Device for stimulating hair growth

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device 100, 200 for stimulating hair growth, which comprises at least one electrode 101 for electrical stimulation of the skin, and a control device 102 connected to the at least one electrode 101 for generating electrical pulses. According to the present invention, the control device 102 is intended to continuously vary the electrical stimulation depending on the detected hair loss state or the detected hair growth, and / or to implement preset stimulation programs P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 for electrical stimulation of the skin depending on the detected hair loss state. The electrode 101 is provided with a number of spikes or pins with rounded tips or formed in a ridge and valley shape, which protrude through existing hair and do not penetrate the skin but rather contact the skin. The present invention can be configured as a cap, hat, T-shirt, shirt, pullover, jacket, slacks, bandage, or shawl.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for stimulating hair growth, the apparatus having at least one electrode for electrical stimulation of the skin, wherein a control device connected to at least one said electrode generates electrical pulses.

Background Art

[0002] It is known that electrical stimulation of the scalp can potentially energize hair follicles for new hair growth during incipient hair loss. For scalp stimulation, it is necessary to place electrodes on this scalp. A current flows through these electrodes, and this current flows into the scalp through these electrodes. For therapeutic attempts, this method has conventionally not been suitable. This is because this electrical stimulation needs to be performed, in part, for several hours per day to achieve the desired effect.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, a hood is disclosed, in which electrodes are provided for stimulating hair growth. This hood is worn similar to a swimming cap and is not suitable for daily use by, for example, personnel in a professional life situation.

[0004] In Patent Document 2, a helmet-shaped device is taught, in which a control device and electrodes for scalp stimulation are provided.

[0005] Finally, in Patent Document 3, a magnet arrangement inside a baseball cap is taught, which magnet arrangement is supposed to stimulate hair growth.

[0006] All of the previously mentioned devices have the disadvantage that the electrical stimulation needs to be adapted to the actual hair loss. In the case of circular hair loss, the stimulation should preferably be carried out only at the position of hair loss. Therefore, continuous adaptation of the electrodes is necessary. A hair growth stimulation device in the form of a hood or in the form of a helmet can thus be worn only at a single position. During longer wearing times of the stimulation device, the so-called consent, i.e., the willingness of the person, to wear the device at a predefined position above the head or not to be able to wear it due to the position where pressure is exerted decreases. It is likewise possible for hair loss to be stimulated from a lush state to a thinned state and then to a hairless state, also and precisely within the transition area. In order to stimulate these areas purposefully, it is also necessary for the stimulation device to find these areas automatically as well.

[0007] In order to achieve electrical stimulation of the hair follicles, it has been proposed in the prior art that electrical pulses be introduced into the skin via needle-shaped electrodes. The needles used for this purpose are extremely thin, almost like acupuncture needles, and when these needles are inserted into the upper skin layer, there is thus little pain. However, the insertion of the electrodes requires a high degree of overcoming with respect to the possible pain during the treatment. The needles or electrodes inserted into the skin further reduce the consent. The needles inserted into the skin are furthermore in a fixed position. For example, if a device for skin stimulation is slipped and displaced on the head by the user, similar to a cap, over the course of a day, continuous adaptation of the electrical stimulation is not possible.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

[0009] The problem according to the present invention is to provide an apparatus for stimulating hair growth having improved wearing comfort, which apparatus additionally automatically adapts this stimulation to the hair condition. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0010] The problem according to the present invention is that the control device is connected to at least one detection device, via which the degree of existing hair loss or the degree of hair growth can be detected, wherein the control device solves the problem by implementing a pre-adjusted stimulation program for electrical stimulation of the skin depending on the detected hair loss state. Further advantageous embodiments of the apparatus according to the present invention for stimulating hair growth are presented in the claims subordinate to claim 1. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0011] According to the idea of the present invention, it is thus intended to provide a control device and a detection device, which can always measure and detect the actual hair loss state or the actual hair growth. This control device implements one stimulation program depending on the detected hair loss state or the detected hair growth. It is possible that this control device and detection device comprise a temperature sensor, a positioning sensor for detecting the position of the device on the scalp, a contact and / or proximity sensor for detecting proper contact of the device with the skin, and a conductivity sensor for detecting changes in the conductivity of the scalp and adapting the treatment accordingly based thereon. When this device detects, for example, hair loss in a so-called bald temple area, the electrodes are preferably applied by electrical stimulation pulses within this area. A particularly advantageous aspect of the continuous measurement of the hair loss state or hair growth is, in particular, that the device adapts to the current position of the stimulation device on the head or at said body position. Along with this, for example, if the perceived pressure sensation or the comfort of wearing due to itching of the scalp or skin at the wearing position is reflexively responded to by the wearer and user replacing the device, it is possible to move this device to another location.

