Enhanced cooling for personal care devices

Abstract

According to one aspect, a personal care device 10 configured to perform energy-based treatment on a part of a target body is provided, the personal care device comprising: a main body portion including an energy source 58; and a cavity 32 having a primary opening 30, the cavity configured to transmit therapeutic energy from the energy source to the primary opening, the primary opening defining a part of the body to be treated by the therapeutic energy and configured to be placed in contact with the body during use of the personal care device so as to define a volume of air within the cavity; the cavity comprising a secondary opening 38 positioned at a distance from and away from the primary opening when the primary opening is placed in contact with the body, and configured to allow air flow through the secondary opening, thereby allowing air flow out of the cavity and into the main body portion while therapeutic energy is being transmitted from the energy source to the primary opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to personal care devices, and more particularly, although not exclusively, to skin care devices configured to perform energy-based treatments on a subject's body.

Background Art

[0002] There are many types of personal care devices that can be used to perform energy-based treatments on a subject, for example, on the subject's hair and / or skin.

[0003] Light-based hair removal is a treatment used to prevent hair growth by exposing the skin to bright flashes or pulses of light, sometimes referred to as IPL (intense pulsed light). The light pulses are generated by a lamp or light bulb. Alternatively, the flash or pulse can be generated using a laser or one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The light penetrates the skin and is absorbed, among other places, in the hair follicles. The temperature of the hair follicles rises, followed by an increase in the temperature of the surrounding tissue. If the temperature increase is sufficient, hair growth is inhibited. This process is known as photothermolysis.

[0004] Personal care devices include one or more sensors for monitoring one or more parameters before or during a personal care operation. For example, skin contact is required to successfully perform a light hair removal treatment and to prevent damage that can occur if the light pulse is directed towards other body parts such as the eyes. Thus, personal care devices include a skin contact sensor for measuring or detecting skin contact. Another type of sensor used in personal care devices is a skin tone sensor for measuring the skin tone of the skin to which an energy-based treatment (e.g., light hair removal) is applied.

[0005] Personal care devices that deliver energy-based therapies can become hot during use, especially with prolonged use. Increasingly stringent safety standards (e.g., IEC 60601) specify maximum temperature limits for parts of personal care devices that come into contact with the target skin.

[0006] To ensure compliance with these safety standards, temperature sensors are often installed in parts of personal care devices that come into contact with the user's body. If the temperature of this part of the device rises above the temperature limit, the device will "time out" to allow for cooling.

[0007] EP1058569A1 (WO99 / 34867) discloses a device comprising a housing 32, the housing 32 comprising a flash lamp 14 and an air cavity 11. The air cavity has a primary opening positioned to be in contact with a body and direct the lamp energy toward the hair. In Figure 5A, the housing 32 further includes an opening that allows air to be pumped out of the cavity via an air pump. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] It is desirable that the external components of a personal care device remain within a temperature range comfortable for the user. The inventors of this invention have found that when therapeutic energy passes through the therapeutic cavity of a personal care device, the air contained within the cavity is incidentally heated by the therapeutic energy, resulting in an increase in the temperature and pressure of this trapped air. The heated air exits the therapeutic cavity through an opening that comes into contact with the subject's body, and therefore, the heated air passes across the subject's body, heating the external surface of the device. This negatively impacts the user's experience. Therefore, an improved cooling configuration is desired. Furthermore, it is advantageous to perform cooling while the device is performing energy-based therapy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to a first particular embodiment, a personal care device is provided which is configured to deliver energy-based therapy to a part of a body subject, the personal care device comprising: an energy source; a cavity having a primary opening, the cavity configured to transmit therapeutic energy from the energy source to the primary opening, the primary opening configured to be positioned in contact with a body during use of the personal care device so as to define the part of the body to be treated by the therapeutic energy and to define the volume of air within the cavity, the cavity comprising a secondary opening positioned at a distance from the primary opening and from the body when the primary opening is positioned in contact with the body, the secondary opening being configured to allow airflow through the secondary opening, thereby allowing airflow out of the cavity while therapeutic energy is being transmitted from the energy source to the primary opening.

