Handheld device for electrically assisted skin treatment, attachment for this device, and blister pack for this attachment.

Abstract

A handheld device for electrically assisted skin treatment, featuring: A skin electrode (4) that can be placed on the area of ​​skin to be treated, a hand electrode (7) on the outside of the device which is in contact with the hand when the device is held in the hand by the user during use, an electrical energy source in the device, the poles of which are in electrical contact with the electrodes (4, 7) when the device is in operation, wherein an absorbent carrier material soaked with an active substance is located in front of the skin electrode (4), wherein the device has an additional part consisting of a ring (10) which can be attached to the device and to which the absorbent carrier material soaked with an active substance is attached, characterized in that the carrier material extends over the skin electrode (4) when a ring is attached, and that the ring is designed in the shape of an oval with two longitudinal sections connected by arches, the support material is attached to the longitudinal sections.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a handheld device for electrically assisted skin treatment, comprising: A skin electrode that can be placed on the area of ​​skin to be treated, a hand electrode on the outside of the device that is in contact with the hand when the device is held in the user's hand during use, an electrical energy source in the device, the poles of which are in electrical contact with the electrodes when the device is in operation.

[0002] Such a device is described, for example, in WO 2005 / 087308 A1 and WO 00 / 30711 A1. While in the earlier application WO 00 / 30711 A1 the skin electrode is still designed as a single unit with a base, WO 2005 / 087308 A1 proposes that the skin electrode be designed as an interchangeable cap, with differently shaped caps provided for the treatment of specific skin areas. The devices described in both documents aim to improve the absorption of active ingredients in a skin cream by conducting a current with negative or positive polarity into the body via the skin electrode. The active ingredients can be cosmetic or medical substances, for example, for wound healing. With one polarity, the active ingredients of the cream are delivered into the skin, while with the other polarity, impurities are drawn from the skin into a cleansing cream.In both cases, a suitable cream must first be applied before using the device.

[0003] The content of the two documents, insofar as it relates to the mechanical and electrical construction of the device, is also incorporated into the present application.

[0004] The problem lies in getting the dosage right. Too low a dosage means too little active ingredient is delivered into the skin or impurities are removed, while too high a dosage means the cream isn't fully utilized, resulting in some of it being removed unused after treatment. Furthermore, after applying the cream, the hands must first be cleaned to ensure a safe grip on the skin treatment device.

[0005] DE 101 41 254 C1 discloses a system that enables simultaneous cooling of the epidermis and iontophoretic delivery of medical and cosmetic active ingredients using an active ingredient pad. In this system, an active ingredient pad soaked in iontophoretic active ingredient is placed on an electrode body and clamped in place.

[0006] In German patent application DE 1 805 711 U1, it was already proposed to place a sponge soaked with an active substance in front of the electrode. For this purpose, an inwardly curved collar surrounds a plate-shaped electrode, which holds a sponge soaked with the active substance. However, this design also suffers from the problem that the sponge must first be soaked and then placed on the electrode, thereby contaminating the hands with the active substance, which must then be washed off to ensure a secure grip on the device.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the problem of simplifying the application of a cream.

[0008] The invention provides that an absorbent carrier material soaked with an active substance is located in front of the skin electrode, that the carrier material is attached to a ring that can be attached to the device, wherein the carrier material runs over the skin electrode when the ring is attached.

[0009] A ring containing a carrier material impregnated with a precisely measured amount of active ingredient is provided to the user in a suitable manner. The user can grasp the ring and attach it to the device without having to wet their hands with cream or the active ingredient it contains. This transfers the cream containing the active ingredient to the top of the cap, allowing the skin treatment to begin immediately.

[0010] Preferably, the ring is adapted to the contour of the device so that the attached ring encloses the device with as little play as possible. Furthermore, the head of the device tapers upwards, so that the ring can be placed over the head onto the device until it reaches an area of ​​the device whose outer contour corresponds to the inner contour of the ring.

[0011] When the device is moved across the skin, tensile forces are exerted on the carrier material; therefore, it is necessary to secure the ring against being pulled off. The invention therefore further provides that the ring has at least one inwardly directed locking lug that engages a retaining edge on the device.

[0012] In a design where the skin electrode has the form of a cap connected to a base, the cap having a base-adjacent foot area and a head area that can be placed on the skin to be treated, the hand electrode on the outside of the base, which is in contact with the hand when the device is held by the user during use, and the electrical energy source is located in the base, the carrier material extends over the head of the cap when a ring is attached.

[0013] The lower edge of the cap forms the retaining edge for one or more locking lugs.

[0014] The ring encloses the base of the cap as precisely as possible.

[0015] In a design where the cap is attached to a base, there is a gap between the bottom edge of the cap and a step at the base, into which the locking lug engages.

[0016] Since this gap should not be very deep or very wide, the locking lug must not protrude far beyond the inner surface of the ring. To still allow the locking lug sufficient flexibility, the ring is designed with a transverse groove on its inner side, at the bottom of which the locking lug is molded.