[0012] For reliable detection, film electrodes can be used, which enable area detection. The control device is connected to a plurality of detection devices, and it is similarly possible that each individual detection device is intended to cover a predefined area of the scalp or said skin. In this case, each detection device can detect the local hair loss state or local hair growth via impedance measurement. Since hair acts electrically insulating on the one hand and the electrodes are also separated from the skin, this hair acts like a dielectric between the conductive skin and the electrodes.

[0013] For the transmission of electrical stimulation, it is possible that spikes are provided on the electrodes, these spikes having circular tips and protruding through the still existing hair, but contacting the skin and not penetrating the skin. The circular spikes on the surface are non-invasive electrodes.

[0014] Humidity and sweat can potentially affect the conductivity of the skin in terms of intensity. In an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, therefore, the control device is further connected to a humidity sensor, and via this humidity sensor, the electrical conductivity of the skin can be estimated, In this case, it is possible that the control device is intended to change the pre-adjusted stimulation program depending on the detected humidity. In order not to cause discomfort with electrical pulses that would lead to discomfort that is not comfortable for the user, it is possible to reduce the height of the voltage for this skin stimulation when detecting a sweaty head or sweaty skin.

[0015] In yet another advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention for the stimulation of hair growth, the control device is further connected to a device for wireless data transmission, such as, for example, a Bluetooth® module or a WLAN module, and it is possible that it is intended that the current state of the control device can be read via this device for data transmission. It is possible to make the control device intelligent in such a way that the stimulation program responds to the user's wearing habits. This intelligence can originate from a program in a remote computer or from a mobile phone having sufficient computing power. Furthermore, it is possible that data is transmitted remotely to the treating doctor, who controls and monitors the treatment for hair growth. Not only is it possible for data from the device according to the invention for the stimulation of hair growth to be output externally, but it is also possible for the characteristics of the control device to be controllable from the outside in such a way that an external data flow is directed towards the control device. Therefore, the control device is further connected to a device for wireless data transmission, such as, for example, a Bluetooth® module or a WLAN module, and it is possible that it is intended that the state of the control device can be changed via this device for wireless data transmission. This change in state enables the electrodes in the active state to be adapted, the parameters for recognizing the area worthy of stimulation to be adapted externally, or, similarly, the program for the predefined stimulation to be adapted.

[0016] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of this device, the device is configured in the form of a hat or a cap, wherein it is possible that at least one of the electrodes and at least one of the detection devices are arranged inside this hat or inside this cap. In this case, the hat lining or the cap lining is worth considering as the location of the electrodes and the location of at least one detection device.

[0017] It has been found to be advantageous if, for particularly problem-free and versatile use, a battery for current supply is intended to be arranged inside the hat or inside the cap. This enables the wearer to be independent of a current supply device and, similarly, in some cases, independent of the cable that communicates with the current carried on the body. To the source and does not depend on the cable that communicates with the current carried on the body. In order to charge the battery, it is possible that the hat or the cap has a current supply cable for charging the battery, or it is intended that a coil for inductive charging of the battery is provided inside this hat or this cap. The device for stimulating hair growth in the form of a hat or a cap can be inductively charged on a holding device, similar to a hairpin stand.

[0018] For stimulating hair growth, it is possible that the control device is intended to carry out the stimulation of the skin with the following electrical parameters: namely, pulses from 1 V to 160 V, from 1 nC to 1 μC, and from 1 Hz to 100 Hz. Accordingly, short pulses with voltages between 1 V and 160 V are induced on the skin. At this time, within one pulse, charges between 1 nC and 1 μC are discharged on the skin with a frequency between 1 Hz and 100 Hz. It is obvious that the electrical stimulation of the skin is implemented so that the user does not receive any electrical shock. During stimulation with a 160 V pulse, the charge is low, for example, on the order of several nC, so that no electrical shock is perceptible despite the high voltage. At lower voltages within a single digit voltage range, the charge may already be significantly higher. Generally speaking, a high voltage per unit area or a larger current is suitable as an electrical stimulus. In extremely short pulses, it is not meaningful to define by current. This is because the cross-sectional area on the skin expands with intensity, and there are different contacts by the electrodes, and point contacts can, however, also be surface contacts as well. In order to improve the effect of the electrical stimulation, it has been found to be advantageous if the electrical pulses of the control device are intended to start with the electrical negativity of the skin and directly continue with the subsequent polarization of the skin. By means of a temporary negativity with subsequent polarization, the effect of the electrical pulse is enhanced with respect to skin stimulation.

