GB2369057A - Dermatological treatment apparatus - Google Patents
Dermatological treatment apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2369057A GB2369057A GB0028185A GB0028185A GB2369057A GB 2369057 A GB2369057 A GB 2369057A GB 0028185 A GB0028185 A GB 0028185A GB 0028185 A GB0028185 A GB 0028185A GB 2369057 A GB2369057 A GB 2369057A
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- treatment
- control unit
- treatment head
- dermatological
- head
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- 238000011282 treatment Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 266
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 28
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000013532 laser treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000002123 temporal effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241000931191 Scincidae Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012790 confirmation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012809 cooling fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000498 cooling water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000704 physical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003716 rejuvenation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000036555 skin type Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000216 vascular lesion Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
- A61B18/18—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves
- A61B18/20—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser
- A61B18/203—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using laser applying laser energy to the outside of the body
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B90/00—Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
- A61B90/90—Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
- A61B90/98—Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
- A61B2017/00017—Electrical control of surgical instruments
- A61B2017/00137—Details of operation mode
- A61B2017/00154—Details of operation mode pulsed
- A61B2017/00172—Pulse trains, bursts, intermittent continuous operation
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
- A61B2017/00477—Coupling
- A61B2017/00482—Coupling with a code
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
- A61B2018/00315—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body for treatment of particular body parts
- A61B2018/00452—Skin
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
- A61B2018/00988—Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
- A61B18/18—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves
- A61B2018/1807—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves using light other than laser radiation
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Surgery (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Medical Informatics (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Otolaryngology (AREA)
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Radiation-Therapy Devices (AREA)
- Laser Surgery Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Dermatological treatment apparatus comprises a control unit 10 and a plurality of treatment heads 12. Any of the treatment heads 12 are selectively connectable to the control unit 10 by a user for use in treatment. A cable 14 and a plug (26) connects the treatment head 12 to the control unit 10. One or more treatment head 12 can be bought by a user to provide the range of treatments required. A user interface of the control unit 10 is configured to reflect the range of treatments that can be provided with the range of available treatment heads, to the treatment selected, and to the particular treatment head. The control unit can identify which treatment head is connected to it, and configure its operating parameters accordingly. A treatment cycle will not be commenced until the control unit 10 determines that the correct treatment head 12 has been connected to it.
Description
DERMATOLOGICAL TREATMENT APPARATUS This invention relates to dermatological treatment apparatus.
High-intensity light is now is widespread use in dermatological treatment of human skin. The range of applications is extensive, including treatment of pigmented regions, removal of tattoos and removal of unwanted hair, vascular lesions, skin resurfacing and skink rejuvenation. To accomplish this range of treatment, light is applied to the skin under a wide range of conditions. For example, light may be applied as laser light or high-intensity non-laser light. The spot size of the light (for laser applications), the fluence, the time and number of light pulses and frequency of the light must all be selected to suit the particular application.
Conventionally, each application has required a complete treatment unit, including a power supply, a control unit and a treatment head. Even in the case of treatment apparatus that has several treatment heads (for example, one laser treatment head and one non-laser flashlamp treatment head) there is much duplication of components within the apparatus, with consequent high cost and bulk. Moreover, the range of application of such apparatus is still limited, and cannot readily be adapted to perform additional treatment functions.
An aim of this invention is to provide dermatological treatment apparatus that is versatile and that allows a user to undertake a broad range of treatments at a minimum cost.
Accordingly, from a first aspect, the invention provides dermatological treatment apparatus comprising a control unit and a plurality of treatment heads, any (one) such treatment head being selectively connectable to the control unit by a user for use in treatment.
A user of such apparatus can select which treatment heads to buy in order to provide the
range of treatment possibilities that they require. If their requirements should then increase, the user need only buy one or more additional treatment heads.
Typically, the treatment heads may include one or more laser treatment heads and/or one or more non-laser flashlamp treatment heads. Moreover, the treatment heads may be configured to emit light with a variety of power, wavelength and/or spot size.
