FI20236255A1

FI20236255A1 - Apparatuses, system and method for characterization and treatment of skin

Info

Publication number: FI20236255A1
Application number: FI20236255A
Authority: FI
Inventors: MATTI MYLLYMäKI; Harri Holopainen
Original assignee: Danvantar Biophotonics Oy
Priority date: 2023-11-10
Filing date: 2023-11-10
Publication date: 2025-05-11
Also published as: WO2025099359A1

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an apparatus, a system and methods for characterization and photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy of skin. The treatment apparatus comprises one or more emitters configured to emit radiation at a skin region in a plurality of different wavelength ranges, and one or more radiation detectors configured to measure a spectrum of the emitted radiation that is being reflected from the irradiated skin region. Measurement data concerning at least said reflected radiation is provided to at least one data processing service for characterizing the irradiated skin region and/or diagnosis data is sent to the at least one data processing service, the diagnosis data characterizing a skin region with a skin condition. In response to said skin characterization, at least one recipe is received for guiding and controlling, in real time, treatment of at least a portion of the characterized skin region by irradiation by at least one of said one or more emitters in at least one of said plurality of different wavelength ranges.

Description

APPARATUSES, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARACTERIZATION

AND TREATMENT OF SKIN

FIELD

The disclosure relates devices that irradiate skin by non-ionizing radiation, and particularly to a device and a system for characterizing skin and, based on said characterization, guiding a user in real-time to apply non-ionizing radiation on determined skin region. The present disclosure further concerns a method for performing characterization and photobiomodulation therapy of skin.

BACKGROUND

Visible light and other kinds of non-ionizing radiation can be used to study skin belonging to humans and animals. It is known that different wavelengths of non-ionizing radiation penetrate to different depths within the skin. It is also known that non-ionizing radiation can have beneficial effects on damaged skin, and it can thus be used as means of non-invasive treatment for various dermatologic conditions. Low Level Laser (Light) Therapy (LLLT) in skin, also referred to as Low Level Light Therapy and photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) is a form of light therapy that utilizes non-ionizing light sources, including lasers, light emitting diodes and/or broadband light in ultraviolet (200-400 nm), visible (400-700 nm) and near-infrared (700-1100 nm) electromagnetic spectrum. Output power of less than 0.5 watts is

Q considered as low level. Effective treatment mechanisms apply absorption of

N photons in the skin with low intensity of heat radiation on the target tissue to - cause or facilitate biological processes therein. Treatment by non-ionizing 2 25 radiation can, for example, contribute to pain relief and reduce inflammation,

I accelerate healing of an open wound and/or reduce the harm of various skin > conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, infections caused by fungi or bacteria,

N or itching skin. For selected therapeutic purposes also at least a portion of & the ultraviolet (200-400 nm) electromagnetic spectrum may be applicable.

N 30 Long-wavelength ultraviolet light (315-400 nm) is not considered to be ionizing radiation, and ultraviolet light wavelengths around 250 nm are known to be effective in killing bacteria, which may be utilized in treatment of bacteria-involved skin inflammation conditions.

Illuminating the skin with non-ionizing radiation can also produce useful information when the skin surface contains a wound or other damage caused for example by a skin disease. However, most presently available skin characterization devices illuminate the skin surface with radiation in a narrow wavelength range. The information which can be retrieved from such studies is limited.

Photobiomodulation refers to light therapy that utilizes non-ionizing light sources for improving wound and soft tissue healing, reducing inflammation and giving pain relief. In photobiomodulation, a light source is placed near or in contact with the skin, allowing the light energy, i.e. photons, to penetrate tissue where it interacts with chromophores located in cells resulting in photophysical and photochemical changes that lead to alterations at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels of the body.

Fluorescence is caused by incident photons inducing electron conversion into molecule, followed by emission of a photon of lower energy and lower wavelength. Certain bacteria can produce autofluorescence in a very narrow wavelength range, for example red, blue (cyan) or green light. For example, some bacteria is known to produce autofluorescence in the 600-700 nm wavelength region under blue light. Bacteria fluorescence is typically detected = using a spectrometer or a microscope. On skin, bacteria fluorescence can

N only be used for detecting cells at or immediately below the surface of skin, - for example 1 to 1.5 mm from the surface of skin. Thus, bacteria 2 25 fluorescence can only be used for detecting bacterial infections at the very

E surface of the skin. 3 Multi-spectral imaging can simultaneously collect images using multiple 2 different wavelengths typically in visible light range. Multi-spectral analysis is

I primarily a visual method, which can only be used for detecting surface of the skin.

Document US20210353148 discloses a device which illuminates skin with ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavelengths and simultaneously takes images of the skin while it is being illuminated. A high degree of medical expertise is needed for interpreting these images.

A problem with PBM is that to achieve wanted results, radiation shall be applied on correct skin region and both applied radiation wavelength(s) and dosage need to be appropriately selected. Use of erroneous radiation wavelength and/or dosage for radiation treatment may cause unwanted, negative antagonist effects and/or the treatment does not achieve wanted biological effects in the skin, which result to poor treatment response and decreased therapeutic effectivity.

Also, characterization of the skin and diagnosing skin conditions using traditional PBM devices is time consuming, uses lot of expert resources and is prone to errors, because characterization and diagnosis is based on education and training of the dermatologist. Few, if any digital tools are provided to help the dermatologist or other user of the PBM apparatus to estimate need for treatment and to propose a diagnosis and suitable treatment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus, system and method to overcome the above problems. & The object of the disclosure is achieved by an apparatus, a system and

N methods characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. The

T embodiments of the disclosure are disclosed in the dependent claims.

I The disclosure is based on the idea of an apparatus that enables analysis and - 25 treatment of skin using a variety of non-ionizing irradiation wavelengths. The

O analysis applies at least skin absorption analysis, in other words determines 2 how radiation is absorbed by different layers and composition of skin. & Absorption of light on skin is caused by chromophores absorbing photon energy and transforming this to heat. The analysis may further apply fluorescence and multi-spectral imaging to further increase amount of data available for the skin characterization. Based on the analysis, the apparatus utilizes a knowledge model developed using machine learning and/or artificial intelligence to advice the user on which skin region(s) therapy is to be applied, and also type(s) and dosage(s) of irradiation(s) to be used, based on characterization of the skin to be treated by means of the same apparatus. A recipe is provided that preferably comprises a plurality of treatment steps.

The apparatus can guide a user in during treatment, preferably in real time for performing skin characterization and/or skin treatment.

According to a first preferred embodiment, a treatment apparatus for performing characterization and photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy of skin is provided. The treatment apparatus comprises one or more emitters configured to emit radiation at a skin region in a plurality of different wavelength ranges, and one or more radiation detectors configured to measure a spectrum of the emitted radiation that is being reflected from an irradiated skin region.

The treatment apparatus comprises a communication unit configured to send measurement data concerning at least said reflected radiation to at least one data processing service for processing said measurement data and/or to send diagnosis data, wherein the diagnosis data is received by the treatment apparatus as input of a user via a user interface of the treatment apparatus, and wherein the diagnosis data characterises a skin region with a skin

N condition. The diagnosis data should always comprise identify the subject. By

N associating the diagnosis data with identity of the subject enables s personalizing the treatment and performing follow-up on effects of the = 25 treatment. Also, the measurement data is preferably associated at least with = an identifier of the subject, which enables keeping records on treatments

E given to the subject and enables collecting data series that can be used for 3 determining effectivity of applied treatment(s). © & In response to sending said measurement data to the at least one data

N 30 processing service for characterizing the irradiated skin region, or in response to sending said diagnosis data that is optionally complemented with the measurement data, the treatment apparatus is configured, by means of the communication unit, to receive at least one recipe from the at least one data processing service, wherein the at least one recipe comprises a plurality of parameters for guiding and controlling, preferably in real time, treatment of 5 at least a portion of the characterized skin region by irradiation by at least one of said one or more emitters in at least one of said plurality of different wavelength ranges.

According to some embodiments, the treatment apparatus further comprises a plurality of sensors selected from a group comprising a camera, a 3D camera, a temperature sensor, an inertial measurement unit, a humidity sensor, a distance sensor and a colour sensor, and measurement data obtained by said plurality of sensors is sent in association with said measurement data concerning said reflected radiation.

