Device for applying high-frequency vibrations to hair for removing same

Abstract

A device for applying vibrations to hair rooted in a body, includes: a pair of tongs having hair-gripping ends capable of being driven into high-frequency vibrations with respect to each other; and a transducer coupled to at least one of the tongs for converting an AC voltage to mechanical vibrations for driving the hair-gripping end into vibrations with respect to generate sufficient heat within the body to facilitate removal of the unwanted hair. The transducer is preferably a piezoelectric element which vibrates the hair at a frequency of 100-500 KHz, preferably 100-350 KHz, and produces a displacement of 5-20 microns.

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a device for applying high-frequency vibrations to objects, which device is particularly useful for removing hair.[0002]A hair is composed of a protein named keratin arranged in three layers, termed the outer cuticle, the middle cortex and the central medulla. Hair grows from a follicle, which is a small cup-shaped pit buried under the skin. The walls of the follicle form the outer root sheath of the hair. The base of the hair follicle called the dermal papilla, is fed by the bloodstream which carries nourishment (e.g., nutrients and oxygen) to produce new hair and removes waste materials formed in the process (e.g., CO2). The lower part of the follicle widens out to form a hair bulb containing a germinal matrix, which is the source of hair growth. Hair growth is initiated in the hair bulge, which is a small swell of the hair follicle that forms the attachment site of a small smooth muscle, called the arrect...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present invention provides other devices for the efficient coupling of acoustic energy into the hair at a location outside the skin in order to generate heat in the hair root for removing the hair.

[0011]In the described preferred embodiments, the transducer is a piezoelectric element. In addition at least one of the gripping surfaces includes a layer of a compliant material, such as a film of an epoxy resin, permitting small displacements of the hair, increasing the contact surface between the tongs and the hair, and allowing different diameter hairs to be gripped and vibrated.

Problems solved by technology

Long-term hair removal techniques affect the biological re-growth mechanisms of the removed hair, and thus have the potential of inhibiting re-growth of unwanted hair from the treated organ.

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