Radiant energy – Invisible radiant energy responsive electric signalling – Ultraviolet light responsive means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-30
2002-10-15
Sugarman, Scott J. (Department: 2873)
Radiant energy
Invisible radiant energy responsive electric signalling
Ultraviolet light responsive means
C250S473100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06465791
ABSTRACT:
While exposure to sunlight may have some benefits, particularly the healthy appearance of a tan, ultraviolet radiation has substantial detrimental effects. The ultraviolet radiation can cause rapid aging and hardening of the skin, much like the tanning of leather. In addition, the ultraviolet radiation can cause severe erythmia, which in severe cases can be physically debilitating. Of particular concern, the ultraviolet radiation can cause DNA damage, which can lead to skin cancer or other cellular proliferative diseases. Skin cancer is the most prevalent of all cancers and is among the most preventable forms of cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is very common among those with fair skin and hair, but while rarely metastasizing can spread to bone. Malignant melanoma develops on the skin of about 35 thousand Americans annually, resulting in about 7 thousand annual deaths. Finally, squamous cell carcinoma, which is found on the ear, face, lips and mouth, is the second most common skin cancer in Caucasians, resulting in about 2.3 thousand deaths annually. UV radiation can also result in severe eye damage, leading to corneal bums, retinal bums, pingueculae and pterygium, cortical cataracts and macular degeneration. Cataracts are the major cause of visual impairment, with UV exposure being among the leading causes. Worldwide, 17 million people are blinded by cataracts, with nearly 1.5 million cataract extractions being performed annually in the United States.
Children, elderly, immunocompromised individuals, individuals with skin disorders, e.g. lupus erythematous patients, or others particularly susceptible or sensitive to ultraviolet radiation are particularly vulnerable to the injuries and disorders resulting from UV radiation. These susceptible individuals should have the capability of being warned about overexposure. In many cases, individuals rely on a suntanning screen which absorbs ultraviolet light. However, these screens and lotions are lost over time due to sweat, abrasion, exposure to water, and the like. Under these circumstances, the protection is lost and the person is subjected to unwanted ultraviolet radiation. UV protective coatings are available for eye ware. However, individuals have no convenient way of knowing the level of protection they are receiving. Also, UV lens coatings cannot protect against stray light which enters around the glasses.
There is a need for practical UV detection devices, which can be conveniently used and carried, so that they are available when the need arises. A number of photochemical systems have been described in the literature to act as dosimeters for ultraviolet light. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,581,090; 5,028,792,; 3,710,115 and references cited therein. Also, devices have been made available, such as a card, UV Card, available from the South Seas Trading Co., and a UV meter, called SafeSun, available from Online Catalog.
However, to ensure that there is wide acceptance of the product, a UV sensor should be small and non-intrusive, waterproof and durable, useful in conjunction with a sunscreen, easy to store and disposable, easy to use and interpret and provide a consistent and accurate registration of UV radiation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Devices and compositions are provided for integratively detecting ultraviolet exposure of skin. Devices and compositions comprise a carrier and a photochromic substance which changes color upon exposure to ultraviolet light. Particularly, diacetylenes are used in a form which adheres to the skin or eye ware, which can be removed when exhausted or desired. The devices are in convenient forms which encourage their use, being readily carried, conveniently packaged, non-intrusive, disposable and easy to interpret.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
Integrating ultraviolet detection devices and compositions are provided. The devices and compositions allow for continuous monitoring of the ultraviolet radiation during the period of testing or exposure and ready removal once the period of testing or exposure has ended. For application, the devices are positioned so as to be retained during the period of testing or exposure and then readily removed afterwards. Therefore, the devices will for the most part be elastomeric and/or adherent. The devices are semi-permanent at the site at which they are placed, being removable without injury to the underlying substrate, usually skin. The devices also find application with eye ware.
The devices, while taking somewhat different forms, fulfill the characteristics of indicating the level of irradiation, providing a warning when the total irradiation has exceeded a safe amount, are easy to use and interpret, easy to store and readily disposable, small and non-intrusive, so as to be easily carried and stored on a person, waterproof and durable, can be used with a sunscreen and attractive to encourage use. In addition, the devices for placement on the skin will be transparent, so that they do not result in untanned portions of the skin, until the dye has substantially darkened. In addition, the devices may be coated with sun tan lotions, oils and creams, so that the devices may accurately record the amount of UV radiation to which the skin is exposed.
For the elastic bands, any elastomeric material which is not irritating to the skin and compatible with the photochromic agent may be employed. The elastomer will be substantially transparent or of sufficiently small dimension as not to leave a readily observable band upon tanning. Elastomers include: polyisobutylene, ethylenepropylene copolymers, polyisoprenes, polybutadienes, etc. Elastomers may be selected to absorb any sun tan protective coatings, much as the skin will absorb the coatings to varying degrees. These elastomers may be formed in bands or ribbons, generally having thicknesses of about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, using not more than about 3 mm and may have the same width or be wider, depending upon the design and shape of the band. The band may be continuous or be joined by a link or clasp. If desired, a UV opaque cover may be employed, particularly one which is scored. By having the cover scored, individual portions of the cover may be removed, so that a single band may be used repeatedly, until the entire band has been exposed and exhausted. The cover may be paper or plastic, which will be able to withstand the conditions under which it is used. The band size or diameter is selected to fit snugly around a body part, such as a finger, wrist, forearm, bicep, anlde, or the like.
The elastomeric device may be preformed and combined with the photochromic agent, e.g. impregnated, painted, coated, sprayed, etc., or may be formulated with the elastomeric material and appropriately molded, extruded, cast, etc. The elastomeric device can be preformed, followed by impregnation with a solution of the photochromic agent, conveniently in combination with a polymer which aids in the coating and/or entry of the photochromic agent and retention in the elastomer. Polymers which may be employed include acrylic and styrene polymers, rubbers, and the like. Various solvents may be employed which will soften, but not dissolve, the elastomer and allow for impregnation of the elastomer with the photochromic agent. The solvent which is selected should be volatile, having a boiling point at ambient pressure above ambient temperature and less than about 100° C. and residues of the solvent should not be irritating to the skin. The solvent will soften the surface of the elastomer or may impregnate the elastomer to a portion of the thickness of the elastomer, but will normally not dissolve the elastomer, so that upon volatilization of the solvent, the elastomeric device will be in substantially the same form as originally. When coating the elastomeric surface, the coating solvent will usually provide for impregnation of the photochromic agent into the elastomer or provide a polymeric protective coating which retains the photochromic agent on the surface of the elastomeric device. Illustrative solvents include: chloroform, diethyl e
Frankel David A.
Ribi Hans O.
Hanig Richard
Rae-Venter Barbara
Rae-Venter Law Group P.C.
Segan Industries
Sugarman Scott J.
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