Microneedling handheld device for local skin stimulation, skin stimulation device and articles

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a microneedling handheld device for local stimulation of skin, a skin stimulation device for a microneedling handheld device and an article. background

[0002] Microneedling involves simultaneously pricking the skin locally with multiple needles across a larger area. These needles are arranged on a handheld microneedling device, for example, on a needle plate, and distributed across the treatment area.

[0003] Microneedling causes minute injuries to the skin due to the localized pricking, which the skin registers as wounds. This triggers the release of various messenger substances and growth factors within the skin to stimulate wound healing. This process also stimulates the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, which promote firmness and elasticity of the skin. Microneedling can be performed with or without the introduction of substances or active ingredients into the skin. The skin is punctured locally to trigger positive healing reactions, which can optionally be supported by the introduction of substances.

[0004] For applying microneedling, manual skin-piercing devices in a stamp-like design are known, in which the microneedling skin-piercing tool is formed by a stamp in which several piercing needles are arranged distributed over an application area. In other manual hand devices, the piercing needles are distributed over the surface of a roller, which is rolled over the skin to locally puncture it.

[0005] Microneedling handheld devices in the form of a so-called pen are also known, in which a microneedling skin piercing tool is formed by a skin piercing device with a needle plate on which the multiple piercing needles are arranged in the area of ​​an application surface. The microneedling skin piercing tool is moved back and forth automatically by means of an electric motor in a drive unit. The electric motor of the drive unit provides a driving force that is coupled to the microneedling skin piercing tool to move the needle plate with the application surface and the piercing needles distributed across it back and forth.

[0006] A microneedling handheld device is described, for example, in document US 2017 / 0354810 A1. US 9,636,491 B1 describes a dermatological microneedling device. Summary

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a microneedling handheld device for the local stimulation and / or regeneration of skin, which enables an extended application of microneedling.

[0008] The problem is solved by a microneedling handheld device for the local stimulation and / or regeneration of skin according to claim 1. Furthermore, a skin stimulation device for a microneedling handheld device and an article according to dependent claims 15 and 16 are provided. Embodiments are the subject of dependent subclaims.

[0009] According to one aspect, a microneedling handheld device for local skin stimulation is created, comprising: a housing; a drive unit arranged in the housing and configured to provide a driving force; a skin stimulation unit arranged in the housing; a microneedling stimulation tool formed on the skin stimulation unit and connected to the drive unit in such a way that the microneedling stimulation tool can be moved back and forth at a repetition frequency by means of the driving force during operation; and a needle plate formed on the microneedling stimulation tool in which several non-penetrating stimulation needles with a blunt needle tip are arranged distributed over a front application surface.The microneedling stimulation tool can be moved back and forth between a forward working position and a rear working position that is set back in comparison to this by means of the driving force during operation at the repetition frequency.

[0010] According to another aspect, a skin stimulation device with a housing is created which can be coupled to a drive unit to form a microneedling handheld device and comprises the following: a microneedling stimulation tool formed on the skin stimulation device and connectable to the drive unit, such that the microneedling stimulation tool can be moved back and forth at a repetition frequency during operation by means of a drive force provided by the drive unit; and a needle plate formed on the microneedling stimulation tool in which several non-penetrating stimulation needles with a blunt needle tip are arranged distributed over a front application surface.The microneedling stimulation tool can be moved back and forth between a forward working position and a rear working position that is set back in comparison, whereby at least the several non-penetrating stimulation needles of the needle plate are arranged completely outside the housing and thus exposed in the forward and rear working positions of the microneedling stimulation tool.

[0011] According to another aspect, an article is created which has the following features: a drive unit arranged in a housing which is optionally designed to form a handpiece; a toothbrush attachment which can be detachably connected to the housing to form an electric toothbrush and thus coupled to the drive unit; and a skin stimulation unit which can be detachably connected to the housing to form a microneedling hand device and thus coupled to the drive unit.

[0012] The microneedling stimulation tool is moved back and forth along a specific direction of movement by means of the drive force during operation at a set repetition frequency. A stroke is performed along this direction of movement between positions of the microneedling stimulation tool.

