Artificial Intelligence for Improved Skin Firming

Abstract

A system (20) includes a plurality of electrodes (28), one or more radio frequency (RF) generators (30), and a controller (36). The controller is configured to treat the skin of a user (22) using one or more decision rules in response to a plurality of determined values ​​of at least one parameter by iteratively: determining at least one corresponding value of the determined values; identifying a treatment setting from among a plurality of treatment settings by applying at least one of the decision rules to the determined values; and causing the RF generator to generate one or more RF currents to pass through the skin between at least some of the electrodes in accordance with the identified treatment setting. The controller is further configured to modify at least one of the decision rules in response to the determined values. Other embodiments are also described.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 683,070, filed on June 11, 2018, entitled “Constant RF energy density for skintightening-therapeutic method and apparatus,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of cosmetics and, in particular, to the treatment of the skin.

[0004] background

[0005] U.S. Patent 8,700,176 describes a skin treatment device and system for delivering radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic energy to the skin. The device includes one or more electromagnetic RF generating units, multiple RF electrode groups, and a controller for controllably applying RF energy to the skin through any selected RF electrode group or any selected RF electrode group combination selected from multiple groups. The electrodes can be fixed and / or movable electrodes. Different RF frequencies and / or frequency bands can be used. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a system is provided, comprising a plurality of electrodes, one or more radio frequency (RF) generators, and a controller. The controller is configured to treat the skin of a user using one or more decision rules in response to a plurality of determined values ​​of at least one parameter by iteratively performing the following operations: determining at least one corresponding value of the determined values; identifying a treatment setting from among a plurality of treatment settings by applying at least one of the decision rules to the determined values; and causing the RF generator to generate one or more RF currents to pass through the skin between at least some of the electrodes according to the identified treatment setting. The controller is also configured to modify at least one of the decision rules in response to the determined values.

[0008] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to modify at least one of the decision rules using artificial intelligence.

[0009] In some embodiments, a different respective one of the RF generators is connected to each of the electrodes.

[0010] In some embodiments,

[0011] The electrodes include at least three electrodes, at least one pair of electrodes being spaced farther apart from each other than another pair of electrodes,

[0012] The treatment settings specify the corresponding group of electrodes for activation, and

[0013] The controller is configured to cause the RF generator to generate RF current for delivery between a set of electrodes designated for activation by the identified therapy setting.

[0014] In some embodiments, at least some of the treatment settings are designated for activation of different respective ones of the groups.

[0015] In some embodiments,

[0016] The treatment settings further specify respective sets of phases, at least some of the treatment settings specifying different respective sets in the set for the same group in the set, and

[0017] The controller is configured to cause the RF generator to generate RF current to be delivered between the set of electrodes by causing the RF generator to apply corresponding RF signals to the set of electrodes, the RF signals respectively having a set of phases specified by the identified therapy setting.

[0018] In some embodiments, the system further comprises a surface shaped to define a track,

[0019] At least one of the electrodes is movable along the track,

[0020] At least some of the treatment settings specify different respective inter-electrode spacings, and

[0021] The controller is configured to cause the RF generator to generate RF current to be delivered between at least some of the electrodes according to the identified treatment setting by:

[0022] moving the movable electrode along the track such that the movable electrode and another of the electrodes are spaced apart from each other by an inter-electrode spacing specified by the identified treatment setting, and

[0023] After the movable electrode is moved, the RF generator is caused to generate an RF current to be transmitted between the movable electrode and the other of the electrodes.

[0024] In some embodiments,

[0025] The decision rules are represented by mappings of multiple domains of parameters to treatment settings,

[0026] The controller is configured to identify the therapy setting by identifying the domain to which the determined value belongs, and

[0027] The controller is configured to modify at least one of the decision rules by modifying at least one boundary of at least one of the domains.

[0028] In some embodiments,

[0029] The domains are associated with different corresponding eigenvalues, and

[0030] The controller is configured to modify the boundaries of at least one of the domains by:

[0031] modifying a characteristic value of at least one of the domains based on those of the determined values ​​belonging to at least one of the domains, and

[0032] Boundaries are set in response to a modified characteristic value of at least one of the domains.

[0033] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to set the boundary equidistant from (i) the modified characteristic value of at least one of the domains and (ii) the characteristic value of another of the domains adjacent to the at least one of the domains.

[0034] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to modify a characteristic value of at least one of the domains by:

[0035] calculating the mean of those determined values ​​that belong to at least one of the domains, and

[0036] Set the eigenvalue to the weighted average of (i) the eigenvalue and (ii) the mean.

[0037] In some embodiments,

[0038] The determined value is a first determined value, and

[0039] The domain includes a plurality of skin region domains corresponding to respective skin regions,

[0040] Each of the skin area domains corresponds to a respective skin area of ​​the skin areas by virtue of having been defined based on the second determined value of the parameter associated with the skin areas.

[0041] In some embodiments, the skin region includes the cheeks and forehead.

[0042] In some embodiments, the domains further include one or more incorrect electrical contact domains corresponding to different respective states of the electrode not making proper electrical contact with the skin, and the controller is further configured to:

[0043] Determine another value for the parameter,

[0044] Determine that the other value belongs to one of the incorrect electrical contact domains, and

[0045] In response to determining that the other value falls within the domain of incorrect electrical contact, treatment of the skin is discontinued.

[0046] In some embodiments, the state includes a state in which the electrode does not have any electrical contact with the skin.

[0047] In some embodiments, the state includes a state in which the electrode is in electrical contact with the skin but is not in electrical contact with the skin via a gel layer having a thickness within a predefined range.

[0048] In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to generate an output indicative of a state corresponding to an improper electrical contact domain.

[0049] In some embodiments, the system further comprises a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the skin and generate a temperature sensor output in response thereto, the determined value comprises a temperature value of the temperature, and the controller is configured to determine the temperature value in response to the temperature sensor output.

[0050] In some embodiments, the system further includes a current sensor configured to measure at least some of the RF current and to generate an output in response thereto, and the controller is configured to determine the determined value in response to the output.

