GB2390023A

GB2390023A - Iontophoretic hairbrush with handle return electrode

Info

Publication number: GB2390023A
Application number: GB0214856A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kieron Loy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-27
Filing date: 2002-06-27
Publication date: 2003-12-31
Also published as: GB0214856D0

Abstract

The hair brush comprises a first bristle electrode formed by an electrically conducting brush bristle membrane 14 (see also figs 4,5) and a return electrode 12 formed on the handle 16 of the brush. A low DC voltage is applied between the electrodes by battery (20 fig. 6) through current limiting resistor (24 fig. 6) and indicator light 18, all provided in the handle of the brush. The brush is suitable for use in delivering drugs to the users scalp. Also, an audible alarm or vibratory device within the hair brush may be used to indicate a completed circuit in addition or instead of the indicator light.

Description

A': 1,

MILE: 1. Iontophoretic Hair Brush.

An Iontophoretic Hair Brush and in particular a hairbrush having brush bristle electrodes and brush handle electrode to provide safe, nonevasive, self-

treatment of localised scalp disorders conveniently whilst grooming.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

2. Field of the Invention.

This invention relates to an iontophoretic Hair Brush for transdermally delivering a drug or medicine or other treatment substance by self-

administered means for scalp disorders, and more specifically relates to hair brush having brush bristles & brush handle electrodes for the nonevasive use in causing a drug to migrate whilst grooming.

3. Description of the Prior Art.

Iontophoresis may be defined as the non-evasive transdermal delivery of a medicine/chemicals achieved by placing a medicine (in ionic form) on a carrier or applied directly upon subject. The electrodes provide an electric current through the skin. The electric current causes a migration of the ionic medicine through the skin and diffusion into the blood stream. This process has become an increasingly popular and effective method of the delivery of pharmaceuticals. There are numerous instances where for medical and cosmetic reasons it is desired to apply a drug, medicine or other treatment substance to the scalp for diffusion into the blood stream or hair follicle. Such instances are for example the treatment of Alopecia or application of vaccine for influenza, hepatitis B. tetanus and malaria.

An improved apparatus has now been devised for such purposes.

According to the present invention there is provided an iontophoretic device comprising a hair brush having a body that includes a handle portion, head portion, brush bristle membrane and a housing containing a low tension battery-energised D.C. power source. The handle portion of brush is the negative electrode, cathode operatively connected to the negative pole of said source: and the brush bristle membrane is the positive electrode, anode operatively connected to the positive pole of said source.

It is preferred that the brush handle & brush bristle membrane are fabricated from plastic such as ABS and coated or metal impregnated rendering them electrically conductive.

N 2/ The current operatively applied through said brush bristle membrane is preferably less than 1 ma and may be around 0.5 to 0.9 ma.

The D.C. power source may include a low voltage DC battery for providing a source of electric current and a circuit mounted on a printed circuit board for controlling the power supply and generating Iontophoretic electric current.

Preferably the device will include an indicator light or other method, for example an audible alarm or vibratory device, to show when current is flowing through the electrode circuit.

4. The invention will now be further described in a specific embodiment, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 is the Top View of the Iontophoretic device of the present invention; Fig 2 is a Side View of the Iontophoretic device of the present invention; Fig 3 is the Bottom View of the present invention; Fig 4 is the Side View of the brush bristle membrane; Fig 5 is the Bottom View of the brush bristle membrane; Fig 6 is a Bottom Sectional View of the Iontophoretic device illustrating its circuitry and brush bristle membrane.

Fig 7 is a Vertical Top View of the Iontophoretic device of the present invention; Fig 8 is an End View of the Iontophoretic device of the present invention; The Iontophoretic device includes a Brush Head 10 (Figure 1,2 8 7) conveniently of moulded plastic, fixed to a Handle 12 (Figure 1,2 & 7), which is formed of ABS and coated or impregnated rendering it electrically conductive & mounts the DC Housing Portion 16 (Figure 2 & 3). The Brush Bristle membrane 14 (Figure 2,3,4,5,6 & 8) which is formed of ABS and coated or impregnated rendering it electrically conducive is fixed to the Brush Head 10 (Figure 1,2 & 7). The Brush Bristle membrane 14 (Figure 6) is connected to the positive pole of the low voltage DC battery 20 (Figure 6), so that the positive pole

of the battery 20 (Figure 6) makes contact with the users scalp when used for treatment of scalp disorders.

