# US 8,641,702 B2 · System for treatment of skin conditions using at least one narrow band light source in a skin brush having an oscillating brushhead > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,641,702 B2 - Document ID: US8641702B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/969,447 - Filed: 2008-01-04 - Published: 2009-07-09 - Granted: 2014-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2008-01-04 - Assignees: L'oreal - Applicants: Kenneth A. Pilcher; Robert E. Akridge - Inventors: Kenneth A. Pilcher; Robert E. Akridge - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8641702B2 ## CPC - A61H 7/005: {hand-held} - A46B 15/0002: {Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process} - A46B 15/0034: {with a source of radiation, e.g. UV, IR, LASER, X-ray for irradiating the teeth and associated surfaces} - A61N 5/0616: {Skin treatment other than tanning} - A46B 13/02: power-driven {carriers} - A46B 2200/102: Brush specifically designed for massaging the skin or scalp (A46B2200/1026 takes precedence) - A61B 2018/00898: {Alarms or notifications created in response to an abnormal condition} - A61B 2090/065: {for measuring contact or contact pressure} - A61H 2201/0153: hand-held - A61H 2201/0176: By stopping operation - A61H 2201/10: with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy - A61H 2201/1215: Rotary drive - A61H 2201/165: Wearable interfaces - A61H 2201/1678: Means for angularly oscillating massage elements - A61H 2205/022: Face - A61N 2005/0626: {Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods} - A61N 2005/063: {comprising light transmitting means, e.g. optical fibres} - A61N 2005/0644: {Handheld applicators} - A61N 2005/0645: {Applicators worn by the patient} - A61N 2005/0652: {Arrays of diodes} - A61N 2005/0653: {Organic light emitting diodes} - A61N 2005/0663: {Coloured light} - A61N 2005/0666: {for redirecting light to the treatment area} - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) - A46B: BRUSHES (handles not integral with brushware B25G) - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An apparatus and corresponding method for treatment of skin conditions which includes a brushhead member which comprises a first portion which includes a plurality of rings of bristle tufts, the first portion oscillating in operation through a selected angle at a selected frequency and a second portion which also includes a plurality of rings of bristle tufts concentric with the first portion, the second portion remaining stationary in operation. At least one monochromatic light source is included, providing light directed from the brushhead in a direction substantially the same as the bristle tufts, such that the light impinges on the area of skin of the user acted on by the oscillating brushhead. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for treatment of skin conditions, comprising: a housing member for the apparatus; a brushhead member adapted to fit to the housing member comprising a first portion which includes a plurality of rings of bristle tufts, the first portion oscillating back and forth about a rest/neutral position through a selected angle in the range of 5-20° , at a frequency in the range of 60-200 Hz, wherein the resulting oscillating action of the bristle tufts creates localized shear skin stress on the skin for effective cleaning of the skin without damage or harm to the skin; a driving assembly for oscillating the brushhead member back and forth; and a plurality of light sources located within the brushhead, spaced approximately equally around a circumference thereof or concentric with the circumference, having a wave length suitable for treatment of a selected skin condition, wherein said light is directed from the brushhead member to the skin in an area where the skin is simultaneously being flexed by the localized shear stress created thereon by action of the brushhead member, wherein the shear stress on the skin flexes the skin in rapid fashion, which permits light to come into contact with the treatment area of the skin from different angles within a specific period of time, to provide treatment action, wherein the brushhead and said plurality of light sources move together and are removable together from the housing member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light is monochromatic. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light sources have all the same wavelength. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light sources have more than one wavelength. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light is continuous. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light is pulsed. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, including a circuit for sensing contact between the brushhead and the skin and a control circuit responsive to an indication from the sensing circuit that contact has been made with the skin to turn the light source on, resulting in light being directed from the brushhead. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit turns the light source off when contact between the brushhead and the skin is broken. ### Claim 9 An apparatus for treatment of skin conditions, comprising: a housing member for the apparatus; a brushhead member adapted to fit to the housing member comprising a first portion which includes a plurality of rings and bristle tufts, the first portion oscillating back and forth about a rest/neutral position through a selected angle in the range of 5-20° , at a frequency in the range of 60-200 Hz, wherein the resulting oscillating action of the bristle tufts creates localized shear skin stress on the skin for effective cleansing of the skin without damage or harm to the skin; a driving assembly for oscillating the brushhead member back and forth; and a plurality of spaced light pipes positioned in an outer portion of the brushhead outside of the bristles and a plurality of light emitters located within the housing member, apart from the brushhead, wherein the light from the light emitters is transmitted to the light pipes directly or through an intermediate light pipe positioned in the housing member, wherein the light emitters have a wave length suitable for treatment of a selected skin condition, wherein said light is directed from the brushhead member to the skin in an area where the skin is simultaneously being flexed by the localized shear stress created thereon by action of the brushhead member, wherein the shear stress on the skin flexes the skin in rapid fashion, which permits light to come into contact with a treatment area of the skin from different angles within a specified period time, to provide treatment action, wherein the brushhead and said light pipes move together and are removable together from the housing member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An apparatus of claim 9, wherein the light is monochromatic. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the light sources have all the same wavelength. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the light sources have more than one wavelength. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the light is continuous. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the light is pulsed. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, including a circuit for sensing contact between the brushhead and the skin and a control circuit responsive to an indication from the sensing circuit that contact has been made with the skin to turn the light source on, resulting in light being directed from the brushhead. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the circuit turns the light source off when contact between the brushhead and the skin is broken. ### Claim 17 An apparatus for treatment of skin conditions, comprising: a housing member for the apparatus; a brushhead member adapted to fit to the housing member comprising a first portion which includes a plurality of rings and bristle tufts, the first portion oscillating back and forth about a rest/neutral position through a selected angle in the range of 5-20° , at a frequency in the range of 60-200 Hz, wherein the resulting oscillating action of the bristle tufts creates localized shear skin stress on the skin for effective cleansing of the skin without damage or harm to the skin; a driving assembly for oscillating the brushhead member back and forth; and a plurality of light emitters positioned around a periphery of the brushhead, outside of the brushhead, the light emitters having a wave length suitable for treatment of a selected skin condition, wherein said light is directed from the brushhead member to the skin in an area where the skin is simultaneously being flexed by the localized shear stress created thereon by action of the brushhead member, wherein the shear stress on the skin flexes the skin in rapid fashion, which permits light to come into contact with the treatment area of the skin from different angles within a specific period of time, to provide treatment action, wherein the light emitters remain stationary within the housing member when the brushhead member oscillates in action. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) An apparatus of claim 17, wherein the light is monochromatic. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the light sources have all the same wavelength. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the light sources have more than one wavelength. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the light is continuous. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the light. is pulsed. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, including a circuit for sensing contact between the brushhead and the skin and a control circuit responsive to an indication from the sensing circuit that contact has been made with the skin to turn the light source on, resulting in light being directed from the brushhead. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the circuit turns the light source off when contact between the brushhead and the skin is broken.