[0017] Preferably, at least two locking lugs are provided, located opposite each other on the ring.

[0018] The carrier material preferably has the form of a strip and the skin electrode has an elongated head with a semi-cylindrical upper termination over which the strip runs.

[0019] The ring is oval-shaped with two longitudinal sections connected by arches, to which the strip is attached. The two arches serve as handles, allowing the ring to be grasped without the fingers coming into contact with the material.

[0020] The backing material can consist of a wide variety of materials. Absorbent fabric, a sponge, or felt would be conceivable.

[0021] The invention also has the advantage that the ring can be designed as an additional part that can also be used with existing devices on the market.

[0022] Accordingly, the accessory consists of a ring that can be attached to a skin treatment device and to which an absorbent carrier material soaked with an active substance is attached. As already explained, this ring has an oval shape with two longitudinal sections connected by arcs, the carrier material being a strip extending from one longitudinal section to the other. The ring has at least one locking tab on the inside of each longitudinal section, protruding beyond the inner surface of the ring. To ensure sufficient flexibility, the locking tabs are arranged in transverse grooves on the ring.

[0023] To prevent the active ingredient from evaporating or oxidizing before use, the additive is stored in a hermetically sealed, vacuum-tight package that is only opened when needed. Such packaging makes it possible to use a cream with active ingredients but without preservatives.

[0024] One form of packaging is the so-called blister pack. The additional parts are provided in such blisters, which consist of a tray with a foil cover. The tray has a circumferential recess to hold the ring, with the ring positioned in the recess so that the strip points towards the bottom of the tray and its central section curves through the ring.

[0025] The invention will now be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment. For this purpose, the following are shown: Fig. 1 a typical skin treatment device in which the invention is used, Fig. 2 a perspective view of a ring with a support material attached to it, Fig. 3 a blister pack with rings inserted, Fig. 4 a cross-section through the ring in which the carrier material attached to the ring is folded for insertion into the blister, Fig. 5 a ring that is attached to the device and Fig. 6 a partial cross-section through the device with a ring attached, wherein a locking lug on the ring engages in a gap on the device.

[0026] First, attention will be drawn to the Fig. 1 referenced.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows a typical skin treatment device 1 with a base 2 that can be held in the hand, the base 2 having a socket 3 at its upper end (shown with a dashed line, as it is obscured) into which a skin electrode 4 in the form of a cap 5 can be attached and secured by means of a tab (not shown). However, the invention is not only applicable to skin treatment devices with an interchangeable cap 5, but also to devices in which the cap is integrally formed with the base 2.

[0028] On the back of the base 2, which is not visible here, is a hand electrode 7 that makes contact with the hand when the base 2 is grasped. The base 2 also contains a power source, such as batteries or rechargeable batteries, whose terminals can be brought into contact with the two electrodes 4 and 7, so that when the skin electrode 4 is placed on the skin, a closed circuit is created across the person's body. The cap 5 has an elongated shape that tapers from the base to the head, with the head typically transitioning into a semi-cylindrical edge that can be guided over the skin.

[0029] However, slight bulges of the edge or caps in the form of a comb are also conceivable, whereby the ends of the tines are also enclosed by a half-cylinder.

[0030] To provide the cream with an active ingredient, a ring 10 is required according to Fig. 2 provided. This has an oval shape with two longitudinal sections 11 which are connected to each other via arches 12, wherein a strip 13 extends from the outside of one longitudinal section 11 to the outside of the other longitudinal section 11, which serves as a carrier material for a cream.

[0031] The inner contour of ring 10 is adapted to the base of cap 5, allowing ring 10 to be positioned precisely there, with strip 13 extending over the top of cap 5. The carrier material can be a strip 13 made of sponge, fabric, or felt.

[0032] To secure the ring 10, small locking lugs 14 are provided on its inner side in the middle of the longitudinal section 11, which end in a pointed edge and thus, like the Fig. Figure 3 shows how to engage in a gap 15 between the base 2 and the edge of the cap 5.

[0033] The locking tabs can also engage with retaining edges on specially designed pockets on the device.

[0034] However, in order to ensure sufficient mobility of the locking lugs 14, these are each embedded in the bottom of a transverse groove 16 in the inside of the longitudinal section 11 of the ring 10, with the tip protruding slightly beyond the edge of the groove.

[0035] The rings 10 with the impregnated strip 13 form additional parts that can be purchased separately from the device, packaged in so-called blisters 20.

[0036] As the Fig. Figure 3 shows that a blister 20 consists of a tray 21 with a circumferential depression 22 into which the ring 10 is inserted, wherein accordingly Fig. Figure 4, which shows a cross-section through the ring 10, shows the strip 13, starting from the longitudinal sections 11 of the ring 10, initially directed downwards towards the bottom of the circumferential depression 22 and then running in an arc through the interior of the ring 10. In this way, a compact assembly is obtained, which keeps the blister volume small.