According to some embodiments, said parameters comprised by the at least one recipe comprises: a. at least one wavelength or wavelength range, b. dosing of radiation at each of the at least one wavelength or wavelength range, and c. optional pulsation pattern for one or more of said at least one wavelength or wavelength range, for guiding and controlling treatment preferably in real time. Dosing of radiation is preferably determined based on amount of radiation on the skin of the subject, not based on emission power nor input power of the emitter(s). Thus, distance of the emitters from the

N skin does not change the effect of the recipe. However, if distance of the

S emitters exceeds a given maximum threshold distance, emission is > discontinued for safety reasons. 2 25 According to some embodiments, the dosing of radiation at a selected

E wavelength or wavelength range comprises: power density of the radiation,

LO duration of a time period for applying the radiation, radiance of the radiation,

N wherein the at least one wavelength or wavelength range is selected within & ultraviolet range, visible light range and/or near-infrared range, and, when

N 30 radiation is to be pulsated, a pulsation frequency is selected within a range from 20Hz to 2000 Hz and duration of individual pulses is in nanosecond or picosecond range.

According to some embodiments, the treatment apparatus further comprises one or more sensor units configured to determine current position of the one or more emitters of the treatment apparatus with respect to skin of a subject, ie. a human or an animal, and wherein the treatment apparatus is configured to apply radiation as determined by a respective recipe only when it is determined, based on the current position, that the one or more emitters of the treatment apparatus are positioned at a desired skin region to be treated by irradiation determined by the respective recipe.

According to some embodiments, the treatment apparatus further comprises a camera and a user interface comprising at least a display, wherein the display is configured to visually guide in real-time a user to point the one or more emitters of the treatment apparatus at the desired skin region to be treated by radiation as determined by the respective recipe.

According to some embodiments, said one or more emitters comprise at least one LED array configured to emit radiation at ultraviolet, visible light and/or near-infrared wavelength range.

According to some embodiments, the treatment apparatus is a treatment unit comprising a communication unit configured to provide a data communication en connection with the at least one data processing service over a data

S communication network, and optionally a user interface for receiving said = diagnosis data. o — According to some embodiments, the treatment apparatus comprises a set

E 25 comprising a treatment unit and a mobile communication device, wherein the 10 treatment unit is configured to perform data communication with the mobile

S communication device using a short-range communication protocol, such as

N WLAN or Bluetooth, or wireline communications, such as USB, and wherein

N the mobile communication device is configured to provide the treatment unit with a data communication connection with the at least one data processing service over a data communication network.

According to some embodiments, a single recipe determines a plurality of treatment steps selected from the group comprising: desinfection, treatment of pain and/or irritation, skin healing, such as skin proliferation and/or regeneration.

According to a second preferred embodiment, a system is provided comprising the treatment apparatus according to any one of the above embodiments. The system comprises the at least one data processing service configured to receive, over the data communication connection, the measurement data obtained by the treatment apparatus, and/or to receive the diagnosis data from the treatment apparatus. The system is configured to apply a knowledge model developed by the at least one data processing service using artificial intelligence and/or machine learning for characterizing one or more skin regions on basis of the received measurement data, and for determining the at least one recipe to be provided to the treatment apparatus for executing the at least one recipe by the treatment apparatus for guiding and controlling said treatment by radiation of at least a portion of the characterized skin region and/or the system is configured to apply the knowledge model for determining, based on the received diagnosis data and optionally the measurement data, the at least one recipe to be provided to

N the treatment apparatus for executing the at least one recipe by the

S treatment apparatus for guiding and controlling said treatment by radiation of - at least a portion of the characterized skin region. 2 25 According to some embodiments, the at least one data processing service is

E configured to apply artificial intelligence and/or machine learning to develop

LO the knowledge model, and to use the knowledge model to propose at least

N one diagnosis of a condition of the characterized skin region based on said & measurement data received, and to provide, over the data communication

N 30 connection, at least one proposed diagnosis to the treatment apparatus.

According to another preferred embodiment, a method for performing characterization and photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy of skin by a treatment apparatus is provided. The method comprises emitting, by one or more emitters of the treatment apparatus, radiation at a skin region in a plurality of different wavelength ranges, measuring, by one or more radiation detectors of the treatment apparatus, a spectrum of a portion of the emitted radiation that is being reflected from an irradiated skin region, and/or receiving diagnosis data, wherein the diagnosis data is received as input of a user via a user interface of the treatment apparatus, and wherein the diagnosis data characterizes a skin region with a skin condition. The method further comprises sending, by a communication unit of the treatment apparatus, the measurement data concerning said reflected radiation towards at least one data processing service for processing said measurement data, and/or sending, by the communication unit of the treatment apparatus, the diagnosis data towards the at least one data processing service. In response to sending the measurement data to the at least one data processing service for characterizing the irradiated skin region, or in response to sending the diagnosis data that is optionally complemented with the measurement data, at least one recipe is received from the at least one data processing service, wherein each of the at least one recipe comprises a plurality of parameters for guiding and controlling, preferably in real time, treatment of at least a portion of the characterized skin region by irradiation by at least one of said one or more emitters in at least one of said plurality of different wavelength & ranges, and guiding and controlling, preferably in real time, performing of

N 25 treatment of at least a portion of the characterized skin region by means of

T radiation emitted by said at least one of said one or more emitters in at least = one of said plurality of different wavelength ranges according to the at least

E one recipe. 3 According to some embodiments, the treatment apparatus is further 2 30 configured to obtain measurement data using a plurality of sensors selected & from a group comprising a camera, a 3D camera, a temperature sensor, an inertial measurement unit, a humidity sensor, a distance sensor and a colour sensor, and the method further comprises providing measurement data obtained by said plurality of sensors to the at least one data processing service in association with sending said measurement data concerning said reflected radiation.

According to some embodiments, said steps of emitting and measuring comprise i) first emitting radiation at and measuring radiation reflected from a reference skin region representing healthy skin of a subject, and ii) thereafter emitting radiation at and measuring radiation reflected from a skin region of interest with one or more suspected skin conditions.

According to some embodiments, before emitting, by one or more emitters of the treatment apparatus, radiation at any skin region, the method comprises a) measuring, by said one or more radiation detectors, ambient radiation, and b) compensating effects of the ambient radiation on the radiation of a skin region based on the ambient radiation measured.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises determining, preferably in real time, current position of at least one of said one or more emitters of the treatment apparatus with respect to the skin of the subject, and controlling and guiding the treatment apparatus for applying radiation as determined by a respective recipe only when it is determined, based on current position of the one or more emitters of the treatment apparatus, that the one or more emitters of the treatment apparatus are positioned at a desired skin region to be treated by irradiation as determined by the & respective recipe.

N

= According to some embodiments, the method further comprises obtaining at o least one image of the skin region with a camera, and using the image = 25 obtained and a display of the treatment apparatus for visually guiding a preferably in real time a user to point at least one of said one or more

O emitters of the treatment apparatus at the desired skin region to be treated 2 by radiation as determined by the respective recipe. &

According to some embodiments, the treatment apparatus is a treatment unit, wherein the treatment apparatus is part of a system further comprising at least one remote data processing service, where in the treatment unit comprises a communication unit, wherein the method comprises communicating data over a data communication network with the data processing service.

According to some embodiments, the treatment apparatus comprises a treatment unit and a mobile communication device, and wherein the treatment apparatus is a part of a system further comprising at least one remote data processing service, and wherein said sending and receiving by said treatment unit are performed over a short-range wireless communication connection or a wireline communication connection with the mobile communication device, and wherein the mobile communication device provides a data communication connection over the data communication network with the at least one remote data processing service.

According to another preferred embodiment, a data processing service comprised in a system comprising the data processing service and the treatment apparatus according to any one the above apparatus embodiments is provided. The method comprises i) receiving measurement data obtained by one or more radiation detectors of the treatment apparatus, wherein the measurement data comprises a spectrum of a portion of the emitted radiation that is being reflected from an irradiated skin region, and/or receiving the diagnosis data, and ii) in response to receiving said measurement data,

N applying a knowledge model developed by means of machine learning and/or

N artificial intelligence to characterize the irradiated skin region, based on s characterization of the irradiated skin region, or in response to receiving the = 25 diagnosis data and optionally the measurement data, applying the knowledge = model for determining, based on the received diagnosis data and the optional

ZE measurement data, the at least one recipe to be provided to the treatment

O apparatus for executing the at least one recipe by the treatment apparatus

O for guiding and controlling said treatment by radiation of at least a portion of

O 30 the characterized skin region, iii) selecting at least one recipe for treatment of at least a portion of the characterized skin region, and iv) sending to the treatment apparatus the at least one recipe, for executing the at least one recipe by the treatment apparatus for controlling said treatment of at least a portion of the characterized skin region by radiation and for guiding a user to perform said treatment. The at least one recipe comprises a plurality of parameters for guiding and controlling, preferably in real time, treatment of at least a portion of the characterized skin region by radiation by at least one of one or more emitters of the treatment apparatus in at least one of said plurality of different wavelength ranges.

According to some embodiments, a single recipe determines a plurality of steps selected from the group comprising: desinfection, treatment of pain and/or irritation, skin healing, such as skin proliferation and/or regeneration.

