MICRODERMABRASION DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for microdermabrasive treatment comprising, a treatment head (16) having a cavity (18) with inner walls (20), an opening (22) in said inner walls, and a treatment head tip (24) for placing the treatment head (16) on a skin (48) of the user, wherein the treatment head tip (24) comprises a first abrasive surface (26) and the inner walls (20) comprise a second abrasive surface (28), wherein the opening (22) is configured to be connected to a vacuum source (30) for applying an under-pressure (58) within the cavity (18), when the treatment head tip (24) is placed on the skin (48) of the user, and herein the first abrasive surface (26) comprises a different roughness than the second abrasive surface (28).

Claims

1. Device for microdermabrasive treatment comprising: a treatment head (16) having a cavity (18) with inner walls (20), an opening (22) in said inner walls, and a treatment head tip (24) for placing the treatment head (16) on a skin (48) of the user, wherein the treatment head tip (24) comprises a first abrasive surface (26) and the inner walls (20) comprise a second abrasive surface (28), wherein the opening (22) is configured to be connected to a vacuum source (30) for applying an under-pressure (58) within the cavity (18), when the treatment head tip (24) is placed on the skin (48) of the user, and wherein the first abrasive surface (26) comprises a different roughness than the second abrasive surface (28).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein a roughness of the second abrasive surface (28) is higher than a roughness of the first abrasive surface (26).

3. Device according to any of the claims 1-2, wherein the treatment head tip (24) is arranged on a first side of the cavity (18) and the opening (22) is arranged on an opposite side of the cavity (18), and wherein the roughness of the second abrasive surface (28) increases towards the opening (22).

4. Device according to any of the claims 1-3, wherein the first abrasive surface (26) is arranged transverse to the second abrasive surface (28).

5. Device according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein the opening (22) defines an opening axis (54), and wherein the first abrasive surface (26) and the second abrasive surface (28) are arranged concentrically around said opening axis (54).

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the second abrasive surface (28) is arranged closer to said opening axis (54) than the first abrasive surface (26).

7. Device according to any of the claims 1-6, wherein the treatment head tip (24) and the cavity (18) are arranged to form a single integral component (46).

8. Device according to any of the claims 1-7, wherein the cavity (18) has an essentially dome-like shape with an annular surrounding, and wherein the treatment head tip (24) is formed by the annular surrounding and the inner walls (20) are formed by an inner surface of said dome-like shape.

9. Device according to any of the claims 1-8, wherein the second abrasive surface (28) is divided into multiple adjacent sections (62) having each a different abrasive characteristic.

10. Device according to any of the claims 1-9, wherein the second abrasive surface comprises (28) sharp objects (72) protruding from said second abrasive surface (28).

11. Device according to claim 10, wherein said sharp objects (72) protrude from said surface and have a length of between 5 to 25 μm.

12. Device according to any of the claims 1-11, further comprising a vacuum source (30) which is connected to the opening (22).

13. Device according to claim 12, further comprising a controller (38) which is configured to control the vacuum source (30) to apply an alternating under-pressure within the cavity (18).

14. Device according to any of the claims 1-13, wherein the inner wall (22) comprises a flexible section (78).

15. Device according to claim 14, wherein the second abrasive surface (28) is arranged on said flexible section (78).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. In the following drawings

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device for microdermabrasive skin treatment according to the present invention in a perspective view,

[0055] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a device for microdermabrasive skin treatment according to the present invention,

[0056] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary configuration of an abrasive surface,

[0057] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of a device for microdermabrasive skin treatment according to the present invention,

[0058] FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of a device for microdermabrasive skin treatment according to the present invention,

[0059] FIG. 6 schematically shows patterns of application of a device according to the present invention, and

[0060] FIG. 7 schematically shows a skin of the user treated by a device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0061] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device for microdermabrasive treatment of the skin of a user according to the present invention. The device is denoted in its entirety with reference number 10.

[0062] The device comprises an elongate body 12 with a handle 14 for holding the device 10 during the microdermabrasive treatment and a treatment head 16 which is attached to the handle 14. The treatment head 16 is configured to abrade top layers of the skin of a user when moved over the top layer of the user's skin. The treatment head 16 comprises a cavity 18 which forms with its inner walls 20 preferably an even pit within an essentially planar front surface of the treatment head 16. Furthermore, an opening 22 in the form of a through hole into the device is embedded at the bottom of the pit-like cavity 18. The treatment head 16 further comprises a treatment head tip 24 which is arranged annular around the edge of the cavity 18. The treatment head tip 24 is the part of the device which will be placed onto the skin of the user to start the microdermabrasive treatment.

