MX2008002373A - Lice extermination system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus (10) is provided for treating an infested area (27) of a subject, the apparatus including a housing (20), and an illumination unit (22), which is coupled to the housing (20) and includes a light source (28) configured to emit light having an emission spectrum selected from the group consisting of:visible light and infrared light, which spectrum is better absorbed by an infestation of the area (27) than by tissue of the subject, the infestation including at least one infestation selected from the group consisting of:lice, and lice eggs, and the tissue including at least one tissue selected from the group consisting of:skin of the subject, and hair of the subject. The apparatus (10) further includes an optical guide unit (24), coupled to the housing (20), and configured to distribute the light to the area (27). Other embodiments are also described.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LICE EXTERMINATION CROSS REFERENCES WITH RELATED REQUESTS The Patent Application of E.U.A. 60 / 709,353, filed August 17, 2005, (b) the U.S. Patent Application. 60 / 715,545, filed September 8, 2005, and (c) U.S. Patent Application U.S.A.60 / 771, 937, filed on February 8, 2006, all of which are assigned to the beneficiary of the present application and are incorporated in the present description as a reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the treatment of insect infestations, and specifically to methods and apparatus for exterminating lice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Human pediculosis is the infestation of the human scalp, body or pubic area with lice. Head lice leave eggs on the hair of the head. Of the eggs incubate nymphs, which mature in adult lice. Lice infestations are treated conventional way with chemicals, such as shampoos, lotions and creams that contain various insecticides such as borderline, malathion or permethrin, which usually kill lice but not eggs. After treatment with these chemicals, the eggs are manually removed 5 by careful examination of the affected area. In order for the treatment with chemicals to be potentially effective, it must generally be repeated at least once, in order to exterminate the lice that were incubated from the eggs that were overlooked during the removal of the eggs. Lice increasingly develop resistance to commonly used chemicals. A. To overcome the difficulty of manually removing lice, eggs and nits, numerous lice combs have been developed, including teeth with finely separated teeth, and combs that have teeth that have particular shapes (e.g., widening at the base, or diamond shape). Some combs incorporate a magnifying glass to help find the eggs. Some combs incorporate an adhesive band or points that trap lice. Some combs incorporate a motor to coordinate the vibration or braiding of the teeth to facilitate passage through the hair, untangle the hair and / or cause damage to lice.

Some combs include an element of heat to heat the teeth, in order to kill the lice trapped between the teeth. Some combs include a vacuum joint to remove lice and fleas, guide the lice to an adhesive band with the purpose of catch them and / or guide the fleas through a filter impregnated with insecticide. Some combs include an electrocution device for remote electrocution of lice. Some combs include a rotating brush which brushes the fleas of the animal in a sponge impregnated with insecticide. Some combs have hollow teeth, through which the comb dispenses steam or hot air to the hair root, or an insecticide (see, for example, European Patent Application EP 1 002 477 A1, for Lorenzo, which is incorporated herein by reference). Some combs emit ultraviolet radiation designed to disinfect the head of pests and mushrooms s. Epilady® 2000, L.L.C. (Hatzor Haglilit, Israel) markets the Robi ™ Comb Pro, an electronic lice comb that electrocutes lice. The company describes the comb with two modes of operation, one for lice detection and the other for lice extermination. Similarly, the Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,318,051 to Koppel, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes the use of an electric current to remove lice and nits. The Patent of E.U.A. No. 6,053,180 to Kwan, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a source emitting UV light in or adjacent to the styling portion of an accessory for care or styling of hair and / or animal skin. The light emitting source UC is described with the ability to facilitate the extermination of micro- organisms that include spores, viruses, fungi, bacteria and lice that reside in the hair and / or skin, as well as in the accessory itself. The Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,353,817, for Cantor et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a manual hair grooming device comprising a housing adapted to be held in the user's hand, a series including a plurality of electrically conductive teeth extending out of the housing, an apparatus for mounting the plurality of teeth in the housing, an apparatus for applying an electric potential between moments adjacent by means of which, the lice or other plates arranged so • suitable between the adjacent teeth are electrocuted, and an apparatus for the selected displacement of some of the plurality of teeth in relation to the others of said plurality of teeth to assist in the cleaning thereof. 15 The Patents of E.U.A. Nos. 5,072,746 and 5,178,168 to Cantor, which are incorporated herein by reference, discloses a manual hair grooming device comprising a housing adapted to be held in the user's hand, a series of electrically conductive teeth extending toward out from the housing, an apparatus for mounting the teeth in the housing, and an apparatus for applying an electrical potential between the adjacent teeth whereby the lice or other pests suitably disposed between the adjacent teeth are electrocuted.

The Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,078,157, for Golan et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference, describes an apparatus for the treatment of hair that includes a handle, the hair separation apparatus, associated with the handle and extending longitudinally. along an axis, the apparatus for oscillating the hair separation apparatus around the axis, in such a way that it places the hair separation apparatus in a repeated coupling with a group of hairs, in such a way that it facilitates the passage of the hair. separation apparatus therethrough, and an apparatus for preventing the hair separation apparatus from affecting a portion of skin to which the hair is attached. The hair separation apparatus is oscillated about the axis at a relatively high frequency of, typically, greater than 4,000 cycles per minute and preferably greater than 10,000 cycles per minute, and at a relatively small amplitude, normally no greater than about 5 degrees and, preferably, no greater than 2 degrees. The Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,628,332 to Debourg et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses techniques for destroying parasites present in a growing fur or skin mass of a skin surface, the device comprises a driving body; a comb fixed to the body and comprising a plurality of teeth, the teeth having portions adapted to be displaced through the mass of hair or skin when the device is being used; and a source of energy to at least locally increase the temperature of the hair or skin when the teeth are displaced through the mass of hair or skin, where at least part of the portions of the teeth are thermally conductive and are operatively associated with an energy source to supply sufficient heat energy to destroy the parasites in the hair or skin, which are in contact with the portions. The Patent of E.U.A. No. 6,685,969 and Patent Application Publication 2004/0126403 for Van Scoik et al., Which are incorporated herein by reference, describe the removal of ectoparasites, such as fleas, ticks, mites and lice, from a host. human or animal by applying a composition that causes the temperature of a treated area to become higher or lower than normal. In a modality, the treatment is carried out by applying a composition that releases heat when it is in contact with water. The high or decreased temperature immobilizes the parasites and facilitates their mechanical removal, such as by combing. The Patent of E.U.A. No. 6,689,394, for Van Scoik et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference, describes the removal of ectoparasites, such as fleas, ticks, mites and lice from a human or animal host by applying a composition to the affected area. causes dehydration of the organism. In one embodiment, the treatment is carried out by applying a substantially anhydrous composition having a strong affinity for water. As the composition hydrates, it dehydrates the pests and facilitates their mechanical removal, by combing.

The Patents of E.U.A. Nos. 6,875,421; 6,440,388 and 5,997,846 for Bums et al., Which are incorporated herein by reference, describe a method for detecting chitin-containing organisms in an area of a person or animal, by contacting the particular area with a dye having the ability to bind to chitin and emit fluorescence from exposure to light. If an organism containing chitin is present in the treated area, the body's chitin binds to the dye, and from exposure to light, organisms containing chitin can be visualized and removed. The Patents of E.U.A. Nos. 6,541, 455; 6,359,734; 6,303,581 and 6,265,384 for Pearlman, which are incorporated herein by reference, describe methods and equipment for removing, treating or preventing head lice infestations, including topically applying to the lice infested area, an effective amount of a pedostatic agent that can be dried for a sufficient time to immobilize the louse, drying the agent at the application site and removing the dry agent, thus removing the lice and nits. The Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,261, 427 for Dolev, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a lice comb device constructed as a hand-held, portable housing containing a heater blower, for heating and directing a stream of hot air to a group of comb teeth attached to the housing. Each of the teeth of the comb is formed with a cavity hollow that has an opening at its end. The hot air stream is directed by means of the tooth of the comb and exits in the opening, where it is deflected away from the scalp by a concave surface, in such a way that it hits lice and lice eggs attached near the scalp. hair root. Hot air temperature destroys lice and lice eggs. The Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,972,987 to Reid et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a method for removing the eggs from the hair lice of a human or animal infested using a composition to visualize the nits. The composition involves the use of certain dyes, which have an affinity to the surface of the nits, thus allowing a second individual to see more easily and remove the eggs during combing or other removal procedures. A colored matepal is dispersed within a solvent in water or based on alcohol, and in one embodiment, also a liquefied propellant. The composition is applied to the hair of the human or animal infested, and later it is removed after drying by a brushing or washing procedure. The color material which absorbs the chitinous dermatoskeleton and the binding cement of the louse eggs remain in the nits, thus facilitating the visual identification and removal of lice eggs from the hair. The Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,997,847 for Spiesel, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a method to detect the infestation of a host, using arthropod ectoparasites using a fluorescent dye which stains the ectoparasites and / or their eggs, although not the adjacent skin or hair to which they are attached. The dye can be incorporated into a shampoo or rinse solution, and applied to the scalp or other region of the host. After a suitable period of time has elapsed, the solution containing the dye or shampoo is rinsed therefrom, and the hair and adjacent area of the host is examined under ultraviolet or near ultraviolet light. This illumination will cause stained ectoparasites and / or eggs to glow and, in this way, can be easily detected for subsequent diagnosis and removal. The method can be applied to detect scabies (ie, mites hiding in the skin), head lice, body and public lice and other arthropod ectoparasites and their eggs that contain a substantial percentage of chitin.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the embodiments of the present invention, a device for the extermination of lice and eggs comprises a housing, an optical guide and a light source having an emission spectrum that is better absorbed by lice and / or live eggs than by the skin and human or animal hair. Normally, the emission spectrum is selected for a relatively high absorption of chitin, a polysaccharide present in the dermatoskeleton. of lice and eggs, although not on the skin or human or animal hair. The optical guide is usually adapted to distribute light from a plurality of directions, in order to provide uniform or exhaustive exposure of an infested area, even if the area is completely or partially protected by hair. The emission spectrum usually includes a wavelength range within the visible or infrared spectrum (near, middle or far). The extermination device is usually either a manual or independent device. For some applications, the extermination device is incorporated in a comb, a helmet, gloves or any other lice and egg removal device. Accordingly, according to one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for treating an infested area of a subject is provided, wherein the apparatus includes: a housing; a lighting unit coupled to the housing, and including a light source configured to emit light having an emission spectrum selected from the group consisting of: visible light and infrared light, whose spectrum is better absorbed by an infestation of the area than by the tissue of the subject, the infestation includes at least one infestation selected from the group consisting of: lice and louse eggs, and the tissue includes at least one tissue selected from the group consisting of: subject's skin and subject's hair; Y an optical guide unit, coupled to the housing, and configured to distribute the light to the area. In one embodiment, the infestation includes both lice and eggs, and the light source is configured to emit the light that has the emission spectrum that is better absorbed by the infestation than by the tissue. For some applications, the apparatus includes a cooling unit, which is configured to remove excess heat generated by the light source. For some applications, the apparatus includes a comb, a head cover and / or a glove, with which the optical guide unit is integrated. For example, the comb may include teeth, and the optical guide unit may include light guides that are integrated into the teeth. For some applications, the light source includes at least one lighting element selected from the group consisting of: an incandescent lighting element, a laser beam and an LED. For some applications, the optical guide unit is configured to distribute light from a plurality of directions. In one embodiment, the emission spectrum has a wavelength between 0.5 and 10 microns, and the light source is configured to emit light having the emission spectrum having a wavelength between 0.5 and 10 microns. For some applications, the emission spectrum has a wavelength between 6 and 7 microns, and the light source is configured to emit light that has the emission spectrum having a wavelength between 6 and 7 microns. Alternatively, for some applications, the emission spectrum has a wavelength between 3 and 3.5 microns, and the light source is configured to emit light having the emission spectrum having a wavelength between 3 and 3.5 mieras In addition, alternatively, for some applications, the emission spectrum has a wavelength between 9 and 10 microns, and the light source is configured to emit light having the emission spectrum having a wavelength between 9 and 10 microns. and 10 microns. further, Still alternatively, for some applications, the emission spectrum has a wavelength between 3 and 3.5 microns and between 6 and 7 microns, and the light source is configured to emit light having the emission spectrum having a length of wave between 3 and 3.5 micras and between 6 and 7 micras. Also provided, according to one embodiment of the present invention, is an apparatus for treating an infested area of a subject, the apparatus includes: a housing; a lighting unit, coupled to the housing, and including a light source configured to emit light having an emission spectrum selected from the group consisting of: visible light and infrared light, whose spectrum is better absorbed by chitin than by the tissue of the subject; and an optical guide unit, coupled to the housing, and configured to distribute the light to the area.

