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 particularly, but not exclusively, to skin care devices configured to deliver energy-based treatments to the body of a subject. [Background technology]

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

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

[0004] The personal care device includes one or more sensors for monitoring one or more parameters before or during a personal care operation. For example, contact with the skin is required for successful photoepilation treatment and to prevent light pulses from being directed at other body parts, such as the eyes, which could cause injury. Thus, the personal care device includes a skin contact sensor for measuring or detecting contact with the skin. Another type of sensor used in personal care devices is a skin tone sensor, which measures the tone of the skin to which an energy-based treatment (e.g., photoepilation) is applied.

[0005] Personal care devices that perform energy-based treatments heat up during use, especially over extended periods of use, and increasingly stringent safety standards (e.g., IEC 60601) set maximum temperature limits for portions of personal care devices that come into contact with a subject's skin.

[0006] To ensure compliance with such safety standards, a temperature sensor is often provided in the portion of the personal care device that comes into contact with the subject's body, and if the temperature of this portion of the device rises above a temperature limit, the device "times out" to allow cooling.

[0007] EP1058569A1 (WO99 / 34867) discloses a device comprising a housing 32 containing a flash lamp 14 and an air cavity 11. The air cavity has a primary opening that is placed against the body to direct lamp energy towards the hair. In Figure 5A, the housing 32 further comprises an opening that allows air to be pumped out of the cavity via an air pump. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] It is desirable for the external components of a personal care device to remain within a temperature range that is comfortable for the user. The inventors of the present invention have determined that when therapeutic energy passes through the treatment cavity of a personal care device, the air contained within the treatment cavity is accidentally heated by the therapeutic energy, resulting in an increase in the temperature and pressure of this trapped air. The heated air exits the treatment cavity through an opening that contacts the subject's body, and thus the heated air passes across the subject's body and heats the external surfaces of the device. This adversely affects the user's experience. Therefore, an improved cooling configuration is desirable. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to perform cooling while the device is delivering energy-based therapy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to a first particular aspect, there is provided a personal care device configured to perform energy-based treatment on a part of a subject's body, the personal care device comprising: an energy source; and a cavity having a primary opening, 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 positioned at a distance from and away from the primary opening when the primary opening is placed in contact with the body, and allowing air to flow through the secondary opening, thereby evacuating air from the cavity while the therapeutic energy is being transmitted from the energy source to the primary opening. Exit It is configured to allow air flow.

[0010] The secondary openings allow air to flow through the secondary openings into the cavity and out of the cavity. Exit The primary opening is configured to allow air flow through the primary opening. The secondary opening is configured to place the cavity in fluid communication with the internal airflow within the personal care device through the secondary opening during use. The secondary opening is configured to be permanently open. The secondary opening is disposed along an axis tilted away from the direction of propagation of therapeutic energy generated by the energy source. The secondary opening is disposed along an axis tilted away from the direction of propagation of therapeutic energy incident on the secondary opening during use. The secondary opening is disposed along an axis passing through the primary opening of the cavity. The secondary opening is disposed along an axis configured to restrict loss of therapeutic energy generated by the energy source from the cavity through the secondary opening.

[0011] The cavity includes at least one reflector wall configured to reflect and direct treatment energy from the energy source toward a primary opening of the cavity. Secondary openings are provided in the reflector wall. The cavity includes a plurality of secondary openings.

[0012] The secondary opening has a leading edge and a trailing edge, and the leading edge is configured to extend beyond the trailing edge in the direction of propagation of treatment energy incident on the secondary opening, thereby configuring the secondary opening to limit loss of treatment energy from the cavity through the secondary opening.

[0013] The personal care device includes an auxiliary reflector disposed outside the cavity and aligned with the secondary opening, the auxiliary reflector configured to reflect treatment energy propagating from the cavity into the secondary opening back into the cavity through the secondary opening, and a reflective surface disposed within the secondary opening, the reflective surface configured to limit loss of treatment energy from the cavity through the secondary opening.

[0014] The personal care device further comprises a support surface surrounding the primary opening and positioned to contact and support a body part during use, the support surface comprising at least one groove configured to be in fluid communication with the cavity and ambient air when the support surface is in contact with the body part, and at least one protrusion provided on the support surface.

[0015] The personal care device is a skin care device. The energy source comprises a light source. The treatment energy comprises intense pulsed light. The personal care device comprises a separable portion configured to be separable from a main body portion of the personal care device, the separable portion comprising a cavity, a primary opening, and a secondary opening. The main body portion comprises the energy source.