Advantageously, the control unit can determine which control head has been connected to it. This may, for example, be used by the controller to select one of a plurality of calibrations that is suitable for use with the treatment head. Most advantageously, such determination and selection of a calibration takes place automatically upon connection of a treatment head to the control unit.
The control unit may be programmed to record which treatment heads are available to the user of the apparatus. (For example, where the user has chosen to buy only a subset of the range of treatment heads on offer.) In such cases, the control unit permits a user to select only those treatment procedures for which treatment heads are available. Most typically, such a control unit can be re-programmed as and when additional treatment heads become available. Such re-programming may take place automatically upon connection of a new treatment head to the control unit, or by execution of an administrative software program,
In order to minimise the risk that the treatment is not correctly applied, it is advantageous that the control unit will not allow treatment to commence until the correct treatment head for the selected treatment procedure has been connected to the control unit. In particular, the control unit will not allow treatment to commence if an incorrect treatment head is connected to the control unit.
In order to increase the versatility of the apparatus, it is preferable that additional calibrations can be provided for the control unit. In this way, additional treatment heads can be added to the apparatus, even if the control unit was not initially provided with a suitable calibration.
Typically, the control unit includes a supply of power and a supply of coolant for the treatment head. Most usually, the treatment head is connected to the control unit by a
cable that conveys both an electrical supply and coolant to the treatment head. In such embodiments, the cable is most preferably connected to the control unit by means of a connector that carries both electrical and fluid connections. Such a connector may also provide a signalling connection to the control unit that indicates to the control unit which treatment head is connected.
In order to indicate to the control unit which treatment head is connected, the act of connecting the treatment head to the control unit may complete one or more detection circuits. Each treatment head most preferably causes a unique number or combination of completed detection circuits to be completed. This combination can be interpreted by the control unit to identify the treatment head.
Alternatively, the treatment head may be provided with identification means that can cooperate with the control unit. For example, the treatment head may include an electronic memory that is readable by the control unit when the treatment head is connected to the control unit, the memory being programmed with data that identifies the treatment head. Advantageously, the control unit can write data to such memory when the treatment head is connected to the control unit. This can be used to maintain a record of information relating to the treatment head, for example, the extent to which the treatment head has been used. The memory may also contain calibration, parametric, usage and/or other operational data relating to the treatment head. Such data can be used by the control unit to determine the range of applications of a treatment head, and the parameters and calibrations applicable to the treatment head.
The control unit most usually further includes means for receiving control inputs from a user and means for displaying information to a user. For example, these may be combined in a touch screen display. In such embodiments, the control unit most preferably interacts with the user by means of a graphical user interface.
From a second aspect, the invention provides a control unit for a dermatological treatment apparatus comprising a power supply for a treatment head that includes a light source, the control unit including connection means to which a treatment head can be releaseably connected, and detection means for detecting which one of a plurality of treatment heads is connected to the control unit.
From a third aspect, the invention provides a treatment head assembly for producing high-intensity light as part of a dermatological treatment apparatus, the assembly comprising a light source, a connector for connecting to a control unit for receiving a supply of electrical power for the light source, and identification means for identifying the treatment head to a control unit to which the treatment head is connected.
Advantageously, the connector also connects the identification means to the control unit.
The identification means may include one or more circuit links that can be open circuit or closed circuit, the state of the circuit links being determinable by a control unit to which the treatment head is connected. The combination of or number of circuit links in each configuration being indicative of the identity of the treatment head. Alternatively or additionally the treatment head may include memory means that contains data to identify the treatment head.
From a fourth aspect, the invention provides a method of operating dermatological treatment apparatus comprising selecting a treatment to be performed, connecting an treatment head appropriate for the selected treatment to a control unit of dermatological treatment apparatus, and executing a treatment session with the selected treatment head.
In a method embodying this aspect of the invention, most preferably, the treatment session cannot be executed until the appropriate treatment head is connected to the control unit. This can reduce the risk of inappropriate levels of light energy being delivered when the treatment is executed. Advantageously, the method may include a step of prompting the user to connect the appropriate treatment head to the control unit.
