HAIR LOSS REGROWTH AND HAIR TREATMENT DEVICE

Abstract

A hair restoration apparatus (100) restores hair loss and prevents further loss. The apparatus (100) includes a restoration insert (102). The restoration insert (102) includes a magnet substructure (104). A magnet array (106) is formed within the magnet substructure (104). The array (106) includes individual therapy magnets (108). The substructure (104) provides a base for the therapy magnets (108) to be positioned in close proximity to the scalp of a user (112).

Claims

1. In combination, a head covering and hair restoration apparatus adapted for use for implementing magnetic therapy for curing hair loss and preventing further hair loss, said hair restoration apparatus comprising: a restoration insert for enabling magnetic therapy and positionable between a scalp of a user and said head covering; and said restoration insert having a magnetic substructure, said magnetic substructure providing for the enablement of therapy magnets to remain in close proximity to affected scalp areas of said user for extended periods of time.

2. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said restoration apparatus comprises a magnet array formed on or within said magnetic substructure; and said magnetic substructure with said magnet array forming a magnetic field resulting in a pattern of alternating magnetic polarities extending substantially across a surface of said magnetic substructure formed by said magnet array.

3. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said magnet array comprises a plurality of individual therapy magnets.

4. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that said individual therapy magnets are permanent magnets.

5. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that said magnetic substructure comprises a fabric structure.

6. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that said fabric structure is multi-layered.

7. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that said multi-layered fabric structure comprises a lower fabric layer and an upper fabric layer.

8. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that said multi-layered fabric structure comprises fabric layers being formed with pockets positioned between lower and upper ones of said fabric layers, said pockets being adapted for receiving one or more of said therapy magnets.

9. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that said fabric layers are stitched or otherwise sewn together along a stitch line.

10. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said restoration insert is coupled to said head covering through permanent means.

11. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said restoration insert is secured to said head covering in a manner where said head covering is releasable from said restoration insert by said user.

12. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said restoration insert is separate and independent from said head covering.

13. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said restoration insert is adapted to be produced in selective sizes so as to fit scalps of users having differing remaining hairlines, head dimensions and other differing dimensions and properties.

14. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said therapy magnets have a magnetic field strength of 0.5 Gauss.

15. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that said individual therapy magnets are of a disc-like configuration.

16. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 15, characterized in that said dimensions of said individual therapy magnets are a diameter of 0.75 inches, and a thickness of 0.125 inches.

17. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that said therapy magnets of said magnet array are positioned so as to have a minimum spacing of 0.875 inches tip-to-tip.

18. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that said magnets are spaced so that adjacent magnets are positioned no greater than 1.625 inches apart.

19. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus adapted for use by a user for curing hair loss and preventing further hair loss, said hair restoration apparatus comprising: an electronic pulse generator connected to an electrical conducting cable extending within a shaped structure incorporated within and secured to said covering; said restoration apparatus further comprising means connected to said conducting cable for supplying electrical power to said pulse generator and to said electrically conducting cable; and said electrical pulse generator generating a pulsed electrostatic field between an interior of said head covering and the scalp of said user.

20. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 19, characterized in that said generator provides a pulsating electromagnetic field around said cable with an intensity of at least one Gauss in proximity to said cable.

21. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 20, characterized in that said sizing and configuration of said hair restoration apparatus is such that an intensity of said electromagnetic field generated by such pulse generator is substantially negligible at approximately 5 millimeters from a surface of said conducting cable.

22. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 21, characterized in that said electrical pulses comprise a duration of approximately 2 milliseconds, with a frequency of generation of approximately 50 pulses per second.

23. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 22, characterized in that a surface of said conducting cable which is abutting said user's skull is protected by plastic film or similar protective means.

24. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that use of said hair restoration apparatus by said user is performed in combination with a nutritional regimen having a dosage of 5,000 I.U. of Vitamin D, once at night and once in the morning.

25. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said user uses said hair restoration apparatus in combination with a nutritional regimen comprising the ingestion of at least 100 grams of supplemental protein, taken in 4 doses throughout a daytime.

26. A head covering and hair restoration apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said user wears said hair restoration apparatus for a period of 16 hours per day, with 8 hours of said 16-hour regiment preferably comprising a sleep state, and 8 hours of said 16-hour regiment preferably comprising daylight hours.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0035] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0036] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, illustrating an embodiment of the hair restoration apparatus with an example head covering in the form of a billed cap, and a restoration insert which is positionable within the cap, and further showing a portion of the restoration insert in an enlarged view, which illustrates several of the therapy magnets as they are embedded within a magnet substructure;

[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a user wearing the billed cap and hair restoration apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, in a fully assembled state;

[0038] FIG. 3 is a side-elevation view of the restoration insert illustrated in FIG. 1, with the restoration insert being shown in a stand-alone configuration;

[0039] FIG. 4 is a side-elevation view of a user, with the user wearing a night cap and showing the use of the restoration insert in a cut-out configuration as positioned under the night cap and adjacent the scalp of the user;