[0016] These and other aspects will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

[0017] Exemplary embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view of a personal care device. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of a detachable portion of a personal care device. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic cross-section through the separable portion of FIG. 2 along line III-III. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic cross section through a cavity of a personal care device. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic cross section through a personal care device when the detachable portion is attached to the main body portion. [Figures 6A-6C] 1 illustrates a schematic cross section through an exemplary reflector wall. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a front view of a detachable portion of a personal care device with surface features. [Figures 8A-8D] 8 is a schematic cross-section through the detachable portion of FIG. 7 taken along line VIII-VIII. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Referring to Figure 1, a personal care device 10 is configured to perform an energy-based treatment on a body part of a subject. In particular, the personal care device 10 shown in Figure 1 is a skin care device configured to perform an intense pulsed light (IPL)-based treatment on a body part of a subject for the purpose of removing hair and / or preventing hair growth, i.e., a photoepilator configured to perform photoepilation. However, it should be understood that the personal care device 10 shown in Figure 1 is provided merely as an example of a personal care device 10 to which the present invention can be applied. For example, the personal care device 10 may be configured to perform alternative energy-based treatments involving the application of heat and / or light and / or another form of therapeutic energy to the body, such as skin treatments including hair growth reduction, acne treatment, phototherapy treatment, skin rejuvenation, skin tightening, boatwine stain treatment, pain relief, etc.

[0020] As described herein, the term "user" refers to the person controlling the device, and the term "subject" refers to the 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 user controls 16. The handle 14 is shaped and sized so that the personal care device 10 can be held in one or both hands of a user. The user controls 16 can be manipulated by a user (e.g., the fingers of a user's hand grasping the handle 14) to activate the personal care device 10 to deliver energy-based treatment to a subject's body. The user controls 16 can be in the form of a switch, button, touchpad, or the like.

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

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

[0024] 2 illustrates a front view of the separable portion 20 of the personal care device 10. A schematic representation of a vertical cross section through the separable portion 20 along line III-III is illustrated in FIG.

[0025] 1, 2, and 3, the separable portion 20 comprises a housing 21 having a surface 22 configured to be placed in contact with a subject's body during use. The surface 22 comprises a skin tone sensor 24 used to determine the skin tone of the part of the body on which the personal care device 10 is used and whether an appropriate dose of energy-based treatment is administered to the part of the body. The surface 22 additionally comprises two skin contact sensors 26, which are provided on or within the surface 22 and configured to determine whether the surface 22 is in contact with the subject's body. The skin contact sensors 26 measure a parameter indicative of whether the surface 22 is in contact with the skin and generate a respective measurement signal (referred to as a "skin contact measurement signal"). Typically, the skin contact sensors 26 are used in personal care devices 10, particularly photoepilators, to ensure that the personal care device 10 is in proper contact with the skin before a light pulse is generated to avoid directing the light pulse into the user's or the subject's eyes.

[0026] The parameter may be capacitance, such that skin contact sensor 26 may measure capacitance via respective pairs of electrical contacts or electrodes on the surface of face 22, with the measured capacitance indicating whether skin contact is present. Alternatively, the parameter may be light intensity or level, such that skin contact sensor 26 may be a light sensor that measures the intensity or level of light incident on the light sensor, with the measured intensity or level indicating whether skin contact is present (e.g., skin obscures light sensor 26, so less / no light may indicate skin contact, or vice versa). In another alternative, the parameter may be a measurement of contact pressure, such that skin contact sensor 26 may measure contact pressure via respective pressure sensors or mechanical switches, with the measured contact pressure indicating whether skin contact is present.

[0027] The separable portion 20 includes an engagement portion 40, which may comprise, for example, a barbed flange or tab configured to engage a corresponding portion (not shown) of the main body portion 12. Separation of the separable portion 20 from the main body portion 12 requires a certain threshold force to disengage the corresponding engagement portion 40.

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

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

[0030] The cavity 32 includes at least one reflector wall 36T, 36B, 36L, 36R (collectively 36) configured to reflect treatment energy toward the primary opening 30. At least one reflector wall 36 is opaque to treatment energy emitted by the energy source 58. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the upper, lower, left, and right reflector walls 36T, 36B, 36L, 36R each include a respective reflective surface 37T, 37B, 37L, 37R (collectively 37) within the cavity 32. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative reflector wall 36 configurations, such as reflector walls with circular rather than rectangular cross-sections, are also suitable. Additionally or alternatively, not all reflector walls 36 may require or include a reflective surface 37.