[0051] In some embodiments, the determined values ​​include current property values ​​of properties of at least some of the RF currents.

[0052] In some embodiments, the system further includes a voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage associated with at least some of the RF current and to generate a voltage sensor output in response thereto, and the controller is configured to determine the determination value in response to the voltage sensor output.

[0053] In some embodiments, the determined value includes a voltage property value of a property of a voltage.

[0054] In some embodiments, the determined value includes an impedance value of the impedance of the skin.

[0055] In some embodiments,

[0056] The controller is further configured to cause the RF generator to generate a pre-treatment current to pass through the skin between any pair of electrodes prior to treating the skin, and

[0057] The controller is configured to determine an initial determination value among the determination values ​​based on the pre-therapy current.

[0058] In some embodiments, the system further comprises a server configured to communicate with the controller via a computer network, and the server and the controller are configured to collaboratively perform a process comprising the following steps:

[0059] comparing the amount derived from the determined value to a baseline amount, and

[0060] In response to the comparison, an output is generated to a user.

[0061] In some embodiments, the output includes a message indicating a property of the skin.

[0062] In some embodiments, the output includes recommendations for skin care products.

[0063] According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is also provided a method, the method comprising treating the skin of a user using one or more decision rules in response to a plurality of determined values ​​of at least one parameter by iteratively performing the following operations: determining at least one corresponding value of the determined values; identifying a treatment setting from among a plurality of treatment settings by applying at least one of the decision rules to the determined values; and passing one or more radio frequency (RF) currents through the skin between at least some of the plurality of electrodes according to the identified treatment setting. The method also comprises modifying at least one of the decision rules in response to the determined values.

[0064] The present invention will be more fully understood through the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for treating the skin of a user according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0067] Figure 2-3 is a schematic diagram of a technique for treating a user's skin according to various treatment settings, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0068] Figure 4A is a flow chart of an iterative method for treating skin according to some embodiments of the present invention; and

[0069] Figure 4B is a flow chart for post-treatment processing according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0070] Detailed description of implementation plan

[0071] Overview

[0072] When the dermis of the skin is heated to about 50-52°C, the collagen fibers in the dermis are remodeled, thereby tightening the skin. Therefore, some skin tightening technologies involve heating the skin by applying RF energy to the skin. The RF energy can be applied, for example, using a handheld treatment head including a pair of electrodes. Specifically, RF current can be passed between the pair of electrodes while the electrodes are in contact with the skin, so that the RF current penetrates the skin.

[0073] In general, the depth of penetration of each RF current is an increasing function of the distance between the electrodes. For example, the penetration depth of a pair of cylindrical electrodes may be approximately half the distance between the pair of electrodes. Therefore, when using the same RF device to tighten multiple areas of the skin, one challenge is that the depth of the skin to be treated and therefore the desired penetration depth of the RF current may vary from area to area. For example, while the deepest part of the dermis in the cheek or chin may be between 0.2 mm and 3 mm from the skin surface, the dermis in the forehead may not be deeper than between 0.1 mm and 1 mm. Therefore, a penetration depth suitable for the cheek may be dangerous for the forehead, while a penetration depth suitable for the forehead may be ineffective for the cheek.

[0074] To overcome this challenge, the inter-electrode distance (or "spacing") can be varied according to the depth of the skin. For example, a first pair of electrodes that are spaced a greater distance apart from each other can be used to treat the cheeks, while a second pair of electrodes that are spaced a lesser distance apart from each other can be used to treat the forehead. Alternatively, the distance between a single pair of electrodes can be adjusted according to the depth of the skin by moving one or both of the electrodes.

[0075] The above methods require measuring the depth of the skin during the treatment session, or at least measuring a parameter indicative of the depth. One such parameter is the impedance of the skin; thus, in theory, electrodes can be used to measure the impedance of the skin, and the inter-electrode spacing can be varied based on the measured impedance. However, the impedance of any given area of ​​skin in one user may be different from the impedance of the same area of ​​skin in another user. Moreover, even within a single user, the impedance of any given area of ​​skin may vary over time.

[0076] To address this challenge, in an embodiment of the present invention, a handheld treatment device includes a controller configured to apply RF current according to a specific user-specific decision rule, and to continuously update the decision rule over time using artificial intelligence. Specifically, during a treatment session, the controller repeatedly determines parameter values, such as the impedance of the user's skin. Based on each determined value, the controller uses the decision rule to identify an appropriate treatment setting - including, for example, an appropriate inter-electrode spacing, and then applies one or more RF currents according to the identified treatment setting. After the treatment session, the controller can revise the decision rule based on the determined parameter value.

[0077] For example, for each user, multiple domains of impedance values ​​may be mapped to different respective treatment settings corresponding to different respective areas of the skin, with each pair of adjacent domains bordering each other at respective decision boundaries. Thus, for example, for one particular hypothetical user, an impedance less than 350Ω may be mapped to a treatment setting suitable for the forehead, while an impedance greater than 350Ω may be mapped to another treatment setting suitable for the cheeks. During a treatment session, the controller may identify the domain to which each determined impedance value belongs, and then select the treatment setting to which the domain is mapped. After the treatment session, the controller may modify at least one of the decision boundaries based on the determined impedance values.

[0078] In some embodiments, to modify the decision boundary, the controller first updates the “characteristic impedance” Z of each skin area being treated based on the impedance value of the skin area determined during the treatment session. c In response to the updated characteristic impedances, the controller may set each decision boundary to be equidistant from the respective characteristic impedances of the two skin regions that meet at the decision boundary.

