Phototherapy treatment device.

Abstract

The phototherapy device (10) for treating an area of ​​an individual's body comprises a light-emitting body (20) including a light source comprising a plurality of light elements emitting light towards a part of the individual's body, and a control module for the light source in pulsed or continuous mode. It includes a means for acquiring a signal representing the individual's heartbeats, said signal comprising cardiac impulses and intervals between the impulses. The control module includes means for synchronizing the continuous mode with the impulse and the pulsed mode with the interval. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Phototherapy treatment device.

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of aesthetic treatment, in particular the treatment of a user's body area, especially a user's face or hand.

[0002] It applies more particularly, but not exclusively, to the field of treatment of human skin by phototherapy.

[0003] Many treatments are known to improve the aesthetics and / or appearance of the human body, and in particular its skin. It is therefore common to use these treatments, for example, to obtain an anti-aging and / or anti-wrinkle effect, or to aesthetically improve local lesions such as stretch marks, scars, insect bites, acne, etc.

[0004] To this end, it is possible to avoid invasive and / or chemical treatments, or to complement them, by using the beneficial effects of light on the human body, and in particular certain specific colors (or wavelengths) of light, such as red, yellow, or blue light. Indeed, it is known that these lights, through the energy they carry and / or the specific cellular receptors they stimulate, can be beneficial to the skin, particularly for the aesthetic effects and treatments mentioned above, and / or to provide a feeling of well-being and / or improve the recovery of the user exposed to the light in question.

[0005] Various treatment devices have therefore been developed that emit light intended to treat a portion of the skin of the human body. These treatment devices include a light source comprising, for example, a plurality of light-emitting diodes that allow treatment of the user's body part.

[0006] The present invention proposes to provide an improvement to existing treatment devices with enhanced efficiency. Description of the invention

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a phototherapy device for treating an area of ​​an individual's body, comprising: - a light-emitting body comprising a light source comprising a plurality of luminous elements emitting light in the direction of a part of the individual's body, - a control module for the light source in pulsed or continuous mode, characterized in that it comprises a means for acquiring a signal representing the individual's heartbeats, said signal comprising cardiac impulses and intervals between pulses and in that the control module includes means for synchronizing the continuous mode on the pulse and the pulsed mode on the interval.

[0008] In order to optimize the stimulation of skin cells exposed to light, it is known in the prior art, particularly from the scientific publication "Importance of pulsing illumination parameters in low-level-light therapy," published in the "Journal of Biomedical Optics 15 / 4 of July / August 2010," to generate light in the form of light pulses, i.e., in pulsed mode. This pulsed light, according to certain pulse parameters, makes it possible to optimize a cellular response, notably by increasing collagen production, when a user's body surface is exposed to the light source.

[0009] Synchronizing the pulsed mode during the interval between two heartbeats and the continuous mode during the heartbeat optimizes the intensity of the light energy received by the individual's skin by taking into account the variations in skin light energy absorption related to the cardiac cycle. Indeed, roughly considering that the cardiac impulse corresponds to an influx of blood and that the interval between two impulses corresponds to a return of blood, the absorption of light emitted by the source can be modified. The invention takes advantage of the blood return interval to apply a pulsed mode of light to the individual's skin and thus optimize the stimulation of skin cells exposed to light.

[0010] The invention may further include one or more of the following features.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the light source emits a first beam of light in the infrared and a second beam of light in the red, the control module includes means for activating the first beam during the pulse and the second beam during the interval between two pulses.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first beam emits infrared light between 820 and 840 nanometers.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second beam emits a red light between 620 and 640 nanometers.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the signal acquisition means comprises a heart rate measurement means consisting of transmitting light radiation into the individual's organic tissues, detecting an optical signal resulting from the interaction of said light radiation with the tissues, and calculating said heart rate from the detected optical signal.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the acquisition means is integrated into the light-emitting body or forms equipment separate from the light-emitting body.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the acquisition means is configured to communicate with the control module in a wired or wireless manner.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the acquisition means comprises a housing equipped with an element for attaching to a part of the individual's body, for example the attachment element comprises a bracelet for attaching said means to the wrist in the manner of a watch.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the acquisition means comprises a light emitter and a light receiver.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device includes a user interface carried by the emitting body.

[0020] The invention will be better understood and its advantages will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments shown by way of non-limiting examples. The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] The [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a phototherapy treatment device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0022] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a schematic view of the phototherapy treatment device according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0023] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a view which represents a graph showing a curve of the evolution of a signal as a function of time.

[0024] [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] is a functional diagram of the phototherapy device. Detailed description of the invention

[0025] A phototherapy treatment device for a body area of ​​an individual is schematically represented in [Fig. 1]. In the following description, the phototherapy treatment device is designated by the general reference numeral 10.

[0026] The device 10 includes a light-emitting body 20 comprising a light source 30 emitting light in the direction of said body area of ​​the individual which will be exposed to the treatment.

