Devices and methods for controlling the treatment of skin conditions using tracers

Abstract

A device and method for treating a skin condition are provided. The device may include an applicator device that applies a composition to the skin. The composition includes an active ingredient for treating the skin condition and a tracer. The device may also include a detector device that acquires image data corresponding to an image of an area of ​​the skin. The device may further include a processing device that analyzes the image data to determine whether an artifact corresponding to the skin condition is detected at a location within the imaged area of ​​the skin and to determine the amount of tracer detected from the location, and the processing device may further include a processing device that instructs the applicator device to apply the composition to the location when the artifact is detected and the amount of tracer is below a predetermined threshold level.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 046,521, filed June 30, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to devices and methods for treating conditions on treatment surfaces, such as keratinous surfaces (e.g., skin, hair, or nails) or enamel (e.g., teeth). More particularly, the present invention relates to devices and methods for selectively applying treatments to surfaces and tracking the treatments using tracers. [Background technology]

[0003] Manual application of topical skin treatments relies on visual inspection of the skin and manual administration of the topical skin treatment by the user. This method of administering a topical skin treatment relies on visual identification of the area of ​​skin requiring treatment. However, a skin condition may exist before any visible symptoms are observed on the skin by eye. Therefore, such visual inspection and manual application of a topical skin treatment is ineffective in identifying areas of skin affected by a skin condition but that have not yet formed visible skin artifacts. In addition, manual administration of a topical skin treatment may result in application of the skin treatment to a skin area larger than the concise area affected by the skin condition. For example, a user may manually apply a topical ointment using their fingers, and the topical ointment is typically larger than the concise area of ​​skin artifacts, such as acne breakouts, pre-clinical acne, or hyperpigmentation, that require treatment. Such widespread application of the treatment is undesirable because the treatment may be associated with potential adverse effects. Furthermore, the treatment is not expected to have any beneficial effect on areas of skin not affected by the skin condition, and therefore any potential adverse effects on these areas of skin are unnecessary. Application of the treatment to areas of the skin that are not affected by the skin condition is not expected to be beneficial, and this would unnecessarily waste the treatment without providing any significant improvement in the aesthetic appearance or health of the skin. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] One exemplary embodiment of the present invention is directed to a handheld device for treating a skin condition. The device includes an applicator device that applies a composition to the skin. The composition includes an active ingredient for treating the skin condition and a tracer. The device also includes a detector device that acquires image data corresponding to an image of an area of ​​the skin. The device further includes a processor that analyzes the image data to determine whether an artifact corresponding to the skin condition is detected at a location within the imaged area of ​​the skin and to determine the amount of tracer detected from the location. The processor instructs the composition applicator device to apply a composition to the location when an artifact is detected and the amount of tracer is below a predetermined threshold level.

[0005] A method for treating a skin condition is also described. The method includes acquiring, by a detector device, image data corresponding to an image of an area of ​​skin. The method also includes analyzing, by a processing device, the image data to determine whether an artifact corresponding to the skin condition is detected at a location within the imaged area of ​​skin and to determine the amount of tracer detected from the location. The method further includes applying, by an applicator device, a composition to the location when the artifact is detected from the location and the amount of tracer is below a predetermined threshold level. The composition includes an active ingredient for treating the skin condition and a tracer.

[0006] These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the invention, including the drawings and appended claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1a] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary device for treating a skin condition, according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 1b] 1a shows the exemplary device of FIG. 1a being used to image an area of ​​skin and apply a composition to the skin. [Figure 2] 1 illustrates an exemplary method for treating a skin condition according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates another exemplary method of treating a skin condition, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4a] 10 shows simulated images illustrating the application of a cosmetic composition over multiple passes across a user's face, as described in Example III. [Figure 4b] 10 shows simulated images illustrating the application of skin brightener applied over multiple passes across a user's face, as described in Example III. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The terms "treat," "treating," or "treatment" as used herein refer to ameliorating, alleviating, preventing, improving, or eliminating the presence or symptoms of a condition or disorder.

[0009] As used herein, the terms "suitable for topical application" or "suitable for topical administration" refer to ingredients and / or treatments that are suitable for use on the skin, particularly human skin, without undue toxicity, incompatibility, instability, irritation, allergic reaction, unsightly appearance, etc.

[0010] The term "benefit agent" as used herein refers to any beneficial compound / composition / extract or active ingredient suitable for topical application for treating a skin condition. Skin conditions may include, for example, infection, inflammation, acne, uneven skin tone, sun damage, age spots, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, eczema, hives, vitiligo, psoriasis, rosacea, warts, shingles, herpes, uneven pigmentation and tone, redness / oxidative skin stress (requiring whitening), sagging / loss of elasticity, etc. Exemplary embodiments of benefit agents that may be incorporated into the compositions are further described below.

[0011] A non-limiting list of benefit agents useful for acne includes benzoyl peroxide, retinoids including retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, retinyl acetate, and retinyl palmitate, hydroxy acids including, but not limited to, glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, salicylic acid, citric acid, and tartaric acid, sulfur, zinc PCA (zinc pyrrolidone carboxylic acid), allantoin (5-ureidohydantoin), rosemary, 4-hexylresorcinol, N-acetylglucosamine, gluconolactone, niacinamide, azelaic acid, and resveratrol.

[0012] A non-limiting list of useful pigmentation active benefit agents includes resorcinols, e.g., niacinamide, 4-hexylresorcinol, curcuminoids (e.g., Sabiwhite (tetrahydrocurcumin)), phytic acid, resveratrol, soy (Glycine Soja (Soybean) oil, gluconolactone, azelaic acid, and retinoids including retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, retinyl acetate, and retinyl palmitate, enzymes such as laccase, tyrosinase inhibitors, melanin degraders, melanosome migration inhibitors such as PAR-2 ​​antagonists, scrubs, sunscreens, retinoids, antioxidants, tranexamic acid, tranexamic acid cetyl ester hydrochloride, skin whitening agents, linoleic acid, adenosine monophosphate disodium salt, chamomile extract, allantoin, opacifiers, talc and silica, zinc salts, etc. Examples of suitable tyrosinase inhibitors include vitamin C and its derivatives, vitamin E and its derivatives, kojic acid, arbutin, resorcinol, hydroquinone, flavones (e.g., licorice flavanoids, licorice root extract, mulberry root extract, Dioscorea copposita (Dioscorea Examples of vitamin C derivatives include, but are not limited to, ascorbic acid and its salts, ascorbic acid-2-glucosamine, ascorbic acid-2-glucosamine, hydroxybenzoates ... Examples of vitamin E derivatives include, but are not limited to, α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol, α-tocotrienol, β-tocotrienol, γ-tocotrienol, δ-tocotrienol, and mixtures thereof, tocopherol acetate, tocopherol phosphate, and natural extracts enriched in vitamin E derivatives.Examples of resorcinol derivatives include, but are not limited to, resorcinol, 4-substituted resorcinols, such as 4-butylresorcinol (rucinol), 4-hexylresorcinol, phenylethylresorcinol, 4-alkylresorcinols such as 1-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(2,4-dimethoxy-3-methylphenyl)-propane, and resorcinol-rich natural extracts. Examples of salicylates include, but are not limited to, 4-methoxypotassium salicylate, salicylic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, 4-methoxysalicylic acid, and salts thereof. In certain preferred embodiments, the tyrosinase inhibitor includes a 4-substituted resorcinol, a vitamin C derivative, or a vitamin E derivative.

[0013] A useful list of redness / antioxidant active beneficial agents includes water-soluble antioxidants such as sulfhydryl compounds and their derivatives (e.g., sodium metabisulfite and N-acetyl-cysteine), lipoic acid and dihydrolipoic acid, resveratrol, lactoferrin, and ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid derivatives (e.g., ascorbyl palmitate and ascorbyl polypeptide).Suitable oil-soluble antioxidants for use in the compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, butylated hydroxytoluene, retinoids (e.g., retinol and retinyl palmitate), tocopherols (e.g., tocopherol acetate), tocotrienols, and ubiquinone.Suitable natural extracts containing antioxidants for use in the compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, extracts containing flavonoids and isoflavonoids, and their derivatives (e.g., genistein and daidzein), extracts containing resveratrol, etc. Examples of such natural extracts include grape seed, green tea, pine bark, propolis, and feverfew extract. "Feverfew extract" refers to an extract of the plant Tanacetum parthenium. One particularly suitable feverfew extract is commercially available as about 20% active feverfew.