[0079] In some embodiments, to update Z c The controller first calculates the average value Z of the impedance values ​​obtained when treating the skin area a The controller then calculates the current characteristic impedance and Z a The weighted average value of the new characteristic impedance Z c (n) is set equal to α*Z c (n-1)+(1-α)*Z a (n), where α is, for example, between 0.3 and 0.99, such as between 0.85 and 0.95. (In some embodiments, the controller does not update Z unless the skin area is treated for at least a predefined minimum duration, such as one minute, and / or unless a predefined minimum number of impedance values ​​for the skin area are acquired. c . )

[0080] Typically, when a user activates the treatment device, the controller obtains an initial impedance measurement by applying a short RF current (referred to herein as a "prepulse") to the skin. Based on this initial impedance measurement, the controller selects an appropriate treatment setting and begins treatment according to that setting. Subsequently, impedance is periodically measured, for example, with a period of between 0.1 and 1 second, as conventional treatment pulses are applied. Based on each periodic measurement, the controller determines whether to use a different treatment setting.

[0081] Typically, the controller is further configured to identify a situation where the electrodes are not in proper electrical contact with the skin, such as when the treatment device is removed from the skin during a treatment session. In response thereto, the controller may pause or stop the treatment session.

[0082] In general, the impedance of the skin depends on the amount of moisture in the skin. Therefore, in some embodiments, the controller or cloud-based server can identify that the user's skin is dry based on the impedance value of the skin determined during the treatment session. For example, the controller or server can compare the current characteristic impedance of a particular skin area with the baseline characteristic impedance of the same user and / or the baseline characteristic impedance of a group of other users. If the current characteristic impedance deviates from the baseline, a message suggesting the use of a moisturizer may be sent to the user.

[0083] System Description

[0084] First reference Figure 1 , Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system 20 for treating the skin of a user 22 according to some embodiments of the present invention. In general, system 20 may be used to treat any suitable area of ​​skin, such as skin on a cheek 24, forehead 26, another part of the face, arms, legs, or abdomen.

[0085] System 20 includes a handheld skin tightening device 21, which may be made of plastic and / or any other suitable material. Device 21 includes a housing (or "shell") 44 coupled to a treatment head 23. Treatment head 23 (which will be referred to below) Figure 2 The treatment head 40 (described further) includes a plurality of electrodes 28. The electrodes 28 are typically disposed on a distal surface 46 of the treatment head or within holes in the distal surface 46, for example, such that the electrodes protrude from the distal surface 46.

[0086] The housing 44 contains one or more RF generators 30, which are typically connected to the electrodes 28 via wires 29 passing between the housing 44 and the treatment head 23. Typically, the housing 44 further contains a controller (CTRL) 36, a memory 34, and a sensor 32. Typically, the RF generator 30, the controller 36, the memory 34, and the sensor 32, as well as any one or more of the additional components described below, are mounted on an electronic circuit board 42. In some embodiments, two or more of these components are integrated into a single chip. For example, the device 21 may include a chip containing both the controller 36 and the memory 34, such as a chip manufactured by Cypress Semiconductor. TM In some embodiments, memory 34 includes both internal memory integrated with controller 36 as described above and external memory chips.

[0087] Typically, the controller 36 is configured to perform at least some of the functions described herein by executing firmware and / or software code. Alternatively, the functions of the controller 36 may be implemented entirely in hardware.

[0088] To use the device 21, the user 22 first covers the distal surface 46 (or at least the electrodes 28) with a layer of gel having a thickness within a predefined range (such as 2-70 mm). Subsequently, the user operates the treatment head 23 on the user's skin so that the electrodes 28 make electrical contact with the skin via the gel. As the treatment head is operated on the skin, the controller 36 treats the skin of the user 22 with one or more RF currents by causing the RF generator to generate current to pass through the skin between the electrodes based on feedback from the sensor 32 and data from the memory 34.

[0089] More specifically, during and / or immediately after applying at least some of the current, the sensor 32 measures skin or current-related properties and generates an output signal to the controller 36 in response thereto. For example, the sensor 32 may include a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the skin during and / or immediately after applying the current. (Generally speaking, current passing through thinner skin causes a greater increase in temperature relative to current passing through thicker skin.) Alternatively or in addition, the sensor 32 may include a current sensor configured to measure the current applied to the skin. Alternatively or in addition, the sensor 32 may include a voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage associated with the current when the current is applied, such as a voltage at one or more activated electrodes. Alternatively or in addition, the sensor 32 may include a moisture sensor configured to measure the moisture of the skin. Alternatively or in addition, the sensor 32 may include an optical sensor configured to measure optical reflections from the skin, and / or an ultrasonic transducer configured to measure ultrasonic reflections from the skin.

[0090] Based on the output signals from the sensors 32, the controller determines the value of at least one parameter. For example, based on the output from the temperature sensor, the controller can determine the temperature of the skin. Alternatively or additionally, based on the output from the current sensor, the controller can determine properties of the applied current, such as amplitude and / or phase. Alternatively or additionally, based on the output from the voltage sensor, the controller can determine properties of the voltage between the activated electrodes, such as amplitude and / or phase. Alternatively or additionally, based on the output from the aforementioned current sensor and / or voltage sensor, the controller can determine the impedance of the skin; for example, the controller can divide the voltage amplitude measured by the voltage sensor by the current amplitude measured by the current sensor.

[0091] Typically, the parameter values ​​are determined periodically, for example with a period between a few microseconds and one second.

[0092] In response to determining each parameter value, the controller identifies the treatment setting from among the plurality of treatment settings by applying at least one decision rule to the determined value. For example, the controller may input the parameter value into a machine learning model, such as a decision tree or forest, that is configured to select a treatment setting in response to the input by implementing a set of decision rules. Alternatively, the decision rules may be represented by mappings from a plurality of domains of the parameter to the treatment setting, respectively, such that the controller may identify the treatment setting by identifying the domain to which the value belongs. In other words, as described below with reference to Figure 2-3 As further described, the controller may identify the domain to which the determined value belongs and then identify the therapy setting to which the domain is mapped based on the mapping.