[0010] The secondary opening is configured to allow airflow into the cavity through the secondary opening and airflow out of the cavity through the primary opening. The secondary opening is configured so that, during use, the cavity is in fluid communication with the internal airflow within the personal care device through the secondary opening. The secondary opening is configured to be permanently open. The secondary opening is positioned along an axis that is tilted away from the direction of propagation of therapeutic energy generated by the energy source. The secondary opening is positioned along an axis that is tilted away from the direction of propagation of therapeutic energy incident into the secondary opening during use. The secondary opening is positioned along an axis that passes through the primary opening of the cavity. The secondary opening is positioned along an axis configured to restrict the loss of therapeutic energy generated by the energy source from the cavity through the secondary opening.

[0011] The cavity comprises at least one reflector wall configured to reflect therapeutic energy away from the energy source and towards the primary opening of the cavity. Secondary openings are provided in the reflector wall. The cavity comprises a plurality of secondary openings.

[0012] The secondary opening comprises a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge being configured to extend beyond the trailing edge in the direction of propagation of therapeutic energy incident into the secondary opening, thereby configuring the secondary opening to restrict the loss of therapeutic energy from the cavity through the secondary opening.

[0013] The personal care device includes an auxiliary reflector located outside the cavity and aligned with a secondary opening, the auxiliary reflector being configured to reflect therapeutic energy propagating from the cavity into the secondary opening and return it to the cavity through the secondary opening. The personal care device also includes a reflective surface located within the secondary opening, the reflective surface being configured to restrict the loss of therapeutic energy from the cavity through the secondary opening.

[0014] The personal care device further comprises a support surface that surrounds the primary opening and is positioned to contact and support a body part during use. The support surface comprises at least one groove configured to fluidly communicate with the cavity and ambient air when the support surface is in contact with the body part. At least one projection is provided on the support surface.

[0015] The personal care device is a skin care device. The energy source includes a light source. The therapeutic energy includes ultrashort pulsed light. The personal care device includes a separable part configured to be separable from the main body of the personal care device, the separable part includes a cavity, a primary opening, and a secondary opening. The main body includes an energy source.

[0016] These and other embodiments will be evident from and will be clarified by reference to the embodiments described below herein.

[0017] Next, exemplary embodiments will be described for illustrative purposes only with reference to the following drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1]It is a perspective view of a personal care device. [Figure 2] It is a front view of a separable part of a personal care device. [Figure 3] It is a schematic cross-section through the separable part of FIG. 2 along line III-III. [Figure 4] It is a schematic cross-section through the cavity of a personal care device. [Figure 5] It is a schematic cross-section through a personal care device when the separable part is attached to the main body part. [Figure 6A-6C] Illustrate a schematic cross-section through an exemplary reflector wall. [Figure 7] It is a front view of a separable part of a personal care device with surface features. [Figures 8A-8D] It is a schematic cross-section through line VIII-VIII of the separable part of FIG. 7.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, the personal care device 10 is configured to perform energy-based treatment on a part of a target body. In particular, the personal care device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a skin care device configured to perform treatment based on intense pulsed light (IPL) on a part of a target body for the purpose of hair removal and / or inhibition of hair growth, that is, a hair removal device configured to perform photoepilation. However, it should be understood that the personal care device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is presented merely as an example of the personal care device 10 to which the present invention is applied. For example, the personal care device 10 may be configured to perform alternative, energy-based treatments related to the application of heat and / or light and / or another form of treatment energy to the body, such as skin treatments including reduction of hair growth, treatment of acne, photodynamic therapy, skin rejuvenation, skin tightening, treatment of port-wine stains, relief of pain, and the like.

[0020] As described herein, the term "user" refers to a person who controls a device, and the term "subject" refers to a recipient of treatment (e.g., a person or an animal). The user of the personal care device 10 may be the subject, or the personal care device 10 may be used by the user on the subject when the user and the subject are not the same.

[0021] The personal care device 10 includes a main body portion 12 having a handle 14 and a user controller 16. The handle 14 is formed in a shape and size such that the personal care device 10 can be gripped by one or both hands of the user. The user controller 16 can be operated by the user (e.g., the fingers of the user's hand gripping the handle 14) to activate the personal care device 10 so that energy-based treatment is performed on the body of the subject. The user controller 16 is in the form of a switch, button, touch pad, or the like.

[0022] The personal care device 10 includes a separable portion 20 configured to be separable from and reattachable to the main body portion 12. As described below, the separable portion 20 is configured to interact and communicate with the features of the main body portion 12.

