Abstract
A treatment method for promoting hair growth/hair restoration includes pinching a part of skin where hair growth/hair restoration is to be promoted and jetting a pressure fluid to the part from a periphery thereof to raise the part to burn fat under a skin layer in and near the part to which the pressure fluid is jetted to improve blood circulation to perform a treatment for promoting hair growth/hair restoration.
Claims
1. A treatment method for promoting hair growth/hair restoration comprising: pinching a part of skin where hair growth/hair restoration is to be promoted and jetting a pressure fluid to the part from a periphery thereof to raise the part to burn fat under a skin layer in and near the part to which the pressure fluid is jetted to improve blood circulation to perform a treatment for promoting hair growth/hair restoration.
2. The treatment method for promoting hair growth/hair restoration according to claim 1, wherein the pressure fluid is air.
3. The treatment method for promoting hair growth/hair restoration according to claim 1, wherein the pressure fluid is water.
4. A hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus comprising: a pressure fluid supply source; a plurality of pressure fluid supply pipes configured to allow a pressure fluid supplied from the pressure fluid supply source to pass therethrough; a plurality of nozzles formed on ends of the pressure fluid supply pipes at sides facing each other, the nozzles being configured to jet the pressure fluid; and nozzle separation/approach means for causing the plurality of nozzles of the plurality of pressure fluid supply pipes to separate from and approach each other.
5. The hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pressure fluid is air.
6. The hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pressure fluid is water.
7. The hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the nozzle separation/approach means includes long slender pressure fluid supply pipes having a restoring force, the pressure fluid supply pipes being separable and approachable by an elastic force applied in an open direction of nozzles of the pressure fluid supply pipes or an opposite direction thereof.
8. The hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of the nozzles includes an open hole open on a tip of a bent tip part of the pressure fluid supply pipe.
9. The hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of the nozzles includes an open hole open on a side face of a tip part of the pressure fluid supply pipe.
10. The hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of the nozzles includes a plurality of open holes open on a branch pipe disposed on a tip of the pressure fluid supply pipe so that the pressure fluid passes therethrough.
11. The hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the nozzle separation/approach means includes long slender pressure fluid supply pipes having a restoring force, the pressure fluid supply pipes being separable and approachable by an elastic force applied in an open direction of nozzles of the pressure fluid supply pipes or an opposite direction thereof.
12. The hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the nozzle separation/approach means includes long slender pressure fluid supply pipes having a restoring force, the pressure fluid supply pipes being separable and approachable by an elastic force applied in an open direction of nozzles of the pressure fluid supply pipes or an opposite direction thereof.
13. The hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the nozzles includes an open hole open on a tip of a bent tip part of the pressure fluid supply pipe.
14. The hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein each of the nozzles includes an open hole open on a tip of a bent tip part of the pressure fluid supply pipe.
15. The hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each of the nozzles includes an open hole open on a tip of a bent tip part of the pressure fluid supply pipe.
16. The hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the nozzles includes an open hole open on a side face of a tip part of the pressure fluid supply pipe.
17. The hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein each of the nozzles includes an open hole open on a side face of a tip part of the pressure fluid supply pipe.
18. The hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each of the nozzles includes an open hole open on a side face of a tip part of the pressure fluid supply pipe.
19. The hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the nozzles includes a plurality of open holes open on a branch pipe disposed on a tip of the pressure fluid supply pipe so that the pressure fluid passes therethrough.
20. The hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein each of the nozzles includes a plurality of open holes open on a branch pipe disposed on a tip of the pressure fluid supply pipe so that the pressure fluid passes therethrough.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1. is a front view of a main part in a first embodiment of a hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus.
[0027] FIG. 2. is an example view of treatment use for a apparatus in FIGS. 1.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a rear side example view of treatment use using a apparatus in FIG. 2.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a outline of sectional explanatory view of the skin layer of human body.
[0030] FIG. 5 is an enlarged explanatory view of a section of the skin layer A-A line illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a front view of a main part in a second embodiment of a hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a front view of a main part in a third embodiment of a hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus.
