AU2005202457A1 - Cosmetic thermal therapy system - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Joan Pallaras Actual Inventor: Joan Pallaras Address for Service: MADDERNS, 1st Floor, 64 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Invention title: COSMETIC THERMAL THERAPY SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me.

(PatAU132) COSMETIC THERMAL THERAPY DEVICE FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a cosmetic thermal therapy device and more particularly to cosmetic thermal therapy device using lasers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of laser therapy for removal of hair is known, however, such devices are very expensive and their construction and arrangement is such that they can only be used for a single purpose.

It is the object of this invention to provide a cosmetic thermal therapy device using a laser system which can be used for a range of cosmetic therapies and which is relatively inexpensive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In one form the invention is said to reside in a cosmetic thermal therapy device comprising a controller and a handpiece, the handpiece being electrically connected to the controller, the handpiece including at least one laser diode and the controller means including means for supply power to the laser diode and means to set and vary the power to the laser diode.

Preferably the handpiece comprises a main body and a handle extending from the body and the handle includes a press switch to initiate laser emission from the at least one laser diode.

Preferably the or each laser diode comprises a focusing lens.

In one embodiment the at least one laser diode has a maximum output power of up to 1 watt.

The handpiece may have a single laser diode having a maximum output power of up to 1 Watt at a wavelength of approximately 810nm, Alternatively, the handpiece has a plurality of laser diodes each having a maximum power output of approximately 1W at a wavelength of 810nm. In a preferred embodiment the handpiece has nine laser diodes each having a maximum output power of approximately 1W at a wavelength of 810nm.

The nine laser diodes may be arranged in a circle of eight diodes and a central diode, or in a circle of nine diodes and a central visible red diode. Other numbers of laser diodes and array shapes are also within the scope of the invention. The use of the visible diode enables the operator to have a convenient visual indication of the site being irradiated Preferably the nine laser diodes are arranged in the handpiece such that a beam from each in use is directed to a single region in such a manner that the nine spots form a single line of nine adjacent spots at the main focal point at selected distance from the handpiece. The selected distance may be in the range of 15 to 65mm and is preferably 17 to Alternatively the nine laser diodes may be arranged in the handpiece such that a beam from each in use is directed to form individual adjacent single spots a selected distance from the handpiece so as to form a line of beams of length of between 9mm to The handpiece may comprise a removable attachment to prevent an operator holding the handpiece closer than a selected distance from a surface to be treated. The attachment may comprise a frusto-conical cap, which mounts to the handpiece, the frusto-conical cap including an oblong aperture at its apex.

The handpiece can comprises an indicator light to indicate activation of the laser diodes and/or the controller can comprise an audible warning device to indicate the duration of supply of power to the laser diode.

The controller can comprise a mains supply power input or can include a low voltage such as a battery power input.

The controller can comprise separate outputs for low power and high power laser diodes.

The means to set and vary the power to the laser diode can comprise an operator activated means to select an output power and an output time. The output power can be set as a fraction of the possible output power of the or each laser.

The output of the controller box to the laser therapy devices may be continuous or pulsed.

Preferably the handpiece includes a press switch to initiate laser emission from the at least one laser diode and the means to supply power to the laser diode is activated by the press switch and thereby supplies power to the laser diode in an amount and time as set by the means to set and vary the power to the laser diode and subsequently automatically switches off supply of power to the laser diode.

In an alternative form the invention is said to reside in a handpiece for a cosmetic therapy device comprising a main body and a handle extending from the body, the handpiece comprising nine laser diodes each having a maximum power output of approximately 1W at a wavelength of approximately 810 nm and arranged in a circle of eight diodes and a central diode, or nine diodes and a central visible red diode with the nine laser diodes being arranged in the handpiece such that a beam from each in use is directed to a single region at a selected distance from the handpiece and forming a continual line of nine adjacent spots.

Preferably the handle includes a press switch to initiate laser emission from the at least one laser diode.

The or each laser diode can comprise a focusing lens.

Preferably the nine laser diodes each have a power output of approximately 1W at a wavelength of 810nm.