[0023] For ease of reference, the components of the personal care device 10 are described in relation to the orientation shown in FIG. 1, with the end closest to the left side of the page of the personal care device 10 including the separable portion 20 being the "front", the end closest to the right side of the page being the "back", the portion of the device 10 closest to the top of the page being the "top", the end closest to the bottom of the page being the "bottom", the side of the device 10 into the page being "left", and the side of the device out of the page being "right". The top, bottom, left, and right directions are indicated by reference numerals labeled with the letters "T", "B", "L", and "R", respectively.

[0024] Figure 2 shows a front view of the detachable portion 20 of the personal care device 10. A schematic representation of the vertical cross-section passing through the detachable portion 20 along line III-III is shown in Figure 3.

[0025] Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3, the separable portion 20 comprises a housing 21 having a surface 22 configured to be positioned to contact the target body during use. The surface 22 includes a skin tone sensor 24 used to determine the skin tone of the body part on which the personal care device 10 is used, and to determine whether treatment based on an appropriate amount of energy is applied to the body part. The surface 22 additionally includes two skin contact sensors 26, which are located on or inside the surface of the surface 22 and are configured to determine whether the surface 22 is in contact with the target body. The skin contact sensors 26 measure parameters indicating whether the surface 22 is in contact with skin and generate respective measurement signals (referred to as “skin contact measurement signals”). Typically, the skin contact sensors 26 are used in the personal care device 10, particularly in a light hair removal device, to ensure that the personal care device 10 is in precise contact with the skin before light pulses are generated, in order to avoid directing light pulses into the eyes of the user or target.

[0026] The parameter may be capacitance, and therefore the skin contact sensor 26 may measure capacitance via each pair of electrical contacts or electrodes on the surface of surface 22, and the measured capacitance indicates whether or not skin contact is present. Alternatively, the parameter may be light intensity or level, and therefore the skin contact sensor 26 may be a light sensor, measuring the intensity or level of light incident on the light sensor, and the measured intensity or level indicates whether or not skin contact is present (for example, less light / no light may indicate skin contact, or vice versa, as skin covers the light sensor 26). In another alternative, the parameter may be a measurement of contact pressure, and therefore the skin contact sensor 26 may measure contact pressure via each pressure sensor or mechanical switch, and the measured contact pressure indicates whether or not skin contact is present.

[0027] The detachable portion 20 includes an engaging portion 40, which comprises, for example, a hooked flange or tab configured to engage with a corresponding portion (not shown) of the main body portion 12. Separation of the detachable portion 20 from the main body portion 12 requires a certain threshold force to disengage the corresponding engaging portion 40.

[0028] Surface 22 includes a primary opening 30 formed where the cavity 32 of the separable portion 20 intersects with surface 22. A support surface 28 is provided around the primary opening 30, and the support surface 28 is configured to be positioned to contact the body of the object being treated during use.

[0029] The cavity 32 is configured to transmit energy from an energy source 58 (Figure 5) to the primary opening 30. For example, the energy source 58 is located outside the cavity 32, and therapeutic energy is transmitted into the cavity by, for example, an energy window 56 (Figure 5). A reflector (not shown) is provided around the energy source 58 to direct the therapeutic energy into the cavity 32. The cavity 32 is configured to transmit therapeutic energy from the internal end 34 of the cavity 32 toward the primary opening 30. Additionally or alternatively, the energy source 58 is located inside the cavity 32, and the cavity 32 is configured to transmit therapeutic energy toward the primary opening 30 from an energy source 58 located along the cavity, i.e., located inside the cavity 32.

[0030] The cavity 32 comprises at least one reflector wall 36T, 36B, 36L, 36R (collectively 36) configured to reflect therapeutic energy and direct it toward the primary opening 30. At least one reflector wall 36 is opaque to the therapeutic energy ejected by the energy source 58. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, each of the upper, lower, left, and right reflector walls 36T, 36B, 36L, 36R comprises its respective reflective surface 37T, 37B, 37L, 37R (collectively 37) within the cavity 32. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that alternative configurations of the reflector walls 36, for example, reflector walls with a circular cross-section instead of a rectangular cross-section, are also suitable. Additionally or alternatively, not all reflector walls 36 require or may not have a reflective surface 37.

