Applicator for electromagnetic stimulation
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023708508
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-03-07
- Filing Date
- 2023-03-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-15
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
AI Technical Summary
Existing body contouring devices with electromagnetic stimulation have limitations in ergonomics and comfort, particularly when trying to access areas like the inner thighs, due to their concave and flat designs, which restrict their range of use and user comfort.
An applicator with a housing and a flat coil that emits an electromagnetic field transversely, featuring bilateral concave emission surfaces allowing the field to pass outside, enabling better fit and access to rounded tissue areas like the inner thighs, with a handle for ease of use and a connection system for parameter adjustment.
The applicator provides enhanced comfort and ease of use by conforming to the shape of the body, allowing effective treatment of areas between tissue zones, such as the inner thighs, with symmetrical concave surfaces ensuring uniform electromagnetic field application.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] "Applicator for electromagnetic stimulation"
[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of aesthetic protocols. It finds a particularly advantageous application in the field of fat cell reduction and muscle volume increase, this by the action of an electromagnetic field on the biological structure. The present invention relates to a solution increasing the technical advantages of aesthetic care devices.
[0004] STATE OF THE ART
[0005] There are several solutions for improving the aesthetics of the human body by acting on fat and muscle mass. Among these solutions, some, due to their remote action from a tissue stimulator, have the particularity of being able to be used on an individual in a resting position.
[0006] More specifically, some of these devices, called "body contouring" devices, stimulate tissues by painlessly applying an electromagnetic field to the biological surface. This electromagnetic field produces an activation of motor neurons leading to muscle contraction and thus a reduction in fat mass. In order to maximize the use of these devices, it is necessary for the user to have access to a system that is ergonomic enough to adapt to the shape of all parts of the body to allow comfort and ease of use.
[0007] In order to achieve this objective, a solution was proposed in document DE202019100003U1. This solution is based on the development of a concave-shaped applicator on the side of the applicator to be positioned in contact with the skin and an opposite flat side so that the applicator can be placed on the bed on which the patient is lying during treatment. As a result, this applicator makes it possible, in particular, to easily fit the outer part of a leg, at the back of it. However, this type of solution, due to its shape, reaches its limits in terms of use, thus limiting the spectrum of use and comfort.
[0008] An object of the present invention is therefore to propose an applicator making it possible to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.
[0009] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. It is understood that other advantages may be incorporated.
[0010] SUMMARY
[0011] To achieve this objective, according to one embodiment, an applicator is provided capable of emitting an electromagnetic field, the applicator comprising a housing provided with an envelope and a coil mounted in the housing along a main plane, so as to be capable of generating the electromagnetic field transversely to the main plane, characterized in that the envelope comprises a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface which are positioned on either side of the main plane, said first and second lateral surfaces respectively forming a first emission surface and a second emission surface and being configured so as to allow the electromagnetic field to pass towards the outside of the housing, and in that each of the first emission surface and the second emission surface has a concave shape.
[0012] Thus, it appears that this applicator, by its bilateral configuration and by the shape of its first emission surface and its second emission surface, makes it possible to respond to at least certain drawbacks present in pre-existing devices.
[0013] Indeed, this applicator allows ease of use and comfort with regard to access to certain areas where the applicator must be inserted between two areas of tissue, such as in particular, the inner part of the thighs. According to another embodiment, a device for applying an electromagnetic field to the body of the individual, comprising the applicator.
[0014] According to another embodiment, an installation is provided comprising a treatment table comprising an upper face allowing an individual to be accommodated, and a device having an applicator, the lower surface of the applicator being in contact with the upper face of the treatment table.
[0015] The applicator can be used according to the following method of use:
[0016] - Positioning of the individual to be treated on the treatment table;
[0017] - Positioning the applicator at the area to be treated;
[0018] - Connecting the applicator to induce an electromagnetic field on the area to be treated.
[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0020] The aims, objects, as well as the characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description of an embodiment thereof which is illustrated by the following accompanying drawings in which:
[0021] Figure 1 shows the applicator with the position of the coil inside the housing.
