Polymerization Hair Removal System

Abstract

Polymerization Hair Removal System A method and system for applying a polymer to a user's skin in a fluid or malleable form; exposing the user's polymer-coated skin to energy from an energy source and causing the polymer to harden and bond with hair on the user's skin; and removing the hardened polymer from the user's skin and causing hair removal. Figure for abstract: none

Description

Title of the invention: Hair removal system by polymerization CONTEXT

[0001] Domain

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a system, apparatus and method for removing hair from a body part by free radical polymerization.

[0003] Conventional hair removal options include the use of (i) energy (laser hair removal, IPL, or electrolysis), (ii) hair removal (shaving / trimming or depilatories), and (iii) epilation (tweezing, waxing, sugaring, or threading). However, these options can be expensive, painful, short-lived, cause odor, burns, and / or have limited application size.

[0004] Existing hair removal techniques that involve pulling the hair out by the root, such as sugaring, waxing, tweezing, or using a hair removal device, lengthen the hair removal process. Sugaring and waxing, in particular, have a limited time in which the material can be worked. The material must be placed before it cools, and if placed when too hot, it is uncomfortable or may even cause burns. All of these options require multiple passes to remove all the target hairs. SUMMARY

[0005] In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes applying a polymer to a user's skin in a fluid or malleable form; exposing the user's polymer-coated skin to energy emitted from an energy source and causing the polymer to harden and bond with hair on the user's skin; and removing the hardened polymer from the user's skin and causing the hair to be removed.

[0006] In one embodiment, the user's skin is located on a leg of the user.

[0007] In one embodiment, the user's skin is a region of the user's eyebrows.

[0008] In one embodiment, the energy source is ultraviolet (UV) light.

[0009] In one embodiment, the energy source is infrared (IR) light.

[0010] In one embodiment, the energy source is atmospheric cold plasma (CAP).

[0011] In one embodiment, the energy source is at least one light emitting diode (LED).

[0012] In one embodiment, the power source includes a housing that is configured to receive an inserted portion of a leg of the user.

[0013] In one embodiment, the power source is a portable device.

[0014] In one embodiment, the method includes performing a process of reverse crosslinking to remove the polymer from the cured state.

[0015] In one embodiment, the method includes imaging a specific region of the user's skin and exposing only the specific region of the user's skin to the energy source.

[0016] In one embodiment, a system is provided for optimizing hair removal, which includes an applicator for applying a polymer to a user's skin in a fluid or malleable form; an energy source configured to emit energy toward the polymer-covered skin of the user, causing the polymer to harden and bond with hair on the user's skin, wherein the hardened polymer is configured to be removed from the user's skin and causing hair removal.

[0017] In one embodiment, the system includes a mask made of a material configured to block energy emitted by the energy source at a first portion and pass energy emitted by the energy source at a second portion.

[0018] In one embodiment, the system includes an imaging device configured to image a specific region of the user's skin and processing circuitry configured to cause the energy source to expose only the specific region of the user's skin to energy. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and the numerous advantages derived therefrom will be readily obtained by reference to the following detailed description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0020] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] shows a hair removal process according to one embodiment.

[0021] [Fig.2a] [Fig.2b] [Fig.2a] and [Fig.2b] show a cold plasma device atmospheric (CAP) according to one embodiment.

[0022] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] shows a device that uses light-emitting diodes as a radiation source according to one embodiment.

[0023] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] shows a functional diagram of hardware components used in conjunction with a set of light emitting diodes according to one embodiment.

[0024] [Fig.5a] [Fig.5b] [Fig.5c] [Fig.5a], [Fig.5b] and [Fig.5c] show different form factors for an LED emitter according to one embodiment.

[0025] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] shows a mask that can be preformed or allow for a user customization according to one embodiment. detailed description of the embodiments

[0026] In the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts in the different views.

[0027] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts in the different views.

[0028] The inventors recognized that, through free radical polymerization, a liquid or gel can be transformed into a strong and pliable solid. This process, which can be called crosslinking, involves linking smaller molecules together to form stronger chains based on changes in the physical properties of the material. Because the process is independent of temperature, it is advantageous as a hair removal solution.

[0029] The embodiment described below uses a cool, soothing gel-like formula that can be applied all at once, with unlimited working time to cover the area to be treated. Once it is where it needs to be, a short curing process is initiated, transforming the gel into a rubbery, cross-linked polymer film and trapping the hairs. Finally, the entire film can be removed at once, shortening treatment time and avoiding prolonging a painful process. There are multiple options for curing chemicals that can be catalyzed by a secondary formula or, more likely for this project, initiated by a plasma or light-based device.