[0093] In response to identifying the treatment setting, the controller causes the RF generator to pass one or more RF currents through the skin between the electrodes in accordance with the identified treatment setting. Specifically, if an RF current was already being applied in accordance with the identified treatment setting when the treatment setting was identified, the controller causes the application of the current to continue. (This causation can be active, in that the controller can transmit an appropriate control signal to the RF generator so that the RF generator continues to apply the current, or passive, in that the controller can avoid causing the RF generator to stop applying the current.) Otherwise, if an RF current was applied in accordance with a different treatment setting, the controller stops the application of the current by transmitting an appropriate control signal to the RF generator. Subsequently, or if an RF current was not being applied when the treatment setting was identified, the controller applies a new RF current in accordance with the identified treatment setting by transmitting an appropriate control signal to the RF generator.

[0094] Typically, the peak-to-peak amplitude of each RF current is between 20 and 130 V (e.g., between 40 and 55 V). In some embodiments, the RF current is pulsed, for example, so that the duration of each RF current (which may also be referred to as a "pulse" in these embodiments) is between 1 and 1000 ms. (The amplitude and / or duration of each pulse can be varied to deliver a desired amount of energy to the skin.) Alternatively, a single current can be applied continuously until the next treatment setting is identified or until the treatment session is terminated.

[0095] During or after each treatment session, the controller may modify at least one decision rule in response to the determined parameter value. For example, if the decision rule is implemented in a machine learning model, the controller may retrain the model. Alternatively, as described below with reference to Figure 2-3 As further described, the controller may modify the boundaries of at least one parameter range stored in the memory 34 .

[0096] As an alternative to or in addition to the above components, the device 21 may include any other suitable components, such as a power button or switch, a battery configured to power the device, one or more light emitting diode (LED) indicators, and / or a motion sensor, such as an accelerometer. In response to the motion sensor ceasing to detect movement of the device on the skin, the controller may power off the device, thereby protecting the user's skin from excessive current.

[0097] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , different corresponding RF generators are connected to each electrode.(each RF generator also has a connection to the ground, which is not shown in the figure.) In such an embodiment, each current is generated usually by applying an RF signal to an electrode, and another RF signal is applied to another electrode with the same amplitude but opposite phase.Then the voltage between the pair of electrodes can be determined by measuring the voltage at one of the electrodes and multiplying the voltage by 2.In other embodiments, a single RF generator is connected to all electrodes.As another alternative, a variety of sets of multiple electrodes can be connected to different corresponding RF generators.

[0098] In some embodiments, each RF generator acts as a voltage source in that the RF generator is configured to apply a predetermined voltage. However, since the magnitude of the voltage actually applied may differ from the predetermined magnitude, for example, because a battery powering the device is depleted, the applied voltage may be measured. Similarly, even if the RF generator acts as a current source, the applied current may be measured.

[0099] In some embodiments, the device 21 further includes a communication interface, such as a network interface (not shown), a WiFi interface, and / or a Bluetooth interface. Via the communication interface, the controller can communicate with an external processor, such as a processor belonging to a user's smartphone and / or a processor 39 belonging to a cloud server 38. (Alternatively, the controller can communicate with the processor 39 via the user's smartphone.) At least some of this communication can be exchanged through a suitable computer network 40 (such as the Internet).

[0100] Typically, the server 38 further includes a network interface 37, such as a network interface controller (NIC). Via the network interface 37, the processor 39 can communicate with the device 21, with the user's smartphone, and / or with any number of other devices belonging to other users.

[0101] In general, each processor described herein may be embodied as a single processor or a group of processors that are collaboratively networked or clustered. In some embodiments, as described herein, the function of at least one of the processors is implemented only in hardware, for example, using one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). In other embodiments, the function of each processor is implemented at least in part in software. For example, in some embodiments, each processor is embodied as a programmed digital computing device including at least one central processing unit (CPU) and a random access memory (RAM). The program code and / or data including the software program are loaded into the RAM to be executed and processed by the CPU. The program code and / or data may be downloaded to the processor in electronic form, for example, via a network. Alternatively or in addition, the program code and / or data may be provided and / or stored on a non-temporary tangible medium such as a magnetic, optical or electronic memory. Such program code and / or data may produce a machine or a special-purpose computer when provided to the processor, and the machine or the special-purpose computer may be configured to perform the tasks described herein.

[0102] Treating the skin iteratively

[0103] Reference now Figure 2 , Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of techniques for treating a user's skin according to various treatment settings, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0104] In some embodiments, the skin tightening device comprises at least three electrodes, and at least one pair of electrodes is spaced farther apart from each other than another pair of electrodes. Figure 2 In the particular example embodiment shown, for example, four electrodes protrude from the distal surface 46: a first electrode 28a, a second electrode 28b, a third electrode 28c, and a fourth electrode 28d. Some pairs of these electrodes have a first inter-electrode spacing d1, other pairs have a second inter-electrode spacing d2, d2 being greater than d1, and another pair has a third inter-electrode spacing d3, d3 being greater than d2. (The spacing between the first electrode 28a and the fourth electrode 28d is not explicitly indicated in the figure.) As another merely illustrative example, the first electrode 28a can be spaced d3 from each of the second electrode 28b and the third electrode 28c, the second electrode 28b can be spaced d1 from the third electrode 28c, and the fourth electrode 28d can be spaced d2 from each of the second electrode 28b and the third electrode 28c. (Example values ​​for these distances are 2 mm for d1, 3 mm for d2, and 4 mm for d3.) Alternatively, the electrodes can have any other suitable number and / or can be arranged in any other suitable configuration.

[0105] In such an embodiment, the treatment settings stored in the memory 34 specify the corresponding group of electrodes for activation. For example, the memory may store a mapping from multiple domains of relevant parameters (such as impedance or temperature of the skin) to the corresponding group of electrodes for activation. In response to identifying the treatment setting for each determined parameter value, the controller causes the RF generator to generate one or more currents to pass between the group of electrodes specified for activation by the identified treatment setting.