[0022] Figure 2 shows the installation where the location of the applicator, included in the device, on the user's body relative to the treatment table can be visualized.
[0023] Figure 3 represents a front view of the coil (according to the first side surface or the second side surface) showing the direction of the current and that of the magnetic field.
[0024] Figure 4 illustrates a half-height sectional view along section AA of the coil shown in Figure 3. In this figure, the magnetic field lines generated by the coil are illustrated.
[0025] The drawings are given by way of example and are not limiting of the invention. They constitute schematic representations of principle intended to facilitate the understanding of the invention and are not necessarily to the scale of practical applications.
[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Before commencing a detailed review of embodiments of the invention, optional features which may possibly be used in combination or alternatively are set out below.
[0028] According to one example, as seen in Figure 1, the concave shape of the first emission surface 19 and the concave shape of the second emission surface 20 are symmetrical with respect to the main plane 18. According to one example, the first emission surface 19 and the second emission surface 20 have a circular arc profile and have a radius of curvature of between 105 mm and 145 mm, and in particular 125 mm. The two radii may be identical.
[0029] According to one example, the casing 13 of the housing 12 of the applicator 1 comprises a flat lower surface 5 and an upper surface 3 opposite the lower surface 5 and joined to the lower surface 5 by the first and second lateral surfaces 4, 8 (figure 1). According to one example, as shown diagrammatically in figure 1, the concave shape of each of the first emission surface 19 and the second emission surface 20 of the applicator 1 has a concave profile perpendicular to the lower surface 5, and preferably also perpendicular to the main plane 18.
[0030] Thus, by virtue of their profile and the orientation of their profile, the first emission surface 19 and the second emission surface 20 of the applicator 1 make it possible to perfectly match areas of rounded tissue such as the inner part of the thighs. Preferably, the complementarity between the external surface of the applicator 1 which is attached to the skin and that of the two thighs allows contact between these two elements over at least 10 cm. 2 , or at least 20 cm 2, of the surface of the thighs. Preferably, the applicator 1 is configured to fit the shape of two thighs simultaneously. Also and in combination with this first characteristic, the first emission surface 19 and the second emission surface 20 of the applicator 1, allow, as their name indicates, to allow the electromagnetic field to pass towards the outside of the housing 12 in order to treat each side of the two parts of tissue between which the applicator 1 is inserted and in particular the inside of the thighs.
[0031] According to one example, the lower surface 5 of the applicator 1 is perpendicular to the main plane 18 (figure 1).
[0032] According to one example, the applicator 1 comprises a handle 2 attached to the upper surface 3.
[0033] According to one example, the applicator 1, in which the casing 13 comprises a first complementary lateral surface 9 and a second complementary lateral surface 10 opposite the first complementary lateral surface 9 and joined to the first complementary lateral surface 9 by the first and second lateral surfaces 4, 8, advantageously comprises a connection terminal 6 connecting the coil 11 to a wire connection 7, the connection terminal 6 being carried by the first complementary lateral surface 9 (figure 1).
[0034] According to one example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the device 17 comprises a control and electrical power supply unit 16 and a wired connection 7 configured to electrically connect the control and electrical power supply unit 16 to the applicator 1.
[0035] According to one example, the installation 21 has a device 17 and the wired connection 7 extends along a length dimension of the treatment table 15 (figure 2).
[0036] It is specified that in the context of the present invention, the term “housing” is defined by a part of the applicator which contains other elements, such as a coil; the housing can be formed by a set of faces, preferably six faces.
[0037] The term "envelope" is used to define the outer surface of all the faces of the case which is thus in contact with the exterior.
[0038] APPLICATOR FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC STIMULATION: STRUCTURAL APPROACH
[0039] According to one particular embodiment, the installation 21 comprises a device 17 itself comprising the applicator 1 (figure 2).
[0040] APPLICATOR
[0041] Preferably, as shown diagrammatically in figure 1, the applicator 1 comprises a housing
[0042] 12 provided with a casing 13 and a flat coil 11. The flat coil 11 is mounted in the housing 12 along a main plane 18. More precisely, the applicator 1 may have a size defined by a length of 170 mm, a width of 170 mm and a height of 190 mm. The coil 11 corresponds to a winding of a copper wire which can form eleven turns which can each have an elliptical section and a diameter of between 5 and 7 mm to be able to lead to an overall diameter of 150 mm taking into account all the turns, the core of the coil 11 being able to be fixed at a diameter of 40 mm. The invention can be implemented by the action of one or more coils 11, these being able to be positioned along planes parallel to the main plane 18 and each comprising two connection terminals.The coil(s) 11 may be fixed in the housing 12 using an encapsulating resin and may be cooled by contact with a heat transfer fluid at the center of the coil 11. Advantageously, the casing 13 comprises a first lateral surface 4 and a second lateral surface 8 which are positioned on either side of the main plane 18 and which each have a hollow profile. The casing 13 is preferably made of an electrically insulating material to securely enclose the coil 11. In addition, the first and second lateral surfaces 4, 8 are configured to allow electromagnetic waves to pass through.According to one option, the casing 13, thanks to its insulating properties on the lower surface 5, on the upper surface 3, on the first complementary lateral surface 9 and on the second complementary lateral surface 10, forms a barrier to electromagnetic waves and therefore ensures the confinement of the electromagnetic waves. In order to guarantee these insulating properties (electrically and also for electromagnetic waves), the casing 13 can be made of polymer.
[0043] According to a particular embodiment, the curved shape of the first lateral surface 4 and the concave shape of the second lateral surface 8 are symmetrical with respect to the main plane 18.
[0044] According to another particular embodiment, the concave shape of the first lateral surface 4 and the concave shape of the second lateral surface 8 which are symmetrical with respect to the main plane 18 therefore have a profile in the form of an arc of a circle and therefore have an identical radius of curvature of between 105 mm and 145 mm.
[0045] Also, according to another particular embodiment, the concave shape of the first lateral surface 4 and the concave shape of the second lateral surface 8 therefore have a profile in the shape of an arc of a circle and therefore have a radius of curvature of between 105 mm and 145 mm, not necessarily identical.
[0046] Preferably, the casing of the applicator 13 comprises a flat lower surface 5 and an upper surface 3 opposite the lower surface 5 and joined to the lower surface 5 by the first and second lateral surfaces 4, 8 (figure 1).
[0047] According to a particular embodiment, the concave shape of the first lateral surface 4 and the concave shape of the second lateral surface 8 have a curved profile perpendicular to the lower surface 5, and preferably also perpendicular to the main plane 18.
[0048] According to another particular embodiment, as illustrated in figure 1, the lower surface 5 is perpendicular to the main plane 18.
[0049] According to another particular embodiment, the applicator 1 comprises a handle 2 secured to the upper surface 3 (figure 1).
[0050] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as seen in Figure 1, the casing of the applicator 13 comprises a first complementary lateral surface 9 and a second complementary lateral surface 10 opposite the first complementary lateral surface 9 and connected to the first complementary lateral surface 9 by the first and second lateral surfaces 4, 8. The applicator 1 then comprises a connection terminal 6 being fixed on the first complementary lateral surface 9. The connection terminal 6 makes it possible to connect the wire connection 7 to the flat coil 11. DEVICE
[0051] Preferably, the device 17 for applying an electromagnetic field comprises the applicator 1.
