Micro dermabrasion device

Abstract

To provide a micro dermabrasion device which allows a user to easily cover skin with a polishing surface while having an inlet port in contact with the skin.SOLUTION: A micro dermabrasion device includes: a polishing tip part having a ring-shaped polishing surface that comes into contact with skin; a negative pressure source that applies a negative pressure to a suction path in communication with an inlet port of the polishing tip part; and a control circuit for controlling operation of the negative pressure source. The polishing surface is provided with detection means for detecting a contact with the skin. When the detection means detects a contact of the polishing surface with the skin, the control circuit operates the negative pressure source.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application relates to microdermabrasion devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, microdermabrasion has been performed as a treatment for removing dead skin cells. In microdermabrasion, an abrasive surface with a suction port at its center is brought into contact with the skin, and the surface is moved along the skin while drawing suction through the suction port. The abrasive surface removes dead skin cells, and the removed dead skin cells are sucked through the suction port and collected. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,949,293 discloses a microdermabrasion device. Such a microdermabrasion device includes an abrasive tip formed with an abrasive surface at its distal end. The abrasive tip is typically formed of a metallic material, and abrasive particles (such as diamond particles) are attached to the abrasive surface.

[0003] To effectively seal the suction port with the skin and draw the skin into the suction port with negative pressure, the abrasive surface must be in contact with the skin while the surface is parallel to the skin. For example, if a third party, such as a practitioner, is performing microdermabrasion, the user can confirm contact of the abrasive surface with the skin while aligning the surface parallel to the skin, making it easy for the user to effectively seal the suction port with the skin.

[0004] However, in home use, when a user performs microdermabrasion on the user's skin, the user needs to tilt the abrasive surface according to the contours of the user's face to bring the abrasive surface into contact with the skin. Therefore, the user needs to intuitively operate the microdermabrasion device while being unable to check the contact state of the abrasive surface with the skin. Furthermore, since the abrasive surface is in contact with the skin, the user cannot use a mirror to check whether the abrasive surface is parallel to the skin.

[0005] Furthermore, when performing microdermabrasion, it is preferable to suction the skin through the suction port and lift the skin while moving the abrasive surface along the skin. However, if the skin does not contact the suction port so as to seal the suction port, microdermabrasion may be less effective. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0209294 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a microdermabrasion device that makes it easy for a user to contact the suction port with the skin and cover the skin with the abrasive surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention employs the following means to solve the above problems: A microdermabrasion device includes a polishing tip with a ring-shaped polishing surface that contacts the skin, a negative pressure source that applies negative pressure to a suction path that communicates with a suction port of the polishing tip, and a control circuit that controls the operation of the negative pressure source, wherein the polishing surface is provided with a detection means that detects contact with the skin, and the control circuit is configured to operate the negative pressure source when the detection means detects contact of the polishing surface with the skin.

[0009] According to the present invention, when the detection means provided on the abrasive surface comes into contact with the skin, the control circuit detects the contact of the abrasive surface with the skin and activates the negative pressure source. Therefore, the negative pressure source begins its operation, and the skin located within the suction port of the abrasive surface is sucked into the suction port. Next, by moving the abrasive surface along the skin, dead skin cells are removed from the skin, and the removed dead skin particles are sucked through the suction port. On the other hand, if the detection means does not come into contact with the skin, the control circuit does not detect the contact of the detection means with the skin and does not activate the negative pressure source. Furthermore, when the abrasive tip is tilted and the control circuit again detects contact of the abrasive surface with the skin, the control circuit activates the negative pressure source. In this way, the negative pressure source operates while the abrasive surface, specifically the detection means, is in contact with the skin. Therefore, even if the user is unable to confirm the contact state of the abrasive surface with the skin, the user can intuitively recognize the contact state of the abrasive surface with the skin. Furthermore, if the abrasive surface does not come into contact with the skin, the operation of the negative pressure source is temporarily suspended. Therefore, the microdermabrasion device makes it easy for the user to properly contact the abrasive surface with the skin. Moreover, compared to a separate switch provided on the microdermabrasion device to activate the negative pressure source, the user does not need to have the abrasive surface in contact with the skin while the negative pressure source is operating. Thus, power to operate the negative pressure source may be saved by avoiding operation of the negative pressure source when the abrasive surface is not in contact with the skin.

