Method and device for sensing skin contact

A dermatologic treatment device comprising

• a window shaped to contact a surface and capable of heat transfer with the surface;
• a source of electromagnetic radiation capable of being activated to supply a dermatologic treatment through the window;
• one or more heat-transfer elements thermally coupled to the window;
• three or more sensors around a periphery of the window;
• and
• control circuitry coupled to the three or more sensors and configured to inhibit activation of the dermatologic treatment device unless contact with a compliant surface is sensed.

A dermatologic treatment device comprising

• a window shaped to contact a surface;
• a source of electromagnetic radiation capable of being activated to supply a dermatologic treatment through the window;
• three or more sensors around a periphery of the window and positioned to have a sensor activation point distal to the window;
• and
• control circuitry coupled to the three or more sensors and configured to inhibit activation of the dermatologic treatment device unless contact with a compliant surface is sensed.

A dermatologic treatment device comprising

• a window shaped to contact a surface and capable of heat transfer with the surface;
• a source of electromagnetic radiation capable of being activated to supply a dermatologic treatment through the window;
• one or more heat-transfer elements thermally coupled to the window;
• three or more mechanical sensors around a periphery of the window and positioned to have a sensor activation point distal to the window;
• and
• control circuitry coupled to the three or more sensors and configured to inhibit activation of the dermatologic treatment device unless contact with a compliant surface is sensed.

A method for configuring a dermatologic treatment device comprising the steps of

• providing a window shaped to contact a surface and capable of heat transfer with the surface;
• controllably activating a source of electromagnetic radiation to supply a dermatologic treatment through the window;
• thermally coupling one or more heat-transfer elements to the window;
• positioning three or more mechanical sensors around a periphery of the window and to have a sensor activation point distal to the window;
• and
• inhibiting activation of the dermatologic treatment device unless contact with a compliant surface is sensed by the three or more sensors.

A dermatologic treatment device comprising

• a skin contacting structure;
• a treatment source capable of being activated to supply a dermatologic treatment through the skin contacting structure;
• a sensor positioned with respect to the skin contacting structure so that a non-compliant surface in contact with the skin contacting structure is unable to activate the sensor;
• and
• control circuitry coupled to the sensor and configured to inhibit activation of the dermatologic treatment device unless contact with a compliant surface is sensed.