[0013] The non-piercing design of the needles provides a handheld device that enables microneedling treatment of the skin without locally pricking it, especially for microneedling or microneedling-like treatment in skin areas where the upper layer of skin (epidermis) is thinner or finer than in other skin areas, for example in the area of ​​skin sections on the face, such as around the eyes.

[0014] The non-penetrating stimulation needles can be aligned upright on the needle plate.

[0015] When moving between the front and rear working positions, in one embodiment at least the multiple non-penetrating stimulation needles of the needle plate can be positioned completely outside the housing and thus exposed in both the front and rear working positions of the microneedling stimulation tool. In one exemplary embodiment, the microneedling handheld device is designed to enable further improved microneedling.Since at least the multiple non-penetrating stimulation needles of the needle plate on the microneedling stimulation tool are completely outside the optional single- or multi-piece housing, in particular outside a housing component of the skin stimulation device, and thus exposed, both in the front working position and in the rear working position, the skin area to be stimulated locally can itself be set into vibration due to the repetitive movement of the needle plate with the multiple non-penetrating stimulation needles, and is therefore not prevented from doing so by the housing of the microneedling handheld device, which enables efficient and as painless as possible application of the multiple non-penetrating stimulation needles on the skin surface without penetrating the skin.

[0016] In one exemplary embodiment, the front application surface of the microneedling stimulation tool can be positioned completely outside the housing and thus exposed, both in the forward working position and in the retracted rear working position, particularly outside a housing interior that is at least partially enclosed by housing sections. In this way, the microneedling handheld device is additionally designed to allow the treated skin area to vibrate freely during microneedling.

[0017] The front application surface with the several non-penetrating stimulation needles distributed across it can, at least in the front working position, be inclined or tilted to at least one reference direction from the following group: longitudinal direction of the housing, direction of movement of the microneedling stimulation tool when moving between the front and the retracted rear working position, and direction of movement of the needle plate when moving between the front and the retracted rear working position.

[0018] The front application surface, with its multiple non-penetrating stimulation needles, can be angled in both the forward and the rear working positions. This angled or tilted position can also be maintained during movement between the forward and rear working positions.

[0019] The front application surface can, for example, form an angle between about 30 degrees and < 90 degrees with the longitudinal direction of the housing, preferably between about 30 degrees and about 85 degrees, and more preferably between about 45 degrees and about 80 degrees.

[0020] The microneedling handheld device may be equipped with a protective or cover cap that is detachable from the housing and covers the needle plate, with a functional tool arranged on the outside of the protective cap. For example, several skin massage protrusions may be arranged on the outside of the protective cap, particularly in the area of ​​a front surface, distributed across the outer surface of the protective cap. These skin massage protrusions may, for example, have a rounded head, such as a ball head.

[0021] The cover cap, which conceals the multiple non-penetrating stimulation needles when in place, incorporates a functional tool that can be composed of various functional elements, such as massage elements. The cover cap can thus be designed as a multifunctional cap.

[0022] Openings may be provided in the cover cap. For example, the openings may be arranged in the area of ​​one of the cover cap's outer surfaces, thus forming lateral openings. Alternatively or additionally, such openings may be arranged in the area of ​​the front surface in other embodiments. For example, the openings may serve to perform gas sterilization of the needle plate with the multiple stimulation needles when the cover cap is in place. Lateral openings have the advantage of reducing the ingress of dust particles to the needle plate and the resulting dust deposits.

[0023] In alternative designs of the microneedling stimulation tool, the needle plate can be formed free from a housing section that at least partially surrounds the needle plate.

[0024] The needle plate can be located on a housing section that moves with the microneedling stimulation tool during operation. This section can be a front housing part. The needle plate can be formed on the outer surface of this housing section, providing the application area. Alternatively, the needle plate can be integrally molded onto a front housing section that moves with the microneedling stimulation tool during operation. For example, the needle plate can be molded as a front panel of the housing section. The needle plate can be attached to the housing section in a detachable or non-detachable manner.

