201016258 九、發明說明： 【發明所屬之技術領域】 本發明係關於頭皮處理裝置，並且更特別地係關於手持 式頭皮處理裝置，其使用光用於頭髮生長之刺激。 【先前技術】 光之生物刺激已經公認為一種用於對頭皮提供刺激的方 法，其就刺激頭髮之自然生長具有有利的以及治療性的效 果。例如，咸信低能量雷射可増進頭皮之生理狀態並且當 照射至頭皮上之毛囊時可刺激頭髮生長。非同調光源諸如 發光一極體（LED)亦在本文中描述。 多種手持式裝置已經設計成利用光源，諸如低能量雷射 以及LED以便利且輕便形式探討生物刺激效應。 W001/60457描述手持式，梳狀裝置，其自雷射二極體 發射雷射束，雷射二極體設置成排，其位於用於分開頭髮 之齒狀物的兩平行排之間。由梳齒分離頭髮據說能改良雷 射束或射線與將要處理之頭皮之間的接觸。 W002/102228描述類似裝置，進而包括分段射線分裂反 射鏡，其分裂一或多束雷射束以使雷射同時提供複數雷射 束分佈橫過個體之頭皮部分。雷射束分裂反射鏡係與雷射 源機械性對準，並且具有鋸齒狀構造，其在雷射束通過射 線分裂反射鏡之頂點時機械偏折部分雷射束。部分雷射束 形成一束射向使用者頭皮的反射雷射束。 使用時，W001/60457及W002/102228中描述之裝置自梳 子罩殼發射一窄條平行光束至頭皮。此產生一窄條小、離 135604.doc 201016258 散的束斑於處於處理_的表面。與此頭皮輻射之圖案相關 聯之問題係由於施用至頭皮的束斑之尺寸及間隔，存在於 接受處理之表面中的毛囊某比例未被充分照射，甚至未照 射到。此比例在毛囊密度高的區域尤其顯著。在有關區 域上重複裝置之通過並非滿意的解決方法，因為在產生雷 射處理益處之前，產生更多有害情況諸如頭皮發紅、乾燥 並且剝落’存在對可施用至個人頭皮上之雷射能量的全面 限制。 • 本發明之目的係改良自手持式頭皮處理裝置釋放之頭皮 照射之圖案，頭皮處理裝置使用用於刺激頭髮生長的光。 本發明藉由架構成引導光通過複數個空心又齒並且自又 齒之末端向外散射光至將要處理之頭皮的表面上而解決不 均勻或不當頭皮照射的問題。 US 5,303,722描述發光梳子，其包括複數個梳齒，用於 引導光自光源通過梳子回到梳齒之裝置，以及用於自梳齒 放射光之裝置。然而，US 5,303,722之裝置的目的係選擇 嚳 性地照射位於梳齒之間將要染白之頭髮，而不是頭皮。將 凹鏡使用在梳齒之尖端中以引導光遠離並且進入梳齒之間 的中間部。 【發明内容】 本發明提供用於刺激在頭皮上之頭髮生長的手持式頭髮 處理裝置，裝置包括： 包含把手部分及頭部之罩殼； 複數個中空叉齒’各又齒具有附著的至頭部的近端、自 I35604.doc 201016258 頭部延伸出的縱向長度以及終止於尖部之遠端； 配置在罩殼内並且設置以輸出光之光源； 用於將來自光源之光通過又齒並且沿著光導構件 之光導構件；及 位於又齒之遠端的光學裝置； 其特徵在於光學裝置係設置成導引橫向人射之光至大致 該光導構件軸上。 把手部分可係任何便於使用者握持裝置之結構。例如， 把手部分可由罩殼之伸長部分形成，或者，可係提供在罩 殼上之皮帶以使得裝置可保持在使用者手中。 中二又齒用來分離頭髮，使得光能夠到達頭皮之表面。 又齒亦提供—種結構，藉由該結構，錢由光導構件引 導。又齒之縱向長度可由任何能夠使又齒執行此等功能之 材料形成。較佳地，又齒之縱向長度係由大體上剛性材料 形成，諸如聚丙婦、聚乙烯、聚醋、聚碳酸醋、聚氣乙婦 或其他具有類似特徵之材料。 個別叉齒可具有範圍自0.5至5 cm之縱向長度，較佳地 約1至2 cm。 個別又齒可具有範圍自0.5至5 mm之直徑範園，較佳地 約1至2 mm。 在尤其較佳具體例中，又齒之尖部係由柔性且可彎折的 材料（諸如熱塑性彈性體、橡膠或其他具有類似特徵的材 料）形成。此在梳理使用者頭髮或按摩使用者頭皮時提供 舒適的感t。為此目# ’較佳地係使又齒之尖部的末端成 135604.doc 201016258 圓形。 又齒較佳地係以丨至3排矩形陣列安裝，較佳地係2至3 排。 該裝置亦T包含除如上所述之額外不含有光之又齒。該 不含有光之又齒可用以參與分離頭髮、暴露頭皮、頭皮按 摩等等。 該裝置包括配置在罩殼内並且架構成輸出光之光源。適 合的光源包含低能量雷射、發光二極體或低能量半導體雷 籲 ㈣’其能夠自可見光譜或紅外光譜傳送光·»較佳之光源 實例係.低tb量雷射，其具有自約600 nm至約nm2 波長範圍，以及自約1 mw/cm2至約150 mw/cm2之強度範 圍。該雷射可以完整模組自商業購得，其係小型圓筒形單 元，其中包裹住雷射介質，後者產生雷射束以及控制並且 處理通過雷射介質之電流的電子元件。其他較佳之光源係 發光二極體’其具有約620至690 nm之波長範圍，以及約1 mW/cm2至約150mW/cm2之強度範圍。 光源可傳送連續光或者脈衝光，並且可由電力線、電池 或該二者供電。電池電源對裝置之可攜帶性係有利的。電 池可係充電式或可丟棄式，充電式較佳。 亦可使用上述描述光源之任何組合、複數個或總成。例 如，複數個如上所述之雷射模組可配置在又齒之近端末端 處的罩殼中。 光導構件用以將光自罩殼引導出並且通過又齒。較佳地 光導構件係由光學纖維系統構成，其自光源延伸出，進入 135604.doc 10· 201016258 又齒並且通過又齒。適合用於形成光學纖維之材料可包括 燒製氧化矽、玻璃或光學聚合物諸如聚甲基丙烯酸甲輯。 光學纖維可各自延伸通過個別叉齒或可以束提供。 光學裝置架構成將入射光自叉齒之遠端向外散射至將要 處理之頭皮的表面上。"向外"係指光束投射至頭皮上，以 使得其通過在頭皮上的又齒之覆蓋區外側β換言之，光學 調節器擴散來自又齒之總軸的光。此改良光在頭皮表面上 的覆蓋度並且降低由於重複梳理相同區域，使用者灼傷頭 皮的機會。 該光學裝置通常包括一或多個光學組件，其能夠將入射 至其上的光以可控方式散射至所需方向’因此預定形狀之 光束覆蓋區係在目標表面產生。"光束覆蓋區,,係指由光束 隨時照射之目標表面的區域，或換言之，光束與目標表面 的交集。 較佳的光學組件之實例包括透鏡、光學纖維、鏡子、透 明材料、半透明材料、稜鏡、反射塗層、反射凹槽、光束 分離器、光通道或光柵。 最佳地，光學調節器係透鏡。 亦可使用上述描述之光學組件的任何組合、複數個或總 成。 光學裝置係位於又齒遠端為使自裝置傳送之頭皮照射 的圖案最佳，較佳地為光學裝置係自又齒之實際端點略微 向上處。此微小間隔保證當施用又齒至頭皮時，由光學裝 置自又齒之遠端散射之光不會"掩蓋"在柔軟的頭皮表面。 135604.doc 201016258 據此，在較佳之又齒構造中，光學裝置係配置在接近叉 齒之尖部的區域，係在裝置頭部的方向。 較佳地，光學調節器係位於離又齒之遠端的2至1〇 mm 處，更佳地係距4至6 mm處。 一特殊較佳之又齒結構具有大體上剛性的縱向長度以及 柔性可彎折的尖部，以及位於此等兩組件零件之間的交界 面中之光學裝置。 將光學裝置設置以將光自又齒之遠端向外散射至將要處 理之表面上。光學裝置用以傳送照射最佳圖案至目標頭皮 表面。”照射之最佳圖案"通常係指在圖案中，照射係遍佈 目標表面，以致其覆蓋至少60%之目標表面的總區域，較 佳地係至少80%。較佳地照射圖案具有規則的或大體上規 則的空間分佈。 在較佳之結構中’設置又齒之光學裝置以使其在目標頭 皮表面產生一陣列的圓形光束覆蓋區。較佳地係避免在陣 列中之單獨覆蓋區之間的顯著重疊程度。據此，較佳地係 各單獨覆蓋區與該等在陣列中與其接近的覆蓋區接壤。作 為選擇，單獨的光束覆蓋區可係正方形、多邊形或其他任 何適合於傳送照射之最佳圖案的形狀。 【實施方式】 本發明之實施例現將參考下列非限制性圖式加以描述。 如圖1至3所示’頭髮處理裝置1〇具有罩殼11，罩殼^由 連接頭部13之把手部分12(部分顯示）形成》兩平行排之四 個中空又齒14係連接至頭部13，並且自頭部13向下凸出。 135604*doc -12· 201016258 各單獨又齒14具有附著於頭部13之近端14a， 曰頌部13延 伸出之剛性縱向長度14b，以及遠端14c »又齿夕、去^ , < 遠端 14c 中止於圓形柔軟可彎折的尖部15。透鏡總成ι6係插人在縱 向長度14b及可彎折的尖部15之間。 