Device and Method for Treating Skin Disorders with Thermal Energy

Abstract

A device and a method for thermal treatments of target material with various thermal interactions are disclosed. A preferred treatment includes at least one capacitor and thermal heat generator that provides a predetermined known quota of energy to the target surface. In particular, the launching of thermal energy quanta from various energy sources in lumps of energy quanta and leading to the treatment and healing of a variety of skin conditions are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating acne comprising:
 providing a device comprising a circuit having a capacitor, wherein the circuit is configured for charging a capacitor from a power source and for releasing a pre-determined amount of energy from the capacitor, wherein the circuit comprises a power button configured to activate charging of the capacitor from the power source, and the circuit further comprises a discharge button configured to activate release of the pre-determined amount of energy from the capacitor;   providing a heating element configured to absorb at least some of the energy discharged from the capacitor and converting it to thermal energy, wherein the heating element comprises a resistive heating element and a heat transfer surface, and wherein the heat transfer surface has an area of 0.2 cm 2  to 4 cm 2 ;   switching the power button to activate charging of the capacitor by the power source;   bringing the heat transfer surface adjacent to and against the skin to be treated; and   switching the discharge button to activate release of the pre-determined amount of energy from the capacitor to the heating element to thereby heat an upper layer of the skin to a temperature in the range from 50° C. to 400° C., wherein the amount of thermal energy provided to the skin is between 0.1 J/cm 2  and 50 J/cm 2 .   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the layer below the epidermal dermal junction remains below 50° C. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the layer below the mid-reticular dermis remain below about 50° C. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the layer below the dermal epidermal junction remains below about 50° C., and at least some changes in the opening at the skin surface occurs. 
     
     
         5 . A device for treating the skin by delivering a controlled amount of energy to skin surface of a patient, comprising:
 an energy source configured to provide energy;   a treatment head configured to convert energy from the energy source into thermal energy, wherein the treatment head comprises a footplate configured to be placed in contact with the skin surface, wherein the footplate comprises an area of 0.2 cm 2  to 4 cm 2  suitable for placement against the skin surface   an intermediate media configured to provide a conduit for the energy from the energy source to pass to the treatment head;   a control circuit configured, when triggered, to controllably release a predetermined amount of energy from said energy source to pass via the intermediate media to the treatment head;   a power control button configured to switch the device from an off configuration to at least one power level configuration; and   a fire button configured to trigger the control circuit to controllably release energy from the energy source to pass to the treatment head.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said energy from the energy source is electromagnetic energy which is converted to thermal energy prior to interaction with the target skin surface. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said energy provided by the energy source comprises electric energy, and wherein the treatment head is configured to convert the electric energy into thermal energy prior to interacting with the target skin surface. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the thermal energy converted from the electric energy is sufficient to heat at least a portion of the treatment head to a temperature above 50 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the treatment head comprises a resistive heating element configured to convert the electric energy into thermal energy. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature of the treatment head;   wherein the control circuit is configured to prevent energy to pass from the energy source to the treatment head when the temperature sensor senses a temperature higher than a selected temperature value.   
     
     
         11 . A device for treating human skin, comprising:
 a hand-held enclosure;   a heating element;   a heating apparatus configured to rapidly heat the heating element, the heating apparatus comprising an energy source and at least one capacitor, wherein the energy source is configured to charge the at least one capacitor, and the at least one capacitor is configured to store energy to rapidly heat the heating element to a predetermined temperature; and   a control circuit configured to control said heating apparatus such that the at least one capacitor releases the energy in a single pulse to the heating element and the heating element is rapidly heated to the predetermined temperature, wherein the predetermined temperature is greater than 50 degrees Celsius.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the predetermined temperature is between about 100 degrees Celsius and 400 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a charge button configured to activate the energy source to charge the at least one capacitor;   a fire button configured to activate release of energy from the at least one capacitor to the heating element; and   a charge indicator configured to indicate when the energy source has charged the at least one capacitor with sufficient energy to rapidly heat the heating element to the predetermined temperature.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the control circuit comprises a circuit board and a temperature sensor, and wherein the control circuit is configured to prevent the heating element from being reheated until the heating element cools below a set temperature. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the set temperature is 40 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the control circuit limits the total thermal energy transferred to the skin to between 0.5 J/cm 2  and 50 J/cm 2 . 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the wherein the heating element comprises a resistive heating element and a heat transfer surface, and wherein the heat transfer surface has an area of 0.2 cm 2  to 4 cm 2 , wherein the heat transfer surface is configured to be placed against the skin surface.