[0025] The needle plate can be integrally molded onto the housing section. In this case, a side wall section of the housing section can be integrally formed with a front plate that provides the application area. The housing section can thus form the microneedling stimulation tool, in particular the needle plate.

[0026] The microneedling stimulation tool can be detachable or removable from the housing section along with the housing section. The microneedling stimulation tool and / or the skin stimulation device, together with the microneedling stimulation tool, whether separately or together with the housing section, can be detachably mounted using a plug-in or screw connection. Thus, the microneedling stimulation tool, together with the housing section, can be plugged onto an associated housing section, in particular a housing section that accommodates the drive unit.

[0027] In various embodiments, the multiple stimulation needles can be applied to the needle plate in the application area. Alternatively, the stimulation needles can be arranged in openings in the needle plate, for example, soldered or glued in place, with the stimulation needles extending at least partially through the openings. After passing through the openings, the stimulation needles can be received by a needle holder element located on the rear side of the needle plate with respect to the application area. This holder element can be designed as part of the microneedling stimulation tool or the needle plate itself.

[0028] Alternatively, the stimulation needles can be integrally molded onto the needle plate. For example, the stimulation needles can be formed using stamped and bent sheet metal elements.

[0029] Stimulation needles as defined in this disclosure are generally non-sharp or non-penetrating volume elements projecting from the needle plate, designed in terms of shape and rigidity for repeated (non-penetrating) stimulation of the skin (layers). The stimulation needles are preferably made of a solid material, unlike cannulas (hollow needles).

[0030] A front housing part, associated with the skin stimulation device, can be designed in a sleeve-like shape at the rear and at least partially enclose or encompass a rear housing part, which is associated with the drive unit. In this or other embodiments, the front housing part, which may be detachable from the rear housing part, can form a housing component of the skin stimulation device, for example, a module housing of a stimulation module.

[0031] The protective cap can be detachably attached to the front end of the housing.

[0032] The skin stimulation device can be detachably mounted on the housing. This allows the microneedling stimulation tool to be interchangeably attached to the housing with its corresponding housing part.

[0033] The drive unit can be a drive unit for an electric toothbrush, designed to allow for the optional detachable connection of a skin stimulation device and a toothbrush head that can be operated by the drive unit. Drive units for electric toothbrushes are known in various designs. The housing of the drive unit often forms the handle of the electric toothbrush, which the user grips during use. The drive unit provides the necessary force / movement for the electric operation of the toothbrush head. The toothbrush head is removable.The drive unit of the electric toothbrush can then be used to train the microneedling hand device by detachably attaching the skin stimulation device to the drive unit of the electric toothbrush, so that the provided driving force can be introduced onto the microneedling stimulation tool, such that the microneedling stimulation tool is moved back and forth at a repetition frequency during operation by means of the driving force.

[0034] The microneedling stimulation tool can be moved through an opening at the front end of the housing into a non-working position that is further back than the retracted rear working position, in which at least the front application surface of the needle plate is set back from the opening. In this embodiment, the microneedling stimulation tool can be moved into the retracted non-working position when not in use, for example, such that the multiple stimulation needles are arranged behind an opening of the (housing) opening at the front end of the housing and are thus protected by the housing.

[0035] The housing can partially or completely surround the opening. In the reset, non-working position, the needle plate can be partially or completely surrounded by the housing, so that the needle plate is then located inside the housing.

[0036] When moving through the (housing) opening, the needle plate can be spaced on one or more sides from an edge surrounding the opening. In this embodiment, the needle plate is moved through the opening without contact within the spaced areas formed on one or more sides. In particular, the needle plate is not guided by the housing within these spaced areas. The spaced area between the needle plate and the surrounding housing can be continuous all the way around the needle plate.

[0037] In the further retracted non-working position, the needle plate can be positioned freely, spaced apart from the housing sections surrounding it. Here, the needle plate is arranged without contact in this further retracted non-working position.

[0038] The microneedling handheld device can consist of a reusable drive module, in which the drive unit is located, and a disposable module, which is detachably connected to the drive module and in which the skin stimulation unit is located. The drive module and the disposable module can each have their own associated module housing, and these housings can be detachably coupled or connected to one another.

