Topical Cosmetic System Generating Microcurrent via Redox Reactions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dermal patches for delivering electrical currents to the skin require external power sources and can cause irritation or inflammation due to high current intensity, which is affected by skin pH, moisture, and resistance, making them complex and costly for treating non-life-threatening skin damages.
Innovation Solution
A topical cosmetic system generating a mild electrical current across the skin surface without an external power source, using a substrate patch with electron donor and acceptor components and an electrically conductive medium, allowing the current to flow across the skin instead of through it, thereby minimizing irritation and maintaining consistent current intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional dermal patches use external power sources to deliver electrical currents, then current intensity can be sufficient for treatment, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cosmetic system generates its own electrical current through spontaneous redox reactions between electron donor and acceptor components in the cosmetic compositions, eliminating the need for external power sources. The system serves itself by using chemical energy stored in the cosmetic ingredients to produce the required microcurrent for skin treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical power source system with a chemical system. Instead of using batteries or external power supplies to generate current, the system uses chemical reactions (electron transfer between donor and acceptor molecules) to generate electrical current spontaneously
2Power
If conventional dermal patches deliver high current intensity through the skin, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but skin irritation and inflammation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter of current intensity from high (conventional) to low/micro level. By delivering microcurrent rather than high current, the system achieves treatment effectiveness while avoiding skin irritation and inflammation that occur with higher current intensities
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies a partial level of electrical stimulation (microcurrent) that is sufficient for therapeutic benefit but below the threshold that causes harmful effects. This partial action provides enough stimulus to promote healing and improve skin quality without exceeding the skin's tolerance level
3Reliability
If conventional dermal patches apply current through the skin, then deep tissue treatment is achieved, but current intensity varies with skin pH, moisture, and resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the current delivery path from through the skin to across the skin surface. By delivering current horizontally across the surface rather than vertically through the tissue, the system eliminates the variability introduced by skin pH, moisture content, and electrical resistance, achieving consistent current delivery regardless of skin condition
4Ease of manufacture
If topical cosmetic systems use electron donor and acceptor components, then electrical current is generated without power source, but manufacturing precision is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes in the form of pH adjustment and redox potential control to optimize the electron donor-acceptor system. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves reliable current generation while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard cosmetic formulation techniques
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 system effectively prevents or treats skin damage and improves skin quality by providing a sustainable, low-intensity microcurrent that is less affected by skin variations, reducing the complexity and cost of manufacturing and minimizing irritation.
Implementation Method 1
a first component capable of acting as an electron donor... a second component capable of acting as an electron acceptor... an exchange of electrons between the electron donor and the electron acceptor results in generation of an electrical current on the skin
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a topical or cosmetic system that includes a first element capable of acting as an electron donor and a second element capable of acting as an electron acceptor. Such first and second elements are spaced apart by a predetermined distance across a skin surface. The system also includes a third element extending over the predetermined distance across the skin surface, while the third element contains an electrically conductive medium for electrically connecting the first and second elements, thereby generating an electrical current that flows across the skin surface from the first element through the conductive medium to the second element in the absence of any power source. The present invention also relates to methods of using the above-described system for preventing or treating skin damage.