使用時，裝置10係施用至頭皮17之區域中，其可弯折的 尖部15係施用至頭皮18之表面。纖維光學19之系統引導來 自光源（未顯示）之光通過把手部分12，進入頭部丨〗，並且 朝向透鏡總成16向下通過每個又齒14。入射至透鏡總成16 ❿ 之光係由透鏡總成16以向外之方向自又齒14之遠端14c散 射至頭皮18之表面。自鏡片總成16顯現之光（在圖3中顯示 作21)在表面1 8上產生圓形光束覆蓋區之陣列（在圖2上顯示 作 20)。 【圖式簡單說明】 圖1描繪本發明之施用至頭皮的頭髮處理裝置的部分示 意截面圖； 圖2描述圖1之裝置在使用中的部分示意性俯視平面圖， 圖解由裝置產生之光束覆蓋區的圖案，及； 圖3描述圖1之在頭皮表面使用的裝置之叉齒的遠端之放 大示意性截面圖。 【主要元件符號說明】 10 頭髮處理裝置 11 罩殼 12 把手部分 13 頭部 I35604.doc • 13 201016258 14 叉齒 14a 近端 14b 縱向長度 14c 遠端 15 尖部 16 透鏡總成 17 頭皮 18 19 20 21201016258 IX. Description of the Invention: TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to scalp treatment devices, and more particularly to hand-held scalp treatment devices that use light for stimulation of hair growth. [Prior Art] Biological stimulation of light has been recognized as a method for providing stimulation to the scalp, which has an advantageous and therapeutic effect in stimulating the natural growth of hair. For example, a low-energy laser can break into the physiological state of the scalp and stimulate hair growth when irradiated to the hair follicles on the scalp. Non-coherent light sources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) are also described herein. A variety of handheld devices have been designed to explore biostimulation effects in a convenient and lightweight form using light sources such as low energy lasers and LEDs. W001/60457 describes a hand-held, comb-like device that emits a laser beam from a laser diode, the laser diodes being arranged in a row between two parallel rows of teeth for separating the hair. Separating the hair from the comb teeth is said to improve the contact between the beam or ray and the scalp to be treated. W002/102228 describes a similar arrangement, which in turn includes a segmented ray splitting mirror that splits one or more beams of laser light such that the laser simultaneously provides a plurality of laser beam distributions across the scalp portion of the individual. The laser beam splitting mirror is mechanically aligned with the laser source and has a sawtooth configuration that mechanically deflects a portion of the laser beam as it passes through the apex of the ray splitting mirror. Part of the laser beam forms a beam of reflected laser light that is directed at the user's scalp. In use, the device described in W001/60457 and W002/102228 emits a narrow parallel beam from the comb housing to the scalp. This produces a narrow strip of 135604.doc 201016258 scattered beam spot on the surface of the processing _. A problem associated with this pattern of scalp radiation is that the proportion of hair follicles present in the treated surface is not sufficiently or even not illuminated due to the size and spacing of the beam spots applied to the scalp. This ratio is particularly pronounced in areas where the density of hair follicles is high. Repeating the passage of the device over the relevant area is not a satisfactory solution because more harmful conditions such as scalp redness, dryness and flaking are present before the laser processing benefits are generated. There is a laser energy that can be applied to the individual's scalp. Comprehensive restrictions. • The object of the present invention is to improve the pattern of scalp illumination released from a hand-held scalp treatment device that uses light for stimulating hair growth. The present invention solves the problem of uneven or improper scalp illumination by the frame forming guide light through a plurality of hollow teeth and