An advantage of the apparatus is that treatment can be optimally selected, which improves effectivity of treatment in view of both results and use of resources; with effective results, number of clinical visits can be reduced, which reduces cost, saves healthcare resources, thus improving availability thereof, and improves patient satisfaction. Use of absorption analysis enables skin characterization up to 20 mm depth, thus enabling detecting and characterizing skin problems deep beneath the skin surface and thus not visible at the surface of the skin, thus overcoming a common limitation of other known skin analysis devices using light. A further benefit is that the invented apparatus facilitates characterization and treatment to be performed at any location by many different users, by using any compatible treatment 2 apparatus.

N BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

5 In the following the disclosure will be described in greater detail by means of = 25 preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in a which:

O Figure 1 illustrates a system. 2 Figure 2 illustrates a system.

S Figure 3 illustrates a system.

Figure 4 illustrates functional elements of a treatment unit.

Figures 5A and 5B illustrate a first emitter matrix and penetration of radiation emitted thereby.

Figures 6A and 6B illustrate a second emitter matrix and penetration of radiation emitted thereby.

Figure 7 illustrates a method performed by a treatment apparatus.

Figure 8 illustrates a method performed by the treatment apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A treatment apparatus refers to a physical apparatus that is used by a user for skin characterization and/or treatment. In the following examples, the treatment apparatus comprises a treatment unit and a mobile communication device. However, implementation of principles of the invention is not limited to the specific exemplary embodiments.

Figure 1 illustrates a system according to some embodiments.

A treatment unit 10 comprises a radiation-emitting device with one or more emitters configured to illuminate a skin region 60 by emitting radiation in a plurality of different wavelength ranges, and one or more radiation detectors configured to measure a reflected radiation spectrum from the illuminated skin region. Radiation wavelength range comprises at least a UV wavelength range of 200-400 nm, a visible wavelength range of 400-750 nm, and a near-infrared wavelength range of 750-900 nm, but the radiation wavelength en range may extend further to 1000 nm. Reflected radiation spectrum provides

S an indication of energy absorbed by the irradiated tissue, which gives = indication of condition of the skin. As known in the art, absorption of energy o of radiation depends for example on amount and type of bacteria and/or = 25 fungi, amount of tissue fluid, as well as blood oxygen saturation, to name a & few. Absorption analysis can detect skin up to about 20 mm depth. In 3 addition to absorption analysis, the treatment unit 10 may apply bacteria 2 fluorescence analysis and multispectral imaging to obtain further relevant

I information available at surface of the skin to further improve the skin characterization.

In absorption analysis of healthy skin, about 5 to 7% of the radiation reflects back and about 20% scatters from the epidermis, about 10 to 20% absorbs in basal layer melanin, while other portions of the radiation is absorbed by at different depths by deeper layers of tissues depending on wavelength. Thus, using absorption for characterizing the skin, it is possible to obtain information deeper than using other methods. For example, if the outer layers of skin are damaged or structure of the skin has changed, reflection and scattering at the protecting surface layers may be missing or reduced, and more of the radiation is absorbed in deeper layers of the skin. Different wavelengths absorb in different ways in different tissue types and fluids, which enables recognition of presence or absence of these. Thus, various types of damages and depth of damage can be detected as well as embolism, blood circulation and blood oxygen saturation below the surface layers of the skin can be detected.

The treatment unit 10 further comprises one or more distance sensors for determining distance between the treatment unit 10, in particular the one or more emitters thereof, and the skin that is being characterized and/or treated. The treatment unit 10 further comprises at least one movement sensor and a movement analysis module, which may be a separate module or implemented by one or more processors of the treatment unit 10. Different irradiation wavelengths, intensities and irradiation patterns enable detecting characteristics of the skin at different depths at and below the skin surface. & The treatment unit 10 according to this embodiment comprises a first user s interface 100. The first user interface (UI) 100 preferably comprises a display = 25 101, optionally a loudspeaker 102 and one or more UI buttons 103. The first = UI 100 is preferably configured to enable the user to activate and optionally

ZE deactivate the treatment unit 10 and optionally to select an operation mode

O thereof. Operation modes of the treatment unit 10 may comprise for example

O an analysation mode and a treatment mode. The first UI 100 may also

O 30 comprise selection means for selecting various parameters both for analysation and treatment. Selection means may comprise one or more UI buttons. Applicable parameters are for example wavelength range(s) of emitted radiation, intensity of radiation (expressed for example in mW/cm?), duration of radiation, beam width of radiation, pulsation pattern of radiation to mention a few. The fist UI 100 is preferably configured to provide the user with operation guidance, which may be in form of visible and/or audible information. For example, the display 101 may be configured to show a real- time image representing a skin region that is currently being irradiated by the treatment unit 10. For example, the loudspeaker 102 or some other type of sound-emitting device emits sound signals for providing operation guidance for the user, such as indicating start and end of a determined duration of recommended treatment period.

Different first user interfaces may be designed for different users. A professional user may have a variety of functionalities that can be controlled by means of the first user interface, while a patient may be provided a simplified user interface, when using the treatment apparatus for self- treatment by a layman. A simple form of the first user interface just comprises a button to start a treatment session and/or a characterization session, and the user interface further comprises a display for guiding the user, for example indicating desired directions in which the treatment unit 10 is to be moved on the subject's skin during the treatment session and/or characterization session.

The treatment unit 10 is communicatively coupled to a mobile communication

N device 20, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop or like, to

N name a few. The mobile communication device 20 comprises a camera, s preferably a 3D camera. The 3D camera may be used to obtain 3D images of = 25 the skin region that is to be or is being characterized and/or treated, or after = treatment. Images may be obtained before, during and/or after treatment

E using the mobile communication device camera. A camera may also be

O integrated in the treatment unit 10, in which case it can also be used during a

O characterization session and/or a treatment session.

N

O

N 30 Preferably, a first communication connection 250 is provided between the treatment unit 10 and the mobile communication device 20. Any known type of wireless communication is applicable, but common short-range communication, such as wireless local region network (WLAN), also referred to as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or equivalent are preferred, since these are widely available in modern mobile communication devices 20. Alternatively, communication between the treatment unit 10 and the mobile communication device 20 may be implemented as a wireline connection using any applicable, known wireline communication standard, such as universal serial bus (USB).

The mobile communication device 20 runs an application program that provides a second UI for the user of the treatment apparatus 10. The second

UI preferably provides more advanced UI functionalities, including but not limited to possibilities to obtain, process and transfer images. Furthermore, the mobile communication device 20 provides a data communication gateway for providing data communication over a data communication network 50 between the treatment unit 10 and at least one data processing service. In these exemplary drawings, data processing services are illustrated with physical devices, such as at least one data gathering and processing service 30 and at least one analysis and consulting service 40, but as known in the field, modern data processing services may also be provided as cloud services, which are not bound to predetermined computer devices or servers.

The at least one data processing service collects and processes data received from a plurality of treatment units 10, and/or analyses obtained information and implements a deep learning model that enables automated e characterization and/or diagnosis proposals as well as automated controlling

R of treatment by the treatment unit 10. = 25 For a human subject or a non-professional human treating an animal, the second user interface in the mobile communication device 20 may simply = provide a reminder when it's time to start a treatment session using the

O treatment unit 10. All control information needed for performing the

O treatment session is automatically provided for the treatment unit 10 so that

O 30 the subject or the non-professional human treating the animal only needs to point the treatment unit 10 at the wanted location on the skin and start the treatment for example by pressing a start-button provided in the first user interface. After the treatment session has been completed according to a recipe, treatment ends automatically and the treatment unit 10 may deactivate automatically.

The treatment unit 10 and the mobile communication device 20 running the application program can be considered as a set that in combination forms a treatment device.

According to some embodiments, the application program run in the mobile communication device 20 provides a user interface that displays results of the skin characterization made on basis of measurements performed using the treatment unit 10, proposes treatment parameters for ongoing and/or subsequent treatment to be performed using the treatment unit 10. During skin characterization, the treatment apparatus may detect a wound and measure characteristics thereof, such as size of the wound in lateral dimensions as well as depth of the wound. Preferably, characterization of the wound is indicated during characterization and the user is requested to confirm detected characteristics of the wound. Such confirmation can be used to further improve future characterizations, since such characterizations and confirmations can be used as additional teaching material for the system to learn from.

Division of user interface functionalities between the treatment unit and the mobile communication device is a design choice.

N

S According to another embodiment, the treatment apparatus comprises a = treatment unit that is provided with a data communication unit that enables o data communication between the treatment unit and the data processing = 25 service, such that no separate mobile communication device is required to & provide data communication. The treatment unit may comprise all desired 3 user interface functionalities, or a separate user interface unit may be 2 provided that is operatively connected to the treatment unit over the first

I communication connection 250, that may be a short-range wireless connection or a wireline connection.

