Scanning Laser System for Dermatology Using Light Pipe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dermatological treatments for hair removal using high-powered lasers and intense pulsed light systems are costly, painful, time-consuming, and only partially effective, with large devices being unsuitable for home use due to their size, expense, and safety concerns, and the industry has overlooked the potential of small spot sizes for hair growth modulation.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a small spot size and low power radiation, based on a model of light diffusion in skin, to achieve short-term hair growth modulation and treat skin disorders, using a light pipe and scanner mechanism that can be safely and effectively used in a home setting with significantly reduced power requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large diameter laser and IPL spots are used to penetrate deeply into tissue and deliver high doses of energy to the base region of the hair follicle, then hair removal effectiveness is improved, but device size, weight, cost, and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating light energy into a small focused spot (local area) rather than distributing it over a large area. This allows high energy density to be delivered to the hair follicle base through a small spot size, achieving effective hair removal without requiring large, complex device structures. The light pipe delivers energy locally to the treatment site.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of large, heavy laser devices with a more compact configuration using light pipes and scanners. Instead of relying on large optical components and sophisticated cooling systems, the invention uses a small light pipe coupled with a scanning mechanism to achieve the same therapeutic effect with significantly reduced device complexity.
2Reliability
If high powered lasers are used to deliver permanent or long lasting hair removal results, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but power requirements and associated costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of light delivery by using a small spot size combined with scanning motion, rather than relying on high power continuous illumination. This parameter change allows effective hair removal with lower overall power requirements, as the concentrated energy is delivered precisely to the target and the scanning distributes the treatment across the area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through the scanning mechanism, which moves the light pipe in a systematic pattern across the treatment area. This periodic scanning delivers energy in controlled intervals to different locations, achieving cumulative therapeutic effect with lower instantaneous and average power requirements compared to continuous high-power illumination.
3Device complexity
If small spot size treatments are used, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but penetration depth and energy delivery to the base region of the hair follicle are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light pipe as an intermediary component that couples the light source to the treatment area. The light pipe acts as a mediator that guides and concentrates light energy to the desired depth, enabling effective penetration with a small spot size without requiring complex optical systems. The scanner then distributes this concentrated energy across the treatment area.
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 system achieves effective hair growth modulation and skin treatment with a fraction of the power needed by traditional devices, allowing for mass production of safe, affordable, and efficient dermatological treatments for home use.
Implementation Method 1
a light pipe that is optically coupled to a source of light energy suitable for the selected dermatologic treatment, wherein the light pipe conveys at least some of the light energy to a first target treatment location on a person's skin
Implementation Method 2
A scanner that is mechanically coupled to the light pipe changes an orientation of the light pipe to facilitate the application of the conveyed light energy to subsequent other locations on the person's skin
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology can be embodied within optical heads or other optical systems adapted for providing a selected dermatologic treatment (e.g., temporary hair growth management). This technology uses a scanner to mechanically change an orientation of an optical element, such as a light pipe, to facilitate the conveyance of light energy to multiple target/treatment locations on a patient's skin.