Home use device and method for treating skin conditions
First Claim
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1. A device for treating a region of intact living skin having a surface and an epidermal/dermal junction, comprising:
- an energy source;
a treatment head comprising an electrical resistance heater, a treatment tip having an area of between 0.2 cm2 and 9 cm2 configured to be placed against a skin surface, and a layer of electrically insulating but thermally conducting material in thermal contact with the treatment head, wherein the treatment head is configured to provide a thermal energy pulse at the treatment tip responsive to energy provided by the energy source; and
a controller that cooperates with the energy source to provide sufficient energy to the electrical resistance heater to heat the treatment tip and thereby create the energy pulse with the treatment head, wherein the controller controls and limits the energy provided to the electrical resistance heater such that the energy is provided to the electrical resistance heater to create an energy pulse having a duration of no more than 100 sec, and the energy pulse delivers an average energy density of 5 J/cm2 or less from the treatment tip, and heats the treatment tip to a temperature of at least 50 degrees Celsius.
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Abstract
Skin tissue is subjected to thermal energy that creates heating of the area being treated causing pores and follicle ducts to open so that excess oil, sebum, fatty deposits, or other unwanted deposits can be removed. A vacuum device is used to direct suction to the treated skin area helping to remove the unwanted deposits. Patterned thermal modification of tissue is used to expedite healing and minimize pain. The heating is controlled so that no skin tissue is damaged while still providing enough heat to the skin to alter the flow of sebum and destroy bacteria in the treated area.
23 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A device for treating a region of intact living skin having a surface and an epidermal/dermal junction, comprising:
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an energy source; a treatment head comprising an electrical resistance heater, a treatment tip having an area of between 0.2 cm2 and 9 cm2 configured to be placed against a skin surface, and a layer of electrically insulating but thermally conducting material in thermal contact with the treatment head, wherein the treatment head is configured to provide a thermal energy pulse at the treatment tip responsive to energy provided by the energy source; and a controller that cooperates with the energy source to provide sufficient energy to the electrical resistance heater to heat the treatment tip and thereby create the energy pulse with the treatment head, wherein the controller controls and limits the energy provided to the electrical resistance heater such that the energy is provided to the electrical resistance heater to create an energy pulse having a duration of no more than 100 sec, and the energy pulse delivers an average energy density of 5 J/cm2 or less from the treatment tip, and heats the treatment tip to a temperature of at least 50 degrees Celsius. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A device comprising:
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a hand-holdable housing; an energy source, wherein the energy source comprises a battery and a capacitor; a heating element comprising a resistive heater and a treatment tip, wherein the treatment tip comprises a diameter of between 0.2 mm and 10 cm; wherein the capacitor is configured to have a discharge capacity sufficient to provide a thermal energy pulse from the treatment tip of between 0.5 J/cm2 and 5 J/cm2, and to heat the treatment tip to a temperature of at least 50 degrees Celsius; and a controller configured to trigger the capacitor to release its discharge capacity to the heating element. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A device for treating a region of intact living skin having a surface and an epidermal/dermal junction, comprising:
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an energy source; a treatment head comprising a thermal heater, a treatment tip comprising a layer of thermally conducting material in thermal contact with the thermal heater and comprising a diameter between 0.2 mm and 10 cm configured to be placed against a skin surface, wherein the treatment head is configured to provide a thermal energy pulse at the treatment tip responsive to energy provided by the energy source; and a controller that cooperates with the energy source to provide sufficient energy to the thermal heater to heat the treatment tip and thereby create the energy pulse with the treatment head, wherein the controller controls and limits the energy provided by the energy source such that the energy is provided to the thermal heater to create an energy pulse having a duration of no more than 100 sec, and the energy pulse delivers an average energy density of 5 J/cm2 or less from the treatment tip, and heats the treatment tip to a temperature of at least 50 degrees Celsius. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification