EP2029083B1 - Device for treating, in particular massaging, the connective tissue of the skin - Google Patents

Abstract

This device (1) comprises, on the one hand, a casing (10) defining a treatment chamber (40) which opens onto the skin and is designed to be connected to a vacuum source and, on the other hand, elements (241 and 242) which work the skin and which are mounted movably in the casing with sliding contact against associated walls (281, 282) of the casing. To pinch the skin reliably and effectively, while allowing the device to be moved easily and with precision along areas of skin that are awkward to treat, such as highly curved areas, each working element is displaceable relative to the casing both in rotation (R) on itself about a central axis (Z1-Z1, Z2-Z2) of the element and also in translation (T) along this axis against the associated wall.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for treating, in particular massage, the connective tissue of the skin of a subject, associated with a source of vacuum.

The invention particularly relates to devices for treating the connective tissue of cutaneous areas of the human body, difficult to access because adjacent to other areas of the body and / or having a strong curvature, such as the face, the joints, fingers, etc. In these areas, we generally seek to work the skin by alternating local pinches and relaxation of the connective tissue.

Traditionally, these delicate areas to work are massaged by hand, the fingertips of a masseur, which, in the long run, tired the latter. In addition, the massage treatments thus produced are not very homogeneous, since they depend on the level of the stresses exerted by the massager, as well as the state of fatigue of the latter.

To work around these disadvantages, FR-A-2,752,159 proposed a massage device, manually operable and allowing, by associating it with a pulsed vacuum source, alternately pinch and release a skin fold. To do this, this device defines a treatment chamber which is connected to the vacuum source and wherein a partition is, in the upper part, pivotally mounted around a physical axis. In use, under the effect of the depression inside the treatment chamber, this partition pinches the skin against a fixed wall of the housing. It is understood that this device is satisfactory only if it remains motionless: as soon as it is moved, the lower edge of the partition rubs, or even gets stuck against the skin of the subject, which makes the device difficult to maneuver reliable and accurate. In addition, a good seal between the skin and the partition becomes difficult to maintain, which makes the treatment inefficient, except to increase the level of vacuum in the treatment chamber. However, in this case, the difficulties of movement of the device are accentuated and the skin fold is pinched with such intensity that the massage quickly becomes painful for the subject, or even incompatible with cutaneous areas with strong curvature and / or with certain types of skin, for example fragile, damaged or scarred skins.

In the field of massage devices for performing particular massage type "palpated-rolled", FR-A-2,768,051 proposed to close the open ends of a suction chamber, which extends transversely over the entire width of the housing of the device, by rotating discs sealingly against the end side walls of the housing. The handling of the device against the skin is in principle improved, insofar as each disc can roll on the skin by limiting the friction of the device. However, because of their sealed support against the side walls of the housing, these discs are necessarily stationary in the direction of the width of the housing, so that they can not approach or listen to one of the other, preventing the skin from being pinched and released to be effectively treated, as explained above. FR-A-2,768,051 proposes to add inside the suction chamber transverse rollers, that is to say which extend along the width of the housing, between the side discs, being noted that these rollers are specified as falling under including EP-A-0 224 422 . Under these conditions, the rolling lateral supports of the discs are then combined with a "palpated-rolled" massage, that is to say that, over the entire length of these rollers, the skin is folded in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the side disks. This skin treatment requires very high vacuum levels in the chamber and is incompatible with skin areas with strong curvature and / or for certain types of skin, as explained above.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above, by proposing an innovative and beneficial treatment device, which acts by pinching on the skin of a subject reliably and efficiently, while being easy and precise to move, especially against areas of delicate skin to be treated, such as the face, joints, scarred areas, etc.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a device for treating, in particular massage, the connective tissue of the skin of a subject, associated with a source of vacuum, as defined in claim 1.

Thus, the or each working element of the device according to the invention combines a double capacity of movements with respect to the same axis of displacement. By being rotatable about itself around this axis, the work element can roll against the skin, which makes its movement particularly easy. The device can thus accurately follow elaborated care lines, for example S-shaped traces. In addition, being able to move in translation along the aforementioned axis, the work element can pinch the skin in a generally parallel direction. to this axis. In use, the translation movements of the working element are controlled by the depression inside the treatment chamber: as this element is translated against the housing wall which delimits, together with the element, the chamber of treatment, the latter is effectively sealed, allowing effective pinching of the skin, without resorting to excessive vacuum levels in the room. The combination of the rotary and translative capacities of the or each work element makes the device according to the invention particularly effective and manageable, both for driving the device in rotation on site at 360 °, as for displacements of this device according to rectilinear or curved care lines, for example S-shaped, without differential effect. It is understood that the device according to the invention is particularly well suited to skin areas with a strong curvature, such as the face or joints of the subject, as well as for certain types of fragile skin, for example damaged or scarred skin.