[0052] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device 17 comprises the applicator 1, a control and power supply unit 16 and a wired connection 7 (figure 2). The wired connection 7 is configured to electrically connect the control and power supply unit 16 to the applicator 1. The control and power supply unit 16 have in particular the function of generating the electric current flowing in the coil 11 and of providing a user interface, provided with a keyboard, a screen and keys, making it possible to select the shape, the frequency, the amplitude and the average value of the electrical signal, the variation of potential applied, the duration and the frequency of the electromagnetic pulses. The control and power supply unit 16 comprises one or more current output terminals for connecting one or more wired connections 7 thereto.More precisely, the wired connection 7 is composed of a cable and an insulating sheath surrounding the cable, with at each end of the cable either the applicator 1 or the control and power supply unit 16. Also, this wired connection 7 comprises fixed or removable connections in order to have the possibility of maintaining the connection permanently or of disconnecting it from none, one or both sides.
[0053] FACILITY
[0054] Preferably, as shown diagrammatically in Figure 2, the installation 21 comprises a treatment table 15 whose upper face 14 accommodates the individual and a device 17 with an applicator 1. In this configuration, the lower surface 5 of the applicator 1 is in contact with the upper face 14 of the treatment table 15. The applicator 1 is positioned between the legs of the individual at the thighs so that the applicator 1 is pressed between them, the legs of the individual being as relaxed as possible.
[0055] In another embodiment, the installation 21 comprises several applicators 1 attached to each other, this in order to allow a more extensive treatment of the individual's thighs, for example, to obtain a treatment of almost the circumference of the thighs. Also, this extent of treatment can be obtained by a single applicator 1 having a size, concavities of the first and second lateral surfaces 4, 8 and a number of coils 11 adapted to contain almost the entire surface of the thighs. In another embodiment, the installation 21 comprises the wire connection 7 which extends along the length dimension of the treatment table 15, this allowing the individual being treated by the device 17 not to be hindered by the wire connection 7 (figure 2).
[0056] APPLICATOR FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC STIMULATION: FUNCTIONAL APPROACH
[0057] According to a particular embodiment, the applicator 1 is used in the context of aesthetic protocols aimed at reducing fat cells and increasing the muscle mass of a person by means of the application of an electromagnetic field to the individual's body.
[0058] APPLICATOR
[0059] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the applicator 1 is capable of emitting an electromagnetic field. For this, the flat coil 11 is inserted into the housing 12 along a main plane 18 in order to be able to emit an electromagnetic field transversely to this main plane 18. The first and second lateral surfaces 4, 8 respectively form a first emission surface 19 and a second emission surface 20 and are configured so as to allow the electromagnetic field to pass towards the outside of the housing 12. In this way, the applicator 1 is configured to induce muscle contractions on the body to which the electromagnetic field is applied.
[0060] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the symmetry of the concave shape of the first emission surface 19 and of the second emission surface 20 makes it possible to induce an electromagnetic field in both directions, directions defined according to the perpendicular to the main plane 18 and towards the outside of the applicator 1.
[0061] Thus, the body, on which the electromagnetic field is applied, can be treated on the two areas of tissue between which the applicator 1 is inserted and in particular the inside of the thighs and this in an identical manner, that is to say according to the same direction and the same value of electromagnetic field.
[0062] According to another embodiment of the invention, in which the concave shape of the first emission surface 19 and the second emission surface 20 does not have symmetry, the electromagnetic field induced at the position where the applicator 1 is inserted will be different on one side or the other and in particular along one thigh compared to the other. Thus, it can be chosen to preferentially treat one side and in particular one thigh more significantly (i.e. with a larger induced electromagnetic field) than the other and this depending on the desired result. Preferably, as seen in Figure 1, the lower surface 5 is flat. In this way, the applicator 1 can be easily stabilized by simply being placed on a flat surface.
[0063] Also, according to a particular embodiment, the first emission surface 19 and the second emission surface 20 have a concave profile perpendicular to the lower surface 5 (figure 1). Thus, by this configuration, the applicator 1 can adapt to the orientation of the rounded shape of certain areas of tissue and in particular to those of the inside of the thighs, in an easy manner.
[0064] According to another embodiment, as illustrated in figure 1, the lower surface 5 is perpendicular to the main plane 18. Thus, in this way, the applicator 1, placed on a flat surface, is oriented to be positioned symmetrically with respect to the surfaces of two neighboring tissue areas and in particular the inner part of the thighs.