The method typically further includes a step of selecting parameters for a treatment session. Such parameters may include beam fluence, spot size, pulse length, number of pulses in a pulse train and spacing between pulses in a pulse train, amongst others. Most preferably, the user may select only those parameters (typically limited to an appropriate range of values) that are suitable to the treatment head appropriate for the selected treatment. Moreover, such a method most preferably records which treatment head or heads is/are available to a user and allowing a user to select from a range of treatments that can be performed with the available treatment heads.
A method embodying this aspect of the invention conveniently displays treatment options to a user by means of a graphical user interface display. In embodiments according to the last-preceding paragraph, only the options that are available are displayed. Alternatively, unavailable options are displayed in a manner that indicates visually that they are presently unavailable. This indicates to a user that the versatility of the method can be extended if further treatment heads are obtained.
In some embodiments, a method embodying this aspect of the invention further includes a step of reading data from a memory device within the treatment head. Such data may identify the treatment head or convey information relating to past use of the treatment head. It may further include a step of writing data to a memory device in the treatment head.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a general schematic view of apparatus being a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a flow diagram showing a basic sequence of operation of a system embodying the invention ;
Figure 3 is a segment of a flow diagram showing a modification to the method of Figure 2; and
Figure 4 is a simplified schematic cross-section of a plug for connecting a treatment head to a control unit in a first embodiment of the invention.
With reference first to Figure 1, a dermatological treatment apparatus embodying the invention is shown in a condition ready for use. The apparatus comprises a control unit 10, a treatment head 12 and an interconnecting cable 14 that connects the treatment head 12 tb the control unit 10.
The control unit 10 includes an electrical power supply stage 20, a coolant supply stage 22 and a control stage 24. The control stage 24 includes a computer system that executes a control program to control operation of the apparatus, and in particular, the
power supply stage 20 and the coolant supply stage 22. Interaction between a user and the control stage 24 is handled by a touch screen display 30. The control stage 24 further includes a memory 102 that contains a control program, calibrations and other data and/or parameters relating to various treatment heads, and data relating to the treatment heads that are immediately available to a user.
The treatment head 12 can be a laser treatment head or a high-intensity non-laser light treatment head. In either case, the treatment head includes a flashtube that is supplied with pulses of electrical power and a supply of cooling water by, respectively, the power supply stage 20 and the coolant supply stage 22.
The cable 14 interconnects the control unit 10 and the treatment head 12. The cable 14 contains a plurality of electrical conductors to convey electrical power to the treatment head 12 and a plurality of fluid conduits to carry cooling fluid (for example, water) circulating between the control unit 10 and the treatment head 12. The cable 14 is connected to the control unit by a plug 26 that engages with a socket provided externally on the control unit 10. The plug 26 and socket provides electrical and fluid interconnection between the control unit 10 and the cable 14. In addition, the plug 26 provides a data connection to the control unit, various arrangements of which will be discussed below. The treatment head 12, the interconnecting cable 14 and the plug 26 will be referred to as a treatment head assembly.
The control stage 24 interacts with a user by means of the touch screen 30. This touch screen 30 presents a graphical user interface by means of which a user can control operation of the apparatus by touching regions of the touch screen to perform functions indicated by a display rendered on the touch screen 30.
With reference now to Figure 2, a sequence of operation of the apparatus described above will now be described.
When a user first starts a treatment operation, the control unit first generates a list of treatment types available (Step 100) This is achieved by referring to the memory 102, and determining the range of treatments that can be carried out with the selection of treatment heads that are available. This list of treatment types is then displayed as a list (Step 104) on the display 30. A user can then select a treatment type (Step 106) by
touching an appropriate region of the display 30.
The user is then prompted (Step 108) to confirm that the correct treatment head 12 is connected to the control unit 10. Once the user makes such confirmation (Step 110) the control stage 24 determines (Step 112) the identity of any treatment head 12 that is connected to the control unit 10. If no treatment head 12 is connected, or an incorrect treatment head is connected, the control stage 24, the control stage 24 causes an appropriate warning message to be displayed (Step 114) and then once again prompts the user to confirm that the correct treatment head is connected (Step 108).