[0014] A non-limiting list of useful wrinkle active benefit agents includes N-acetylglucosamine, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, copper salts such as copper chloride, peptides such as algilain, syn-ake, copper, coenzyme Q10, those containing dill, blackberry, paulownia, Picia anomala, and chicory, resorcinols such as 4-hexylresorcinol, curcuminoids, and retinoids including retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, retinyl acetate, and retinyl palmitate, hydroxy acids including, but not limited to, glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, salicylic acid, citric acid, and tartaric acid.

[0015] A non-limiting list of useful moisturizing active benefit agents includes hyaluronic acid and moisturizers.Hyaluronic acid can be linear hyaluronic acid, cross-linked hyaluronic acid, or a mixture of linear hyaluronic acid and cross-linked hyaluronic acid.It can also be in salt form, for example, sodium hyaluronate.Moisturizers are compounds (for example, hygroscopic compounds) intended to increase the moisture content of the top layer of skin.Examples of suitable moisturizers include, but are not limited to, glycerin, sorbitol, trehalose, or their salts or esters.

[0016] A non-limiting list of useful whitening active benefit agents includes vitamin C and its derivatives such as ascorbic acid 2-glucoside, alpha-hydroxy acids such as lactic acid, glycolic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, or any combination of any of the foregoing, beta-hydroxy acids such as salicylic acid, polyhydroxy acids such as lactobionic acid and gluconic acid.

[0017] A non-limiting list of useful benefit agents for sagging skin includes blackberry extract, Coconut Coconut extract, feverfew extract, extract of Phyllanthus niruri, and bimetallic complexes having copper and / or zinc components. The bimetallic complexes having copper and / or zinc components may be, for example, copper-zinc citrate, copper-zinc oxalate, copper-zinc tartrate, copper-zinc malate, copper-zinc succinate, copper-zinc malonate, copper-zinc maleate, copper-zinc aspartate, copper-zinc glutamate, copper-zinc glutarate, copper-zinc fumarate, copper-zinc glucarate, copper-zinc polyacrylate, copper-zinc adipate, copper-zinc pimelate, copper-zinc suberate, copper-zinc azelaate, copper-zinc sebacate, copper-zinc dodecanoate, or combinations thereof.

[0018] Additional skin benefit agents or actives may include those listed in the following paragraphs, some of which are listed above, but which are included below to ensure a more robust list.

[0019] Examples of suitable additional benefit agents include skin lightening agents, darkening agents, anti-aging agents, tropoelastin promoting agents, collagen promoting agents, anti-acne agents, shine adjusting agents, antimicrobial agents (e.g., anti-yeast, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agents), anti-inflammatory agents, anti-parasitic agents, topical analgesics, sunscreens, photoprotectants, antioxidants, keratolytic agents, detergents / surfactants, moisturizers, nutrients, vitamins, energy enhancers, antiperspirants, skin astringents, deodorants, hair removers, hair growth enhancers, hair growth retarders, stabilizers, hydration enhancers, efficacy enhancers, anti-callus agents, skin conditioning agents, anti-cellulite agents, fluorides, tooth whitening agents, anti-tartar agents and tartar dissolving agents, malodor control agents (e.g., malodor masking agents) or pH altering agents.Examples of various suitable additional cosmetically acceptable actives include UV filters, such as, but not limited to, avobenzone (Parsol 1789), bisdisulizole disodium (Neo Heliopan AP), diethylaminohydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (Uvinul A Plus), ecamsule (Mexoryl SX), methyl anthranilate, 4-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), cinoxate, ethylhexyl triazone (Uvinul T150), homosalate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (Parsol 5000), octyl methoxycinnamate (Octinoxate), octyl salicylate (Octisalate), padimate O (Escalol 507), phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid (Ensulizole), polysilicone-15 (Parsol SLX), trolamine salicylate, bemotrizinol (Tinosorb S), Benzophenone 1-12, Dioxybenzone, Drometrizole Trisiloxane (Mexoryl XL), Isocotridinol (Uvasorb HEB), Octocrylene, Oxybenzone (Eusolex 4360), Sulisobenzone, Bisoctrizole (Tinosorb M), titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, carotenoids, free radical scavengers, spin traps, retinoids and retinoid precursors such as retinol, retinoic acid and retinyl palmitate, ceramides, polyunsaturated fatty acids, essential fatty acids, enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, minerals, hormones such as estrogen, steroids such as hydrocortisone, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, copper salts such as copper chloride, copper-containing peptides such as Cu:Gly-His-Lys, coenzyme Q10, amino acids such as proline, vitamins, lactobionic acid, acetyl coenzyme A, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, ribose, electron transporters such as NADH and FADH2, and other plant extracts such as oat, aloe vera, feverfew, soybean, and shiitake mushroom extracts, and derivatives and mixtures thereof.

[0020] Examples of suitable skin lightening benefit agents include, but are not limited to, tyrosinase inhibitors, melanin degraders, melanosome transfer inhibitors (including PAR-2 ​​antagonists), exfoliants, sunscreens, retinoids, antioxidants, tranexamic acid, tranexamic acid cetyl ester hydrochloride, skin bleaching agents, linoleic acid, adenosine monophosphate disodium salt, chamomile extract, allantoin, opacifiers, talc and silica, zinc salts, and the like.

[0021] Examples of suitable tyrosinase inhibitors include, but are not limited to, vitamin C and its derivatives, vitamin E and its derivatives, kojic acid, arbutin, resorcinol, hydroquinone, flavones (e.g., licorice flavanoids, licorice root extract, mulberry root extract, Dioscorea Coposita root extract, Saxifragaceae extract, etc.), ellagic acid, salicylate and derivatives, glucosamine and derivatives, fullerenes, hinokitiol, diacids, acetylglucosamine, 5,5'-dipropyl-biphenyl-2,2'-diol (Magnolignan), 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanol (4-HPB), and combinations of two or more thereof. Examples of vitamin C derivatives include, but are not limited to, ascorbic acid and its salts, ascorbic acid-2-glucoside, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, and natural extracts rich in vitamin C. Examples of vitamin E derivatives include, but are not limited to, α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol, α-tocotrienol, β-tocotrienol, γ-tocotrienol, δ-tocotrienol, and mixtures thereof, tocopherol acetate, tocopherol phosphate, and natural extracts rich in vitamin E derivatives. Examples of resorcinol derivatives include, but are not limited to, resorcinol, 4-substituted resorcinols (e.g., 4-alkylresorcinols such as 4-butylresorcinol (Rucinol), 4-hexylresorcinol (Synovea HR, Sytheon), phenylethylresorcinol (Symwhite, Symrise), and 1-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(2,4-dimethoxy-3-methylphenyl)-propane (Nibitol, Unigen)), and resorcinol-rich natural extracts. Examples of salicylates include, but are not limited to, 4-methoxypotassium salicylate, salicylic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, 4-methoxysalicylic acid, and salts thereof.In certain preferred embodiments, the tyrosinase inhibitor includes a 4-substituted resorcinol, a vitamin C derivative, or a vitamin E derivative. In more preferred embodiments, the tyrosinase inhibitor includes phenylethylresorcinol, 4-hexylresorcinol, or ascorbyl-2-glucoside.

[0022] Examples of suitable melanin degrading agents include, but are not limited to, peroxides and enzymes (e.g., peroxidase and ligninase). In certain preferred embodiments, melanin inhibitors include peroxides and ligninase.

[0023] Examples of suitable melanosome transfer inhibitors include PAR-2 ​​antagonists (e.g., soybean trypsin inhibitor or Bowman-Birk inhibitor), vitamin B3 and derivatives (e.g., niacinamide), essential soybean, whole soybean, soybean extract. In certain preferred embodiments, the melanosome transfer inhibitor includes soybean extract or niacinamide.

[0024] Examples of exfoliants include, but are not limited to, alpha-hydroxy acids (e.g., lactic acid, glycolic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, or any combination of any of the foregoing), beta-hydroxy acids (e.g., salicylic acid, polyhydroxy acids such as lactobionic acid and gluconic acid), and mechanical exfoliants (e.g., microdermabrasions). In certain preferred embodiments, the exfoliant includes glycolic acid or salicylic acid.