[0030] [Fig.l] shows a process according to one embodiment. In step 101, a gel or liquid is applied to the user's skin. The application may be done using a solid object designed to spread the object around the target area, such as a flat stick. The gel may remain in place for any length of time before polymerization takes place in step 102. In step 102, polymerization occurs based on exposure to ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) energy. Following this step, the gel will harden and become a cured coating, trapping the hairs on the user's skin in the cured coating. In step 103, the cured coating may be removed by pulling on the edge. In a single pulling motion, the hairs trapped in the coating will be removed at the root, completing the hair removal process.

[0031] The current embodiments have the advantage of having a forgiving application process in terms of time flexibility since the user chooses when the material cures. They have the advantage of not causing heat burns since they use room temperature material. They also have the advantage of having a larger application surface that can be removed in one go.

[0032] It can be seen that the process shown in [Fig.l] has three main aspects, which will be developed below. 1. The polymerized coating

[0033] A removable polymerized coating is known, such as, for example, Rosenberg in US patent 3,928,113, which proposes the application of a primer coating consisting of a water-soluble or expandable polymer in a solvent system, followed by the application and subsequent curing of a photocurable nail polish composition. In patent publication 2011 / 0 182 838, Thong, et al.disclose polymerized cosmetic coatings for natural and artificial nails that have improved removability with solvents and that comprise a reactive (meth)acrylate, a reactive urethane (meth)acrylate, a reactive polypropylene glycol monomethacrylate, a polymethyl methacrylate-poly(methacrylic acid) copolymer, pyromelitic dianhydride and a polyether dimer acrylate, a glyceryl acrylate, and a glyceryl acrylate in a non-reactive solvent that cures upon exposure to radiation to an acrylic thermoset having voids that contain a solvent-soluble polymer.

[0034] The applicator for dispensing the polymer may be in a form understood in the art, such as a housing that includes a body portion for dispensing the polymer by a user squeezing action or a plunger mechanism, and may have a specialized applicator tip, such as being made of a mesh or sponge material, or a brush tip, such as the dispenser described in US No. 2004 / 02618O8A1, incorporated herein by reference.

[0035] Further, the applicator may be a multi-piece kit that includes a container with the polymer and an elongated, flat spreading device. 2. Hardening

[0036] To cure the polymer, there are three possible options: UV or IR photocuring, atmospheric cold plasma polymerization, or using a two-part formula similar to epoxy resin.

[0037] [Fig.2a] shows a CAP (Atmospheric Cold Plasma) device that is considered a plasma “jet” or indirect plasma CAP device. An example of this type of device is the kINPen MED (from Neoplast Tool). Plasma is generated in the “pen” of the device from an argon feed gas that is excited between two electrodes of the pen. The excited gas then expands into the surrounding air at the tip of the capillary nozzle and appears there as a plasma jet.

[0038] [Fig.2b] shows a CAP device based on Direct Dielectric Barrier Discharge (Direct DBD) technology. An example of this type of device is the PlasmaDerm (from Cinogy). It involves applying a voltage to an active electrode surrounded by a dielectric barrier. The treated area (the skin or agar plate) acts as the counter electrode of the system. Plasma is generated between the dielectric barrier and the treated area by exciting the air present between the two. The type of device shown in [Fig.2b] has been conventionally used for the treatment of chronic wound healing disorders such as venous and arterial ulcers, pressure ulcers and diabetic foot syndrome.

[0039] [Fig. 3] shows a device 300 that uses light emitting diodes as a radiation source to irradiate light toward the polymer coating on the user's skin. The device 300 includes one or more light sources, to produce either a single dominant emitting wavelength, i.e., narrowband multichromatic radiation, or multiple wavelengths (monochromatic, narrowband multichromatic, broadband multichromatic, or combinations thereof). The single or multiple combinations may be applied either simultaneously or sequentially.

[0040] Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure may utilize LEDs, ultrasound, and / or lasers or light energy, the present disclosure is not limited to the use of these energy sources. Other energy sources, including (without limitation) microwave energy and radio frequency energy may also be used. Examples of known light sources are fluorescent lights, flashbulbs, incandescent lamps, etc. A person skilled in the art will recognize that any light source capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation at a medically safe wavelength, as described herein, either directly or by means of optical filtering, is within the scope of suitable light sources according to the present disclosure.For purposes of the described methods, any source capable of emitting light having a wavelength between about 280 nm and about 1400 nm, or of producing electromagnetic radiation that is filtered or otherwise modified to expose the skin, a topical composition, or another component of the present treatment regimen to a wavelength of light in the aforementioned range is medically useful.

