DEVICE FOR TREATING CUTANEOUS BLEMISHES AND DERMATOLOGIC DISEASES

Abstract

A device for treating cutaneous blemishes and dermatologic diseases that includes an application bell operatively connected to a feeding assembly is described. The bell is shaped to be removably leant on a cutaneous surface to be treated and with which it defines a treatment chamber. The feeding assembly includes, in its turn, a pump which realizesin the treatment chamberan environment having a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, and an oxygen delivering device activated subsequently to the pump, to deliverin the treatment chamberan oxygen flow. The feeding assembly provides for a controlling unit to selectively activate, in time sequence, the pump and the oxygen delivering device.

Claims

1. A device (1), for treating cutaneous blemishes and dermatologic diseases, comprising: an application bell (2) shaped to be removably leant on a cutaneous surface (10) to be treated and with which the application bell (2) defines a treatment chamber (3); a feeding assembly (5) operatively connected to the application bell (2), the feeding assembly (5) in its turn comprising: a pump (6), which realizes, in the treatment chamber (3), an environment having a pressure (P1) lower than atmospheric pressure; an oxygen delivering device (7) configured to deliver an oxygen flow into the treatment chamber (3); a controlling unit (8) combined with said feeding assembly (5) and programmed to activate selectively and alternately the pump (6) and the oxygen delivering device (7) in order to have, in the treatment chamber (3), an environment having a pressure (P1) lower than the atmospheric pressure and a hyperbaric environment having a pressure (P2) substantially equal to or slightly higher than atmospheric pressure.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controlling unit (8) is programmed for reiterating over time the activation of the pump (6) and oxygen delivering device (7) of the feeding assembly (5).

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein a box-shaped body (15) is provided and defines a housing seat, and wherein in the housing seat the pump (6) and the oxygen delivering device (7)that define the feeding assembly (5)in addition to the controlling unit (8), are lodged, and wherein the box-shaped body (15) is remote with respect to the application bell (2).

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein a box-shaped body is provided having compact size, which defines a housing seat, and wherein in the housing seat the pump (6) and the oxygen delivering device (7) in addition to the controlling unit (8) are lodged, and wherein on the box-shaped body having compact size the application bell (2) is integrated, said box-shaped body being able to be portably grasped by an operator for carrying out the treatment.

5. The device according to claim 3, wherein the controlling unit (8) comprises, in its turn, a user interface (16), and wherein the user interface (16) comprises a display and selecting interface (11) to vary the working parameters of the device.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the oxygen delivering device (7) comprises: an oxygen concentrator (7c) or a remote oxygen cylinder; or an outer distribution circuit (7a) and a feeding duct (7b) connected to the application bell (2).

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the pump (6) comprises a vacuum pump (6a) and a suction duct (6b) fluidically connected to the application bell (2), and wherein the pump (6) is sized to provide a negative pressure in the treatment chamber (3) comprised between 20 mmHg and 200 mmHg.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the oxygen feeding duct (7b) and the suction duct (6b) converge in only one branch (14) that provides for a plurality of plugs (9), for the removable connection of a connecting duct (2a) extending between the feeding assembly (5) and the bell (2).

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the application bell (2) is made of deformable material selected from the group consisting of: a plastic material; rubber, silicone, elastomers or combinations thereof, and wherein the bell comprises a flexible perimetrical edge, a self-adapting rounded edge aiding adhesion and tightness on the cutaneous surface (10) of the patient.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein a working cycle operated by the controlling unit (8) providesin time sequencea vacuum time comprised between 0.1 minute and 1 minute, an oxygen delivering time comprised between 0.1 minute and 5 minutes.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein a working cycle operated by the controlling unit (8) providesin time sequencea vacuum time comprised between 5 and 15 seconds and the oxygen delivering time is about 15 seconds.

Description

LIST OF FIGURES

[0054] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more evident from a review of the following specification of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, shown for illustration purposes only and without limitation, with the aid of the attached drawings, in which:

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a treatment device according to the invention in a first working step;

[0056] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of the application bell of the treatment device of FIG. 1;

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a treatment device of FIG. 1 in a second working step;

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the pneumatic/electrical circuit of the treatment device, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0059] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 a device 1 for treating cutaneous blemishes and dermatologic diseases, according to the invention, is schematically shown. In particular, the device 1 comprises an application bell 2 shaped to be removably leant on a cutaneous surface 10 to be treated of a patient 10. The application bell 2 circumscribes on the cutaneous surface 10 a treatment chamber 3.