[0025] Examples of sunscreens include avobenzone (Parsol 1789), bisdisulizole disodium (Neo Heliopan AP), diethylaminohydroxybenzoyl hexylbenzoate (Uvinul A Plus), ecamsule (Mexoryl SX), methyl anthranilate, 4-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), cinoxate, ethylhexyl triazone (Uvinul T150), homosalate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (Parsol 5000), octyl methoxycinnamate (Octinoxate), octyl salicylate (Octisalate), padimate O (Escalol 507), phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid (Ensulizole), polysilicone-15 (Parsol SLX), trolamine salicylate, and bemotrizinol (Tinosorb S), benzophenone 1-12, dioxybenzone, drometrizole trisiloxane (Mexoryl XL), iscotrizinol (Uvasorb HEB), octocrylene, oxybenzone (Eusolex 4360), sulisobenzone, bisoctrizole (Tinosorb M), titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and the like.

[0026] Examples of retinoids include, but are not limited to, retinol (vitamin A alcohol), retinal (vitamin A aldehyde), retinyl acetate, retinyl propionate, retinyl linoleate, retinoic acid, retinyl palmitate, isotretinoin, tazarotene, bexarotene, adapalene, and combinations of two or more thereof. In certain preferred embodiments, the retinoid is selected from the group consisting of retinol, retinal, retinyl acetate, retinyl propionate, retinyl linoleate, and combinations of two or more thereof. In certain more preferred embodiments, the retinoid is retinol.

[0027] Examples of antioxidants include, but are not limited to, water-soluble antioxidants such as sulfhydryl compounds and their derivatives (e.g., sodium metabisulfite and N-acetylcysteine, glutathione), lipoic acid and dihydrolipoic acid, stilbenoids such as resveratrol and derivatives, lactoferrin, iron and copper chelators, and ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid derivatives (e.g., ascorbyl-2-glucoside, ascorbyl palmitate, and ascorbyl polypeptides). Oil-soluble antioxidants suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, butylated hydroxytoluene, retinoids (e.g., retinol and retinyl palmitate), tocopherols (e.g., tocopherol acetate), tocotrienols, and ubiquinone. Natural extracts containing antioxidants suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, extracts containing flavonoids and isoflavonoids, and their derivatives (e.g., genistein and daidzein), extracts containing resveratrol, etc. Examples of such natural extracts include grape seed, green tea, black tea, white tea, pine bark, feverfew, parthenolide-free feverfew, oat extract, blackberry extract, cognac extract, soybean extract, pomelo extract, wheat germ extract, hesperedin, grape extract, purslane extract, licochalcone, chalcone, 2,2'-dihydroxychalcone, primrose extract, propolis, and the like.

[0028] In some preferred embodiments, benefit agents useful against acne include, but are not limited to, salicylic acid, zinc PCA (zinc pyrrolidone carboxylic acid), allantoin (5-ureidohydantoin), rosemary, 4-hexylresorcinol, N-acetylglucosamine, gluconolactone, niacinamide, azelaic acid, and resveratrol.

[0029] In some preferred embodiments, the list of useful pigmentation active benefit agents includes tetrahydrocurcumin, phytic acid, resveratrol, Glycine Soja oil, gluconolactone, laccase, 4-hexylresorcinol, N-acetylglucosamine, gluconolactone, niacinamide, azelaic acid, and resveratrol.

[0030] In some preferred embodiments, the list of useful active benefit agents includes treating acne and pigmentation simultaneously and includes 4-hexylresorcinol, N-acetylglucosamine, gluconolactone, niacinamide, azelaic acid, and resveratrol.

[0031] As used herein, the term "flexel" refers to a small, pixel-like area of ​​skin that corresponds to a single large pixel or a small number of pixels in a digitally acquired image. For example, a flexel may correspond to an area of ​​skin having an average diameter of about 1 / 15 to about 1 / 5 inch.

[0032] The present application provides devices and methods for treating the condition of a treatment surface and applying a tracer to track the level of a previously administered treatment to the treatment surface. The treatment may include administering a composition having a benefit agent to treat the condition, or may include administering a benefit-agent-free therapy (e.g., phototherapy and / or laser treatment) that can otherwise provide a beneficial effect to the skin. It is contemplated that the treatment may be applied to any suitable treatment surface, such as the interface between a biological surface and the external environment (e.g., air), particularly a topical surface. Suitable biological surfaces may include keratinous surfaces (such as, but not limited to, skin, hair, and / or nail surfaces) and enamel surfaces (e.g., tooth surfaces). Preferably, the treatment surface is mammalian or human. While exemplary embodiments relating to skin are described herein, it is contemplated that the devices and methods of the present application may be used to selectively apply a treatment to any suitable treatment surface.

[0033] More specifically, the present application provides devices and methods for selectively administering treatments to skin (e.g., of a mammalian or human face) to treat skin conditions (e.g., excessive melanin deposition, infection, inflammation, acne, wrinkles, and uneven skin color). The devices and methods identify skin artifacts (e.g., redness from infection and / or inflammation, acne, erythema, pre-onset acne, uneven skin tone, sun damage, age spots, wrinkles, etc.) and control the administration of treatments for skin conditions associated with the skin artifacts to reduce the appearance of the artifacts and improve the health and / or overall aesthetic appearance of the skin. The devices of the present application analyze images of an area of ​​skin to identify locations to apply a composition, e.g., locations where skin artifacts are detected, and determine the amount of tracer detected from the identified locations. The devices control treatment of the skin artifacts based on the amount of tracer detected. As further described below, the devices include a detector apparatus for collecting data corresponding to the area of ​​skin. The data is further analyzed to detect a skin condition and / or quantify the amount of tracer previously deposited on the area of ​​skin. The device analyzes the data to determine whether an artifact corresponding to the skin condition is detected, and based on the analysis, applies a treatment for the skin condition to the area of ​​skin. The analysis may generate an optimal level of treatment for treating the skin condition. The device further determines the amount of treatment previously administered to the area of ​​skin based on the amount of tracer detected from the area of ​​skin, and applies additional treatment when the amount of tracer indicates that less than an optimal level of treatment was previously applied to the area of ​​skin.

[0034] 1a and 1b illustrate an exemplary device 100 for treating a skin condition by applying a topical composition to the skin. FIG. 1b further illustrates the exemplary device 100 being used to apply a benefit agent 182, a tracer 184, and / or a cosmetic composition 186 to an artifact 190 on the skin 101. While the benefit agent 182, the tracer 184, and the cosmetic composition 186 are shown in FIG. 1b as three separate layers, it is contemplated that they may be mixed together in any combination and applied to the skin 101 in any order. The device 100 of this embodiment is sized and shaped to be a handheld device designed to be held in the palm of a user's hand. The device 100 according to this embodiment includes a head portion 102 and a handle portion 104. The handle portion 104 of the device 100 has an elongated shape defining a cavity for accommodating components therein. In some embodiments, the handle portion 104 is sized and shaped to be held in the palm of a user's hand. In other embodiments, handle portion 104 is sized and shaped to be held by the fingertips of a user's hand.

[0035] The head portion 102 of the device 100 according to this embodiment includes a detector device 110 that acquires image data corresponding to an image of an area of ​​skin. The head portion 102 of this embodiment also includes an applicator device 120 that selectively applies a composition to an area of ​​skin as guided by a processing device 130 based on the image data from the detector device 110. In some embodiments, the detector device 110 and applicator device 120 are part of the inset portion 106 of the head portion 102 such that the inset portion 106 does not contact the skin when the head portion 102 is positioned over the area of ​​skin to be treated.

[0036] The detector device 110 comprises at least one light source 111 that delivers light (e.g., visible, infrared, red, blue, green, and / or ultraviolet light) to an area of ​​skin and at least one sensor 122 that detects light reflected from the area of ​​skin. The light source 111 may comprise any suitable light emitting device for illuminating the area of ​​skin with visible, infrared, red, blue, green, and / or ultraviolet light. For example, the light source 111 may comprise one or more LEDs. The light sources 111 may be selected and arranged to provide a sufficient amount of illumination over the area of ​​skin to detect and / or measure the reflectance of light by the skin. Furthermore, the at least one light source 111 is selected and arranged to provide a sufficient amount of illumination over the area of ​​skin to detect and / or measure the amount of tracer on the skin, as described further below. Preferably, the light sources 111 collectively provide a substantially uniform distribution of light over the area of ​​skin being imaged.

[0037] In one embodiment, the light source 111 comprises a white LED. The white LED may provide composite light having at least two distinct peaks of radiant power at different wavelengths corresponding to two different bands of light wavelengths. Specifically, the white LED provides peak radiant power at two different wavelengths. For example, the white LED may have a color temperature ranging from 3000K to 5700K and / or a color rendering index (CRI) of 70 to 80. In particular embodiments, the white LED may have a color temperature of 5700K and / or a CRI of 70, a color temperature of 4000K and / or a CRI of 75, or a color temperature of 3000K and / or a CRI of 80. Preferably, the white LED may have a color tone ranging from a cool color temperature to a warm color temperature (with a first peak / band in the blue spectrum and a second peak / band in the green spectrum).

