EP1804897A1

EP1804897A1 - Skin treatment device

Info

Publication number: EP1804897A1
Application number: EP05798529A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Philip Ball
Original assignee: Crystal Clear International Ltd
Current assignee: Crystal Clear International Ltd
Priority date: 2004-10-27
Filing date: 2005-10-26
Publication date: 2007-07-11
Also published as: WO2006046048A1; GB2419532B; GB0423830D0; GB2419532A

Abstract

A device for the treatment of an epidermis comprising: a housing; an inlet in the housing for receiving air; a filter for removing some nitrogen from the air which was received at the inlet; and an outlet for the filtered air, whereby said filtered air can be used for a serum through an epidermis.

Description

SKIN TREATMENT DEVICE

The present invention relates to a device for the treatment of the skin, and in particular to a device for supplying an oxygen-containing stream under pressure to the skin being treated. The device may be used in conjunction with an active therapeutic or cosmetic ingredient applied to the skin surface.

The use of pure oxygen in therapeutic skin treatment has been known for some time. Conventionally, such treatments are used to assist skin healing processes, especially when the skin has been badly damaged. More recently, the cosmetic benefits of oxygen treatment have been realised.

It is also well known to apply beauty care products to the skin. The most usual form of beauty care product is a lotion or cream that is rubbed into the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis. There are inherent drawbacks in such application, such as the evaporation of the lotion or cream before the epidermis absorbs the beauty product

DE19606433 discloses a method of treating skin by placing a liquid beauty product onto the epidermis and forcing the product through the epidermis by the application of a high-pressure oxygen-based gas. The device disclosed for performing the method has an oxygen tank from which is supplied the high-pressure gas. Pre-filled oxygen tanks are extremely undesirable due to the size, weight and the explosive nature of such gas.

The Bode Oxyjet™ system addresses the oxygen cylinder problem by providing oxygen concentrator units which produce an oxygen-enriched stream from atmospheric air.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of skin treatment device. In particular it is an object to provide such a device which has greater flexibility in its application than has hitherto been the case. It is a further object to provide such a device which has greater reliability and user-friendliness than has been found in certain prior art device.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an oxygen supply device for treatment of the skin comprising:

• a first handset housing a nozzle head for supplying a gaseous stream comprising oxygen to the skin surface in use of the first handset of the device;

• a second handset housing a nozzle head for supplying a gaseous stream comprising oxygen to the skin surface in use of the second handset of the device;

• a gaseous stream reservoir in fluid communication at its outlet end with the first and second handsets; • a first oxygen concentrator unit comprising means therein for adsorbing nitrogen from air;

• a second oxygen concentrator unit comprising means therein for adsorbing nitrogen from air;

• an air compressor for supplying compressed air to the device; the first oxygen concentrator unit being arranged, in a first mode of operation of the device, to receive compressed air from the compressor, to supply a first nitrogen-depleted gaseous stream to the reservoir at its inlet end, and to supply a second nitrogen-depleted gaseous stream to the second oxygen concentrator unit, the second nitrogen-depleted gaseous stream acting as a purge stream in the second oxygen concentrator unit, and being vented therefrom in the first mode of operation of the device; the second oxygen concentrator unit being arranged, in a second mode of operation of the device, to receive compressed air from the compressor, to supply a third nitrogen-depleted gaseous stream to the reservoir and to supply a fourth nitrogen-depleted gaseous stream to the first oxygen concentrator unit, the fourth nitrogen-depleted gaseous stream acting as a purge stream in the first oxygen concentrator unit, and being vented therefrom in the second mode of operation of the device; the device comprising first actuation means associated with the first handset which is configured, on actuation, to allow a first pressure flow through the device; and second actuation means associated with the second handset which is configured, on actuation, to allow a second pressure flow through the device, the first pressure flow being different from the second pressure flow, said first and second pressure flows giving rise respectively to a first percentage of oxygen in the gaseous stream supplied through the first handset and to a second percentage of oxygen in the gaseous stream 5 supplied through the second handset, the second percentage being different from the first percentage.

Preferably the device will also comprise a condenser for removing water vapour from the air received by the housing. The condenser when 10. present may conveniently be situated downstream from the compressor and upstream of the oxygen concentrator units.

