Dielectric Heating Apparatus for Skin Striae Treatment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cosmetic treatments for skin striae face challenges in improving elasticity and microcirculation due to tissue sclerosis, as products struggle to penetrate the compact stratum corneum, and abrasive treatments offer temporary results with risks of excessive abrasion.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus combining a bell handpiece with a dielectric-coated electrode, vacuum generation, and high-frequency alternating current to increase skin temperature and vascularization, facilitating deeper penetration and cellular mitosis, thereby enhancing tissue elasticity and microcirculation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cosmetic products are applied to improve skin elasticity and microcirculation, then skin elasticity and microcirculation are improved, but the compact stratum corneum prevents effective penetration and uptake of the products

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of cosmetic treatmentVSAvoidbarrier effect of stratum corneum
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/chemical penetration methods with a thermal field approach. By applying controlled heat through the handpiece to raise tissue temperature to approximately 39°C, the treatment creates thermal effects that improve microcirculation and elasticity without requiring product penetration through the stratum corneum barrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the temperature parameter of the treated tissue by heating it to approximately 39°C (two degrees above physiological temperature). This temperature elevation directly improves microcirculation and metabolic activity, bypassing the need for cosmetic product uptake through the compact stratum corneum.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If abrasive treatments are applied to remove stratum corneum, then penetration is improved, but excessive abrasion occurs and results are temporary as stratum corneum naturally thickens over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepenetration capabilityVSAvoidexcessive abrasion and temporary results
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes mechanical abrasion with a thermal field treatment. Instead of physically removing the stratum corneum, the invention uses controlled heating to achieve therapeutic effects, thereby avoiding excessive abrasion and its associated risks while providing more stable, long-term results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention accepts the presence of the compact stratum corneum rather than trying to remove it. By using thermal energy to penetrate and treat the tissue beneath while maintaining the natural barrier, the treatment converts what was previously a hindrance into a non-interfering element, providing sustained results without the temporary nature of abrasive treatments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If ionophoresis is used to push cosmetic products deeper, then product uptake is improved, but the compactness and density of stratum corneum still create proportional impediment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct uptake efficiencyVSAvoidimpediment from stratum corneum compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces ionophoresis (electrical current-driven product delivery) with a thermal field approach. By heating the tissue to approximately 39°C, the treatment directly improves microcirculation and tissue metabolism, eliminating the need for forced product penetration through electrical currents and bypassing the stratum corneum barrier issue entirely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 apparatus effectively increases skin temperature and vascularization, promoting cellular reproduction and fluid circulation, leading to prolonged stabilization of skin elasticity and reduced stiffness in treated areas.

Implementation Method 1

an electrode (16), arranged in position so as to allow contact with the skin to be treated, which allows a capacitive coupling effect, i.e. an overheating of what comes into contact with it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 2

a vacuum generating device; an electrical current generating device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP1991311B1Apparatus and method for treating skin blemishes due to skin striae
Publication Date: 2012.08.08 BUSONI MAURIZIO
  • EP1991311B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1991311B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An apparatus which allows to treat blemishes caused by skin striae thanks to the simultaneous application of a massaging action and skin heating is described.