MX2008003891A - Laser hair removal device - Google Patents

Abstract

A laser hair removal device (10) is disclosed, having a base unit (12) and a hand held laser wand (14). Laser (18) generates light pulses of sufficient energy and duration to damage papilla of each hair follicle in the path of the beam. The device (10) includes one or more safety features to prevent accidental misuse of the device. In particular the device incorporates a high intensity LED (24) which makes looking at the potential path of the laser uncomfortable thus promoting a blinking reflex. Additionally the device may incorporate a skin contact/proximity sensor (26) to prevent use of the laser away from the skin, and/or one or more locking means to prevent accidental powering of the laser.

Description

"LASER DEVICE FOR HAIR EXTRACTION" FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to laser devices for hair removal and in particular, but not exclusively, to such devices intended for home use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past, cosmetic hair extraction was accomplished in various ways that included hair removal, electrolysis and laser treatments. In the laser treatment process, light is directed at a suitable wavelength (typically from about 600 nm to 900 nm) in the direction of the skin such that a part of the energy is absorbed by the dermal papillae of the hair follicle, which is damaged by the deposition of energy that leads to the death of the follicle and the subsequent hair removal. Due to the complexity of these devices to the safety considerations inherent to their use, laser treatment for hair removal has traditionally been performed in clinics or specialist salons and not in the home.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Therefore, there is a need for a laser device for hair removal with incorporated safety features in such a way that it can be used safely by the domestic market. In accordance with the above, in a broad aspect, this invention relates to a device for hair removal that uses laser generation pulses of sufficient energy and duration to damage the dermal papillae of the hair follicle in the path of the beam, designed a or more security features to prevent accidental misuse of the device. In a particular aspect of this invention, there is provided a laser device for hair removal which is directed towards and / or which is applied to the skin of a user in order to expose the hair follicles to laser radiation for hair removal, the device comprising a body that houses a laser for hair removal capable of emitting radiation at a wavelength suitable for hair removal, characterized by an additional light emitting element configured to emit a beam of high intensity of non-harmful radiation for the eye usually in the same direction as the laser for hair removal, thus preventing the user from pointing the device towards their EYES. The high intensity beam is not harmful in the sense that while it is uncomfortable to look at the beam, it does not cause any permanent injury. Preferably, the high intensity beam is turned on as soon as the device is turned on and before the laser is activated for hair removal. In most cases, the laser for hair removal will be activated on request using a trigger or the like. The laser will typically generate a pulse beam of laser radiation. The light emitting element preferably emits light at a wavelength at which the eye is particularly sensitive such as a light of wavelength of the order of 500-600 nm to ideally about 555 nm. The light emitting element may comprise an LED designed to supply light at the required frequency. In another aspect, a laser device for hair removal is provided to direct it towards and / or apply it to a user's skin in order to expose the hair follicles to laser radiation for hair removal, the device comprising a body housing a laser for hair removal capable of emitting radiation at a wavelength suitable for hair removal, characterized by a filter element adjacent to the end of the device in order to attenuate the reflection in use of the laser beam for hair removal in the skin of the user. Preferably, the filter element comprises a tubular element extending from the end of the device around the emitted laser beam.

Conveniently, the tubular element can be cylindrical. Still in another aspect, the invention provides a laser device for extracting hair to direct it towards and / or apply it on the skin of a user in order to expose its hair follicles to radiation and laser for hair removal, the device comprising a body that houses a laser for hair removal capable of emitting radiation at a wavelength suitable for hair removal, characterized by a sensor for detecting contact of the device with the skin and / or proximity to it, and a sensitive control means in the sensor output to inhibit the operation of the laser for extraction when the device is not in contact with or near the skin. The sensor may conveniently comprise two conductive contact elements and an electrical circuit for determining the contact thereof with the skin. The electrical circuit can, for example, determine the electrical resistance. Preferably, the distance of the two contact elements is comparable in size with, or smaller than, the size of the opening of an eye in order to avoid pointing it directly into the eyes. Preferably, this distance is in the range of approximately 0.5 to 1.5 cm from the center of one element to the center of the other element. Other sensors with a similar function could be used which determine the distance or proximity of the device to the skin. Consequently, a beam of light or beam of electromagnetic radiation can determine the distance of the device from the skin and this output can be used by the control means to inhibit the operation. In another aspect, this invention provides a laser device for hair removal to direct it towards and / or apply it on the skin of a user in order to expose the hair follicles to laser radiation for hair removal, the device comprising a body that it houses a laser for hair removal capable of emitting radiation at a wavelength suitable for hair removal, characterized by a control means that includes a timer to interrupt the operation of the device after a period of presets. This feature prevents overexposure of the skin, which could result in burns and would force the user to remove the laser from the target area between uses, thus allowing enough time for the area to cool and also to relocate the device over that same area. In addition to the timer means, the control means may include a contact or proximity sensor of the type described above, operating the control means in such a manner that after the expiration of the predetermined period, laser re-energization is allowed only after that the device has been removed and returned or applied to the skin. The predetermined period will depend on a certain number of factors but typically can be in the order of 4 seconds. In another aspect, this invention provides a laser device for hair removal to direct it towards and / or apply it on the skin of a user in order to expose the hair follicles to laser radiation for hair removal, the device comprising a body that housing a laser for hair removal capable of emitting radiation at a wavelength suitable for hair removal, characterized by the control means for operating the laser for hair removal, including the control means a safe to prevent the evil Unauthorized use.