The device of the invention comprises two oxygen concentrator units and is configured so that only one of the two oxygen concentrator units supplies

15 nitrogen-depleted air to the reservoir inlet at any one time. Whilst the first oxygen concentrator unit is supplying nitrogen-depleted air to the reservoir (in the first mode of operation of the device), the second oxygen concentrator unit is purged of any built-up nitrogen by the flow of nitrogen-depleted gas from the first oxygen concentrator unit, which is also supplying the reservoir.

20 In the second mode of operation of the device, the second oxygen concentrator unit supplies nitrogen depleted air to the reservoir, and to the first oxygen concentrator unit as a purge stream. The device of the invention may conveniently be switched between its first and second modes of operation by a suitable toggle switch or valve. For example a first switchable valve receiving air from the compressor may, in its first position, direct the flow of air to the first oxygen concentrator unit and, in its second position, to the second oxygen concentrator unit. A second switchable valve receiving nitrogen depleted air from the concentrator units may, in its first position, receive a nitrogen depleted stream from the first oxygen concentrator unit and supply a first part of the nitrogen depleted stream to the reservoir and a second part of nitrogen depleted stream to the second oxygen concentrator. In its second position the second switchable valve receives a nitrogen depleted stream from the second oxygen concentrator unit and supplies a first part of the nitrogen depleted stream to the reservoir a nd a second p art o f n itrogen depleted stream to the first oxygen concentrator.

The device of the invention is controllable to allow different types of flow for different purposes. The slower the flow through the device, the greater the residence time of air in the oxygen concentrator and the greater the degree of nitrogen depletion. Thus, for the treatment of many regions of the skin, including certain facial regions, a relatively fast flow with a relatively lower oxygen content will be appropriate. For the treatment of more delicate areas of skin, around the eyes and nose for example, it will be appropriate to provide a gentler flow with a higher oxygen content. Preferably the device of the invention is configured so that the first handset delivers a gentler, more oxygen-enriched, flow, suitable for the treatment of more delicate skin, whilst the second handset delivers a quicker flow with a slightly lower oxygen content.

Preferably the first handset is configured to provide a pressure flow through the device of from about O.δbar to about 1.8 bar, more preferably from about 0.9bar to about 1.7 bar, even more preferably from about LObar to about 1.6bar and most preferably from about 1.1 bar to about 1.5bar.

Preferably the second handset is configured to provide a pressure flow through the device of from about 1.7bar to about 2.7bar, more preferably from about 1.8bar to about 2.6 bar, even more preferably from about 1.9bar to about 2.5bar and most preferably from about 2.0bar to about 2.4bar.

Preferably the first handset is configured to provide a first percentage of oxygen of from about 88% to about 98%, more preferably from about 89% to about 97%, even more preferably from about 90% to about 96% and most preferably from about 91 % to about 95%.

Preferably the second handset is configured to provide a second percentage of oxygen of from about 75% to about 85%, more preferably from about 76% to about 84%, even more preferably from about 77% to about 83% and most preferably from about 78% to about 82%.

Actuation of each handset is preferably by means of a mechanical stop valve. The rate of pressure flow through the device caused by such actuation is conveniently controlled (in factory settings) by selecting the size of aperture realised on actuation of the device. The valve aperture in the first handset is preferably smaller than that in the second handset.

The device of the invention allows the operator to select at will two alternative treatment flows. Furthermore, whilst the flow from one handset is being employed, the device is purging the one of the oxygen concentrator units.

No downtime delay is therefore incurred when the second handset is utilised.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of the processes involved in the system; Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b are schematic diagrams of a five-way changeover valve. The depicted device draws air into the system via a compressor 12 that causes the circulation of the air throughout the system. The air is then passed on to a condenser 14 where the air is cooled and water vapour removed. Subsequently the air passes through a changeover valve 16 to one of two oxygen concentrator units 18a, 18b. Each oxygen concentrator unit 18a, 18b enriches the air so that it has a higher proportion of oxygen and each supplies oxygen-enriched air to an outlet valve 22 via a reservoir tank 20. The outlet valve 22 selectively couples the reservoir tank's 20 outlets to one of two gas guns used to supply the oxygen-enriched air to the skin being treated, or to a serum disposed on the skin being treated. One gas gun 24 supplies a higher volume of air and one gas gun 26 supplies a higher proportion of oxygen.

