HEAD LICE TREATMENT DEVICE

Abstract

Devices and methods for treating, reducing and/or eradicating head lice. In one non-limiting embodiment, a device includes a helmet worn by a patient with a means for spacing the helmet apart from the scalp. The helmet is coupled to a means for heating and aerating the scalp. A thermostatic controller is configured to achieve a predetermined temperature and humidity levels of the scalp, such that the propagation of head lice is mitigated.

Description

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a head lice treatment device is presented. The device includes a helmet worn by a patient with a means for spacing the helmet apart from the scalp. The helmet is coupled to a means for heating and aerating the scalp. A thermostatic controller is configured to achieve a predetermined temperature and humidity levels of the scalp, such that the propagation of head lice is mitigated.

The above embodiment is exemplary only. Other embodiments as described herein are within the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features of the disclosure can be understood, a detailed description may be had by reference to certain embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only certain embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the scope of the disclosed subject matter encompasses other embodiments as well. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis generally being placed upon illustrating the features of certain embodiments. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a head lice treatment device, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a control circuit for the head lice treatment device of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein; and

FIGS. 3-4 depict the result of testing the head lice treatment device of FIG. 1 with a variety of hair types, in accordance with one or more aspects set forth herein.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout several views. The examples set out herein illustrate several embodiments, but should not be construed as limiting in scope in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to devices and method for treating and eradicating head lice. Conventional techniques for head lice treatment are time consuming and ineffective, and typically require professional medical care or the use of prescription medications which include various chemicals. Due to increased resistance to these chemicals by head lice, such techniques have the disadvantage of declining efficacy over time.

FIG. 1 illustrates a head lice treatment device 100. Device 100 includes a housing 110 and a helmet 120. For instance, housing 110 may house a fan and/or a heating element, which will be described below. In one embodiment, helmet 120 includes an inner surface that is shaped to cover at least a portion of the scalp of a patient (not shown). Of course different sizes and shapes for helmet 120 may be used within the present technique. As depicted in FIG. 1, the inner surface of helmet 120 includes protrusions 130 which are intended to space the helmet 120 apart from the scalp of the patient. In addition to protrusions 130, other structures may be used to achieve the spacing, such as bumps or grooves or the like, or the helmet can be shaped such that a gap is present between the inner surface thereof and the scalp when worn. Such spacing could also be achieved using a strap band such as that found in a headband or over-the-ears headphones. In other embodiments (not shown), a mesh or perforated helmet may be used, or instead of a helmet, a headband alone could be used.

In one embodiment, a head lice treatment device provides for air to circulate and dehydrate the scalp to facilitate reduction of head lice reproduction. In one embodiment, the device is a mesh cap that includes air circulation tubes, with a device providing air flow of air with a lower humidity than the scalp. For example, cannula used for nasal oxygen delivery could be repurposed for use as the tubing. In one embodiment, the portion of the device located at or near the scalp is minimized in weight by positioning any other portions, including a fan, heating element, drying element, etc., remote from the portion at or near the scalp. For instance, a backpack may store those items to eliminate the weight on the head of the patient, so that the device is comfortable for a child to wear.

In one example, only a small amount of heat, if any at all, is required to dehydrate the scalp to achieve the goal of reducing or terminating head lice. For example, it is well known that a flow of relatively lower humidity air can be used to dry out something that is surrounded with relatively higher humidity air. As the scalp produces moisture and increases local humidity, just a flow of lower humidity air could be enough in some embodiments to dry out the scalp in a sufficient timescale to mitigate head lice. On the other hand, using a slight amount of heat could speed up the process. Importantly, the present disclosure is not limited to using heat, and instead of heat, a flow of air through a desiccant could be used to remove moisture to achieve one or more goals.

In another example, the present technique includes the use of a small amount of insecticides to knock down the adult lice population to increase the speed of treatment. For example, typical insecticides only kill adult insects, and not the eggs and larval stages, which may be attacked using growth hormones or other treatments. But combining a small amount of these insecticides or hormones with a device as described herein is within the scope of the disclosure, insofar as it could allow an initial knockdown of the lice population. But to be clear, the scope of the disclosure includes devices that do not use any insecticides or hormones or other chemicals at all.