The control stage 24 then retrieves data from its memory 102 that specifies the operating parameters and the range of values of each of the parameters appropriate to the connected treatment head 12 (Step 116). These parameters may include, amongst others, skin type, hair colour, beam fluence, beam spot size, pulse length, the number of pulses in a pulse train to be applied, and the temporal spacing between pulses in the pulse train. The control stage 24 also selects a default set of parameters and an allowable range for each of these parameters. This information is then used by the control stage 24 to generate an input screen on the display 30. The default set of parameters is initially displayed in the input screen, and the user can use the input screen to vary these parameters within the allowable range as required for the treatment cycle at Step 120.
Once the user has confirmed their selection, the treatment cycle can be commenced (Step 122). The electrical energy delivered to the treatment head 12 is determined by the control stage by selecting parameters that are stored in its memory 102 and are appropriate to the physical properties of the connected treatment head 12.
With reference now to Figure 3, there is shown a segment of a flow chart that replaces steps 106 to 114 in an alternative embodiment.
In this embodiment, once the user is prompted to connect the correct treatment head 12 (Step 206), the system repeatedly checks (Step 210) until the correct treatment head is found to have been connected. The procedure can then proceed to selection of treatment parameters as described above at Steps 116 onwards.
With reference to Figure 4, the plug 26 must form several connections to provide the treatment head 12 with the services that it requires for operation. First, there are electrical connections 310,312 to supply electrical power to a flashtube or other light emitting means within the treatment head. The plug 26 must also form connections to coolant supply and return pipes 314,316.
In this embodiment, the plug also forms connections for several electrical signalling connection pairs 320,322. Each connection pair can be set within the plug 26, upon manufacture of the treatment head, to form an open circuit or a closed circuit. When the plug is connected to the control unit 10, the control stage 24 determines the combination of open and closed connection pairs. Within a complete treatment system, each combination of open and closed connection pairs is selected to uniquely identify a particular treatment head amongst all such heads that are available. Although only two such pairs are shown in the figure, in practice, it is likely that more will be provided in order to enable a sufficient number of combinations to be provided. The detected combination is used by the control stage 24 to identify the treatment head in the method described above.
For example, the combination may be interpreted by the control stage as a binary number that is used as an index to a table in memory that provides all of the calibration details and other parameters relating to the treatment head.
When a user acquires an additional treatment head, the control unit must be reconfigured to use it. This can be done in several ways. First, an engineer can enable a pre-defined program module in the control unit 10 to indicate that the new treatment head is available by means of an administration program executed by the control stage 24. Thereafter, treatment types enabled by the new treatment head are included in the determination made at Step 100, above. The administration program may be contained in memory of the control stage 24 (with suitable access restrictions) or it may be loaded from a data carrier such as a disc or a memory card. Alternatively, the control stage 24 may enable the module automatically upon connection of the new treatment head 12 to the control unit 10.
If no pre-defined module is available, a new module may be loaded by an engineer into
the memory of the control unit. Again, this can be done by execution of an administration program by an engineer to download new configuration data from a data carrier. Again, this might alternatively be achieved by prompting a user to provide a suitably-programmed data carrier upon the control stage detecting that the new treatment head has been connected to the control unit 10.
In an alternative embodiment, each treatment head assembly includes a memory device.
The memory device (for example, EEPROM or CMOS RAM) may be located in the treatment head 12 itself or within the plug 26. A plurality of data lines are connected by the plug 26 to enable the control stage to access the memory device.
The memory device is programmed with an identifying code that identifies the treatment head. The identifying code may identify the treatment head 12 in several ways. First, it may identify the type, in a similar manner to the connection pairs described above. It may also identify the treatment head by a unique serial number.