Treatment parameters preferable comprise a plurality of parameters.

Exemplary parameters comprise dosage, applied radiation wavelengths or wavelength ranges, radiance, beam region, pulsation pattern, and power density of the applied radiation to achieve wanted treatment effects. The application program further provides (displays) the user with a recommended diagnosis that is obtained based on data obtained with the treatment unit 10 and the camera or cameras both in the treatment unit 10 and the mobile communication device 20. According to some embodiments, the mobile communication device 20 receives a proposed diagnosis from the at least one data processing service. The application program is configured to control irradiation given during treatment and thus prevents overdosing and underdosing and thus improves both effectiveness and safety of treatment.

According to some embodiments, the mobile communication device 20 receives, in response to sending measurement data to the at least one data processing service, for example to the analysis and consulting service 40, one or more recipes from the at least one data processing service. The application program may also enable the user to select and/or adjust recipes. In this context, the term recipe refers to settings and parameters determined for a skin characterization session and/or a skin treatment session to be implemented using the treatment unit 10. A plurality of recipes may be predetermined and stored in the at least one data processing service for a plurality of different treatment needs, so that proper parameter values for

Q any selected treatment can be obtained on basis of the skin characterization

R without need to adjust individual parameters by the subject. A recipe can be = 25 loaded from the mobile communication device 20 to the treatment unit 10 o over the short-range communication connection or over a wireline z connection, after which the treatment unit can guide the user to apply * treatment accordingly to the skin of the subject. Alternatively, the recipe may 3 be stored in the mobile communication device 20, which controls the 2 30 treatment unit 10 during execution of the treatment according to the recipe & preferably in real time over the first communication connection 250.

A recipe is an adaptive instruction that may comprise several steps of a treatment session. Achievable effects by the treatment of skin by irradiation are known in the art as such. According to some embodiments, the recipe may comprise one or more steps comprising one or more of desinfection, one or more types of treatments such as irritation and/or pain relief, or irradiation facilitating skin proliferation and/or regeneration. For example, the recipe may determine a radiation step that performs desinfection by killing bacteria and fungi. The recipe may determine radiation that increases blood circulation and metabolism. The recipe may determine radiation to increase energy levels by stimulating synthesis of ATP in skin cells. The recipe may determine radiation that reduces pain and/or itching. The recipe may determine radiation that increases T-cells. The recipe may determine radiation that prevents autoimmune reactions. The recipe may also determine radiation that facilitates increasing of amount of collagen and epithelial cells in the treated area. The recipe may determine radiation that causes the body to produce feel-good hormones. All desired types of treatment may be included in a single recipe, which may perform desired radiation steps consecutively and/or in simultaneously, as determined appropriate.

In this context, it is understood that the term “real time” refers to actions which are performed to provide guidance or control of operation of the treatment apparatus, especially when occurring during operation of the treatment apparatus. An action is considered to be performed “in real time”

Q when performed after any necessary data processing delays. & ~ The mobile communication device 20 further provides wireless data 2 25 communication via a data communication network 50. The mobile = communication device 20 thus acts as a data communication gateway for the

E communication between the treatment unit 10 and at least one data

O processing service over the data communication network 50, such as the

O Internet. For the communication with the data communication network 50,

O 30 the mobile communication device 20 may apply any data communication standard, such as Wireless LAN also known as WLAN and Wi-Fi, cellular telecommunication standards such as 3G, 4G, 5G or 6G communication or equivalent. Data communication enables over-the-air (OTA) communication both for sending to and receiving data via the data communication network 50. Data communicated over the data communication network 50 be input or output data for the mobile communication device 20, by the application program running in the mobile communication device 20, and/or data may be input or output data for of the treatment unit 10.

The at least one data processing service may comprise at least one data gathering and processing service 30 for implementing selected functionalities of the data processing service. The at least one data gathering and processing service 30 is configured to gather and analyse data received from a plurality of treatment units 10. For processing data, the data gathering and processing unit may comprise at least one computer, such as a server, and for gathering data, the data gathering and processing service 30 comprises or is coupled to at least one database 31. The at least one data gathering and processing service 30 may implement a learning process utilizing machine learning and/or artificial intelligence to develop at least one knowledge model that is subsequently used for implementing automated characterization of received measurement results and for producing or selecting at least one recipe to be provided for controlling a treatment process performed by means of the treatment unit 10. Data communication between the treatment unit 10 and the data gathering and processing service 30 preferably occurs via the wireless communication device 20 over the data communication network 50. & The at least one data processing service preferably further comprises at least s one analysis and consulting service 40. The analysis and consulting service = 25 40 is communicatively connected over the data communication network 50 to other operational units of the system, in particular the mobile communication = device 20 and/or the data gathering and processing service 30.

O

N As understood by a skilled person, any of mentioned data processing services

N may be at any selected location, as long as it is connectable by a data

N 30 communication connection with other elements of the system. As known in the art, any one of the data gathering and processing service 30 and analysis and consulting service 40 may also be implemented as cloud services, in which case resources for performing tasks for the units are provided in the cloud computing environment without assigning dedicated computing devices for this.

Instead of implementing functionalities of the data processing service using determined physical units, such as servers and computers, one or more, even all elements of the data processing service may be implemented as cloud computing services, which are in communication connection with a data storage service and, if needed to various data analysis services. On the other hand, some of the data processing services may be implemented in the treatment apparatus, if it has sufficient data processing capability. For example, the treatment apparatus, i.e. the treatment device or the mobile communication device may implement data processing services for skin characterization and recipe selection.

All data concerning characterization of the skin condition of the subject as well as performed treatment(s) are preferably collected and send to the data gathering and processing service 30 of the at least one data processing service. Collected data is made available to authorized personnel involved in treatment of the subject. Said data may be made available through the analysis and consulting service 40. Collected data may also be used as training material for improving operation of the system by improving both

N skin characterization and treatment. Preferably, collected data is anonymized

S before it is used as training material for machine learning and/or artificial ~ intelligence to ensure patient privacy. Storage of characterization data and/or 2 25 treatment instructions shall also be implemented so that all requirements for = patient privacy and security are fulfilled. a a

LO The analysis and consulting service 40 of the at least one data processing

N service or a could service implementing the data processing service receives, & over the data communication network 50, measurement results obtained by

N 30 the treatment unit 10 and image data obtained by at least one camera of the treatment unit 10 or by at least one camera of the mobile communication device 20. The analysis and consulting service 40 may comprise one or more computer program products that apply machine learning methods and/or artificial intelligence to analyse received information to characterize skin conditions, to suggest a probable diagnosis and to determine recommended treatment(s). Treatment can be improved for example by detecting results of performing treatment according to various recipes, comparing change of detected parameters of treated skin condition, confirming that characteristics of treated skin have been changed closer to characteristics of healthy skin as result of the treatment, and/or optimizing recipes based on determining, which recipes give best treatment results for which skin problems and which recipes give fastest positive treatment response. Upon determining the recommended treatment(s), the analysis and consulting service 40 then sends instructions, such as one or more recipes corresponding to the recommended treatment(s) back to the mobile communication device 20 and/or the treatment unit 10 over the data communication network 50.

Figure 2 illustrates a system according to some embodiments. The system comprises the treatment unit 10, an optional mobile communication device 20, and one or more data processing services provided over a data communication network 50. The treatment unit 10 may be configured to perform data communication with data processing services over the data communication network 50, without requirement for the mobile communication device 20 to act as a gateway. On the other hand, the mobile

Q communication device 20 may be part of the treatment apparatus, for

R example for providing a complementary user interface to the first user = 25 interface 100 provided by the treatment unit 10. The complementary user o interface may provide additional user interface functionalities. The mobile z communication device 20 may be configured to communicate with the data a © processing services over the data communication network 50, and local

O communication between the mobile communication device 20 and the 2 30 treatment unit 10 may be performed over a first communication connection & 250, which may be a short-range wireless connection or a wireline connection.

Figure 3 illustrates a system according to some embodiments. In this embodiment, the treatment apparatus is the treatment unit 10. The treatment unit 10 is configured to communicate with data processing services 30, 40 over the data communication network 50, and the first interface 100 arranged at the treatment unit 10 may provide the sole user interface, which preferably facilitates both input and output. Since no separate mobile communication device is provided, the treatment unit 10 may apply any data communication standard, such as Wireless LAN also known as WLAN and Wi-

Fi, cellular telecommunication standards such as 3G, 4G, 5G or 6G communication or equivalent for communication with the data communication network 50.

