Device for applying electromagnetic radiation for treatment

Abstract

A hand held device generates a predetermined number of pulses of light having a predetermined electromagnetic spectrum, a predetermined duration, a predetermined inter-pulse interval, and a predetermined total energy. The pulse sequence is delivered to a skin surface to temporarily remove hair through the absorption of light energy only by endogenous chromophores of the hair. Exogenous chromophores for light absorpotion are not applied to the skin surface at any time. A period of time for reappearance of hair on the selected skin surface after the using of the device to remove hair from the selected skin surface is determined by counting the days to hair reappearance after a test light application. Subsequently, the device is used periodically to apply the pulses of light to the selected skin surface at intervals of shorter length than the determined period of hair regeneration, thereby temporarily maintaining the selected skin surface free of visible hair.

1 - 34 . (canceled)  
   
   
       35 . A device for applying electromagnetic radiation to a patient, comprising: 
 a casing;    a light generator mounted to said casing; and    an applicator mounted to said casing for applying light from said generator to a skin surface, said applicator including a flexible member at least partially conformable to a topography of said skin surface.    
   
   
       36 . The device defined in  claim 35  wherein said flexible member is a fluid-filled pouch.  
   
   
       37 . The device defined in  claim 35  wherein said flexible member is made at least in part of a resilient plastic material.  
   
   
       38 . The device defined in  claim 35  wherein said applicator further includes a crystal element.  
   
   
       39 . A device for treating a person with electromagnetic radiation, comprising: 
 a casing;    a light generator mounted to said casing; and    optical componentry mounted to said casing for transmitting light along an optical path from said generator to a skin surface, said optical componentry including at least one quantity of liquid along said optical path, so that light from said generator passes through said liquid prior to falling on said skin surface.    
   
   
       40 . The device defined in  claim 39  wherein said optical componentry includes an applicator member that contacts said skin surface, said liquid being disposed at least partially in said applicator member.  
   
   
       41 . The device defined in  claim 40  wherein said applicator member is made at least partially of a flexible material conformable to a topography of said skin surface.  
   
   
       42 . A device for applying electromagnetic radiation to a patient, comprising: 
 a casing;    a light generator mounted to said casing;    an applicator mounted to said casing for applying light from said generator to a skin surface; and    a coolant reservoir in operative communication with said applicator for supplying a coolant thereto.    
   
   
       43 . The device defined in  claim 42  wherein said coolant reservoir is connected to said applicator for feeding said coolant into said applicator.  
   
   
       44 . The device defined in  claim 42  wherein said coolant is taken from the group consisting of a liquid and a gel.  
   
   
       45 . The device defined in  claim 42 , further comprising a spray nozzle communicating with said reservoir.  
   
   
       46 . The device defined in  claim 42  wherein said applicator includes a crystal element.  
   
   
       47 . A device for applying electromagnetic radiation to a patient, comprising: 
 a casing;    a light generator mounted to said casing; and    an applicator mounted to said casing for applying light from said generator to a skin surface, said applicator including a plurality of independently movable substantially rigid transparent or translucent members (not shown) that collectively define a tissue-engaging surface.    
   
   
       48 . The device defined in  claim 47  wherein said independently movable substantially rigid transparent or translucent members are closely packed pins or plates each independently spring biased to an extended position.  
   
   
       49 . A device for applying electromagnetic radiation to a patient, comprising: 
 a casing;    a light generator mounted to said casing;    an applicator mounted to said casing for applying light from said generator to a skin surface, said applicator including a fluid that is taken from the group consisting of a partially transparent fluid and a translucent fluid.    
   
   
       50 . A device for applying electromagnetic radiation to a patient, comprising: 
 a casing;    a light generator mounted to said casing;    an applicator mounted to said casing for applying light from said generator to a skin surface, said applicator including a chamber filled with a fluid, said applicator being provided with perforations or openings for exuding said fluid onto a skin surface.