JP2023115168A - Beauty treatment device - Google Patents

Abstract

To facilitate infiltration of chemical agent or the like to the skin.SOLUTION: A beauty treatment device (10) has: a first electrode (111) and a second electrode (112) arranged on the same plane; a third electrode (113) not on the same plane; first generation means (152) generating a DC pulse sequence; second generation means (153) generating AC; and control means (151) which repeatedly alternates application of the DC pulse sequence using the third electrode and either the first electrode or the second electrode and application of the AC using the first electrode and the second electrode in a prescribed cycle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a beauty device that applies voltage to the skin.

2. Description of the Related Art A method of noninvasively penetrating drugs, cosmetics, and other substances from the skin surface to the inside by applying a voltage to the skin is known. For example, electroporation, which changes the structure of cells by applying a pulse voltage to make it easier to incorporate macromolecules, and the application of a weak electric current to extract active ingredients contained in beauty essences, etc. There is known a method in which ionization is performed before permeation (generally called “iontophoresis”).
Patent Literature 1 describes applying a single pulse and a group of pulses to efficiently deliver an active ingredient to the dermis layer.

JP 2013-78514 A

Depending on the molecular weight and other properties (hydrophilicity, ionization tendency, etc.) of the drug, etc., there are cases where the application of a single pulse train and a pulse group alternately as in Patent Document 1 does not penetrate deep enough. In addition, if an attempt is made to obtain an electroporation effect with a single ultra-short pulse, it is necessary to set the applied voltage high, which may cause discomfort to the user. Also, if the interval between the application of the next pulse is long, the "holes" in the cells may be quickly closed and the effect may not be sufficient.
An object of the present invention is to improve the penetration of drugs and the like into the skin.

In one aspect of the present invention, a first electrode and a second electrode arranged on the same plane, a third electrode not on the same plane, and a first generating means for generating a DC pulse train. , application of a DC pulse train using a second generating means for generating an alternating current, the third electrode, and at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode; and the first electrode. and control means for alternately repeating the application of the alternating current using the second electrode at a predetermined cycle.

According to the present invention, the permeation of drugs and the like into the skin is promoted.

2 is an external view (front side) of the beauty device 10. FIG. 2 is an external view (rear side) of the beauty device 10. FIG. The schematic diagram of a contact part. 2 is a functional block diagram of beauty device 10. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of waveforms of applied voltages;

<Example>
FIG. 1 is an external view (front side) of a beauty device 10, and FIG. 2 is an external view (back side). The beauty device 10 is a device that has at least the effect of permeating a substance such as a medicine or lotion from the surface of the user's skin (skin) to the inside by applying a voltage. That is, a stimulating effect on muscles and a warming effect may be exerted. The user grips the housing 190 with his/her hand and moves the head portion provided with the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 to a portion (for example, the face, legs, etc.) coated with the substance to be permeated in advance. It can be used by pressing it against any part of the user's body as long as it is a part other than the gripping hand).

The beauty device 10 has a substantially round bar-shaped housing 190, and on the surface of the housing 190, a first electrode 111, a second electrode 112, switches 121 and 122 on the front side, and a third electrode 113 on the back side. and a power terminal 130 . The switches 121 and 122 are operated by the user to input commands such as power ON/OFF and setting, execution, and interruption of various operations.

The housing 190 includes a portion that is gripped by the user (so-called handle portion). The first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 are portions to be brought into contact with a portion to which a voltage is to be applied (in other words, a substance is to be permeated). The first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 are arranged substantially on the same plane (in other words, the heights (thicknesses) from the housing 190 are substantially equal). As a result, when the head portion is naturally pressed against the target site, the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 both form contact portions that contact the target site.

The third electrode 113 on the back side of the housing 190 contacts the user's hand during use. The third electrode 113 does not necessarily have to be on the back side, and may be provided at a position where it contacts the user's hand. The third electrode 113 is preferably located away from the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 (that is, the target site), and at least should not be on the same plane as the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 . Also, in FIG. 2, the third electrode 113 is substantially rectangular, but its shape, size, position and thickness are arbitrary. In short, the third electrode 113 should just function as one of the electrodes for applying voltage to the user.

The first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 each have an annular shape (in this example, a substantially annular shape) and are concentrically arranged with the second electrode 112 on the outside.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic diagram of a portion that contacts the skin. The widths of the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 are w1 and w2, respectively. The first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 are concentrically arranged with a distance d1 in the radial direction. Preferably, d1 is between 1 mm (millimeter) and 3 mm, w1=w2=3 mm.