[0031] Secondary openings 38T, 38B, 38L, and 38R (collectively 38) are provided in at least one of the reflector walls 36. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, each of the secondary openings 38T, 38B, 38L, and 38R is provided in the upper, lower, left, and right reflector walls 36T, 36B, 36L, and 36R, respectively. The secondary openings 38 are positioned at a distance from the primary opening 30 so that they are provided at a distance from the target body during use. The secondary openings 38 are configured to allow airflow through them, thereby allowing airflow out of the cavity 32 while therapeutic energy is being transmitted from the energy source 58 to the primary opening 30. The secondary openings 38 are configured to be permanently open. For example, the secondary opening 38 is configured to allow airflow into the cavity 32 through the secondary opening 38 and airflow out of the cavity 32 through the primary opening 30 while therapeutic energy is being transmitted from the energy source 58 to the primary opening 30. The secondary opening 38 is also configured to allow airflow into and / or out of the cavity even when therapeutic energy is not being transmitted from the energy source 58 to the primary opening 30 (for example, immediately after the transmission of therapeutic energy).

[0032] Each secondary opening 38 has a cross-section of any suitable shape, such as circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, or annular, but is not limited to these. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, each secondary opening 38 has a circular cross-section.

[0033] The secondary aperture 38 is configured to restrict the loss of therapeutic energy from the cavity 32 through the secondary aperture 38 (for example, in a light hair removal device, to minimize the loss of light efficiency). Figure 4 illustrates a schematic cross-section through the cavity 32 having a secondary aperture 38 configured to restrict the loss of therapeutic energy through the secondary aperture 38. The secondary aperture 38 illustrated in Figure 4 is provided along an axis 31 that is offset or inclined to be spaced away from the direction 33 of therapeutic energy propagation, and offset or inclined to be spaced away from the direction 35 of therapeutic energy incident on the secondary aperture 38B. Additionally or alternatively, the secondary aperture 38 is provided along an axis 31 that is inclined to be spaced away from the longitudinal axis of the cavity 32, and / or along an axis 31 that passes through the primary aperture 30 (for example, the center point of the primary aperture 30).

[0034] The indicated axis 31 of the secondary opening 38 gives rise to a front edge 39 and a rear edge 41 of the reflector wall 36 with respect to the direction 33 of propagation of therapeutic energy incident on the secondary opening 38. The front edge 39 overlaps with and / or extends beyond the rear edge 41 with respect to the direction 33 of propagation of therapeutic energy within the cavity 32. The front edge 39 has an angle β with respect to the reflective surface 37B of the reflector wall 36B. The rear edge 41 has an angle α with respect to the outer surface of the reflector wall 36B. Angle α is less than or equal to angle β. Angle α is less than 60°, preferably less than 45°. The difference between angle α and angle β is less than 90°.

[0035] Additionally or alternatively, a secondary opening 38 is provided along an axis 31 perpendicular to the direction 33 of propagation of therapeutic energy toward the primary opening 30. The secondary opening 38 is provided along an axis 31 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cavity 32.

[0036] The secondary opening 38 is provided with a reflective surface 37H on its internal surface, and the reflective surface 37H is configured to restrict the loss of therapeutic energy from the cavity 32 through the secondary opening 38.

[0037] The secondary aperture 38 is configured to restrict the loss of therapeutic energy from the cavity 32 by limiting its cross-sectional area (or, if there are multiple secondary apertures 38, the total cross-sectional area of ​​the secondary apertures 38). For example, if the therapeutic energy includes light, reducing the diameter of the secondary aperture 38 reduces the loss of light from the cavity.

[0038] It is advantageous if the cross-sectional area of ​​the secondary opening 38 (or, if there are multiple secondary openings 38, the total cross-sectional area of ​​the secondary openings 38) is large enough to allow sufficient airflow and therefore sufficient cooling of the cavity 32 (for example, sufficient cooling to keep the cavity 32 below a certain threshold temperature). Preferably, the total area of ​​the secondary opening 38 is 0.1 mm². 2 Larger than, and more preferably, 1 mm 2 Larger than that, most preferably 10 mm 2 That is the case.

[0039] It is advantageous that the hydraulic diameter of the secondary openings 38 (or, if there are multiple secondary openings 38, the total hydraulic diameter of the secondary openings 38) is small enough to reduce the air intake through the secondary openings 38 to a negligible level. The hydraulic diameter of each secondary opening 38 is preferably less than 10 mm, and more preferably less than 0.5 mm. Therefore, multiple secondary openings 38 are required to satisfy both the area requirement and the hydraulic diameter requirement.

