Method and apparatus for delivering low power optical treatments

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed that uses at least one low power optical radiation source in a suitable head which can be held over a treatment area for a substantial period of time or can be moved over the treatment area a number of times during each treatment. The apparatus, a hand held light emitting applicator (LEA) or light emitting skin applicator (LESA), can be in the form of a brush or roller adapted to be moved over the patient's skin surface as radiation is applied to the skin. The skin-contacting surface of the LEA or LESA can have protuberances such as projections or bristles that can massage the skin and deliver radiation. In addition, an apparatus which delivers optical radiation to a treatment area is disclosed that contains a retrofit housing adapted to be joined to a skin-contacting device.

1 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method for treatment of skin, comprising:
 delivering optical radiation to a target region of skin through a skin contacting end of at least one protuberance extending from an applicator; and   applying a compressive force to the skin surface with said at least one protuberance, said protuberance forming an indentation in the skin surface so as to bring the skin contacting end closer to said target region while delivering said optical radiation to said target region through said indentation.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the protuberance extends from a skin-contacting surface of the applicator. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said compressive force is sufficient to bring the skin-contacting surface in contact with the skin when said protuberance forms the indentation. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising detecting contact of at least one of the skin-contacting surface and the skin-contacting end with the skin. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the delivery of optical radiation to the target region is permitted only after detecting contact of at least one of the skin-contacting surface and the skin-contacting end with the skin. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising cooling the target region of skin at least one of prior to or concurrent with the delivery of optical radiation. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising cooling the applicator so as to remove heat from the target region of skin. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein applying said compressive force enhances optical radiation delivery to the target region. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said compressive force enhances penetration of said optical radiation through the skin. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said target region comprises tissue at a depth of the papillary dermis. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said target region comprises tissue at a depth of sebaceous glands within the skin. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said target region comprises tissue at a depth of one or more hair follicles within the skin. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said target region is at a depth in a range of between about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein delivering optical radiation comprises providing radiation at the skin surface with a power density of between approximately 1 mW/cm 2  and approximately 100 W/cm 2 . 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein delivering optical radiation comprises providing radiation at the skin surface with a power density of between approximately 10 mW/cm 2  and approximately 10 W/cm 2 . 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein delivering optical radiation comprises activating an array of optical radiation sources in said applicator. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein each of said optical radiation sources is mounted to deliver optical radiation through at least one corresponding protuberance. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein delivering optical radiation comprises activating at least one optical radiation source disposed in said applicator and coupled to said protuberance, the one or more optical radiation sources being any of light-emitting diodes, laser diodes, fiber lasers, fiber lasers with laser diode pumping, superluminescent diodes, vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, micro halide lamps, low power lamps, wave-guide laser diodes, fluorescence solid-state light sources, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein optical radiation is delivered to skin after receiving a signal from a pressure sensor indicating a pressure applied to the skin via the one or more protuberances. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the pressure sensor indicates contact of the applicator to the skin. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the pressure sensor indicates that a sufficient compression has been attained such that a skin-contacting surface from which the protuberances extend is in contact with the skin. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising applying a lotion, drug or topical substance onto the target area of skin. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising vibrating the applicator during delivery of radiation to the target region. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the protuberances are disposed so as to apply the radiation to a plurality of spaced treatment spots in the target region.