[0039] The (especially motorized) drive device can be configured to move the microneedling stimulation tool back and forth by means of the drive force applied to it at a repetition frequency between approximately 10 Hz and approximately 200 Hz, or alternatively at a repetition frequency between approximately 25 Hz and approximately 160 Hz.

[0040] It may be designed that a distance (working stroke length) of approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 5 mm is formed between the forward working position and the rear working position, which is set back in comparison, in one direction of movement of the microneedling stimulation tool and / or longitudinal direction of the microneedling handheld device (especially its housing). Alternatively, it may be designed that a distance (working stroke length) of only approximately 1 mm to approximately 4 mm is formed between the forward working position and the rear working position, which is set back in comparison, in the direction of movement of the microneedling stimulation tool and / or longitudinal direction of the microneedling handheld device. By using different stroke lengths, the microneedling handheld device can be configured for different applications, for example, for medical or cosmetic microneedling.

[0041] The needle plate can be configured with a reversible plate or insert, allowing different microneedling stimulation tools to be attached to it in an interchangeable or removable manner to provide different (microneedling) functions and / or to compensate for wear of the stimulation tool. These can also be interchangeable inserts that are removable from the needle plate depending on the desired application. Reversible inserts can accommodate stimulation tools on both sides. The interchangeable inserts can be selected from a range or a graduated set of tool properties.

[0042] The application area on which the multiple non-penetrating stimulation needles are arranged may have a convexly curved surface that covers the entire application area or only partially, in particular only in a central area.

[0043] The configurations described above in connection with the microneedling handheld device may be provided in connection with the skin stimulation device and / or the article accordingly. Description of exemplary implementations

[0044] Further examples of implementation are explained below with reference to figures in a drawing. These figures show: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a microneedling handheld device; Fig. 2 a schematic perspective view of the microneedling handheld device made of Fig. 1 ., wherein a stimulation module is detached with a microneedling stimulation tool; Fig. 3 a schematic perspective view of a front section of the microneedling handheld device made of Fig. 1, wherein the microneedling stimulation tool with needle plate is arranged in a forward working position; Fig. 4 a schematic perspective view of the front section of the microneedling handheld device, wherein the microneedling stimulation tool with needle plate is arranged in a retracted rear working position; Fig. 5 a schematic perspective view of the front section of the microneedling handheld device, wherein a cover or protective cap is placed on the front of the microneedling stimulation tool, covering the needle plate; Fig. 6 a schematic perspective view of the front section of the microneedling handheld device, partially in section, with the cover or protective cap in place; Fig. 7 a schematic perspective view of the front section of the microneedling handheld device, partially in section, with the cover or protective cap removed; Fig.Fig. 8 a schematic perspective view of an electric toothbrush; Fig. 9 a schematic perspective view of another microneedling handheld device; Fig. 10 a schematic perspective view of a front housing part of the microneedling handheld device made of . Fig. 9 in section; Fig. 11 a schematic perspective view of the front housing part of the microneedling handheld device made of Fig. 9 , wherein the needle plate of the microneedling stimulation tool is arranged in a retracted non-working position; Fig. 12 a schematic perspective view of the front housing part of the microneedling handheld device made of Fig. 9 , wherein the needle plate of the microneedling stimulation tool is arranged exposed in a front working position; Fig. 13 a schematic perspective view of the front housing part of the microneedling handheld device made of Fig. 9, wherein the needle plate is arranged in a retracted rear working position and is exposed; Fig. 14 a schematic perspective view of a needle plate with an arrangement of non-penetrating stimulation needles with blunt needle tips in the area of ​​a front application surface from an oblique top view; Fig. 15 a schematic perspective view of needle plates of different sizes with an arrangement of non-penetrating stimulation needles with blunt needle tips in the area of ​​a front application surface in section; Fig. 16 a schematic perspective view of a front section of another microneedling handheld device, partially in section; Fig. 17 a schematic perspective view of the front section of another microneedling handheld device made of Fig. 15with a removable cover or protective cap; Fig. 18 a schematic perspective view of the front section of the further microneedling handheld device made of Fig. 16 with the cover or protective cap removed and Fig. 19 a schematic perspective view of the cover or protective cap.