[0010] Furthermore, a pair of detection means may be arranged around the suction port with a circumferential space therebetween, and the control circuit may be configured to operate the negative pressure source when both of the pair of detection means detect contact of the abrasive surface with the skin.

[0011] According to the present invention, when both of a pair of detection means arranged around the suction port with a circumferential space between them come into contact with the skin, the control circuit activates the negative pressure source. Therefore, when the abrasive surface comes into contact with the skin in a more correct state, the negative pressure source is activated.

[0012] Furthermore, the pair of detection means may be disposed on opposite sides of the suction port.

[0013] According to the present invention, since a pair of detection means is provided on both sides of the suction port, the abrasive surface needs to be brought into contact with the skin to more tightly seal the suction port in order to activate the negative pressure source, and therefore the effect of abrading the skin with the abrasive surface can be further improved.

[0014] Furthermore, the pair of detection means may be a pair of conductive regions provided on the polishing surface and arranged around the suction port with a non-conductive region between the conductive regions.

[0015] According to the present invention, when both of the pair of conductive regions contact the skin, the pair of conductive regions are electrically connected through the portion of the skin that is in contact with the abrasive surface due to the conductivity of the skin, and thus the control circuit detects the contact of the abrasive surface with the skin and activates the negative pressure source.

[0016] Furthermore, the polishing tip may be formed of a conductive material, and the polishing tip may be divided into multiple sections around the suction port, and insulating material may be disposed between the conductive sections, and the multiple conductive sections may constitute a conductive region.

[0017] According to the present invention, when the polishing tip is made of a conductive material, by dividing the polishing tip into multiple parts around the suction port and placing insulating material between the conductive parts, the control circuit detects contact of the polishing surface with the skin by a pair of conductive regions (conductive parts) electrically connected between the conductive regions through a part of the skin in contact with the polishing surface, and operates the negative pressure source, as described above.

[0018] Furthermore, the polishing tip may be made of an insulating material, and the polishing surface may be provided with a pair of electrodes as conductive regions.

[0019] According to the present invention, when the polishing tip is formed of an insulating material, by placing a pair of electrodes on the polishing surface, as described above, the control circuit detects contact of the polishing surface with the skin by the pair of electrodes (conductive portions) electrically connected between the conductive regions through the part of the skin in contact with the polishing surface, and operates the negative pressure source.

[0020] Additionally, the microdermabrasion device may further include a handheld housing having the abrasive tip and containing a negative pressure source and control circuitry, and the housing may contain a battery that powers the negative pressure source.

[0021] According to the present invention, the operation of the negative pressure source can be temporarily suspended by moving the abrasive surface away from the skin, thereby eliminating the need for the user to control a separate switch and conserving power. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a microdermabrasion device of the present application. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the polishing cap shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are schematic top and cross-sectional views of the abrasive tip shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the microdermabrasion device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the polishing cap of another embodiment of the microdermabrasion device of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of an abrasive cap of an alternative embodiment of the microdermabrasion device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] An embodiment of a microdermabrasion device will now be described. As shown in Figure 1, the microdermabrasion device 1 according to this embodiment includes a cylindrical polishing cap 2 and a cylindrical handheld housing 3 removably attached to the polishing cap 2. Hereinafter, the side of the housing 3 to which the polishing cap 2 is attached will be referred to as the distal side, and the opposite side will be referred to as the proximal side.

[0024] 1 and 2, the polishing cap 2 is made of an insulating material such as a plastic material. The polishing cap 2 includes a proximal cylindrical portion 11 and a distal cylindrical portion 12 that is connected to the distal end of the proximal cylindrical portion 11 and has a truncated conical shape whose inner and outer diameters decrease distally. The inner surface of the proximal cylindrical portion 11 is formed with a female thread portion 11A so that the proximal cylindrical portion 11 can be removably attached to the housing 3.