Preferably the selected distance is in the range of 15 to 65 mm and more preferably it is 17 to 20 mm.

The handpiece can include an attachment to prevent an operator holding the handpiece closer than a selected distance from a surface to be treated. The attachment is preferably a frusto-conical cap, which mounts to the handpiece; the frusto-conical cap including an aperture at its apex. The aperture may be circular or oval in shape and have a diameter of from 1 to 15 mm and preferably is 14mm long and 1.5 mm wide.

The handpiece may be constructed from aluminium which assists with cooling of the diodes in the handpiece. By the use of a plurality of lower power diodes rather than a single higher power diode the handpiece does not become so heated and special cooling arrangements are not necessary.

In an alternative arrangement the laser diodes may be placed into the controller box and fibre optic cables used to transmit the IR and or visible radiation to the handpiece. In such an arrangement the multiple laser diodes may be mounted into a carrier in the handpiece and aimed to a single spot at which there is a fibre optic connector which is mounted to the front panel of the controller box so that a handpiece with a fibre optic cable can be connected to provide the power to the handpiece.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This then generally describes the invention but to assist with understanding reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings; Figure 1 shows a general view of a cosmetic thermal therapy device according to one embodiment of the invention: Figure 1 A shows detail of the switch and display portion of the controller box of Figure 1; Figure 2 shows an alternative handpiece suitable for connection to the cosmetic thermal therapy device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side view of one embodiment of handpiece according to the present invention; Figure 4 shows a front view of the handpiece shown in Figure 3 but with the cap removed; Figure 5 shows a cross sectional view of the head of the cosmetic thermal therapy device of Figure 3; Figure 5A shows a cross sectional view of the side of the head of Figure Figure 6 shows an alternative handpiece according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6A shows a cross section of the nose cone area of the handpiece shown in Figure 6; Figure 7 shows a rear view of the controller box shown in Figure 1 particularly showing the various connections; and Figure 8 shows an arrangement where the laser diodes are mounted within the controller box and a fibre optic cable is used.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Now looking at Figure 1 it will be seen that the cosmetic thermal therapy device of this embodiment comprises a controller box 1, a handpiece and an electrical connection between the controller box and the handpiece.

Looking in detail at the controller box it will be seen that the controller box has a first display and a second display 7 with switches generally shown as 9 as will be discussed later.

A first output socket 11 provides output for a high power laser and a second output socket 13.provides the output for a low power laser therapy device. The sockets 11 and 13 are different so that a handpiece cord cannot be plugged into the wrong socket. Power input to the controller box 1 is provided in back portion as will be discussed in relation to Figure 7.

The controls to operate the cosmetic thermal therapy device are shown in detail in Figure 1A. On the front panel there is a high power output display 5 and a low power output display 7. Switches 9 include a probe selection button 21, which enables selection of either high power or low power operation of the device. The switches 23 are then used to select the amount of power and the dosage of that power. For instance the screen at present reads a dosage of 50 joules per square cm for a period of 5 seconds in the top line and the bottom line would read the cumulative reading of a laser usage in high power mode.

When the switch 21 is used to select the lower power mode as displayed on display 7 then the switches can be used to select the dosage and type of emission. Using these keys a range of, for instance, 2 to 48 joules per square cm can be selected and continuous wave or variable frequency can be chosen. The screen for instance, shows that X joules per square cm with T as the cumulative dosage given. And the bottom line indicates a Continuous emission.

Figure 2 shows a low power handpiece. The electrical socket on the low power handpiece is arranged to plug into socket 13 in the controller box 1 and the handpiece 32 is at the other end of the connection cord 34. This handpiece will be discussed in detail in relation to Figure 6.

The high power handpiece is illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5. The high power handpiece 3 has a handle 40 and a head 42 an activation switch 44 is provided on the handle. The cord 2 plugs into the back of the handle 40. Onto the head 42 is optionally mounted a cap 46.