[0040] The secondary openings 38 are evenly and / or uniformly distributed throughout the entire reflector wall 36. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, one secondary opening 38 is provided in the center of each reflector wall 36. In an alternative configuration (not shown), each reflector wall 36 is provided with multiple secondary openings 38, and / or at least one reflector wall 36 does not have secondary openings 38.

[0041] Those skilled in the art will be able to determine an appropriate number of secondary openings 38 depending on the parameters of the personal care device 10, such as the heat generation rate and the balance of competing factors such as cross-sectional area, hydraulic diameter and energy loss from the cavity 32.

[0042] In one embodiment not shown, the reflector wall 36 comprises a plurality of parallel air holes or vanes, each having a secondary opening 38 in the form of a slit between them. A reflective surface 37 provided in each air hole directs therapeutic energy towards the primary opening 30, while the slit between them allows air to flow through the secondary opening 38. The configuration of the leading edge 39 and trailing edge 41 is achieved in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 4.

[0043] Figure 5 shows a schematic vertical cross-section through the personal care device 10 when the detachable portion 20 is attached to the main body portion 12 by the engaging portion 40 and the corresponding portion of the main body portion 12 (not shown). For simplification, the handle 14 and user controller 16 of the main body portion 12 are omitted from Figure 5.

[0044] The main body portion 12 comprises a housing 50 having an inlet vent 52 configured to allow airflow into the main body portion 12 as a result of suction generated by, for example, a fan (not shown) provided within the main body portion 12. An outlet vent 54 is provided in the main body portion 12 on the opposite side from the inlet vent 52, and is directed so that the airflow within the main body portion 12 passes through and / or over components of the main body portion 12, such as an energy window 56 and an energy source 58, in order to perform cooling. It will be understood that additional components (not shown), such as components configured to direct airflow and / or components to which airflow is directed for cooling purposes (e.g., a PCB), may be present within the main body portion 12.

[0045] An energy window 56 is provided in the housing 50 at the front end of the main body portion 12, and when the detachable portion 20 is attached to the main body portion 12, the inner end 34 of the cavity 32 aligns with the energy window 56. Adjacent to the energy window 56, an energy source 58 is provided within the main body portion 12. The energy source 58 is any energy source 58 suitable for performing energy-based treatment on the target body. For example, in a skincare device configured to perform light hair removal, the energy source comprises a lamp, LED, laser or other light source configured to emit ultrashort pulses of light at the required frequency.

[0046] The energy window 56 is configured to be substantially transparent to the therapeutic energy emitted by the energy source 58 and to transmit therapeutic energy from the energy source 58, which is located inside the main body portion 12, to the outside of the main body portion 12. In particular, the energy window 56 is configured to transmit therapeutic energy from the energy source 58 into the cavity 32 of the separable portion 20 in a direction having at least a component toward the primary opening 30.

[0047] The main body portion 12 further comprises at least one communication vent 60L, 60T (collectively 60) configured to enable fluid communication between the main body portion 12 and the internal space 23 of the separable portion 20. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the main body portion 12 is provided with two communication vent 60L, 60T at the front end of the housing 50 of the main body portion 12, and the communication vent 60L, 60T are configured to ensure fluid communication between the internal space 23 of the separable portion 20 and the space within the housing 50 of the main body portion 12.

[0048] In practice, when the detachable portion 20 is attached to the main body portion 12, the primary opening 30 is in (direct) fluid communication with the inlet vent 52 and outlet vent 54 of the main body portion 12 via the internal space 23 of the detachable portion 20 and the communicating vent 60 of the main body portion 12. This allows air to flow between the inlet vent 52 of the main body portion 12 and the primary opening 30 of the cavity 32.

[0049] During use, the detachable part 20 is attached to the main body part 12. The surface 22 of the personal care device 10 is positioned to make contact with the target body, the target body determines the volume of air in the cavity 32, and the primary opening 30 determines the part of the target body to be treated. The user then triggers the activation of the energy source 58 using the user controller 16. If the skin contact sensor 26 determines that the surface 22 is in contact with the target body, the energy source 58 is activated with an amount of therapeutic energy corresponding to the target's skin tone detected by the skin tone sensor 24. The energy window 56 transmits therapeutic energy from the energy source 58 located inside the main body part 12 to the cavity 32, and the reflector wall 36 reflects the therapeutic energy and directs it towards the primary opening 30 of the personal care device 10. By applying therapeutic energy to the target body, energy-based treatment is performed on the part of the target body determined by the primary opening 30. The energy source 58 is controlled by a controller to ensure that an adequate amount is applied and / or that an excessive amount is prevented.