[0106] Typically, at least some of the treatment settings specify different corresponding groups for activation. For example, Figure 2 The hypothetical mapping in includes four different groups of activated electrodes: (i) domain [x0, x1) is mapped to the group consisting of the first electrode 28a, the second electrode 28b and the third electrode 28c, (ii) domain [x1, x2) is mapped to the group consisting of the first electrode 28a, the third electrode 28c and the fourth electrode 28d, (iii) domain [x2, x3) is mapped to the group consisting of the second electrode 28b and the fourth electrode 28d, and (iv) domains [x3, x4) and [x4, x5) are each mapped to a group consisting of all electrodes.

[0107] In some embodiments, the treatment settings further specify corresponding phase sets, and at least some of the treatment settings specify different corresponding phase sets for the same group of electrodes. In response to identifying the treatment settings, the controller causes the RF generator to apply corresponding RF signals to a group of electrodes specified by the treatment settings, the RF signals respectively having the phase sets specified by the identified treatment settings.

[0108] For example, in Figure 2 , although the domains [x3, x4) and [x4, x5) are mapped to the same group of electrodes, the domains are mapped to different sets of corresponding phases. Specifically, for the domain [x3, x4), the phase of the first electrode 28a and the third electrode 28c is zero, while the second electrode 28b and the fourth electrode 28d have a phase of 180 degrees. (Thus, according to the treatment setting, the RF signal is applied to the electrodes so that the polarity of the first electrode 28a and the third electrode 28c is opposite to the polarity of the second electrode 28b and the fourth electrode 28d.) For the domain [x4, x5), on the other hand, the phase of the first electrode 28a and the fourth electrode 28d is zero, while the phase of the second electrode 28b and the third electrode 28c is 180 degrees.

[0109] Typically, the domain includes a plurality of skin region domains corresponding to respective skin regions, each of the skin region domains corresponding to respective skin regions by virtue of having been defined based on values ​​of parameters associated with the skin regions. For example, one domain may correspond to a cheek by virtue of having been defined based on values ​​of parameters associated with the cheek (such as cheek impedance values). Another domain may correspond to a forehead by virtue of having been defined based on values ​​of parameters associated with the forehead (such as forehead impedance values).

[0110] In some embodiments, the parameter values ​​for defining the skin area domains are collected during a calibration procedure. During this procedure, the user operates the treatment head over the skin areas for which the skin area domains are to be defined. For each of these areas, an RF current is applied to the area while determining the parameter values.

[0111] For example, before using the device for treatment, the user can sequentially operate the treatment head (with the electrodes covered with a gel layer of appropriate thickness) over a plurality of specific skin areas to indicate to the controller (e.g., by pushing a specific button) each transition from one skin area to the next skin area. For each of the skin areas, the controller can determine a plurality of parameter values, and then define the domain of the skin area based on the determined values. For example, for each skin area, the controller can calculate a corresponding characteristic value (CV), for example, by calculating the average value of the determined values ​​(excluding any outliers). The controller can then set the boundaries of the domain so that each boundary between adjacent domains is equidistant from the corresponding characteristic values ​​of the adjacent domains.

[0112] For example, based on a calibration procedure, the controller can calculate the characteristic impedance Z for the user's cheek C , and calculate the characteristic impedance Z for the user's forehead F In response to this, the controller may set (Z) between the cheek domain and the forehead domain. C +Z F ) / 2.

[0113] In other embodiments, values ​​are collected from other suitable user groups. Based on these values, a processor (e.g., processor 39 ( Figure 1 )) defines a set of default skin area domains, which can be loaded into the memory of each skin tightening device during its manufacture.

[0114] In any case, whether the domain is calculated according to a user-specific calibration procedure or according to data obtained from a general population, the boundaries of the domain can be adjusted throughout the useful life of the device, as described further below.

[0115] In some embodiments, the fields in memory 34 further include one or more incorrect electrical contact fields corresponding to different respective states where the electrode is not in proper electrical contact with the skin. In response to determining during treatment that the parameter value falls within the incorrect electrical contact field, the controller stops treating the skin, or pauses treatment until proper electrical contact is restored.

[0116] Typically, at least one of the incorrect electrical contact domains corresponds to a state in which the electrode does not have any electrical contact with the skin. For example, a "gel domain" that may include, for example, an impedance between 550 and 800 Ω may correspond to a state in which the electrode is covered by a gel layer having a thickness within a predefined range but is not in electrical contact with the skin. As another example, an "air domain" that may include, for example, an impedance above 4000 Ω may correspond to a state in which the electrode is not covered by gel and is not in electrical contact with the skin. As another example, a "short circuit domain" that may include, for example, an impedance less than 100 Ω may correspond to a state in which the electrodes are electrically connected to each other via a low resistance conductor (such as a user's watch).

[0117] Alternatively or additionally, one of the domains of incorrect electrical contact may correspond to a state in which the electrode is in electrical contact with the skin but not via a layer of gel having a thickness within a predefined range; in other words, the electrode may be covered by too little or too much gel. As merely illustrative examples, a domain corresponding to skin contact with too little intervening gel may include an impedance between 1800 and 4000 Ω, while a domain corresponding to skin contact with too much intervening gel may include an impedance between 100 and 200 Ω.

[0118] In some embodiments, in response to identifying a condition in which the electrode is not in proper electrical contact with the skin, the controller generates an output indicating the condition. For example, in response to identifying an incorrect amount of gel, the controller may illuminate an appropriate LED indicator to make the user aware that the amount of gel needs to be increased or decreased. Alternatively or in addition, the controller may transmit a message indicating the condition to an external device, such as a server 38 ( Figure 1 ) or the user's smartphone. In response to receiving the message, the external device can generate an output to the user indicating the status and any actions required to resume treatment. For example, in the case of an incorrect amount of gel, the user can be instructed to increase or decrease the amount of gel.

[0119] Each of the incorrect electrical contact domains can be defined by passing an RF current between the electrodes when the electrodes are in an associated state of incorrect electrical contact and determining the value of the associated parameter. Alternatively, at least one of the incorrect electrical contact domains can be defined based on pre-existing data, such as a table of impedance values ​​for different types of materials. In any case, the same set of incorrect electrical contact domains is typically loaded into the memory of each skin tightening device during manufacture of each skin tightening device.