The device has a reliable structure and can be declined in different sizes, by homothétie the dimensions of the housing and the work elements. It is thus possible to have a range of devices of different sizes, being noticed that, in the extreme, very small devices can be proposed. In particular, the treatment chamber does not have to extend from one side of the housing to the other, but on the contrary has a freely chosen volume. In any case, the structure "housing / work item (s)" is compact and lightweight, which enhances the maneuverability of the device and which allows to apply the work items to areas of the human body difficult to 'access.

By providing that the or each work element is made of a light material, such as a plastic material, the inertia of this element is negligible vis-à-vis the pressure variations inside the treatment chamber. The control of these pressure variations thus directly determines the action on the connective tissue. The skin can in particular be alternately pinched and released with a precise frequency, which leads to retightening the connective tissue and stimulating the collagen fibers in a controlled manner. With high frequencies, the skin undergoes a particularly effective dynamic stimulation.

Other features of the processing device, taken alone or in any technically possible combination, are set forth in dependent claims 2 to 14.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un dispositif conforme à l'invention, appliqué sur un sujet ;
• la figure 2 est une coupe longitudinale du dispositif de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une coupe longitudinale partielle, prise selon la ligne III-III de la figure 2, étant remarqué que la ligne II-II indiquée à la figure 3 correspond au plan de coupe de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une coupe partielle analogue à la figure 3, illustrant le dispositif dans une configuration de fonctionnement différente de celle de la figure 3 ;
• les figures 5 à 7 illustrent une variante du dispositif conforme à l'invention, les figures 5 et 7 étant des vues respectivement analogues aux figures 3 et 4 tandis que la figure 6 est une vue en perspective, avec arraché partiel, d'un des éléments de travail de la peau selon cette variante ;
• la figure 8 est une vue analogue à la figure 6, illustrant une autre variante de réalisation pour les éléments de travail ; et
• les figures 9 et 10 illustrent encore une autre variante du dispositif conforme à l'invention, la figure 9 étant une coupe selon la ligne IXA-IXA

indiquée à la figure 10 tandis que la figure 10 est une vue en élévation selon la flèche IXB indiquée à la figure 9.The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a device according to the invention, applied to a subject;
• the figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the device of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a partial longitudinal section, taken along line III-III of the figure 2 , being aware that line II-II indicated in figure 3 corresponds to the cutting plane of the figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 is a partial section similar to the figure 3 , illustrating the device in an operating configuration different from that of the figure 3 ;
• the Figures 5 to 7 illustrate a variant of the device according to the invention, the Figures 5 and 7 being views respectively similar to Figures 3 and 4 while the figure 6 is a perspective view, with partial cutaway, of one of the working elements of the skin according to this variant;
• the figure 8 is a view similar to the figure 6 illustrating another alternative embodiment for the work elements; and
• the Figures 9 and 10 illustrate yet another variant of the device according to the invention, the figure 9 being a section along line IXA-IXA

indicated in figure 10 while the figure 10 is an elevation view along the arrow IXB indicated in figure 9 .

On the Figures 1 to 4 is shown a massage device 1 for alternately pinching and releasing the connective tissue of the skin 3 of a subject 2, as detailed later in the description of the operation of the device.

For convenience, the rest of the description is oriented by considering that the device 1 rests on the subject 2, so that the terms "lower" and "lower" denote a direction directed towards the skin 3 of the subject, while the terms " higher "and" high "correspond to a direction in the opposite direction.

The device 1 comprises a rigid housing 10, made, all or part, of metal, plastic, etc. This housing has an elongated overall shape and extends around a central axis X-X.

