FR2804858A1 - Computer aided laser applicator and control unit for removal of skin hair roots - Google Patents

Abstract

The beam applicator (3) is connected to a central control panel and is fitted with a skin sensor (4) integrating: (a) micro-camera (5) connected by a coaxial cable to a screen (7) and to a computer (8), containing an image processing program and image data memory; laser terminal (9) emitting a hair root destroying beam (a), connected by a fiber optic (10) to a laser beam generator in the control unit; a fiber optic (11) which illuminates the treated skin zone : The stored images are for analysis by a specialist so that hair removal data can be personalized for a patient. The view axis of the camera, the root destroying ray axis and illuminating ray axis converge at the center (O) of the sensor . On the condition that the sensor has been placed on the skin at an adequate position and control parameters have been set by the computer. The operator can trigger the root destroying beam. The unit also includes an air jet ferrule which emits pressurized computer controlled air. The jet of air is automatically triggered when the skin sensor is lifted from the skin after root destruction. The ferrule is connected to a pressure pump fitted in the control unit, the air jet being used to remove particles from the treated zone. Another ferrule (14) sprays a predetermined disinfectant product, dependent upon the type of skin, onto the treated area.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for the depilation of the human body of the type being effected by means of a laser beam intended to be used for depilation of the human body. to eliminate or atrophy the root of the hair individually.

At present, this type of hair removal is carried out by scanning the area to be depilated, without taking into account the nature of the skin of the patient, causing more or less serious burns, or irreversible stains, essentially caused in that the power of the laser beam is not adapted to the skin of the patient.

In addition, in terms of hygiene and safety, no precautions are currently taken to prevent infections by antiseptic skin treatment after hair removal depending on the skin of the patient.

In fact, disadvantages of current laser hair removal devices are mainly due to the fact that the destruction of the hairs of a patient is carried out randomly, without any precautions depending on the nature of the epidermis.

The present invention aims to remedy all of the aforementioned drawbacks and relates, for this purpose, a device for the depilation of the human body of the type being effected by means of a laser beam, elimination or individual atrophy of the root each hair, characterized in that it comprises a mobile applicator connected to a central control panel and equipped with a sensor incorporating at least one micro-camera connected by a coaxial cable to a display screen located on the desk, thus to a computer, via software programmed for the storage and computer processing of images perceived by said micro-camera for storage for subsequent needs and / or analysis by a specialist, afi of. customize hair removal according to the patient; a laser terminal emitting a destructive or atrophic ray and which is connected by an optical fiber to a laser body disposed in the desk; an optical fiber emitting at its end a light beam capable of illuminating the area to be treated; the micro-camera shooting axis, the destructive ray and the light beam converging on the skin at the center 0 of the sensor, in order to allow, on a given point corresponding to a hair, its aim by the light beam, its image shooting in the axis of shooting and finally its destruction by the laser beam, after control of the parameters by the computer and triggering by an operator, provided that the sensor is in place against the skin and in an adequate position.

It is understood that with such a device, whose operation is previously programmed by the software, previously known disadvantages are eliminated because all the operations performed by the operator and orders given by the latter are controlled.

In fact, the computer only allows the epilation operation if a number of parameters that will be described later are recognized by him, before the device is started.

The micro-camera, which is placed in the applicator, makes it possible to follow in an amplified manner, on the screen, all the epilating operation, and also makes it possible to store images that can be processed by computer science, and the imagery thus obtained can be analyzed by a dermatologist or a specialist in medical image analysis. Also, the reproduction of these still images can be provided on all media such as paper, sensitive surfaces, thermal images. An additional advantage of such a device is to allow, through a preliminary session of hair removal and an analysis of the imagery obtained, to adapt the depilation to each patient, and for each of them to define the power and the time of start-up of the laser, the time of exposure of the skin to the destructive ray, as well as to define subsequent antiseptic treatment to be applied to the skin immediately after each application of the laser. According to another characteristic of the invention, each time the applicator is removed from the skin, the shaved part is immediately cleaned with an air jet and then receives an aerosol treatment adapted also to the patient and directly injected the treated area. The hair removal becomes personalized, safe and hygienic. In addition, the database created in the software will also allow for the same patient, laser sessions, although staggered over several weeks, to be perfectly identical or can be rehabilitated according to medical advice.

The present invention also relates to features which. will come out in the course of the description which follows and who. should be considered in isolation or in all their possible technical combinations.