scattering light from the ends of the teeth to the surface of the scalp to be treated. No. 5,303,722 describes a luminescent comb comprising a plurality of comb teeth, means for directing light back from the source through the comb to the comb, and means for self-combing the light. However, the purpose of the device of US 5,303,722 is to selectively illuminate the hair that will be whitened between the comb teeth, rather than the scalp. A concave mirror is used in the tip of the comb to direct light away from and into the intermediate portion between the comb teeth. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a hand held hair treatment device for stimulating hair growth on a scalp, the device comprising: a cover comprising a handle portion and a head; a plurality of hollow tines each having a tooth attached thereto a proximal end of the portion, a longitudinal length extending from the head of the I35604.doc 201016258, and a distal end terminating at the tip; a light source disposed within the housing and configured to output light; for passing light from the source through the teeth and a light guiding member along the light guiding member; and an optical device located at the distal end of the further tooth; characterized in that the optical device is arranged to direct the laterally incident light to substantially the axis of the light guiding member. The handle portion can be any structure that is convenient for the user to hold the device. For example, the handle portion may be formed from an elongated portion of the casing or, alternatively, may be provided on the casing to allow the device to remain in the user's hand. The second tooth is used to separate the hair so that the light reaches the surface of the scalp. The tooth also provides a structure by which money is guided by the light guiding member. Further, the longitudinal length of the teeth can be formed by any material that enables the teeth to perform such functions. Preferably, the longitudinal length of the teeth is formed from a substantially rigid material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polycarbonate, gas, or other materials having similar characteristics. The individual tines may have a longitudinal length ranging from 0.5 to 5 cm, preferably from about 1 to 2 cm. The individual teeth may have a diameter range from 0.5 to 5 mm, preferably from about 1 to 2 mm. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the tip of the tooth is formed from a flexible and bendable material such as a thermoplastic elastomer, rubber or other material having similar characteristics. This provides a comfortable feel when combing the user's hair or massaging the user's scalp. For this purpose, it is preferred that the end of the tip of the tooth is 135604.doc 201016258 circular. The teeth are preferably mounted in a rectangular array of up to 3 rows, preferably in rows 2 to 3. The device also includes teeth that are additionally free of light, as described above. The tooth that does not contain light can be used to participate in separating the hair, exposing the scalp, pressing the scalp, and the like. The device includes a light source disposed within the housing and the frame forming an output light. Suitable light sources include low-energy lasers, light-emitting diodes, or low-energy semiconductors. (4) 'It is capable of transmitting light from the visible or infrared spectrum.» A preferred source of light source. Low-tb laser, which has about 600 