[0063] The treatment head tip 24 is preferably designed as a flat ring forming a rim around the cavity 18. On the rim of the treatment head tip 24 a first abrasive surface 26 is arranged facing the skin of the user when the treatment head tip 24 is placed thereupon. A second abrasive surface 28 is arranged within the cavity 18 covering at least a part of the inner walls 20. The first abrasive surface 26 is essentially arranged on a planar surface, whereas the second abrasive surface 28 is arranged on a bended surface defined by the concave shape of the cavity 18. Both abrasive surfaces 26, 28 are coated with abrasive material, for instance, hard minerals or synthetic stones, and are configured to abrade layers of skin, in particular dead skin cells, when pressed onto and moved over the skin. Preferably, the treatment head tip 24 and the cavity 18 form an integral component that is either releasably or fixedly connected to the handle 14 of the treatment head 16.

[0064] The opening 22 within the cavity 16 is configured to be connected to a vacuum source 30 which can be any device configured to remove a gas, in particular air, from a sealed volume in order to leave behind a partial vacuum. In this preferred embodiment the vacuum source 30 is integrated into the body 12 of the device 10 as denoted here by the dashed block. In other embodiments a vacuum source may be provided separately as a standalone unit which is connectable to an inlet of the device. The integrated vacuum source 30, or alternatively the inlet, are connected to the opening 22 via a suction path 32 to extract air from within the cavity 18 and to generate an under-pressure within the volume 34 formed by the cavity 18, the treatment head tip 24 and the skin of the user, when the treatment head tip 24 is placed thereupon.

[0065] The device 10 may further comprise a power supply 36, either externally provided or integrated in form of a battery pack, a controller 38 for controlling the vacuum source 30, as well as filters or removable reservoirs 40 that are arranged along the suction path 32 to collect abraded skin particles which are sucked into the device through the opening 22. The controller 38, the filters and reservoirs 40 may as well be arranged external to the device such that the device essentially only comprises the handle 14, the treatment head 16, and the treatment head tip 24 with the cavity 18 formed as an integral component. Preferred, however, is a fully integrated device residing in a waterproof housing with a rechargeable power supply and removable components for the expendable materials.

[0066] Furthermore, the device 10 may comprise a user interface illustrated here by a power-on button 42 and a control switch 44 arranged on the handle 14. With the power-on button 42 the vacuum source 30 may be activated to generate an under-pressure within the cavity 18, wherein the control switch 44 may be used to set different under-pressure levels. The control switch 44 is preferably connected to the controller 38 which is configured to control volume flow rate of the vacuum source 30, for instance, by regulating the power supply 36.

[0067] One of the central points of the device 10 is the placement and the configuration of the first and second abrasive surface 26, 28. By arranging the second abrasive surface 28 inside the cavity 16 and essentially transverse to the first abrasive surface 26, both surfaces 26, 28 may generally not get in contact with the user's skin at the same time. In fact, the second abrasive surface 28 may only get in contact with the user's skin when an under-pressure is applied to the cavity 18. Furthermore, the first and second abrasive surface 26, 28 are configured with different roughness to provide different abrasion levels. In other words, the amount of skin abraded and the way, how the user's skin is abraded, by the first and second abrasive surface 26, 28 varies between the first and second abrasive surface 26, 28.

[0068] A microdermabrasive treatment with the claimed device, hence, envisages at least partially an abrasion with different abrasion levels. At first the skin is abraded by the first abrasive surface 26, when the device 10 is moved across the surface of the skin of the user, and additionally by the second abrasive surface 28 which has a different, preferably a more intense, abrasion ability. Applying the second abrasive surface 28 is thereby optionally and can be controlled over the level of under-pressure applied to the user's skin.

