FR3132824A1 - Polymerization hair removal system - Google Patents

Abstract

Polymer Hair Removal System A method and system for applying a polymer to a user's skin in a fluid or malleable form; exposing the user's polymer-covered skin to energy emitted from an energy source and causing the polymer to harden and bond with the hairs on the user's skin; and removing the hardened polymer from the user's skin and causing hair removal. Figure for the abstract: none

Description

Polymerization Hair Removal System CONTEXT

Domain

The present disclosure generally relates to a system, apparatus and method for removing hair from a body part by free radical polymerization.

Conventional hair removal options include the use of (i) energy (laser hair removal, IPL, or electrolysis), (ii) hair removal (shaving/cutting or depilatory products), and (iii ) hair removal (hair removal with tweezers, wax, sugar or thread). However, these options may be expensive, painful, short-lived, cause odor, burns, and/or have limited application size.

Existing hair removal techniques that involve pulling the hair out at the root, such as sugaring, waxing, tweezing, or using a hair removal device, lengthen the process of removing hair. Sugaring and waxing, in particular, have a limited time in which the material can be worked. The material must be placed before it cools and, if placed when too hot, it is unpleasant or may even cause burns. All of these options require multiple passes to remove all target hairs.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes applying a polymer to a user's skin in a fluid or malleable form; exposing the user's polymer-coated skin to energy emitted from an energy source and causing the polymer to harden and bond with hair on the user's skin; and removing the hardened polymer from the user's skin and causing hair removal.

In one embodiment, the user's skin is located on a leg of the user.

In one embodiment, the user's skin is a region of the user's eyebrows.

In one embodiment, the energy source is ultraviolet (UV) light.

In one embodiment, the energy source is infrared (IR) light.

In one embodiment, the energy source is atmospheric cold plasma (CAP).

In one embodiment, the energy source is at least one light emitting diode (LED).

In one embodiment, the power source includes a housing that is configured to receive an inserted portion of a leg of the user.

In one embodiment, the power source is a portable device.

In one embodiment, the method includes performing a reverse cross-linking process to remove the polymer from the cured state.

In one embodiment, the method includes imaging a specific region of the user's skin and exposing only the specific region of the user's skin to the energy source.

In one embodiment, a system is provided for optimizing hair removal, which includes an applicator for applying a polymer to a user's skin in a fluid or malleable form; a power source configured to emit energy toward the polymer-coated skin of the user, causing the polymer to harden and bond with hairs on the user's skin, wherein the cured polymer is configured to be removed from the user's skin and causing hair removal.

In one embodiment, the system includes a mask made of a material configured to block the energy emitted by the energy source at a first portion and allow the energy emitted by the energy source to pass to the level of a second portion.

In one embodiment, the system includes an imaging device configured to image a specific region of the user's skin and processing circuitry configured to cause the energy source to expose only the specific region of the user's skin. the user to energy.

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. A fuller appreciation of the disclosure and the many advantages which flow therefrom will be readily obtained by reference to the following detailed description, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings:

There shows a hair removal process according to one embodiment.

There and the show an atmospheric cold plasma (CAP) device according to one embodiment.

There shows a device which uses light-emitting diodes as a radiation source according to one embodiment.

There shows a block diagram of hardware components used in conjunction with an array of light emitting diodes according to one embodiment.

There , And show different form factors for an LED emitter according to one embodiment.

There shows a mask that may be preformed or allow customization by the user according to one embodiment.

detailed description of the embodiments

In the drawings, like numerals designate identical or corresponding parts in the different views. Additionally, as used herein, the words "a", "an" and the like generally have the meaning of "one or more", unless otherwise indicated.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals designate identical or corresponding parts in the different views.

The inventors recognized that, through radical polymerization, a liquid or gel can be transformed into a strong and pliable solid. This process, which can be called cross-linking, involves connecting smaller molecules together to form stronger chains based on changes in the physical properties of the material. As the process is temperature independent, it is advantageous as a hair removal solution.

The embodiment described below uses a cool, soothing gel-like formula that can be applied in one go, with unlimited working time to cover the area to be treated. Once it is where it needs to be, a short curing process is initiated, transforming the gel into a rubbery, cross-linked polymer film and trapping the hairs. Finally, the entire film can be removed at once, shortening treatment time and avoiding prolonging a painful process. There are multiple options for curing chemicals that can be catalyzed by a secondary formula or, more likely for this project, initiated by a plasma or light-based device.