[0045] Figs. 1 to 7 Figure 1 shows perspective views of a microneedling handheld device 1, which has a housing 2 that, in the example shown, is made up of several parts. The housing 2 is formed with a rear housing part 3 and a front housing part 4, which are associated with a drive module 5 and a skin stimulation device 6 detachably arranged thereon, optionally forming a stimulation module 7. Fig. 2The skin stimulation device 6, and thus optionally the stimulation module 7, is detachable from the drive module 5 and therefore interchangeable. In the example shown, the drive module 5 and the skin stimulation device 6 are detachably connected by a plug connection.

[0046] In the rear housing part 3, which is associated with the drive module 5, a drive unit, for example an electric motor, is arranged. This unit provides a drive movement or force that is coupled to a microneedling stimulation tool 8 of the skin stimulation device 6. During operation, this drive force moves the microneedling stimulation tool 8 back and forth along the longitudinal direction of the housing 2 at a repetition frequency. In this way, the microneedling stimulation tool 8, which is formed with a needle plate 9, is stimulated according to the Fig. 3 and 4 between a forward working position ( Fig. 3) and a rear working position ( Fig. 4 ) repeatedly repositioned. In this way, during operation, several stimulation needles 10, which protrude from the needle plate 9 in the area of ​​an application surface 11, are applied (pressed onto) a designated skin section in a non-piercing manner and then withdrawn. For this purpose, the multiple stimulation needles 10 are each designed with a blunt (non-piercing) needle tip that does not puncture the skin.

[0047] The needle plate 9 with the multiple stimulation needles 10 is positioned in both the front and rear working positions according to the Fig. 3 and 4exposed, meaning not wholly or partially enclosed by a section of the housing 2 and thus located outside an interior space 12 of the housing 2. In this way, the local skin section that comes into contact with the multiple stimulation needles 10 can oscillate freely due to the back-and-forth movement of the microneedling stimulation tool 8 with the needle plate 9, which supports efficient and virtually painless application on the skin.

[0048] In the example shown, the multiple stimulation needles 10 are arranged in associated openings 13 in the area of ​​the application surface 11 on the needle plate 9 and fixed therein, for example by gluing or soldering. In another embodiment, the multiple stimulation needles 10 can be placed onto the application surface 11, for example by welding. Alternatively, the stimulation needles 10 can be molded on by injection molding or integrated as insert components. The multiple stimulation needles above the application surface 11 can all have substantially the same needle length or different needle lengths, whereby groups of the multiple stimulation needles 10 can be of the same needle length.

[0049] In the example shown in the Figs. 1 to 7The skin stimulation device 6, and thus optionally the stimulation module 7, is attached by means of a coupling 14, which is formed with a drive-side coupling part 14a and a stimulation tool-side coupling part 14b. The coupling 14 is, for example, designed as a magnetic coupling between the drive-side coupling part 14a and the stimulation tool-side coupling part 14b (see figure). Fig. 6 The coupling 14 initiates the driving force / movement for the forward and backward movement of the needle plate 9 with the stimulation needles 10.

[0050] In the example shown, an anti-rotation device 15 is provided, which secures the stimulation tool module 6 against rotation.

[0051] According to Fig. 5The needle plate 9 with the multiple stimulation needles 10 can be covered when not in use by means of a cover or protective cap 16, which can be detachably placed on top and thus removed for operation. In the example shown, the cover or protective cap 16 is attached.

[0052] Fig. 6 and 7 The front section of the microneedling hand device 1 is shown partially in cross-section with and without the cover cap 16. It is evident that the several stimulation needles 10 run in associated bores 17 of the needle plate 9 and are received on a needle holder 18 on the back side of the needle plate 9.

[0053] Fig. 8Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an electric toothbrush 19, in which a front housing part 19a is formed with a toothbrush head 19b, which is attached in place of the skin stimulation device 6 and coupled to the drive unit in the rear housing part 3 of the housing 2, so that the drive force (forward and backward movement) is used to move a brush assembly 19c during operation. The skin stimulation device 6 and the toothbrush head 19b can thus be attached and operated with one and the same drive module 5, so that either the microneedling hand device 1 or the electric toothbrush 19 is available.