[0033] FIG. 8 is an example view of main part of treatment use of an apparatus in FIG. 7.
[0034] FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the nozzels in a forth embodiment of a hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus.
[0035] FIG. 10 is an example view of treatment use using the nozzels in FIG. 9
[0036] FIG. 11 is a perspective explanatory view in a fifth embodiment of a hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus.
[0037] FIG. 12 is a front view of a main part in a sixth embodiment of a hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus.
[0038] FIG. 13 is a side view of main part in FIG. 11.
[0039] FIG. 14 is a view showing the state of hair before the treatment and after the treatment (Case 1).
[0040] FIG. 15 a view showing the state of hair before the treatment and after the treatment (Case 2).
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0041] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a first embodiment of a hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus 1 of the present invention mainly includes a pressure fluid supply source 2, which includes, for example, a cylinder in which compressed air stored by an air compression pump or the like is stored, a plurality of pressure fluid supply pipes 4 to which a pressure fluid is supplied from the pressure fluid supply source 2 through a coupling pipe 3, a plurality of nozzle 5, which are disposed on ends of the pressure fluid supply pipes 4, and nozzle separation/approach means 6 for causing the nozzles 5 of the pressure fluid supply pipes 4 to separate from and approach each other.
[0042] When the pressure fluid to be supplied is gas such as air, the pressure fluid supply source 2 may directly supply gas from a compressor or the like or supply air compressed and stored in a cylinder or the like. When the pressure fluid is liquid such as water, the pressure fluid supply source 2 may directly supply liquid from a feed water pump or may be a tap water supply source when tap water is used. In all these cases, the pressure fluid supply source 2 is desirably a supply source capable of continuously supplying a pressure fluid at constant pressure.
[0043] The plurality of pressure fluid supply pipes 4 are used. Each of the pressure fluid supply pipes 4 includes a long slender metal pipe having a restoring force, and the nozzle 5 which jets the pressure fluid is disposed on the end thereof. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, two pressure fluid supply pipes 4 are used. One end of each of the pressure fluid supply pipes 4 is connected to a branch pipe 41, which is coupled to the coupling pipe 3, the other end thereof is open on the tip of a pinch pipe part 42, which perpendicularly bends toward the side facing the other pressure fluid supply pipe 4, and the nozzle 5 is open on the other end. Further, the two pressure fluid supply pipes 4 return to an original parallel state by the nozzle separation/approach means 6. In the present embodiment, the pressure fluid supply pipe 4 is a stainless pipe having a length of 100 mm and an outer diameter of 2.0 mm. The inner diameter of the nozzle 3 is 1.0 mm. The distance between the pressure fluid supply pipes 4 is 20 mm. The length of the pinch pipe part 42 is 5 mm. The distance between the tips of the nozzles 5 is 10 mm. The pressure fluid supply pipe 4 is not limited to the metal pipe having a restoring force, and may be an elastic hard synthetic resin pipe.
[0044] The nozzle separation/approach means 6 in the present embodiment is the long slender metal pipes having a restoring force as the pressure fluid supply pipes 4. When the distance between the tips is reduced by gripping the two pressure fluid supply pipes 4 with fingers, and the fingers are then released, the distance between the tips returns to its original distance by the restoring force of the metal pipes. A stainless steel pipe is suitable for the metal pipe having a restoring force.
[0045] The use of the hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus 1 of the first embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. As illustrated in FIG. 2, an operator pinches the two pressure fluid supply sources 2 of the hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus 1 between the thumb and forefinger, puts the branch pipe 41 on the back of the hand, and attaches the coupling pipe 3, which is connected to the pressure fluid supply source 2, to the wrist with a band 7. At the stage when such a preparation is completed, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the operator grips the two pressure fluid supply pipes 4 as the nozzle separation/approach means 6 in the direction for reducing the distance between the two nozzles 5 of the pressure fluid supply pipes 4 against the restoring force of the pressure fluid supply pipes 4 while lightly putting the nozzles 5 on a part of a skin layer of the head of a patient where hair growth/hair restoration is to be promoted. The pressure fluid from the pressure fluid supply source 2 is continuously jetted from the tips of the nozzles 5 through the coupling pipe 3 and the pressure fluid supply pipes 4. Thus, when the distance between the nozzles 5 is reduced and becomes narrow, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, which is an enlarged sectional view, the air pressure is applied to the part of the skin layer from both sides thereof. Thus, the part is further lifted to form a raised part X.