[0027] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 1], the light-emitting body 20 is, for example, in the form of a housing 22 shaped to delimit a space suitable for accommodating the user's hand, or at least the four phalanges of the hand. As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the housing 22 includes, for example, an upper wall 24 or shell configured to extend over the top of the user's hand. For example, the upper shell 24 is held in place on the hand, for example, by a retaining strap 26, extending transversely over the middle phalanges of the fingers of the user's hand. The shell 24 thus presents in the described example an external face (visible in figure IA) and an opposite internal face (visible in figure IB) emitting light towards the skin surface of the individual's hand positioned inside the emitting body 20.

[0028] Of course, in an embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the housing 22 may also include a support wall connected to the upper wall by side walls. In this case, the housing 22 then defines a hand-holding space open at one end to allow the hand to be inserted into the housing 22.

[0029] In a second embodiment illustrated by [Fig. 2], the device 10 comprises a light-emitting body 20, which is essentially, for example, in the form of a face mask 50 and a support. The mask 50 has, for example, an outer face 54 and an opposing inner face 56 for emitting light towards the face of a user of the device 10. In the example described, the support comprises a base 52 and a rod 58 for connecting the base 52 to the mask 50.

[0030] In the example illustrated in [Fig.2], the mask 50 forms a wall shaped with a concavity oriented towards the face so that the wall of the mask 50 naturally follows the curvature of a human face.

[0031] According to the invention, the light source 30 of the emitting body 20 comprises a plurality of light elements, each emitting a unit light flux towards the body area of ​​the individual to be treated. For example, each light element is a light-emitting diode.

[0032] Preferably, the light source 30 of the light-emitting body 20 emits a first beam of infrared light in the wavelength range between 800 and 900 nanometers, and preferably in the range between 820 and 840 nanometers, preferably centered around 830 nanometers. Preferably, the light source 30 of the light-emitting body 20 emits a second beam of red light in the wavelength range between 600 and 700 nanometers, preferably in the range between 620 and 640 nanometers, preferably centered around 630 nanometers.

[0033] In this case, the light source 30 can comprise several types of light elements emitting for each type in a predefined wavelength range with a distribution in the light body 12 homogeneous or not.

[0034] Figure 4 shows a functional diagram of the device 10, which will be described in more detail below. The phototherapy device 10 conventionally comprises a control module 40 for the light emission generated by the light source 30 of the luminous body 20. The device 10 also preferably comprises a power supply module (not shown in the figures) for the light body 20.

[0035] The module 40 is intended to transmit control signals including control information for the light parameter of the plurality of light elements of the light source 30, for example according to a predefined communication protocol known to the person skilled in the art.

[0036] Furthermore, the module 40 is configured to drive the light source 30 in pulsed or continuous mode. Preferably, the device 10 also includes a user interface 28 carried by the emitting body 20 (shown as an example in [Fig. 1]). This user interface offers, for example, various functions for adjusting the operation of the device 10 or for displaying, for example, a heart rate or oxygen saturation, which will not be described in further detail in this description.

[0037] The device 10 further includes a means for acquiring a signal B representing the heartbeats of the individual, said signal comprising cardiac impulses and intervals between impulses.

[0038] Figure 3 shows a chronogram illustrating the signal B representing the heartbeats of the individual and the signal P controlling the light source 30. The signal B is broken down into pulses during a period T1 and intervals between the pulses during a period T2.

[0039] The control module 40 includes means 44 for synchronizing the continuous mode to the pulse, i.e., during the period T1, and the pulsed mode to the interval, i.e., during the period T2. The control module 40 includes means 42 for activating the first beam Fl during the pulse and the second beam F2 during the interval between two pulses. The synchronization means 44 are configured so that the first beam Fl is in phase with the heart rhythm pulses in continuous mode and the second beam F2 is out of phase with the heart rhythm pulses in pulsed mode.

[0040] In [Fig. 3], signal B comprises two heartbeats. Typically, the resting heart rate of an adult is approximately 70 beats per minute, which corresponds to a heart rate of approximately 1 Hertz. The period separating the two peaks of the pulses is the inverse of the heart rate and, in the numerical example, is approximately 860 milliseconds.

[0041] In the example described, the duration T1 corresponding to the duration of a pulse is approximately 100 milliseconds. The duration T2 separating the pulses is approximately 760 milliseconds. The frequency of the pulsed mode (for example, around 400 Hertz) is higher than the heart rate such that there are several pulses of the light beam F2 within the interval T2.

[0042] As illustrated in [Fig.4], the pulsed mode is characterized, during the period T2, by several series of pulses with frequencies of 400 Hertz.

[0043] Preferably, the module 100 further includes a processor to execute software instructions for controlling the sets of light elements of each beam Fl or F2 of the light source 30. For example, the module 100 includes a memory to store the software instructions for execution by the processor.