This description, given by way of nonlimiting example, will better understand how the invention can be made, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows in perspective the entire depilation device according to the invention, constituted a central control panel and an applicator connected to it; Figure 2 shows on an enlarged scale and in longitudinal section an applicator according to the invention; Figure 3 is a bottom view of the applicator according to Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV of Figure 2.

The depilatory device 1, designated as a whole in FIG. 1, consists of a central control panel 2 and a mobile applicator 3 connected to it. The mobile applicator 8 is equipped with a sensor-4 integrating at least one micro-camera connected by a coaxial cable 6 to a display screen 7 located on the desk 2, as well as to a computer 8 via a computer. software (not shown) programmed for the storage and computer processing of images perceived by said micro-camera 5 for storage for subsequent needs and / or analysis by a specialist, in order to personalize the hair removal in patient forensics.

The device also comprises a laser terminal 9 emitting a destructive or atrophying radius "a" and which is connected by an optical fiber 10 to a laser body (not shown) disposed in the desk 2.

The device further comprises an optical fiber 11 emitting at its end a light beam "b" capable of illuminating the area to be treated.

In fact and according to a first essential characteristic of the invention, the axis "c" of the micro-camera 5, the destructive ray "a" and the light beam "b", converge on the skin in the center 0 sensor 4 to allow, a given point corresponding to a hair, its aim the light beam "b", its image in the "c" shooting and, finally, its destruction by the laser beam " a ", and this after control of the parameters by the computer 8 and triggering by an operator, provided however that the sensor is in place against the skin and in a suitable position.

The desk 2 is advantageously mounted on wheels to facilitate its movement, and the screen 7 is arranged at its upper part and retransmits amplified images captured by the microcomputer computer 8, located in the desk 2, control the set of operations.

Another advantage of the invention consists in the fact that the destructive laser beam "a" can have variable characteristics such as intensity, degree of energy, exposure time, continuous or burst mode of operation, and the diameter. For example, the radius "a" of the destructive laser can vary from 1 mm to 8 mm in diameter, these measurements not being limiting. The characteristics of the laser beam can be adapted according to each patient, each type of skin, hair, pigmentation ...

With regard to the software, it allows the processing and analysis of the imagery, the modification of the parameters of the laser light beam characteristics, the creation of a data bank, the control of the smooth operation of the laser in the only correct position of the applicator 3, that is to say the sensor 4, against the skin.

This is an additional safety for the patient and the operator, the laser beam "a" being triggered only in the correct position of the applicator 2.

 Also, several computer programs specially programmed and adapted to each function could be used therefore for a software by function. According to another characteristic of the invention, the applicator 2 further comprises, near the sensor 4, a nozzle 12 for supplying air under pressure, controlled by the computer 8, automatically triggering an air jet. or a suction of air when raising said sensor 4 of the skin after destruction of the hair, which end is connected via a pipe 13 to a pressure pump ._ (noz. @ representedE- # s In the console 2, the particles destroyed in the treatment zone are cleaned.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the applicator 2 further comprises, near the sensor 4, a tip 14 for feeding a disinfectant product, controlled by the computer 8, automatically triggering a spraying when the said sensor 4 is lifted from the skin after destruction of the hair, which product, predetermined according to the nature of the skin of the patient, is aerosolized from a storage tank (not shown) located in the desk 2 and brought under pressure through a hollow pipe 15 and a pressure pump (not shown).

In fact, the aerosol treatment is prescribed by a doctor and diagnosed after skin study and initial imaging obtained for each patient. This greatly improves the hygiene issues for patients facing the current hair removal system. It may be an antiseptic treatment, for example According to another characteristic of the invention, a flexible and resistant hollow pipe 16 connects the desk 2 to the applicator 3 and contains: the coaxial cable 6 of the micro-camera 5; the optical fiber 10 of the laser terminal 9; optical fiber <B> It </ B> lighting; the tube 13 for supplying air under pressure; the aerosol product delivery tube.

In addition, under the screen 7, there are two speakers 1'i for interactive work.

In front of the console composed of the screen 7 and the speakers 17 ,. is located a simplified control panel or keyboard 18 interactive with the computer software 8 and whose data appear on the screen 7.

Below, on the front of the desk 2, is located an infrared sensor to allow the connection of the computer 8 with an independent keyboard (not shown) for programming and working with the computer, in the same way conditions only if the keyboard was fixed.