Figure 4 illustrates various functional elements of an exemplary treatment unit 10. Emitters 11 of the treatment unit are configured to emit radiation at plurality of different wavelength ranges. According to some embodiments, emitted wavelength ranges comprise a UV wavelength range of 200-400 nm, a visible wavelength range of 400-750 nm, and a near-infrared wavelength range of 750-900 nm. According to preferred embodiments, emitter devices are implemented as one or more LEDS or LED arrays. One or more emitter devices may also be implemented using vacuum tube(s) or laser(s) or any other suitable apparatus for emitting radiation at wanted wavelength ranges.

A LED array may be an integrated device with one or more LEDs each configured to emit light at one of the desired wavelengths or wavelength

Q ranges. Emitters 11 are preferably driven by an emitter drive circuitry 110,

N which is controlled by a processor 18. When emitters 11 are implemented as = 25 LED arrays, the emitter drive circuitry 110 comprises one or more LED driver o circuitries. One or more radiation sensors 111, preferably placed in z immediate vicinity with the emitters 11. Radiation sensors are configured to - detect at least radiation reflected from the skin that is being irradiated by the

O emitters. Furthermore, radiation sensors can be used for detecting ambient 2 30 radiation when no radiation is emitted by the emitters 11. Information about & ambient radiation is used for determining effect of noise in the measurements used for skin characterization.

The treatment unit 10 preferably comprises one or more distance sensors 12 for measuring distance between the skin and the treatment unit. Any known type of distance sensors can be used. The treatment unit preferably comprises at least one temperature sensor 13 for measuring at least one of ambient temperature and skin temperature. The treatment unit may also comprise at least one humidity sensor 14 for measuring ambient humidity and/or humidity of the skin. The treatment unit 10 preferably comprises a 3D camera 15 for measuring topography of the skin region and/or a colour sensor 16 for measuring colour of the skin region. The treatment unit 10 may also comprise image processing means configured to analyse obtained 3D images to determine position of the treatment unit 10 in three dimensions.

The treatment unit may comprise an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 17 that comprises one or more motion sensors that enable 3D motion detection. The inertial measurement unit (IMU) 17 determines motion of the treatment unit 10 in three dimensions. Applicable motion sensors 17 are for example accelerometers and/or gyroscopes.

The treatment unit 10 is configured to communicate data indicative of results of the respective measurement(s) made with sensors of the treatment unit 10 over the data communication network 50 to the at least one data processing service 30, 40 and/or diagnosis data input by a user via a user interface of the treatment unit 10. According to some embodiments, the treatment unit 10 comprises short-range wireless communication circuitry

Q 210 configured to communicate data to and from the mobile computing

R device 20, and to and from the at least one data processing service via the = 25 mobile computing device 20. The mobile computing device 20 is preferably o configured to establish, over the Internet, a secure data connection the at z least one data processing service. According to some embodiments, the * short-range wireless communication circuitry 210 is configured to 3 communicate to and from the mobile computing device 10 for providing 2 30 functionalities such as an enhanced user interface with more versatile input & and output capabilities, and the treatment unit further comprises a communication circuitry 211 configured to provide data communication to and from the at least one data processing service over the data communication network 50. According to some embodiments, the treatment unit 10 comprises a communication circuitry 211 but has no short-range wireless communication circuitry 210. As understood, based on embodiments shown in the figures 1, 2 and 3 division of data communication capabilities between the treatment unit 10 and the mobile communication device 20 is a design option.

The treatment unit 10 comprises one or more processors 18 and at least one memory 19 operatively coupled to the one or more processors 18. The one or more processors 18 are configured to receive signals from sensors (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) and to control operation of the emitter driver 110 and, indirectly, operation of the emitters 11. The at least one memory 19 comprises program code for controlling operation of the treatment unit 10.

The treatment unit 10 comprises a power unit 115 that provides electrical power to electrical elements. The treatment unit 10 is preferably battery operated, in which case the power unit comprises at least one battery.

Skin characterization is performed using one, two or three different wavelength ranges. Depending on applied characterization parameters, skin can be characterized from the outer surface from 1 mm to up to 20 mm depth below the skin surface. This enables for example detection of inflammation under the skin surface, which is not necessarily detectable from the surface of the skin. Further, physiological indicators, such as temperature

N and colour are measured from the surface of the skin. Geometry of the skin

S region being characterized and/or treated is performed using 3D camera(s) of ~ the treatment unit 10 and/or the mobile communication device 20 and the 2 25 IMU 17 comprised in the treatment unit 10.

E As an example, it is possible to determine size of a wound in the skin. Using

LO sensors of the treatment unit 10 and, optionally, camera of the mobile

N communication device 20, visible dimensions such as depth, width and height & are identified, visible physiological parameters are determined such as skin

N 30 colour, and invisible physiological parameters are determined, such as skin temperature and emitted radiation is used for performing absorption analysis at different depths below the skin surface. Compensation of noise caused by ambient light is typically needed to arrive to a reliable analysis. For this, ambient temperature, noise levels in each sensor used for characterization and radiance of ambient radiation should be determined by respective sensors of the treatment unit 10 before measuring characteristics of skin.

Controlling of treatment by the treatment unit 10 is preferably based on real- time information received from the characterization and also during the treatment. This enables adjusting emitter radiances in real time. Recipe(s) to be used are selected so that one or more wavelengths and intensities of radiation by emitters and duration of treatment is selected for the respective skin region to respond to determined need of treatment. By selecting proper wavelengths and radiance, treatment can penetrate several millimetres into the skin, up to 10 to 20 mm. This enables improved effectiveness of treatment of various skin conditions. Ultraviolet light can be used for desinfection; even with relatively low ultraviolet light intensity, emitted radiation can kill pathogenic matter up to 4 mm depth. Use of machine learning and/or artificial intelligence for generating a knowledge model that can be used for selecting one or more recipes ensures that selected treatment is safe and at least near to optimal. Furthermore, user interface guides the operator or user of the treatment unit 10 to focus treatment properly to achieve effective treatment results both in view of time and coverage of desired skin region to be treated. Thus, treatment is not

Q dependent on visual analysis performed by the operator or user, such as a

R dermatologist or a nurse, but treatment is controlled taking into account also = 25 visible and invisible physiological indicators. This enables avoiding useless, o non-effective and/or dangerous treatment, and the treatment process can be z controlled even if users performing treatments with the treatment unit 10 at * different times would change from time to time and have different educational backgrounds.

N

< 30 Guiding the user performing the treatment may be implemented by the user interface by providing visual and/or audible guidance on which regions of skin are to be addressed by the treatment. For example, display of the treatment unit 10 and/or the mobile communication device 20 may provide a color- coded image of the portion of skin to be treated so that regions on which the treatment unit's radiation should be pointed at is clearly illustrated. Motion detection enables changing the view shown in the display at least near to real-time. Using, for example, colour coding in the display, treatment can be applied on regions that may need treatment even if no sign of treated condition is visible at the surface of the skin. By automatically controlling activation of treatment according to the recipe when the treatment unit is pointed to the wanted skin region by the user, treatment can be safely performed even by a layman - even the patient him/herself. According to some embodiments, guidance for the user may be provided as static information provided by means of the user interface of the treatment apparatus, independent on whether the emission by the emitters to perform the treatment determined by the recipe is controlled in real time during the treatment or not.

Achievable biological processes by LLLT treatment depend at least on radiance, wavelengths, pulse type, time and power density of the applied radiation. Operation of the treatment device 10 is therefore controlled and user is guided to move the treatment device 10 to treat wanted regions of the skin. Moving the treatment device 10 is preferably guided in real-time by means of the user interface based on analysis made before and/or during the treatment. & According to some aspects of the invention, the treatment apparatus is s designed to control treatment operation so that a treatment according to a = 25 recipe is repeatable with high accuracy. Treatment does not require contact between the skin and the treatment apparatus. Therefore, intensity of = irradiation arriving on a treated area of skin should be maintained as constant

O irrespective of distance of the treatment apparatus from the surface of skin.

O There is typically an upper limit on how great the distance may be, which

O 30 depends for example on maximum irradiation power of the emitters. Also, operation safety may set some limits for allowed maximum irradiation power.

For this purpose, the treatment apparatus uses a mathematical model to adjust irradiation power as a function of distance from the skin.

The treatment apparatus may use sensors and results of the skin characterization for compensating effects of ambient environment on characterization and treatment. Basic sensor signals that may be used for compensating environmental effects are for example temperature, humidity and lighting. On basic level, obtained measurement data is just stored for later use. In more advanced level, the treatment device adjusts irradiation parameters for compensating such effects. A dedicated knowledge model may be developed and provided for compensating environmental effects.

One source of noise is individual characteristics of skins of different subjects.

Effect of such characteristics can be compensated by comparing measurement data obtained from normal, healthy skin of the subject and measurement data obtained from the skin region of interest.