[0037] Tray 21, which is not shown here, is typically closed by an opaque or transparent film.

[0038] Before inserting ring 10 into the blister pack, it is soaked with a cream containing an active ingredient. Sealing the tray 21 with a film prevents the carrier material from drying out.

[0039] To use, the foil is removed, the ring 10 is grasped by its arcs 12 and - as the Fig. 5 shows - placed on the cap 10 until the locking tabs 14 are aligned with the circular marking in Fig.Clip 6 into the gap 15 between the cap 5 and the base 2. This ensures sufficient hold of the ring 10 on the device so that the head of the cap, over which the strip is stretched, can be guided over the skin without the ring 10 detaching from the device.

[0040] After treatment, the ring 10 can be grasped again on the arches 12, pulled off the cap and then disposed of.

[0041] The rings (10) can be colored to indicate the active ingredients of the cream in the carrier material. Reference symbol list 1 skin treatment device 2 Basis 3 sockets 4 skin electrode 5 caps 7 Hand electrode 10 rings 11 longitudinal sections 12 sheets 13 strips 14 locking tabs 15 columns 16 transverse groove 20 blister packs 21 bowls 22 In-depth study 21 bowls 22 In-depth study

Claims

[1] Handheld device for electrically assisted skin treatment, comprising: A skin electrode (4) that can be placed on the area of ​​skin to be treated, a hand electrode (7) on the outside of the device which is in contact with the hand when the device is held in the hand by the user during use, an electrical energy source in the device, the poles of which are in electrical contact with the electrodes (4, 7) when the device is in operation, wherein an absorbent carrier material soaked with an active substance is located in front of the skin electrode (4), wherein the device has an additional part consisting of a ring (10) which can be attached to the device and to which the absorbent carrier material soaked with an active substance is attached, characterized by , that the carrier material runs over the skin electrode (4) when a ring is attached, and that the ring is designed in the shape of an oval with two longitudinal sections connected by arches, the support material is attached to the longitudinal sections. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the carrier material consists of a strip (13) having two ends and an intermediate section in between, the ends of which are attached to the ring (10) and the intermediate section of which, when the ring is attached, runs over the skin electrode (4). [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the ring (10) has at least one inwardly directed locking lug (14) which engages a retaining edge on the device. [4] Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by , that the skin electrode (4) has the form of a cap connected to a base, the cap having a base-adjacent foot area and a head area that can be placed on the skin to be treated, that the hand electrode (7) is designed on the outside of the base, which is in contact with the hand when the device is held in the hand by the user during use, that the electrical energy source is located in the base, and that the carrier material extends over the head of the cap (5) when a ring is attached. [5] Device according to claim 4, characterized by , that the ring (10) encloses the foot area of ​​the cap (5). [6] Device according to claim 5, characterized by , that the ring (10) has at least one inwardly directed locking lug (14) which engages behind the lower edge of the cap (5). [7] Device according to claim 6, characterized by , that the cap (5) is placed on a base (3) at the base (2), that a gap (15) runs between the lower edge of the cap (5) and a step at the base (2), in which the locking lug (14) engages. [8] Device according to claim 3, 6 or 7, characterized by, that the ring (10) has a transverse groove (16) on the inside, at the bottom of which the locking lug (14) is formed. [9] Device according to one of claims 3 and 6 to 8, characterized by , that at least two locking lugs (14) are provided, which are opposite each other. [10] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the carrier material has the shape of a strip (13) and that the skin electrode (4) has a semi-cylindrical upper termination over which the strip (13) runs. [11] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the carrier material is an absorbent fabric, a sponge or a felt. [12] Add-on part for a handheld device for electrically assisted skin treatment, wherein the accessory part consists of a ring (10) which can be attached to the device and to which an absorbent carrier material soaked with an active substance is attached, and characterized by , that the ring is designed in the shape of an oval with two longitudinal sections connected by arches, the support material is attached to the longitudinal sections. [13] Additional part according to claim 12, characterized by , that the carrier material consists of a strip (13) extending from one longitudinal section (11) to the other. [14] Additional part according to claim 13, characterized by , that the ring (10) has at least one locking lug (14) on the inside of each of the longitudinal sections (11), which protrudes beyond the inner surface of the ring (10). [15] Additional part according to claim 14, characterized by , that the locking lugs (14) are arranged in a transverse groove (16) on the ring (10). [16] Additional part according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized by that it is stored in a hermetically sealed package. [17] Blister pack with an additional part according to any one of the preceding claims 13 to 16, characterized by , that the blister (20) consists of a tray (21) with a foil cover, wherein the tray (21) has a circumferential depression (22) for receiving the ring (10) and wherein the strip (13) points towards the bottom of the tray and its central part extends in an arc through the ring (10).

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