In its lower part, the housing 10 comprises a main body 12 of generally tubular shape centered on the axis XX. Here, according to a compact and easy-to-manufacture embodiment, the body 12 consists of two identical parts 12 ₁ and 12 ₂ , fixedly attached to one another symmetrically with respect to a median plane P containing the axis XX and corresponding to the cutting plane of the figure 2 . Each portion 12 ₁ , 12 ₂ has a lower base 14 ₁ , 14 ₂ half-tubular, from which extends upwardly an upper tubing 16 ₁ , 16 ₂ half-cylindrical. When the parts 12 ₁ and 12 ₂ are assembled one to the other on either side of the plane P, the pipes 16 ₁ and 16 ₂ together form a chimney centered on the axis XX, around which is reported an upper assembly head 18, for example force-fitted in an annular groove delimited in the junction zones between the bases 14 ₁ and 14 ₂ and the pipes 16 ₁ and 16 ₂ .

The housing 10 is adapted to be connected to a vacuum source 4, such as a vacuum pump, a depressurized network, a suction motor, etc. For this purpose, the head 18 forms, at its upper end, a connection flange to the vacuum source 4, for example via a flexible pipe 5, while, internally, this head and the chimney 16 vertically delimit a duct 20 centered. on the XX axis, open at its upper end and opening at its end lower inside a free volume delimited internally by the bases 14 ₁ and 14 ₂ .

The assembly of the body portions 12 ₁ and 12 ₂ is optionally reinforced by pins 22, each half of which is fixedly received in respective holes delimited, symmetrically with respect to the plane P, in the area of FIG. junction between the tubing 16 ₁ , 16 ₂ and the base 14 ₁ , 14 ₂ of each portion 12 ₁ , 12 _2.

Each body portion 12 ₁ , 12 ₂ is provided, at its base 14 ₁ , 14 ₂ , with a working element 24 ₁ , 24 ₂ of the skin 3. For convenience, the element 24 ₁ is described ci -after detail, being noted that the other element 24 ₂ has similar arrangements, symmetrical with respect to the plane P corresponding arrangements of the element 24 ₁ and bearing the same reference numerals followed by the index 2 instead of the index 1.

The working element 24 ₁ consists essentially of a solid disk 26 ₁ , defining a central axis Z ₁ -Z ₁ . This disc is received inside the base 14 ₁ , with its axis Z ₁ -Z ₁ extending transversely to the axis XX, in a plane perpendicular to the plane P, corresponding to the plane of Figures 3 and 4 . The Z ₁ -Z ₁ axis is inclined downward towards the plane P when moving away from the element 24 ₁ . Thus, the disc 26 ₁ has a flat face 26A ₁ directed towards the plane P, an opposite planar face 26B ₁ and a cylindrical peripheral surface 26C ₁ connecting the faces 26A ₁ and 26B ₁ .

The element 24 ₁ is mounted movably in the base 14 ₁ so that the disc 26 ₁ cooperates with a wall 28 ₁ of the base 14 ₁ , which extends from the plane P to an end wall lateral 30 ₁ of the base. This current wall 28 ₁ delimits an inner surface 28A ₁ semi-cylindrical circular base, centered on the axis Z ₁ -Z ₁ and on the upper end of which opens the lower end of the conduit 20. The diameter of the section transverse of this surface 28A ₁ is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the disk 26 ₁ , so that the surfaces 28A ₁ and 26C ₁ are substantially adjusted one on the other, with functional play near. The semi-cylindrical shape of the surface 28A ₁ is closed more than 180 °, being open downward, so that the lowest portion of the disk 26 ₁ extends downward beyond the edge of lower end of the wall 28 ₁ , as shown in the figures.

In addition, the working element 24 ₁ is provided with a rod 32 ₁ , centered on the axis Z ₁ -Z ₁ and projecting outwardly from the face 26B ₁ of the disc 26 ₁ . Here, the rod 32 ₁ and the disc 26 ₁ are integral with each other. This rod is received in a substantially complementary hole 34 ₁ which passes right through the lateral end wall 30 ₁ along the axis Z ₁ -Z ₁ .

From a kinematic point of view, the working element 24 ₁ is movable relative to the base 14 ₁ of the housing 10 according to two independent movements, namely a free rotation movement about the axis Z ₁ -Z ₁ , indicated by the arrow R in the figures, and a rectilinear translational movement along the same axis, indicated by the arrow T in the figures. These two movements are guided by the cooperation, on the one hand, of the surfaces 26C ₁ and 28A ₁ at the level of the current wall 28 ₁ and, on the other hand, of the peripheral surface of the rod 32 ₁ and the peripheral wall delimiting the hole 34 ₁ at the end wall 30 ₁ .