[0069] The function of the under-pressure is manifold. On the one hand, the under-pressure assists in collecting loosened particles within the device 10 in a filter or reservoir 40 by creating airflow above the skin. The airflow may be created by tiny holes in the treatment head tip or by lifting the device briefly from the skin of the user. On the other hand, the under-pressure provides a vacuum massage of the user's skin to enhance the blood circulation within the skin. Additionally, according to the present invention the under-pressure also controls the abrasion level by drawing skin into the cavity 18, and forcing it against the second abrasive surface 28 which is arranged therein. In other words, if no under-pressure is applied and the treatment head tip 24 is moved over the user's skin, only the first abrasive surface 26 is in contact with the skin and abrades the top layer. Once an under-pressure is applied, the skin is additionally treated by the second abrasive surface 28 providing an additional, preferably more intense, abrasion of the top layers.

[0070] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a device 10 for microdermabrasive treatment in a cross-sectional schematic view. The device 10 is essentially similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 besides a different configuration of the treatment head 16 which is shown here for simplification alone without the rest of the body. Furthermore, the treatment head 16 is shown here at three different stages A, B, C of the microdermabrasive treatment.

[0071] The cavity 18 and the treatment head tip 24 are combined into an integral component 46 providing a continuous surface on which the first and second abrasive surface 26, 28 are adjacently arranged. The treatment head tip 24 comprises a front surface 52 which is at least partially arranged parallel to the surface of the skin of the user and comprises the first abrasive surface 26. The skin is denoted here with reference numeral 48 and the top layer of the skin 48, the stratum corneum, is denoted with reference numeral 50.

[0072] The front surface 52 gradually transitions in a smooth curve into the inner walls 20 of the cavity 18, wherein the cavity 18 has a pit-like shape with the opening 22 arranged on the bottom of said pit. The opening 22 defines an opening axis 54 and is preferably arranged in the center of the cavity 18, such that the inner wall 20 and the front surface 52 of the treatment head tip 24 are arranged concentrically about the opening axis 54. When the treatment head tip 24 is placed onto the skin 48, the cavity 18 is arranged like a bell on top of the skin 48 annually sealed by the treatment head tip 24. To the sealed volume 34 formed by the skin 48 and the cavity 18 an under-pressure can be applied through the opening 22 by means of the vacuum source 30. The under-pressure in the sealed volume 34 causes the parts of the elastic skin 48 located underneath the cavity 18 to be drawn towards the direction of opening 22 forming a skin dome denoted here with reference numeral 56. The skin dome 56 increases in size, the more under-pressure is applied (i.e. the higher the vacuum) in the sealed volume 34.

[0073] In the top drawing (A) of FIG. 2 no under-pressure is applied to the volume 34 and the skin 48 only forms a small skin dome 56 mainly caused by the pressure with which the treatment head tip 24 is pressed onto the skin. In this constellation, the skin 48 is only in contact with the first abrasive surface 26, yet not with the second abrasive surface 28. In the middle drawing (B) of FIG. 2 some under-pressure is applied. The under-pressure level is indicated here by the thickness of the arrow 58. A greater skin dome 56 is formed and the skin 48 is additionally exposed to at least some parts of the second abrasive surface 28.

[0074] In the bottom drawing (C) of FIG. 2 a maximum under-pressure is applied forcing as much skin 48 into the cavity 18 as possible. Thereby, the skin 48 is contacted by the first abrasive surface 26 and the entire second abrasive surface 28 for the highest abrasion level.

[0075] The central point of the second embodiment is the configuration of the first and second abrasive surface 26, 28 which are provided here as a continuous, yet inhomogeneous layer. In particular, the roughness of the second abrasive surface 28 increases, starting preferably from a low abrasiveness at the edge 60 between the first and second abrasive surface 28, up to a high abrasiveness towards the opening 22. In other words, the first and the second abrasive surface 26, 28 provide a gradient in abrasiveness that increases in the direction of the opening 22. Closer to the opening 22 a roughness of the abrasive surface is higher than at the edge to the treatment head tip 24. This way, in this embodiment a variation in the under-pressure level 58 in the cavity 18 may be used in combination with varying abrasive levels of the second abrasive surface 28 to allow a fine-grained control of the abrasion such that locally high abrasion levels may be applied.

[0076] A gradient in abrasion ability of the abrasive surface as shown in FIG. 2 may be achieved in multiple ways. FIG. 3 shows two exemplary configurations A and B of abrasive surfaces with a gradient in abrasion ability. The first example A of FIG. 3 shows an abrasive surface having different sections 62 each coated with particles 64, for instance hard minerals or synthetic stones, of different sharpness. To achieve an increasing abrasion level each adjoining section comprises particles with increased sharpness.