[0050] When the surface 22 of the personal care device 10 is placed in contact with the target body during use, the airflow into and / or out of the cavity 32 (e.g., through the primary opening 30) is normally reduced. However, while therapeutic energy is being transmitted toward the primary opening 30, the secondary openings 38 of the present invention allow airflow out of the cavity 32. For example, air is allowed to flow out of the cavity 32 through the primary opening and / or through any one or combination of the secondary openings 38T, 38B, 38L, 38R. Air enters the cavity 32 through one or any combination of the secondary openings 38. Air enters the cavity 32 through the primary opening 30. Air exits the cavity 32 through one or any combination of the secondary openings 38. Air exits the cavity 32 through the primary opening 30.

[0051] Those skilled in the art will understand that several different airflow paths are made possible by the arrangement of the primary opening 30, secondary openings 38T, 38B, 38L, 38R, connecting vents 60L, 60T, inlet vent 52, and outlet vent 54. The nature and direction of each airflow path depend, in particular, on the dimensions of each opening 30, 38 and vents 52, 54, 60, the temperature reached within the cavity 32, the relative pressure in different parts of the personal care device 10, the velocity of the internal airflow in the main body portion 12, and the degree of reduction of the airflow through the primary opening 30.

[0052] In one exemplary airflow path, air enters the main body portion 12 through the inlet vent 52 and passes clockwise with respect to Figure 5. Air enters the separable portion 20 through the connecting vent 60B. Air enters the cavity 32 through the secondary opening 38B. Air exits the cavity 32 through the primary opening 30. Air exits the cavity 32 through the secondary opening 38T.

[0053] In another exemplary airflow path, air enters the main body portion 12 through the inlet vent 52 and passes clockwise with respect to Figure 5. The air enters the separable portion 20 through the connecting vent 60B. The air enters the cavity 32 through the secondary opening 38B. The air exits through the secondary opening 38T and re-enters the main body portion 12 through the connecting vent 60T. The air exits the main body portion 12 through the outlet vent 54. The airflow from the secondary opening 38B to the secondary opening 38T draws air into the cavity 32 through the primary opening 30, and this air then exits the cavity 32 through the secondary opening 38T.

[0054] In a further exemplary airflow path, air passing through the main body portion 12 from the inlet vent 52 to the outlet vent 54 draws air from the internal space of the separable portion 20 into the main body portion 12, and this air draws air from the cavity 32 into the internal space of the separable portion 20 through secondary openings 38T, 38B, 38L, and 38R, and this air draws air into the cavity 32 through the primary opening 30. In practice, the airflow within the main body portion 12 draws air into the cavity 32 through the primary opening 30 as a result of fluid communication between the cavity 32 and the main body portion 12.

[0055] It should be understood that the exemplary airflow paths described above are not necessarily exclusive. For example, each exemplary airflow path occurs during a typical use cycle of the personal care device 10, during which the device 10 is placed in contact with a body, the energy source 58 is activated, and then the personal care device 10 is moved away from the body before being placed again in contact with a body at a different location, and this cycle is repeated. In any case, the airflow into and / or out of and / or through the cavity 32 performs a cooling function in the cavity 32, cooling the air inside the cavity 32 and / or cooling the components of the cavity and components adjacent to the cavity 32, such as the reflector wall 36, surface 22 and support surface 28.

[0056] Figures 6A, 6B, and 6C, collectively Figure 6, illustrate a schematic cross-section of the cavity 32 through one reflector wall 36B. An auxiliary reflector 36A is provided on the outside of the cavity 32 and is aligned with the secondary opening 38 (for example, in the internal space 23). The auxiliary reflector 36A restricts and / or prevents the loss of therapeutic energy from the cavity 32 through the secondary opening 38. The auxiliary reflector 36A is configured to reflect therapeutic energy propagating from the cavity 32 into the secondary opening 38 and return it to the cavity 32 through the secondary opening 38 (for example, the same secondary opening 38 and / or different secondary openings 38).