The rotary movements of the working element 24 ₁ are free, in the sense that its drive is not constrained by any element of the device 1. The translational movements T of this element are, in turn, influenced by a compression spring 36 ₁ interposed between the rod 32 ₁ and the wall 30 ₁ . More specifically, this spring is arranged around a portion of the rod disposed outside the wall 30 ₁ , opposite the wall 28 ₁ , being pressed in abutment against, on the one hand, the wall ₁ , and, on the other hand, a ring 38 ₁ fixedly attached to the free end of the rod 32 ₁ . Under the effect of the spring 36 ₁ , the working element 24 ₁ normally tends to move away from the plane P along the axis Z ₁ -Z ₁ , until abutting the disk 26 ₁ against the wall 30 ₁ , by plating the face 26B ₁ against the face facing this wall, as at figure 3 .

In the assembled state of the device 1, the housing 10 internally defines a treatment chamber 40 delimited, at the same time, by the discs 26 ₁ and 26 ₂ and by the walls 28 ₁ and 28 ₂ . This chamber is thus open downwards, between the lower portions of the discs, while it is sealed according to the rest of the periphery of the discs, thanks to the adjustment between the surfaces 26C ₁ and 26C ₂ of the discs and the surfaces 28A. ₁ and 28A ₂ of the walls 28 ₁ and 28 ₂ , except at the lower end of the duct 20, which thus opens into the chamber 40.

The massage device 1 is used as follows.

The housing 10 is manipulated so that the lower portions of the discs 26 ₁ and 26 ₂ are applied against the skin 3 of the subject 2, as shown in FIG. figure 1 . The treatment chamber 40 is then opened directly on the skin 3, as shown on the Figures 3 and 4 . By actuating the vacuum source 4, the air contained in the chamber 40 is sucked by the conduit 20, as indicated by the wavy arrows 42, so as to create a vacuum inside the chamber. Under the effect of this depression, the skin is sucked between the discs 26 ₁ and 26 ₂ , forming a skin fold 3A, and the working elements 24 ₁ and 24 ₂ are translatable to one another, according to respectively their axis Z ₁ -Z ₁ and Z ₂ -Z ₂ . These elements 24 ₁ and 24 ₂ then pass from a rest position, represented in FIG. figure 3 , in which they are respectively pressed against the walls 30 ₁ and 30 ₂ under the action of the springs 36 ₁ and 36 ₂ , has a position close to each other, shown in FIG. figure 4 in which the skin fold 3A is pinched between the faces 26A ₁ and 26A ₂ of the discs 26 ₁ and 26 ₂ .

Advantageously, in their position close to the figure 4 , the upper portions of the disks 26 ₁ and 26 ₂ at least partially block the outlet of the conduit 20 in the treatment chamber 40, their peripheral surface 26C ₁ and 26C ₂ then extending across this outlet. The action of the vacuum source 4 is then significantly reduced, or even interrupted, in the sense that outside air infiltrates at the lower end edges of the walls 28 ₁ and 28 ₂ , 30 ₁ and 30 ₂ inside the chamber, with sufficient flow to repressurize the room. The springs 36 ₁ and 36 ₂ then recall in translation the working elements 24 ₁ and 24 ₂ to their rest position of the figure 3 releasing the skin fold 3A. The outlet of the conduit 20 in the chamber is released, allowing the establishment of a new depression inside the chamber, and so on.

Closing the suction duct 20 by the working elements 24 ₁ and 24 ₂ makes the device safe, in the sense that an excessive vacuum level can not be reached in the treatment chamber 40. In addition, this way, the vacuum source 4 can be a simple technology, in the sense that this source of vacuum does not have to be controlled impulse or jerky to generate the translational movements back and forth of the elements of job.

Thus, it is understood that the elements 24 ₁ and 24 ₂ are translatable along the axes Z ₁ -Z ₁ and Z ₂ -Z ₂ following rectilinear movements of flapping, alternately causing the pinching and loosening of the skin fold sucked 3A.

Independently of the translational movements of the elements 24 ₁ and 24 ₂ , the housing 10 can be driven along the skin 3 of the subject 2, by rotating on themselves these elements respectively about the axes Z ₁ -Z ₁ and Z ₂ -Z ₂ . The peripheral surfaces 26C ₁ and 26C ₂ of the discs 26 ₁ and 26 ₂ then roll easily, that is to say without significant effort, against the skin, at their lower portion, the direction of rotation of the elements being indifferent. The housing 10 may also be rotated on itself about its central axis XX; in this case, one of the work elements rotates clockwise, while the other element rotates counter-clockwise.