[0019] The present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] In FIG. 1, a first variant of the device 100 according to the invention for electrical stimulation of the scalp in the form of a cap K having a current supply cable 111 is illustrated. The current supply cable 111 is connected to a current supply device, which is carried on the body, for example, in an inner jacket pocket. At this time, the current supply device consists of an electrical battery that is market - available and rechargeable, such that its electrical battery is available as a "Powerbank" for a mobile phone. This device is adapted to meet long - term stimulation programs with relatively high current consumption.

[0022] In FIG. 2, in contrast, a second variant of the device 200 according to the invention for electrical stimulation of the scalp, in the form of a cap K, having a storage battery 110 and a device 105 for wireless data transmission is illustrated. A device 105 for wireless data transmission and a control device 102 capable of implementing various programs for electrical stimulation of the scalp are integrated. At this time, this control device 102 can request assistance of data for the selection of these programs, and these data are derived from at least one detection device 103 for detecting the hair loss state. Data from the control device 102 are given to the device 105 for wireless data transmission and can be led from there to the mobile phone M for evaluation. Similarly, it is also possible to adjust the functional parameters of the control device 102 with the mobile phone M.

[0023] In FIG. 3, the device of FIG. 1 is shown as a schematic with a view into the cap lining. In this bottom view, the electrode 101 is visible, which is here configured as a film electrode and occupies substantially the entire area of the cap lining. At this time, spikes with circular tips (not shown here) are arranged on the film electrode, which penetrate the existing hair and contact the scalp with the circular tips of these spikes. At this time, these spikes do not penetrate the scalp, so there are non - invasive electrodes 101 having a large number of contact points.

[0024] In FIG. 4, the device of FIG. 2 is shown as a schematic view with a view into the cap lining. In this bottom view, the electrode 101 is similarly visible, and this electrode 101 is similarly configured here as a film electrode with spikes having circular tips as contact points for the transmission of electrical stimulation onto the scalp, and occupies substantially the entire area of the cap lining. In this illustration, the control device 102 integrated with the battery 110 is also visible, substantially within the front region of the cap.

[0025] The stimulation electrode 101 of the device in FIG. 1 is shown individualized in FIG. 5. It is clearly seen that in this embodiment, the film electrode with spikes having circular tips is configured in a concave shape in order to adapt to the substantially ellipsoidal head shape. Due to this concave form, the spacing of the stimulation electrode 101 configured as a film electrode with respect to the local surface of the head is always substantially the same size. In this embodiment of the device for the stimulation of hair growth, the electrode 101 is directly connected to the current supply cable 111. In FIG. 6, however, a complement without an external current supply cable is shown. This electrode is connected in FIG. 2 to the battery 110 and the control device 102.

[0026] Another embodiment for the electrode 101 configured as a film electrode with spikes having circular tips in FIGS. 5 and 6 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. These electrodes 101 are configured as individualized pins, pass directly through the hair to reach the scalp, and thus form direct contact with the head surface. Similarly, these pins also do not penetrate the scalp and form non-invasive scalp electrodes. By this means, it is possible to operate with stimulation pulses having a lower voltage due to the reduced contact resistance. In FIG. 7, the individual electrodes 101 configured as pin electrodes are connected to the current supply cable 111. In the right illustration in FIG. 8, the same electrodes 101 are shown, and rather than being connected to the electrodes 101, these electrodes 101 are connected to the storage battery 110 and the control device 102 in FIG. 2.

[0027] In FIG. 9, a third modification of the stimulating electrode 101 in one form of a very special electrode arrangement is shown. These electrodes 101 are arranged in a mountain and valley shape. On the inclined surfaces of these electrodes 101, the detection devices 103 are arranged, and these detection devices 103 detect the density of the hair H located between these detection devices through impedance measurement. The electrodes 101 are changed by the control device 102 depending on the measured hair density. It is possible that the arrangement of the electrodes 101 is configured as an electrode extending around as shown in FIG. 9. However, it is equally possible that the detection devices 103 are attached to the sides of the pins of the electrodes 101 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0028] In FIG. 10, a matrix of typical hair loss stages is shown. Depending on the physiological constitution of each respective person, the hair loss progresses from left to right through these stages. Starting on the left side in sufficient hair (shaded), a person subjected to hair loss always progresses to a larger forehead (first column) or suffers circular hair loss (second column), where this circle always expands. At that time, the stage of hair loss progression differs in that in some stages, a circular tuft of hair remains in the upper forehead area (third column). Another modification of the hair loss stage is shown in the fourth column. In these stages, the so-called "receding hairline" also occurs here and leads to baldness, which grows into a kind of shaven head in all stages. Confirming these various stages of hair loss and applying the stimulation only within the scalp area in question are the effects of the device for stimulating hair growth presented here.