Below the infrared sensor 19 is an ignition panel 20 formed of three safety systems for switching the device on and off. As soon as the hair removal device is turned on, the operator takes in hand the applicator 3, which is deposited in a housing 21 located on the side of the desk 2, when the device is off. The operator then lays the base of the applicator 3, that is to say the sensor 4, is in the form of a ring, against the skin of the patient. If the position is correct for laser operation, the operator presses with it. the tip of the foot on a control pedal (not shown) acting on an electrical contact 22 located in the desk 2. The order is then given to the computer to start hair removal.

When the point hair removal is completed and the applicator 3 is removed from the surface of the skin, the sensor 4 then signals the computer that the hair removal session has ended. Simultaneously, the computer causes 1F -jet. the suction of pressurized air on the area of the epilated skin, as mentioned above.

Immediately thereafter, the aerosol treatment also referred to above, is blown onto the depilated skin.

As an improvement of the invention, part of the housing 23 located inside the sensor is replaced by a transparent material whose nature has no effect on the quality of the laser beam "a". Finally, it should be noted that the entire epilation device 1 is removably connected to the electrical network by an electrical cord connected to a plug located on the desk 2.

Many other modifications may be made to the description that has just been made without departing from the scope of the invention, as, for example, the foot pedal could be replaced by a button placed directly on the applicator 3 , or the trigger could be performed by an interactive voice command with the computer via a microphone.

 The invention can be extended to other fields of medicine and paramedical by increasing the power of the laser by modifying its characteristics in a general manner.

Claims (8)

<U> CLAIMS </ U> 1. Device for the depilation of the human body of the type effected by means of a laser beam, by elimination or individual atrophy of the root of each hair, characterized in that it comprises a mobile applicator (3) connected to a central control panel (2) and equipped with a sensor (4) integrating at least urn m..cxo =, camera) (`@) r: linked by a coaxial cable to a display screen (7) . located on the desk (2), as well as a computer (8), via software programmed for the storage and computer processing of images perceived by said micro-camera (5) in order to their storage for subsequent needs and / or their analysis by a specialist, in order to personalize the depilation according to the patient; a laser terminal (9) emitting a destructive or atrophying "a" ray and is connected by an optical fiber (10) to a laser body disposed in the desk (2); an optical fiber (11) emitting at its end a light beam "b" capable of illuminating the area to be treated; the "c" axis of shooting of the micro-camera (5), the destructive ray "a" and the light beam "b" converging on the skin at the center 0 of the sensor (4), in order to allow, on a given point corresponding to a hair, its target by the light beam "b", its image taken in the axis "c" of shooting and, finally, its destruction by the laser beam "a", after control parameters by the computer (8) and trigger by an operator, provided that the sensor (4) is in place against the skin and in a suitable position. 2. Device according to the claim characterized in that the applicator (2) further comprises, near the sensor, a. tip. (12) of air pressure control air intake (8c.) Automatically releasing a jet of air when, 1. 'raises said sensor (4) of the skin after disruption of the hair which tip is connected by means of a pipe (13) to a pressure pump located in a desk, for cleaning the destroyed particles in the treatment area. 3. Device according to claim 1 or characterized in that the applicator (2) comprises, besides, proximity of the sensor (4), a tip (14) for bringing a disinfectant product, computer controlled, automatically triggering spray when said sensor (4) is lifted from the skin after destruction of the hair, which product, predetermined according to the nature of the patient's skin, is aerosolized from a storage tank located in the desk (2) and brought under pressure via a hollow pipe (15) and a pressure pump. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a flexible hose and resistant (16) connects the desk (2) to the applicator (3) and contains: the coaxial cable (6) the micro-camera (5); the optical fiber (1U) of the laser terminal 9); the optical fiber (11) for lighting; the tube for supplying (13) pressurized air; the tube (15) for supplying an aerosol product 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the final order of destruction of the laser hair is effected by the iiterrii & d area of the sensor after that .-- .-. on the skin, given by the o. @ c-x - @ -.eu:. p ir @. @ ..,. : .. @ z on a foot control (not shown) on an electrical contact (22) located in (12). 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the computer (8) is located in the desk (2) which comprises a control panel or keyboard (18), interactive with the software of said computer ( 8) and whose data appears on the screen (7. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an infrared sensor (19) is placed at the front of the console (2) to allow the connection of the computer (8) with a keyboard independent for programming and working with the computer (8). 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the console (2) further comprises two speakers (17) for interactive work.