Devices and methods for protecting the eye from adjacent skin treatments

Abstract

A skin care apparatus suitable for use in proximity to a subject's eyes. The apparatus includes a treatment device and a stimulus device. Upon activation by a user, such as the subject or a technician, a stimulus delivered by the stimulus device causes the subject's eyelid to close prior to the administration of a skin care treatment by the treatment device.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A skin care apparatus for treating an area adjacent a subject's eye, comprising:
 a body;   a treatment device carried by the body;   a stimulus device carried by the body;   a treatment switch; and   a treatment control coupled to the treatment device and the stimulus device, wherein the treatment control, when signaled by the treatment switch, is configured to cause the stimulus device to generate a stimulus and to administer the stimulus at the subject's eye suitable for closure thereof, and thereafter, is configured to cause the treatment device to administer a treatment to the area adjacent the subject's eye.   
     
     
         2 . The skin care apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the stimulus device includes a stimulus generator that is configured to generate a stimulus. 
     
     
         3 . The skin care apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the stimulus is one of a flash of light and a burst of sound, pressure, or air. 
     
     
         4 . The skin care apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment includes a chemical spray. 
     
     
         5 . The skin care apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the stimulus device includes a stimulus generator and an applicator. 
     
     
         6 . The skin care apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the stimulus generator includes one of a fan, a blower, a piston, a piezoelectric device, a pump, and a source of compressed gas. 
     
     
         7 . The skin care apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment control causes the stimulus device to administer the stimulus for a duration of 80 milliseconds or longer. 
     
     
         8 . The skin care apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the treatment control causes the treatment device to administer the treatment at least 80 milliseconds after initiation of stimulus administration. 
     
     
         9 . The skin care apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the treatment is selected form a group consisting of microdermabrasion, chemical treatment, laser treatment, ultrasound, and cosmetic cleaning. 
     
     
         10 . The skin care apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the stimulus device includes a stimulus nozzle, and wherein the stimulus is administered via the stimulus nozzle. 
     
     
         11 . The skin care apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the treatment device includes a treatment nozzle, and wherein the treatment is administered via the treatment nozzle. 
     
     
         12 . The skin care apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the treatment nozzle produces a treatment envelope and the stimulus nozzle produces a stimulus envelope. 
     
     
         13 . The skin care apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the treatment envelope is contained within the stimulus envelope. 
     
     
         14 . A method for treating an area adjacent a subject's eye, the method comprising:
 administering a stimulus at the subject's eye; and, thereafter   administering a treatment to the area adjacent the subject's eye.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein administering a stimulus includes:
 generating a stimulus; and   delivering the stimulus at the subject's eye sufficient to close the subject's eye via reflex.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein administering a stimulus includes:
 administering the stimulus for a duration of 80 millisecond or longer.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein administering the treatment includes:
 administering the treatment at least 80 milliseconds after initiation of stimulus administration.