[0025] The distal edge of the distal barrel portion 12 is provided with an abrasive tip 13. The abrasive tip 13 is formed of an insulating material and includes a ring-shaped abrasive body 21 disposed on the distal edge surface of the distal barrel portion 12, and a barrel portion 22 extending proximally from the inner edge of the abrasive body, as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0026] The distal edge surface of the polishing body 21 includes the polishing surface 21A that comes into contact with the skin, and the central portion of the polishing surface 21A is formed with an inlet 21B that communicates with the interior of the tubular portion 22, the distal tubular portion 12, and the proximal tubular portion 11. The polishing surface 21A has diamond particles bonded to it with a binder. Particles other than diamond particles may be bonded to the polishing surface 21A, or the polishing surface 21A may be configured without particles bonded to it.

[0027] The polishing surface 21A is provided with a pair of electrodes (conductive regions) 23 arranged around the suction port 21B, which has a circumferential space therebetween. The pair of electrodes 23 are arranged on both sides of the suction port 21B. In other words, the pair of electrodes 23 are arranged on opposite sides of the suction port 21B, and the suction port 21B is arranged between the electrodes 23. The electrodes 23 form a strip extending from the distal surface (polishing surface 21A) of the polishing body 21 to the inner surface of the tubular portion 22.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 3 contains a debris filtering chamber 31, a negative pressure source 32, a control circuit 33 connected to the negative pressure source 32, a battery 34 for powering the negative pressure source 32, a first tubing portion 35 connecting the distal end of the housing 3 to the debris filtering chamber 31, and a second tubing portion 36 connecting the debris filtering chamber 31 to the negative pressure source 32.

[0029] The housing 3 has a cylindrical shape, and a first mounting tube 37 for mounting the polishing cap 2 is provided at its distal end. The first mounting tube 37 has a cylindrical shape, and an external thread portion 37A is formed on the outer surface of the first mounting tube 37, which threadably mates with the internal thread portion 11A of the polishing cap 2. Furthermore, a filter 38 is provided within the distal end of the first mounting tube 37 to capture dead skin cells removed by the polishing surface 21A. Furthermore, an inner circumferential edge at the proximal end of the first mounting tube 37 protrudes proximally and is fitted into the distal end of the first tube portion 35.

[0030] The debris filtering chamber 31 is configured to capture and accumulate debris passing through the filter 38. A first inlet tubular portion 31A defining an inlet suction port of the debris filtering chamber 31 is fitted into the proximal end of the first tubular portion 35, and a first outlet tubular portion 31B defining an outlet suction port of the debris filtering chamber 31 is fitted into the distal end of the second tubular portion 36.

[0031] The negative pressure source 32 is constituted by an air pump. A second inlet tubular portion 32A, which defines an inlet suction port of the negative pressure source 32, is fitted into the proximal end of the second tubular portion 36. Furthermore, a second outlet tubular portion 32B, which defines an outlet suction port of the negative pressure source 32, is connected to the discharge hole. A suction flow path P is constructed by the debris filtering chamber 31, the negative pressure source 32, and the first and second tubular portions 35 and 36.

[0032] 4, the control circuit 33 is electrically connected to the polishing cap 2, the negative pressure source 32, and the battery 34. The control circuit 33 includes an operation control unit 41 for controlling the operation of the negative pressure source 32, and a power supply control unit 42 for controlling the wireless power supply to the battery 34.

[0033] The operation control unit 41 is connected to the electrode 23 of the polishing cap 2 via, for example, an electric wire (not shown) extending into the polishing cap 2 and the housing 3, and is configured to operate the motor of the negative pressure source 32 while a closed circuit is formed between the pair of electrodes 23.

[0034] The power supply control unit 42 includes a receiver 43 for converting microwaves from a wireless power source external to the microdermabrasion device into electrical power, for example by electromagnetic coupling. The power supply control unit 42 may apply any wireless power supply method other than electromagnetic coupling.

[0035] Battery 34 is a secondary battery connected to the motor of negative pressure source 32. Battery 34 may be supplied with power in a manner other than wireless, such as by placing it on a cradle and connecting electrodes for supplying power provided on housing 3 to electrodes provided on the cradle. Furthermore, battery 34 is not limited to a rechargeable secondary battery, but may also be a replaceable primary battery. Furthermore, microdermabrasion device 1 may be configured to be powered by a power supply cord without the use of a battery.

[0036] Next, the use of the microdermabrasion device 1 having such a structure will be described.