[0054] Figs. 9 to 13show another microneedling hand device 20, in which the microneedling stimulation tool 8 with the needle plate 9 is connected through a front housing opening 21 on the skin stimulation device 6 (stimulation module 7) between a retracted non-working position according to Figs. 9 to 11 as well as extended working positions according to the Fig. 11 and 12 It is relocatable.

[0055] When not in operation, the needle plate 9 of the skin stimulation device 6 with the several stimulation needles 10 arranged on it can be retracted behind the surface of the housing opening 21 in such a way that, according to Fig. 9 Both the needle plate 9 and the stimulation needles 10 are arranged completely behind the housing opening 21 in the interior 12 of the front housing part 4, which in the illustrated embodiment is associated with the skin stimulation device 6. The housing opening 21 is formed on a front section 4a of the front housing part 4.

[0056] In the microneedling procedure, the needle plate 9 with the several stimulation needles 10 is arranged according to the Fig. 12 and 13 between the front working position (cf. Fig. 12 ) and the rear working position set aside in comparison (cf. Fig. 13) moved back and forth, i.e., in the longitudinal direction of the housing 2, corresponding to a working stroke, so that the needle plate 9 with the multiple stimulation needles 10 is arranged in front of the housing opening 21 and thus outside the housing 2 in both the front and rear working positions, in particular outside the front section 4a of the front housing part 4, which in turn allows the skin section to be stimulated to vibrate freely, i.e., free from any obstruction of this vibration by the housing 2, in particular a front housing edge 22 surrounding the housing opening 21. In the example shown, during operation, essentially the entire microneedling stimulation tool 8 is arranged in front of the housing opening 21. When not in use, the needle plate 9 can then be retracted into the non-working position according to Figs. 9 to 10 will be relocated.

[0057] According to the example in the Figs. 9 to 13When passing through the housing opening 21, the needle plate 9 is spaced all around and continuously away from the housing edge 22, i.e. without contact or touching.

[0058] It may be provided that the needle plate 9 within the front housing part 4 behind the housing opening 21 can assume several different retracted non-working positions, which differ in their respective distance to the housing opening.

[0059] In the area of ​​coupling 14, the rear, stimulation tool-side coupling part 14b of the skin stimulation device 6 is according to Fig. 10 connected to the drive-side coupling part 14a (detachable) designed here as a shaft component in order to couple the provided drive force / movement to the microneedling stimulation tool 8 with the needle plate 9.

[0060] Fig. 14Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the needle plate 9 with an arrangement of several non-penetrating stimulation needles 10 on the application surface 11, each needle having a blunt needle tip 10a. In the illustrated embodiment, the multiple stimulation needles 10 are conical in shape and have a flattened needle tip. For identical features, see the following: Figs. 14 to 18 The same reference symbols are used as in the preceding figures.

[0061] Fig. 15 Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective representation of needle plates 9 of different sizes with an arrangement of non-penetrating stimulation needles 10 with blunt needle tips in the area of ​​the application surface 11 in section, wherein the application surface 11 is convexly curved.

[0062] The Figs. 16 to 19schematic perspective representations of a front section of another microneedling hand device 30, in which the application surface 11 on the needle plate 9 of the microneedling stimulation tool 8 is inclined or tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction of the housing 2, thus in the example shown also inclined or tilted to the direction of movement when the microneedling stimulation tool 8 (with the needle plate 9) is moved between the front and the rear working position.

[0063] The Fig. 17 and 18 The further microneedling hand device 30 shows a detachably attached and removed cover or protective cap 16. The cover cap 16, which in the attached state (cf. Fig. 17A functional tool 16a is arranged on the cover 16, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is formed with an arrangement of functional elements 16b, which are, for example, massage elements. The cover cap 16 is thus designed as a multifunctional cap. In the illustrated embodiment, the functional elements 16b are formed particularly in the area of ​​a front surface 16c of the cover cap 16.