From nm to about nm2 wavelength range, and from about 1 mw/cm2 to about 150 mw/cm2. The laser is commercially available as a complete module, which is a small cylindrical unit encasing a laser medium that produces a laser beam and electronic components that control and process the current through the laser medium. Other preferred light sources are light-emitting diodes having a wavelength range of about 620 to 690 nm and an intensity range of about 1 mW/cm2 to about 150 mW/cm2. The light source can deliver continuous light or pulsed light and can be powered by a power line, a battery, or both. Battery power is advantageous for the portability of the device. The battery can be either rechargeable or disposable, and the charging type is preferred. Any combination, plurality, or assembly of light sources described above can also be used. For example, a plurality of laser modules as described above may be disposed in a housing at the proximal end of the teeth. A light guiding member is used to direct light out of the casing and through the teeth. Preferably, the light guiding member is constructed of an optical fiber system that extends from the light source and enters the 135604.doc 10· 201016258 tooth and passes through the teeth again. Materials suitable for forming optical fibers may include fired cerium oxide, glass or optical polymers such as polymethacrylic acid. The optical fibers can each extend through individual tines or can be provided in bundles. The optical device frame is configured to scatter incident light from the distal end of the tines to the surface of the scalp to be treated. "Outward" means that the beam is projected onto the scalp so that it passes through the outside of the coverage area of the tooth on the scalp. In other words, the optical adjuster diffuses light from the total axis of the tooth. This improves the coverage of the light on the surface of the scalp and reduces the chance of the user burning the scalp due to repeated combing of the same area. The optical device typically includes one or more optical components that are capable of scattering light incident thereon in a controlled manner to a desired direction' such that a predetermined shape of the beam coverage region is created at the target surface. "beam coverage area, the area of the target surface illuminated by the beam at any time, or in other words, the intersection of the beam and the target surface. Examples of preferred optical components include lenses, optical fibers, mirrors, transparent materials, translucent materials, tantalum, reflective coatings, reflective grooves, beam splitters, optical channels or gratings. Optimally, the optical adjuster is a lens. Any combination, plurality, or assembly of the optical components described above can also be used. Preferably, the optical device is located at the distal end of the tooth to optimize the pattern of illumination from the scalp delivered by the device, preferably the optical device is slightly upward from the actual end of the tooth. This small spacing ensures that when the tooth is applied to the scalp, the light scattered by the optical device from the distal end of the tooth will not "mask" on the soft scalp surface. 