[0031] Secondary openings 38T, 38B, 38L, 38R (collectively 38) are provided in at least one of the reflector walls 36. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, a respective secondary opening 38T, 38B, 38L, 38R is provided in each of the top, bottom, left, and right reflector walls 36T, 36B, 36L, 36R. The secondary openings 38 are spaced apart from the primary openings 30 such that, in use, the secondary openings 38 are provided at a distance from the subject's body. The secondary openings 38 allow air flow therethrough, thereby evacuating the air from the cavity 32 while treatment energy is being transmitted from the energy source 58 to the primary openings 30. Exit The secondary openings 38 are configured to allow air flow through the secondary openings 38 into and out of the cavity 32 while treatment energy is being transmitted from the energy source 58 to the primary openings 30. For example, the secondary openings 38 may be configured to be permanently open. Exit The secondary openings 38 are configured to allow air flow through the primary openings 30. The secondary openings 38 allow air to flow into and / or out of the cavity even when treatment energy is not being transmitted from the energy source 58 to the primary openings 30 (e.g., immediately after transmission of treatment energy). Exit It is configured to allow air flow.

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

[0033] The secondary apertures 38 are configured to limit the loss of treatment energy from the cavity 32 through the secondary apertures 38 (e.g., to minimize loss of light efficiency in a photoepilator). Figure 4 illustrates a schematic cross section through the cavity 32 with secondary apertures 38 configured to limit the loss of treatment energy through the secondary apertures 38. The secondary apertures 38 illustrated in Figure 4 are disposed along an axis 31 that is offset or tilted away from the direction 33 of treatment energy propagation and away from the direction 35 of treatment energy incident on the secondary apertures 38B. Additionally or alternatively, the secondary apertures 38 are disposed along an axis 31 that is tilted away from the longitudinal axis of the cavity 32 and / or that passes through the primary apertures 30 (e.g., a center point of the primary apertures 30).

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

[0035] Additionally or alternatively, the secondary openings 38 are disposed along an axis 31 perpendicular to the direction 33 of propagation of treatment energy towards the primary openings 30. The secondary openings 38 are disposed along an axis 31 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cavity 32.

[0036] The secondary aperture 38 includes a reflective surface 37H disposed on an interior surface of the secondary aperture 38, the reflective surface 37H being configured to limit loss of treatment energy from the cavity 32 through the secondary aperture 38.

[0037] The secondary apertures 38 are configured to limit the loss of treatment energy from the cavity 32 by limiting the 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 treatment energy includes light, reducing the diameter of the secondary apertures 38 reduces light loss from the cavity.

[0038] Advantageously, the cross-sectional area of the secondary openings 38 (or the total cross-sectional area of the secondary openings 38 when there are multiple secondary openings 38) is large enough to allow sufficient air flow and therefore sufficient cooling of the cavity 32 (e.g., sufficient cooling for the cavity 32 to remain below a certain threshold temperature). Preferably, the total area of the secondary openings 38 is less than 0.1 mm 2 More preferably, 1 mm 2 greater than 10 mm, most preferably 2 is.

[0039] Advantageously, the hydraulic diameter of a secondary opening 38 (or the total hydraulic diameter of the secondary openings 38 when there are multiple secondary openings 38) is small enough to reduce air entrainment through the secondary openings 38 to a negligible level. The hydraulic diameter of each secondary opening 38 is preferably less than 10 mm, more preferably less than 0.5 mm. Therefore, multiple secondary openings 38 are needed to meet both the area requirement and the hydraulic diameter requirement.

[0040] The secondary apertures 38 are evenly and / or uniformly distributed throughout the reflector walls 36. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, one secondary aperture 38 is provided in the center of each reflector wall 36. In an alternative configuration (not shown), multiple secondary apertures 38 are provided in each reflector wall 36 and / or at least one reflector wall 36 has no secondary apertures 38.

[0041] Those skilled in the art will be able to determine the appropriate number of secondary openings 38 depending on the parameters of the personal care device 10, such as the rate of heat generation 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 slats with secondary openings 38 in the form of slits disposed therebetween. A reflective surface 37 at each air hole directs treatment energy toward the primary openings 30, while the slits between them allow air flow through the secondary openings 38. The configuration of the leading edge 39 and trailing edge 41 is also achieved in a manner similar to that shown in FIG.

[0043] 5 illustrates a schematic vertical cross section through the personal care device 10 when the separable portion 20 is attached to the main body portion 12 by the engagement portion 40 and a corresponding portion (not shown) of the main body portion 12. For simplicity, the handle 14 and user controls 16 of the main body portion 12 have been omitted from FIG.