For compensating effects of individual physiologic characteristics of subjects, results of the characterization may utilize data concerning for example pigmentation of skin and thickness of fat layer under the skin, to name a few.

Irradiation parameters of the emitters are preferably adjusted in real time based on a knowledge model that is known to reduce effects of such individual characteristics. For facilitating selection and/or adjustment of the recipe, users may determine certain parameters for the system, for example = amount of pigmentation of the skin area, which may vary even different

N areas of the skin of a person. 5 Figures 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B illustrate schematically the effect of radiation = 25 region size or “spot size” on depth of penetration of radiation in skin. Figure a 5A illustrates an emitter array 311 outlined with dotted line, comprising a

O plurality of emitters 11. In this example, the plurality of emitters 11 may be 2 implemented by LEDs. One or more radiation sensors 111 are configured to

I receive reflected radiation, preferably over the entire applied emitters' radiation wavelength range. Figure 6A illustrates a situation in which only a sub-portion of emitters 11 is activated. It is assumed that in both cases,

radiation intensity of each individual active emitter 11 is similar. Thus, the effective size of the emitter array 311’ is smaller than size of the emitter array 311 in the Fig. 5A.

Figures 5B and 6B illustrate a cross-section where radiation 35 emitted by the emitters 11 radiates skin 60. It is apparent from comparing Fig. 5B and 6B that by using all emitters 11 and thus emitting radiation by a larger emitter array 311, radiation penetrates to greater depth di in comparison to depth dl’ into which radiation emitted by the smaller emitter array 311’ penetrates, because emitted radiation from each emitter disperses in the skin so that radiation from a plurality of emitters 11 affects the same portion of skin.

Thus, but adjusting width of the radiation beam, both region of irradiated skin and depth of penetration of the radiation can be adjusted.

Also pulsation of radiation affects penetration depth of radiation. Pulsed waves, including so called superpulsed waves, are known to be practical for achieving significantly deeper penetration to skin compared to continuous waves. Superpulsed radiation applies consecutively relatively strong high- powered radiation in nano/picosecond pulses, thus achieving deeper tissue penetration without excessively heating the tissue, which would be caused by applying equally high-powered radiation in continuous manner. Pulsation frequency is preferably selected within a range from 20 Hz to 2000 Hz, which refers to time period between two consecutive radiation pulses, with a pause

N in radiation between the two consecutive radiation pulses. As known in the

S art, duration of individual radiation pulses in a superpulsed operation is ~ preferably in range of nanoseconds or even picoseconds. 2 25 Radiance and wavelength of radiation are preferably controlled as function of

E movement and distance of the treatment unit with respect to skin being

LO treated. Different subregions of the treated skin region may need mutually

N different treatments, and applied radiation is preferably automatically & controlled such that each subregion receives radiation that is most

N 30 advantageous and effective thereto. Real-time monitoring and control of treatment enables detecting possible malfunction of the treatment unit as well as effects of ambient conditions. Thus, application of wrong type of treatment, such as too high or too low radiance or wrong radiation wavelength can be avoided.

Preferably, applied parameters of each treatment session are stored in the data gathering and processing service 30 so that these can be considered during later steps of the treatment process, which may comprise several separate treatment sessions over a longer period of time. This ensures that the entire treatment process can be supervised and controlled even if places of treatment and/or personnel implementing the treatment varies at different times.

The data stored in the data gathering and processing service 30 from a large numbers of treatment sessions concerning characterization of skin, subsequent treatments and result of the treatment can be used as training material, which enables further training the knowledge model generated using machine learning model and/or artificial intelligence so that eventually accuracy of characterization and effectiveness of recommended treatment is further improved.

Figure 7 illustrates a method performed by the treatment apparatus according to some embodiments.

In an optional step 51, values of ambient environment parameters are en obtained by sensors of the treatment apparatus. Obtained ambient parameter

S values are provided to the service that is responsible to perform skin = characterization using at least one knowledge model generated using o machine learning and/or artificial intelligence. Skin characterization may be = 25 performed by the data gathering and processing service 30, the analysis and a consulting service 40, or skin characterization may be performed by the

O treatment apparatus with sufficient data processing capability and stored 2 knowledge models. Purpose of obtaining ambient environment parameters is

S to reduce effects of noise in the skin characterization. A simple implementation for compensating noise caused by ambient light is to detect received visible, IR and UV light by the receivers of the treatment unit before the skin characterization or treatment is started. This provides information on ambient light conditions, which can subsequently be used for compensating effects of ambient light on detection results and/or the emitted radiation. Like the skin characterization and treatment, also a compensation model may be generated and adjusted using artificial intelligence and/or machine learning.

In step 52, measurements for characterization of normal, healthy skin of the subject are performed to have a relevant reference data for comparison purposes. This is needed because different subjects have different skin, for example colour, temperature, and thickness of skin varies between subjects, which needs to be taken into account, when performing characterization of skin and aiming to make a proposed diagnosis of a skin condition, and these characteristics of skin of the subject vary depending on location on the body of the subject. Obtained reference skin parameter values are provided to the service that is responsible to perform skin characterization using a knowledge model that has been developed using machine learning and/or artificial intelligence. Skin characterization may be performed for example by the data gathering and processing service 30 or the analysis and consulting service 40 or by the treatment apparatus itself, if it has sufficient data processing capabilities and the applicable knowledge model available. Since different portions of skin have different characteristics, the treatment apparatus preferably instructs the user on selecting the most appropriate region of skin to be used for obtaining reference data, so that characteristics of the region

Q of skin used as reference is as close to the skin region of interest as possible. & ~ In step 53, measurements are made to obtain values of parameters for 2 25 characterizing at least one region of interest of the skin of the subject. Again, = obtained skin parameter values are provided to the service that is responsible = to perform skin characterization using machine learning and/or artificial 3 intelligence, i.e. the data gathering and processing service 30 or the analysis

O and consulting service 40, or data is processed by the treatment apparatus

O 30 itself applying a knowledge model generated using machine learning and/or artificial intelligence that is stored in the memory of the treatment apparatus.

If measurement data is sent to a remote data processing service, sending of data obtained in steps 51, 52 and 53 may be made right after obtaining the respective data or data obtained during steps 51, 52 and 53 may be consolidated by the treatment apparatus before sending. A diagnosis is always personal, and therefore also the measurement data preferably comprises or is associated with an identifier of the subject. Any suitable method for identifying the subject may be used, such as explicit input of the user identity via the user interface of the treatment device or implicit indication of identity by an association of identity of the treatment device with a subject, when the treatment device is reserved only for personal use of a single subject.

In response to receiving all reguired data, the data is analysed by the service in the system that is responsible to perform skin characterization, using the knowledge model developed using machine learning and/or artificial intelligence. In the step 54, at least one recipe is returned to the treatment apparatus based on characterizing the skin region of interest for recommended treatment of specified regions of skin.

In the optional step 55, receiving the recipe by the treatment apparatus is preceded by or complemented with information concerning a suggested diagnosis of a probable condition of the characterized skin. However, the diagnosis should not be relied purely on automated analysis of measurement

N data. According to the example shown in the Figure 7, confirmation of the

S suggested diagnosis may be reguired by the treatment apparatus before ~ treatment can be started according to the received recipe. Alternatively, step 2 25 55 may be performed before step 54, in which case the suggested diagnosis = is provided for the user first, and the recipe is only received by the treatment

ZE device after the user has confirmed the suggested diagnosis.

LO

N In step 56, the treatment apparatus guides a user to execute treatment & according to the recipe. The treatment apparatus preferably provides

N 30 guidance to the user in real time, by means of the user interface thereof, at which region(s) of skin emitters are to be pointed, and appropriate settings are automatically applied for each skin region to be treated. Alternatively, guidance to the user may be static. During execution of treatment, the distance sensor may determine distance of emitters of the treatment unit and the skin being treated to enable real-time control of emission by the emitters.

Optionally, the IMU and or camera and image processing configured to analyse information received from the camera may determine position at which emitters of the treatment apparatus currently are with respect to the skin being treated. The treatment apparatus utilizes the distance and/or position information to control application of treatment according to the relevant recipe at the determined skin region at the respective position.

According to some embodiments, the display of the UI of the treatment apparatus utilizes colours to indicate the user at which region emitters of the treatment unit are to be pointed, and indicates for example by changing colour of skin regions shown in the display and/or by sound signals emitted by a loudspeaker, which skin region is to be treated, when treatment of the respective skin region is ongoing and/or when treatment of the respective skin region has been completed.