[0060] The application bell 2 is operatively combined with a feeding assembly 5 comprisingas shown in the schematic FIG. 3pump means 6 for realizing, in the treatment chamber 3, an environment having a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure (FIG. 1), and oxygen delivering means 7 to deliver an oxygen flow in the treatment chamber 3 (FIG. 2) following the creation of the depression.

[0061] As described below, the feeding assembly 5 is operated by a controlling unit 8 to selectively activate, in time sequence, the pump means 6 and the delivering means 7.

[0062] According to a working cycle of the device 1 of the invention, the controlling unit 8 is programmed in order to have, in time sequence in the treatment chamber 3, an environment under vacuum with a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, and subsequently a hyperbaric oxygen environment that brings back the pressure in the treatment chamber 3 to a pressure substantially equal to the atmospheric pressure or slightly higher.

[0063] The working cycle operated by the controlling unit 8 provides for a depression or vacuum time comprised between 0.1 minute and 1 minute and an oxygen delivering time comprised between 0.1 minute and 5 minutes.

[0064] Preferably, the working cycle operated by the controlling unit 8 provides for a depression or vacuum time comprised between 5 and 15 seconds and an oxygen delivering time of about 15 seconds.

[0065] Preferably, the device comprises a box-shaped body 15 which defines a housing seat. In the housing seat, pump means 6 and oxygen delivering means 7, in addition to the controlling unit 8, are preferably lodged.

[0066] The controlling unit 8, in its turn, comprises a user interface 16. Preferably, the user interface 16 comprises a display and selecting means 11 and 17 to program the working parameters of the device.

[0067] The delivering means 7 of the oxygen flow, that can be located outside and connected to the device or lodged, advantageously comprise an oxygen concentrator 7c fluidically connected by a feeding duct 7b to the application bell 2. The oxygen concentrator 7c is able to produce oxygen withdrawing outside air.

[0068] Alternatively, the delivering means 7, still as schematically shown in FIG. 3, comprise an oxygen cylinder 7a or a main oxygen supply 7d.

[0069] The flow incoming to the bell 2 is activated by a first electro-valve 12. The oxygen is preferably hyperbaric 95% oxygen. Alternatively, the oxygen cylinder 7a is remote with respect to the treating device. For example, it is an outer oxygen cylinder or centralized oxygen circuit.

[0070] Advantageously, the pump means 6 comprise a vacuum pump 6a and a suction duct 6b fluidically connected to the application bell 2. Also in such a case the vacuum pump 6a is combined with a second electro-valve 13 to operate the suction step in the application bell 2.

[0071] The oxygen feeding duct 7b and the suction duct 6b converge in only one branch 14 that provides for at least one connecting plug 9, in particular a plurality of plugs 9, for a connecting duct 2a extending between the feeding assembly 5 and the bell 2. The connecting duct 2a plays the role of suction duct and feeding duct in the respective steps of creating vacuum and delivering oxygen, which are provided in the working cycle.

[0072] According to further constructive aspects, the application bell 2 is made of deformable material, in particular a plastic material such as rubber, silicone, elastomers or similar, in order to create a tight connection with the cutaneous surface 10 of the patient. Preferably, the bell 2 comprises a flexible perimetrical edge, in particular a rounded edge aiding the adhesion on the cutaneous surface 10 of the patient. The bell 2 can be equipped with a belt 21, preferably elastic with Velcro closure, in order to better adhere to the patient during the treatment (FIG. 1A)

[0073] The pump means 6 are sized to get a negative pressure in the treatment chamber 3 comprised between 20 mmHg and 200 mmHg.

[0074] In an alternative embodiment of the device, not shown in figures, a box-shaped body having compact size is provided and definesin the above described variationthe feeding assembly 5 and preferably integrates the pump means 6, the delivering means 7 and the controlling unit 8, also themselves conveniently sized. The application bell 2 is operatively and directly lodged on the box-shaped body. The bell is not therefore in remote position with respect to the feeding assembly 5. Therefore, the box-shaped body is able to be portably grasped by an operator with the purpose of proceeding to the treatment of the patient.