[0041] The targeted polymer coating may be exposed to one or more wavelengths of LED, laser, or non-laser light, such as filtered incandescent sources or fluorescent sources, or one or more ultrasonic frequencies. Various parameters may be used (including pulse duration, energy, single or multiple pulses, interval between pulses, total number of pulses, etc.) to deliver sufficient cumulative energy to interact with the polymer.

[0042] The laser diodes may be multichromatic with narrow wavelength bands around a dominant band, i.e., they are narrowband multichromatic devices - devices that emit electromagnetic radiation in a narrow band of radiation symmetrically or asymmetrically around a dominant wavelength. In one embodiment, a narrowband multichromatic electromagnetic radiation emitter emits electromagnetic radiation in a bandwidth of + / - about 100 nanometers around a dominant wavelength. In one embodiment, a narrowband multichromatic electromagnetic radiation emitter emits electromagnetic radiation in a bandwidth of + / - about 50 nanometers around a dominant wavelength.In one embodiment, a narrowband multichromatic electromagnetic radiation emitter emits electromagnetic radiation in a bandwidth of + / - about 20 nanometers around a dominant wavelength. In one embodiment, a narrowband multichromatic electromagnetic radiation emitter emits electromagnetic radiation in a bandwidth of + / - about 10 nanometers around a dominant wavelength. In one embodiment, a narrowband multichromatic electromagnetic radiation emitter emits electromagnetic radiation in a bandwidth of + / - about 6.5 nanometers around a dominant wavelength. LEDs, although not monochromatic, emit in such a narrow band that they are considered narrowband multichromatic emitters. This narrow band allows photons of slightly different wavelengths to be emitted.This can potentially be beneficial in creating some desirable multiphoton interactions. In contrast, most commercial lasers emit light at a single wavelength and are considered monochromatic. The use of lasers, according to the prior art, relied on the coherent, i.e., monochromatic, nature of their electromagnetic emissions.

[0043] In one example, a device emits narrowband multichromatic electromagnetic radiation with a dominant emission wavelength of about 590 nm (+ / - about 10 nm) and also some light in the 850 to 870 nm range and, optionally, a small amount in the 1060 nm range.

[0044] [Fig. 4] shows a block diagram of the hardware components used in conjunction with an LED array 400. The LEDs in the LED array are driven by an LED driver board 420, which in turn is powered by the power supply 410. In addition, the LED driver 420 may be included as part of a microprocessor or be an independent component. [Fig. 4] also shows that the LED driver 420 may be connected to a light on / off control unit that receives user input to turn the LED units on or off.

[0045] The LED units may be standard commercially available LEDs known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the LEDs may be of type LY G6SP-CADB-36-1-Z (for providing the wavelength of 590 nm) and VSMF4720 (for providing the wavelength of 870 nm).

[0046] Figures 5a, 5b and 5c show different form factors for the LED emitter. [Fig.5a] shows that the LED emitter may be a handheld device. [Fig.5a] shows that the device may be a handheld LED emitter, as is known in the art. The advantage of this embodiment is size, cost and portability.

[0047] [Fig.5b] shows an emitter specially designed for the present embodiments, the shape of which allows it to receive a leg of the user. The advantage of this embodiment is that an array of LEDs can emit light to a large portion of the user's skin simultaneously without requiring manual effort from the user.

[0048] [Fig.5c] shows a “mask” type LED emitter that attaches in close proximity to the user’s skin. This technology is similar to that of LED masks, but adapted to the user’s leg. The advantage of this embodiment is that the user can remain mobile during the curing process. 3. Removal

[0049] The third and final aspect of the present embodiment relates to the timing and manner of removing the cured polymer from the user's skin. The timing of stopping the curing process varies depending on the type of radiation source, but should be stopped within 30 to 60 seconds if an LED emitter is used. A timer with an automatic shutoff feature may be integrated into the LED emitter, or the timer may be separate. Actual removal may be done manually, but tweezers or other instruments may be used to facilitate the removal process.

[0050] [Variant embodiments].

[0051] A further aspect of the present invention is to enable reuse of the polymer by reverse crosslinking the cured polymer to remove it from the cured state. This may be achieved by performing a 15 minute incubation of the material at an elevated temperature, such as at least 95°C, or by using a longer incubation time at a lower temperature (such as 4 hours at 65°C). Reverse crosslinking may help create a more durable product.