For enabling use of machine learning and/or artificial intelligence for developing a knowledge model for characterizing skin based on measurement data, providing proposed diagnose(s) and determining recipes to be applied, a large amount of training data is needed. This training data should comprise at least information on ambient lighting, values of measured parameters

Q concerning normal, healthy skin, skin with diagnosed problems, the

R diagnosis, applied treatment, i.e. the recipe used for treatment, as well as = 25 achieved results of the treatment. In the initial phase, proposed diagnoses o and recipes are preferably always confirmed by professional dermatologists. z Although non-ionizing irradiation is considered safe to skin, certain * irradiation-related parameters in recipe, such as maximum application period and/or power or irradiation at any given wavelength range may have hard

O 30 limits determined that are never to be exceeded by any recipe to ensure that & recipes are always safe. Skin characterization parameters obtained from abnormal skin are compared to compared corresponding parameters determined for normal, healthy skin.

By determining change of parameters during and/or as result of treatment, it can be determined, whether applied treatment improves parameters, in other words heals the skin condition, and which treatment gives best healing results. It can be determined, how quickly the applied treatment changes skin characterizing parameters towards those of a healthy skin, so that automatic selection of skin treatment recipes based on skin characterization can be constantly improved. Another measurable and adjustable factor to consider and learn from is periodicity of treatment sessions, in other words how does length of time interval between consecutive treatment sessions affect achieved treatment results. This information can be used to teach the system to automatically determine when next treatment should be performed for best results. Optimal interval between consecutive treatments may change over the healing period.

Analysis of obtained measurement data applies any of mathematical models, statistics, machine learning, artificial intelligence and other applicable methods and combinations thereof to find correlations between different pieces of measurement data. These correlations are used to develop one or more knowledge models that enable skin characterization and treatment recommendation.

For enabling machine learning and/or artificial intelligence, various measurement data is complemented with further pieces of information to

N confirm correlation between one or more recognized characteristics of the

S skin and obtained sensor information. Possible additional information sources ~ are one or more of a) opinion of a trained professional based on either visual 2 25 inspection of the area of skin in question or of an image thereof, b) feedback = collected from a user of the treatment apparatus, such as answers to specific = guestions concerning appearance of the area of skin, c) reguesting from the

O user on whether the proposed skin characterization by the treatment

O apparatus was appropriate, and d) further applications designed for analysing

O 30 skin characteristics. A non-limiting example of such further applications is an application for analysing images presenting wounds.

In an ideal case, one or more knowledge models are updated continuously and automatically upon receiving new measurement data from a plurality of treatment apparatuses. At earlier stage of development of the system, it can be assumed that human involvement is needed in annotation of results and confirmation of results of characterization. One benefit of the system is that while data can be collected at each time a skin characterization of a large fleet of like treatment devices is used, amount of data is significantly greater than what can ever be collected in a clinical research project, using explicit measurement practices and/or applying predetermined knowledge models that are not continuously updated. Generation of one or more knowledge models consumes a lot of computing resources. Therefore, collected data is preferably provided to a dedicated data processing service and special resources can be determined for generating the knowledge model.

For application of the knowledge model to skin characterization and selection of one or more recipes, less computing resource is required than for generation of the knowledge model. Skin characterization can be performed in a data processing service using one or more of real-time processing and batch runs. According to some embodiments, the knowledge model is provided in the treatment apparatus, so that skin characterization can be performed by the treatment apparatus itself without necessity to be connected on-line, and based on the skin characterization, appropriate recipe(s) are selected by the treatment apparatus using the knowledge model e stored therein without use of any external data processing service resources.

R In such case, the knowledge model(s) stored in the treatment apparatus = 25 should be updated regularly to have the latest and likely the best knowledge o model(s) available, and preferably data is still sent over to the remote data

E processing service for further improving the knowledge model. a

O Figure 8 illustrates a method performed by the treatment apparatus

O according to some embodiments, in which a diagnosis characterizing a skin

O 30 region with a skin condition is made by a user, preferably a medical expert.

This approach is particularly useful when the skin condition is clearly visible and/or easily diagnosed.

In embodiments illustrated with figure 8, steps 51 to 53 are optional. One or more of steps 51 to 53 may be performed for example for purpose of obtaining data that can be used for teaching the knowledge model, so that the knowledge model can be further improved. On the other hand, obtained measurement data may be used as additional input information together with the diagnosis data for selecting a recipe. A diagnosis is always personal, and therefore the diagnosis data preferably comprises an identifier of the subject.

Any suitable method for identifying the subject may be used, such as explicit input of the user identity by means of the user interface of the treatment device or implicit indication of identity of the subject by an association of identity of the treatment device with the subject, when the treatment device is reserved only for personal use of a single subject. In the latter case, including or associating identification of the treatment device with the diagnosis data may be sufficient. The diagnosis data may also comprise various pieces of further information concerning the subject, including but not limited to data indicating condition of the subject and/or condition of the skin condition being treated, such as position of the skin region with the condition to be treated, type of condition, medical history of the subject, various sensor measurements, to name a few.

In step 81, user input is received indicating a diagnosis data of a skin region with a skin condition made by the user. In a simplest form, the user input may indicate a single indicator of a diagnosis. The diagnosis data may

Q indicate that the characterized skin region has an open wound or a known

R type or rash. In addition to a mere diagnosis, the diagnosis data may further = 25 comprise further characterization of the respective skin region. A non-limiting o list of such further characteristics may be for example skin colour, skin type z (i.e. respective body part, thickness of skin, amount of skin hair etc.), type of * subject (i.e. human or animal). According to some embodiments, an image of 3 the skin region obtained with the treatment apparatus may be included in the 2 30 diagnosis data. All these further characteristics comprised in the diagnostic & data may be useful when determining the recipe to be used on the characterized skin region.

In step 82, diagnosis data characterizing the skin region to be treated is sent to the remote data processing service, optionally complemented with measurement data if measurements were performed in optional steps 51, 52 and/or 53.

In response to receiving the diagnosis indicating data, and optionally also measurement data, at least one recipe is returned to the treatment apparatus in step 54, the at least one recipe being for recommended treatment of the characterized skin region indicated by the user with the diagnosis data and the optional measurement data. From this point onwards, the treatment is performed in the similar manner as in the embodiment disclosed in the Figure 7.

Thus, in step 56, the treatment apparatus guides a user to execute treatment according to the recipe. If possible, the treatment apparatus provides guidance to the user, by means of the user interface thereof, at which region(s) of skin emitters are to be pointed, and appropriate settings are automatically applied for each skin region to be treated. During execution of treatment, the distance sensor may determine distance of emitters of the treatment unit and the skin being treated. Optionally, the IMU and or camera and image processing configured to analyse information received from the camera may determine position at which emitters of the treatment apparatus currently are with respect to the skin being treated. The treatment apparatus

N utilizes the distance and/or position information to control application of

S treatment according to the relevant recipe at the determined skin region at ~ the respective position. According to some embodiments, the display of the 2 25 UI of the treatment apparatus utilizes colours to indicate the user at which = region emitters of the treatment unit are to be pointed, and indicates for = example by changing colour of skin regions shown in the display and/or by

O sound signals emitted by a loudspeaker, which skin region is to be treated,

O when treatment of the respective skin region is ongoing and/or when

O 30 treatment of the respective skin region has been completed.

It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that as technology advanced, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are therefore not restricted to the above examples, but they may vary within the scope of the claims. 0

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Claims

1. A treatment apparatus for performing characterization and photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy of skin, wherein the treatment apparatus comprises one or more emitters configured to emit radiation at a skin region in a plurality of different wavelength ranges, and one or more radiation detectors configured to measure a spectrum of the emitted radiation that is being reflected from an irradiated skin region, and characterized in that the treatment apparatus comprises a communication unit configured to send measurement data concerning at least said reflected radiation to at least one data processing service for processing said measurement data and/or to send diagnosis data, wherein the diagnosis data is received by the treatment apparatus as input of a user via a user interface of the treatment apparatus, and wherein the diagnosis data characterizes a skin region with a skin condition, and in that in response to sending the measurement data to the at least one data processing service for characterizing the irradiated skin region, or in response to sending the diagnosis data that is optionally complemented with the measurement data, the © treatment apparatus is configured, by means of the communication S unit, to receive at least one recipe from the at least one data = processing service, wherein the at least one recipe comprises a o plurality of parameters for guiding and controlling, preferably in = 25 real time, treatment of at least a portion of the characterized skin & region by irradiation by at least one of said one or more emitters in 3 at least one of said plurality of different wavelength ranges. >

N 2. The treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the N treatment apparatus further comprises a plurality of sensors selected from a group comprising a camera, a 3D camera, a temperature sensor, an inertial measurement unit, a humidity sensor, a distance sensor and a colour sensor, and measurement data obtained by said plurality of sensors is sent in association with said measurement data concerning said reflected radiation.