[0064] Additionally, the cover cap 16 can have, at least on the outside, an inclined end face with a functional tool. A foldable design is also conceivable, as is an axially displaceable sleeve with a missing or perforated cover surface for the functional tool (comparable to a type of core drill with tools on the circumference or on the remaining cover surface), switchable on / off, for example, by a rotary cam control via a rotary-sliding movement.

[0065] Other functional tools may be provided, such as silicone nubs, gripping-pinching tools made of elastic material, and / or alternatingly directed stimulation tools that produce a pricking-like (pricking-simulating) effect on the skin, thereby causing skin stretching. Alternative functional tools for skin stimulation may be provided that differ from the aforementioned ones, for example, in terms of tip radius or angle.

[0066] The needle plate 9 can be configured as an indexable insert or reversible insert, such that different functional tools can be interchangeably or detachably arranged on it to provide multiple functions or to compensate for wear. It can also be an interchangeable insert that is detachably arranged on the needle plate 9 depending on the desired application. Reversible inserts can carry tools on both sides. The interchangeable inserts can be selected from a range or a graduated set of tool properties.

[0067] Fig. 19 Figure 1 shows an enlarged perspective view of the protective or cover cap 16 with the functional tool 16a. Openings 40 are provided on the cover cap 16.

[0068] In the example shown, the openings are arranged in the area of ​​a lateral surface 41 of the cover cap 16, thus forming lateral openings. Alternatively or additionally, such openings can be arranged in the area of ​​the front surface 16c in other embodiments (see Figure 1). Fig. 5 For example, the openings 40 can be used to perform gas sterilization of the needle plate 9 with the multiple stimulation needles 10 when the cover cap 16 is in place. The in Fig. 18 and 19 The side openings 40 shown have the advantage that the entry of dust particles to the needle plate 9 and the resulting dust deposits are reduced.

Claims

1. A handheld microneedling device (1; 20; 30) for locally stimulating a skin, comprising - a housing (2); - a drive device arranged in the housing (2) and configured to provide a driving force; - a skin stimulation device (6); - a microneedling stimulation tool (8) formed on the skin stimulation device (6) and connected to the drive device such that the microneedling stimulation tool (8) is movable back and forth by means of the driving force at a repetition frequency during operation; and - a needle plate (9) formed on the microneedling stimulation tool (8) and in which a plurality of non-puncturing stimulation needles (10) with a blunt needle tip (10a) are arranged distributed over a front-side application surface (11); wherein the microneedling stimulation tool (8) is movable back and forth by means of the driving force at the repetition frequency during operation between a front working position and a rear working position set back in comparison thereto.

2. The microneedling hand-held device (1; 20; 30) according to claim 1, characterized in that during movement between the front working position and the rear working position at least the plurality of non-puncturing stimulation needles (10) of the needle plate (9) are arranged, in the front working position and the rear working position of the microneedling stimulation tool (8), completely outside a front housing part (4) of the skin stimulation device of the one-piece or multi-piece housing (2) and thus exposed.

3. The microneedling hand-held device (1; 20; 30) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that during operation furthermore at least the front-side application surface (11) is arranged, in the front working position and the set-back rear working position of the microneedling stimulation tool (8), completely outside the housing (2) and thus exposed, wherein the needle plate (9) is formed onto a housing section (4a) of the housing, which is moved back and forth during operation together with the microneedling stimulation tool (8), wherein in particular a lateral wall section of the housing section is embodied in one piece with a front plate providing the application surface, wherein preferably the housing section is embodied so as to form the microneedling stimulation tool, in particular the needle plate.

4. The microneedling hand-held device (1; 20; 30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for the microneedling stimulation tool (8), the needle plate (9) is formed free of a housing section of the housing (2) at least partially encompassing the needle plate (9).

5. The microneedling hand-held device (1; 20; 30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front-side application surface (11) with the plurality of non-puncturing stimulation needles (10) arranged distributed thereon is set obliquely, at least in the front working position, with respect to at least one reference direction from the following group: longitudinal direction of the housing (2), movement direction of the microneedling stimulation tool (8) during displacement between the front and the set-back rear working position, and movement direction of the needle plate (9) during displacement between the front and the set-back rear working position.

