Rollable Ultrasonic Probe Head for Skin Cooling and Active Ingredient Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ultrasonic devices for personal care have limited run time due to cooling requirements and flat probe heads with poor manoeuvrability, reducing their effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A rollable probe head with an integrated ultrasonic transducer and reservoir that dispenses flowable substances directly onto the skin, allowing for efficient delivery and cooling, while maintaining acoustic coupling and maneuverability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If lower power level is used to limit device temperature, then cooling requirements are reduced, but effectiveness of the device is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice temperatureVSAvoiddevice effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cooling intermediary substance (gel or liquid) that mediates between the ultrasonic transducer and the skin. This intermediary serves dual purposes: it provides acoustic coupling for effective ultrasonic energy transmission while simultaneously acting as a heat sink to cool the transducer, allowing the device to maintain higher power levels without overheating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling substance serves the transducer's cooling requirements while also performing its primary function of acoustic coupling and active ingredient delivery. The system is designed so that the same substance that enables effective operation also provides thermal management, eliminating the need for separate cooling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If flat probe head configuration is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but manoeuvrability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobe head manufacturingVSAvoidmanoeuvrability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a flat probe head to a spherical or rounded probe head configuration. This curvature allows the probe to roll smoothly over the skin surface and adapt to skin contours, significantly improving manoeuvrability. The spherical shape maintains manufacturing feasibility while enabling the probe to follow skin curves and reach difficult areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The probe head is designed to be dynamic in its interaction with the skin surface through rolling motion rather than sliding. This dynamic rolling capability, enabled by the spherical shape, allows the probe to adapt to varying skin topographies and maintain continuous contact, improving both ease of operation and treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If gel or cream is applied directly to skin prior to using probe, then acoustic coupling is improved, but substance usage efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic couplingVSAvoidflowable substance efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the acoustic coupling function and the active ingredient delivery function into a single integrated system. The flowable substance is stored in the probe itself and dispensed in controlled amounts during operation, combining the roles of coupling medium and treatment agent, thereby improving substance usage efficiency while maintaining acoustic coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The probe is designed to self-supply the necessary flowable substance during operation. The substance is stored within the probe housing and dispensed automatically as needed, eliminating the need for separate application of gel or cream and ensuring efficient, controlled usage of the substance throughout the treatment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 rollable probe head enables efficient delivery of active ingredients with reduced friction and improved skin contour following, extending device runtime and enhancing user comfort.

Implementation Method 1

Such devices emit ultrasonic energy which induces cavitation in the sample, thereby agitating the particles in the sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic cavitation: Cavitation

Implementation Method 2

the flowable substance can, in some embodiments, serve a further purpose in providing a cooling medium for the ultrasonic transducer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20250235681A1Ultrasonic probe to improve absorption of active ingredients into the skin

Publication Date: 2025.07.24 DYSON TECH LTD

AI summary

An ultrasonic probe is provided and includes a rollable probe head and an ultrasonic transducer. The rollable probe head is configured to couple sound energy emitted from the ultrasonic transducer to a working surface. The ultrasonic probe further includes a reservoir for containing a flowable substance. The rollable probe head is configured to dispense the flowable substance from the reservoir to the working surface when rotated. The probe head is configured to roll smoothly across a working surface, such as skin, smoothly whilst delivering an appropriate amount of flowable substance to the skin as it rolls.