[0044] Preferably, the signal acquisition means 100 includes a heart rate measurement means consisting of transmitting light radiation into the individual's organic tissues, detecting an optical signal resulting from the interaction of said light radiation with the tissues, and calculating said heart rate from the detected optical signal.

[0045] In the example described and illustrated in [Fig. 4], the acquisition means 100 comprises a light emitter 120 and one or more light receivers 130. The emitter 120 emits radiation, for example infrared, which propagates within human tissues where the radiation undergoes scattering and absorption. The interaction between the radiation and the tissues depends on the type and volume of tissue traversed. The receivers 130 measure the light signal exiting the tissues. This signal contains information about the tissues traversed. In the absence of movement of the individual, the detected signal comprises a continuous component, originating from static tissues, and a periodic component, originating from pulsating tissues, typically blood. This latter component allows for the measurement of heart rate.

[0046] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the acquisition means 100 forms a separate piece of equipment from the light-emitting body 20. Alternatively, the acquisition means 100 can be integrated into the light-emitting body 20. For example, the acquisition means 100 can be a front sensor integrated into the mask of the [Fig. 2],

[0047] Preferably, the acquisition means 100 is configured to communicate with the control module 40 of the transmitting body 40 by wired or wireless means, for example according to a communication protocol of the Bluetooth type.

[0048] Preferably, the acquisition means 100 comprises a housing equipped with an attachment element for attaching it to a part of the individual's body; for example, the attachment element comprises a bracelet for attaching said means to the wrist in the manner of a watch, as schematically illustrated in [Fig. 4]. Alternatively, the attachment element of the acquisition means 100 may comprise a clip configured to encircle a part of the individual's earlobe, as in [Fig. 2], or to encircle a thumb ([Fig. 1]).

[0049] We will now describe the main aspects of operation of a treatment device according to the invention.

[0050] An individual wishes to receive treatment with the treatment device 10, for example, a skin treatment of their hand to produce a rejuvenating effect ([Fig. 1]). This individual is of any age and gender. In the present case, the phototherapy treatment is performed on their face ([Fig. 2]) or on their hand ([Fig. 1]).

[0051] The device 10 according to the invention allows for the control of light such that red light is generated in a pulsed mode between two heartbeats in order to produce skin cell regeneration, and infrared light is generated in a continuous mode at the time of the heartbeat. The peak of the cardiac impulse corresponds to a maximum blood flow, while between two heartbeats, blood is essentially withdrawn from the body tissues. The source then emits a pulsed F2 beam of red light between two heartbeats, during the blood return, which allows for optimal absorption of red light by the deeper skin cells while limiting the absorption of red light by blood molecules.Conversely, when blood flow is at its maximum, during the cardiac impulse, the source 30 then emits a continuous infrared beam Fl of light which will be weakly absorbed by blood molecules.

[0052] The heart rhythm is not perfectly regular, and there may be a slight time lag in heartbeats for a given frequency. However, even in the event of cardiac fluctuations that could cause a shift in the timing of the maximum peak formed by the pulse, the continuous mode makes it possible to provide an optimal and constant amount of infrared energy at the time of the peak.

[0053] Of course, other embodiments are conceivable without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, various modifications can be made by a person skilled in the art to the invention just described by way of example.

Claims

Demands

1. A phototherapy device (10) for the treatment of a body area of ​​an individual, comprising: - a light-emitting body (20) comprising a light source (30) comprising a plurality of light elements (32) emitting light in the direction of said area, - a control module (40) for the light source (30) in pulsed or continuous mode, characterized in that it comprises a means (100) for acquiring a signal representing the heartbeats of the individual, said signal comprising cardiac impulses and intervals between impulses and in that the control module (40) comprises means (42) for synchronizing the continuous mode with the impulse and the pulsed mode with the interval.

2. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the light source (30) emits a first beam of light (F1) in the infrared and a second beam of light (F2) in the red, the control module includes means for activating the first beam during the pulse and the second beam during the interval between two pulses.

3. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first beam (Fl) emits infrared light between 820 and 840 nanometers.

4. Device (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second beam (F2) emits a red light between 620 and 640 nanometers.

5. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the signal acquisition means (100) comprises a heart rate measurement means (140) consisting of transmitting light radiation into the individual's organic tissues, detecting an optical signal resulting from the interaction of said light radiation with the tissues, and calculating said heart rate from the detected optical signal.

6. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the acquisition means (100) is integrated into the emitting body (20) of light or form equipment separate from the light-emitting body (20).

7. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the acquisition means (100) is configured to communicate with the control module (40) in a wired or wireless manner.

8. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the acquisition means (100) comprises a housing (110) equipped with an attachment element (112) to a part of the individual's body, for example the attachment element comprises a bracelet for attaching said means to the wrist in the manner of a watch.

9. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the acquisition means (100) comprises a light emitter (120) and a light receiver (130).

10. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a user interface (28) carried by the emitting body (20).

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