[0046] This state will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The pressure fluid is continuously jetted to the raised part X of the skin layer, and the raised skin layer gradually becomes narrow. Accordingly, fat cells held and coagulated inside the raised skin layer are split into individual cells by the fluid pressure. The split of the fat cells burns nutrients stored between the cells, the flow of blood in blood vessels is improved along with the movement of muscles, and nutrients are fed to a hair root part. Alternatively, it is considered that a new hair root is generated from the skin layer or a fat cell layer, which promotes hair growth. While the same part of the skin layer is held with the nozzles 5 of the pressure fluid supply pipes 4, a split sound, such as a popping sound, caused by the split of fat cells is generated. The holding time is not particularly limited to any time, and may be approximately several seconds. Then, the gripping fingers are loosened to return the pressure fluid supply pipes 4 by the nozzle separation/approach means 6, thereby expanding the distance between the nozzles 5. Then, a move to a new part is made, and the same treatment is performed thereon. Alternatively, the nozzles 5 may be slid while maintaining the gripping state to make a move to another continuous part. Such a treatment is performed on a part where hair growth/hair restoration is to be promoted. Thus, the treatment time increases in proportion to the treatment area. In the present embodiment, the operator performs the treatment on the patient. However, the patient himself/herself can also perform the treatment while looking in a mirror as needed.
[0047] FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that nozzle separation/approach means 6 is provided with a fulcrum 43 on which two pressure fluid supply pipes 4 intersect and become pivotable at the position of the branch pipe 41, and a handle 8, which is located between the fulcrum 43 and a coupling pipe 3 and includes an elastic body 44 such as a coil spring. The pressure fluid supply pipes 4 extend inside the handle 8. According to the second embodiment, since the elastic body 44 is used as the nozzle separation/approach means 6, nozzles 5 on the tips of the two pressure fluid supply pipes 4 are constantly biased in the direction facing each other. Thus, the pressure fluid supply pipe 4 may be a pipe that does not have a restoring force such as an elastic force. That is, in the first embodiment, the treatment is performed while gripping the two pressure fluid supply pipes 4 with the fingers in the direction for reducing the distance therebetween. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the distance between the two pressure fluid supply pipes 4 is expanded by gripping the handle 8, and a part of the skin layer is pinched and held by an elastic force of the elastic body 44. Thus, the holding force when the fingers are removed from the handle 8 is continuously a constant pressure by the elastic force of the elastic body 44. In order to vary the holding force, the elastic force of the elastic body 44 may be made adjustable or the force of gripping the handle 44 may be increased or reduced.
[0048] FIG. 7 illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that three pressure fluid supply pipes 4 extend from a branch pipe 41. The jet directions of the pressure fluid from nozzles 5 of the respective pressure fluid supply pipes 4 intersect at a point on the center. When a treatment is performed using these pressure fluid supply pipes 4, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the pressure fluid may be jetted from the three nozzles 5 with a part of the head where hair growth/hair restoration is to be promoted located on the central part between the three nozzles 5. Accordingly, the skin layer is raised by the pressure fluid from three sides. When the three pressure fluid supply pipes 4 are pushed with fingers toward the central part, the central part is raised to form a raised part X having a tent-like shape. Due to the same reason as the reason described in the first embodiment, coagulated fat cells under the skin layer inside the part surrounded on the three sides are split while making a sound, nutrients stored therein are released, and blood penetrates into the skin layer by the expansion and contraction of muscles, thereby supplying the nutrients to a hair root part. Accordingly, hair growth/hair restoration is promoted.