[0037] First, the polishing surface 21A of the polishing cap 2 is brought into contact with the skin to be treated. When the pair of electrodes 23 provided on the polishing surface 21A are brought into contact with the skin, the surface of the skin is conductive, so the pair of electrodes 23 and the operation control unit 41 of the control circuit 33 form a closed circuit through the skin between the pair of electrodes 23. Therefore, the operation control unit 41 detects that the polishing surface 21A is in firm contact with the skin, and operates the motor of the negative pressure source 32, which is supplied with power from the battery 34.

[0038] When the negative pressure source 32 is activated, negative pressure is applied to the suction port 21B through the suction flow path P, which is formed by the debris filtering chamber 31, the negative pressure source 32, and the first and second tube portions 35 and 36, and the skin in contact with the abrasive surface 21A is sucked into the suction port 21B. As the microdermabrasion device 1 is moved along the skin, the abrasive surface 21A removes dead skin cells from the skin, and the removed dead skin cells are sucked into the suction flow path P. At least a portion of the removed dead skin cells and other debris are captured by the filter 38, and the other removed dead skin cells and debris that pass through the filter 38 flow into the debris filtering chamber 31 and are captured by the debris filtering chamber 31. The air is then discharged through the outlet hole of the housing 3.

[0039] On the other hand, tilting the housing 3 toward the skin causes less or no contact between the pair of electrodes 23 and the skin, which causes at least one of the pair of electrodes 23 to be released. Therefore, a closed circuit is not formed between the pair of electrodes 23 through the skin, and the operation control unit 41 detects that the abrasive surface 21A is not in firm contact with the skin. Therefore, the motor of the negative pressure source 32 is not operated, and suction through the suction port 21B of the abrasive cap 2 is stopped. The cessation of suction informs the user that the abrasive surface 21A is no longer in firm contact with the skin. The user then tilts the microdermabrasion device 1 toward the skin to reestablish firm contact of the abrasive surface 21A with the skin.

[0040] After continuing to abrade the skin using the abrasive surface 21A, the abrasive surface 21A deteriorates. Therefore, by appropriately replacing the old abrasive cap 2 with a new abrasive cap 2, favorable abrasion of the skin using the microdermabrasion device 1 can be maintained. In this manner, the skin is abraded by the microdermabrasion device 1.

[0041] With the microdermabrasion device 1 having the above-described structure, the pair of electrodes 23 provided on the abrasive surface 21A simultaneously contact the skin. The operation control unit 41 detects the contact of the abrasive surface 21A with the skin and activates the negative pressure source 32. However, when the pair of electrodes 23 are not in contact with the skin, the operation control unit 41 stops the operation of the negative pressure source 32. Therefore, even when the user cannot easily check the contact state of the abrasive surface 21A with the skin, the user can check the contact state of the abrasive surface 21A with the skin by checking the operating state of the negative pressure source 32. Furthermore, the operating state of the negative pressure source 32 makes it easier for the user to properly contact the abrasive surface 21A with the skin. This improves the efficiency of abrading skin using the abrasive surface 21A. Furthermore, compared to a switch for operating the negative pressure source 32, the separate switch provided on the housing 3 prevents the user from contacting the abrasive surface 21A with the skin while the motor of the negative pressure source 32 continues to operate, thereby saving power for operating the negative pressure source 32.

[0042] A pair of electrodes 23 located on either side of the inlet 21B encourages the user to make firmer contact of the abrasive surface 21A with the skin to seal the inlet 21B, which further improves the efficiency of abrading the skin with the abrasive surface 21A.

[0043] Another embodiment of the polishing cap to which the present invention can be applied will now be described.

[0044] The polishing cap may have a structure in which two pairs of electrodes are provided on the polishing surface. A first pair of electrodes is disposed on both sides of the suction port 21B such that the suction port 21B is disposed between the electrodes, and a second pair of electrodes is disposed on both sides of the suction port 21B such that the suction port 21B is disposed between the electrodes. The operation control unit 41 is configured to operate the negative pressure source 32 while both pairs of electrodes are in contact with the skin. However, the operation control unit 41 may be configured to operate the negative pressure source 32 while at least one pair of electrodes is in contact with the skin. Furthermore, the polishing cap may have a polishing surface 21A in which three or more pairs of electrodes are provided.

