Iontophoretic Device Independent Current Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing iontophoretic devices for cosmetic treatment of keratin materials face challenges in maintaining homogeneous current intensity over treated areas, especially when the end piece is not properly pressed against the skin, leading to reduced effectiveness and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A device with independently managed electrodes on a single end piece, equipped with sensors and a microcontroller to adjust current intensity based on skin contact, ensuring only electrodes in contact with the skin receive current, thereby maintaining consistent treatment efficacy and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrodes are placed on the same end piece for treating different body areas, then treatment versatility and effectiveness are improved, but current distribution homogeneity deteriorates when the end piece is not properly pressed against the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the end piece into multiple independently controllable electrodes (first electrode, second electrode, third electrode, fourth electrode) instead of using a single large electrode. Each electrode can be independently activated based on skin contact detection, allowing the system to adapt to different body areas while maintaining current homogeneity through selective activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making each electrode's current supply dependent on its specific contact condition with the skin. The control unit detects skin contact at each electrode location and selectively activates only those electrodes in proper contact, ensuring homogeneous current distribution in the treated area while maintaining versatility for different body parts.
2Reliability
If current intensity is limited for safety reasons, then treatment safety is improved, but treatment effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of current intensity from a fixed limited value to a dynamically adjustable value. The control unit monitors skin contact at each electrode and adjusts the current intensity individually for each activated electrode, allowing higher currents when proper contact is detected (improving effectiveness) while maintaining safety limits when contact is insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the control unit to continuously monitor skin contact conditions at each electrode and adjust current supply accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that current intensity is optimized for treatment effectiveness while automatically preventing excessive current when proper skin contact is not established, thus maintaining safety.
3Ease of operation
If the end piece is made smaller for better accessibility, then ease of operation is improved, but treatment time increases reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the end piece into multiple smaller electrodes that can be independently activated. This allows the end piece to remain compact and easy to maneuver in difficult-to-access areas while maintaining treatment effectiveness by activating multiple electrodes simultaneously when appropriate, thereby reducing overall treatment time compared to using a single small electrode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple small electrodes into a single end piece assembly. This allows the system to combine the accessibility advantages of small electrodes with the productivity benefits of multiple simultaneous treatment zones, as the control unit can activate multiple electrodes at once when the end piece is properly positioned on the skin.
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 ensures homogeneous current distribution and increased treatment effectiveness by selectively supplying current to electrodes in contact with the skin, enhancing the cosmetic treatment process while ensuring safety.
Implementation Method 1
The transcutaneous diffusion of the molecules via iontophoresis is based on two principles, namely electrorepulsion and electroosmosis. Electrorepulsion is the migration of an ionized molecule by repulsion of charges of the same sign.
Implementation Method 2
Electroosmosis is the migration of a molecule, even a non-ionized molecule, by entrainment associated with the flow of water from the anode to the cathode during iontophoresis.
Implementation Method 3
The device ensures homogeneous current distribution and increased treatment effectiveness by selectively supplying current to electrodes in contact with the skin
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for the cosmetic treatment of keratin materials with an electric current, comprising: - an end piece (25) comprising at least two electrodes (101, 102) connected to the same polarities of at least one current generator, - at least one counter electrode (60), - a power supply system (13), the electrodes (101, 102) being managed independently of one another by the power supply system (13).