[0029] In FIGS. 11 and 12, it shows how the electrode 101 (FIG. 11) and the detection device 103 are directly stacked in a layered state. From above, the individual schematic views in FIG. 11 show a view into the lining of the cap having a visible film electrode with spikes having circular tips as contact points (see FIG. 4). The cap is tilted forward out of the paper plane with a visor in the central figure. To show the film electrode at this position, in this central illustration, the cap is faded out, so that the film electrode can be seen from the side and this film electrode is located in the lining of the cap K. At this position, the concave film electrode (FIGS. 5 and 6), or the concave arrangement of the electrodes here (FIGS. 7 and 8), is laid on the corresponding surface of the head. In FIG. 12, the detection device 103 is shown, which is directly connected to the film electrode or the arrangement of the individual electrodes. This detection device 103 has a plurality of flat coils, and using these flat coils, the state of hair loss can be detected through local impedance measurement at typical positions on the head. In this embodiment, the detectors are located on the left and right sides of the fontanelle. However, it is also possible to distribute the electrodes in other ways to enable detection of typical stages of hair loss.

[0030] In FIG. 13, various electrical stimulation patterns are shown as exemplary programs P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, and P6. For example, it is possible to stimulate the scalp with short pulses having frequencies ranging from 1 Hz to 4 Hz. To improve the effect of the stimulation, it may be intended to first perform depolarization as in exemplary programs P1 and P2. Subsequent to this depolarization, polarization with a single pulse as in program P1, or a double pulse train as in program P2, is performed. Exemplary program P3 consists of a somewhat faster pulse train with equal pulses without prior depolarization. As in exemplary program P4, it is also possible for these pulses to occur in pulse groups. In exemplary program P5, one pulse train having a frequency of about 25 Hz is shown. Further, other pulse trains are shown in program P6 with low voltage pulses, and within these low voltage pulses, pulses having a high voltage are inserted at a frequency of about 1 Hz. Generally, it is possible for the frequency of the pulses to be between 1 Hz and 100 Hz and, in that case, to exhibit various depolarization / polarization patterns.

[0031] In FIG. 14, generally, a stand for device 100 for stimulating hair growth is illustrated, and this stand evokes a hairpin stand. A coil 112 is inserted into the upper surface of stand S, and this coil is connected to a current supply cable V. Through this coil 112, the battery 110 of the device for stimulating hair growth can be wirelessly charged. At that time, the Qi protocol can be used as the charging protocol, and this Qi protocol is also used in mobile phones.

