Method and device for providing a composition containing hyaluronic acid

Abstract

The invention relates to methods and to a device for providing a composition containing hyaluronic acid, in particular for cosmetic or medical purposes. This disclosure teaches that hyaluronic acid can be stored in a dose-metering device and that potable water from a potable water network can be mixed with hyaluronic acid using the dose-metering device such that a composition containing hyaluronic acid is formed.

Claims

1. A method for providing a composition containing hyaluronic acid, comprising the following steps: providing a metering device containing hyaluronic acid; taking potable water from a potable water network under pressure; introducing the potable water by a pressure connection into the metering device; admixing the potable water with hyaluronic acid in the metering device and thereby forming the composition, wherein the hyaluronic acid is metered into the potable water in a concentration in the range from 2 to 2000 mg/l; and discharging the composition via a showerhead of a shower for use on the skin.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the potable water passes through the metering device with uptake of hyaluronic acid.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein low molecular weight hyaluronic acid with a molecular weight of less than 400 000 Daltons or high molecular weight hyaluronic acid with a molecular weight of greater than 1 000 000 Daltons is metered into the potable water.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hyaluronic acid is admixed with a preservative.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the preservative is sorbic acid.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising installing in the metering device an interchangeable cartridge having the hyaluronic acid.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising replacing the interchangeable cartridge with a new interchangeable cartridge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above-mentioned aspects of exemplary embodiments will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device for providing hyaluronic acid for treating skin;

(3) FIG. 2 is a diagrammatically simplified representation of a device for providing hyaluronic acid in a potable water jug; and

(4) FIGS. 3a and b are block diagrams of a metering device containing hyaluronic acid in a lock position and a demand position, respectively.

DESCRIPTION

(5) The embodiments described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of this disclosure.

(6) The device shown in FIG. 1 comprises a metering device 10 with storage container 12 and metering pump 14, as well as a shower 16 with showerhead 28 and pressure connection 20 for potable water. The storage container 12 contains an aqueous hyaluronic acid solution 22 which can be metered into the drawn potable water by means of the metering pump 14 at the branching point 24. The composition of potable water and hyaluronic acid 26 can then be applied to the skin as required via the showerhead 28 during showering.

(7) The metering device according to FIG. 2 has a water jug (pitcher) 30 which comprises an upper funnel section 32, a collecting section 34 on the floor and a filter cartridge 36 at the outlet of the funnel section 32. The filter cartridge 36 contains a bed 38 of a filter material and a cartridge insert 40 with hyaluronic acid as solid.

(8) The potable water 42 drawn from a potable water network (not shown) is poured into the funnel section 32, where, under the influence of gravity, a main stream 44 is for example decalcified through the filter material 38, whereas a part stream 46 passes through the cartridge insert 40 and in so doing is enriched with hyaluronic acid. The composition 48 of filtered potable water and hyaluronic acid is then collected in the floor section 34 and can from there be poured into a drinking container via an outlet (not shown) as required.

(9) FIGS. 3a and 3b show a further embodiment of a metering device 50 with a metering lock 52 for hyaluronic acid and a reversing valve 54 in a receiving container 56 for the on-demand metering in of the hyaluronic acid.

(10) In the switch position of the reversing valve 54 shown in FIG. 3a, only the receiving container 56 is supplied with pressurized water via the potable water connection 58 in the direction of the flow arrow 60, whereas the metering lock 52 remains blocked at the inlet and outlet by non-return valves 62, 64. The non-return valve 62 here prevents a back-flow via the inlet into the potable water flow 60, and the non-return valve 64 blocks the outlet against penetration of potable water from the surrounding container space.

(11) In the switch position of the reversing valve 54 shown in FIG. 3b, the potable water connection 58 is connected with the inside space of the metering lock 52, where the potable water flows through the non-return valve 62 in the direction of the flow arrow 66 and comes into contact with the solid bed 68 of hyaluronic acid. The composition of potable water and hyaluronic acid then flows from the metering lock 52 via non-return valve 64 into the receiving container (flow arrow 70) and can then be drawn off at the container exit 72. The metering device 50 can be incorporated into the feedline of a water outlet fixture, e.g., a shower, with the solid bed 68 expediently being formed by an interchangeable cartridge.

(12) While exemplary embodiments have been disclosed hereinabove, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.