[0044] Main body portion 12 includes a housing 50 having an inlet vent 52 configured to allow air flow into main body portion 12, for example, as a result of suction created by a fan (not shown) located within main body portion 12. An outlet vent 54 is located on the opposite side of main body portion 12 from inlet vent 52 and directs air flow within main body portion 12 through and / or past components of main body portion 12, such as energy window 56 and energy source 58, to provide cooling. It will be appreciated that additional components (not shown) may be present within main body portion 12, for example, components configured to direct air flow and / or components (e.g., PCBs) against which air flow is directed for cooling purposes.

[0045] An energy window 56 is provided in the housing 50 at the front end of the main body portion 12, and the interior end 34 of the cavity 32 is aligned with the energy window 56 when the separable portion 20 is attached to the main body portion 12. An energy source 58 is provided within the main body portion 12 adjacent to the energy window 56. The energy source 58 may be any energy source 58 suitable for performing energy-based treatments on a subject's body. For example, in a skin care device configured to perform photoepilation, the energy source may comprise a lamp, LED, laser, or other light source configured to emit intense pulses of light at the required frequency.

[0046] The energy window 56 is configured to be substantially transparent to the treatment energy emitted by the energy source 58 and is configured to transmit the treatment energy from the energy source 58 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 the treatment energy from the energy source 58 into the cavity 32 of the separable portion 20 in a direction having at least a component towards the primary opening 30.

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

[0048] In effect, when the separable part 20 is attached to the main body part 12, the primary opening 30 is in (direct) fluid communication with the inlet vent 52 and the outlet vent 54 of the main body part 12 via the interior space 23 of the separable part 20 and the communication vent 60 of the main body part 12, thereby allowing air flow between the inlet vent 52 of the main body part 12 and the primary opening 30 of the cavity 32.

[0049] In use, the detachable portion 20 is attached to the main body portion 12. The face 22 of the personal care device 10 is placed in contact with the subject's body, which defines a volume of air within the cavity 32, and the primary opening 30 defines the portion of the subject's body to be treated. The user then triggers activation of the energy source 58 via the user control 16. If the skin contact sensor 26 determines that the face 22 is in contact with the subject's body, the energy source 58 is activated at a therapeutic energy dosage that corresponds to the subject'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 portion 12 into the cavity 32, and the reflector wall 36 reflects the therapeutic energy toward the primary opening 30 of the personal care device 10. Applying the therapeutic energy to the subject's body provides an energy-based treatment to the portion of the subject's body defined by the primary opening 30. The energy source 58 is controlled by a controller to ensure that a sufficient dose is delivered and / or to prevent an excessive dose from being delivered.

[0050] When the face 22 of the personal care device 10 is placed against the body of a subject during use, the face 22 of the personal care device 10 may be moved into and / or out of the cavity 32. Exit Airflow (e.g., through the primary opening 30) is typically reduced. However, the secondary opening 38 of the present invention allows airflow from the cavity 32 while treatment energy is being transmitted toward the primary opening 30. Exit For example, air may be drawn from cavity 32 through the primary openings and / or through any one or combination of secondary openings 38T, 38B, 38L, 38R. Exit Air is allowed to enter cavity 32 through one or any combination of secondary openings 38. Air enters cavity 32 through primary openings 30. Air exits cavity 32 through one or any combination of secondary openings 38. Air exits cavity 32 through primary openings 30.

[0051] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of different airflow paths are possible depending on the arrangement of the primary openings 30, secondary openings 38T, 38B, 38L, 38R, communication vents 60L, 60T, inlet vents 52, and outlet vents 54. The nature and direction of each airflow path will depend, among other things, on the dimensions of each opening 30, 38 and vents 52, 54, 60, the temperature reached within cavity 32, the relative pressures in different portions of personal care device 10, the velocity of airflow within main body portion 12, and the degree of airflow reduction through primary openings 30.

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

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

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

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

[0056] 6A, 6B, and 6C, collectively FIG. 6, illustrate a schematic cross section through one reflector wall 36B of cavity 32. An auxiliary reflector 36A is provided external to cavity 32 and aligned with a secondary opening 38 (e.g., in interior space 23). The auxiliary reflector 36A limits and / or prevents loss of treatment energy from cavity 32 through the secondary opening 38. The auxiliary reflector 36A is configured to reflect treatment energy propagating from cavity 32 into the secondary opening 38 back into cavity 32 through the secondary opening 38 (e.g., the same secondary opening 38 and / or a different secondary opening 38).