In more detail, air is drawn into the system 10 at point 8 by the compressor 12. The air is accelerated by the compressor 12 and is directed by rubber tubing into a condenser 14, which in this embodiment is a condenser coil. The condenser coil cools the air in the tubing by causing a separate flow of air over the coils, whereby the heat energy in the air in the coils is transferred to the air that is blown passed the coils by a fan. By cooling the air, the water vapour in the air condenses and can thereby be separated. Thus, substantially water vapour free air leaves the condenser coil. It should be noted that although the condenser coil is air-cooled, a water-cooled or a combination of an air- and water-cooled condenser could be used.

Rubber or plastic tubing leads the substantially water vapour free air from the condenser to the changeover valve 16. The changeover valve 16 is shown in more detail in Figs. 3a and 3b. A spool 28 is provided within the valve 16, the spool 28 being capable of two positions. The rubber tubing from the condenser coil provides a continuous feed of substantially water vapour free air to the valve via a permanent input 30.

The valve has two bi-directional feeds 32a, 32b, each bi-directional feed linking the changeover valve 16 to an oxygen concentrator unit 18a, 18b, and two outputs 34a, 34b, each of which allows gas to be vented.

As shown in Fig. 3a, when the spool 28 is in a first position, the substantially water vapour free air is fed to the first bi-directional feed 32a and thereby to the first oxygen concentrator unit 18a. Unwanted gases are vented from the second oxygen concentrator unit 18b via the second bi-directional feed 32b and the second output 34b.

As shown in Fig. 3b when the spool 28 is in a second position, the substantially water vapour free air is fed to the second bi-directional feed 32b and thereby to the second oxygen concentrator unit 18b. Unwanted gases are vented from the first oxygen concentrator unit 18a via the first bi- directional feed 32a and the first output 34a.

An ECU 36 controls the position of the spool 28. The ECU 36 thereby controls which bi-directional feed 32a; 32b is connected to the input and which bi-directional feed 32b; 32a is-connected to an output 34a; 34b.

An oxygen concentrator unit is a device that adsorbs nitrogen and other gases from air leaving oxygen and argon enriched air. Oxygen concentrator units that can produce a gas made up of 93% oxygen are well known. Each oxygen concentrator unit has a molecular sieve, such as a synthetic zeolite, which captures nitrogen molecules at a rate dependent upon the pressure of the air whilst travelling through the sieve. Therefore, as the oxygen concentrator units are connected to a vent via the changeover valve 16, the decrease in pressure within the concentrator unit forces the sieve to release the adsorbed nitrogen, whereby the sieve becomes re-usable and saturation may be avoided.

In the p resent i nvention, the s ieve i s a lternately adsorbing nitrogen and releasing nitrogen depending upon the position of the spool. The ECU 36 thus controls the spool's position dependent upon the flow rate required at the outlet of the system while supplying the highest percentage of oxygen- enriched air as possible. Since two oxygen concentrator units 18a, 18b are used to supply air to the outlet, a higher flow rate from the outlet can be maintained for longer periods of time. Furthermore, when the oxygen-enriched air stored in the reservoir tank is used beyond a predetermined amount, the reservoir tank 20 can be filled at an increased rate.

The oxygen enriched air produced by the oxygen concentrator units 18a, 18b are fed by nylon tubing to a pressure control valve 38. The pressure control valve 38 has a spool, which can be in one of two positions.

The first position blocks the feed from the first oxygen concentrator unit 18a and allows the oxygen-enriched air from the second oxygen concentrator unit 18b to the reservoir tank 20.

In the second spool position, the first oxygen concentrator unit 18a provides oxygen enriched air to the reservoir tank 20 and the supply from the second oxygen concentrator unit 18b is blocked.

