Optical Sensor and Method for Identifying the Presence of Skin

• US 20090125006A1
• Filed: 08/18/2008
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Channel Investments, LLC
• Original Assignee: SpectraGenics, Inc. (Channel Investments, LLC)
• Inventors: Island, Tobin C., Grove, Robert E., Weckwerth, Mark V.
• Granted Patent: US 8,777,935 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/203 applying laser energy to the outside of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00057 Light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00061 spectrum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00066 intensity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00172 Pulse trains, bursts, intermittent continuous operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00005 Cooling or heating of the probe or tissue immediately surrounding the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00452 Skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00476 Hair follicles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2261 with scattering, diffusion or dispersion of light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 for measuring contact or contact pressure

Abstract

A sensor for detecting the presence of skin is disclosed, one configuration of which uses multiple light emitting diodes, each of a unique wavelength band, and a broad-band photodetector to measure the remission of light at multiple wavelengths from a material being analyzed. Characteristics of the spectral remission of the material are used to discriminate human skin from materials that are not human skin. Further, an aesthetic medical device utilizing such a sensor in which the device is inhibited from operation if skin has not been detected. The incorporation of a skin sensor improves the safety of devices that emit radiation that otherwise would pose a hazard if not directed onto skin.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A dermatological treatment device comprising a housing having a treatment aperture configured to be placed against a surface;

a source of treatment radiation contained within said housing and positioned to produce a fluence through said treatment aperture sufficient for at least temporary inhibition of the regrowth of unwanted hair; and

a skin sensor responsive to sensing radiation remitted from the surface at one or more wavelengths specificallv indicative of skin and which inhibits delivery of treatment radiation if the skin sensor detects the absence of skin.

22-25. -25. (canceled)

26. A dermatological treatment device comprising a housing having a treatment aperture configured to be placed against a surface;

a source of treatment radiation contained within said housing and positioned to emit light through said treatment aperture at a level and duration sufficient for the treatment of acne; and

a skin sensor responsive to sensing radiation remitted from the surface at one or more wavelengths specifically indicative of skin and which inhibits delivery of treatment radiation if the skin sensor detects the absence of skin.

27. A dermatological treatment device used for the treatment of acne comprising, a skin sensor responsive to sensing radiation remitted from the surface at one or more wavelengths specificallv indicative of skin;

a light source producing light primarily in a wavelength band of 400 to 450 nm; and

an output window through which the light is emitted and which is configured to contact an epidermis of a subject undergoing treatment when the light is emitted through the output window; and

wherein the light has an intensity of at least 100 mW/cm² at an emitting surface of the output window; and

further wherein heat conduction through the output window is such that a temperature rise produced in the epidermis by the light is reduced by the contact between the epidermis and the output window, and light emission from the light source is inhibited when the skin sensor indicates an absence of skin at the output window.

28. (canceled)

29. A dermatological treatment device comprising a housing having a treatment aperture configured to be placed against a surface;

a source of treatment radiation contained within said housing and positioned to emit a fluence through said aperture sufficient for the repigmentation of skin; and

a skin sensor responsive to sensing radiation remitted from the surface at one or more wavelengths specifically indicative of skin and which inhibits delivery of treatment radiation if the skin sensor detects the absence of skin.

30-38. -38. (canceled)