[0057] 6A , the auxiliary reflector 36A includes a reflective surface 37A (e.g., a planar reflective surface) that is substantially parallel to the reflector wall 36 of the cavity 32. The auxiliary reflector 36A is configured (e.g., positioned sufficiently close to the secondary opening 38B and the reflector wall 36) to reflect treatment energy propagating from the cavity 32 into the secondary opening 38B back into the cavity 32 through the same secondary opening 38B through which the energy exited the cavity 32. The auxiliary reflector 36A reflects the treatment energy 59 back into the cavity 32 in a direction having a component toward the primary opening 30, where the treatment energy 59 continues toward the subject's body. The auxiliary reflector 36A is positioned on or in contact with the housing 21 of the separable part 20.

[0058] 6B, auxiliary reflector 36A includes a parabolic reflective surface 37P that is configured to reflect treatment energy propagating from cavity 32 into secondary aperture 38B back into cavity 32 through the same secondary aperture 38B through which the energy exited cavity 32. Parabolic reflective surface 37P is configured such that its focal point is located at the center point of secondary aperture 38B.

[0059] 6C , the auxiliary reflector 36A has a planar reflective surface 37A that is disposed substantially parallel to the reflector wall 36 of the cavity 32 and extends the length of the multiple secondary apertures 38 provided in the reflector wall 36. The reflector wall 36 has an external reflective surface 37E, and the treatment 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. The auxiliary reflector is thereby configured to reflect the treatment energy back into the cavity 32 through a secondary aperture 38 different from the secondary aperture 38 through which the treatment energy exited the cavity 32.

[0060] In an embodiment not shown, the reflector wall 36 comprises a unidirectional reflector, such that treatment 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 treatment energy incident on a reflective surface 37 of the reflector wall 36 is reflected to remain within the cavity 32. The secondary aperture 38 comprises a reflective surface 37 along its interior.

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

[0062] 7 and 8, the support surface 28 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 subject's body 66.

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

[0064] The surface features 64 and / or conduits 62 comprise C-shaped grooves 62A or channels as shown in FIG. 8A, or alternatively, straight-sided grooves 62B or channels as shown in FIG. 8B.

[0065] Additionally or alternatively, the surface features 64 and / or the conduits 62 include at least one protrusion 64 (e.g., a plurality of ridges), as illustrated in Figure 8C. The protrusions are configured to ensure imperfect contact between the support surface 28 and the user's body 66.

[0066] Additionally or alternatively, the surface features 64 and / or conduits 62 comprise at least one conduit 62D disposed below the support surface 28, as illustrated in Figure 8D.

[0067] One end of each conduit surface feature 64 and / or conduit 62 terminates within cavity 32 near primary opening 30. The other end of each conduit terminates at an exterior surface of housing 21 of separable portion 20 and communicates with ambient air. In use, support surface 28 is placed in contact with a subject's body 66. Surface features 64 and / or conduits 62 pass through (e.g., into and / or out of) primary opening 30 when personal care device 10 is placed in contact with a subject's body 66. Exit In combination with the secondary openings 38, the channels are configured to allow air flow into and / or out of the cavity 32 during operation of the personal care device 10. Exit The channels allow air to flow (e.g., through cavity 32). For example, the channels allow air that enters cavity 32 via secondary openings 38 to exit cavity 32 via the primary openings while the personal care device is in use, such that support surface 28 is placed in contact with the body / skin of a subject.

[0068] Preferably, the width dimension of each surface feature 64 and / or channel 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 channel 62 is greater than 0.1 mm, more preferably between 0.5 mm and 10 mm. However, one skilled in the art will be able to determine the number, shape, and size of the surface features 64 and / or channels 62 depending on the parameters of the personal care device 10 and the nature of its use.

[0069] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art, by studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, in practicing the principles and techniques described herein. In the claims, the word "comprises" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the singular does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain means are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these means cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored or distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium, supplied together with or as part of other hardware, or in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunications systems. Any reference signs 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 containing an energy source; a cavity having a primary opening, the cavity transmitting treatment 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; 10. A personal care device comprising: a cavity comprising a secondary opening positioned 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 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. The personal care device of claim 1, wherein the secondary opening is permanently open.

5. The secondary opening is an axis that is tilted away from the 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 that limits loss of treatment energy generated by the energy source from the cavity through the secondary aperture; 5. The personal care device of claim 1, wherein the device is arranged along a

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. The personal care device of claim 1, wherein the secondary opening has 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 opening, the auxiliary reflector reflecting treatment energy propagating from the cavity into the secondary opening back into the cavity via the secondary opening; 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 claim 1, 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 that is 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 adapted to contact and support the part of the body in use, wherein at least one protrusion is provided on the support surface.

12. 12. The personal care device of any one of claims 1 to 11, 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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