Acne treatment device and method
OwnerTobin C. Island, Robert E. Grove +1inventors
InventorsTobin C. Island, Robert E. Grove, Mark V. Weckwerth
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Abstract
Disclosed are a method and a dermatological device for treatment of acne that includes an intense violet-blue diode light source and an output window that contacts the skin during the light emission to provide a heat sink for the skin. Another disclosed device configuration and method includes a handheld and cordless device with an intense violet-blue light source and a contact-based heat sink for the skin. A further configuration and method provides a small area illumination and a contact-based heat sink. A still further configuration and method provides a handheld and cordless device having a small area illumination and contact-based heat sink.
Claims103
A dermatologic device for the treatment of acne, comprising
- a light source producing light primarily in a wavelength band of 400 to 450 nm, and
- an output window through which the light is emitted and which is configured to contact an epidermis of a subject undergoing treatment when the light is emitted through the output window, and
- wherein the light has an intensity of at least 100 mW/cm2 at an emitting surface of the output window, and
- further wherein heat conduction through the output window is such that a temperature rise produced in the epidermis by the light is substantially reduced by the contact between the epidermis and the output window.
A self-contained cordless dermatologic device for the treatment of acne, comprising
- a housing configured for handheld manipulation;
- one or more electrical batteries within the housing;
- a light source within the housing and powered by the electrical batteries and producing light substantially in a wavelength band of 400 to 450 nm;
- an output window through which the light is emitted and which is configured to contact an epidermis of a subject undergoing treatment when the light is emitted through the output window;
- a heat-removal element within the housing;
- wherein the light has an intensity of at least 100 mW/cm2 at an emitting surface of the output window;
- the cordless device has a total weight of less than 1 kilogram and has a volume less than 1500 cm3;
- and
- a temperature rise produced in the epidermis by the light is substantially reduced by the contact between the epidermis and the output window.
A dermatologic device for treatment of acne, comprising
- a diode light source producing light in a wavelength band of 400 to 450 nm;
- an output window through which the light is emitted and which is configured to contact an epidermis of a subject undergoing treatment when the light is emitted through the output window, and
- wherein the light has an intensity of at least 100 mW/cm2 at an emitting surface of the output window;
- the light at the emitting surface has a spot size of less than 25 cm2;
- and
- a temperature rise produced in the epidermis by the light is substantially reduced by the contact between the epidermis and the output window.
A self-contained cordless device for treating acne, comprising
- a housing configured for handheld manipulation;
- a diode light source within the housing producing light in a wavelength band of 400 to 450 nm;
- one or more electrical batteries within the housing coupled to power the diode light source;
- a heat removal element within the housing comprising one or more thermal batteries within the housing, or one or more finned heat sinks within the housing, or both;
- an output window through which the light is emitted and which is configured to contact an epidermis when the light is emitted through the output window;
- wherein the light has an intensity of at least 100 mW/cm2 at an emitting surface of the output window;
- the light has a spot size of less than 10 cm2 at the emitting surface of the output window;
- and
- a temperature rise produced in the epidermis by the light is substantially reduced by the contact between the epidermis and the output window.
A method for the treatment of acne, comprising
- positioning an output window to make contact with an epidermis of a subject undergoing treatment;
- emitting light in a wavelength band of 400 to 450 nm through the output window, wherein the light has an intensity of at least 100 mW/cm2 at an emitting surface of the output window, and
- conducting heat through the output window so that a temperature rise produced in the epidermis by the light is substantially reduced by the contact between the epidermis and the output window.
A method for configuring a device for treating acne, comprising
- (a) providing within a housing configured for handheld manipulation
- (i) a diode light source producing light in a wavelength band of 400 to 450 nm;
- (ii) one or more electrical batteries;
- (iii) a heat removal element;
- and
- (iv) an output window through which the light is emitted;
- (b) powering the diode light source solely from the one or more electrical batteries so that the light has an intensity of at least 100 mW/cm2 at an emitting surface of the output window;
- (c) configuring the output window for contact with an epidermis;
- and
- (d) providing a heat conduction through the output window so that a temperature rise produced in the epidermis by the light is substantially reduced by contact between the epidermis and the output window.
A method for operating a device for treating acne, wherein the device includes a housing configured for handheld manipulation, a diode light source producing light in a wavelength band of 400 to 450 nm, one or more electrical batteries, a heat removal element;
- and an output window through which the light is emitted, wherein the output window is configured for contact with an epidermis, the method comprising the steps of
- (a) powering the diode light source solely from the one or more electrical batteries;
- (b) energizing the diode light source so that light is produced with an intensity of at least 100 mW/cm2 at an emitting surface of the output window;
- (c) providing a heat conduction through the output window so that a temperature rise produced in the epidermis by the light is substantially reduced by contact between the epidermis and the output window.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.