[0057] As shown in Figure 6A, the auxiliary reflector 36A has a reflective surface 37A (e.g., a planar reflective surface) substantially parallel to the reflector wall 36 of the cavity 32. The auxiliary reflector 36A is configured to reflect therapeutic energy propagating from the cavity 32 into the secondary opening 38B and return it to the cavity 32 through the same secondary opening 38B that the energy passed through when it left the cavity 32 (e.g., it is positioned sufficiently close to the secondary opening 38 and the reflector wall 36). The auxiliary reflector 36A reflects the therapeutic energy 59 back into the cavity 32 in a direction having a component toward the primary opening 30, and the therapeutic energy 59 continues toward the target body. The auxiliary reflector 36A is installed on or in contact with the housing 21 of the separable portion 20.

[0058] As shown in Figure 6B, the auxiliary reflector 36A has a parabolic reflective surface 37P and is configured to reflect the therapeutic energy propagating from the cavity 32 into the secondary aperture 38B and return it to the cavity 32 through the same secondary aperture 38B that the energy passed through when it left the cavity 32. The parabolic reflective surface 37P is configured so that its focal point is located at the center point of the secondary aperture 38B.

[0059] As shown in Figure 6C, the auxiliary reflector 36A has a planar reflective surface 37A that extends over the length of a plurality of secondary openings 38 provided in the reflector wall 36 of the cavity 32, and is installed substantially parallel to the reflector wall 36 of the cavity 32. The reflector wall 36 has a reflective surface 37E on its exterior, and the therapeutic energy is repeatedly reflected between the reflective surface 37A of the auxiliary reflector 36A and the external reflective surface 37E of the reflector wall 36B. In this way, the auxiliary reflector is configured to reflect the therapeutic energy and return it to the cavity 32 through a secondary opening 38 different from the secondary opening 38 through which the therapeutic energy passed when it left the cavity 32.

[0060] In embodiments not shown, the reflector wall 36 includes a unidirectional reflector, and therapeutic energy reflected from the auxiliary reflector 36A and incident on the outer surface of the reflector wall 36 is transmitted into the cavity 32, while therapeutic energy incident on the reflective surface 37 of the reflector wall 36 is reflected so as to remain within the cavity 32. The secondary opening 38 includes a reflective surface 37 along its interior.

[0061] Figure 7 shows a front view of the separable portion 20, which includes at least one surface feature 64 and / or conduit 62 configured to allow fluid communication between the cavity 32 and the ambient air when the support surface 28 is in contact with the body of the object. Figure 8 shows a schematic cross-section through the separable portion of Figure 7 along line VIII-VIII.

[0062] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the support surface 28 comprises at least one surface feature 64 and / or conduit 62 configured to allow fluid communication between the cavity 32 and the ambient air when the support surface 28 is in contact with the body 66 of the object.

[0063] The surface features 64 and / or conduits 62 are of any suitable shape that allows air to flow through the primary opening 30. For example, the surface features 64 and / or conduits 62 are linear or have curves or bends along their length. The surface features 64 and / or conduits 62 are continuous with the support surface 28.

[0064] The surface features 64 and / or conduits 62 are provided with C-shaped grooves 62A or channels, as shown in Figure 8A, or alternatively, with grooves 62B or channels with straight sides, as shown in Figure 8B.

[0065] Additionally or alternatively, the surface features 64 and / or conduits 62 are provided with at least one projection 64 (e.g., multiple ridges), as shown in Figure 8C. The projection is configured to ensure that contact between the support surface 28 and the user's body 66 is incomplete.

[0066] Additionally or alternatively, the surface feature 64 and / or conduit 62 comprises at least one conduit 62D provided below the support surface 28, as shown in Figure 8D.

[0067] One end of each conduit surface feature 64 and / or conduit 62 terminates within the cavity 32 near the primary opening 30. The other end of each conduit terminates on the outer surface of the housing 21 of the separable portion 20 and communicates with the ambient air. When in use, the support surface 28 is positioned to be in contact with the subject's body 66. The surface features 64 and / or conduit 62 are configured to allow airflow through the primary opening 30 (e.g., into and / or out of the primary opening 30) when the personal care device 10 is positioned to be in contact with the subject's body 66. Combined with the secondary opening 38, the grooves allow airflow into and / or out of the cavity 32 (e.g., through the cavity 32) during the operation of the personal care device 10. For example, the groove allows air that has entered the cavity 32 through the secondary opening 38 to exit the cavity 32 through the primary opening while the personal care device is in use and therefore positioned so that the support surface 28 is in contact with the subject's body / skin.