One feature of the present disclosure is that the device contemplated herein does not require a professional for operation. By contrast, a device, such as a hairdryer that operates at high heat could be dangerous when used by a child, and could lead to burns. The present technique avoids such limitations and allows for a lightweight, child-proof and child-friendly device that quietly performs its function without necessitating costly visits to a professional.

The present disclosure therefore offers enhancements in safety over any conventional systems, eliminating or reducing exposure to insecticides or hormones. The present disclosure also offers enhancements in efficacy when compared with weekly professional treatments, insecticides only effective on adults, etc. The technique described herein, as an at-home treatment, is therefore more cost-effective.

In any of the examples mentioned above, housing 110 is disposed in such a way that a fan and/or heating element positioned therein may be used to dry out the scalp of the patient. This may be done with one or more of forced air (via the fan) and heat (via the heating element). Any type of air moving device and/or heating device known in the art can be used. For example, FIG. 2 depicts a thermostatic control circuit 200 that may be employed. In this non-limiting example, a temperature/humidity sensor 210, a relay 220, a fan 230 and a heating coil 240 are used. The circuit 200 is configured to heat the scalp by periodically energizing heating coil 240 responsive to the sensor 210. At the same time as heating coil 240 is emerged, fan 230 is also energized so that heated air blows onto and dries out the scalp. Of course, the fan 230 may be used when the heating coil 240 is not energized in order to control the amount of heat delivered to the scalp. In different embodiments of the present disclosure, the temperature and humidity set points of the sensor 210 may be configured to yield drying of the scalp without fear of damaging the scalp.

Further components may be added to the system described herein to enable additional features in the head lice treatment system. For instance, the circuit 200 may include a timer to ensure that the system is turned off after a specific period of time. In another example, the circuit 200 may include an audible alarm to indicate the system is shut off or turned on. In another example, the circuit 200 may be connected to additional temperature and/or humidity sensors so that the temperature may be modified in order to achieve a desired humidity level. In another embodiment, the system may include a reservoir for storing a scent composition, and the fan 230 may be configured to periodically release scent infused air into the scalp so that the system emits a pleasing smell. In such cases, the system may include additional air flow and pressure regulation circuits.

FIGS. 3-4 depict the results of working examples of testing the head lice treatment device of FIG. 1 with a variety of hair types, including by using a wig and a sponge to simulate human hair. As shown in FIG. 3, in working example 1 of a wig, within 30 minutes of use, the humidity has been reduced from 29% RH to 26.5% RH by using a pre-selected air temperature of 80 F. As shown in FIG. 4, in working example 2 of a sponge, within 30 minutes of use, the humidity has been reduced from 29.6% RH to 28.2% RH by using a pre-selected air temperature of 75 F.

Consistent with the foregoing description, the present technique may be characterized as follows. A head lice treatment device includes a helmet worn by a patient with a means for spacing the helmet apart from the scalp. The helmet is coupled to a means for heating and aerating the scalp. A thermostatic controller is configured to achieve a predetermined temperature and humidity levels of the scalp, such that the propagation of head lice is mitigated.

Claims

1. A device for treating head lice, the device comprising: a housing comprising a fan and a heating element;a helmet comprising protrusions; anda controller for controlling the fan and the heating element so that the scalp of a patient wearing the device achieves a predetermined temperature and humidity levels of the scalp, such that the propagation of head lice is mitigated.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the protrusions are configured to space the helmet from the scalp of the patient to facilitate drying of the scalp.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor for thermostatically controlling the temperature.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a humidity sensor for controlling the humidity.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a timer for operating the device for a predetermined time.

6. A method for treating head lice, the method comprising: providing a wearable device that is sized and shaped for use by a child;continuously drying the scalp of a patient over the course of at least several hours using the wearable device; andreducing the ability of head lice to reproduce by the drying.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising using a timer to enable and disable the drying.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising controlling humidity of the scalp and stopping the drying when a humidity set-point is achieved.