ITRM20130154A1 - DEVICE FOR THE VEHICLE OF AN ACTIVE PRINCIPLE - Google Patents

Description

DEVICE FOR THE DELIVERY OF AN ACTIVE SUBSTANCE

DESCRIPTION

The present invention belongs to the electroporation sector and refers to a device for the delivery of an active principle.

Some devices for the delivery of an active principle are already known.

However, some of these use a LED system combined with a high frequency alternating wave to deliver the drug or active ingredient in depth. The limits of this equipment are linked to the principle of operation which uses only a high frequency alternating wave, resulting in a less effective and performing transmission.

Other known devices are very bulky and unwieldy, often powered solely by the mains.

There are also other devices which, although they can be used for electroporation, do not require the use of LEDs.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to overcome some problems of the known art and this is achieved through a device as defined by claim 1.

The present invention, overcoming the problems of the known art, entails numerous and evident advantages.

In particular, the present invention, by exploiting a combination of several electric currents synergistically mixed, allows to favor the passage and absorption of active principles.

Furthermore, the device according to the present invention is practical, ergonomic, without cables, without electrical contacts, totally wireless. The electrical connection is only required when recharging the batteries through a USB socket (or through a mains adapter).

The device is programmable and the settings for the different treatments are available and can be set from a PC, via USB connection.

The device according to the present invention is proposed as a consumer device, usable by the public without particular qualifications in accordance with the law. The device is wireless, battery powered, rechargeable via a practical handy USB socket, with a simple and intuitive programming that can be used from a PC, with updates via the web. The effectiveness of this equipment is consolidated by the experience of our clinical representatives and the wellness sector conducted on similar equipment. The advantages of a structured know-how inserted in an easy-to-use device.

These and other advantages, together with the characteristics and methods of use of the present invention, will become evident from the following detailed description of its preferred embodiments, presented by way of non-limiting example.

Reference will be made to the figures of the attached drawings, in which:

ï ‚· figure 1 is an overall view of a device according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom view of a device according to the present invention;

figure 3 is a view of the detail of the emissive head of a device according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the emitting head of a device according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of a device according to the present invention;

figure 6 is an exploded view of the emissive head of a device according to the present invention;

ï ‚· figure 7 is a top view of a device according to the present invention;

ï ‚· figure 8 is a block diagram of a device according to the present invention; And

ï ‚· Figure 9 is a graph showing, by way of example, three basic signals.

The present invention will be described below with reference to the figures indicated above.

Electroporation, Dermoporation or even Electroveiculation are terms that have the same meaning, that is, they are techniques for conveying an active principle that act directly on the cellular mechanisms by means of modular electrical impulses that exploit the passage channels in the dermis, greatly favoring the flow of molecules, as active ingredients even with high molecular weight. This technique can be defined as a full-fledged needle-free mesotherapy, thanks to a painless and non-invasive method: in this way it is possible to absorb active ingredients in the deep dermis. It finds application, for example, in face / body toning and firming treatments, in the treatment of wrinkles, etc.

The operating principle of the present invention is based on the application of a specifically generated electric field, which induces a transient alteration of the membrane potential, promoting the opening of channels called `` electro-pores '', which allow the passage of pharmacological and cosmeceutical active ingredients. Electroporation acts on the skin causing a transient increase in the permeability of the skin tissues.

The activity carried out by the device according to the present invention can be summarized in the following basic steps.

First of all, the active principle that must be conveyed is activated, that is, its ionization is induced by means of an electric field produced by a specially generated electric output signal. This electrical output signal is generated as a combination of basic electrical signals, as will be better explained in the following, and is such as to allow the ionization of the product in order to favor the conveyance of the active principle.

A variable electric field is therefore produced which induces an ionization, ie the loss or purchase of an electron by an atom or a molecule, which consequently assumes a positive or negative electric charge, respectively. The aforementioned activated molecules are subsequently conveyed on the basis of their electric charge.

Then, the same electrical output signal generated is applied to the tissues involved in the treatment, favoring a transient increase in membrane permeability, with the formation of new passage channels for the ionized molecules.