There shows a process according to one embodiment. In step 101, a gel or liquid is applied to the user's skin. Application can be done using a solid object designed to spread the object around the target area, such as a flat stick. The gel may remain in place for any amount of time before polymerization occurs in step 102. In step 102, polymerization occurs based on exposure to ultraviolet (UV) energy or infrared (IR). Following this step, the gel will harden and become a hardened coating, trapping the hairs on the user's skin within the hardened coating. In step 103, the cured coating can be removed by pulling the edge. With just one pulling motion, hairs trapped in the coating will be removed at the root, completing the hair removal process.

Current embodiments have the advantage of having a forgiving application process in terms of temporal flexibility since the user chooses when the material cures. They have the advantage of not causing heat burns since they use material at room temperature. They also have the advantage of having a larger application surface that can be removed in one go.

It can be seen that the process shown in presents three main aspects, which will be developed below.

1. The polymerized coating

A removable polymerized coating is known, as, for example, Rosenberg in US Patent 3,928,113, which proposes the application of a primary coating consisting of a water-soluble or expandable polymer in a solvent system, followed by the application and subsequent curing of a photocurable nail polish composition. In patent publication 2011/0 182 838, Thong, et al. disclose polymerized cosmetic coatings for natural and artificial nails which have improved solvent removability and which comprise a reactive (meth)acrylate, a reactive urethane (meth)acrylate, a reactive polypropylene glycol monomethacrylate, a polymethacrylate copolymer of methyl-poly(methacrylic acid), pyromelitic dianhydride and a polyether acrylate dimer, a glycerolate and a glycerolate in a non-reactive solvent which cures under radiation to form an acrylic thermoset having voids which contain a polymer soluble in a solvent.

The applicator for dispensing the polymer may be in a form understood in the art, such as a housing that includes a body portion for dispensing the polymer by a pressing action of the user or a piston mechanism, and it may have a specialized applicator tip, such as being made of mesh or sponge material, or a brush tip, such as the dispenser described in U.S. No. 2004/0261808A1, incorporated herein by reference.

Additionally, the applicator may be a multi-piece kit that includes a container with the polymer and a flat, elongated spreading device.

2. Hardening

To cure the polymer, there are three possible options: UV or IR photocuring, atmospheric cold plasma curing, or using a two-part formula similar to epoxy resin.

There shows a CAP (atmospheric cold plasma) device which is considered a plasma “jet” or indirect plasma type CAP device. An example of this type of device is the kINPen MED (from Neoplast Tool). Plasma is generated in the “pen” of the device from an argon feed gas that is excited between two electrodes of the pen. The excited gas then expands into the surrounding air at the tip of the capillary nozzle and appears there as a plasma jet.

There shows a CAP device based on direct dielectric barrier discharge (direct DBD) technology. An example of this type of device is the PlasmaDerm (from Cinogy). It consists of applying a voltage to an active electrode surrounded by a dielectric barrier. The treated area (the skin or agar plate) acts as the counter electrode of the system. The plasma is generated between the dielectric barrier and the treated area by exciting the air present between the two. The type of device shown in has been conventionally used for the treatment of chronic wound healing disorders such as venous and arterial ulcers, pressure sores and diabetic foot syndrome.

There shows a device 300 that uses light emitting diodes as a radiation source to irradiate light to the polymer coating on the user's skin. The device 300 includes one or more light sources, to produce either a single dominant emitting wavelength, i.e. narrow-band multichromatic radiation, or multiple wavelengths (monochromatic, narrow-band multichromatic narrow, broadband multichromatic, or combinations thereof). Single or multiple combinations can be applied either simultaneously or sequentially.

Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure may utilize LEDs, ultrasound and/or lasers or light energy, the present disclosure is not limited to the use of these energy sources. Other energy sources, including (without limitation) microwave energy and radio frequency energy may also be used. Examples of known light sources are fluorescent lights, flash lights, incandescent lights, etc. One skilled in the art will recognize that any light source capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation at a medically safe wavelength, as described herein, directly or by means of optical filtering, is within the range of light sources. suitable light according to the present disclosure. For purposes of the methods described, any source capable of emitting light having a wavelength between about 280 nm and about 1400 nm, or of producing electromagnetic radiation that is filtered or otherwise modified to expose skin, a composition topical, or other component of the present treatment regimen at a wavelength of light in the aforementioned range is medically useful.