[0032] The invention presented here is adapted for non-invasive electrical stimulation of hair growth in the case of problems related to embodiments in the form of a hat or cap, and, similarly, for non-invasive electrical stimulation of hair growth on other body parts, such as, for example, hair growth on the chest or back, underarm hair growth, but also pubic hair growth, in the case of problems related to embodiments in the form of other undergarments, or for stimulation of beard growth. For this purpose, it is possible for the device to be configured as a wearable device in the form of clothing, such as, for example, underwear, T-shirts, shirts, pullovers, jackets, under-trousers, sports slacks, elastic bandages such as bandages for back muscles, etc., that can be worn on the body, or as a shawl or a beard trimmer. Note that this application relates to the invention described in the claims, but may also include the following as other aspects. 1. An apparatus (100, 200) for stimulating hair growth, the apparatus comprising: - at least one electrode (101) for electrical stimulation of the skin, and a control device (102) connected to at least one said electrode (101) for generating an electrical pulse, in the above apparatus, the control device (102) is connected to at least one detection device (103), and through this detection device, the degree of the existing hair loss state or the degree of hair growth can be detected, the control device (102) - continuously changes the electrical stimulation depending on the detected hair loss state or the detected hair growth, and / or - implements a pre-adjusted stimulation program (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6) for electrical stimulation of the skin depending on the detected hair loss state, at least one said electrode (101) is provided with a plurality of spikes or pins having circular tips, or is formed in a mountain and valley shape, the spikes protrude through the still-existing hair and do not penetrate the skin and are in contact with the skin, and the apparatus (100, 200) is characterized in this. 2. The control device (102) is connected to a plurality of detection devices (103), each individual detection device (103) covers a predetermined area of the skin, and the apparatus according to 1 above is characterized in this. 3. The control device (102) is further connected to a humidity sensor (104), and through this humidity sensor, the electrical conductivity of the hair can be estimated, the control device (102) changes the pre-adjusted stimulation program (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6) depending on the detected humidity, and the apparatus according to 1 or 2 above is characterized in this. 4. The control device (102) is further connected to a device (105) for wireless data transmission, such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) - module or a WLAN - module, The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the state of the current control device (102) is readable via the device for this data transmission. 5. The control device (102) is further connected to a device (105) for wireless data transmission, such as, for example, a Bluetooth® module or a WLAN module. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the state of the control device (102) is changeable via the device for this wireless data transmission. 6. The device (100, 200) is configured in the form of a hat or a cap, characterized in that at least one of the electrodes (101) and at least one of the detection devices (103) are arranged inside this hat or inside this cap. 7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that a battery (110) for supplying current is arranged inside the hat or inside the cap. 8. The hat or the cap has a current supply cable (111) for charging the battery (110), or The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a coil (112) for inductively charging the battery (110) is provided inside this hat or this cap. 9. The control device (102) is characterized in that it performs the skin stimulation with the following electrical parameters: namely, pulses from 1 V to 160 V, from 1 nC to 1 μC, and from 1 Hz to 100 Hz. 10. The electrical pulses of the control device (102) start with the electrical cathodization of the skin and continue directly with the subsequent polarization of the skin.

Description of Symbols

[0033] 100 Device for stimulation 101 Electrode 102 Control device 103 Detection device 104 Humidity sensor 105 Device for wireless data transmission 110 Storage battery 111 Current supply cable 112 Coil 200 Device for stimulation K Cap M Mobile phone P1 Program P2 Program P3 Program P4 Program P5 Program P6 Program S Stand V Current supply cable

Claims

1. An apparatus (100, 200) for stimulating hair growth, the apparatus comprising: - At least one electrode (101) for electrical stimulation of the skin, and a control device (102) connected to at least one said electrode (101) for generating an electrical pulse, in the above apparatus; The control device (102) is connected to at least one detection device (103), and via this detection device, the degree of existing hair loss or the degree of hair generation can be detected; The control device (102) - Continuously vary the electrical stimulation depending on the detected hair loss condition or the detected hair growth, and / or - Implement a pre - adjusted stimulation program (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6) for electrical stimulation of the skin depending on the detected hair loss condition; At least one said electrode (101) is provided with a number of spikes or pins having circular tips, or is formed in a mountain - and - valley shape; The spikes protrude through the hair that still exists and contact the skin without penetrating the skin, and The control device (102) is further connected to a humidity sensor (104), and via this humidity sensor, the electrical conductivity of the scalp can be estimated; The control device (102) varies the pre - adjusted stimulation program (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6) depending on the detected humidity; A device (100, 200) characterized by the above.

2. The control device (102) is connected to a plurality of detection devices (103), The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that each individual detection device (103) covers a predetermined area of the skin.

3. The control device (102) is further connected to a device (105) for wireless data transmission, such as, for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) - module or a WLAN - module, The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the state of the current control device (102) is readable via the device for this data transmission.

4. The control device (102) is further connected to a device (105) for wireless data transmission, such as, for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) - module or a WLAN - module, The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the state of the control device (102) is changeable via the device for this wireless data transmission.

5. The device (100, 200) is configured in the form of a hat or a cap, and at least one of the electrodes (101) and at least one of the detection devices (103) are arranged inside this hat or inside this cap. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that a storage battery (110) for current supply is arranged inside the hat or inside the cap.

7. The hat or the cap has a current supply cable (111) for charging the storage battery (110), or, The device according to claim 6, characterized in that a coil (112) for inductive charging of the storage battery (110) is provided inside this hat or this cap.

8. The control device (102) performs the skin stimulation with the following electrical parameters: namely, pulses from 1 V to 160 V, from 1 nC to 1 μC, and from 1 Hz to 100 Hz. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the electrical pulse of the control device (102) starts with the electrical negativity of the skin and continues directly with the subsequent polarization of the skin.

Images