[0052] A further aspect of the present invention is to crosslink or harden the waxing formulation for specific regions to be selectively waxed. For example, a method has been developed to define a precise shape for an eyebrow by crosslinking the material surrounding the perimeter of the eyebrow, and waxing the surrounding hairs.

[0053] For example, an application on a user device (such as a smartphone) may image the region to be cured and may control the deposition of curing energy to cured the material in the target area.

[0054] In one embodiment shown in [Fig. 6], a separate mask 600 may be provided, which may be preformed or allow for user customization. The mask 600 may be made of a material known in the art that blocks, reflects, or absorbs the wavelength emitted by the LED emitter. For example, the LED emitter may emit UV light and the mask 600 material may absorb or reflect light having a wavelength in the range of 280 to 400 nm. For example, the LED emitter may emit IR light and the mask 600 material may absorb or reflect light having a wavelength in the range of 850 to 1400 nm. Both exemplary materials may be translucent or transparent while blocking the target light emitted by the LED emitter, allowing the user to see through the mask 600 and assisting the user in placing the mask 600 more accurately.In one example, a polymer film, such as vinyl, having an amount of metal, such as gold, silver, or aluminum, incorporated therein, may be translucent while blocking IR light. In one example, a polymer film, such as vinyl, having a deposited amount of thin films of ZnO and TiO2 may be translucent while blocking UV light. Thus, the mask may essentially block light from the LED emitter.

[0055] The preformed or customized mask may therefore include portions 601 that have been removed from the mask to allow light to pass through to illuminate a pattern on the gel coating based on the type of polymer used. Similarly, the preformed or customized mask may include portions that have been retained to block light at those retained portions to illuminate a pattern on the gel coating based on the type of polymer used. For example, a preformed shape of eyebrow mask may be provided that the user applies over the gel coating. along the eyebrow hairs. The eyebrow mask can block light from illuminating the gel coating under the mask, which causes the gel coating around the eyebrow area to polymerize and harden the gel coating to grip the eyebrow hairs that protrude around the mask. Then, the user can peel back the hardened coating to remove the protruding eyebrow hairs, leaving the eyebrow hairs that were under the pre-formed mask in place.

[0056] Advantageously, the unlimited curing time of the gel liner allows the user to arrange and adjust the mask without needing to rush and potentially making a placement error. In addition, the mask can be customized by the user if necessary before or during arrangement before finalizing placement (again, without the user needing to rush). For example, the user may arrange the mask over the eyebrow area and determine that the mask is too large. In this case, the user can remove the mask from the gel liner, optionally apply more of the gel liner to the eyebrow area if the mask maker accidentally removed it, trim the mask to the desired shape and size, and then reapply the mask to the eyebrow area. Further adjustments can be made before finalizing placement and illuminating the area with the LED emitter.

[0057] For example, the user may wish to remove hair between the two eyebrows, an area that can vary considerably from user to user. In such a scenario, the mask may be customized by the user, for example by cutting it with scissors or the like, to achieve a shape or opening in the mask equal to the width and height of the area between the two eyebrows. The gel coating may be applied liberally to the area and also to some of the hairs of both eyebrows. The mask may be applied to the area between the eyebrows and aligned to prevent unwanted eyebrow hairs from being illuminated, and the LED emitter may be activated to illuminate the area between the eyebrows not covered by the mask.Then, the cured coating can be peeled off by the user to remove hair from the area between the eyebrows, while the uncured gel coating that is not illuminated by the LED emitter can be removed or rinsed off without removing any eyebrow hair the user wants to keep.

[0058] Of course, numerous modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

Claims

1. A hair removal optimization system comprising: an applicator for applying a polymer to a user's skin in a fluid or malleable form; an energy source configured to emit energy toward the polymer-covered skin of the user, causing the polymer to harden and bond with hairs on the user's skin, wherein the hardened polymer is configured to be removed from the user's skin and causing hair removal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the energy source is ultraviolet (UV) light.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the energy source is infrared (IR) light.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the energy source is cold atmospheric plasma (CAP).

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source includes at least one light emitting diode (LED).

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the energy source includes a housing that is configured to receive an inserted portion of a leg of the user.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a mask made of a material configured to block energy emitted by the energy source at a first portion and pass energy emitted by the energy source at a second portion.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising an imaging device configured to image a specific region of the user's skin and processing circuitry configured to cause the energy source to expose only the specific region of the user's skin to energy.

Images