The ECU 36 also controls the pressure control valve 38. The spools in the pressure control valve 38 and the changeover valve 16 are moved simultaneously so that one oxygen concentrator unit 18a; 18b is supplying the oxygen enriched air and the other oxygen concentrator unit 18b; 18a is removing the nitrogen adsorbed by the sieve. Furthermore, the oxygen enriched air between the oxygen concentrator unit 18a; 18b purging the nitrogen from the sieve and the pressure control valve 38 is sucked back through the oxygen concentrator unit 18a; 18b helping to remove the released nitrogen.

Nylon tubing connects the pressure control valve to the reservoir tank. There is provided a one-way valve 40 in the nylon tubing to ensure that oxygen enriched air in the reservoir tank 20 does not flow back through the system 10. The reservoir tank 20 holds a predetermined amount of enriched air to be used during a treatment. Whilst the oxygen from reservoir tank 20 is being u sed, oxygen i s concurrently being s upplied f rom the two oxygen concentrator units 18a, 18b. If there were only one oxygen concentrator unit 18a; 18b, there would not be a continuous flow of air to the reservoir tank 20, as the concentrator unit would have to adsorb nitrogen supplying air and to release nitrogen periodically not supply air.

The oxygen-enriched air in the reservoir tank 20 is allowed to leave via an outlet valve 22. The outlet valve 22 controls the gas gun 24, 26 which is to be used during the treatment and can be controlled manually. It should be noted that only one gas gun 24, 26 could be used at any one time.

The first gas gun 24 supplies a gas with a fixed oxygen concentration of 93%. The flow rate through this gun 24 is fixed so that such a percentage is always achieved at the expense of the pressure. The second gun 6 supplies a gas which is approximately 80% oxygen but at a higher pressure than that produced by the other gun 24.

The device may be used simply to supply oxygen to the skin for cosmetic benefit. However, the device may also be with a serum, the serum being applied to the epidermis of a patient and the nozzle of a gun 24, 26 being placed over the serum. The gun supplies a high pressured jet of oxygen- enriched air that forces part of the serum into the skin. The serum may be a beauty or tanning product, for example.

The present embodiment has a detachable outlet nozzle so that the device does not need to be cleaned after each treatment simply the nozzle. Furthermore, the present invention has disposable nozzles.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An oxygen supply device for treatment of the skin comprising:

• a gaseous stream reservoir in fluid communication at its outlet end with the first and second handsets;

• a first oxygen concentrator unit comprising means therein for adsorbing nitrogen from air;

• an air compressor for supplying compressed air to the device; the first oxygen concentrator unit being arranged, in a first mode of operation of the device, to receive compressed air from the compressor, to supply a first nitrogen-depleted gaseous stream to the reservoir at its inlet end, and to supply a second nitrogen- depleted gaseous stream to the second oxygen concentrator unit, the second nitrogen-depleted gaseous stream acting as a purge stream in the second oxygen concentrator unit, and being vented therefrom in the first mode of operation of the device; the second oxygen concentrator unit being arranged, in a second mode of operation of the device, to receive compressed air from the compressor, to supply a third nitrogen-depleted gaseous stream to the reservoir and to supply a fourth nitrogen-depleted gaseous stream to the first oxygen concentrator unit, the fourth nitrogen- depleted gaseous stream acting as a purge stream in the first oxygen concentrator unit, and being vented therefrom in the second mode of operation of the device; the device comprising first actuation means associated with the first handset which is configured, on actuation, to allow a first pressure flow through the device; and second actuation means associated with the second handset which is configured, on actuation, to allow a second pressure flow through the device, the first pressure flow being different from the second pressure flow, said first and second pressure flows giving rise respectively to a first percentage of oxygen in the gaseous stream supplied through the first handset and to a second percentage of oxygen in the gaseous stream supplied through the second handset, the second percentage being different from the first percentage.

2. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a condenser for removing water vapour from the air supplied from the compressor.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first and/or second actuation means comprise(s) a mechanical stop valve.

4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the first percentage of oxygen is from 88% to 98%.

5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first pressure flow is from 0.8bar to 1.8bar.

6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the second percentage of oxygen is from 75% to 85%.

7. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the second pressure flow is from 1.7 to 2.7bar.

8. A device substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrams.