Phototherapy treatment device.

Abstract

The support for a phototherapy treatment helmet (20) incorporating a light source emitting inside the helmet (20) for treating the scalp of a user's head. The support (40) comprises a base (44) for powering the helmet (20) during treatment, the base (44) comprising a user interface (440) configured to control the light source of the helmet (20), and comprises an arm (42) extending in a substantially vertical direction mounted at a first end on the base (44) and extended at a second end by a support seat of the helmet (20) extending in a substantially horizontal direction. Figure 1_

Description

Title of the invention: Phototherapy treatment device.

[0001] The present invention relates to a phototherapy treatment device for an external region of the body of a living being. More particularly but not exclusively, it applies to the phototherapy treatment of the head surface of a user, for example to the treatment of the scalp as a treatment for baldness.

[0002] In a manner known per se, the treatment consists of the application of light radiation having a predefined emission spectrum directly onto the scalp. This phototherapy treatment can also be applied in combination with a photosensitizing product applied to the area to be treated a few hours before its exposure to the light radiation to increase the effectiveness of the treatment. In this case, we speak of dynamic phototherapy (also known by the English acronym PDT "Photo Dynamic Therapy").

[0003] The radiation is preferably substantially monochromatic or has an emission spectrum within a relatively narrow band of wavelengths. Generally, the emission spectrum has a peak wavelength in red visible light or blue visible light, these wavelengths having demonstrated particular effectiveness for the treatment of certain skin conditions and the treatment of the scalp.

[0004] It has thus been observed during numerous scientific studies that phototherapy treatment in a predefined wavelength range, in particular in red or blue light, can have a beneficial effect on numerous skin problems, such as scars, stretch marks, acne, wrinkles and fine lines and numerous hair problems including alopecia.

[0005] More particularly, when radiation is applied to the scalp, particularly in red light and more particularly around the wavelength of 630 nm, the cells in the irradiated region will react according to a principle similar to that of photosynthesis in plants. The light will stimulate the cells, and more specifically certain cellular structures of the cell, such as the mitochondria.

[0006] As is known per se, mitochondria play a particularly important role in the process of cellular respiration as well as in the process of transforming nutrients into an energy vector commonly referred to as ATP (acronym for Adenosine Tri Phosphate). Therefore, the stimulation of mitochondria by red light contributes to cell regeneration thanks to the improvement of cellular metabolism. Such cellular regeneration will manifest itself, for example, in facial skin cells by an increase in the production of collagen and elastin and consequently an observable reduction in wrinkles and fine lines. and for the scalp by stimulating hair regrowth, improving hair quality and density as well as stabilizing hair loss.

[0007] Already known in the state of the art, in particular from patent application EP2477697, is equipment for phototherapy treatment of the scalp of a user, comprising a helmet delimiting an open end through which, in the position of use, the user's head is at least partially engaged.

[0008] The helmet described in this document has certain significant drawbacks, particularly in terms of practicality and ergonomics.

[0009] However, phototherapy objects are now considered as well-being products and must integrate as well as possible into the daily life and the environment of users. These objects must therefore be both ergonomic and aesthetic, offering an overall visual appearance of premium quality. Different characteristics make it possible to provide a perception of quality, such as the choice of materials, weight and ergonomics.

[0010] The invention proposes to provide a solution to improve the daily use of these objects while providing a perception of quality, ergonomics and increased technicality. Description of the invention

[0011] For this purpose, the invention relates to a support for a phototherapy treatment helmet incorporating a light source emitting inside the helmet to treat the scalp of a user's head, characterized in that it comprises a base for powering the helmet during treatment, the base comprising a user interface configured to control the light source of the helmet, and comprises an arm extending in a substantially vertical direction mounted at a first end on the base and extended at a second end by a helmet support seat extending in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the seat having a generally oblong shape defining crossed longitudinal and transverse directions, the helmet is configured to be carried by the support such that in the support configuration, the longitudinal direction of the support extends along an axis extending transversely between two lateral ear zones of the helmet.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the seat has a generally curved shape with edges falling in the longitudinal direction and is configured to support the helmet in a top portion.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the seat is in the form of a curved ovoid plate rounded on the peripheral edges.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the contact surface with the helmet of the support seat to form an adhesion surface of the helmet on the support.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the seat comprises a silicone layer overmolded onto a surface for adhesion to the helmet.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the surface of the seat in contact with the helmet comprises a plurality of anti-slip pins on the upper surface of the support.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base is a weighted base, for example by a piece of platinum housed inside a housing.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base encloses an electronic card for controlling the light source of the helmet according to a predefined protocol.