[0038] The light source 111 may be selected to provide a peak radiant power at a desired wavelength for detecting and / or measuring the amount of tracer on the skin. In other embodiments, the detector device 100 includes multiple light sources 111, each having a different peak wavelength. The wavelength at which each light source provides a peak intensity (e.g., peak radiant power) is referred to herein as the peak wavelength. For example, each of the light sources 111 may emit a different one of red light, blue light, green light, infrared light, and ultraviolet light.

[0039] In one embodiment, the detector device 110 includes a first light source for delivering red or far-red light. The detector device 110 may further include a second light source for delivering green light and / or a third light source for delivering blue or infrared light. Specifically, the detector device 110 may include three light sources 111, each delivering light having a peak wavelength at or near a wavelength specified in Table 1 below.

[0040] [Table 1]

[0041] The sensors 112 may comprise any suitable components for detecting light from the skin. For example, the sensors 112 may be sensitive to the amount of light reflected and / or emitted from the skin at one or more wavelengths. Additionally, at least one sensor 112 is selected to detect and / or measure the amount of tracer present on the skin. Suitable sensors 112 may include, for example, optical sensors, photographic or video cameras, photodiodes, and / or phototransistors, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The sensors 112 of the detector device 120 may be RGB cameras capable of detecting light in the red, green, and / or blue channels of the sensors 112. In one embodiment, the sensors 112 may be optical cameras having one or more filter arrays for detecting components of light received within different wavelength ranges. For example, the sensors 112 may be optical cameras having color filter arrays (e.g., Bayer filter arrays) for separately detecting each of the red, green, and blue components of light. For example, the optical cameras may have at least three different color filters with different levels of sensitivity (e.g., % quantum efficiency) across the visible spectrum. The color filter array may include (1) a red color filter (e.g., having a peak sensitivity at or near a wavelength of 610 nm), (2) a green color filter (e.g., having a peak sensitivity at or near a wavelength of 540 nm), and (3) a blue color filter (e.g., having a peak sensitivity at or near a wavelength of 450 nm). Each of these color filters provides a peak sensitivity at a different wavelength. The sensor 112 may be selected to provide a peak sensitivity at a desired wavelength for detecting and / or measuring the amount of tracer on the skin.

[0042] Detector device 110, including light source 111 and sensor 112, is operably connected to processing device 130 for executing instructions stored on computer-accessible medium 140. Processing device 130 in this embodiment controls light source 111 and receives and analyzes image data received from sensor 112. It is contemplated that processing device 130 and computer-accessible medium 140 may be located anywhere within device 100 or external to device 100. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1a, processing device 130 and computer-accessible medium 140 are located within handle portion 104. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1b, processing device 130 and computer-accessible medium 140 may be located external to device 100 and operably connected to device 100 via a wired or wireless connection. Processing device 130 in this embodiment also controls applicator device 120, which selectively applies the composition to desired flexels. Processing unit 130 may be, be a part of, or include a computer / processor, which may include, for example, but is not limited to, one or more microprocessors in its entirety, and may use instructions stored on computer-accessible medium 140 (e.g., a memory storage device). Computer-accessible medium 140 may be, for example, a non-transitory computer-accessible medium that includes executable instructions therein. Storage devices may be provided separately from computer-accessible medium 140, but may provide instructions to processing unit 130 to configure processing unit 130 to perform certain exemplary procedures, processes, and methods.

[0043] The applicator device 120 according to this embodiment includes a suitable composition application device for depositing a topical composition comprising a benefit agent and a tracer onto a flexel. Exemplary topical composition application devices in this embodiment include, for example, a sprayer (e.g., an electronic sprayer or an airbrush sprayer), a droplet control device, or any other suitable application device for applying a composition as small droplets to a desired location, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one exemplary embodiment, the applicator device 120 includes a nozzle for depositing a pressurized liquid or viscous composition. The nozzle may be any suitable device for depositing a thin layer of a composition onto a flexel. For example, the nozzle may include a first chamber containing a liquid or viscous composition and a second chamber containing a propellant that mixes with the composition as it is dispensed into a desired location. While exemplary embodiments of a nozzle are described above, it is contemplated that the devices of the present application may include any suitable nozzle for dispensing droplets of a composition under pressure, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0044] The applicator device 120 is operably connected to a reservoir 150 containing a topical composition to be applied to the skin, such that the composition in the reservoir 150 can be transferred from the reservoir 150 to the applicator device 120 for deposition onto the skin. The topical composition includes a benefit agent and / or a tracer. The topical composition may further include cosmetic ingredients to modify the appearance of the skin, ingredients to impart additional benefits to the skin (e.g., moisturizers for hydration), or a carrier. In one embodiment, the reservoir 150 contains a composition including a benefit agent and a tracer. Alternatively, the applicator device 120 is operably connected to two separate reservoirs 150, with the first reservoir containing a composition including a benefit agent and the second reservoir containing a composition including a tracer. The applicator device 120 may be configured to transfer these two compositions in a predetermined ratio to form a mixture and apply the mixture onto the skin.

[0045] In another embodiment, the applicator device 120 is operably connected to multiple reservoirs 150, each containing a different composition. The reservoirs 150 may contain compositions having a benefit agent, a tracer, a cosmetic ingredient, or a combination thereof, each of which is described in further detail below. In one example, the applicator device 120 is operably connected to two reservoirs 150: a first reservoir containing a composition including a benefit agent and a tracer, and a second reservoir containing a cosmetic composition. The cosmetic composition may include any suitable cosmetic ingredient for modifying the appearance of skin. The compositions in the first and second reservoirs may further include ingredients to impart additional benefits to the skin (e.g., a moisturizer or carrier for hydration). In this example, the applicator device 120 may be configured to separately transfer and apply the composition in the first reservoir and the cosmetic composition in the second reservoir onto the skin (e.g., as separate pulses of each composition dispensed by the applicator device 120). Additionally or alternatively, applicator device 120 may be configured to transfer two compositions from the first and second reservoirs in amounts specified by processing device 130 to form a mixture and apply the mixture onto the skin. In another example, as shown in FIG. 1b, applicator device 120 is operably connected to a first reservoir 150a containing a composition comprising a benefit agent, a second reservoir 150b containing a composition comprising a tracer, and a third reservoir 150c containing a cosmetic composition. In this embodiment, applicator device 120 is configured to transfer any one or more of the compositions from first, second, and third reservoirs 150a, 150b, 150c in amounts specified by processing device 130 for application onto the skin.

[0046] Applicator device 120 is fluidly connected to reservoir 150 by a series of conduits, valves, and / or pressure sources. It is contemplated that reservoir 150 may be housed anywhere within device 100. In one exemplary embodiment, reservoir 150 is housed within handle portion 104 of device 100, as shown in FIG. 1 a. In some embodiments, reservoir 150 may be a removable container that can be replaced when its contents are depleted. For example, reservoir 150 may be a pressurized canister that houses a composition to be applied to the skin.

[0047] The tracer may be any compound, composition, or component suitable for topical application to the skin. As described further below, the tracer is applied by the applicator device 120 in an amount proportional to the level of treatment administered to the skin. For example, the tracer may be applied by the applicator device 120 in an amount proportional to the amount of beneficial agent applied to the skin, such that the amount of tracer detected from the flexels on the skin can be correlated with the amount of beneficial agent previously administered to the flexels. The tracer may also be a dye or pigment suitable for topical application. The tracer may be selected to absorb and / or emit light having a peak wavelength different from light absorbed by naturally occurring coloring of artifacts on the skin, such as eumelanin, oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, skin pigmentation, etc., such that the tracer is detectable by the detector device 110 separately from the naturally occurring coloring of the skin.

[0048] In one example, the tracer may be a compound, composition, or component that suppresses the detection of a skin artifact. For example, such a suppressive tracer may be, for example, a color cosmetic applied to a skin artifact such that image data subsequently acquired from an area of ​​skin containing the skin artifact suppresses the detection of the skin artifact (e.g., the skin discoloration is reduced by the color cosmetic). The suppressive tracer may be administered in an amount proportional to the magnitude of the skin artifact. In another example, the tracer may be a compound, composition, or component that minimally interferes with the detection of the skin artifact, thus allowing the application of an active substance (and its tracer) regardless of the magnitude of the skin artifact. This is particularly useful for controlling the administration of a beneficial agent, where the beneficial agent needs to be administered above a minimum therapeutic threshold to impart a beneficial effect, but is not over-applied to cause adverse effects (e.g., toxicity).