Such insurance can take several forms; for example, it could include a keyboard for the user to enter an identification code, inhibiting the operation unless the correct code is entered; it could include a key-operated switch so that only a user with the key can turn on the device. In addition, the control means can inhibit the operation of the laser unless a series of two or more actions is carried out. For example, the control means may inhibit the operation of the laser until a contact or proximity sensor detects both that the device is safely adjacent to the skin and that the user has depressed an activation switch. The control means may require that these actions be performed in the correct order. It should be noted that the various functions in the aforementioned aspects can be realized by components installed in a device of applied type which contains at least the majority of the control functionality required for the operation. Alternatively, the device may be in the form of a separate base unit which contains the majority of the control circuitry with a separate head containing the laser unit and connected to the base unit by a flexible cable.

Although the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of the features set forth above, or in the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention can be made in various ways, and now two modalities thereof will be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a laser device for hair removal according to this invention; Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the device for hair removal according to the invention; and Figures 3, 4 and 5 are views of a part of the hair removal device shown in Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to Figure 1, the hair removal device 10 comprises a base unit 12 and a body in the form of a laser reader 14 connected to the base unit by means of a retractable cable 16. In this particular mode, the security control circuitry is housed in the base unit 12 although in other embodiments all or part of the circuitry may be housed in the laser reader 14. The laser reader contains a laser 18 which produces a beam of laser radiation pulses at a selected wavelength to cause hair removal. The laser 18 is configured to project its beam along a main axis 20. The laser 18 is housed inside the reader 14 and the beam, after leaving the main body of the reader 14 passes through a cylindrical protection 22 of semi-transparent material. Adjacent to the laser 18 is an LED 24 also designed to project a beam of high intensity of visible light not harmful substantially along the same main axis 20, passing under the middle of the sleeve 22. On the sides of the sleeve two electrodes 26 are provided which are connected to an electrical control circuit which detects when the laser reader 14 is in contact with the skin of a person. This is done by detecting the resistivity of the surface of the skin contacted by the electrodes 26. It will be noted that, when the laser reader 14 is pressed against the skin with both contacts 26 touching the skin, the laser beam emitted from the laser 18 is housed by the sleeve 22. At the rear of the reader is an operating switch 28 whose status is determined by the control circuitry in the base unit 12. In the base unit there is an alphanumeric keypad 30 and a switch 32 operated by key together with a screen 34. During use, the control circuit in the base unit 12 inhibits the laser operation 18 until some conditions are satisfied. In this particular example, it is first necessary to turn on the unit using a key 36 on the key switch 32 and then enter the PIN code through the keypad 30. When these steps have been carried out, the control unit activates the LED 24 for that a high intensity beam of the visible ones is projected along the main axis 20 as well as a warning of the projected axis of the laser beam coming from the laser 18 when activated and also to prevent users from directing it towards their own eyes or towards the eyes of someone else. Having passed the initial safety steps, the reader 14 can work in the area of the skin where the hair was to be extracted and the contact with the skin (as opposed to a skinless surface) by the control circuit using the electrodes 26 Then, and only after, the main laser 18 can be activated by pressing the operating switch 28. Therefore, it will be noted that the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 requires passing several safety stages before the laser can be operated.; First-level security checks confirm the user's credentials (that is, they are in possession of the correct key and code) and therefore physical security is assessed by ensuring that the device is currently in contact with the skin before to enable the laser. A second embodiment of a hair removal device is illustrated in Figures 2-5. The characteristics common to the first and second modalities have a similar numbering. The hair removal device 110 has a base unit 112 and a handheld laser reader 14 which operate in a manner similar to the base unit and reader 12, 14 described above. In this mode, the reader 14 remains on, and is held in place by the housing or 112. The base unit has an adapter power supply 140 to the electricity network which has a direct current output socket 142. of low voltage to connect and turn on the base unit 112. Alternatively, or as well as, the base unit 122 can be turned on by batteries, which can be rechargeable through the mains adapter. In operation, the base unit can be turned on by inserting the key 136 into the contact 132. As an additional safety precaution, a predetermined series of buttons may be pressed on the keyboard 130 to turn on the laser reader 14. The base unit has an energy level indicator 134, an enable / hold button 136, an on / off button 138, and a reader enable warning light 139. The reader 14 has at least the same security features described above. Figures 3, 4 and 5 show different views of the head of the reader 14. In Figure 3, the electrodes 26 are visible to have contact with, or be in close proximity to, the skin of a user in order to enable the reader . If the reader were able to activate, the path of the coherent laser light would pass along the axis 20. The beam 21 of high intensity but not harmful light, which is diffuse light, generally travels along the same axis 20. The diffuse beam 21 is of a lower intensity than the laser beam and is produced when the base 112 is turned on or just before the laser operation in order to stimulate the flicker reflection of any eye in the beam 21 path. Figure 4 shows a different view of the head of the reader 14. In this embodiment a low intensity parallel beam LED 25 is shown which produces a low intensity narrow light beam along the axis 20. The purpose of this light is to direct the laser in order to guide the user to the hair that is to be extracted. This light may come on and may remain on before using the laser. An additional high intensity LED 24 produces the high intensity light beam 21 to improve flicker and this light is produced just before activating the laser. Figure 5 shows the reader pointing, with the help of the low intensity light coming from the LED 25. In this position, the electrodes 26 are in contact with the skin of a body hair 50 adjacent to a user. The base unit, once energized, supplies power to the target LED 25, to press the laser activation light, causing the high intensity LED 24 to light and then the laser to produce light for a predetermined period of time. , of sufficient duration in order to damage the dermal papillae of the hair follicle in hair 50, but not of sufficient duration to cause the skin to burn. The control in the base unit 112 prevents laser activation again for a sufficient period to allow the user's skin to cool.

