Light Treatment Feedback System for Skin Coverage Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of light-based hair removal devices face challenges in achieving complete coverage and avoiding over-treatment due to the lack of feedback on treated areas, as there are no user-perceptible changes on the skin after applying light pulses.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize sensors, such as movement sensors and imaging units, to track the position and movement of the treatment device, estimate previous and current treatment areas, and provide feedback to the user through graphical displays or projections, ensuring accurate coverage and preventing re-treatment of already treated areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual positioning and triggering of light pulses is used, then the treatment device can be operated, but complete coverage and avoidance of over-treatment cannot be achieved due to lack of feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using sensors (camera, motion detector) to capture images of the body part and track treatment device position, then processing these signals to generate visual feedback displayed on a screen showing treated and untreated areas, enabling users to achieve complete coverage without over-treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that acts as a mediator between the treatment device and the user. This system includes a processing unit that receives sensor data, estimates treatment positions and areas, and generates feedback control signals that are displayed to guide the user, bridging the information gap between the device operation and user perception
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple attachments with different sizes are used for treating different body parts, then versatility is improved, but determining treated areas becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides visual feedback that adapts to different attachments by processing motion detector and camera signals to estimate treatment areas specific to each attachment size, displaying differentiated treatment zones on the screen to help users track treated areas regardless of which attachment is being used
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing customized visual feedback for different treatment areas based on the specific attachment being used. The processing unit adjusts the estimated treatment area and visual representation on the display according to the attachment size and configuration, ensuring appropriate information is provided for each local treatment context
3Reliability
If light pulses are applied to heat melanin in hair roots, then hair removal effectiveness is improved, but user-perceptible changes are minimal making it difficult to assess treatment progress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using a camera to capture images of the treatment area and a motion detector to track device position, then processing these signals to generate visual feedback on a display that shows treated and untreated areas, allowing users to detect and measure treatment coverage even though direct visual changes in the skin are minimal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement and visualization system that translates the invisible thermal effects of light pulse treatment into visible spatial information. The processing unit acts as a mediator that converts sensor data about treatment position and area into visual representations on the display, making treatment progress detectable and measurable
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables users to achieve complete and efficient treatment by clearly indicating treated areas, improving coverage and reducing the risk of over-treatment, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of light-based hair removal treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The photoepilation treatment uses intense light to heat melanin in hair and hair roots
Implementation Method 2
The handpiece further has an optical, capacitive or inertial motion detector
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus for use with a treatment device for providing feedback to a user on a treatment operation performed on a body part of a subject, wherein the treatment device is configured to apply light pulses to skin of the body part to perform the treatment operation, wherein a light pulse applied to the skin treats an area of the skin. The apparatus comprises a processing unit configured to receive a first measurement signal from a first sensor, the first measurement signal comprising information about positions and/or movements of the treatment device over time; for a light pulse previously applied by the treatment device to the body part during the treatment operation, process the first measurement signal to estimate a previous treatment position as a position of the treatment device relative to the body part when the light pulse was generated; for the previously applied light pulse and based on the estimated previous treatment position, estimate a previous treatment area for the light pulse corresponding to the area of skin of the body part that the light pulse was applied to when the treatment device was at the previous treatment position; process the first measurement signal to estimate a current position of the treatment device relative to the body part; based on the estimated current position of the treatment device, estimate a current treatment area corresponding to an area of skin that the treatment device would apply a light pulse to while in the current position; and generate a feedback control signal for a feedback unit, wherein the feedback control signal is configured to cause the feedback unit to generate feedback indicating whether the current treatment area corresponds, or substantially corresponds, to a previous treatment area.