[0049] In some embodiments, the tracer is a dye or pigment visible to the human eye; for example, the tracer absorbs light having wavelengths within the visible light spectrum (e.g., about 400 nm to about 700 nm). For example, the tracer may be a dye or pigment that absorbs red light (e.g., light having a peak wavelength of about 600 nm to about 700 nm), green light (e.g., light having a peak wavelength of about 500 nm to about 565 nm), or blue light (e.g., light having a peak wavelength of about 450 nm to about 485 nm). In particular, the tracer absorbs light having a peak wavelength corresponding to the strongest intensity of the primary color. For example, the tracer absorbs light having a peak wavelength at or near 610 nm (i.e., the peak wavelength of red observed by a standard observer), at or near 540 nm (i.e., the peak wavelength of green observed by a standard observer), or 450 nm (i.e., the peak wavelength of blue observed by a standard observer). In another example, the tracer absorbs red light having a peak wavelength of about 640 nm to about 650 nm. The peak wavelength for the standard observer noted above is based on the CIE 1931 standard observer color mapping function. Because the tracer of this embodiment is visible when applied to the skin, the tracer may be administered as a cosmetic ingredient in a cosmetic composition applied to reduce the appearance of artifacts and / or improve the aesthetic appearance of the skin.

[0050] In another embodiment, the tracer may be a weakly visible dye or pigment, such that it is barely visible to the human eye. The tracer may be a dye or pigment having a peak wavelength substantially higher or lower than the peak wavelength observed by a standard observer for each of the primary colors. Preferably, the tracer absorbs light in a narrow band corresponding to the peak sensitivity of at least one sensor 112 of device 100. Exemplary tracers may include dyes and / or pigments having a weakly visible cyan color (e.g., having a peak wavelength between about 650 nm and about 700 nm) that absorb light in the far-red spectrum. More specifically, the tracer absorbs red light having a peak wavelength at or near 690 nm, but does not significantly absorb light having a peak wavelength at or near 610 nm. Other tracers include dyes and / or pigments having a weak visible magenta color that absorbs green light having a peak wavelength of about 500 nm to about 600 nm, and dyes and / or pigments having a weak visible yellow color that absorbs blue light having a peak wavelength of about 400 nm to about 500 nm. Suitable visible or weakly visible tracers include sulfonated or non-sulfonated cyanine dyes. For example, the tracer may be a non-sulfonated cyanine dye that absorbs light having a peak wavelength of about 550 nm to about 700 nm, such as those commercially available from Lumiprobe Corporation.

[0051] In another embodiment, the tracer is invisible to the human eye. The tracer may be a fluorescent dye and / or pigment that is invisible to the human eye under ambient light conditions but fluoresces when excited by an energy source (e.g., light). The fluorescent tracer may be excited by at least one light source 111 of the detector device 110 that delivers visible light, infrared light (e.g., having a wavelength of about 700 nm to about 1 mm), or ultraviolet light (e.g., having a wavelength of about 10 nm to about 400 nm). When light is delivered to the fluorescent tracer, photons from the light are absorbed by electrons of the tracer, causing them to transition from a ground state to an excited state with a higher valence level. When the electrons return from the excited state to the ground state, energy is released in the form of luminescence, which can be detected by at least one sensor 112 of the detector device 110. For example, the fluorescent tracer may include fluorescent dyes, such as those commercially available from Cyanagen under the trade name Chromis or from Biotium under the trade name CF® Dyes. Suitable fluorescent tracers include, for example, dipyrrometheneboron difluoride (BDP), trimethine cyanine, pentamethine cyanine, eptamethine cyanine, and coumarin. For example, the fluorescent tracer may include a fluorescent dye having a peak emission wavelength of about 400 nm to about 850 nm.

[0052] The cosmetic ingredients may include any suitable cosmetic ingredient for topical application to the skin to modify its appearance, such as, for example, an opaque material, a color cosmetic, or any other suitable composition for enhancing the appearance of skin. In one embodiment, the cosmetic ingredient includes a reflectance modifying agent (RMA) (any ingredient useful for altering the reflectance of skin). For example, suitable RMAs may include inks, dyes, pigments, bleaches, chemically altering agents, and other substances that can be used to alter the reflectance of skin. Some suitable RMAs may include transparent RMAs, such as dyes or diluted pigments. Other suitable RMAs may include opaque RMAs having high refractive index particles. Specifically, the high refractive index particles may include particles having a refractive index of 2.0 or greater. In one particular example, the RMA may include titanium dioxide particles. Specifically, the titanium dioxide particles may be uniformly distributed and / or suspended in the cosmetic composition.

[0053] In some embodiments, head portion 102 may also optionally include a treatment device (not shown) for administering therapy without a benefit agent that could otherwise treat a skin condition or impart a beneficial effect to the skin. For example, the treatment device may provide phototherapy or laser treatment to lighten flexels on the skin, reduce pigmentation, reduce inflammation, or reduce infection. In this embodiment, the tracer may be applied by applicator device 120 in an amount proportional to the level of intensity of treatment applied to the skin by the treatment device, such that the amount of tracer detected from flexels on the skin can be correlated to the intensity of treatment previously administered to the flexels.

[0054] The device 100 according to this embodiment further includes a power source 160 that provides power to control and operate the device 100. It is contemplated that the power source 160 may be located anywhere within the device 100, or alternatively, may be external to the device 100. In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the power source 160 is housed within the handle portion 104 of the device 100 and is operably connected to the detector device 120, the applicator device 130, and / or the processing device 130. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of known and suitable power sources may be used. For example, the power source 160 may include a battery or a connection to an external power source. Specifically, the power source 160 may comprise a rechargeable battery device.

[0055] In use, the head portion 102 is positioned over the area of ​​skin to be treated. During use, the device 100 may be utilized to image multiple different regions of the skin. For example, the head portion 102 may be moved across the surface of the skin, causing the device 100 to sequentially image different areas of the skin (at any desired frame rate) to acquire image data that can be analyzed to selectively administer treatments to treat skin conditions and apply compositions containing tracers at desired flexels (locations on the skin). More specifically, a user may move the head portion 102 back and forth across the surface of the skin multiple times during a use session, causing the device 100 to revisit previously treated areas to detect missed or incompletely treated artifacts and further treat identified artifacts on the skin.

[0056] The present application also includes methods for treating skin conditions. An exemplary method 200 is shown in Figure 2. In step 202, a user can begin using the device 100 by placing the head portion 102 of the device 100 against the surface of the skin, for example, facial skin. The head portion 102 covers an area of ​​the skin, for example, an area that constitutes a frame to be imaged and analyzed by the device 100.

[0057] In step 204, detector device 110 images the area to obtain image data for the area of ​​skin. To image the area of ​​skin, detector device 110 illuminates the area of ​​skin using light sources 111 and records the image to generate image data using sensors 112. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the light sources 111 illuminating the area of ​​skin may have a peak wavelength suitable for detecting biological components underlying skin artifacts requiring treatment (e.g., redness from infection and / or inflammation, acne, erythema, pre-onset acne, uneven skin tone, sun damage, age spots, wrinkles, etc.). More specifically, light sources 111 illuminating the area of ​​skin may have at least one peak wavelength corresponding to the peak absorption wavelength of an underlying biological component, such as eumelanin, oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, skin pigmentation, etc.

[0058] In another embodiment, step 204 utilizes multiple different light sources 111, each illuminating the area of ​​skin with light having a different wavelength (or the light sources are arranged to strike the skin from different directions). The light sources 111 in this embodiment can have wavelengths suitable for providing differential detection of the biological component underlying the skin artifact. In particular, two of the multiple light sources 111 in this embodiment can have different peak wavelengths so that comparison of image data acquired under illumination by at least two of these different light sources 111 can be used to detect and / or measure the amount of the biological component underlying the skin artifact. For example, step 204 illuminates the area of ​​skin with three different colored lights: (1) red or far-red light, (2) green light, and (3) blue or infrared light. Specifically, step 204 can illuminate the area of ​​skin with light having peak wavelengths at or near the wavelengths specified above in Table 1. Each of the multiple light sources 111 can be provided simultaneously to illuminate the area of ​​skin for recording an image using sensor 112. Alternatively, each of a plurality of light sources 111 may be provided in sequence to illuminate an area of ​​skin to record a plurality of separate images, each image illuminated by a respective corresponding light source 111 .

[0059] In step 206, the processing unit 130 analyzes the image data from the detector unit 110 to determine whether artifacts corresponding to the skin condition are detected in the flexels within the imaged region of the skin and to determine the amount of tracer detected from the flexels. The processing unit 130 can analyze the image data by any suitable method to determine whether artifacts are present in the flexels in the imaged region. In one example, the processing unit 130 analyzes the image data to determine the magnitude of the artifact in the flexels and determines that an artifact is actually detected in the flexels when the magnitude of the artifact is greater than a predetermined threshold level. The magnitude of the artifact corresponds to the intensity of the appearance of the skin artifact (e.g., the intensity of skin redness, the darkness of skin discoloration, the intensity of the appearance of wrinkles). The processing unit 130 also analyzes the image data to determine the amount, if any, of the tracer detected in the flexels. If an artifact is detected in the flexels as shown in step 208, the method 200 proceeds to step 210. If no artifacts are detected, the flexels in the skin are not detected by device 100 as requiring treatment. Therefore, method 200 does not apply any treatment or composition to the flexels, and method 200 proceeds to step 220.

[0060] In step 210, method 200 compares whether the amount of tracer detected from the flexel is below a predetermined threshold level. If the amount of detected tracer is below the predetermined threshold level, method 200 proceeds to step 212. If the amount of detected tracer is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold level, method 200 proceeds to step 220. As described further below, the tracer is applied by applicator device 120 in an amount proportional to the level of treatment administered to the skin. Thus, the amount of detected tracer corresponds to the level of treatment previously administered to the skin. Method 200 utilizes the amount of detected tracer to track the level of treatment previously administered to the skin and to control the total level of treatment administered to each flexel if artifacts are detected over the course of a use session. In particular, the amount of detected tracer corresponds to the amount of beneficial agent previously administered to the flexel. Because head portion 102 moves back and forth in multiple passes, a flexel may be detected more than once. The amount of tracer detected on a flexel corresponds to the total amount of beneficial agent accumulated on the flexel from multiple passes in a use session. The predetermined threshold level is selected to control the maximum total amount of benefit agent that can be applied to the flexel in a use session.

[0061] The effects of beneficial agents generally confer therapeutic benefit along a dose-response curve, which indicates that as the dosage of the beneficial agent increases, the therapeutic response to the beneficial agent increases until it approaches a plateau at higher doses. Benefit agents can also cause adverse effects. Typically, adverse effects are dose-dependent, along an adverse effect curve in which adverse effects of the beneficial agent at low doses are minimal or low but increase as the dosage increases. Such adverse effects may include excessive toxicity, incompatibility, instability, irritation, allergic reactions, unsightly appearance, and the like. The predetermined threshold level of the tracer may correspond to a desired dosage level threshold of the beneficial agent, selected to correspond to a dosage titrated to balance the therapeutic benefit against the adverse effects of the beneficial agent. In some embodiments, the desired dosage level threshold may correspond to the maximum dose that can be safely administered to a user's skin. In other embodiments, the desired dosage level threshold may correspond to a dose sufficient to confer therapeutic benefit while avoiding excessive visible irritation and / or discoloration to the skin.

[0062] In step 212, the processing device 130 instructs the applicator device 120 to administer a treatment for the skin condition to the flexel. In particular, the treatment is the application of a topical composition including a benefit agent to treat the skin condition. In one embodiment, the applicator device 120 applies fixed-dose pulses of a composition including a benefit agent and a tracer. The tracer is part of the same composition as the benefit agent and is therefore applied in a fixed amount proportional to the amount of benefit agent in each fixed dose of the composition. Alternatively, the applicator device 130 may be configured to sequentially apply two separate pulses: (1) a first fixed dose of a first composition including a benefit agent, and (2) a second fixed dose of a second composition including a tracer. The second composition is preferably applied simultaneously with or within a similar time frame to the first composition, so that the total amount of the second composition accumulated on the flexel remains proportional to the total amount of the first composition as the head portion moves back and forth over multiple passes during a use session.

[0063] In another embodiment, the applicator device 120 applies pulses having a variable dose of a composition including a beneficial agent and a tracer. The variable dose is determined by the processing device 130 based on the magnitude of the flexel artifact and the amount of tracer detected from the flexel. In an exemplary embodiment, the processing device 130 determines the desired total dose of the composition as a function of the magnitude of the artifact. For example, the processing device 130 may analyze the magnitude of the artifact in the flexel (e.g., the intensity of erythema redness, the intensity of dark spots) and determine a total amount of beneficial agent to treat the artifact in the flexel. The total amount of beneficial agent is a therapeutically effective amount of beneficial agent to treat the skin condition corresponding to the artifact. In addition, the processing device 130 determines a cumulative amount of beneficial agent previously applied to the flexel based on the amount of tracer detected from the flexel. The processing device 130 then determines the variable dose to be applied by the applicator device 120 as the difference between the total amount of beneficial agent to treat the artifact and the cumulative amount of beneficial agent previously applied to the flexel. Alternatively, the applicator device 130 may be configured to sequentially apply two separate pulses: (1) a first variable dose of a first composition comprising a beneficial agent, and (2) a second variable dose of a second composition comprising a tracer. The processing device 130 determines the first variable dose of the first composition in the manner described above, and determines the second variable dose as having a value proportional to the first variable dose. As with the fixed dose embodiment described above, the second composition is preferably applied simultaneously with, or within a similar time frame as, the first composition, such that the total amount of the second composition accumulated on the flexel remains proportional to the total amount of the first composition as the head portion moves back and forth over multiple passes during a use session.

[0064] At step 220, device 100 is moved by the user to a new frame or area of ​​skin, and the process is repeated. This movement may be detected by device 100 by any suitable means, such as, for example, an accelerometer or image analysis. Method 200 then returns to step 204 to image, analyze, and selectively apply skin condition treatments and tracers, as determined by device 100, in the same manner as described above, and track the amount or level of treatment previously administered to the skin. Note that method 200 may be interrupted and terminated by the user prior to any one of steps 204-212 by any suitable action, such as, for example, removing device 100 from the skin or switching device 100 off (e.g., turning off device power 160).

[0065] Another exemplary method 300 is shown in FIG. 3. Steps 302-308, step 312, and step 210 are the same as steps 202-208, step 212, and step 220, respectively, described above with respect to method 200. Step 310 is substantially similar to step 210, except as shown in FIG. 3 and described below. In step 310, the method compares whether the amount of tracer detected from the flexel is below a predetermined threshold level. If the amount of tracer detected is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, method 300 proceeds to step 314. Step 310 limits the total level of treatment administered to each flexel over the course of a use session, but proceeds to a separate step for applying additional cosmetic application when artifacts are detected in the flexel. In step 314, processing device 130 instructs applicator device 120 to apply a cosmetic composition to the flexel. The amount of cosmetic composition applied by applicator device 120 may be a fixed amount or may be variably selected by processing device 130 as a function of the magnitude of the artifact determined in step 306. Furthermore, the variable amount of cosmetic composition applied in step 314 may be determined independently of the level of skin condition treatment administered in step 312. Although steps 312 and 314 of method 300 are shown sequentially in FIG. 3 , steps 312 and 314 may be performed in reverse order (i.e., if step 310 is YES, proceed to step 314, then proceed to step 312). Alternatively, steps 312 and 314 may be performed independently (i.e., if step 310 is YES, proceed to each of steps 312 and 314 independently). For example, step 312 may be performed by one or more nozzles for applying the treatment and tracer to the skin, and step 312 may be performed by a separate nozzle for applying the cosmetic composition to the skin.