[0049] FIG. 9 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is an example in which a large number of nozzles 5 are formed on the tip of a pressure fluid supply pipe 4. A branch pipe 9 is fixed to the tip of the pressure fluid supply pipe 4 perpendicularly to the pressure fluid supply pipe 4, and the branch pipe 9 communicates with the pressure fluid supply pipe 4. A large number of open holes are open on the branch pipe 9 to form the nozzles 5 on a face facing the other branch pipe 9 in a manner to be paired with and correspond to the respective open holes on the other branch pipe 9. The distance between the branch pipes 9 is 10 mm, which is approximately equal to the distance between the nozzles 5 of the first embodiment. When a treatment is performed using the hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the two branch pipes 9 are put on the head to pinch a part where hair growth/hair restoration is to be promoted, and the distance between the pressure fluid supply pipes 4 is reduced while jetting the pressure fluid from the nozzles 5, thereby splitting the coagulated fat cells inside the skin layer of the formed long slender raised part X. The treatment is performed in a manner similar to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the treatment can be performed on a part having a large area at once due to the large number of nozzles 5. Instead of the large number of open holes as the nozzles 5, a long slender slit-like nozzle 5 formed in the lateral direction may be employed.
[0050] FIG. 11 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, three sets of pressure fluid supply pipes 4 of the first embodiment are disposed on a branch pipe 41. The other structure is the same as that of the structure of the first embodiment. When a treatment is performed, it is necessary to operate the six pressure fluid supply pipes 4 with fingers in the narrowing direction and the loosening direction. Thus, the pressure fluid supply pipes 4 on each side may be coupled with a coupler so that the pressure fluid supply pipes 4 can be operated at the same time. Also in the present embodiment, the nozzles 5 are arrayed in the lateral direction. Thus, the treatment can be performed on a part having a large area by a single operation. Similarly to the above embodiment, since the large number of nozzles 5 are present, it is necessary to increase the supply amount of the pressure fluid from the pressure fluid supply source 2.
[0051] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The sixth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a plurality of pressure fluid supply pipes 4 which branch from a branch pipe 41 and face each other are coupled with a coupling plate 10 at each side, and open holes open on side faces of tips of the pressure fluid supply pipes 4 facing each other serve as nozzles 5 instead of forming the pinch pipes 42 by bending the tips of the pressure fluid supply pipes 4. Also in the present embodiment, in a manner similar to the fourth and fifth embodiments, a treatment can be performed on a part having a large area by a single operation due the large number of nozzles 5 which are paired and face each other. Further, the distances between all the paired nozzles 5 are reduced by merely reducing the distance between the coupling plates 10. Thus, the operation is easy. Further, since the pinch pipe parts 42 of the first embodiment are not provided, the distance between the two pressure fluid supply pipes 4 can be reduced, and the apparatus can thus be downsized. Further, when the position of a part to be treated is moved, hair is not caught on the apparatus. Thus, the operation efficiency is improved.
[0052] The above embodiments describe the case where the treatment is performed using gas, such as air, as the pressure fluid as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 8, and 10. On the other hand, when the pressure fluid is liquid, such as water, the treatment may be performed on the head put above a washbowl in the same manner as washing hair or performed on the head in the same manner as washing hair by shower. Accordingly, even when no operator is present, a patient himself/herself can perform the treatment similarly to the case where the pressure fluid is gas. The water pressure is weak with only the pressure of tap water. Thus, water is preferably pressurized by a hydraulic pump or the like. In both the cases where the pressure fluid is gas and liquid, the shape of the open hole of the nozzle 5 is not limited to a circular shape, and may be another shape such as a horizontally oriented slit-like shape. It is possible to increase the jet pressure of the fluid within the bounds of not making the patient feel pain by reducing the open area of the nozzle. Accordingly, the treatment effect can be improved.
[0053] The above embodiments describe the hair growth/hair restoration on the head. However, hair growth/hair restoration can be promoted in a similar manner also in other parts of the body.