[0077] The second example B of FIG. 3 shows an abrasive surface which is formed from a homogenous abrasive material, for instance, by a layer of similar sharp particles. Alternatively, the abrasive surface comprises pointy micro needles 66 which protrude from the surface and are arranged in parallel to each other to form a layer of homogenous abrasiveness. The homogenous layer is partially filled with a filing material 68 to reduce the sharpness of the homogenous layer in certain areas. The filling material fills up the sharp edges of the particles 64 or the gaps between the micro needles 66, thereby reducing their sharpness. Preferably, the amount of filling material 68 applied to the abrasive surface is gradually reduced from on side of the abrasive surface to an opposite side. This way, a continuous increase of abrasiveness of the surface in one direction is achieved as denoted here by reference numeral 70. On the left-hand side the micro needles 66 are almost fully covered by the filling material 68 such that only low abrasion ability is provided, whereas on the right-hand side the micro needles 66 are basically not covered with filling material 68 at all, and the micro needles 66 thus provide their original sharpness.

[0078] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of a device for microdermabrasive treatment in a cross-sectional schematic view. The device is essentially similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, yet again with a different configuration of the treatment head 16. The rest of the arrangement stays the same as shown and described according to the first and second embodiment.

[0079] FIG. 4 shows a treatment head 16 with different abrasive surfaces 26, 28 arranged on the treatment head 24 and the inner walls 20 of the cavity 18. In particular, the second abrasive surface 28 comprises in this embodiment sharp objects 72 which protrude from the surface of the inner walls 20 like tiny spearheads. The sharp objects 72 are for example sharp pointy particles, grown crystals or tiny micro needles and are configured to cut all the way through the stratum corneum 50 when pressed against the skin 48. In other words, the sharp objects 72 perforate the stratum corneum 50 locally creating small perforations 74 in the stratum corneum 50.

[0080] FIG. 4 shows similar to FIG. 2 three different stages A, B, C of the microdermabrasive treatment. The function of the treatment head 16 remains essentially the same. Once an under-pressure 58 is applied to the cavity 18 (B) a skin dome 56 is formed, drawn into the cavity 18, and thereby pressed against the second abrasive surface 28 comprising here the sharp objects 72. The sharp objects 72 cut into the skin 48 and leave small perforations 74 in the stratum corneum 50 behind to enhance the penetration of topicals into deeper layers of the skin 48. Once the under-pressure 58 is reduced (C) the skin dome 56 is released and the skin 48 falls back into its original position. Meanwhile, the treatment head 16 is moved further along the surface of the skin 48 as denoted here with reference numeral 76, removing thereby constantly top layers of the skin with the help of the first abrasive surface 26 arranged on the front surface 52 of the treatment head tip 24. At a different part of the skin 48 the procedure may be repeated, wherein the under-pressure 58 is increased again to cut further perforations 74 into the stratum corneum 50 at a different position.

[0081] The amount and length of the perforations 74 and thereby the coverage is determined by amount, size and sharpness of the sharp objects 72, the duration of an under-pressure burst, and the movement speed 76.

[0082] FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of a device for microdermabrasive treatment in a cross-sectional schematic view. The device is essentially similar to the preceding embodiments, yet again with a different configuration of the treatment head 16, whereas the rest of the arrangement stays essentially the same as shown and described before.

[0083] FIG. 5 shows a treatment head 16, wherein the inner walls 20 of the cavity 18 comprise a flexible section 78. Preferably, the flexible section 78 comprises a flexible membrane that is arranged concentrically around the opening 22, wherein the opening 22 may itself be embedded into the flexible section 78. On the surface of the flexible section 78 the second abrasive surface 28 is arranged, which in this particular embodiment comprises sharp objects 72 as described in detail with reference to FIG. 4. The sharp objects 72 are configured to penetrate through the stratum corneum 50 when pressed against the skin 48.

[0084] As before, in FIG. 5 three different stages A, B, C of the microdermabrasive treatment are shown. When no under-pressure 58 is applied to the cavity 18 (A), the flexible membrane 78 stays in its initial bell-shaped form. In that shape the flexible membrane 78 and the second abrasive surface 28, which is arranged thereupon, do not get in contact with the skin 48. Preferably, the initial shape of the flexible membrane as well as the dimension of the cavity 18 is configured such that it is physically impossible for the skin 48 to touch the second abrasive surface 28 when the treatment head tip 24 is normally placed onto the skin 48.