[0040] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded view showing the relative positioning of the restoration insert as it can be inserted into a commercially available Stetson hat;

[0041] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded view similar to FIG. 5, but showing the restoration insert in a position so as to be inserted into the interior of a western, full-brim hat;

[0042] FIG. 7 is a partially exploded view similar to FIGS. 5 and 6, and showing the restoration insert in a position so as to be inserted into a head scarf having a relatively long tie-back;

[0043] FIG. 8 is a partially exploded view similar to FIG. 7, and showing the restoration insert in a position so as to be inserted into a head scarf having a relatively short tie-back;

[0044] FIG. 9 is a view of an alternative embodiment of a hair restoration apparatus in accordance with the invention, with the apparatus utilizing an active pulsed electrostatic field applied to the scalp through the use of a pulse generator and electrodes placed at various locations on a skull cap to be worn by the user; and

[0045] FIG. 10 illustrates the alternative embodiment of a hair restoration apparatus in accordance with the invention as illustrated in FIG. 9, but showing the restoration apparatus as worn by a user with a skull cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] The principles of the invention are disclosed, by way of example, in a hair restoration apparatus 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-8. Still further, other principles of the invention are disclosed, by way of example, in an alternative embodiment of a hair restoration apparatus 200 as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. The hair restoration apparatus 100 in accordance with the invention provides for the application of magnetic therapy to a user's scalp, for purposes of restoring hair loss and the prevention of further loss. The hair restoration apparatus 100 in accordance with the invention further provides for the use of a restoration insert having a magnet substructure and magnet array for implementing the magnetic therapy. Further, the apparatus 100 in accordance with the invention is structured so as to be adaptable to various types of headgear for purposes of allowing use of the hair restoration apparatus 100 in a hidden configuration.

[0047] Turing to the specific drawings, the hair restoration apparatus 100 is illustrated in a partially exploded view in FIG. 1. Also, FIG. 3 illustrates a side-elevation view of the restoration apparatus 100. With reference first to FIG. 1, the restoration apparatus is illustrated as comprising a restoration insert 102. The restoration insert 102, as illustrated in FIG. 1, includes a magnet substructure 104. A section of the magnet substructure 104 is illustrated in a partially enlarged view in FIG. 1. The magnet substructure 104 has a dome-like configuration. A magnet array 106 is formed on or within the magnet substructure 104. The magnet array 106 comprises a series of individual therapy magnets 108 are positioned on or within the magnet substructure 104. The purpose for the magnet substructure 104 is to provide a base for the therapy magnets 108 which will position the therapy magnets 108 in close proximity to the scalp of a user 112 (see FIG. 2).

[0048] With respect to the magnet array 106 and individual therapy magnets 108, the magnets 108 can be coupled to the magnet substructure 104 through the use of a number of structures and processes. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the magnet substructure 104 can comprise a fabric structure which may be multi-layered. That is, the magnet substructure 104 may include a lower fabric layer 114 and an upper fabric layer 116. The fabric layers 114, 116 could be stitched or otherwise sewn together along a stitch line 119 as shown in FIG. 1. Further, the fabric layers 114, 116 can be formed with pockets 118 positioned between the lower and upper fabric layers 114, 116, respectively. Each of these pockets can include one of the therapy magnets 108, again primarily shown in FIG. 1.

[0049] With the restoration insert 102 formed with the magnet substructure 104 and magnet array 106, the insert can be positioned on the head and scalp of a user 112 as illustrated in FIG. 2. With the restoration insert 102 positioned on the scalp of the user 112, the lower fabric layer 114 will abut the scalp of the user 112.

[0050] If desired, the restoration insert 102 can also be worn between the scalp of the user 112 and a desired head piece, such as the billed cap 110 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. If desired, the restoration insert 102 can be maintained as a separate and independent element, relative to the billed cap 110. As an alternative, and one which may be a preferable configuration, the restoration insert 102 may be permanently or releasably coupled to the interior 120 of the billed cap 110. Securing the restoration insert 102 to the interior 120 of the billed cap 110 may provide additional convenience for the user 112, in addition to avoiding potential slippage of the restoration insert 102 from its optimal position on the scalp of the user 112.

[0051] One issue which can arise relates to the size of the user's head and the appropriate scalp area to be covered by the restoration insert 102. Because a person's scalp area and head size can vary relative to others, the overall size of the restoration insert 102 can be varied and custom-fitted for an individual user 112. Alternatively, the magnet substructure 104 (which is shown as comprising lower and upper fabric layers 114, 116, respectively in FIG. 1) can be constructed of a somewhat stretchable material, and may also include a headband 122 which consists of an appropriate elasticity so as to be adjustable with respect to its perimeter length.