The negative pole of the battery 20 (Figure 6) is connected to the interior surface of the Brush Handle 12 (Figure 1,2 & 7), which is formed of ABS and coated or impregnated rendering it electrically conductive so that the negative pole of the battery 20 makes contact with the users hand when holding the Brush Handle.

Referring now to Figure 2, a fixing arrangement/s such as ultrasonic welding, gluing or screws couples, the Brush Head 10, Brush Handle 12, Brush Bristle Membrane 14 & DC Housing Portion 16 together.

The 1)C Housing Portion 16 contains a low voltage battery 20 (Figure 6) to which electrodes 12 814 are connected through a circuit 22 (Figure 6) mounted on a printed circuit board. The circuit will be further described hereafter. Referring now to Figure 6, a resistor 24 is connected in series between negative pole of battery 20 and the Brush Handle 12, which is formed of ABS and coated or impregnated rendering it electrically conductive, and said connection also passes in series through a indictor light, an L.E.D. 18 which is mounted through the wall of the Brush Handle 12 so that it is visible to the user when in use.

The positive pole of battery 20 is connected to the Brush Bristle Membrane 14 which, is formed of ABS and coated or impregnated rendering them electrically conductive so that the positive pole of the battery 20 makes contact with the users skin when in use and Brush Bristles comes into contact with users scalp whilst grooming.

Preferably resistor 24 has a value so that the current applied at Brush Bristle Membrane 14 is less than alma and may be around 0.5 - O.9ma, example value of around 0.7ma. The current level is such that there is no risk of damaging the scalp but it is found that application of the Brush Bristle Membrane 14 to the scalp is effective in promoting a migration of drug, medicine or other treatment substance through the skin and into the blood stream iontophoretically.

Accordingly, the present invention enables the user to simply and conveniently, self administer treatment to the scalp by holding the Iontophoretic Brush Handle in one hand and grooming the hair, as one would using a standard brush, ensuring the Brush Bristles 14 contact the scalp, thus automatically completing the electrical circuit. Simply holding the Brush Handle 10 8 placing the Brush Bristles 14 on the scalp and stroking the Bristles around the scalp completes the electrical circuit through the users body and the indicating light L.E.D. 18 will illuminate, thus alerting the user the circuit has been completed. Application is usually effective if continued for around 10 - 15 seconds per 25mm of treatment area.

Claims

r CLAIMS.

1. An iontophoretic transdermal drug delivery Hair Brush for transdermal drug delivery of medication to the scalp area non-

evasively and self-administered comprising: A Brush Handle electrode operatively connected to the negative pole of the low voltage DC power source to be held by the user and Brush Bristle Membrane operatively connected to the positive pole of said power source to be applied on the users scalp whilst grooming and administering treatment.

2. An iontophoretic transdermal drug delivery Hair Brush as in claim 1 wherein said Brush Handle electrode is formed from ABS and coated or impregnated or formed from corrosion resistant metal, the electrode being shaped to be held in users hand for electrical contact.

3. An iontophoretic transdermal drug delivery Hair Brush as in claim 1 wherein Brush Bristle membrane electrode is formed from ABS and coated or impregnated or formed from corrosion resistant metal.

4. An iontophoretic transdermal drug delivery Hair Brush as in any proceeding claim includes an indicator light to show when current is flowing through the electric circuit.

5. An iontophoretic transdermal drug delivery Hair Brush as in any proceeding claim wherein the DC power source housing portion incorporates an audible alarr powered from a battery carried in the DC power source housing portion.

6. An iontophoretic transdermal drug delivery Hair Brush as in any proceeding claim wherein the DC power source housing portion incorporates vibration device powered from a battery carried in the DC power source housing portion.