[0020] The invention also relates to a device for phototherapy treatment of a scalp surface of a user, comprising a helmet and a support for the helmet, characterized in that the support is according to the invention.

[0021] The invention will be better understood and its advantages will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, of embodiments shown as non-limiting examples. The description refers to the appended drawings in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of an assembly comprising a helmet and a helmet holder according to the invention;

[0023] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the helmet of [Fig.l];

[0024] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a bottom view of the helmet of [Fig.2];

[0025] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the support of [Fig.l];

[0026] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a front view of the support of [Fig.l];

[0027] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a side view of the support of [Fig.l];

[0028] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of the support of [Fig.l] in which a cover of a base of the support is separated from a bottom of the base;

[0029] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is an enlarged scale view of the interior of the support base. Detailed description of the invention

[0030] Figures 1 to 8 show a phototherapy device according to the invention. The device is designated by the general reference 10.

[0031] As shown in [Fig.l], the device 10 comprises a phototherapy helmet 20 and a support 40 of the helmet 20 bearing the reference 14.

[0032] The helmet 20 is illustrated in detail in [Fig. 2] and in [Fig. 3]. In the illustrated example, the helmet 20 comprises a body 22 of generally hemispherical shape delimiting an opening for the passage of the head of a user. The body 22 also delimits an interior cavity which makes it possible to cover a surface of the scalp of the user. The body 22 of the helmet 20 conventionally incorporates a light source (not visible in the figures) which emits towards the surface to be treated towards the inside of the helmet 20. The light source comprises in this example a plurality of light-emitting diodes preferably emitting red light with a wavelength around 630 nanometers, for example in a range of 620 to 640 nanometers. Alternatively, other wavelengths of light may be used depending on the nature of the desired phototherapy treatment.

[0033] [Fig. 4] shows in detail the support 40 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The support 40 comprises a base 44 for electrically powering the light source of the helmet 20 during treatment. For this purpose, the base 44 encloses, for example, an electronic control card 448 for the light source of the helmet 20 according to a predefined protocol.

[0034] As illustrated in [Fig.4], the support 40 also comprises a power cable 46 for connecting the electronic card 448 of the base 44 to an external power source, for example the general power supply of a domestic electrical network.

[0035] Furthermore, the base 44 comprises means 48 for connecting the headset 20 to the base 44. These connection means 48 comprise, for example, an electrical connection socket, such as a USB socket, a jack socket, etc., to which a power cable (not visible in the figures) of the headset 20 is connected.

[0036] The base 44 further comprises a user interface 440. In the example illustrated in the figures, the user interface 440 is supported hardware directly on the base 44 of the device 10, for example by a touch-sensitive or non-touch button or alternatively, for example, by sliders and adjustment wheels for the buttons implemented hardware on the base 44. This user interface 440 makes it possible to control the switching on and off of the light source of the headset 10.

[0037] Of course, other user interfaces can be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention, for example a touch screen or a software application implemented on external equipment. Thus, in a variant not illustrated, the base of the support comprises a display window forming the user interface. In another variant not illustrated in the figures, the user interface is supported in software on a tablet (not illustrated). The tablet communicates for example with the device 10 by a wired or wireless connection (for example by Bluetooth® or by WiFi), via a control module housed in the base.

[0038] In particular, the support 40 comprises an arm 42, such as a self-supporting rod 42, mounted at a first end 422 on the base 44 and extended at a second end 424 by a seat 50 for supporting the helmet 20 in an equilibrium position. This arm 42 extends substantially vertically in a configuration of use of the support. The seat 50 extends in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0039] The base 44 comprises a housing forming a base, as illustrated in [Fig. 3] on which the rod 42 is fixed by its end 420. For example, the base 44 comprises a bracket 448 for fixing the rod 42. The housing comprises a cover 442 mounted on a bottom 444.

[0040] The base 44 is preferably weighted, for example, by a piece of platinum 446 housed inside the housing forming the base of the support 40. Thus, the base 44 has both a counterweight function to form a stable support for the helmet 20 and a basic function for controlling the light source.

[0041] Preferably, as can be seen in [Fig. 3], the seat 50 has a generally oblong shape and defines a longitudinal direction 52 and a transverse direction 54 crossed. Preferably, the headset 20 is configured to be carried by the support 50 such that in the support configuration, the longitudinal direction of the support 50 extends along a transverse axis XI extending between the two lateral auricular zones 210 of the headset 20. For example, each lateral auricular zone 210 delimits a lateral excursion in the shape of a lobe for bypassing the ear.

[0042] Preferably, the seat 50 has a complementary shape conformation when the helmet 20 is associated with the support 40. The seat 50 is configured to be positioned opposite the apex position of the helmet 20. Thus, this conformation naturally and intuitively suggests the positioning of the helmet 20 on the support 40.

[0043] As is illustrated in a non - limiting way in the figures, the seat 50 has a generally curved shape, for example in the form of a convex dome configured to support the helmet 20 at its apex part.

[0044] The dome is in the form of an ovoid plate curved and rounded at its peripheral edges, and in particular at its two transverse end edges. This shape of a tongue rounded at its two transverse side edges allows it to follow the internal curvature of the helmet 20.

[0045] In order to avoid destabilization of the helmet 20, preferably, the contact surface with the helmet 20 of the seat 50 supporting the helmet 20 has adhesion properties of the helmet 20 on the support 40. For example, the seat 50 comprises an overmolded silicone layer to form an adhesion surface with the helmet 20. As a variant, the surface of the seat 50 comprises a plurality of anti-slip pins on the upper surface of the support 40.

[0046] The main operating aspects of the phototherapy device according to the invention will now be described.

[0047] The helmet 10 is balanced on the support 40, in this case on the seat 50 provided for this purpose. This seat 50 has crossed directions which are such that the helmet is perfectly supported along the axis XI and that the helmet 10 pivots slightly towards its final position by tilting under the effect of gravity around this XI axis in order to naturally come into a stable equilibrium position.

[0048] Of course, other embodiments are conceivable without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to the invention which has just been described by way of example.

Claims

Claims

1. Support (40) for a phototherapy treatment helmet (20) incorporating a light source emitting inside the helmet (20) to treat the scalp of a user's head, characterized in that it comprises a base (44) for powering the helmet (20) during treatment, the base (44) comprising a user interface (440) configured to control the light source of the helmet (20), and comprises an arm (42) extending in a substantially vertical direction mounted at a first end on the base (44) and extended at a second end by a seat (50) for supporting the helmet (20) extending in a substantially horizontal direction.

2. Support (40) according to the preceding claim, in which the seat (50) having a generally oblong shape defining crossed longitudinal and transverse directions, the helmet (20) is configured to be carried by the support (40) such that in the support configuration, the longitudinal direction of the support (40) extends along an axis (XI) extending transversely between two lateral auricular zones of the helmet (20).

3. Support (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the seat (50) has a generally curved shape with edges falling in the longitudinal direction and is configured to support the helmet (10) in a top portion.

4. Support (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the seat (50) is in the form of a curved ovoid plate rounded on the peripheral edges.

5. Support (40) according to the preceding claim, in which the contact surface with the helmet (10) of the support seat (50) forms an adhesion surface of the helmet (10) on the support.

6. Support (40) according to the preceding claim, in which the seat (50) comprises a layer of silicone overmolded on a surface for adhesion with the helmet.

7. A support (40) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the surface of the seat (50) in contact with the helmet (10) comprises a plurality of anti-slip pins on the upper surface of the support (40).

8. Support (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the base (44) is a weighted base for example by a piece of platinum (446) housed inside a housing (442, 444).

9. Support (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the base (44) encloses an electronic card for controlling the light source of the helmet (10) according to a predefined protocol.

10. Device (10) for phototherapy treatment of a scalp surface of a user, comprising a helmet (20) and a helmet support (40), characterized in that the support (40) is according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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