Patch-Type Iontophoresis Bridge Structure for Uniform Skin Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing iontophoresis methods for skin care and hair growth face challenges such as inconsistent application of voltage, limited absorption area, and non-uniform distribution of current, leading to suboptimal substance delivery.
Innovation Solution
A patch-type iontophoresis device with a medicine absorption body, power circuit, and bridge structure that allows for stable coupling and radial expansion of iontophoresis, using micro-current to uniformly distribute power and generate iontophoresis across a larger skin area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a voltage application device is used to apply voltage to the skin for iontophoresis, then the functional substance can be introduced into the stratum corneum, but the user experiences inconvenience due to the need for consistent voltage application and the electrode only treats the area it touches
Solution Approach 1:
The patch-type device contains an integrated power supply unit that automatically provides voltage without requiring user operation. The device applies iontophoresis voltage continuously through the patch structure, eliminating the need for users to manually operate a voltage application device while maintaining reliable substance introduction into the skin
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the power supply unit, control circuit, and conductive patch into a single integrated device. This merging allows the device to function autonomously, providing both the voltage application and the substance delivery system in one unit that can be simply applied to the skin without complex user operation
2Reliability
If an electrode is used to apply voltage to a specific area, then iontophoresis can be applied to that area, but the current cannot be transferred to peripheral portions of the skin that the electrode does not touch
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive patch is divided into multiple conductive regions or zones that can be independently or collectively activated. This segmentation allows the voltage to be distributed across multiple areas of the skin simultaneously, expanding the treatment area beyond what a single electrode could cover while maintaining effective iontophoresis in each zone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a point-contact electrode to a surface-area patch that conforms to the skin. This dimensional change from 0D point contact to 2D surface coverage allows current to be transferred across the entire patch area, including peripheral portions, thereby expanding the treatment area while maintaining iontophoresis effectiveness
3Reliability
If voltage is applied through a single electrode, then iontophoresis can be initiated, but the introduction performance of the functional substance is degraded due to non-uniform current distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive patch contains multiple conductive elements or zones distributed across its surface, each capable of delivering current independently. This segmentation creates multiple current pathways that distribute voltage more uniformly across the treatment area, preventing concentration of current in a single location and improving overall substance introduction performance
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the conductive patch can be designed with varying conductive properties or configurations to optimize current distribution. By adjusting the local quality of different patch zones, the device achieves more uniform current density across the entire treatment area, enhancing iontophoresis effectiveness throughout
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 effectively absorbs medical treatments and functional substances into the skin by maintaining stable coupling, radially expanding the iontophoresis area, and ensuring uniform current distribution, enhancing absorption efficiency and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The iontophoresis is a method for introducing various substances supplied to the skin into the stratum corneum by applying voltage. For example, when negative voltage is applied to a part to which a substance having negative charges is applied, the substance is moved into the stratum corneum by an electrostatic repulsive force.
Implementation Method 2
when negative voltage is applied to a part to which a substance having negative charges is applied, the substance is moved into the stratum corneum by an electrostatic repulsive force
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an iontophoresis-based patch type medicine absorption device for allowing a medicine for medical treatment or a functional substance for skin care to be effectively absorbed into a user's skin by causing iontophoresis on the user's skin through a conductive patch. The iontophoresis-based patch type medicine absorption device for allowing the medicine for medical treatment or the functional substance for the skin care to be absorbed into the user's skin by the iontophoresis includes a medicine absorption device body that generates power to cause the iontophoresis. The medicine absorption device body includes a power circuit that is provided in an interior space of a body and that includes a power unit that generates the power for the iontophoresis and one or more electrodes to which the power is applied, and a bridge that is provided so as to be combinable with the body and that receives the power through the one or more electrodes. The bridge includes a bridge body provided so as to be combinable with the body and a plurality of bridge legs arranged along a circumferential direction of the bridge body and formed of a conductive material.