Both during the translational movements T and during the rotational movements R of the working elements 24 ₁ and 24 ₂ , the sealing of the treatment chamber 40 along the periphery of the discs 26 ₁ and 26 ₂ is generally maintained by sliding contact. peripheral surfaces 26C1 and 26C2 against the fitted surfaces 28A ₁ and 28A ₂ of the housing walls 28 ₁ and 28 ₂ . Thus, no additional sealing piece is to be reported in the casing 10.

It is understood that each working element 24 ₁ , 24 _{2 is} similar in operation to a piston displaceable in translation inside an associated housing delimited by the semi-cylindrical wall 28 ₁ , 28 ₂ , while allowing this piston to freely rotate on itself about the axis according to which it is translated. This form of piston has the advantage of combining efficiency, lightness and simplicity, especially compared to elaborate mobile structures, which, because of their complexity, are heavy and less effective.

The inclination of the axes Z ₁ -Z ₁ and Z ₂ -Z ₂ with respect to the plane P allows a better grip of the skin fold 3A when it is pinched, without affecting the rolling of the discs or creating over-stresses 2. For this purpose, the axes Z ₁ -Z ₁ and Z ₂ -Z ₂ , which converge towards each other towards the open side of the chamber of the patient. treatment 40 when moving away from the working elements 24 ₁ and 24 ₂ , form between them an angle α is 150 ° +/- 10 °.

Moreover, the embodiment of the housing body 12 in two assembled parts 12 ₁ and 12 ₂ has the advantage of providing a housing easily and quickly removable, which simplifies the cleaning of the device, in particular of the treatment chamber 40.

On the Figures 5 to 7 is shown a massage device 100 which is a variant of the device 1 and which differs from the latter only by these elements 124 ₁ and 124 ₂ working skin 1. The other components of the devices 1 and 100 being identical, these The components of the device 100 are identified below and in the figures by the same references as those used for the device 1.

Unlike the solid structure disks 26 ₁ and 26 ₂ , each work element 124 ₁ , 124 ₂ essentially consists of a perforated disk 126 ₁ , 126 ₂ . More specifically, each disk 126 ₁ , 126 ₂ delimits, in its thickness, passages 127 ₁ , 127 ₂ which each extend in a radial direction to the central axis Z ₁ -Z ₁ , Z ₂ -Z ₂ of the disk . As clearly visible in the figure 6 for the element 124 _1, the passages 127 ₁ , 127 ₂ are distributed uniformly around the axis Z ₁ -Z ₁ , Z ₂ -Z ₂ , opening, at their end opposite this axis, on the face device 126C ₁ , 126C ₂ of the disc and opening, at their end facing the axis Z ₁ -Z ₁ , Z ₂ -Z ₂ , in a free disc volume 127A ₁ 127A ₂ centered on this axis and in free fluid communication with room 40.

The overall outer shape of the discs 126 ₁ and 126 ₂ is identical to that of the discs 26 ₁ and 26 ₂ , so that, in use, the discs 126 ₁ and 126 ₂ cooperate with the walls 28 ₁ and 30 ₁ , 28 ₂ and ₂ , as described above in detail for the device 1. Similarly, each work element 124 ₁ , 124 ₂ comprises a rod 132 ₁ , 132 ₂ identical to the rod 32 ₁ , 32 ₂ as described above.

The kinematic capacities of the working elements 124 ₁ and 124 ₂ are identical to those of the elements 24 ₁ and 24 ₂ relative to the housing 10. The significant difference in operation between the devices 1 and 100 is related to the presence of the passages 127 ₁ and 127 ₂ that allow the vacuum present in the chamber 40 to flow through the disks 126 ₁ and 126 ₂ . In this way, at the outlets on the outside of the passages 127 ₁ and 127 ₂ in contact with the skin 3 of the subject 2, this skin is locally aspirated, forming small folds 3B, as shown in FIGS. Figures 5 and 7 . The circulation of the vacuum through the disks 126 ₁ and 126 ₂ is indicated by the wavy arrows 144, being noted that, on the one hand, in the rest position of the disks illustrated in FIG. figure 5 , the vacuum flows from the passages 127 ₁ and 127 ₂ opening on the skin 3 by successively the volumes 127A ₁ and 127A ₂ , the chamber 40 and the conduit 20, while, on the other hand, when the discs are in their position close to each other, represented at figure 7 , the vacuum flows from the same passages essentially through the volumes 127A ₁ and 127A ₂ and the passages 127 ₁ and 127 ₂ which are diametrically opposed to the passage opening on the skin and which open themselves directly into the conduit 20.