This electric field is generated by different types of electric signals synergistically mixed together, more specifically:

â € ¢ an electrical signal with high intensity and low voltage (specific for each molecule both for Polarity and for Vibrance = Resonance = Molecular Vibration);

â € ¢ a continuous high voltage and low intensity electric signal (Foresi = Electric Axis on which the ionized molecules of the product to be conveyed can flow); and

â € ¢ an electrical signal of high voltage and current limited impulsive type (Portation = Spikes of Voltage capable of opening the membrane channels) Table 1

Voltage (Volt) Current (mA) Min à · Max Min à · Max Vibrance 0à · 30V 0à · 10mA Portation 0à · 30V 0à · 10mA

Foresi 0Ã · 30V 0Ã · 0,250mA

Table 1 shows, by way of example, suitable values for the three basic electrical signals useful for generating the electrical output signal.

At this point, the activated product can be delivered, migrate through the skin and then be conveyed inside the cell membrane.

This is achieved through a device, preferably portable and battery powered, to be used for beauty treatments.

The device combines the effect of light, preferably generated by high-power LEDs, with the transcutaneous delivery of active ingredients carried out according to the principles described above. The LED system is used to support the conveyance of the activated principle in the ionization chamber.

The Led light:

1. enhances the formation of small pores or orifices in the cell membrane (photoporation), through which molecules penetrate,

2. acts at the cellular level by improving and reactivating biological functions, linked to cellular metabolism,

3. improves blood circulation, favoring a greater supply of oxygen to the dermis and epidermis.

the LED light performs its function in combination with the mix of currents mixed in synergy, to obtain cell renewal, firming, toning, skin hydration of the treated areas

To ensure effective treatment, the device can be programmed in advance, for example through a USB connection to a Personal Computer, through which specific programs can be set for each type of application. In particular, specific mixes of electrical signals can be set for the generation of the electric field and the frequency of the power pulses of the LEDs.

The same USB connector needed for programming is also used to charge the Lithium Ion battery inside the device.

The charge, in this way, can be done directly by connecting the USB cable to the PC or through any adapter that supports the USB standard.

The device 1 comprises a main body 2 having a seat 3 for a container 4 of the active ingredient.

In particular, with reference for example to Figure 1, this seat 3 may be suitable for receiving a syringe device 4 containing the active principle, for example in solution.

The device 1 also comprises an emissive head 5, for carrying out the treatment on the fabric.

The emissive head 5, preferably interchangeable, comprises an ionization chamber 6 adapted to receive at least part of the syringe 4.

In this way the active principle is inside the ionization chamber and, as will be better explained, it can be activated by ionization.

That is, a variable electric field is applied inside the ionization chamber, which induces an ionization, that is the loss or acquisition of an electron by an atom or a molecule, which consequently takes on an electric charge positive or negative respectively. The aforementioned activated molecules are subsequently conveyed on the basis of their electric charge.

The device also comprises means for the generation of an electric field, both for the ionization of the active principle, and to be applied to the tissues to be treated, and a programmable control unit able to control said means for the generation of an electric field.

The means for generating an electric field comprise an electric signal generator, adapted to generate an output signal and a transducer adapted to receive said output signal and generate said electric field for application to tissues.

As visible in Figures 4 and 6, the transducer comprises two electrodes, a negative electrode 7, preferably on the periphery of the emissive head and a positive electrode 6, preferably in the central area of the emissive head 5.

The positive electrode 6 is band-shaped and surrounds the ionization chamber. The electrical signal generator is driven by the programmable unit in order to generate an output signal as a combination of three different basic signals. Figure 9 shows, in a graph, an example of the basic signals.

Preferably, the basic signals are three, added together:

- a first basic signal of the impulsive type

- a second basic continuous signal

- a third basic signal of the impulsive type

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first pulse-type basic signal comprises a plurality of pulse trains, each train comprising between 1 and 30,000 pulses, each pulse having a duration of between 1 and 30,000 msec and being spaced by the of a time between 1 and 30000 msec, the interval between two consecutive trains being between 0 and 30000 msec.

Furthermore, the third basic signal of the impulsive type comprises pulses at a frequency ranging from 1 to 80 Hz.

All electrical signals can be adjusted, both in current and in voltage, on the basis of the specific treatment.

The device also comprises means for adjusting the amplitude of each of said first, second and third base signals, for example specific adjustment buttons may be provided on the main body of the device (Figure 7).

Table 2 below shows, by way of example, possible values and variability of the basic signals. The indications in the table refer to the graphs in figure 8.