135604.doc 201016258 Accordingly, in a preferred ream configuration, the optical device is disposed in a region near the tip of the prong, in the direction of the head of the device. Preferably, the optical adjuster is located 2 to 1 mm apart from the distal end of the tooth, more preferably 4 to 6 mm apart. A particularly preferred tooth structure has a substantially rigid longitudinal length and a flexible bendable tip, and an optical device located in the interface between the two component parts. The optical device is arranged to scatter light from the distal end of the tooth to the surface to be treated. The optical device is used to deliver the optimal illumination pattern to the target scalp surface. "Optimal pattern of illumination" generally means that in the pattern, the illumination system is spread over the target surface such that it covers at least 60% of the total area of the target surface, preferably at least 80%. Preferably the illumination pattern has a regular Or a substantially regular spatial distribution. In a preferred configuration, the optical device is arranged to produce an array of circular beam coverage areas on the surface of the target scalp. Preferably, separate coverage areas in the array are avoided. There is a significant degree of overlap between the two. Accordingly, it is preferred that each individual coverage area is bordered by the coverage area adjacent thereto in the array. Alternatively, the individual beam coverage areas may be square, polygonal or any other suitable for transmitting illumination. The embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following non-limiting drawings. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the hair processing device 1 has a casing 11 and the casing is composed of The handle portion 12 of the connecting head 13 (partially shown) forms the four hollow teeth 14 of the two parallel rows that are connected to the head 13 and project downward from the head 13. 135604*doc -12· 201 016258 each individual tooth 14 has a proximal end 14a attached to the head 13, a rigid longitudinal length 14b extending from the crotch portion 13, and a distal end 14c», a tooth, a lower end, and a distal end 14c ending in a circle a flexible bendable tip 15. The lens assembly ι6 is inserted between the longitudinal length 14b and the bendable tip 15. In use, the device 10 is applied to the region of the scalp 17, which is bendable The tip 15 is applied to the surface of the scalp 18. The system of fiber optics 19 directs light from a light source (not shown) through the handle portion 12, into the head, and down through the lens assembly 16 through each tooth 14 The light incident on the lens assembly 16 散射 is scattered by the lens assembly 16 from the distal end 14c of the tooth 14 to the surface of the scalp 18 in an outward direction. Light emerging from the lens assembly 16 (shown in Figure 3 21) An array of circular beam coverage areas is produced on surface 18 (shown as 20 in Figure 2). [Schematic Description of the Drawings] Figure 1 depicts a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a hair treatment device for application to the scalp of the present invention. Figure 2 depicts a partial schematic top plan view of the device of Figure 1 in use Figure 3 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view showing the distal end of the tines of the device used in the surface of the scalp of Fig. 1. [Major component symbol description] 10 Hair treatment device 11 Cover 12 Handle portion 13 Head I35604.doc • 13 201016258 14 Fork 14a Proximal 14b Longitudinal length 14c Distal 15 Tip 16 Lens assembly 17 Scalp 18 19 20 21
頭皮 纖維光學 覆蓋區 光Scalp fiber optics coverage area light
I35604.doc -14I35604.doc -14