Thus, the advantage of the device variant 100 is to solicit the skin 3 at a time between the working elements 124 ₁ and 124 ₂ , as for the device 1, and at the peripheral portion of the disks 126 ₁ and 126 ₂ pressing against the skin. The connective tissue of the skin is stimulated additionally.

Another advantage of the device variant 100 consists in being able to house in one and / or the other of the central volumes 127A ₁ and 127A ₂ a capsule, not shown, filled with an active substance, such as a cosmetic product. . During operation of the device 100, this capsule is intended to be pressed by the skin fold 3A, so that the substance it contains then feeds the passages 127 ₁ and 127 ₂ , from the central volumes 127A ₁ and 127A ₂ until to the peripheral outlets of these passages, in particular those in contact with the skin 3. To prevent the active substance from being sucked into the conduit 20 via the passages 127 ₁ , 127 ₂ opposed to those opening onto the skin, the aforementioned passages are provided substantially closed by the wall 28 ₁ , 28 ₂ over the entire travel in translation of the working elements 124 ₁ , 124 ₂ , for example by means of a suitable dimensioning, not shown, of the disks 126 ₁ , 126 ₂ and / or walls 28 ₁ , 28 ₂ .

On the figure 8 is illustrated an alternative embodiment for the working elements of the device 1 or 100, only one of these elements, referenced 124 ' ₁ being shown, it being understood that two of these elements equip this variant device. The element 124 ' ₁ is distinguished from the element 124 ₁ only by the positioning passages 127 ₁ : rather than making these passages in the thickness of the disc 126 ₁ , the face 126A ' ₁ of the disc 126', facing the chamber 40, is hollowed radial grooves 127 ' ₁ . These grooves are uniformly distributed around the axis Z ₁ -Z ₁ , opening, at their end opposite this axis, on the peripheral face 126C ' ₁ of the disc and opening, at their end facing the axis , in a discoidal free volume 127A ' ₁ centered on this axis and in free fluid communication with the chamber 40. This volume 127A' ₁ is geometrically similar to the volume 127A ₁ of the element 124 ₁ . Advantageously, each groove has an increasing cross section away from the axis Z ₁ -Z ₁ .

With this arrangement of the face 126A ' ₁ , when the disk 126A' is in use and rhythmically stretches the cells of the "stratum cornum", considered as tiles, the outlets of the grooves 127A ' ₁ on the face 126C' ₁ solicit the skin tangentially and create a game in the intercellular spaces, called micropores. It is then possible to diffuse active substances into the epidermal layers, as well as to stimulate collagen densification by transduction, under biomechanical stimulation.

On the Figures 9 and 10 there is shown a massage device 200 which constitutes another variant of the device 1. The device 200 differs essentially from the device 1 in that it includes three elements 224 ₁ , 224 ₂ and 224 ₃ of the skin, instead of of two.

In the exemplary embodiment considered Figures 9 and 10 , the device 200 comprises a one-piece housing 210 extending around a central axis XX. In its lower part, the housing 210 forms a tubular body 212, which is centered on the axis XX and in which are housed the three work elements 224 ₁ , 224 ₂ and 224 ₃ . In its upper part, the housing 210 comprises a pipe 216 which internally delimits a conduit 220 centered on the axis XX. This duct is, on one side, intended to be connected to the vacuum source 4, via for example the pipe 5, while on the opposite side, it opens into the free volume of the body 212.