For some applications, the apparatus includes a cooling unit, which is configured to remove excess heat generated by the light source. For some applications, the apparatus includes a head cover, with which the optical guide unit is integrated. Alternatively, the apparatus includes a glove, with which the optical guide unit is integrated. In addition, alternatively, the apparatus includes a comb, with which the optical guide unit is integrated. For example, the comb may include teeth, and the optical guide unit may include light guides that are integrated into the teeth. For some applications, the light source includes at least one lighting element selected from the group consisting of: an incandescent lighting element, a laser beam, and an LED. For some applications, the optical guide unit is configured to distribute light from a plurality of directions. In one embodiment, the emission spectrum has a wavelength between 0.5 and 10 microns, and the light source is configured to emit light having the emission spectrum having a wavelength between 0.5 and 10 microns. For some applications, the light emission spectrum has a wavelength between 6 and 7 microns, and the light source is configured to emit light having the emission spectrum having a wavelength between 6 and 7 microns. Alternatively, the emission spectrum has a wavelength between 3 and 3.5 microns, and the light source is configured to emit light having the emission spectrum having a length of wave between 3 and 3.5 microns. In addition, alternatively, the emission spectrum has a wavelength between 3 and 3.5 microns and between 6 and 7 microns, and the light source is configured to emit light having the emission spectrum having a wavelength between 3 and 3.5 micras and between 6 and 7 micras. Still additionally, alternatively the emission spectrum has a wavelength between 9 and 10 microns, and the light source is configured to emit light having the emission spectrum having a wavelength between 9 and 10 microns. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a component configured to facilitate the application of light emitted for infestation by moving the subject's hair. For example, the component can be configured to lift and / or separate the subject's hair. For some applications, the component includes a comb, a single-port suction applicator, a multi-port suction applicator, a flexible holder and / or one or more hair clips. Accordingly, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided a method for treating a subject, wherein the method includes: identifying an infestation of an area of the subject, the infestation includes at least one infestation selected from the group which consists of: lice, and louse eggs: emit a light that has an emission spectrum selected from the group consisting of: visible light and infrared light, whose spectrum is absorbed better by the infestation of the area than by the tissue of the subject, the tissue includes at least one tissue selected from the group consisting of: subject's skin and subject's hair; and distribute the light to the area. Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for treating a subject, wherein the method includes: identifying an infestation of an area of the subject; emit light that has an emission spectrum selected from the group consisting of visible light and infrared light, whose spectrum is better absorbed by chitin than by the subject's tissue; distribute the light to the area. In one embodiment, the distribution of light includes facilitating the application of the light emitted to the infestation by moving the hair of the subject, for example, lifting and / or separating the hair. For some applications, moving the hair includes moving the hair using a comb, applying suction to the hair using a single-port suction applicator or multiple ports, temporarily attaching the hair to a flexible fastener, and / or moving the hair by using one or more hair bras. The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the modalities thereof, taken together with the drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a lice and egg extermination system, according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a graph showing a chitin transmission spectrum, for use according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 3A and 3B, are schematic cross-sectional illustrations of a light source of the system of Figure 1, according to the respective embodiments of the present invention; Figures 4A and 4B are schematic cross section illustrations of a lighting unit of the system of Figure 1, according to the respective embodiments of the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a configuration of an optical guidance unit of the system of Figure 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of the system of Figure 1, comprising a head cover, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a lice and egg extermination system 10, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system 10 comprises a housing 20, a lighting unit 22, an optical guide unit 24 and a power source 26. The optical guide unit 24 distributes light, symbolically represented by rays 44, to an infested area 27 , just like the head of a subject. The lighting unit 22 comprises at least one light source 28, which normally comprises at least one incandescent light source, at least one laser beam and / or at least one LED. For some applications, such as in which the light source 28 comprises an incandescent light source, the lighting unit 22 additionally comprises at least one optical filter 30, which allows the passage of only one or more desired spectral bands. The filter 30 is not normally necessary for applications in which the light source 28 comprises a laser beam, which emits light of a selected wavelength. The lighting unit 22 provides the light, either in pulses or substantially continuously. For some applications, the system 10 comprises a cooling unit 21, such as a blower or a water cooling system, to remove excess heat generated by the light source 28.