[0120] During each treatment session, the controller may store each determined value belonging to each domain in the memory 34. Subsequently, after the treatment session, based on the stored values, the controller may modify the corresponding feature values ​​of one or more domains. The controller may then reset at least one of the domain boundaries in response to the modified feature values. For example, the controller may set each boundary to be equidistant from the two closest feature values.

[0121] In some embodiments, the controller modifies the feature value of a domain by calculating the mean of the determined values ​​belonging to the domain and then setting the feature value to a weighted average of the (current) feature value and the mean. In other words, given a feature value CV i and the mean value M of the determined value, the controller can convert the new characteristic value CV i+1 Calculated as αCV i +(1-α)M, where α is a suitable constant between zero and one, such as a constant between 0.3 and 0.99 (e.g., between 0.85 and 0.95).

[0122] As an alternative to assigning a single feature value to each domain, the controller may assign multiple feature values ​​to each domain, for example by calculating several local averages of multiple parameter values ​​belonging to the domain. In such an embodiment, the controller may update one or more local averages in response to multiple parameter values ​​determined during the treatment session. Subsequently, the controller may modify the boundary between two adjacent domains by minimizing the sum of the squared distances between the boundary and the local averages in the adjacent domains or using any other suitable technique.

[0123] Reference now Figure 3 , Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another technique for treating a user's skin according to various treatment settings, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0124] In some embodiments, the surface 46 is shaped to define a track 48, and at least one electrode 28e is movable along the track 48 so that the inter-electrode spacing "s" between the electrode 28e and another electrode 28f is adjustable. For example, the movable electrode can be located within the track, wherein the proximal end of the movable electrode located below the surface 46 is screwed onto a screw parallel to the track and coupled to a motor. By rotating the screw using the motor, the controller can move the movable electrode along the track toward or away from the electrode 28f.

[0125] In such an embodiment, at least some of the treatment settings stored in memory 34 specify different respective inter-electrode spacings. Figure 3 Shown for Figure 22, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 1

[0126] Generally speaking, for such an embodiment, the controller can be as described above with reference to Figure 2 The feature values ​​and / or boundaries for the domain are modified as described.

[0127] In some embodiments, treatment tip 23 includes one or more pairs of fixed position electrodes (e.g. Figure 2 ), and at least one movable electrode (such as Figure 3 The treatment settings may therefore specify a set of activated electrodes (and optionally a corresponding phase for the set) and an inter-electrode spacing for the movable electrodes.

[0128] Note that treatment settings can be specified as above. Figure 2-3 Additional therapy parameters not described. For example, two therapy settings may specify different corresponding voltage or current amplitudes.

[0129] In some cases, a combination of domains may be mapped to a single therapy setting. Thus, for example, a particular domain of impedance values ​​may be combined with a first domain of temperature or humidity values ​​to map to a first therapy setting, while the same domain of impedance values ​​may be combined with a second domain of temperature or humidity values ​​to map to a second therapy setting.

[0130] Advantageously, combining an impedance domain with a temperature or humidity domain can take into account the fact that the impedance of the skin can be a function of the temperature or humidity of the skin, such that a single impedance domain can correspond to different respective areas of the skin at different respective temperatures or humidity levels. Furthermore, the approach can facilitate providing multiple treatment settings for a single skin area. For example, at the beginning of a treatment session, when the skin temperature is relatively low, a first treatment setting specifying a relatively large number of activated electrodes can be used. However, as the session continues and the skin temperature approaches a predefined safety threshold, a second treatment setting specifying fewer activated electrodes can be used.

[0131] Example Algorithm

[0132] Reference now Figure 4A , Figure 4Ais a flow chart of an iterative method 50 for treating skin according to some embodiments of the present invention. In device 21 ( Figure 1 )After power is turned on, the controller 36( Figure 1 ) executes method 50, and optionally, input from a user (e.g., via pressing an appropriate button) indicates that the user wishes to begin a therapy session.

[0133] Typically, method 50 begins with a pre-pulse application step 52, where the controller causes the RF generator to generate a pre-treatment current to pass through the skin between any pair of electrodes before treating the skin. (The duration of this "pre-pulse" is typically between 1 and 20 ms, such as between 1 and 5 ms.) In some embodiments, a single pair of electrodes on the treatment head is designated for applying the pre-pulse; in other embodiments, the electrode pair used for the pre-pulse can vary from one application to another.

[0134] At a parameter value determination step 54, based on the prepulse, the controller determines an initial value of a relevant parameter, such as the temperature of the skin, the amplitude and / or phase of the prepulse, or the amplitude and / or phase of the voltage between electrodes. Subsequently, at a domain identification step 56, the controller identifies the domain to which the parameter value belongs.

[0135] Next, at a domain classification step 58, the controller checks whether the identified domain is a skin area domain. If so, at a set identification step 60, the controller sets the domain to the skin area domain according to the memory 34 ( Figure 1 ) identifies the treatment setting to which the identified domain is mapped. In response to identifying the treatment setting, at a current applying step 62, the controller causes the RF generator to generate one or more currents to be passed through the skin between the electrodes according to the identified treatment setting.

[0136] On the other hand, if the identified domain is not a skin area domain (but rather an incorrect electrical contact domain), then at decision step 59, the controller determines whether to stop treatment of the skin. For example, the controller may determine whether the identified domain corresponds to a state where the device or the user is at risk of being harmed, such as in the case of a short circuit or the electrode being covered by an insufficient amount of gel. If the controller determines to stop treatment, the controller proceeds to a post-treatment processing step 65 described below. Otherwise, the controller returns to the pre-pulse application step 52. Thus, the controller may apply repeated pre-pulses until correct electrical contact is established between the electrode and the skin.