Each work element 224 ₁ , 224 ₂ , 224 ₃ has a structure identical to that of the elements 24 ₁ and 24 ₂ and thus comprises a disc 226 ₁ , 226 ₂ , 226 ₃ and a rod respectively identical to the discs 26 ₁ , 26 ₂ and the rods 32 ₁ , 32 ₂ (only the rod 232 ₁ of the element 224 ₁ is visible in the figures). In however, unlike the elements 24 ₁ and 24 ₂ which face each other symmetrically with respect to the plane P, the elements 124 ₁ , 124 ₂ and 124 ₃ are distributed around the axis XX , uniformly, as clearly visible in the figure 10 . As clearly visible in the figure 9 for the element 224 ₁ , each of these three work elements has kinematic capabilities identical to those of the working elements of the device 1, that is to say that, for example for the element 224 ₁ , the latter is displaceable at a time, in rotation R on itself around its central axis Z ₁ -Z ₁ and in translation T along this axis, cooperating by sliding contact with an associated wall 228 ₁ of the housing 210, whose geometry is identical to the wall 28 ₁ of the housing 10. It will be noted that, on the Figures 9 and 10 , the elements 224 ₁ and 224 ₂ are shown in their position close to each other, while the element 224 ₃ is shown in its rest position, for illustrative purposes only, it being understood that this configuration relative of the three elements of work has no functional reality: in operation, the three elements 224 ₁ , 224 ₂ and 224 ₃ pass simultaneously from their rest position to their close position, under the effect of a negative pressure. inside the processing chamber 240 delimited between them, while the elements are returned to their rest position under the action of respective springs similar to the springs 36 ₁ and 36 ₂ (only the spring 236 ₁ associated with the element 224 ₁ is visible at the figure 9 ).

To effectively grasp a fold of skin when it is pinched by the elements 224 ₁ , 224 ₂ and 224 ₃ , without affecting the rolling of the disks 226 ₁ , 226 ₂ and 226 ₃ , or creating skin over-stresses that could occur In order to be painful to the subject, the central axes of the elements converge towards each other toward the open side of the treatment chamber 240 as one moves away from the work elements. Advantageously, in the plane containing the axis XX and one of the central axes of these work elements, the angle β formed between these two axes is 55 ° +/- 5 °, as represented in the plane of the figure 9 which contains the axis XX and the central axis Z ₁ -Z ₁ of the element 224 ₁ .

• plutôt que de prévoir les axes Z₁-Z₁ et Z₂-Z₂ inclinés par rapport au plan P, ces axes peuvent être prévus sensiblement alignés, les disques 26₁ et 26₂ étant alors sensiblement parallèles l'un à l'autre ; dans le cas d'un dispositif à trois éléments de travail ou plus, leurs axes respectifs appartiennent alors à un même plan, notamment perpendiculaire à l'axe X-X ;
• des éléments de travail analogues aux éléments 124₁ ou 124'₁ peuvent être agencés en trois exemplaires, en remplacement des éléments 224₁, 224₂ et 224₃, dans le dispositif 200 ; et/ou
• notamment pour disposer d'un dispositif de massage encore plus compact que le dispositif 1 ou 100, il est envisageable de ne prévoir qu'un seul élément de travail ; par exemple, selon cette variante, le dispositif comporte, d'un côté du plan P, l'élément 24₁, 124₁ ou 124'₁ et, de l'autre côté de ce plan, une paroi fixe intégrée au boîtier 10.

Various arrangements and variants of the massage devices 1, 100 and 200 described above are also possible. As examples:

• rather than providing the Z ₁ -Z ₁ and Z ₂ -Z ₂ axes inclined relative to the plane P, these axes can be provided substantially aligned, the disks 26 ₁ and 26 ₂ then being substantially parallel to each other; in the case of a device with three or more work elements, their respective axes then belong to the same plane, in particular perpendicular to the axis XX;
• working elements similar to the elements 124 ₁ or 124 ' ₁ may be arranged in triplicate, replacing the elements 224 ₁ , 224 ₂ and 224 ₃ , in the device 200; and or
• in particular to have a massage device even more compact than the device 1 or 100, it is conceivable to provide only one work element; for example, according to this variant, the device comprises, on one side of the plane P, the element 24 ₁ , 124 ₁ or 124 ' ₁ and, on the other side of this plane, a fixed wall integrated in the housing 10.