In further embodiments, the control stage can store data in the memory device. For example, this data might specify the number of and duration of operating cycles that the treatment head has performed. This information can be used to advise a user of the need to perform routine maintenance of the treatment head, or warn the user that the treatment head may be approaching the end of its useful life.
In an alternative approach, a memory device in each treatment head may be further programmed on manufacture with data to specify the parameter and calibration data that the control stage 24 requires in order to operate the treatment head. This is one possible arrangement by which the control unit 10 can adapt to use with a range of treatment heads.
Although several embodiments have been described, each feature disclosed in the description, and (where appropriate) the claims and drawings may be provided independently or in any appropriate combination.
Claims (51)
1. Dermatological treatment apparatus comprising a control unit and a plurality of treatment heads, any such treatment head being selectively connectable to the control unit by a user for use in treatment.
2. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to claim 1 in which the treatment heads may include one or more laser treatment heads and/or one or more non laser flashlamp treatment heads
3. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the treatment heads may be configured to emit light with variability in one or more of the following: power, wavelength, spot size, pulse length, number of pulses in a pulse train, and temporal spacing between pulses in a pulse train.
4. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the control unit can determine which control head has been connected to it.
5. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to claim 4 in which the identity of the treatment head is used by the controller to select one of a plurality of calibrations that is suitable for use with the treatment head.
6. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to claim 5 in which such determination and selection of a calibration takes place automatically upon connection of a treatment head to the control unit.
7. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the control unit is programmed to record which treatment heads are available to the user of the apparatus.
8. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to claim 7 in which the control unit permits a user to select only those treatment procedures for which treatment
heads are available.
9. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8 in which the control unit can be re-programmed as and when additional treatment heads become available.
10. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to claim 9 in which such re programming takes place automatically upon connection of a new treatment head to the control unit.
11. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to any preceding claim in which, in order to minimise the control unit will not allow treatment to commence until the correct treatment head for the selected treatment procedure has been connected to the control unit.
12. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to claim 11 in which the control unit will not allow treatment to commence if an incorrect treatment head is connected to the control unit.
13. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to any preceding claim in which additional calibrations can be provided for the control unit.
14. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the control unit includes a supply of power and a supply of coolant for the treatment head.
15. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to claim 14 in which each treatment head can be connected to the control unit by a respective cable that conveys both an electrical supply and coolant to the treatment head.
16. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to claim 15 in which the cable is most preferably connectable to the control unit by means of a connector that carries both electrical and fluid connections.
17. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to claim 16 in which the connector provides a signalling connection to the control unit that indicates to
the control unit which treatment head is connected.
18. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the act of connecting the treatment head to the control unit may complete one or more detection circuits to indicate to the control unit which treatment head is connected.
19. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to claim 18 in which each treatment head causes a unique number or combination of completed detection circuits to be completed.
20 Dermatological treatment apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the treatment head is provided with identification means that can cooperate with the control unit.
21. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to claim 20 in which the treatment head includes an electronic memory that is readable by the control unit when the treatment head is connected to the control unit
22. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to claim 21 in which the memory is programmed with data that identifies the treatment head.
23. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to claim 21 or 22 in which the control unit can write data to such memory when the treatment head is connected to the control unit.
24 Dermatological treatment apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the control unit further includes means for receiving control inputs from a user and means for displaying information to a user.
25. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to claim 24 which includes a touch screen display
26. Dermatological treatment apparatus according to claim 25 in which the control unit interacts with the user by means of a graphical user interface.
27. Dermatological treatment apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
28. A control unit for a dermatological treatment apparatus comprising a power supply for a treatment head that includes a light source, the control unit including connection means to which a treatment head can be releaseably connected, and detection means for detecting which one of a plurality of treatment heads is connected to the control unit.
29. A control unit for a dermatological treatment apparatus for use in dermatological treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 27.
30. A control unit for a dermatological treatment apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
31. A treatment head assembly for producing high-intensity light as part of a dermatological treatment apparatus, the assembly comprising a light source, a connector for connecting to a control unit for receiving a supply of electrical power for the light source, and identification means for identifying the treatment head to a control unit to which the treatment head is connected.