[0045] 5, the polishing cap may include a polishing tip 50 made of a conductive material. The polishing tip 50 is divided into two conductive portions 51 around the suction port 21B, and a non-conductive portion 52 made of an insulating material is disposed between the two conductive portions 51. As described above, the two conductive portions 51 have the same function as the pair of electrodes 23, and the operation control unit 41 is configured to operate the negative pressure source 32 while the two conductive portions 51 are simultaneously in contact with the skin.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6 , the polishing cap may include a polishing tip 60 made of a conductive material. The polishing tip 60 is divided into four conductive portions 61 around the suction port 21B, with insulating material portions disposed between the four conductive portions 61. Two of the four conductive portions 61 disposed on either side of the suction port 21B constitute a first pair of conductive portions 61A, and the other two conductive portions 61 disposed on either side of the suction port 21B constitute a second pair of conductive portions 61B. The operation control unit 41 is configured to operate the negative pressure source 32 while both pairs of conductive portions 61A, 61B are in contact with the skin. However, the operation control unit 41 may be configured to operate the negative pressure source 32 while at least one pair of conductive portions 61A, 61B is in contact with the skin. Furthermore, the polishing tip of the polishing cap may be divided into three or more pairs of conductive portions.

[0047] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications to the above-described embodiments may be made without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the polishing cap is removably threaded with the housing, but the polishing cap may be removably attached to the housing by other methods, such as a snap fit. While the microdermabrasion device has a handheld container, the microdermabrasion device may also be a fixed device. Such a microdermabrasion device includes a fixed housing containing a negative pressure source and an abrading tip provided at the distal end of a tube extending from the fixed housing. While the abrading surface is provided with electrodes or conductive regions as detectors for detecting contact of the electrodes or conductive regions with the skin, the abrading surface may also be provided with other detection means, such as a pressure-sensitive sensor, as detectors. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Microdermabrasion device, 2 Polishing cap, 3 Handheld housing, 11 Proximal barrel, 11A Female thread portion (of proximal barrel), 12 Distal barrel, 13, 50, 60 Polishing tip, 21 Polishing body, 21A Polishing surface, 21B Suction port, 22 Barrel, 23 Electrode, conductive area, 31 Debris filtering chamber, 31A First inlet barrel, 31B First outlet barrel, 32 Negative pressure source, 32A Second inlet barrel, 32B Second outlet barrel, 33 Control circuit, 34 Battery, 35 First tubing, 36 Second tubing, 37 First mounting barrel, 37A Female thread portion (of first mounting barrel), 38 Filter, 41 Operation control unit, 42 Power supply control unit, 43 Receiver, 51, 61 Conductive portion, 52 Non-conductive portion, 61A first pair of conductive portions, 61B second pair of conductive portions, P suction channel

Claims

1. an abrasive tip having a ring-shaped abrasive surface that contacts the skin; a negative pressure source that applies negative pressure to a suction path that communicates with the suction port of the polishing tip; a control circuit for controlling the operation of the negative pressure source; Including, The abrasive surface is provided with a detection means for detecting contact with the skin, The control circuitry is configured to activate the negative pressure source when the detection means detects the contact of the abrasive surface with the skin.

2. A pair of the detection means is disposed around the suction port having a circumferential space therebetween, 2. The microdermabrasion device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to activate the negative pressure source when both of the pair of detection means detect contact of the abrasive surface with the skin.

3. 3. The microdermabrasion device according to claim 2, wherein the pair of detecting means are disposed on opposite sides of the suction port.

4. 3. The microdermabrasion device of claim 2, wherein the pair of detecting means is a pair of conductive regions provided on the polishing surface and arranged around the suction port with a non-conductive region between the conductive regions.

5. the abrasive tip is formed of a conductive material; the abrasive tip is divided into a plurality of portions around the suction port, and an insulating material is disposed between the conductive portions; The microdermabrasion device of claim 4 , wherein a plurality of the conductive portions make up the conductive area.

6. the abrasive tip is formed of an insulating material; The microdermabrasion device according to claim 4 , wherein the polishing surface is provided with a pair of electrodes as the conductive region.

7. a handheld housing provided with the sharpening tip and containing the negative pressure source and the control circuit; The microdermabrasion device of claim 1 , wherein the housing contains a battery that powers the negative pressure source.

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