[0137] After the current application step 62, at a duration check step 64, the controller checks whether the duration of the treatment session so far exceeds a predefined safety limit, such as two or three minutes. If not, the controller returns to the parameter value determination step 54. Otherwise, the controller stops treating the skin and proceeds to a post-treatment processing step 65. Similarly, as described above with reference to Figure 1 As described, treatment may be stopped in response to no movement of the device being detected. Similarly, treatment may be stopped in response to skin temperature exceeding the above-mentioned predefined safety threshold, or in response to the user actively terminating treatment, for example by pressing an appropriate button.

[0138] After treating the skin, the controller performs a post-treatment processing step 65 in which the controller modifies at least one boundary of at least one of the parameter value ranges in response to the parameter values ​​determined during the treatment, typically using artificial intelligence. In this regard, reference is now made to Figure 4B , Figure 4B is a flow chart for post-treatment processing step 65 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0139] The post-treatment processing step 65 begins with a first check step 66, at which the controller checks whether any skin areas identified during the execution of the method 50 have not been treated. If so, at a domain selection step 68, the controller selects a domain of untreated identified skin areas. Subsequently, at a second check step 70, the controller checks whether the number of parameter values ​​determined for the selected domain exceeds a predefined threshold. If so, at a mean calculation step 72, the controller calculates the mean of the parameter values ​​determined for the selected domain (excluding any outliers). Subsequently, at a feature value modification step 74, the controller modifies the feature value of the selected domain based on the mean. For example, as described above with reference to Figure 2 As described, the controller may calculate a weighted average of the eigenvalue and the mean.After the eigenvalue modification step 74, or if sufficient parameter values ​​are not determined, the controller returns to the first check step 66.

[0140] In response to determining at the first checking step 66 that no unprocessed identified skin region domain remains, at a boundary modification step 76, the controller modifies the boundary of the skin region domain based on the modified feature value. For example, as described above with reference to Figure 2 As described, the controller may set each boundary of each skin region domain to be midway between the domain's characteristic value and the characteristic value of an associated adjacent domain.

[0141] Other Implementations

[0142] In some embodiments, server 38 ( Figure 1 ) and controller 36 are configured to collaboratively perform a process comprising the steps of comparing quantities derived from at least some of the determined parameter values ​​to baseline quantities and, in response to the comparison, generating an output to a user, for example, by sending an email message to the user's email account or sending a text message to the user's phone.

[0143] For example, the controller may transmit to the server a plurality of determined values ​​of the temperature or impedance of at least one area of ​​the user's skin. The server may then calculate a mean or median of these values ​​and compare that amount to a baseline. (Alternatively, the controller may calculate the mean or median and transmit that amount to the server.) In response to the comparison, the server may determine a property of the skin, such as the moisture of the skin. In response thereto, the server may generate an output to the user, such as a message indicating the property (e.g., a message indicating dry skin) and / or a recommendation for a skin care product (e.g., a moisturizer). Recommendations for skin care products may also be issued to the user based on data collected from other users, regardless of the nature of the user's skin.

[0144] Alternatively or additionally, the controller and at least one external processor (such as processor 39 ( Figure 1 ) and / or a processor of a smartphone belonging to a user) can cooperatively perform at least some of the functions described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. For example, during each treatment session, the controller can transmit each determined parameter value to the external processor, and the external processor can then identify the appropriate treatment settings and transmit the treatment settings to the controller. Alternatively or additionally, post-treatment processing in which the decision rules are modified can be performed by the external processor.

[0145] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited to what has been specifically shown and described above. Specifically, the scope of the present invention includes combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described above, as well as variations and modifications thereof that would occur to those skilled in the art after reading the foregoing description and that do not exist in the prior art.

Claims

1. A system, comprising: Multiple electrodes; one or more radio frequency (RF) generators; and A controller, the controller being configured to: Treating the user's skin using one or more decision rules in response to a plurality of determined values ​​of at least one parameter by iteratively performing the following operations: determining at least one corresponding value of said determined values, identifying a treatment setting from among a plurality of treatment settings by applying at least one of the decision rules to the determined value, and causing the RF generator to generate one or more RF currents to pass through the skin between at least some of the electrodes according to the identified treatment setting, and In response to the determined value, modifying at least one of the decision rules, wherein the decision rules are respectively represented by mappings of a plurality of domains of the parameters to the treatment settings, wherein the domains are associated with different corresponding feature values, wherein the controller is configured to identify the treatment setting by identifying the domain to which the determined value belongs, and wherein the controller is configured to modify at least one of the decision rules by modifying at least one boundary of at least one of the domains in the following manner: modifying a feature value of the at least one of the domains based on those of the determined values ​​that belong to the at least one of the domains, and The boundary is set in response to a modified characteristic value of the at least one of the domains.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: A different respective one of the RF generators is connected to each of the electrodes.

3. The system according to claim 1, in, The electrodes include at least three electrodes, at least one pair of the electrodes being spaced farther apart from each other than another pair of the electrodes, wherein the treatment settings specify respective groups of the electrodes for activation, and Wherein the controller is configured to cause the RF generator to cause the RF current to pass between a group of the electrodes designated for activation by the identified therapy setting.

4. The system according to claim 2, in, The electrodes include at least three electrodes, at least one pair of the electrodes being spaced farther apart from each other than another pair of the electrodes, wherein the treatment settings specify respective groups of the electrodes for activation, and Wherein the controller is configured to cause the RF generator to cause the RF current to pass between a group of the electrodes designated for activation by the identified therapy setting.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein: At least some of the therapy settings are designated for activation of different respective ones of the groups.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein: At least some of the therapy settings are designated for activation of different respective ones of the groups.

7. The system according to claim 3, in, The treatment settings further specify respective sets of phases, at least some of the treatment settings specify different respective ones of the sets for the same one of the groups, and wherein the controller is configured to cause the RF generator to cause the RF current to pass between a group of the electrodes by causing the RF generator to apply corresponding RF signals to a group of the electrodes, the RF signals respectively having the phase sets specified by the identified treatment settings.