32. A treatment head assembly according to claim 31 in which the connector also connects the identification means to the control unit.
33. A treatment head assembly according to claim 31 or 32 in which the identification means includes one or more circuit links that can be open circuit or closed circuit, the state of the circuit links being determinable by a control unit to which the treatment head is connected.
34. A treatment head assembly according to claim 33 in which the combination of or number of circuit links in each configuration are indicative of the identity of the treatment head.
35. A treatment head assembly according to any one of claims 31 to 34 including memory means that contains data to identify the treatment head.
36. A treatment head assembly according to any one of claims 31 to 35 in which the
light source is one of a source of laser light or a source of non-laser light.
37. A treatment head assembly for producing high-intensity light as part of a dermatological treatment apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
38. A treatment head assembly for producing high-intensity light as part of a dermatological treatment apparatus being in accordance with any one of claims
1 to 27.
39. A method of operating dermatological treatment apparatus that is optionally in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 27 comprising selecting a treatment to be performed, connecting a treatment head appropriate for the selected treatment to a control unit of dermatological treatment apparatus, and executing a treatment session with the selected treatment head.
40. A method according to claim 39 in which the treatment session cannot be executed until the appropriate treatment head is connected to the control unit.
41. A method according to claim 39 or 40 including a step of prompting the user to connect the appropriate treatment head to the control unit.
42. A method according to any one of claims 39 to 41 including a step of selecting parameters for a treatment session.
43. A method according to claim 42 in which the user may select only those parameters (typically limited to an appropriate range of values) that are suitable to the treatment head appropriate for the selected treatment.
44. A method according to any one of claims 39 to 43 which records which treatment head or heads is/are available to a user and allows a user to select from a range of treatments that can be performed with the available treatment heads.
45. A method according to any one of claims 39 to 44 that displays treatment options to a user by means of a graphical user interface display.
46. A method according to claim 45 in which only the options that are available to a
user are displayed.
47. A method according to claim 45 in which options unavailable to a user are displayed in a manner that indicates visually that they are presently unavailable.
48. A method according to any one of claims 39 to 47 that further includes a step of reading data from a memory device within the treatment head.
49. A method according to claim 48 in which the data identify the treatment head or convey information relating to past use of the treatment head.
50. A method according to any one of claims 39 to 49 that further includes a step of writing data to a memory device in the treatment head.
51. A method of operating dermatological treatment apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0028185A GB2369057A (en) | 2000-11-18 | 2000-11-18 | Dermatological treatment apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0028185A GB2369057A (en) | 2000-11-18 | 2000-11-18 | Dermatological treatment apparatus |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0028185D0 GB0028185D0 (en) | 2001-01-03 |
| GB2369057A true GB2369057A (en) | 2002-05-22 |
Family
ID=9903441
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0028185A Withdrawn GB2369057A (en) | 2000-11-18 | 2000-11-18 | Dermatological treatment apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2369057A (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2004096072A1 (en) * | 2003-05-02 | 2004-11-11 | O.I. Oesse International S.R.L. | A light ray unit for diagnosis and treatment of skin problems |
