Phototherapeutic treatment of skin conditions
A method for treating an inflammation in skin of a patient includes irradiating the skin with infrared (IR) radiation in a first wavelength band and with violet/blue light in a second wavelength band.
1. A method for treating skin conditions with associated inflammation in skin of a patient, comprising irradiating the skin using at least one single radiation source with substantially narrow band infrared (IR) radiation in a first wavelength band and with substantially narrow band violet/blue light in a second wavelength band.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first wavelength band is selected to cause dilation of blood vessels in a vicinity of the inflammation, and wherein irradiating the skin with the violet/blue light comprises applying the violet/blue light to the inflammation while the blood vessels are dilated.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein irradiating the skin comprises irradiating the skin with the IR radiation and the violet/blue light simultaneously.
4. The method according to claim 2 further comprising sequentially filtering the IR radiation and the violet/blue light with a removable filter so that the skin is treated sequentially with the IR radiation and the violet/blue light.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first wavelength band is in the range 800–980 nm, and the second wavelength band is in the range 405–450 nm.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the first wavelength band is in the range 850–900 nm.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein irradiating the skin comprises irradiating the skin with at least 4 mW/cm 2 of the violet/blue light and at least 1 mW/cm 2 of the IR radiation.
8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein irradiating the skin comprises irradiating the skin with at least 20 mW/cm 2 of the violet/blue light and at least 8 mW/cm 2 of the IR radiation.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein irradiating the skin comprises irradiating the skin continuously for at least one minute.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein irradiating the skin comprises irradiating the skin with pulsed radiation.
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one single radiation source comprises a discharge lamp containing metal halide materials selected to radiate in the first and second wavelength bands.
12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the skin conditions are selected from the group consisting of skin aging, ulcers, edema, rosacea, chronic cutaneous inflammatory conditions and acne, post surgical healing and reduction of erythema duration in post skin resurfacing.
13. The method according to claim 12 , and comprising applying a medicated cream to the skin in conjunction with irradiating the skin.
14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein irradiating the skin comprises irradiating the skin using said at least one radiation source that is in contact with the skin.
15. The method according to claim 1 comprising:
(a) positioning in an operative treating position for treating the akin condition and associated inflammation, a self supporting mechanical fixture comprising the at least one single radiation source in a fixed position spaced apart from the skin, said mechanical fixture comprising securing means for operatively securing the at least one single radiation source to the fixture, and adjustment means for adjusting the distance or position of the at least one single radiation source from the skin; and
(b) applying to the skin said substantially narrow band infrared radiation and said substantially narrow band violet/blue light.
16. The method according to claim 1 comprising irradiating the skin with a plurality of single radiation sources.
17. Apparatus for treating skin conditions and associated inflammation in skin of a patient, comprising at least one single radiation source, which is adapted to irradiate the skin with substantially narrow band infrared (IR) radiation in a first wavelength band and with substantially narrow band violet/blue light in a second wavelength band.
18. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the at least one single radiation source is adapted to irradiate the skin with the IR radiation and the violet/blue light simultaneously.
19. The apparatus according to claim 17 , further comprising removable filter means adapted to sequentially irradiate the skin with the IR radiation and the violet/blue radiation.
20. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the first wavelength band is in the range 800–980 nm, and the second wavelength band is in the range 408–460 nm.
21. The apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the first wavelength band is in the range 850–910 nm.
22. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the at least one single radiation source is adapted to irradiate the skin with at least 4 mW/cm 2 of the violet/blue light and at least 1 mW/cm 2 of the IR radiation.
23. The apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein the at least one single radiation source is adapted to irradiate the skin with at least 20 mW/cm 2 of the violet/blue light and at least 9 mW/cm 2 of the IR radiation.
24. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the at least one single radiation source is adapted to irradiate the skin continuously for at least one minute.
25. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the at least one single radiation source is adapted to irradiate the skin with pulsed radiation.
26. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the at least one single radiation source comprises a discharge lamp containing metal halide materials selected to radiate in the first and second wavelength bands.
27. The apparatus according to claim 26 , wherein the metal halide materials comprise gallium and cesium halides.
28. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the at least one single radiation source comprises a plurality of single radiation sources.
29. The apparatus according to claim 28 , further comprising an adjustable bracket, on which the at least one single radiation source is mounted, so as to allow a relative angular orientation of the at least one single radiation source to be adjusted.
30. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the at least one single radiation source comprises a spectral filter, for blocking ultraviolet (UV) radiation generated by the at least one single radiation source.
31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the spectral filter is contained within the at least one single radiation source.
32. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the at least one radiation source comprises a window which filters UV light.
33. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the at least one single radiation source comprises a forced air cooling device for cooling the skin that is irradiated by the at least one single radiation source.
34. The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the at least one single radiation source is adapted to be placed in contact with the skin.
35. The apparatus according to claim 17 comprising:
(a) a self supporting mechanical fixture for holding the at least one single radiation source in a fixed position spaced apart from the skin during treatment thereof, said mechanical fixture comprising securing means for operatively securing the at least one single radiation source to the fixture and adjustment means for adjusting the distance or position of the at least one single radiation source from the treatment area, said securing means of the mechanical fixture securing the at least one single radiation source in said fixed position when the at least one radiation source is emitting the radiation and/or light;
(b) an optical system for collecting and shaping the infrared radiation and the violet(blue light in advance of delivering the infrared radiation and the violet/blue light to the skin; and
(c) electronic means for controlling parameters associated with the infrared radiation and the violet/blue light.
36. The apparatus of claim 17 comprising a plurality of single radiation sources.