8. The system according to claim 4, in, The treatment settings further specify respective sets of phases, at least some of the treatment settings specify different respective ones of the sets for the same one of the groups, and wherein the controller is configured to cause the RF generator to cause the RF current to pass between a group of the electrodes by causing the RF generator to apply corresponding RF signals to a group of the electrodes, the RF signals respectively having the phase sets specified by the identified treatment settings.

9. The system according to claim 5, in, The treatment settings further specify respective sets of phases, at least some of the treatment settings specify different respective ones of the sets for the same one of the groups, and wherein the controller is configured to cause the RF generator to cause the RF current to pass between a group of the electrodes by causing the RF generator to apply corresponding RF signals to a group of the electrodes, the RF signals respectively having the phase sets specified by the identified treatment settings.

10. The system according to claim 6, in, The treatment settings further specify respective sets of phases, at least some of the treatment settings specify different respective ones of the sets for the same one of the groups, and wherein the controller is configured to cause the RF generator to cause the RF current to pass between a group of the electrodes by causing the RF generator to apply corresponding RF signals to a group of the electrodes, the RF signals respectively having the phase sets specified by the identified treatment settings.

11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a surface shaped to define a track, in, At least one of the electrodes is movable along the track, wherein at least some of the treatment settings specify different respective inter-electrode spacings, and wherein the controller is configured to cause the RF generator to cause the RF current to pass between at least some of the electrodes according to the identified treatment setting by: moving a movable electrode along the track such that the movable electrode and another of the electrodes are spaced apart from each other by the inter-electrode spacing specified by the identified treatment setting, and After moving the movable electrode, causing the RF generator to cause the RF current to pass between the movable electrode and the other of the electrodes.

12. The system of claim 2, further comprising a surface shaped to define a track, in, At least one of the electrodes is movable along the track, wherein at least some of the treatment settings specify different respective inter-electrode spacings, and wherein the controller is configured to cause the RF generator to cause the RF current to pass between at least some of the electrodes according to the identified treatment setting by: moving a movable electrode along the track such that the movable electrode and another of the electrodes are spaced apart from each other by the inter-electrode spacing specified by the identified treatment setting, and After moving the movable electrode, causing the RF generator to cause the RF current to pass between the movable electrode and the other of the electrodes.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to set the boundary to be equidistant from (i) the modified feature value of the at least one of the domains and (ii) a feature value of another of the domains adjacent to the at least one of the domains.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to modify a characteristic value of the at least one of the domains by: calculating a mean of those determined values ​​of the determined values ​​belonging to the at least one of the domains, and The eigenvalue is set to a weighted average of (i) the current eigenvalue and (ii) the mean.

15. The system according to claim 1, in, The determined value is a first determined value, and wherein the domains include a plurality of skin region domains corresponding to respective skin regions, Each of the skin area domains corresponds to a respective skin area of ​​the skin areas by being defined based on a second determined value of a parameter associated with the skin area.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein: The skin areas include the cheeks and forehead.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein: The domains also include one or more incorrect electrical contact domains corresponding to different respective states where the electrode is not in proper electrical contact with the skin, and wherein the controller is further configured to: determining another value of said parameter, determining that the other value belongs to one of the incorrect electrical contact domains, and In response to determining that the other value falls within the incorrect electrical contact domain, treating the skin is discontinued.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein: The domains also include one or more incorrect electrical contact domains corresponding to different respective states where the electrode is not in proper electrical contact with the skin, and wherein the controller is further configured to: determining another value of said parameter, determining that the other value belongs to one of the incorrect electrical contact domains, and In response to determining that the other value falls within the incorrect electrical contact domain, treating the skin is discontinued.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein: The state includes a state where the electrodes are not in any electrical contact with the skin.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein: The state includes a state where the electrodes are not in any electrical contact with the skin.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein: The state includes a state in which the electrode is in electrical contact with the skin but is not in electrical contact with the skin via a gel layer having a thickness within a predefined range.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein: The state includes a state in which the electrode is in electrical contact with the skin but is not in electrical contact with the skin via a gel layer having a thickness within a predefined range.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein: The state includes a state in which the electrode is in electrical contact with the skin but is not in electrical contact with the skin via a gel layer having a thickness within a predefined range.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein: The state includes a state in which the electrode is in electrical contact with the skin but is not in electrical contact with the skin via a gel layer having a thickness within a predefined range.

25. The system according to any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein: The controller is further configured to generate an output indicative of a state to which the incorrect electrical contact domain corresponds.

26. The system of any one of claims 1-24, further comprising a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the skin and generate a temperature sensor output in response thereto, wherein the determined value comprises a temperature value of the temperature, and wherein the controller is configured to determine the temperature value in response to the temperature sensor output.

27. The system of any one of claims 1-24, further comprising a current sensor configured to measure at least some of the RF current and generate an output in response thereto, wherein the controller is configured to determine the determination value in response to the output.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein: The determined values ​​include current property values ​​of properties of at least some of the RF currents.

29. The system of any one of claims 1-24 and 28, further comprising a voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage associated with at least some of the RF currents and to generate a voltage sensor output in response thereto, wherein the controller is configured to determine the determination value in response to the voltage sensor output.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein: The determined value includes a voltage property value of a property of the voltage.

31. The system of any one of claims 1-24, 28 and 30, wherein: The determined value includes an impedance value of impedance of the skin.

32. The system according to any one of claims 1-24, 28 and 30, in, The controller is further configured to cause the RF generator to cause a pre-treatment current to pass through the skin between any pair of the electrodes prior to treating the skin, and The controller is configured to determine an initial determination value among the determination values ​​based on the pre-treatment current.

33. The system of any one of claims 1-24, 28 and 30, further comprising a server configured to communicate with the controller via a computer network, wherein the server and the controller are configured to collaboratively perform a process comprising the following steps: comparing an amount derived from said determination to a baseline amount, and In response to the comparing, an output is generated to a user.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein: The output includes a message indicative of properties of the skin.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein: The output includes recommendations for skin care products.

36. The system of claim 34, wherein: The output includes recommendations for skin care products.

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