The modifications, alternatives, variants, additions and simplifications to the modalities described above, will be easily apparent to those recipients who are experts in the field. In particular, not all of the safety features mentioned above need to be used together, or the mentioned features could be combined.

Claims (14)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the invention as antecedent, the content of the following claims is claimed as property CLAIMS 1. A laser device for laser extraction (10, 110) to direct it towards and / or apply it to the skin of a user in order to expose hair follicles to laser radiation for hair removal, the device comprising a body ( 14) housing a laser (18) for hair removal capable of emitting radiation at a wavelength suitable for hair removal, characterized by a light emitting element (24) configured to emit a high intensity beam (21) not harmful to the eye generally in the same direction (20) as the laser for hair removal, thus preventing the user from pointing the device towards their eyes.
2. 2. A laser device for hair removal according to claim 1, characterized in that the high intensity beam (21) is turned on as soon as the device is turned on or before the hair removal laser is activated.
3. 3. A laser device for hair removal according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the laser (18) generates a beam of pulsed laser radiation.
4. 4. A laser device for hair removal according to any preceding claim, wherein the light emitting element (24) emits light (21) at a wavelength at which the eye is particularly sensitive such as light of a wavelength of approximately 500-600 nm.
5. A laser device for hair removal according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the light emitting element (24) comprises an LED that provides light at the required frequency.
6. 6. A laser device (10, 110) for extracting hair to direct it towards and / or applying it to the skin of a user in order to expose the hair follicles to laser radiation for hair removal, the device comprising a body ( 14) housing a hair removal laser (18) capable of emitting radiation at a wavelength suitable for hair removal, characterized by a filter element (22) adjacent to the end of the device to attenuate the reflection of use of the hair. laser beam for hair removal from the user's skin.
7. A laser hair removal device according to claim 6, characterized in that the filter element (22) comprises a tubular element extending from the end of the device around the emitted laser beam.
8. 8. A laser device for hair removal (10, 110) to direct it towards and / or apply it to the skin of a user in order to expose the hair follicles to laser radiation for hair removal, the device comprising a body ( 14) housing a laser for hair removal (18) capable of emitting radiation at a wavelength suitable for hair removal, characterized by a sensor (26) to detect contact of the device with the skin and / or proximity with it, and a control means sensitive to the output of the sensor (26) to inhibit the operation of the extraction laser when the device is not in contact with or near the skin.
9. 9. A laser device for hair removal according to claim 8, characterized in that the control means prevents the reuse of the laser for a predetermined time after removal of the laser from the skin as detected by the sensor (26).
10. 10. A laser device for hair removal (10, 110) to direct it towards and / or apply it to the skin of a user in order to expose the hair follicles to laser radiation for hair removal, the device comprising a body ( 14) housing a laser for hair removal (18) capable of emitting radiation at a wavelength suitable for hair removal, characterized by a control means that includes a timer to interrupt the operation of the device after a pre-established period .
11. 11. A laser device for hair removal according to claim 10, characterized in that the control means prevents reuse of the laser after the present period, for a predetermined time after removal of the laser from the skin as detected by skin contact or the skin proximity sensor (26).
12. 12. A laser device for hair removal (10, 110) to direct it towards and / or apply it to the skin of a user in order to expose the hair follicles to laser radiation for hair removal, the device comprising a body ( 14) housing a hair removal laser (18) capable of emitting radiation at a wavelength suitable for hair removal, characterized by the control means for operating the hair removal laser, the control means including Safe to avoid unauthorized use.
13. 13. A laser device for hair removal (10, 110) according to any preceding claim characterized in that the body (14) of the device includes components installed in an applicator reader which contains at least the majority of the control functionality required for the operation .
14. 14. A laser device for hair removal according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the device has the form of a separate base unit (12, 112) which contains the majority of the control circuitry with a reader separate (14) containing the laser unit and connected to the base unit by a flexible cable (16).