Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus for evaluating skin of a subject. The apparatus comprises a processing unit configured to receive one or more images of the skin of the subject from an imaging unit, wherein the imaging unit is arranged to obtain images of the skin of the subject; process the one or more images to determine a skin type and/or a melanin index of the skin of the subject based on one or more characteristics of a structure of a pigment network of the skin; and output a first signal indicating the determined skin type and/or melanin index.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a handheld device (2) for applying energy pulses to skin (17) of a subject to perform a treatment operation as the handheld device is moved across the skin, the handheld device comprising: an aperture (6) that is to be placed adjacent to the skin; at least one energy source (8) for generating an energy pulse and for providing the energy pulse through the aperture to perform the treatment operation on 5 skin adjacent the aperture, wherein the at least one energy source has a minimum pulse repetition period following the generation of an energy pulse before a subsequent energy pulse can be generated; a first skin property sensor (14) for measuring a skin property and for outputting a first measurement signal representing measurements of the skin property at a first sensing position (24), wherein the skin property is a property that changes in response to the application of an energy pulse to the skin, and wherein the first sensing position is in front of the aperture re

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a method for determining a value of a skin parameter for skin of a subject. The method comprises receiving (510) a first sensor signal that is output by a first light sensor that is arranged to receive light emitted by a first light source after interaction of the emitted light with the skin. The first sensor signal is output while the first light source operates according to a first duty cycle to intermittently emit the light, and the emitted light has a first central wavelength.

Abstract: There is provided a system for performing ambient light image correction. The system comprises a light source, a rolling shutter imaging unit configured to capture a plurality of images of the object at an exposure time shorter than the wave period of the pulsed illumination from the light source, and a control unit configured to generate a first composite image comprising a plurality of bright bands from the plurality of captured images by combining sections from the plurality of captured images which correspond to bright bands, generate a second composite image comprising a plurality of dark bands from the plurality of captured images by combining sections from the plurality of captured images which correspond to dark bands, and generate an ambient light corrected image based on a difference in pixel information between the first composite image and the second composite image.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a treatment device for performing a treatment operation on or to a subject. The treatment device comprises: an optical diffuser arranged on the treatment device such that an outer surface of the optical diffuser is proximate to, or in contact with, skin of the subject when the treatment device is to be used to perform the treatment operation; and an imaging unit for obtaining one or more images using light passing through the optical diffuser into the treatment device; wherein the treatment device is further configured for providing one or more images to a processing unit for determination of whether the treatment device is in contact with the skin.

Abstract: There is provided a system for performing ambient light image correction. The system comprises a light source, a rolling shutter imaging unit configured to capture a plurality of images of the object at an exposure time shorter than the wave period of the pulsed illumination from the light source, and a control unit configured to generate a first composite image comprising a plurality of bright bands from the plurality of captured images by combining sections from the plurality of captured images which correspond to bright bands, generate a second composite image comprising a plurality of dark bands from the plurality of captured images by combining sections from the plurality of captured images which correspond to dark bands, and generate an ambient light corrected image based on a difference in pixel information between the first composite image and the second composite image.

Abstract: A hair cutting device for cutting hair on a body of a subject includes a light source for generating laser light at one or more specific wavelengths corresponding to wavelengths absorbed by one or more chromophores in hair; and a cutting element that has an optical waveguide that is coupled to the light source to receive laser light. A portion of a side wall of the optical waveguide forms a cutting face for contacting hair where, at least at the cutting face, the optical waveguide has a refractive index that is equal to or lower than the refractive index of hair and higher than the refractive index of skin.

Abstract: A hair cutting device for cutting hair on a body of a subject includes a light source for generating laser light at one or more specific wavelengths corresponding to wavelengths absorbed by one or more chromophores in hair; and a cutting element that has an optical waveguide that is coupled to the light source to receive laser light. A portion of a side wall of the optical waveguide forms a cutting face for contacting hair where, at least at the cutting face, the optical waveguide has a refractive index that is equal to or lower than the refractive index of hair and higher than the refractive index of skin.

Abstract: There is provided a hair cutting device for cutting hair on a body of a subject, the hair cutting device comprising a light source for generating light at one or more specific wavelengths corresponding to wavelengths absorbed by one or more chromophores in or on hair; a cutting element that comprises an optical waveguide that is coupled at a first end to the light source to receive light, wherein a portion of a sidewall of the optical waveguide forms a cutting face for contacting hair; a light sensor that is coupled to the optical waveguide away from the first end, wherein the light sensor is for measuring the light level in the optical waveguide and for providing an output signal representing the measured light level; and a control unit that is coupled to the light source, and coupled to the light sensor to receive the output signal, wherein the control unit is configured to determine a measure of the amount of input light transmitted across the optical waveguide from the measured light level and an input li

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a handheld device (2) for applying energy pulses to skin (17) of a subject to perform a treatment operation as the handheld device is moved across the skin, the handheld device comprising: an aperture (6) that is to be placed adjacent to the skin; at least one energy source (8) for generating an energy pulse and for providing the energy pulse through the aperture to perform the treatment operation on 5 skin adjacent the aperture, wherein the at least one energy source has a minimum pulse repetition period following the generation of an energy pulse before a subsequent energy pulse can be generated; a first skin property sensor (14) for measuring a skin property and for outputting a first measurement signal representing measurements of the skin property at a first sensing position (24), wherein the skin property is a property that changes in response to the application of an energy pulse to the skin, and wherein the first sensing position is in front of the aperture re