Table 2

First name

Description Unit Minimum Maximum Parameter

Time for which the

Signal duty remains 1 30000 msec high

Interval

Temporal resonance between two msec 1 30000 train pulses

Number of pulses

Number of impulses that make up the train number 1 30000

Interval

Time pause between two msec 0 30000 pulse trains

Amplitude of the

Vibrance signal of% 0 100 Vibrance

Amplitude of the

Foresi% 0 100 Foresi signal

Amplitude of

Portation Impulses of% 0 100 Portation

Frequency of

Frequency

pulses of Hz 1 80 Portation

portion

Frequency Frequency of

0 (Always

pulsation of pulsation of Hz 100 On)

Led Led

According to the present invention, the device further comprises one or more lighting elements, driven by the programmable control unit.

In particular, the preferred embodiment provides that such illuminating elements comprise one or more high intensity LEDs.

The control unit will be programmed in such a way as to drive said lighting elements, causing them to flash at a frequency between 0 and 100 Hz.

Advantageously, the device provides for the use of different interchangeable emissive heads, equipped with LEDs of various colors, in order to exploit the different properties of light, in the treatment of different imperfections.

Figure 8 is a block diagram of the device according to the present invention.

In particular, the following parts can be recognized:

- an electrical power supply unit which includes:

o Battery Charger: It is the subsystem that deals with the management of the battery charge by providing a visual indication of the status through a two-color LED (Red when it is charging, green charge completed) when the system is connected through the USB cable to a PC or an external power supply. The same system guarantees that the charging current is less than 500 mA respecting the specifications of the USB standard.

o Li-Ion Battery: It is planned to use a 3.7V 18650 lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 2800mAh equipped with a protection circuit.

o Switching Step-Up: There are two voltage regulation systems, the first has the task of supplying the processor and all digital systems with a constant voltage of 5V regardless of the battery voltage which tends to be variable according to its state of load. The second switching regulator has the function of raising the voltage to 30V necessary for the generation block of the output currents.

- USB Communication Manager: This is the system that manages the communication between the control unit and the Personal Computer

- Processor, Keyboard and Led Level: It includes the programmable control unit and has the purpose of adjusting the timings, the levels of the output currents, managing the display of the power level and the On / Off and level adjustment buttons .

- Power Led Manager: This is the circuit that manages the high intensity LEDs - Currents Generator: Represents the analog subsystem managed by the processor that generates the currents to be sent out and which are represented in figure 9.

The present invention has been described heretofore with reference to its preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that each of the technical solutions implemented in the preferred embodiments described here by way of example, can advantageously be combined differently with each other, to give shape to other embodiments, which pertain to the same inventive core and all in any case falling within the scope of the scope of the claims set out below.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS 1. Device (1) for the delivery of an active ingredient for the treatment of tissues, comprising: - a main body (2) having a seat (3) for a container (4) of said active ingredient; - an emissive head (5) comprising an ionization chamber (6) adapted to receive at least in part said container (4) for ionizing said active principle; - means for generating an electric field; - a programmable control unit adapted to control said means for generating an electric field; - a transducer for the application of said electric field to the tissues to be treated; and - one or more lighting elements, driven by said programmable control unit. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said emissive head is interchangeable. Device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a unit an electrical power supply unit. 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said means for generating an electric field comprise: - an electrical signal generator, adapted to generate an output signal, piloted by said programmable unit so as to generate an output signal as a combination of different basic signals to power said transducer. 5. Device according to claim 4, in which said basic signals are three, added together: - a first basic signal of the impulsive type; - a second base signal of the continuous type; - a third basic signal of the impulsive type; 6. Device according to claim 5, wherein said first pulse-type base signal comprises a plurality of pulse trains, each train comprising between 1 and 30,000 pulses, each pulse having a duration of between 1 and 30,000 msec and being spaced by the of a time between 1 and 30000 msec, the interval between two consecutive trains being between 0 and 30000 msec. 7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said third basic signal of the impulsive type comprises pulses at a frequency comprised between 1 and 80 Hz. 8. Device according to one of claims 7 to 9, comprising means for adjusting the amplitude of each of said first, second and third base signals. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said transducer comprises a negative electrode (7) and a positive electrode (6). 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said lighting elements comprise one or more LEDs. 11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which said control unit is adapted to drive said lighting elements in such a way as to cause them to flash at a frequency comprised between 0 and 100 Hz.