Cooling system for a photocosmetic device
AssigneePalomar Medical Technologies, Inc.
InventorsGregory Altshuler, Joseph Caruso, Henry Zenzie, James Burke, Andrei Efrofeev
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Photocosmetic device for use in medical or non-medical environments (e.g., a home, barbershop, or spa), which can be used for a variety of tissue treatments. Radiation is delivered to the tissue via optical systems designed to pattern the radiation and project the radiation to a particular depth. The device has a variety of cooling systems including phase change cooling solids and liquids to cool treated skin and the radiation sources. Contact sensors and motion sensor may be used to enhance treatment. The device may be modular to facilitate manufacture and replacement of parts.
Claims40
1-65. (canceled)
A method of operating a photocosmetic device adapted to contact the skin, comprising:
- illuminating the skin by eye-safe radiation generated by a source coupled to the device,
- determining if said device is in contact with the skin based on detection of at least a portion of said illuminating radiation that is reflected or scattered from the skin, and
- illuminating the skin with radiation of increased power emitted by said source in response to contact being determined between said device and the skin.
The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a sensory signal indicating contact between the device and the skin.
A method of operating a photocosmetic device adapted to contact the skin, comprising:
- determining if said device is in contact with the skin based on one or more signals generated by one or more electrical sensors coupled to said device, and
- activating a radiation source coupled to the device in response to contact being determined between said device and the skin.
A method of operating a photocosmetic device adapted to contact the skin, comprising:
- determining if said device is in contact with the skin by measuring a pressure exerted by the device against the skin, and
- activating a radiation source coupled to the device in response to contact being determined between the device and the skin.
A method of operating a photocosmetic device adapted for contact with the skin, comprising
- illuminating the skin by low-power eye-safe radiation generated by a source coupled to the device and capable of operating in at least one of a low-power mode or a treatment mode,
- detecting at least a portion of said illuminating radiation reflected/or scattered from the skin,
- determining if said device is in contact with the skin based on said detected radiation, and
- inhibiting operation of said source in the treatment mode unless contact is determined between the device and the skin,
A method of operating a photocosmetic device adapted for contact with the skin, comprising:
- determining if the device is in contact with the skin by utilizing at least one contact sensor coupled to the device and selected from the group consisting of an electrical, a magnetic and a pressure sensor, and
- controlling a radiation source coupled to said device so as to apply radiation to the skin through said device only when said contact sensor indicates that the device is in contact with the skin.
A device for applying electromagnetic radiation to skin, comprising:
- a handpiece adapted for contact with the skin,
- a contact sensor coupled to said handpiece to indicate if said handpiece is in contact with the skin, said contact sensor being selected from the group consisting of an electrical sensor, a magnetic sensor, and a pressure sensor, and
- a controller coupled to the handpiece and responsive to the contact sensor for inhibiting transmission of radiation through the handpiece to the skin if the contact sensor detects an absence of contact between the handpiece and the skin.
A device for applying electromagnetic radiation to the skin, comprising:
- a handpiece adapted for contact with the skin,
- a contact sensor coupled to the handpiece to determine if the handpiece is in contact with the skin, said contact sensor being selected from the group consisting of an electrical sensor, a magnetic sensor, and a pressure sensor, and
- a controller coupled to the handpiece and responsive to the contact sensor for permitting application of radiation through the handpiece to the skin when the contact sensor detects contact between the handpiece and the skin.
A device for applying electromagnetic radiation to the skin, comprising:
- a handpiece adapted to contact the skin,
- a radiation source coupled to the handpiece, said source having a low-power mode for generating eye-safe radiation and a treatment mode for generating treatment radiation,
- a contact sensor coupled to the handpiece for determining if the handpiece is in contact with the skin based on detecting at least a portion of radiation reflected or scattered from the skin in response to illumination thereof by said eye-safe radiation, and
- a controller responsive to said contact sensor for maintaining said source in said low-power mode if the contact sensor indicates an absence of contact between the handpiece and the skin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.