APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TREATING CELLULITE BY COMBINING EXERCISE WITH THE APPLICATION OF LIGHT ENERGY

• US 20080208296A1
• Filed: 10/20/2006
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cellufocus Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cellufocus Incorporated
• Inventors: Andersen, Scot N., Smith, Doug, Smith, Gary H.
• Application Number:
  US11/551,602
• Publication Number:
  US 20080208296A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/89
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2600/10 for sport activities
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 27/085 Luminous ornaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0645 Applicators worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0655 Tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 Skin treatment other than tanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00 Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/00 Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements force-resisting aspects A63B21/00; for particular parts of the body, e.g. to strengthen particular limbs or muscles A63B23/00; electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2213/001 with radiation therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights

Abstract

Exercise by a person coupled with illuminating cellulite-containing tissue of a person with light produced by a semi-conductor light source reduces cellulite in such tissue. Methods and systems for reducing cellulite may employ light from a light source comprising a semi-conductor material coupled with exercise equipment. Clothing may be provided that incorporates the light source. Clothing may alternatively have increased transmissiveness in areas adjacent to cellulite-containing tissue. A light activating composition may increase the effectiveness of cellulite reduction.

Claims

1. A method for reducing cellulite comprising:

performing an exercise; and

illuminating cellulite-containing tissue using light produced by a light source comprising a semiconductor material.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the exercise is performed using exercise equipment, the exercise equipment comprising at least one of:

a treadmill;

a stationary bicycle;

a stair stepping device;

an elliptical glider;

a free weight exercise device;

or

a resistance weight exercise device.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the light source comprises at least one of:

a light source comprising silicon;

a laser;

or

a laser diode.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the light includes light of multiple substantially defined spectra.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein a person exercising is exercising in a substantially upright position such that the person'"'"'s thighs, buttocks, and hips are substantially exposed to the light without substantial obstruction.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein a person performing the exercise is wearing clothing, the clothing comprising:

a first portion including a first material; and

a second portion adjacent to the cellulite-containing tissue and including a second material, wherein the second material is more transmissive to the light than the first material.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein a person performing the exercise is wearing clothing, the clothing comprising:

a removed portion adjacent to the cellulite-containing tissue.

8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

applying to skin of the cellulite-containing tissue a composition that increases reception of the light.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the composition comprises at least one of:

a colorant;

a pigment;

a chemical receptor;

ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA);

or

a selected pH for enhancing reception of the light.

14. A system for reducing cellulite comprising means for performing the method of claim 1.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the system comprises exercise equipment which comprises at least one of:

a treadmill;

a stationary bicycle;

a stair stepping device;

an elliptical glider;

a free weight exercise device;

or

a resistance weight exercise device.

19. A system according to claim 14, wherein the light source forms part of a piece of clothing.

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. Clothing for use in reducing cellulite, comprising:

a fabric;

a light source comprising a semiconductor material, attached to the fabric, and configured to illuminate cellulite-containing tissue of a person wearing the clothing.

22. Clothing according to claim 21, wherein the light source comprises at least one of silicon, a light emitting diode, or a laser.

23. Clothing according to claim 21, wherein the light source comprises an array of light sources incorporated with, or attached to, the clothing.

24. Clothing according to claim 21, wherein the array of light sources are located within the clothing to illuminate the thigh, buttocks, or hips areas of a person wearing the clothing.

25. Clothing according to claim 21, further comprising an activation composition incorporated into the fabric.

26. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. Equipment for reducing cellulite, comprising:

exercise equipment, comprising;

a treadmill;

a stationary bicycle;

a stair stepping device;

an elliptical glider;

a free weight exercise device;

or

a resistance weight exercise device; and

an illumination source, the illumination source being disposed so as to illuminate the buttocks and/or thigh of a person using the exercise equipment.

32. Equipment according to claim 31, further comprising structure supporting the illumination support, wherein the structure is structurally connected to the exercise equipment.

33. Equipment according to claim 31, further comprising clothing supporting the illumination source, wherein the clothing supports the illumination source at a location adjacent to the buttocks and/or thigh of the person using the exercise equipment.