The targeted polymer coating may be exposed to one or more wavelengths of laser or non-laser LED light, such as filtered incandescent sources or fluorescent sources, or to one or more ultrasound frequencies. Various parameters can be used (including pulse duration, energy, single or multiple pulses, interpulse interval, total number of pulses, etc.) to deliver sufficient cumulative energy to interact with the polymer .

Laser diodes can be multichromatic with narrow wavelength bands around a dominant band, that is, they are narrow-band multichromatic devices - devices that emit electromagnetic radiation in a narrow band of radiation symmetrically or asymmetrically around a dominant wavelength. In one embodiment, a narrow-band multichromatic electromagnetic radiation emitter emits electromagnetic radiation in a bandwidth of +/- about 100 nanometers around a dominant wavelength. In one embodiment, a narrow-band multichromatic electromagnetic radiation emitter emits electromagnetic radiation in a bandwidth of +/- about 50 nanometers around a dominant wavelength. In one embodiment, a narrow-band multichromatic electromagnetic radiation emitter emits electromagnetic radiation in a bandwidth of +/- about 20 nanometers around a dominant wavelength. In one embodiment, a narrow-band multichromatic electromagnetic radiation emitter emits electromagnetic radiation in a bandwidth of +/- about 10 nanometers around a dominant wavelength. In one embodiment, a narrow-band multichromatic electromagnetic radiation emitter emits electromagnetic radiation in a bandwidth of +/- about 6.5 nanometers around a dominant wavelength. LEDs, although not monochromatic, emit in such a narrow band that they are considered narrow-band multichromatic emitters. This narrow band allows photons of slightly different wavelengths to be emitted. This can potentially be beneficial for creating certain desirable multiphoton interactions. In contrast, most commercial lasers emit light at a single wavelength and are considered monochromatic. The use of lasers, according to the prior art, was based on the coherent, that is to say monochromatic, nature of their electromagnetic emissions.

In one example, a device emits narrow-band multichromatic electromagnetic radiation with a dominant emission wavelength of about 590 nm (+/- about 10 nm) and also some light in the range of 850 to 870 nm and, optionally, a small amount in the 1060 nm range.

There shows a block diagram of the hardware components used in conjunction with an LED array 400. The LEDs in the LED array are driven by an LED driver board 420, which is in turn powered by the power supply 8 410. Additionally, LED driver 420 may be included as part of a microprocessor or be an independent component. There also shows that the LED driver 420 can be connected to a light on/off control unit which receives user input to activate or deactivate the LED units.

The LED units may be standard commercially available LEDs known to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, LEDs can be LY G6SP-CADB-36-1-Z (to provide the 590 nm wavelength) and VSMF4720 (to provide the 870 nm wavelength).

Figures 5a, 5b and 5c show different form factors for the LED emitter. There shows that the LED transmitter can be a portable device. There shows that the device can be a handheld LED transmitter, as is known in the art. The advantage of this embodiment is size, cost and portability.

There shows a transmitter specially designed for the present embodiments, the shape of which allows it to receive a leg of the user. The advantage of this embodiment is that an array of LEDs can emit light to a large portion of the user's skin simultaneously without requiring manual effort on the part of the user.

There shows a “mask” style LED emitter that attaches in close proximity to the user's skin. This technology is similar to LED masks, but tailored to the user's leg. The advantage of this embodiment is that the user can remain mobile during the curing process.

3. Withdrawal

The third and final aspect of the present embodiment relates to when and how to remove the cured polymer from the user's skin. The timing of stopping the curing process varies depending on the type of radiation source, but it should be stopped within 30 to 60 seconds if using an LED emitter. A timer with an auto-off feature can be built into the LED transmitter, or the timer can be separate. The actual removal can be done manually, but forceps or other instruments may be used to facilitate the removal process.

[Alternative embodiments].

A further aspect of the present invention is to enable reuse of the polymer by performing reverse cross-linking on the cured polymer to remove it from the cured state. This can be achieved by performing a 15 minute incubation of the material at a high temperature, such as at least 95°C, or by using a longer incubation time at a lower temperature (such as 4 hours at 65°C). VS). Reverse cross-linking can help create a more durable product.

An additional aspect of the present invention is to cross-link or harden the waxing formulation for specific regions to be waxed selectively. For example, a process has been developed to define a precise shape for an eyebrow by cross-linking the material surrounding the perimeter of the eyebrow, and waxing the surrounding hairs.

