Spherical Dermal Applicator With Restricted Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skin treatment devices do not effectively enhance vascular microcirculation or facilitate the absorption of dermal compositions, and they often result in wastage of treatment formulations due to unrestricted movement of rollers.
Innovation Solution
A dermal applicator device with a spherical reservoir containing a liquid with a freezing point below 0°C and high latent heat of fusion, which is designed to rotate relative to a housing with restricted movement, promoting vasoconstriction and vasodilation, and featuring a kit of interchangeable components with varying cooling properties for selective application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a spherical reservoir with restricted rotation is used, then wastage of treatment formulation is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate components: a housing with retainer, a spherical reservoir, and an applicator head. This segmentation allows the reservoir to be independently designed with restricted rotation mechanics while maintaining simplicity in each individual component.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir is designed as a sphere or spheroid shape, which naturally provides stable rolling motion on curved surfaces like the face. The spherical geometry combined with the retainer mechanism creates restricted rotation that prevents excessive formulation wastage while maintaining ease of use.
2Temperature
If a liquid with high latent heat of fusion is used, then vascular microcirculation is enhanced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies liquids with particular physical parameters (freezing point below 0°C and high latent heat of fusion). These parameter selections enable the liquid to maintain stable cold temperatures during application, enhancing vascular microcirculation through controlled vasoconstriction and vasodilation.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid is designed to undergo phase transitions (freezing and melting) at controlled temperatures. The high latent heat of fusion allows the liquid to absorb and release significant thermal energy during phase change, maintaining stable cooling effects on the skin to enhance vascular microcirculation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable components are provided, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing and retainer are designed as universal components that can accommodate multiple types of spherical reservoirs with different liquids and properties. This universal design allows interchangeable components to be used, providing adaptability for different treatment needs while maintaining a simple base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical reservoir is designed to nest within the housing, with the applicator head fitting over the reservoir. This nested configuration allows for easy assembly and disassembly of interchangeable components, enabling adaptability without significantly increasing device complexity.
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 enhances skin absorption and reduces wastage by maintaining a stable cold temperature for improved dermal penetration, promoting vascular microcirculation, skin firmness, and relaxation, while minimizing the loss of treatment compositions.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid having at least one of: i) a freezing point below 0° C. and (ii) a specific latent heat of fusion higher than that of water
Implementation Method 2
Freezing cold temperatures cause vasoconstriction and vasodilation which encourage vascular micro circulation in the skin tissue
Implementation Method 3
a spherical contact member, the contact member comprising a shell, a reservoir internal to the shell for retaining liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A dermal applicator device may include a housing having a retainer configured to hold and engage a spherical surface. A reservoir, containing a liquid, is contained within a shell that is at least partially spherical but at least has curved surfaces supporting rotation. The shell may be engaged within the retainer to permit relative rotation of the shell with respect to the housing. The liquid may be selected to have a freezing point below 0° C. and/or a specific latent heat of fusion higher than water. The shell may further include an outwardly protruding lug extending from its surface, and the housing may be configured to form an orbital chamber between an inner surface thereof and the shell when the shell is retained in the retainer. The protruding lug is constrained within the orbital chamber such that rotation of the shell relative to the housing is restricted.