SKIN TREATMENT APPARATUS UTILISING INTENSE PULSED LIGHT (IPL)

摘要

The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating skin by means of intense pulsed light (IPL). Such apparatus may be used for the treatment of, for example, cosmetic purposes such as hair depilation or dermatological treatment of skin conditions such as acne or rosacea. The present invention provides an improved apparatus that can be used by a non-medical practitioner and comprises a light source comprising a light emitting element for transmitting light energy to the skin and a charge storage device for discharging an energy dose to the light emitting element. There is further provided at least one sensor for measuring a parameter of the skin and a control system configured to determine the treatment energy dose to be delivered. This treatment energy dose is derived using the sensor measurement and means of reduction in unwanted time delay associated with charging or discharging of the charge storage device in sole dependence on the current or most recently measured skin parameter

主权项

1. A skin treatment apparatus comprising:
a light source comprising a light emitting element for transmitting light energy to the skin and a charge storage device for discharging an energy dose to the light emitting element; at least one sensor for measuring a parameter of the skin; a control system configured to determine a treatment energy dose to be delivered, this being derived using the sensor measurement; and
i) wherein the control system is arranged to terminate discharge of the charge storage device upon delivery of the treatment energy dose and/or before discharge is complete; and/orii) wherein the charge storage device comprises a plurality of individual charge storage elements, and the control system is arranged to control discharge of the plurality of individual charge storage elements to deliver the treatment energy dose; and/oriii) wherein the control system is arranged to enable charging of the charge storage device in a two or more stage operation, wherein in a first stage charging is to an intermediate energy level, and in a second or further stage to an energy level sufficient to deliver the treatment energy dose; and/oriv) wherein the control system is arranged to modulate discharge of the charge storage device to deliver the treatment energy dose.