The operative face of the handpiece as can be seen in Figure 4 has a front portion 48 with an array of 9 laser diodes 50. These are arranged in a circle of eight diodes with a single diode in the middle. The alignment of these laser diodes is shown in Figures and 5A which are a cross sections along the line of 5 5'of Figure 4. In the cross section shown in Figure 5 it will be seen that the laser diodes 50 are mounted into a mounting plate 52 with the central diode 50a pointing directly at right angles to the plate and the side diodes 50b angled so that they are directed to a notional point 54 at a selected distance 56 in front of the handpiece in use and so that the nine spots are adjacent to form a straight line.

The cap 46 has a frusto-conical body and an aperture 58 at its apex and when the cap 46 is push fitted onto the face of the handpiece the notional focus point of each of the laser diodes is just at the aperture 58 of the cone.

As can be seen in Figure 5A which shows a cross sectional view of the side of the head of Figure 5 the laser beams 53 are directed so that they form a continual line of nine adjacent spots. In an alternative arrangement the central diode 50c may be a visible light red diode and its beam 55 is directed to the centre of the line of spots to assist an operator in directing the laser beam.

This means that optimum treatment will occur at this spot or region. The aperture 54 at the apex 58 may be circular or oval in shape and have a diameter of from 1 to mm and preferably is 14mm long and 1.5 mm wide. Each of the laser diodes 50 has a built in lens so that the laser power from all of the diodes is focused point 54.

By this arrangement a number of relatively cheaper low power laser diodes can be used to provide enough power for instance for hair removal.

The switch 44 is arranged so that after it is pressed the controller arrangement provides power for the required time as set as discussed above independent of activation of the switch 44. This ensures that a correct dosage as set will be supplied.

Figure 6 shows one embodiment of a low power handpiece according the present invention.

This handpiece has a handle 60 and a nose cone 62 into which the laser diode is mounted as shown in the cross section Figure 6A. The handpiece 32 has a switch 34 to enable operation of the low power handpiece in a similar manner to that of the high power handpiece.

It will be noted from the cross section view of Figure 6A that a single laser diode 66 is mounted into the nose cone 62.

The diode may be a visible or infrared diode and may have wattage of 55 milliwatts milliwatts or 1.watt.

Figure 7 shows the back face of the controller box 1 shown in Figure 1. The back face has a mains power input 72 so that the unit may be operated from, for instance, a 240 vault mains for Australia or alternative mains power voltages for other countries. A fuse arrangement 74 is provided to protect the electronic circuitry within the controller box from power surges and the like. As an alternative source a low voltage such as 12 volt power input 76 is provided. This enables the laser device to be operated from a low power supply such as a battery. A key switch 78 is provided to enable security and operation only by trained personnel.

Figure 8 shows an arrangement where the laser diodes are mounted within the controller box and a fibre optic cable is used.

Within the controller box 1 (see Figure 1) there is mounted a carrier 80 for a set of laser diodes 82. The beams from the laser diodes 82 are directed to a single spot 84 and at that spot there is mounted a fibre optic connector 86. Into this connector 86 an be mounted a socket 88 of a fibre optic cable 90. The cable extends to a handpiece (not shown). By this arrangement any excess heat generated by the laser diodes is not generated within the handpiece and the handpiece can then be cooler.

The cosmetic thermal laser therapy devices of the present invention may be used to treat a number of cosmetic conditions including hair removal, cellulite removal, red vein treatment, treatment of lines and wrinkle, acne, treatment of pigmentation, treatment of stretch marks, skin rejuvenation, dermal congestion, old scars, keloid scars, skin inflammation, dermatitis, psoriasis, herpes simplex, alopecia and wound healing.

Claims (33)

1. A cosmetic thermal therapy device comprising a controller and a handpiece, the handpiece being electrically connected to the controller, the handpiece including at least one laser diode and the controller including means to supply power to the laser diode and means to set and vary the power to the laser diode.

2. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 1 wherein the handpiece comprises a main body and a handle extending from the body.

3. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 1 wherein the handle includes a press switch to initiate laser emission from the at least one laser diode.

4. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 1 wherein the or each laser diode comprises a focusing lens.