For example, an application on a user device (such as a smartphone) can image the region to be cured and can control the deposition of cross-linking energy to cross-link the material in the target area.

In an embodiment shown in , a separate mask 600 may be provided, which may be preformed or allow for user customization. The mask 600 may be made of a material known in the art that blocks, reflects or absorbs the wavelength emitted by the LED emitter. For example, the LED emitter may emit UV light and the material of the mask 600 may absorb or reflect light having a wavelength in the range of 280 to 400 nm. For example, the LED emitter may emit IR light and the mask material 600 may absorb or reflect light having a wavelength in the range of 850 to 1400 nm. Both exemplary materials can be translucent or transparent while blocking the target light emitted by the LED emitter, allowing the user to see through the mask 600 and assisting the user in placing the mask 600 with more precision. In one example, a polymer film, such as vinyl, with an embedded amount of metal, such as gold, silver or aluminum, can be translucent while blocking IR light. In one example, a polymer film, such as vinyl, having a deposited amount of ZnO and TiO ₂ thin films can be translucent while blocking UV light. So the mask can essentially block the light coming from the LED emitter.

The preformed or customized mask may therefore include portions 601 that have been removed from the mask in order to allow light to pass through to illuminate a pattern on the gel coating based on the type of polymer used. Likewise, the preformed or customized mask may include portions that have been retained to block light at those retained portions to illuminate a pattern on the gel coating based on the type of polymer used. For example, one may provide a preformed form of an eyebrow mask that the user applies to the gel coating along their eyebrow hairs. The eyebrow mask can prevent light from illuminating the gel coating under the mask, resulting in polymerizing the gel coating around the eyebrow area and hardening the gel coating to grip the eyebrow hairs which protrude around the mask. Then, the user can peel away the hardened coating to remove the protruding eyebrow hairs, leaving in place the eyebrow hairs that were under the preformed mask.

Advantageously, the unlimited curing time of the gel coating allows the user to arrange and adjust the mask without the need to rush and potentially make a placement error. Additionally, the mask can be customized by the user if necessary before or during arrangement before finalizing placement (again, without the user needing to rush). For example, the user may arrange the mask over the eyebrow area and determine that the mask is too large. In this case, the user can remove the mask from the gel liner, optionally apply more of the gel liner to the eyebrow area if the mask accidentally removed it, cut the mask to the desired shape and size , then reapply the mask to the eyebrow area. Further adjustments can be made before finalizing the placement and illuminating the area with the LED emitter.

For example, the user may want to remove hair between the two eyebrows, an area that can vary greatly from user to user. In such a scenario, the mask can be customized by the user, for example by cutting it with scissors or the like, to obtain a shape or opening in the mask equal to the width and height of the area between the two eyebrows. The gel coating can be applied generously to the area and also to some of the hairs on both eyebrows. The mask can be applied to the area between the eyebrows and aligned to prevent unwanted eyebrow hairs from being illuminated, and the LED emitter can be activated to illuminate the area between the eyebrows not covered by the mask. Then, the cured coating can be peeled off by the user to remove hair from the area between the eyebrows, while the uncured gel coating that is not illuminated by the LED emitter can be removed or rinsed without removing the eyebrow hairs that the user wants to keep.

Of course, numerous modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be implemented otherwise than in the manner specifically described herein.

Claims (9)

Hair removal optimization system including:
an applicator for applying a polymer to a user's skin in a fluid or malleable form;
a power source configured to emit energy toward the polymer-coated skin of the user, causing the polymer to harden and bond with hairs on the user's skin, wherein the cured polymer is configured to be removed from the user's skin and causing hair removal. A system according to claim 1, wherein the energy source is ultraviolet (UV) light. A system according to claim 1, wherein the energy source is infrared (IR) light. A system according to claim 1, wherein the energy source is atmospheric cold plasma (CAP). A system according to claim 1, wherein the energy source includes at least one light emitting diode (LED). The system of claim 1, wherein the power source includes a housing that is configured to receive an inserted portion of a leg of the user. A system according to claim 1, wherein the energy source is a portable device. System according to claim 1, further comprising a mask made of a material configured to block the energy emitted by the energy source at a first portion and allow the energy emitted by the energy source to pass to the level of a second portion. The system of claim 1 further comprising an imaging device configured to image a specific region of the user's skin and processing circuitry configured to cause the energy source to expose only the specific region of the user's skin. the user to energy.