6. The microneedling hand-held device (1; 20; 30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by a protective cap, which is detachably arranged on the housing (2) and covers the needle plate (9), wherein a functional tool is arranged on the outside of the protective cap (16).

7. The microneedling hand-held device (1; 20; 30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a front housing part (4), which is assigned to the skin stimulation device (6), has a sleeve-shaped configuration at the rear and at least partially encloses a rear housing part (3), which is assigned to the drive device.

8. The microneedling hand-held device (1; 20; 30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the skin stimulation device (6) is detachably arranged on the housing (2).

9. The microneedling hand-held device (1; 20; 30) according to claim 8, characterized in that the drive device is formed with a drive device for an electric toothbrush, which is configured to detachably couple thereto optionally the skin stimulation device (6) and a toothbrush attachment that can be operated by means of the drive device.

10. The microneedling hand-held device (1; 20; 30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the microneedling stimulation tool (8) can be displaced through an opening (21) at a front-side housing end of the housing (2) into a non-working position set back further in comparison with the set-back rear working position, in which non-working position at least the front-side application surface of the needle plate (9) is set back with respect to the opening (21).

11. The microneedling hand-held device (1; 20; 30) according to claim 10, characterized in that during displacement through the opening (21) the needle plate (9) is spaced apart on one or more sides from an edge (22) surrounding the opening (21).

12. The microneedling hand-held device (1; 20; 30) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the needle plate (9) is arranged, in the further set-back non-working position, spaced apart from housing sections of the housing (2) surrounding the needle plate (9) and exposed.

13. The microneedling hand-held device (1; 20; 30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by a reusable drive module (4), in which the drive device is arranged, and a disposable module (7), which is detachably connected to the drive module and in which the skin stimulation device (6) is arranged.

14. The microneedling hand-held device (1; 20; 30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive device is configured to move the microneedling stimulation tool (8) back and forth by means of the driving force introduced thereon at a repetition frequency between approximately 10 Hz and approximately 200 Hz during operation.

15. A skin stimulation device (6) having a front housing part (4), which is assigned to the skin stimulation device (6), which can be coupled to a drive device having a rear housing part (3), which is assigned to the drive device, in order to form a microneedling hand-held device (1; 20; 30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising: - a microneedling stimulation tool (8) formed on the skin stimulation device (6) and connectable to the drive device such that the microneedling stimulation tool (8) is movable back and forth by means of a driving force provided by the drive device at a repetition frequency during operation; and - a needle plate (9) formed on the microneedling stimulation tool (8) and in which a plurality of non-puncturing stimulation needles (10) with a blunt needle tip are arranged distributed over a front-side application surface (11); wherein the microneedling stimulation tool (8) is movable back and forth between a front working position and a rear working position set back in comparison thereto and wherein at least the plurality of non-puncturing stimulation needles (10) of the needle plate (9) are arranged, in the front working position and the rear working position of the microneedling stimulation tool (8), completely outside the multi-piece housing (2) comprising the rear housing part (3) and the front housing part (4) and thus exposed.

16. An article comprising - a drive device arranged in a housing, which is optionally embodied so as to form a handpiece; - a toothbrush attachment, which for forming an electric toothbrush can be detachably connected to the housing and thus coupled to the drive device; and - a skin stimulation device (6), which for forming a microneedling hand-held device (1; 20; 30) can be detachably connected to the housing and thus coupled to the drive device, wherein - a microneedling stimulation tool (8) is formed on the skin stimulation device (6) and connected to the drive device such that the microneedling stimulation tool (8) is movable back and forth by means of the driving force at a repetition frequency during operation; - a needle plate (9) is formed on the microneedling stimulation tool (8), in which needle plate (9) a plurality of non-puncturing stimulation needles (10) with a blunt needle tip (10a) are arranged distributed over a front-side application surface (11); and - the microneedling stimulation tool (8) is movable back and forth by means of the driving force at the repetition frequency during operation between a front working position and a rear working position set back in comparison thereto.