3. The treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said parameters comprised by the at least one recipe comprises:

a. at least one wavelength or wavelength range,

b. dosing of radiation at each of the at least one wavelength or wavelength range, and c. optional pulsation pattern for one or more of said at least one wavelength or wavelength range, for guiding and controlling treatment preferably in real time.

4. The treatment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the dosing of radiation at a selected wavelength or wavelength range comprises: power density of the radiation, duration of a time period for applying the radiation, radiance of the radiation, wherein the at least one wavelength or wavelength range is selected within ultraviolet range, visible light range and/or near-infrared range, and, when radiation is to be pulsated using superpulsed radiation, wherein a pulsation frequency is selected within a range from 20Hz n to 2000 Hz and duration of individual pulses is in range of S nanoseconds or picoseconds.

- 5. The treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 2 further comprising one or more sensor units configured to E 25 determine current position of the one or more emitters of the LO treatment apparatus with respect to skin of a subject, and wherein N the treatment apparatus is configured to apply radiation as & determined by a respective recipe only when it is determined, N based on the current position, that the one or more emitters of the treatment apparatus are positioned at a desired skin region to be treated by irradiation determined by the respective recipe.

6. The treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a camera and a user interface comprising at least a display, wherein the display is configured to visually guide in real-time a user to point the one or more emitters of the treatment apparatus at the desired skin region to be treated by radiation as determined by the respective recipe.

7. The treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said one or more emitters comprise at least one LED array configured to emit radiation at ultraviolet, visible light and/or near- infrared wavelength range.

8. The treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the treatment apparatus is a treatment unit comprising a communication unit configured to provide a data communication connection with the at least one data processing service over a data communication network, and optionally a user interface for receiving said diagnosis data.

9. The treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the treatment apparatus comprises a set comprising a en treatment unit and a mobile communication device, wherein the S treatment unit is configured to perform data communication with = the mobile communication device using a short-range o communication protocol, such as WLAN or Bluetooth, or wireline = 25 communications, such as USB, and wherein the mobile & communication device is configured to provide the treatment unit 3 with a data communication connection with the at least one data 2 processing service over a data communication network. &

10. The treatment apparatus according to any one of preceding claims wherein a single recipe determines a plurality of treatment steps selected from the group comprising: desinfection, treatment of pain and/or irritation, skin healing, such as skin proliferation and/or regeneration.

11. A system comprising the treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the system comprises the at least one data processing service configured: - to receive, over the data communication connection, the measurement data obtained by the treatment apparatus, or the diagnosis data from the treatment apparatus, which is optionally complemented with the measurement data, and - to apply a knowledge model developed by the at least one data processing service using artificial intelligence and/or machine learning for characterizing one or more skin regions on basis of the received measurement data, and for determining the at least one recipe to be provided to the treatment apparatus for executing the at least one recipe by the treatment apparatus for guiding and controlling said treatment by radiation of at least a portion of the characterized skin region, and/or - to apply the knowledge model for determining, based on the received diagnosis data and optionally the measurement data, en the at least one recipe to be provided to the treatment S apparatus for executing the at least one recipe by the treatment = apparatus for guiding and controlling said treatment by o radiation of at least a portion of the characterized skin region. E 25 12. The system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the at least one 10 data processing service is configured: O O - to apply artificial intelligence and/or machine learning to develop & the knowledge model, and

- to use the knowledge model to propose at least one diagnosis of a condition of the characterized skin region based on said measurement data received, and to provide, over the data communication connection, at least one proposed diagnosis to the treatment apparatus.

13. A method for performing characterization and photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy of skin by a treatment apparatus, the method comprising: - emitting, by one or more emitters of the treatment apparatus, radiation at a skin region in a plurality of different wavelength ranges, and measuring, by one or more radiation detectors of the treatment apparatus, a spectrum of a portion of the emitted radiation that is being reflected from an irradiated skin region, and/or - receiving diagnosis data, wherein the diagnosis data is received as input of a user via a user interface of the treatment apparatus, and wherein the diagnosis data characterises a skin region with a skin condition, - sending, by a communication unit of the treatment apparatus, said measurement data concerning said reflected radiation en towards at least one data processing service for processing said S measurement data, and/or sending, by the communication unit = of the treatment apparatus, said diagnosis data towards the at o least one data processing service, E 25 wherein the method further comprises: O - in response to sending the measurement data to the at least one 2 data processing service for characterizing the irradiated skin & region, or in response to sending the diagnosis data that is optionally complemented with the measurement data, receiving at least one recipe from the at least one data processing service,

wherein each of the at least one recipe comprises a plurality of parameters for guiding and controlling, preferably in real time, treatment of at least a portion of the characterized skin region by irradiation by at least one of said one or more emitters in at least one of said plurality of different wavelength ranges, and - guiding and controlling, preferably in real time, performing of treatment of at least a portion of the characterized skin region by means of radiation emitted by said at least one of said one or more emitters in at least one of said plurality of different wavelength ranges according to the at least one recipe.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the treatment apparatus is further configured to obtain measurement data using a plurality of sensors selected from a group comprising a camera, a 3D camera, a temperature sensor, an inertial measurement unit, a humidity sensor, a distance sensor and a colour sensor, and the method further comprises: - providing measurement data obtained by said plurality of sensors to the at least one data processing service in association with sending said measurement data concerning said reflected radiation. en

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said steps of S emitting and measuring comprise: T - first emitting radiation at and measuring radiation reflected from = a reference skin region representing healthy skin of a subject, E 25 and 3 - thereafter emitting radiation at and measuring radiation 2 reflected from a skin region of interest with one or more & suspected skin conditions.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein, before emitting, by one or more emitters of the treatment apparatus, radiation at any skin region, the method comprises: - measuring, by said one or more radiation detectors, ambient radiation, and - compensating effects of the ambient radiation on the radiation of a skin region based on the ambient radiation measured.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, further comprising: - determining, in real time, current position of at least one of said one or more emitters of the treatment apparatus with respect to the skin of the subject, and - controlling and guiding the treatment apparatus for applying radiation as determined by a respective recipe only when it is determined, based on current position of the one or more emitters of the treatment apparatus, that the one or more emitters of the treatment apparatus are positioned at a desired skin region to be treated by irradiation as determined by the respective recipe. e 20

18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, further R comprising: = - obtaining at least one image of the skin region with a camera, = and I = LO - using the image obtained and a display of the treatment LO N 25 apparatus for visually guiding in real time a user to point at least N one of said one or more emitters of the treatment apparatus at N the desired skin region to be treated by radiation as determined by the respective recipe.

19. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the treatment apparatus is a treatment unit, wherein the treatment apparatus is part of a system further comprising at least one remote data processing service, wherein the treatment unit comprises a communication unit, and wherein the method comprises communicating with the data processing service over a data communication network.

20. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein the treatment apparatus comprises a treatment unit and a mobile communication device, and wherein the treatment apparatus is a part of a system further comprising at least one remote data processing service, and wherein said sending and receiving by said treatment unit are performed over a short-range wireless communication connection or a wireline communication connection with the mobile communication device, and wherein the mobile communication device provides a data communication connection over the data communication network with the at least one remote data processing service.

21. A method performed by a data processing service comprised in a system comprising the data processing service and the treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the method g comprising: N - receiving, over a data communication network, the - measurement data obtained by one or more radiation detectors 2 25 of the treatment apparatus, wherein the measurement data E comprises a spectrum of a portion of the emitted radiation that LO is being reflected from an irradiated skin region, and/or N receiving, over the data communication network, the diagnosis N data, and & - in response to receiving the measurement data, applying a knowledge model developed by means of machine learning and/or artificial intelligence to characterize the irradiated skin region, and based on characterization of the irradiated skin region, selecting at least one recipe for treatment of at least a portion of the characterized skin region, or - in response to receiving the diagnosis data that is optionally complemented with the measurement data, applying the knowledge model for determining, based on the received diagnosis data and the optional measurement data, the at least one recipe to be provided to the treatment apparatus for executing the at least one recipe by the treatment apparatus for guiding and controlling said treatment by radiation of at least a portion of the characterized skin region, and - sending to the treatment apparatus the at least one recipe, for executing the at least one recipe by the treatment apparatus for controlling said treatment of at least a portion of the characterized skin region by radiation and for guiding a user to perform said treatment, wherein the at least one recipe comprises a plurality of parameters for guiding and controlling, preferably in real time, treatment of at least a portion of the characterized skin region by radiation by at least one of one or more emitters of the treatment apparatus in at & least one of said plurality of different wavelength ranges.

N =

22. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 21 wherein a o single recipe determines a plurality of steps selected from the = 25 group comprising: desinfection, treatment of pain and/or irritation, a skin healing, such as skin proliferation and/or regeneration.

N &