[0085] Once an under-pressure 58 is applied to the cavity 18 (B), the flexible membrane 78 bends inwardly, pressing the second abrasive surface 28 against the skin 48. Thereby, the stratum corneum 50 is perforated in a similar manner as explained before with reference to FIG. 4. After the under-pressure is reduced (C), the flexible membrane 78 snaps back into its initial shape, thereby withdrawing the sharp objects 72 from the skin 48.

[0086] The flexible membrane 78 may be configured to additionally facilitate the perforation. For that, the flexible membrane 78 comprises besides the initial shape a further steady state in which the membrane is drawn when an under-pressure 58 is applied. The perforation is thereby advantageously enhanced by the inner tension force of the membrane 78.

[0087] It comes without saying that according to the fourth embodiment the opening 22 may move together with the flexible section 78 when an under-pressure 58 is applied. The suction path 32 may therefore comprise of a flexible tube 80 connected to the opening 22 that moves along with opening 22 if necessary.

[0088] With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 a preferred skin treatment using any of the above embodiments is described. This is achieved by applying under-pressure to the cavity 18 in an alternating manner, wherein the duty cycle is preferably adjustable by the user.

[0089] FIG. 6 shows schematically patterns of application of a device according to the present invention. In particular, FIG. 6 shows on the left hand side three different periods and duty cycles 82 of a vacuum source attached to the device and on the right hand side the resulting perforation patterns created thereby.

[0090] On top, a high duty cycle 82 with long alternating periods of applied under-pressure is depicted. Such duty cycle and period leads to a high coverage with long perforations 74 in the skin of the user. In the middle, a short duty cycle 82′ with short alternating periods of applied under-pressure is depicted. Such duty cycle and period leads to a low coverage with only short perforations 74′ in the skin of the user. Finally, on the bottom a high duty cycle 82″ with short alternating periods is depicted. Such duty cycle and period leads to a high coverage with short perforations 74″ in the skin of the user.

[0091] It goes without saying that the coverage also depends on the speed with which the device is moved over the user's skin. In the above examples an equal and constant speed is assumed.

[0092] FIG. 7 shows schematically skin of the user treated by a device according to the present invention. In particular, FIG. 7 shows three different effects (I, II, II) achieved by a microdermabrasive treatment with a device according to the present invention. The first effect I is a light abrasion of the top layer of the skin. Hereby, only a small amount of the stratum corneum 50 is abraded. Such abrasion may be achieved by the first abrasive surface 26 arranged on the treatment head tip 24 of the device. The second effect II is a middle abrasion of the stratum corneum 50. This my be achieved by additionally applying a higher abrasiveness of the second abrasive surface 28 to the skin 48, and thereby abrading more layers of the stratum corneum 50. Finally, effect III shows a light abrasion, which is achieved by the first abrasive surface 26 combined with a very short, yet deep perforation of the all the way through the stratum corneum 50 achieved by intensely applying the second abrasive surface 28 to the skin.

[0093] All four embodiments described within the corresponding figures share the same inventive concept of providing a microdermabrasive skin treatment with different abrasion levels with a single device in a single session. For that, the device comprises a first and a second abrasive surface 26, 28, wherein the roughness of the first abrasive surface 26 differs from the roughness of the second abrasive surface 28. The four embodiments only differ in the configuration of the treatment head 16 which comprises the first and second abrasive surface 26, 28.

[0094] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0095] In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The term “comprising” may in an embodiment refer to “consisting of” but may in another embodiment also refer to “containing at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species”. The term “comprise” includes also embodiments wherein the term “comprises” means “consists of”. The term “and/or” especially relates to one or more of the items mentioned before and after “and/or”. For instance, a phrase “item 1 and/or item 2” and similar phrases may relate to one or more of item 1 and item 2. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0096] The term “substantially” herein, such as in “substantially consists”, will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The term “substantially” may also include embodiments with “entirely”, “completely”, “all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term “substantially” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%.

[0097] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

[0098] The devices herein are amongst others described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation or devices in operation.

[0099] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb “to comprise” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware.

[0100] The invention further applies to a device comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. The invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

[0101] The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Further, the person skilled in the art will understand that embodiments can be combined, and that also more than two embodiments can be combined. Furthermore, some of the features can form the basis for one or more divisional applications.

[0102] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.