Referring to Figure 2, which is a graph showing a chitin transmission spectrum, measured according to one embodiment of the present invention. The lighting unit 22 is configured to emit light having an emission spectrum that is better absorbed by lice and / or eggs than by human or animal tissue, such as skin or hair. Normally, the emission spectrum is selected for the relatively high absorption of chitin, a polysaccharide present in the lice and egg exoskeleton, but not in the hair or skin of a human or animal. Accordingly, the emission spectrum is normally better absorbed by the infestation than by the subject's tissue. Normally, the illumination is placed at a level that is sufficient to exterminate the lice and / or eggs, although it is not sufficient to produce pain or damage to the subject's tissue. The following table highlights several of the peaks in the transmission spectrum of the graph in Figure 2: Table 1 The emission spectrum of the light emitted by the system 10 is either differentiated or continuous, and normally includes a wavelength range within the visible or infrared spectrum (near, middle or far). For example, the wavelength range between about 0.5 and about 10 microns, such as between about 3 and about 3.5 microns, between about 6 and about 7 microns, and / or between approximately 9 and approximately 10 microns. Figures 3A and 3B, are schematic cross-sectional illustrations of the light source 28, according to the respective embodiments of the present invention. In these embodiments, the light source 28 comprises an incandescent light source, which is heated to a suitable temperature to emit the selected emission spectrum. The incandescent light source comprises a filament 40, which comprises, for example, tungsten, or molybdenum, and which is wound (for example, as a spiral) and heated by an electric current. The filament 40 is surrounded by a tube 42, which comprises transparent infrared matepal, such as a quartz, silicone, gallium arsenide (GaAs), germanium or sapphire. For example, the light source 28 may comprise a medium wave twin tube emitter or a "Quatro" short wave emitter No. 45131608, both manufactured by Heraeus Holding GmbH (Hanau, Germany), and the system 10 may comprise a cooling unit 32, such as a fan or a water cooling system. In the unprotected configuration shown in Figure 3A, the light source 28 transmits light, represented symbolically by rays 44, in all directions. In the configuration shown in Figure 3B, the light source 28 additionally comprises a coating 46 covering a portion of the tube 42, such that the light is transmitted only in a portion of directions, in a half circle. The coating 46 is usually reflective and comprises, for example, gold, aluminum or silver. Figures 4A and 4B, are schematic cross-sectional illustrations of the lighting unit 22, according to the respective embodiments of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4A, the lighting unit 22 comprises a plurality of unprotected light sources 28, such as those described above with reference to Figure 3A. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4B, the lighting unit 22 comprises a plurality of protected light sources 28, such as those described above with reference to Figure 3B. The configurations shown in Figures 4A and 4B are normally used when a single light source 28 is insufficient to supply the required energy. Reference is again made to Figure 1. The light emitted from the lighting unit 22 passes through the optical guide unit 24, which is normally adapted to distribute the incoming light from a plurality of directions, in order to provide uniform exposure (ie, uniform energy density (watts / cm2)) and exhaustive of the infested area 27, even when the area is protected by the hair. The Optical guide unit 24 comprises either optical or image forming optics that does not form images. Reference is made to Figure 5, which is a schematic illustration of a configuration of the optical guide unit 24 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the optical guide unit 24 comprises an optical illuminator that does not form images 50, configured to distribute the light of the lamp 28 substantially evenly over the infested area 27. For example, the light rays 44a and 44b reach a point 52 from different directions. Because light substantially reaches all points of the infested area 27 from a plurality of directions, light normally reaches areas that could be covered in one or more directions by an obstacle, such as hair. Referring to Figure 6, which is a schematic illustration of a system embodiment 10 in which the optical guide unit 24 comprises one or more optical fibers 60. In this embodiment, the system 10 comprises a head cover 62, adapted to surround at least a portion of the infested area 27, which is usually a head of the subject. The head cover 62, usually has the shape of a helmet. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system 10 is configured to deliver light having a fluence of between about 0.08 and about 0.24 watts / cm2, over the region of wavelength of 1 to 7 microns, with a peak value of approximately 2.5 microns (medium wave emitter). In one embodiment, the system 10 is configured to supply a light having a fluence of between about 0.23 and about 0.46 watts / cm2 over the wavelength region of 0.5 to 5 microns, with a peak value at about 1.2 microns (emitter shortwave). The following table shows the results of a lice mortality experiment, performed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention: Table 2 In experimental group 1, ten lice and ten eggs were simultaneously exposed to continuous light from a short wave emitter, whose light emitted over the wavelength region 0.5 to 5 micros, with a peak value at approximately 1.2 microns. In experimental groups 2 and 3, ten lice and ten eggs were exposed to continuous light from a medium wave emitter, which emitted light over the wavelength region from 1 to 7 microns, with a peak value at approximately 2.5 microns . In the group Experimental 3, an additional bandpass filter for the range of 2.8 um to 2.8 um was placed between the emitter and the lice and the eggs. Each of the experimental groups included in a control group of ten lice and ten eggs. Head lice and control eggs were not exposed to the emitters, and have a 0% to a 10% mortality rate in all three groups. It is noted that the level of exposure in experimental groups 2 and 3 is less than or equal to the maximum permissible exposure levels (MPEs) generally allowed by health standards. In one embodiment of the present invention, the housing 20 is adapted to function as a handle for the system 10. Alternatively, the system 10 is adapted to be independent. For some applications, the system 10 is incorporated in a comb, a helmet, gloves or any other lice and egg removal device. For example, the system 10 may comprise gloves and the lighting unit may comprise one or more LEDs. For some applications, the optical guide unit 24 comprises light guides that are incorporated in a comb, such as in the teeth of the comb. Alternatively or additionally, the system 10 comprises a component for lifting the hair and / or separating the hair, to facilitate the application of the light to the infestation. For example, the component may comprise a comb, a single-port suction applicator or multiple ports, a flexible fastener that can be attached to the hair (eg, Sailboat), one or more hair fasteners, or the apparatus described in the US Patent. USA No. 5,078,157 referred to above for Golan et al., Which is incorporated in the present description as a reference. In one embodiment of the present invention, the techniques and apparatus described in the present description are combined with lice and egg extermination techniques and apparatus described in one or more of the Patents and patent application publications described in the background section of the previous invention. Although system 10, has been described herein as suitable for the treatment of lice infestation, the system can also be used to treat other ectoparasites, such as fleas, ticks, mites and mange. Additionally, it is noted that the methods and apparatuses described herein, can be applied generally to infestations of ectoparasites that affect both humans and animals. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited to what has been shown in a particular manner and described above. Instead, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described above, as well as variations and modifications thereof that are not found in the prior art, which could occur to the experts in the art. the matter from the reading of the previous description.

Claims (8)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - An apparatus for the treatment of an infested area of a subject, the apparatus includes: a housing; a lighting unit coupled to the housing, and comprising a light source configured to emit light having an emission spectrum selected from the group consisting of: visible light and infrared light, the emission spectrum has a wavelength between 0.5 and 10 microns, whose spectrum is better absorbed by an infestation of the area than by the subject's tissue, the infestation includes at least one infestation selected from the group consisting of: lice and louse eggs, and the tissue includes at least one tissue selected from the group consisting of: subject's skin and subject's hair; and teeth, coupled to the housing, and configured to facilitate illumination of the area by the lighting unit.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that the infestation includes both lice and eggs, and wherein the light source is configured to emit light having the emission spectrum that is better absorbed by the infestation than by the tissue.

3. - The apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a head cover, configured to facilitate illumination of the area.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that the emission spectrum has a wavelength between 6 and 7 microns, and wherein the light source is configured to emit light having the emission spectrum that It has a wavelength between 6 and 7 micras.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that the emission spectrum has a wavelength between 9 and 10 microns, and wherein the light source is configured to emit the light that has the emission spectrum that It has a wavelength between 9 and 10 microns.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that the teeth are configured to facilitate the application of the light emitted to the infestation by moving the hair of the subject.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further characterized in that the teeth are configured to lift the hair of the subject.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, further characterized in that the teeth are configured to separate the hair of the subject.