[0065] Preferably, the applicator 1 comprises a handle 2 attached to the upper surface 3 of the applicator 1 (figure 1). This configuration makes it possible to handle the applicator 1 easily. Indeed, the upper surface 3 is the one that is easiest to access during use of the applicator 1 in contact with a body. According to one embodiment in particular, as illustrated in figure 1, the applicator 1 comprises a connection terminal 6 of the flat coil 11 to the wire connection 7, this giving the flat coil 11 the possibility of being traversed by an electric current to generate an induced magnetic field. The terminal can be a male or female connection socket.
[0066] The method of using the invention may comprise the following successive steps:
[0067] - connect the applicator 1 to the control and power supply unit 16 via the cable,
[0068] - place the individual with legs apart on the treatment table 15,
[0069] - position the applicator 1 between the thighs so that the first lateral surface 4 and the second lateral surface 8 are in contact with the inner part of the thighs,
[0070] - adjust the parameters of the desired electromagnetic field to be applied,
[0071] - press the button to generate the electromagnetic field,
[0072] - leave the applicator 1 in position for the desired time for applying the electromagnetic field, - press the button to stop the emission of the electromagnetic field, once the treatment is finished,
[0073] - remove the applicator 1,
[0074] - disconnect the applicator 1 from the control and power supply unit 16 by the cable.
Claims
Demands 1. Applicator (1) capable of emitting an electromagnetic field, the applicator (1) comprising a housing (12) having an envelope (13) and a coil (11) mounted in the housing (12) along a principal plane (18), so as to be capable of generating the electromagnetic field transversely to the principal plane (18), characterized in that the envelope (13) comprises a first lateral surface (4) and a second lateral surface (8) which are positioned on either side of the principal plane (18), said first and second lateral surfaces (4, 8) forming respectively a first emission surface (19) and a second emission surface (20) and being configured so as to allow the electromagnetic field to pass outwards from the housing (12), and in that each of the first emission surface (19) and the second emission surface (20) has a concave shape.
2. Applicator (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the concave shape of the first emission surface (19) and the concave shape of the second emission surface (20) are symmetrical with respect to the principal plane (18).
3. Applicator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first emission surface (19) and the second emission surface (20) have a circular arc profile and have a radius of curvature between 105 mm and 145 mm.
4. Applicator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the envelope (13) comprises a flat lower surface (5) and an upper surface (3) opposite the lower surface (5) and joined to the lower surface (5) by the first and second lateral surfaces (4,8).
5. Applicator (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the concave shape of each of the first emission surface (19) and the second emission surface (20) has a concave profile perpendicular to the lower surface (5), and preferably further perpendicular to the main plane (18).
6. Applicator (1) according to any one of the two preceding claims, wherein the lower surface (5) is perpendicular to the principal plane (18).
7. Applicator (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, comprising a handle (2) fixed to the upper surface (3).
8. Applicator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the casing (13) comprises a first complementary lateral surface (9) and a second complementary lateral surface (10) opposite the first complementary lateral surface (9) and joined to the first complementary lateral surface (9) by the first and second lateral surfaces (4, 8), applicator (1) comprising a connection terminal (6) of the coil (11) to a wired link (7), the connection terminal (6) being carried by the first complementary lateral surface (9).
9. Device (17) for applying an electromagnetic field to the body of the individual, comprising the applicator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.
10. Device (17) according to the preceding claim, comprising a control and power supply unit (16) and a wired link (7) configured to electrically connect the control and power supply unit (16) to the applicator (1).
11. Installation (21) comprising a treatment table (15) having an upper face (14) allowing the reception of an individual, and a device according to any one of claims 9 or 10 having an applicator (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7 alone or in combination with claim 8, the lower surface (5) of the applicator (1) being in contact with the upper face (14) of the treatment table (15).
12. Installation (21) according to the preceding claim, having a device (17) according to claim 10 and in which the wired link (7) extends along a dimension in length of the treatment table (15).