| EP1535582A1 (en) * | 2003-11-27 | 2005-06-01 | Espansione Marketing S.P.A. | Light irradiation unit for diagnosing and treating skin problems |
| EP1581129A2 (en) * | 2002-12-18 | 2005-10-05 | Ceramoptec Industries, Inc. | Medical device recognition system with write-back feature |
| WO2006111199A1 (en) * | 2005-04-18 | 2006-10-26 | Pantec Biosolutions Ag | Microporator for parating a biological membran and integrated permeant administering system |
| WO2007007167A1 (en) | 2005-07-13 | 2007-01-18 | Perkinelmer Optoelectronics Gmbh & Co. Kg | Flashlamp cartridge for removable connection to a socket |
| EP1759653A1 (en) | 2005-09-06 | 2007-03-07 | W & H Dentalwerk Bürmoos GmbH | Adaptor for a medical handpiece, medical handpiece and medical power unit |
| EP1778116A2 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2007-05-02 | BioLase Technology, Inc. | Identification connector for a medical laser handpiece |
| GB2443470A (en) * | 2006-07-24 | 2008-05-07 | En Ltd | Intense pulsed light device with bulb and cooling circuit in removeable cartridge |
| WO2008123951A2 (en) * | 2007-04-02 | 2008-10-16 | Aesthera Corporation | Apparatuses and methods to treat biological external tissue |
| US7563226B2 (en) | 2004-01-08 | 2009-07-21 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Handpieces having illumination and laser outputs |
| US7575381B2 (en) | 2004-07-13 | 2009-08-18 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Fiber tip detector apparatus and related methods |
| EP2105113A1 (en) * | 2008-03-26 | 2009-09-30 | Nidek Co., Ltd. | Laser treatment apparatus |
| WO2010012857A1 (en) * | 2008-07-30 | 2010-02-04 | Hld Healthy Life Devices Ltd. | Adjustable massage apparatus and method for adjusting massage apparatus |
| WO2010083566A2 (en) * | 2009-01-22 | 2010-07-29 | Med-Aesthetic Solutions International Pty. Ltd. | System and method for dermatological treatment |
| US7842029B2 (en) | 2004-05-07 | 2010-11-30 | Aesthera | Apparatus and method having a cooling material and reduced pressure to treat biological external tissue |
| WO2013076568A3 (en) * | 2011-11-23 | 2013-07-18 | Northgate Technologies Inc. | System for identifying the presence and correctness of a medical device accessory |
| US8571648B2 (en) | 2004-05-07 | 2013-10-29 | Aesthera | Apparatus and method to apply substances to tissue |
| US9283037B2 (en) | 2005-04-18 | 2016-03-15 | Pantec Biosolutions Ag | Laser microporator |
| CN107106861A (en) * | 2014-09-25 | 2017-08-29 | 莱雅公司 | Skin treatment utensil with replaceable workpiece |
| CN110893264A (en) * | 2019-09-03 | 2020-03-20 | 山东卡蕾兰健康科技有限公司 | Combined photon skin tendering instrument |
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| US5272716A (en) * | 1991-10-15 | 1993-12-21 | Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation | Hand held laser apparatus |
| US5755752A (en) * | 1992-04-24 | 1998-05-26 | Segal; Kim Robin | Diode laser irradiation system for biological tissue stimulation |
| US5800479A (en) * | 1994-01-20 | 1998-09-01 | Biolight Patent Holding Ab | Device for medical external treatment by means of light |
| WO1997043008A1 (en) * | 1996-05-14 | 1997-11-20 | Multiple Dimensional Laser Technology, Inc. | Dermatological laser apparatus and method |
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| EP1581129A4 (en) * | 2002-12-18 | 2010-12-22 | Ceramoptec Gmbh | MEDICAL DEVICE RECOGNIZING SYSTEM HAVING REWRITING FUNCTION |
| EP1581129A2 (en) * | 2002-12-18 | 2005-10-05 | Ceramoptec Industries, Inc. | Medical device recognition system with write-back feature |
| WO2004096072A1 (en) * | 2003-05-02 | 2004-11-11 | O.I. Oesse International S.R.L. | A light ray unit for diagnosis and treatment of skin problems |
| EP1535582A1 (en) * | 2003-11-27 | 2005-06-01 | Espansione Marketing S.P.A. | Light irradiation unit for diagnosing and treating skin problems |