Abstract: There is provided a cutting assembly for use in a hair cutting device. The cutting assembly comprises an optical waveguide having a sidewall corresponding to a long edge of said optical waveguide. A portion of the sidewall forms a cutting face for contacting hair. The optical waveguide is moveable between a first, retracted position and a second, extended position. During use the cutting edge is arranged to be in contact with the hair in the extended, and not to be in contact with hair in the retracted position. The cutting assembly further comprises a movement mechanism for effecting cyclic movement of the optical waveguide between the retracted position and the extended position. A hair cutting device is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a cutting element for use in a hair cutting device. The cutting element comprises an optical waveguide having a sidewall, wherein a portion of the sidewall forms a cutting face for contacting hair. The optical waveguide includes a plurality of optical structures spaced along its length, the optical structures being configured to reflect light at one or more wavelengths. When broadband light is directed along the optical waveguide the optical waveguide is such that: if the cutting face of the optical waveguide in is not in contact with a target object, then each of the plurality of optical structures reflects light having a first wavelength; and if the cutting face of the optical waveguide is in contact with a target object, then at least one of the optical structures reflects light having a second wavelength different to the first wavelength. A hair cutting device comprising the cutting element and a method of operating the hair cutting device are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a hair cutting device for cutting hair on a body of a subject, the hair cutting device comprising a light source for generating light at one or more specific wavelengths corresponding to wavelengths absorbed by one or more chromophores in or on hair; a cutting element that comprises an optical waveguide that is coupled at a first end to the light source to receive light, wherein a portion of a sidewall of the optical waveguide forms a cutting face for contacting hair; a light sensor that is coupled to the optical waveguide away from the first end, wherein the light sensor is for measuring the light level in the optical waveguide and for providing an output signal representing the measured light level; and a control unit that is coupled to the light source, and coupled to the light sensor to receive the output signal, wherein the control unit is configured to determine a measure of the amount of input light transmitted across the optical waveguide from the measured light level and an input li

Abstract: There is provided a hair cutting device for cutting hair on a body of a subject. The hair cutting device comprises at least one light source for generating laser light at two or more specific wavelengths corresponding to wavelengths absorbed by one or more chromophores in hair; and a cutting element comprising an optical waveguide for receiving light from the at least one light source. The optical waveguide comprises a cutting face, the cutting face being arranged to contact hair as the hair cutting device is moved across the skin of the body of a subject. The cutting face is arranged essentially parallel to the long axis of the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide is arranged to allow the light generated by the at least one light source to couple into hair when hair is close to or in contact with the optical waveguide. The at least one light source is configured to generate laser light having a first wavelength and a series of pulses of laser light having a second wavelength.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a hand-held skin treatment device (2) for applying light to skin of a subject to perform a treatment operation.

Abstract: There is provided a cutting assembly for use in a hair cutting device. The cutting assembly comprises an optical waveguide having a light receiving end and a sidewall, wherein a portion of the sidewall forms a cutting face for contacting hair. The cutting assembly further comprises a housing element to support the optical waveguide. The cutting assembly further comprises a biasing member acting upon the optical waveguide such that, upon the optical waveguide becoming severed, thereby creating two severed faces of the optical waveguide, the severed face attached to the light receiving end of the optical waveguide is caused to face the housing element. A hair cutting device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hair cutting device for cutting hair on a body of a subject includes a laser light source, and a light guiding element for guiding light from the light source to the cutting element. The cutting element includes an optical waveguide for receiving light from the light guiding element. The light guiding element has a tapered section in which a diameter of the light guiding element reduces from a light source side diameter to a cutting element side diameter. A portion of a sidewall of the optical waveguide of the cutting element forms a cutting face for contacting hair.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a cutting element for use in a hair cutting device, the cutting element comprising an optical waveguide, the method comprising providing a preform for an optical waveguide, the preform comprising a core and an outer layer, wherein the outer layer is arranged around the core along the length of the core; forming a shaped preform by removing a portion of the outer layer along the length of the core to expose part of the core, wherein a remaining portion of the outer layer is a support structure for the core; heating the shaped preform; and pulling the shaped preform in the direction of the axis of the core to reduce the cross-section of the shaped preform and form the optical waveguide.

Abstract: There is provided a method (500) of treating an optical waveguide. The method comprises applying (502) the volume of ferrofluid to the optical waveguide, and applying (504) a magnetic field to the volume of ferrofluid to move the volume of ferrofluid at least partially along a length of the optical waveguide. A personal care device and a system are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a cutting element for use in a hair cutting device. The cutting element includes an optical waveguide having an optical axis and a sidewall, wherein a portion of the sidewall forms a cutting face for contacting hair; wherein the optical waveguide includes a plurality of structures formed along the optical axis, the structures having a refractive index which is different to a refractive index of the optical waveguide. A hair cutting device comprising a cutting element, and a method of manufacturing an optical waveguide cutting element are also disclosed.