Claims (14)

1. A device (1; 100; 200) for treating, in particular massaging, the connective tissue of the skin (3) of a subject (2), associated with a vacuum source (4),
   comprising, on the one hand, a casing (10; 210) defining a treatment chamber (40; 240) which opens on the skin and is designed to be connected, via the casing, to the vacuum source and, on the other hand, at least one working element (24₁, 24₂; 124₁, 124₂; 124'₁; 224₁, 224₂, 224₃) which works the skin, mounted movably in the casing in sliding contact against an associated wall (28₁, 28₂; 228₁) of the casing, this working element and this wall at least partially delimiting the treatment chamber, characterized in that the or each working element (24₁, 24₂; 124₁, 124₂; 124'₁; 224₁, 224₂) can be displaced relative to the casing (10; 210), both in rotation (R) on itself about a central axis (Z₁-Z₁, Z₂-Z₂) of the working element and in translation (T) along this axis against the associated wall (28₁, 28₂; 228₁) .
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the or each working element (24₁, 24₂; 124₁, 124₂; 124'₁; 224₁, 224₂, 224₃) globally has a discoidal shape (26₁, 26₂; 126₁, 126₂; 126'₁; 226₁, 226₂, 226₃) centered on the axis (Z₁-Z₁, Z₂-Z₂).
3. The device as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least two working elements (24₁, 24₂; 124₁, 124₂; 124'₁; 224₁, 224₂, 224₃) are provided, and in that the respective axes (Z₁-Z₁ and Z₂-Z₂) of these working elements converge toward each other toward the open side of the treatment chamber (40; 240).
4. The device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that two working elements (24₁, 24₂; 124₁, 124₂; 124'₁) are provided, and in that the respective axes (Z₁-Z₁ and Z₂-Z₂) of these working elements form an angle of 150° ± 10°.
5. The device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that three working elements (224₁, 224₂, 224₃) are provided, and in that the angle (β) formed between each axis of these working elements and an axis (X-X) about which these three working elements are distributed, is 55° ± 5°.
6. The device as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least two working elements are provided, the respective axes of these working elements being either substantially aligned if there are two of these working elements or substantially arranged in one and the same plane if there are three or more of these working elements.
7. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or each working element (24₁, 24₂; 124₁, 124₂; 124'₁; 224₁, 224₂, 224₃) is mounted in the casing (10; 210) with free rotation (R) about its axis (Z₁-Z₁, Z₂-Z₂).
8. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or each working element (24₁, 24₂; 124₁, 124₂; 124'₁; 224₁, 224₂, 224₃) can be displaced in translation (T) between a rest position (figures 3 and 5) and a pinching position for pinching the skin (3) (figures 4 and 7), the working element being displaced to its pinching position under the effect of a depression inside the treatment chamber (40; 240), whereas it is displaced to its rest position under the effect of return means (36₁, 36₂; 236₁) incorporated in the device (1; 100; 200).
9. The device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the casing (10; 210) delimits a duct (20; 220) adapted to be connected to the vacuum source (4) and opening out into the treatment chamber (40; 240), and in that the opening of this duct into the treatment chamber is at least partially blocked when the or each working element (24₁, 24₂; 124₁, 124₂; 124'₁; 224₁, 224₂, 224₃) is in its pinching position (figures 4 and 7).
10. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the associated wall (28₁, 28₂; 228₁) of the casing (10; 210) delimits a semi-cylindrical surface (28A₁, 28A₂) which is centered on the axis (Z₁-Z₁, Z₂-Z₂) of the corresponding working element (24₁, 24₂; 124₁, 124₂; 124'₁; 224₁, 224₂, 224₃) and which, in transverse cross-section, is substantially fitted to the peripheral surface (26C₁, 26C₂; 126C₁, 126C₂) of this working element.
11. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the casing (10) includes parts (12₁, 12₂) that are substantially identical, that are joined fixedly to one another and that respectively bear one of the working elements (24₁, 24₂).
12. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or each working element (124₁, 124₂) delimits, in its thickness, passages (127₁, 127₂) transversal to the axis (Z₁-Z₁, Z₂-Z₂) of the working element, whereas, alongside this axis, suction passages open out into a free volume (127A₁, 127A₂) delimited by the working element and communicating freely with the treatment chamber (40).
13. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or each working element (124'₁) delimits, on its face (126A'₁) turned toward the treatment chamber (40), grooves (127'₁) transversal to the axis (Z₁-Z₁) of the working element and opening out, opposite this axis, onto the peripheral surface (126C'₁) of the working element, whereas, alongside this axis, the suction passages open out into a free volume (127A'₁) delimited by the working element and communicating freely with the treatment chamber.
14. The device as claimed in one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that a capsule containing an active substance is arranged in the or each free volume (127A₁, 127A₂; 127A'₁) to be pressed by a fold of skin (3A) formed in the treatment chamber (40) and to then feed the passages (127₁, 127₂) or the grooves (127'₁) with active substance via their opening into this free volume.

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