. Disposable cartridge  218  could contain a certain amount of material including fragrance or aromatic substances. Different air flow directing elements  220  could be introduced into the air flow path to improve the air flow cooling capacity and direct the air flow to specific components of the applicator  100  and/or illumination module  128 . 
         [0024]    Illumination module  128  could include different source of lights such as an incandescent lamp, xenon lamp, laser diodes, LED, laser or a combination of them. Illumination sources could be configured to operate in a pulsed or continuous operation mode. Their power and operational time could be selected to avoid potential damage to the treated segment of skin. 
         [0025]    The protective window  224  located adjacent to the open longitudinal section of reflector  216  forms with the reflector and walls of illumination module  128  a cooling air flowconducting channel. A part of the cooling air flow shown by arrow  222  generated by a cooling fan  204  enters through butt end of reflector  216 . The cooling air flow is directed along the air flow conducting channel and along the source of light  212  and cools it The air flow stream as shown by arrows  228  is exhausted through the other butt end opening of reflector  216  and passes through disposable cartridge  218  that contains a certain amount of material including fragrance or aromatic substances. At the exhaust opening of the cooling air flow conducting channel, the temperature of the air flow is elevated, as compared to the temperature of the air flow entering the channel through butt end of reflector  216 , and could be between 50 to 70 degrees Celsius. The elevated temperature is sufficient to evaporate some of the fragrance or aromatic substance stored or contained in cartridge  218  and the exhausted air flow  228  distributes the fragrance or aromatic substance in the ambient air. The distributed material containing fragrance or aromatic substance neutralizes or reduces malodor generated in course of hair removal, although continuous distribution of the fragrance or aromatic substance could be performed in a stand by operation mode before the hair removal and after the hair removal. The material containing fragrance or aromatic substance could be impregnated into a fabric or other porous material of which the disposable cartridge  218  could be made. Numeral  230  marks a connector connecting illumination module to control board  200 . 
         [0026]    In one example, the disposable cartridge could include ingredients absorbing the malodor or made of material that absorbs the malodor. Such material absorbing malodor could be silica gel or activated charcoal. The material absorbing the malodor remains as a part of the disposable cartridge, also in some examples it could be a gas distributed in course of the skin treatment, before the skin treatment or after the skin treatment. In one example, the material could be a combination or mixture of the material including fragrance or aromatic substance and material absorbing the malodor. 
         [0027]    Illumination module  128  could include an identifier such as for example, an RFID circuit configured to inform the user on type of the skin (fair or dark) illumination module inserted in the applicator  100 . In one example, it could inform the user of the type of treatment for which the illumination module is intended (For example hair removal, skin rejuvenation, acne treatment, and etc.). This could be done by lighting an indicator or sounding a specific sound. In another example, the controller can operate the module with no indication at all as to the type of treatment. The Illumination module will operate according to the type of treatment for which the cartridge was dedicated and the settings made on this base (high, medium, or low power) will change automatically according to the illumination module inserted in a way completely transparent to the user. 
         [0028]    Control circuit board  200  could include different sensors such as movement direction sensors, accelerometers, impedance sensors, and others as well as control circuitry of micro switches operated by insertion of the illumination module, temperature sensors processing circuits, illumination module tag identification and treatment parameters setting circuit, and others. Alternatively, some of the sensors may be located in appropriate skin treatment modules and their processing circuits may be located on control board  200 . At least one optional audio status indicator such as a buzzer signaling to the user the status of skin treatment process parameters may be attached to applicator  100 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a side view of an applicator of  FIG. 1 . It illustrates additional features of the applicator  100  and in particular disposable cartridge  218  that contains the material including fragrance or aromatic substances and/or odor absorbing materials and frame  304 . Frame  304  is configured to fix the location of disposable cartridge  218  within illumination module  128  as well as to facilitate a used disposable cartridge  218  extraction and insertion of a new cartridge  218  when required. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of an illumination source according to an example. Illumination source  400  is similar to illumination source  112 . It includes all of the features of illumination source  112  and in addition illumination source  400  includes a pair or RF electrodes configured to apply RF voltage to the treated segment of skin when applicator  100  is applied to the treated segment of skin. 
         [0031]    Voltage supplied to RF electrodes could generate current under the skin and heat the skin to a desired temperature and then light emitted by the source of light could be applied to the same segment of the skin. In one example, current caused by the application of RF voltage heats skin volumes located deeper in the skin where hair follicles reside. In such case, the source of light that applies energy to the surface of the skin and in order to heat the hair follicles the energy applied to the surface of the skin has to penetrate deeper skin layers. Combined action of the RF voltage and a source of light could increase faster the temperature of deeper skin layers and support lower surface of the skin temperature and to some extent reduce emission of malodors. 
         [0032]    In one example, RF electrodes could be used to determine the treated skin segment temperature. A variable frequency low voltage could be applied to electrodes and impedance of the treated skin segment could be calculated. It is well known that the skin impedance is varies with the skin temperature and accordingly the treated skin segment temperature could be derived. 
         [0033]    According to an example, an RFID device is connected to the illumination module. The RFID device could communicate with control board or circuit  200  ( FIG. 2 ). The RFID device could be preloaded with a maximal number of pulses to be emitted before the illumination module  128  has to be replaced and decreases the count with every emitted pulse. Alternatively, the RFID device could be preloaded with a total energy that may be applied to exhaust the cartridge  218  containing the fragrance or aromatic substances. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of a side view of an applicator according to an example. Applicator  500  in addition to illumination module  504  could include a separate and independent (autonomous) fragrance or aromatic substances material distribution module  508 , which could be a disposable module. 
         [0035]    In the earlier examples the cartridge was a passive cartridge and the material containing fragrance or aromatic substance was evaporated or released by the elevated temperature of the cooling air exhaust flow. A separate and independent heater could be used to heat and evaporate the material containing fragrance or aromatic substance located in the cartridge  508 . Such cartridge could be termed as an active cartridge. A dedicated fan could be configured to distribute the evaporated material containing fragrance or aromatic substance. The autonomous fragrance or aromatic substance material distribution module could also include a section configured to distribute a material absorbing the malodor. 
         [0036]    The materials could be introduced into the exhausted air in form of a spray or a gas stream. Introduction of the materials could be synchronized with the operation of the apparatus, such that the material is introduced in course of hair removal or skin treatment. Alternatively, the material could be introduced in course of the hair removal or skin treatment, before the hair removal or skin treatment, of after the hair removal or skin treatment. The material could be introduced in bursts or pulses or in a continuous mode. 
         [0037]    An advantage of such configuration is that the fragrance or aromatic substance as well as material absorbing the malodor could be distributed in bursts or pulses or in a continuous mode. Actually, it can be distributed as it is desired and regulated by the user. 
         [0038]    Although the method and apparatus have been described in conjunction with specific examples thereof, it is evident that other alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: a