[0054] Further, in the above embodiments, the means using the restoring force of the pressure fluid supply pipes 4 or the biasing force of the elastic body 44 is described as the nozzle separation/approach means 6. Instead of this, the treatment may be performed in the following manner. When the pressure fluid from the pressure fluid supply source 2 is supplied by a switch operation in a state in which the nozzles 5 are put on a part where hair growth/hair restoration is to be promoted, the distance between the facing nozzles 5 which are separated from each other at a predetermined distance by the action of an elastic body or the like is reduced by the action of the pressure so that the skin layer is pinched. When the nozzles 5 are moved, the switch is turned off to expand the distance between the nozzles 5, the nozzles 5 are then moved to another part, and the switch is turned on again. These operations are continuously repeated.
[0055] Results of treatments performed using the method of the invention and the hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus will be described below. Treatment examples which were performed on six patients on the premise of confidentiality will be described below. The treatments were performed using the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 as the hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus 1 and the method as illustrated in FIG. 2 following the instructions described in [0029] and [0030].
[0056] (Case 1)
[0057] Patient: a male in his thirties [0058] Frequency: once in two weeks
[0059] Time per one treatment: approximately 30 minutes
[0060] Target area: entire head
[0061] Duration: three times (three times in total)
[0062] Although no effect was obtained with an agent, thin hair started growing, and an effect was confirmed as a result of the treatment. The left side is before the treatment, and the right side is after the treatment (refer to FIG. 14).
[0063] (Case 2)
[0064] Patient: a male in his thirties [0065] Frequency: once in two weeks
[0066] Time per one treatment: approximately 30 minutes
[0067] Target area: entire head
[0068] Duration: three times
[0069] As a result of the treatment, fine hair became thick, and multiple hairs grew from one pore. The left side is before the treatment, and the right side is after the treatment (refer to FIG. 15).
[0070] (Case 3)
[0071] Patient: a male in his forties [0072] Frequency: once in two weeks
[0073] Time per one treatment: approximately 30 minutes
[0074] Target area: entire head
[0075] Duration: two months
[0076] As a result of the treatment, transplanted own hair came off again. Then, the growth of multiple hairs from the pore was confirmed using a magnifier.
[0077] (Case 4)
[0078] Patient: a female in her forties [0079] Frequency: once in two weeks
[0080] Time per one treatment: approximately 30 minutes
[0081] Target area: entire head
[0082] Duration: four months
[0083] As a result of the treatment, thin hair after childbirth became thick, and the amount of hair also increased.
[0084] (Case 5)
[0085] Patient: a female in her fifties [0086] Frequency: once in two weeks
[0087] Time per one treatment: approximately 30 minutes
[0088] Target area: entire head
[0089] Duration: two months
[0090] As a result of the treatment, hair without volume became thick. Although hair used to be flat when leaving the office before the treatment, set hair can be maintained after the treatment.
[0091] (Case 6)
[0092] Patient: a female in her sixties [0093] Frequency: once in two weeks
[0094] Time per one treatment: approximately 30 minutes
[0095] Target area: entire head
[0096] Duration: four months
[0097] As a result of the treatment, thin hair, which hadn't been able to hide the skin even after setting the hair, became thick one by one, thin hair also started growing, and hair volume started increasing.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0098] The present invention is good news for people who are afflicted with thin hair. If many people wish to receive the treatment, the invigoration of the tertiary industry providing the treatment service is expected.
LIST OF RERERENCE SIGNS
[0099] 1 Hair growth/hair restoration promoting apparatus
[0100] 2 Pressure fluid supply source
[0101] 3 Coupling pipe
[0102] 4 Pressure fluid supply pipe
[0103] 41 Branch pipe
[0104] 42 Pinch pipe part
[0105] 43 Fulcrum
[0106] 44 Elastic body
[0107] 5 Nozzle
[0108] 6 Nozzle separation/approach means
[0109] 7 Band
[0110] 8 Handle
[0111] 9 Branch pipe
[0112] 10 Coupling plate