[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, the processing unit 130 analyzes the image data to determine whether pre-clinical acne may be present. Specifically, the processing unit 130 analyzes the image data to detect the presence of redness on the skin, which may correspond to an increased level of hemoglobin in the area of ​​skin. The processing unit 130 can analyze the image data to separate the spectral contribution from hemoglobin from other skin constituents, such as melanin. In particular, the processing unit 130 can analyze the image data and compare the image data to reference data to generate a normalized value for the spectral contribution from hemoglobin without the reference spectral contribution from other skin constituents. In particular, the image data may be acquired by the sensor 122 providing red, green, and blue reflectance measurements. Each of these reflectance measurements may be represented as a vector in the image data and compared to a lookup table containing normative data corresponding to empirically generated estimates for the amount of hemoglobin present in the skin independent of the spectral contribution from other skin constituents. The processing unit 130 may determine the amount of hemoglobin detected based on the image data and compare that amount to nearby levels of hemoglobin in areas of the skin near the imaged area to generate a baseline value for flushing and other effects that cause skin perfusion in nearby areas. If the processing unit 130 determines that a pre-symptomatic acne lesion is detected, the device 100 may administer a treatment, particularly a therapeutically active agent (e.g., salicylic acid), to reduce the appearance of pre-symptomatic acne or prevent the breakout of pre-symptomatic acne. The amount or level of treatment administered may be determined as a function of the normalized amount of hemoglobin detected from the area of ​​skin. In some embodiments, a fixed optimal amount or level of treatment may be desired when the normalized amount of detected hemoglobin is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. In other embodiments, a variable optimal amount or level of treatment, determined as a function of the normalized amount of detected hemoglobin, may be desired when it is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. For example, a high normalized amount of hemoglobin detected may correspond to flared acne, and therefore a lower dosage of the therapeutically active agent (e.g., salicylic acid) may be desirable to avoid further irritating the skin with flared lesions.Processing unit 130 may further analyze the image data to determine the amount of tracer detected and correlate the amount of tracer to the amount or level of treatment previously applied to the area of ​​skin. If the amount or level of treatment previously applied is less than the optimal amount or level as determined above, further treatment is applied by device 100. The amount or level of further treatment may be fixed or may be a variable amount determined as the difference between the optimal amount or level of treatment as determined above and the amount or level of treatment previously applied to the area of ​​skin.

[0067] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exemplary embodiments described herein may be implemented in any number of ways, such as as separate software modules or as a combination of hardware and software. For example, the exemplary methods may be embodied in one or more programs stored on a non-transitory storage medium and including lines of code that, when compiled, may be executed by one or more processor cores or separate processors. A system according to one embodiment comprises multiple processor cores and a set of instructions that execute on the multiple processor cores to perform the exemplary methods described above. The processor cores or separate processors may be incorporated into or communicate with any suitable electronic device, such as an on-board processing unit within the device or a processing unit external to the device that can communicate with at least a portion of the device, such as a mobile computing device, smartphone, computing tablet, computing device, etc. [Example]

[0068] Example I In Example I, the devices and methods of the present application may be used to detect and treat acne and / or pre-acne. Skin redness or erythema caused by infection or inflammation, such as acne or pre-acne, correlates with increased redness from blood flow to the affected area of ​​the skin. Thus, the exemplary device of Example I is configured to detect an increase in biological components in response to increased blood flow, such as an increase in the amount of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin in the affected area of ​​the skin.

[0069] Light absorption varies across different wavelengths for different biological components, such as brown eumelanin, black eumelanin, oxyhemoglobin, and deoxyhemoglobin. For example, both oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin absorb less light in the red spectrum than in the green spectrum; therefore, red and green light can be used to differentially detect and / or measure the levels of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin on the skin. In particular, far-red light with a peak wavelength at or near 690 nm is absorbed significantly less by oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin than green light with a peak wavelength at or near 540 nm. Furthermore, while oxyhemoglobin absorbs more red light than deoxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin absorbs more light than oxyhemoglobin as the wavelength increases in the infrared spectrum. Therefore, a combination of red and infrared light can be used to detect oxyhemoglobin present in an area of ​​skin and provide improved skin penetration to detect pre-onset acne lesions. Brown eumelanin, black eumelanin, and other skin pigmentations (e.g., skin bruises) can also be differentially detected and / or measured with red or far-red light compared to green light. Blue light can also be used to differentially detect and / or measure levels of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin on the skin with green light. In particular, oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin absorb significantly more blue light than green light, while brown eumelanin and black eumelanin absorb more green light than blue light. Therefore, image data acquired using different combinations of blue, green, and / or far-red light sources can be analyzed to identify skin redness or skin erythema and detect skin artifacts corresponding to acne or pre-onset acne. Furthermore, different wavelengths of light can detect components from different depths of the skin, corresponding to levels of skin penetration. Within the visible spectrum, the level of skin penetration generally increases as the wavelength increases. The level of skin penetration continues to increase with wavelength until a peak level of penetration is reached at a wavelength of about 1,100 nm, providing a skin penetration of about 3.5 mm.Thus, near-infrared light allows for detection at a higher level of skin penetration (e.g., about twice as much) compared to visible light. Although Example I describes the detection of acne and / or pre-clinical acne, it is contemplated that differences in light absorption across different wavelengths can be used to detect different components of the skin to identify other types of skin artifacts and / or diseases (e.g., skin cancer).

[0070] An exemplary device includes a detector assembly having three separate light sources: (1) a blue light source, (2) a green light source, and (3) a far-red light source. The blue light source has a peak wavelength at or near 450 nm. The green light source has a peak wavelength at or near 540 nm. The far-red light source has a peak wavelength at or near 690 nm.

[0071] In Example I, the detector unit of the exemplary device may be further configured to emit and detect polarized light from the skin to identify areas of the skin with subtle redness or erythema otherwise invisible to the human eye, providing early detection and treatment of acne. A tracer having a cyan color that absorbs far-red light is applied to the skin in the manner described above in methods 200 and 300 in an amount proportional to the beneficial agent for treating acne. In particular, the tracer absorbs far-red light with a peak wavelength at or near 690 nm. Such an exemplary tracer absorbs light within the visible spectrum, but is weakly visible to the human eye, while imparting a slight green tint to correct the appearance of skin redness or erythema caused by acne.

[0072] Example II Example II provides another embodiment of the device and method of the present application for detecting and treating acne and / or pre-acne. The exemplary device of Example II includes a detector apparatus having three separate light sources: (1) a green light source, (2) a far-red light source, and (3) an infrared light source. The green light source has a peak wavelength at or near 540 nm. The far-red light source has a peak wavelength at or near 690 nm. The infrared light source has a peak wavelength at or near 840 nm. As can be seen in FIG. 9 , the differential absorption of infrared light compared to green light is even greater than the differential absorption of far-red light compared to green light. Thus, similar to Example I, image data acquired using different combinations of green, far-red, and / or infrared light sources can be analyzed to identify skin redness or skin erythema and detect skin artifacts corresponding to acne or pre-acne. Averaging across this triplet of light sources, the skin has nearly twice the penetration compared to Example I, providing better detection of subcutaneous events such as pre-clinical acne with reduced interference from surface events.

[0073] A fluorescent tracer having an infrared excitation wavelength is applied to the skin in an amount proportional to the beneficial agent for treating acne in the manner described above in methods 200, 300. The tracer can be excited by infrared light, particularly light having a peak wavelength at or near 840 nm, and can emit light in the visible spectrum such that the amount of tracer on the skin can be detected and measured by a detector device.

[0074] Example III In Example III, the device and method of the present application may be used to detect and treat uneven skin tone. In this example, skin conditions that do not affect skin melanin levels, such as infection, acne, or wrinkles, can be treated separately before utilizing the device and method of Example III to further improve skin tone. The exemplary device is configured to detect luminance non-uniformity and independently apply a first fixed dose of a skin brightener and a second fixed dose of a cosmetic composition when an artifact is detected, according to method 300. In particular, device 100 illuminates an area of ​​skin with green light to detect luminance non-uniformity in the area of ​​skin. Green light is believed to be particularly useful for detecting luminance non-uniformity because it is the primary factor in how the human eye perceives uniformity. The skin brightener gradually alters underlying skin tone with repeated use over a period of time, while the cosmetic composition provides an immediate correction to skin appearance. As a user moves the head portion of the exemplary device back and forth across the skin in multiple passes, the device applies skin brightener to the skin fragments until a predetermined threshold level is reached on the skin's flexels. The device applies the cosmetic composition based on the appearance of artifacts on the skin and is controlled independently of the skin brightener applied to the skin. Thus, on flexels where the amount of skin brightener administered in a use session reaches a predetermined threshold level, cosmetic can continue to be applied to the flexels until the desired skin appearance is achieved. Figure 4a shows a simulated image according to Example III showing the location and amount of cosmetic composition applied to a user's face over multiple passes across the face. Figure 4b shows a simulated image according to Example III showing the location and amount of skin brightener applied to a user's face over multiple passes across the face.

[0075] Example IV In Example IV, the devices and methods of the present application may be used to detect and treat both acne and uneven skin tone. The exemplary device of Example IV is configured to apply two different compositions containing benefit agents: (1) a first composition comprising a benefit agent for treating acne, and (2) a second composition comprising a skin brightening agent. The first composition further comprises a fluorescent tracer that emits green light, and the second composition further comprises a fluorescent tracer that emits red light.