[0052] In accordance with the foregoing, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hair restoration apparatus 100 utilizes magnet therapies for purposes of curing hair loss of any type, and to prevent further hair loss. It is believed that magnets such as the therapy magnets 108, if positioned appropriately adjacent to the user's scalp, will improve blood flow to underlying tissues. It should be noted that this concept is also used with respect to curing and prevention of diseases and other medical problems which may be associated with various parts of a patient's body. To appreciate the application of magnet therapy for curing hair loss and preventing further hair loss, concepts associated with magnetism should be understood. As is known, a magnet is a material or object which produces a magnetic field. The magnetic field is invisible but is responsible for the most notable property of a magnet; that is, a force which pulls on other ferro magnetic materials, such as iron, and attracts or repels other magnets.

[0053] A permanent magnet is an object made from a material that is magnetized and creates its own persistent magnetic field. Such a magnet can be as simple as a refrigerator magnet utilized to hold notes on a refrigerator door. Any materials that can be magnetized or ones which are strongly attracted to a magnet, are typically called ferro magnetic. Such permanent magnets include materials formed of iron, nickel, cobalt, some alloys of rare earth materials, and some naturally occurring minerals, such as lodestone. In fact, all substances respond, at least weakly, to a magnetic field.

[0054] The overall strength of a magnet is measured by its magnetic moment or, alternatively, the total magnetic flux produced by the magnet. The local strength of magnetism in a material is measured by its magnetization.

[0055] With respect to terminology associated with the strength and range of a magnet, a magnetic field is typically defined as a mathematical description of the magnetic influence of electric currents and magnetic materials. A magnetic field at any given point is specified by both a direction and a magnitude, thereby being a vector field. Such a magnetic field is most commonly defined in terms of the Lorentz Force which it exerts on moving electric charges. The magnetic field is often merely referred to as the magnetic flux density. To physicists, this flux tendency is also known as the magnetic B field.

[0056] In the same regard, the magnetic moment [also referred to as a magnetic dipole moment) is a vector which characterizes a magnet's overall magnetic properties. A magnet produces both its own magnetic field and response to other magnetic fields. The strength of the magnetic field produced is at any given point proportional to the magnitude of its magnetic moment. Also, when the magnet is put into an external magnetic field, produced by a different source, the magnet is subject to a torque tending to orient the magnetic moment parallel to the field. The amount of this torque is proportional both to the magnetic moment and the external field. A magnet can also be subject to a force driving it in one direction or another, according to positions and orientations as a magnet and a source.

[0057] The magnetic field B, or the magnetic flux density, is also sometimes referred to as the magnetic induction. The gauss is typically abbreviated as G and is measured in cgs (centimeter-gram-second) units. One gauss is typically defined as corresponding to 1 maxwell per square centimeter. One gauss is also equal to 10.sup.4 tesla.

[0058] An alternative embodiment of a hair restoration apparatus in accordance with the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, and identified as hair restoration apparatus 200. The hair restoration apparatus 200 includes a skull cap 204 which is shaped in the form of the head of a user 208. However, unlike the previously described embodiment of a hair restoration apparatus in accordance with the invention, the apparatus 200 includes a pulse generator 202 to produce electrical pulse waves at predetermined intervals, which can be varied by the user. The pulse generator 202 is adapted to apply the pulse signals to a series of electrodes 206 positioned at various spaced apart intervals on the skull cap 204. The pulse generator 202 specifically applies the pulse to electrostatic signals applied through electrodes 206 so as to generate electromagnetic energy which is then applied to the scalp of the user 208.

[0059] FIG. 9 illustrates the hair restoration apparatus embodiment 200 in a stand alone configuration. FIG. 10 illustrates the hair restoration apparatus 200 as worn by the user 208. The apparatus 200 as shown in FIG. 10 is also used with a covering cap or similar device 210 utilized to cover the head of the user 208 when used. Pulse generators such as the pulse generator 202 are commercially available, as well as electrodes which can correspond to the electrodes 206. Further, the strengths and frequency of the pulses generated by the pulse generator 202 can typically be varied by the user 208.

[0060] For purposes of construction, the electronic or electric pulse generator 202 can be connected to an electrical conducting cable 203 which is connected to the pulse generator 202 and a source of electrical power as well as connections between the pulse generator 202 and electrodes 206. It should further be noted that the pulse generator 202 is utilized to provide a pulsed electrostatic field between an interior of the head covering 210 and the scalp of the user 208.

[0061] As an example of experimental testing of the apparatus in accordance with the invention, the pulse generator 202 can be utilized to provide a pulsating electromagnetic field around the cable 203 with an intensity of at least 1 Gauss in proximity to the cable 203. In addition, the sizing and configuration of the hair restoration apparatus can be such that intensity of the electromagnetic field generated by the pulse generator 202 is substantially negligible at 5 millimeters from a surface of the conducting cable 203.

[0062] Still further, the head covering 210 and the hair restoration apparatus 200 can utilize an electrical pulse which comprises a duration of approximately 2 milliseconds, with a frequency of generation of approximately 50 pulses per second.

[0063] It will be apparent to those skilled in the pertinent arts that other embodiments in accordance with the invention can be designed. That is, the principles in accordance with the invention are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Accordingly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and other variations of the above-described illustrative embodiments of the invention may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention.