Skin Treatment Device with Adjustable RF Fingers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current skin treatment methods for tightening and smoothing the skin, such as massage and selective electro-thermolysis, lack a device that effectively combines mechanical massage with controlled radiofrequency electromagnetic energy delivery for consistent and repeatable skin treatment.

Innovation Solution

A portable skin treatment device with rotatable mechanical arms and fingers that conduct radiofrequency electromagnetic signals, featuring temperature sensors and a motor-driven mechanism to adjust separation distance and frequency, ensuring safe and controlled heating of the skin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If mechanical massage devices are used to tighten skin, then skin smoothing is improved, but treatment consistency and repeatability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin smoothing effectVSAvoidtreatment consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines mechanical massage functionality with radiofrequency electromagnetic energy delivery into a single integrated device. The mechanical arms provide massage while the RF electrodes simultaneously deliver controlled energy to the skin, merging two treatment modalities into one consistent, repeatable procedure that addresses both skin smoothing and tightening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces purely mechanical massage with a hybrid system that incorporates radiofrequency electromagnetic energy delivery. This substitution introduces controlled, measurable energy delivery that enhances treatment consistency and repeatability while maintaining the mechanical massage component for skin smoothing effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If radiofrequency electromagnetic energy is applied to heat skin for tightening, then skin tightening is improved, but temperature control and safety deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin tightening effectVSAvoidtemperature control

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor skin temperature during RF energy delivery. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust energy delivery in real-time, preventing excessive heating and ensuring safe, controlled temperature elevation for skin tightening while avoiding thermal damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dynamically adjustable RF energy delivery with variable amplitude and frequency control. The system can adapt energy parameters in real-time based on tissue response and temperature feedback, providing controlled heating for tightening while maintaining safety through continuous parameter adjustment rather than fixed energy delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If a single device combines massage and RF energy delivery, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal device that performs multiple functions: mechanical massage through rotatable arms, RF energy delivery through electrodes, and temperature monitoring through sensors. This multi-functional integration allows a single device to provide comprehensive skin treatment (massaging, heating, and monitoring) that would otherwise require separate devices, improving overall treatment effectiveness despite the inherent complexity of combining these functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device provides a safe and effective method for skin tightening by concurrently massaging and heating the skin with radiofrequency energy, allowing for adjustable depth and frequency of treatment, suitable for both professional and home use.

Implementation Method 1

each of the two mechanical fingers being configured to conduct the generated radiofrequency electromagnetic signal to a surface in contact with the two mechanical fingers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiofrequency electromagnetic signal conduction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the fingers being configured to concurrently conduct a generated radiofrequency electromagnetic signal to the skin so as to cause an electrical current to flow through the skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

at least one of the two mechanical fingers including a temperature sensor to sense a temperature of the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermocouple

Data Source

PatentUS11317961B2Skin treatment device

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 EL GLOBAL TRADE LTD

AI summary

A device for treating skin includes two mechanical fingers for placement in contact with the skin. At least one of the fingers is moveable so as to change a separation distance between the fingers. The fingers are configured to concurrently conduct a generated radiofrequency electromagnetic signal to the skin so as to cause an electrical current to flow through the skin at a depth that corresponds to the separation distance.