[0076] An exemplary device of Example IV includes a detector apparatus having three distinct light sources: (1) a blue light source, (2) a green light source, and (3) a far-red light source. The blue light source has a peak wavelength at or near 450 nm. The green light source has a peak wavelength at or near 540 nm. The far-red light source has a peak wavelength at or near 690 nm. The detector apparatus is configured to cycle through different combinations of light sources and generate image data corresponding to images detected under these different combinations of light sources. Specifically, the detector apparatus cycles through two configurations of light sources: (1) blue and green light combined with far-red light, and (2) blue light without other lights. The processor analyzes the image data corresponding to the images acquired under the blue light to determine a first amount of green fluorescent tracer and a second amount of red fluorescent tracer detected from flexels on the skin. The processor determines an amount of a first composition to apply based on a first size of a portion of the artifact corresponding to skin redness or skin erythema and the amount of green fluorescent tracer detected. The processing device instructs the applicator device to apply the first composition until the amount of the detected green fluorescent tracer reaches a first predetermined threshold level. Similarly, the processing device determines an amount of the second composition to apply based on a second size of the portion of the artifact corresponding to the reduction in skin brightness and the amount of the detected red fluorescent tracer. The processing device instructs the applicator device to apply the second composition until the amount of the detected red fluorescent tracer reaches a second predetermined threshold. The first predetermined threshold is determined independently from the second predetermined threshold level.

[0077] The invention described and claimed herein is not limited in scope by the specific embodiments disclosed herein, which are intended to illustrate certain aspects of the invention. Any equivalent embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. All publications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0078] [Embodiment] (1) A handheld device for treating a skin condition, comprising: an applicator device for applying a composition to the skin, said composition comprising an active ingredient for treating said skin condition and a tracer; a detector device for acquiring image data corresponding to an image of an area of ​​skin; a processing device that analyzes the image data to determine whether an artifact corresponding to the skin condition is detected at a location within the imaged area of ​​the skin and to determine the amount of the tracer detected from the location, and that instructs the applicator device to apply the composition to the location when the artifact is detected and the amount of the tracer is below a predetermined threshold level. (2) The device of embodiment 1, wherein the applicator device is configured to apply a fixed dose of the composition to the skin. (3) The device described in embodiment 1, wherein the processor is configured to analyze the image data to determine an artifact magnitude of the artifact at the location, determine a dosage of the composition to be applied to the location as a function of the artifact magnitude and the amount of the tracer, and instruct the applicator device to apply the dosage of the composition to the location when the artifact is detected and the amount of the tracer is below a predetermined threshold level. (4) The device of embodiment 1, wherein the predetermined threshold level of the tracer corresponds to a desired dosage threshold of the active ingredient. (5) The device of embodiment 1, wherein the detector apparatus comprises a first light source for delivering far-red or infrared light to the area of ​​skin and a sensor for detecting light from the area of ​​skin.

[0079] (6) The device of embodiment 5, wherein the far-red light has a peak wavelength of about 690 nm. (7) The device of embodiment 5, further comprising a second light source for delivering green light and a third light source for delivering infrared light. (8) The device described in embodiment 5, wherein the second light source has a peak wavelength of about 540 nm and the third light source has a peak wavelength of about 840 nm. 9. The device of claim 6, wherein the tracer absorbs light in the far-red spectrum and does not significantly absorb light in the visible red spectrum. 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the tracer is a cyan dye or a cyan pigment.

[0080] 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the tracer is a non-sulfonated cyanine dye. (12) The device of embodiment 9, wherein the tracer absorbs light having a peak wavelength of about 690 nm and does not significantly absorb light having a peak wavelength of about 610 nm. (13) The device of embodiment 1, wherein the tracer is invisible to humans. 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the tracer is a fluorescent dye or a fluorescent pigment. (15) The device of embodiment 1, wherein the composition comprises at least one cosmetic ingredient for modifying the appearance of the skin.

[0081] 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the composition comprises at least one of an opaque substance, a cosmetic pigment, and a cosmetic dye. 17. The device of claim 15, wherein the composition further comprises a reflectance modifying agent. (18) The device of embodiment 1, wherein the skin condition is selected from the group consisting of excess melanin deposition, infection, inflammation, acne, wrinkles, and uneven skin color. (19) A method for treating a skin condition, comprising: acquiring, with a detector device, image data corresponding to an image of the area of ​​skin; analyzing, by a processing device, the image data to determine whether an artifact corresponding to the skin condition is detected at a location within the imaged region of the skin and to determine an amount of the tracer detected at the location; and applying a composition to the location with an applicator device when the artifact is detected from the location and the amount of the tracer is below a predetermined threshold level, the composition comprising an active ingredient for treating the skin condition and the tracer. (20) The analyzing step determining, by the processor, an artifact magnitude of the artifact at the location and the amount of the tracer detected from the location; determining, by the processor, a dosage of the composition to be applied to the location as a function of the artifact magnitude and the amount of the tracer detected; 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the applicator device applies the dosage of the composition to the location when the artifact is detected and the amount of the tracer is below a predetermined threshold level.

Claims

1. 1. A handheld device for treating a skin condition, comprising: an applicator device for applying a composition to the skin, said composition comprising an active ingredient for treating said skin condition and a tracer; a detector device for acquiring image data corresponding to an image of the area of ​​skin; a processing device that analyzes the image data to determine whether an artifact corresponding to the skin condition is detected at a location within the area of ​​the skin and to determine the amount of the tracer detected from the location, and that instructs the applicator device to apply the composition to the location when the artifact is detected and the amount of the tracer is below a predetermined threshold level corresponding to a desired dosage level of the active ingredient to treat the skin condition.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the applicator device is configured to apply a fixed dose of the composition to the skin.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing device is configured to analyze the image data to determine an artifact magnitude of the artifact at the location, determine a dosage of the composition to apply to the location as a function of the artifact magnitude and the amount of the tracer, and instruct the applicator device to apply the dosage of the composition to the location when the artifact is detected and the amount of the tracer is below the predetermined threshold level.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined threshold level of the tracer corresponds to a desired dosage threshold of the active ingredient.

5. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the detector apparatus comprises a first light source for delivering far-red or infrared light to the area of ​​the skin and a sensor for detecting light from the area of ​​the skin.

6. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the far-red light has a peak wavelength of about 690 nm.

7. The device of claim 5 , further comprising a second light source for delivering green light and a third light source for delivering infrared light.

8. 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the second light source has a peak wavelength of about 540 nm and the third light source has a peak wavelength of about 840 nm.

9. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the tracer absorbs light in the far-red spectrum and does not significantly absorb light in the visible red spectrum.

10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the tracer is a cyan dye or a cyan pigment.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the tracer is a non-sulfonated cyanine dye.

12. 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the tracer absorbs light having a peak wavelength of about 690 nm and does not significantly absorb light having a peak wavelength of about 610 nm.

13. The device of claim 1 , wherein the tracer is invisible to humans.

14. The device of claim 13 , wherein the tracer is a fluorescent dye or a fluorescent pigment.

15. The device of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises at least one cosmetic ingredient for modifying the appearance of the skin.

16. The device of claim 15 , wherein the composition comprises at least one of an opaque substance, a cosmetic pigment, and a cosmetic dye.

17. The device of claim 15 , wherein the composition further comprises a reflectance modifying agent.

18. The device of claim 1 , wherein the skin condition is selected from the group consisting of excess melanin, infection, inflammation, acne, wrinkles, and uneven skin color.

19. 1. A method of operating a treatment device for treating a skin condition, comprising: acquiring, with a detector device, image data corresponding to an image of the area of ​​skin; analyzing, by the processing device, the image data to determine whether an artifact corresponding to the skin condition is detected at a location within the region of skin and to determine an amount of tracer detected at the location; and instructing an applicator device to apply a composition to the location when the artifact is detected from the location by the processing device and the amount of the tracer is below a predetermined threshold level corresponding to a desired level of active ingredient for treating the skin condition; A method of operating a treatment device, wherein the composition comprises the active ingredient for treating the skin condition and the tracer.

20. The analyzing step includes: determining, by the processing device, an artifact magnitude of the artifact at the location and the amount of the tracer detected from the location; determining, by the processing device, a dosage of the composition to be applied to the location as a function of the artifact magnitude and the amount of the tracer detected; instructing the applicator device to apply the dosage of the composition to the location when the artifact is detected by the processing device and the amount of the tracer is below the predetermined threshold level; 20. The method of operating a processing device of claim 19, comprising:

Images