| US7563226B2 (en) | 2004-01-08 | 2009-07-21 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Handpieces having illumination and laser outputs |
| US8571648B2 (en) | 2004-05-07 | 2013-10-29 | Aesthera | Apparatus and method to apply substances to tissue |
| US7842029B2 (en) | 2004-05-07 | 2010-11-30 | Aesthera | Apparatus and method having a cooling material and reduced pressure to treat biological external tissue |
| US7575381B2 (en) | 2004-07-13 | 2009-08-18 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Fiber tip detector apparatus and related methods |
| EP1778116A2 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2007-05-02 | BioLase Technology, Inc. | Identification connector for a medical laser handpiece |
| EP1778116A4 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2008-02-06 | Biolase Tech Inc | Identification connector for a medical laser handpiece |
| US9283037B2 (en) | 2005-04-18 | 2016-03-15 | Pantec Biosolutions Ag | Laser microporator |
| WO2006111199A1 (en) * | 2005-04-18 | 2006-10-26 | Pantec Biosolutions Ag | Microporator for parating a biological membran and integrated permeant administering system |
| WO2007007167A1 (en) | 2005-07-13 | 2007-01-18 | Perkinelmer Optoelectronics Gmbh & Co. Kg | Flashlamp cartridge for removable connection to a socket |
| EP1759653A1 (en) | 2005-09-06 | 2007-03-07 | W & H Dentalwerk Bürmoos GmbH | Adaptor for a medical handpiece, medical handpiece and medical power unit |
| GB2443470A (en) * | 2006-07-24 | 2008-05-07 | En Ltd | Intense pulsed light device with bulb and cooling circuit in removeable cartridge |
| WO2008123951A3 (en) * | 2007-04-02 | 2009-01-15 | Aesthera Corp | Apparatuses and methods to treat biological external tissue |
| WO2008123951A2 (en) * | 2007-04-02 | 2008-10-16 | Aesthera Corporation | Apparatuses and methods to treat biological external tissue |
| EP2105113A1 (en) * | 2008-03-26 | 2009-09-30 | Nidek Co., Ltd. | Laser treatment apparatus |
| US8361058B2 (en) | 2008-03-26 | 2013-01-29 | Nidek Co., Ltd. | Laser treatment apparatus |
| WO2010012857A1 (en) * | 2008-07-30 | 2010-02-04 | Hld Healthy Life Devices Ltd. | Adjustable massage apparatus and method for adjusting massage apparatus |
| WO2010083566A3 (en) * | 2009-01-22 | 2010-10-28 | Med-Aesthetic Solutions International Pty. Ltd. | System and method for dermatological treatment |
| WO2010083566A2 (en) * | 2009-01-22 | 2010-07-29 | Med-Aesthetic Solutions International Pty. Ltd. | System and method for dermatological treatment |
| WO2013076568A3 (en) * | 2011-11-23 | 2013-07-18 | Northgate Technologies Inc. | System for identifying the presence and correctness of a medical device accessory |
| US9283334B2 (en) | 2011-11-23 | 2016-03-15 | Northgate Technologies Inc. | System for identifying the presence and correctness of a medical device accessory |
| US9849275B2 (en) | 2011-11-23 | 2017-12-26 | Northgate Technologies Inc. | System for identifying the presence and correctness of a tubing set |
| US10105528B2 (en) | 2011-11-23 | 2018-10-23 | Northgate Technologies Inc. | System for identifying the presence and correctness of a medical device accessory |
| US10806916B2 (en) | 2011-11-23 | 2020-10-20 | Northgate Technologies Inc. | System for identifying the presence and correctness of a medical device accessory |
| US11896794B2 (en) | 2011-11-23 | 2024-02-13 | Northgate Technologies Inc. | System for identifying the presence and correctness of a medical device accessory |
| CN107106861A (en) * | 2014-09-25 | 2017-08-29 | 莱雅公司 | Skin treatment utensil with replaceable workpiece |
| EP3197552A4 (en) * | 2014-09-25 | 2018-08-01 | L'Oréal | Skin treatment appliance with changeable workpiece |
| CN107106861B (en) * | 2014-09-25 | 2019-08-23 | 莱雅公司 | Skin treatment utensil with replaceable workpiece |
| CN110893264A (en) * | 2019-09-03 | 2020-03-20 | 山东卡蕾兰健康科技有限公司 | Combined photon skin tendering instrument |
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| GB0028185D0 (en) | 2001-01-03 |
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