Method and device for treatment of skin conditions
First Claim
1. A method for improving the appearance of a region of skin by means of conducting the steps of providing an illuminating device, and operating the illuminating device to direct light radiation on to the region of skin, wherein during a period of at least 100 ms, said region receives light energy from the illuminating device of at least 0.01 Jcm−
- 2, the light energy so delivered in any given period of 10 μ
s is less than 0.5 Jcm−
2, and the light energy so delivered in any given period of 100 ms is less than 5 Jcm−
2.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Method and device for treatment of skin conditions A method and apparatus for improving the cosmetic appearance of a region of skin 11 affected by Acne Vulgaris, Rosacea or similar skin condition by means of directing light radiation 12 from an illuminating device 1 on to the skin 11. The apparatus 10 comprises a control unit 9 that operates one or more LEDs 7 (light emitting diodes) of the illuminating device 1. Each dose of light radiation 12 lasts for at least 100 ms, during which time the skin 11 receives light energy from the LED(s) 7, which causes a photochemical reaction that stimulates the production of free radicals (singlet oxygen) that react with, and at least partially disable or destroy, bacteria that contribute to the symptoms of the skin condition. The light energy directed on to the skin 11 during any given period of 10 μs is less than 0.5 Jcm−2, and during any given period of 100 ms is less than 5 Jcm−2. Substantially no beneficial photo-thermal reaction occurs within the skin 11. Light having wavelengths around 405 nm and/or 585 nm is used. The duration of a single dose may be much longer than 100 ms and can last up to 10 hours (for overnight treatment).
-
Citations
34 Claims
-
1. A method for improving the appearance of a region of skin by means of conducting the steps of
providing an illuminating device, and operating the illuminating device to direct light radiation on to the region of skin, wherein during a period of at least 100 ms, said region receives light energy from the illuminating device of at least 0.01 Jcm− - 2,
the light energy so delivered in any given period of 10 μ
s is less than 0.5 Jcm−
2, andthe light energy so delivered in any given period of 100 ms is less than 5 Jcm−
2. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- 2,
-
17. A method for treating the skin condition Acne Vulgaris, the method including the steps of
providing one or more light emitting diodes, and operating said one or more light emitting diodes to direct light radiation on to a region of skin affected by Acne Vulgaris, wherein during a single dose lasting at least 100 ms, said region receives light energy from said one or more light emitting diodes of at least 0.01 Jcm− - 2, and
the light energy causes a photochemical reaction in said region that stimulates the production of free radicals that react with, and at least partially disable or destroy, bacteria that contribute to the symptoms of Acne Vulgaris. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
- 2, and
-
21. An apparatus for the treatment of a skin condition comprising
an illuminating device, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the illuminating device, wherein the illuminating device is so arranged and configured that it is able in use to emit light radiation of an energy and wavelength profile sufficient to cause a photochemical reaction within an area of skin affected by a skin condition, which reaction would result in agents causing the skin condition being at least partially disabled or destroyed, and the control unit and illuminating device are so arranged and configured that the control unit is able in use to cause the illuminating device to direct light radiation on to an area within a distance of no more than 1000 mm from the illuminating device such that: -
the light energy received at said area during a period of at least 100 ms is at least 0.01 Jcm−
2,the light energy received at said area in any given period of 10 μ
s is less than 0.5 Jcm−
2, andthe light energy so delivered in any given period of 100 ms is less than 5 Jcm−
2, wherebythe apparatus may be used to treat the skin condition. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
-
33. An apparatus for the treatment of Acne Vulgaris comprising
one or more light emitting diodes, and a microprocessor for controlling the operation of said one or more light emitting diodes, wherein said microprocessor and said one or more light emitting diodes are so arranged and configured that said one or more light emitting diodes are able in use to deliver a dose of light radiation onto a surface during a period of at least 100 ms, such that the surface receives during said dose light energy of at least 0.01 Jcm− - 2, the light so delivered including radiation having a wavelength in the range of 350 nm and 700 nm, whereby
the apparatus may be used to treat a region of skin affected by the condition Acne Vulgaris by causing a photochemical reaction in said region that stimulates the production of free radicals that react with, and at least partially disable or destroy, bacteria that contribute to the symptoms of Acne Vulgaris. - View Dependent Claims (34)
- 2, the light so delivered including radiation having a wavelength in the range of 350 nm and 700 nm, whereby
Specification