Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Light application
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-06
2003-12-23
Gibson, Roy D. (Department: 3739)
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Light application
C607S088000, C607S089000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06666878
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and device designed to stimulate and increase the natural activity of hair follicles. The invention relates to the field of skin therapy, restoration of hair production and wound healing originating from or assisted by the follicles. The invention consists of a method for the stimulation of follicles by applying light emanating from laser sources or from light emitting diodes to the skin. It also outlines the construction of alternative devices for the practical application of such light sources in a way to accomplish direct light rather than light distributed through fiber optic or other means as well as mechanical and electronic control methods to achieve an even distribution of the therapeutic light.
The skin in itself is the largest organ of the human body and the body of any mammal. As all functions and activities of the skin are not known to date intense research is continuing in the scientific community to uncover the mysteries of this important organ. The present invention constitutes an effort to put some of the data which is known today into practical use for the benefit of persons undergoing therapy according to the invention.
Being to a large degree an external organ, skin can be subjected to many forms of therapy including treatment with chemicals and ointments as well as vitamins, exposure to water, air and the sun, mechanical treatment and so forth. A number of things which our skin and the skin of any mammal is exposed to is not part of any treatment and constitutes more of a hazard to the skin than assisting its growth and recovery. In addition to such factors there are the internal workings and cellular activities of the skin as affected by various diseases and our general well being.
Apart from producing body hair, the hair follicles of humans and other mammals have an important role in the reproduction of skin cells in any part of the body and in the process of healing wounds to the skin. Indeed, future research may come to reveal that parts of the mysteries of aging are linked to the follicles.
Regardless of any future findings, it is known today that the follicles can be externally stimulated in order to increase or decrease their production of hair. Especially women are often concerned with unwanted body hair and various methods exist for the more or less permanent removal of such hair. In this context it is known that the action of simply ripping out a strand of hair may stimulate the follicle and increase the speed with which new hair is produced. Certain chemical treatments such as the treatment with the substance minoxidil may also constitute a stimulant. It is further known that laser treatment, regularly applied, causes the production of the follicles to decrease and eventually cease. The invention at hand is based on the fact that lasers as well as light emitting diodes can also be used as a positive stimulating agent if the treatment is carefully administered utilizing correct wave lengths, Periods of exposure and other such influencing factors.
The present invention directs itself to two major uses, both in relation to hair follicles: 1) The use of intermittent light from light emitting diodes lasers in the stimulation of and enhancement of the natural production of hair from the follicles by exposure to such lights (according to the invention, such light, correctly applied as to time, distance, intensity, wave length, pulsation of the light and preparation of the skin to be treated, stimulates and causes an increase in the hair production activity of the follicles), and 2) a similar use of intermittent light from the described sources which according to the invention assists cell reproduction emanating from the follicles thus assisting the skin in the process of healing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hair follicles are small tubular cavities of the skin located in the subcutaneous layer beneath the dermis and extend from the surface of the skin down through the epidermal layers to a bulblike base where the hair is rooted. Each follicle supplies its hair with blood from a vein, an artery, and a papilla at the base. Associated with each follicle there are sebaceous glands, muscles and nerves. Follicles excrete oil and move dead skin cells to the surface of the skin apart from producing hair and assisting in the production of stem cells for the purpose of supplying cells for wound healing. Partaking in this complex system are the sebaceous, oil-secreting glands which are found in all types of skin and all over the body, but which are usually associated with a follicle. The sebaceous glands that resemble tree branches, are made up of a tube and one or two small sacs that are groups of smaller pockets called alveoli. They exist as tiny appendages to the hair follicles. When cells in the alveoli die and break apart excrete oil is produced which lubricates the hair and facilitate sweating in the follicle.
An important function of the present invention is to penetrate the surface of the skin down to the bottom of the follicle and to act as a revitalizing agent for the follicle as well as for the nerves, muscles alveoli and other parts associated with the production of hair and regeneration of cells.
While it is often considered to be a psychological or cosmetic problem, problems with excessive body hair or lack of body hair are likely as old as mankind. There are eastern religions that promote that all power of a human being is located in the hair of the scalp and that it renders a person powerless if the hair is cut or missing. The current invention does not relate to the removal of unwanted hair. It addresses the distinct areas of stimulation and restoration of hair and the area of skin regeneration for the purpose of wound healing.
Many more or less useless or even destructive methods have been brought forward with the purpose of restoring hair. The present invention presents a non-destructive method and device which in a natural way restores the ability of the follicles to function and properly perform their tasks without the use of force or abrasive agents.
It is previously know to utilize laser sources to expose the scalp area to electromagnetic radiation in order to prevent loss of hair, see for example in EP-0130950 and SE-510410. The first of these documents describes an arrangement containing one or two laser sources radiate a number of spots of the scalp area, through optical fibres. In accordance with the main embodiment, a large part of the scalp is thereby constantly under radiation without any intermissions for the purpose of recovery. According to another embodiment a laser source is caused to move across the scalp according to a predetermined trail. Such a treatment is time consuming and presents large difficulties in obtaining an even and uniform radiation over the entire scalp area.
SE-510410 on the other hand utilizes a number of laser sources line wise arranged in a helmet which can be rotated. The radiation is thereby in directed towards the scalp area alongside relatively narrow lines which pass over the area intended to be treated.
The method and device of the current invention was developed based on experience and observations relating to the behavior of the follicle area with respect to external stimulation. Certain substances such as hormones and vitamins exist in or are produced in the skin. The existence or production of substances necessary for the normal life cycle of skin and skin cells is also dependant upon light. Vitamin D for instance is produced by the skin while exposed to the rays of the sun. Although we usually cover our skin with clothes to protect it from the surrounding climate it is recognized that exposure to light and the sun can have a therapeutic effect on skin and skin tone. Pigmentation of the skin, eyes, and hair as an example is determined by the presence of melanin in cells of the epidermis which are called melanocytes. In addition to coloring melanin actually protects from excessive harmful UV rays by absorbing high-energy light more th
Gibson Roy D.
Inca Asset Management S.A.
Johnson Henry M.
LandOfFree
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