[0068] Preferably, the width dimension of each surface feature 64 and / or conduit 62 is between 0.1 mm and 20 mm, more preferably between 0.5 mm and 10 mm. Preferably, the height or depth of each surface feature 64 and / or conduit 62 is greater than 0.1 mm, more preferably between 0.5 mm and 10 mm. However, those skilled in the art may determine the number, shape, and dimensions of the surface features 64 and / or conduits 62 depending on the parameters and nature of the application of the personal care device 10.

[0069] Modifications of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art by examining the drawings, this disclosure, and the appended claims in practicing the principles and techniques described herein. In the claims, the words “equipment” and “including” are not exclusive of other elements or steps, and the singular form is not exclusive of plural. A single processor or other unit may perform the functions of several items described in the claims. The mere fact that certain means are described in different dependent claims is not indicative that combinations of these means cannot be used advantageously. Computer programs may be stored or distributed on suitable media such as optical storage media or solid-state media supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. 1. A personal care device for administering energy-based therapy to a body part of a subject, comprising: The personal care device comprises: a main body portion including an energy source; a cavity having a primary opening, the cavity transmitting therapeutic energy from the energy source to the primary opening; Equipped with the primary opening is positioned in contact with the body during use of the personal care device to define the portion of the body to be treated by the treatment energy and to define a volume of air within the cavity; 13. A personal care device comprising: a cavity comprising a secondary opening disposed at a distance from and away from the primary opening when the primary opening is placed against the body, the secondary opening allowing air to flow through the secondary opening, thereby allowing air to flow out of the cavity and into the main body portion while therapeutic energy is being transmitted from the energy source to the primary opening; The personal care device comprises a separable portion separable from the main body portion of the personal care device, the separable portion comprising the cavity, the primary opening, and the secondary opening.

2. 10. The personal care device of claim 1, wherein the secondary opening further allows air to flow from the main body portion into the cavity through the secondary opening and air to flow from the cavity out through the primary opening.

3. 3. The personal care device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the secondary opening is configured such that, in use, the cavity is in fluid communication with an internal air flow within the personal care device via the secondary opening.

4. 4. A personal care device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the secondary opening is permanently open.

5. The secondary opening is an axis that is tilted away from a direction of propagation of treatment energy generated by the energy source and incident on the secondary aperture during use; and / or an axis passing through the primary opening of the cavity, and / or a shaft having a reflective surface for limiting loss of therapeutic energy generated by the energy source from the cavity through the secondary aperture; 5. A personal care device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one conductor is a conductor.

6. 6. The personal care device of claim 1, wherein the cavity comprises at least one reflector wall that reflects and directs treatment energy from the energy source towards the primary opening of the cavity, the secondary opening being provided in the reflector wall.

7. 7. A personal care device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the secondary opening comprises a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge extending beyond the trailing edge in the direction of propagation of treatment energy incident on the secondary opening, thereby limiting loss of treatment energy from the cavity through the secondary opening.

8. The personal care device comprises: an auxiliary reflector external to the cavity and aligned with the secondary aperture, the auxiliary reflector reflecting treatment energy propagating from the cavity into the secondary aperture back into the cavity via the secondary aperture; and / or a reflective surface disposed within the secondary aperture, the reflective surface limiting loss of treatment energy from the cavity through the secondary aperture; 7. The personal care device of claim 6, comprising:

9. 9. The personal care device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity comprises a plurality of secondary openings.

10. 10. The personal care device of any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a support surface surrounding the primary opening and contacting and supporting the part of the body in use, the support surface comprising at least one groove in fluid communication with the cavity and ambient air when the support surface is in contact with the part of the body.

11. 10. The personal care device of any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a support surface surrounding the primary opening and for contacting and supporting the part of the body in use, wherein at least one protrusion is provided on the support surface.

12. The personal care device of claim 1 , wherein the personal care device is a skin care device.

13. 13. The personal care device of claim 1, wherein the energy source comprises a light source and the therapeutic energy comprises intense pulsed light.

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