A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 1 wherein the at least one laser diode has a maximum output power of up to 1 watt.

6. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 1 wherein the handpiece has a single laser diode having a maximum output power of approximately 1W at a wavelength of approximately 810nm.

7. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 1 wherein the handpiece has a plurality of laser diodes each having a maximum power output of approximately 1W at a wavelength of 810nm.

8. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 1 wherein the handpiece has nine laser diodes each having a maximum output power of approximately 1W at a wavelength of 810nm.

9. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 8 wherein the nine laser diodes are arranged in a circle of eight diodes and a central diode.

10. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 10 wherein the handpiece has nine laser diodes each having a maximum output power of approximately 1W at a wavelength of 810nm and the nine laser diodes are arranged in a circle with a central diode visible red diode.

11. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 8 or 10 wherein the nine laser diodes are arranged in the handpiece such that a beam from each in use is directed to a single spot a selected distance from the handpiece.

12. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 8 or 10 wherein the nine laser diodes are arranged in the handpiece such that a beam from each in use is directed to form individual adjacent single spots a selected distance from the handpiece so as to form a line of beams of length of between 9mm to

13. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 11 or 12 wherein the selected distance is in the range of 15 to

14. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 11 or 12 wherein the selected distance is in the range of 17 to

15. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 1 wherein the handpiece comprises an attachment to prevent an operator holding the handpiece closer than a selected distance from a surface to be treated.

16. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 15 wherein the attachment comprises a frusto-conical cap, which mounts to the handpiece, the frusto-conical cap including an aperture at its apex.

17. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 16 wherein the aperture is of a shape selected from circular and having a diameter of from 1 to 15 mm.

18. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 16 wherein the aperture is oval and having a length of from 9 to 15 mm and a width of from 1 to 3 mm.

19. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 1 wherein the handpiece comprises an indicator light to indicate activation of the laser diodes.

A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 1 wherein the controller comprises a mains supply power input.

21. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 1 wherein the controller comprises a low voltage such as a battery power input.

22. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 1 wherein the controller comprises separate outputs for low power and high power laser diodes.

23. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 1 wherein the means to set and vary the power to the laser diode comprises operator activated means to select an output power and an output time.

24. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 23 wherein the output power is set as a fraction of the possible output power of the or each laser.

A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 1 wherein the handpiece includes a press switch to initiate laser emission from the at least one laser diode and the means to supply power to the laser diode is activated by the press switch and thereby supplies power to the laser diode in an amount and .time as set by the means to set and vary the power to the laser diode and subsequently automatically switches off supply of power to the laser diode.

26. A cosmetic thermal therapy device as in Claim 1 wherein the controller comprises an audible warning device to indicate the duration of supply of power to the laser diode.

27. A handpiece for a cosmetic therapy device comprising a main body and a handle extending from the body, the handpiece comprising nine laser diodes each having a power output of approximately 1W at a wavelength of 810nm and arranged in a circle of eight diodes and a central diode, the nine laser diodes being arranged in the handpiece such that a beam from each in use is directed to a single spot a selected distance from the handpiece.

28. A handpiece for a cosmetic therapy device as in Claim 27 wherein the nine laser diodes are arranged in the handpiece such that a beam from each in use is directed to form individual adjacent single spots a selected distance from the handpiece so as to form a line of beams of length of between 9mm to

29. A handpiece as in Claim 27 wherein the handle includes a press switch to initiate laser emission from the at least one laser diode.

A handpiece as in Claim 27 wherein the or each laser diode comprises a focusing lens.

31. A handpiece as in Claim 27 wherein the selected distance is in the range of 15 to mm.

32. A handpiece as in Claim 21 wherein the handpiece comprises an attachment to prevent an operator holding the handpiece closer than a selected distance from a surface to be treated.

33. A handpiece as in Claim 26 wherein the attachment comprises a frusto-conical cap, which mounts to the handpiece, the frusto-conical cap including an aperture at its apex. Joan Pallaras By her Patent Attorneys MADDERNS 1 4z-}'X