Inside the housing 190, a voltage applying mechanism, which will be described in a functional block diagram to be described later, is incorporated.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the beauty device 10. As shown in FIG. Elements that are not directly related to the present invention are omitted.
The beauty device 10 includes a power supply 160, a first power supply circuit 161, a second power supply circuit 162, a third power supply circuit 163, a DC pulse train generator 152, an AC generator 153, a first electrode 111, a second electrode 112, and a third electrode. 113 , a first switching unit 171 , a second switching unit 172 , a third switching unit 173 and a fourth switching unit 174 .

The power supply 160 is a battery that stores power supplied through the power supply terminal 130 .
Power supplied from the power supply 160 is distributed to the first power supply circuit 161 , the second power supply circuit 162 and the third power supply circuit 163 . The first power supply circuit 161, the second power supply circuit 162, and the third power supply circuit 163 are provided with a rectifying circuit, a circuit for modulating amplitude, frequency, phase, etc., and each input electric signal is controlled by the control unit 151 and the DC pulse train generation unit. 152, converts it into an electrical signal suitable for operating the AC generator 153 and outputs it.

The DC pulse train generating section 152 generates a DC (unipolar) pulse train according to S1 supplied from the control section 151 and supplies it to the third electrode 113 and the first switching sections 171 and 172 .
The AC generator 153 generates an AC voltage in accordance with S2 supplied from the control unit 151 and supplies the AC voltage to the third switching unit 173 and the fourth switching unit 174 .

The first switching unit 171 to fourth switching unit 174 select the DC pulse train and the AC to the first electrode 111, the second electrode 112, and the third electrode 113, respectively, according to the control signal supplied from the control unit 151. applied appropriately.
Specifically, the first switching unit 171 applies the voltage supplied from the DC pulse train generating unit 152 to the first electrode 111 according to S3 supplied from the control unit 151 . The second switching unit 172 applies the voltage supplied from the DC pulse train generating unit 152 to the second electrode 112 according to S4 supplied from the control unit 151 . The third switching unit 173 applies the voltage supplied from the AC generating unit 153 to the first electrode 111 according to S5 supplied from the control unit 151 . The fourth switching unit 174 applies the voltage supplied from the AC generating unit 153 to the second electrode 112 according to S6 supplied from the control unit 151 .

That is, the DC pulse train generated by the DC pulse train generator 152 is applied with the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 as one common (equipotential) electrode and the third electrode 113 as the other electrode. . The AC voltage generated by the AC generator 153 is applied with the first electrode 111 as the positive electrode (or negative electrode) and the second electrode 112 as the negative electrode (or positive electrode).
It should be noted that the "direct current pulse train" in this specification means not only a waveform with a sharp peak,
It is meant to include waveforms in which any unipolar arbitrary waveform (for example, a rectangular wave or a triangular wave) is regularly repeated. In addition, the “alternating current” in this specification may be not only a sine wave but also other waveforms as long as they are bipolar.

The control unit 151 generates the control signals S1 to S6 so that the application of the DC pulse train and the application of the AC are alternately repeated at a predetermined cycle, and the DC pulse train generating unit 152, the AC generating unit 153, the third 1 switching unit 171 to fourth switching unit 174.
Specifically, the control unit 151 sets the control signals S1, S3, and S4 to ON signals, and sets the control signals S2, S5, and S6 to OFF signals, thereby maintaining the first state in which the DC pulse train is applied only for the first period. Subsequently, the control signals S1, S3, and S4 are set to OFF signals, while ON signals are supplied to S2, S5, and S6, thereby maintaining the second state of applying the alternating current for a second period, and thereafter repeating this. . It should be noted that, during application of the DC pulse train, one of the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 may function as a positive electrode or a negative electrode, and the other may be insulated.

Preferably, the control section 151, the DC pulse train generation section 152, and the AC generation section 153 are implemented as signal processors or modules having the function of generating arbitrary waveforms. However, the functions of the control unit 151, the DC pulse train generation unit 152, the AC generation unit 153, the first switching unit 171, the second switching unit 172, the third switching unit 173, and the fourth switching unit 174 are independent of each other, and the DC pulse train It may be realized by a relay or a switch element for switching the circuit for application and the circuit for application of alternating current. Preferably, a contactless relay using a semiconductor such as MOS EFT is used.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a waveform example of the applied voltage. The horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates voltage (amplitude). Note that the vertical and horizontal scales are different from actual values for convenience of explanation. In this example, a voltage V1 and a rectangular DC pulse train are continuously applied at a repetition frequency F1 over an application period T1, and immediately thereafter, a sinusoidal AC pulse train having an amplitude V2 and a frequency F2 is continuously applied over an application period T2. and immediately after that, the voltage V1 and the rectangular DC pulse train are continuously applied at the repetition frequency F1 over the application period T1, and so on. The alternating application of the waveform profile is repeated.

Here, the application periods T1 and T2 are each, for example, 0.1 seconds to 10 seconds, preferably 3 seconds to 6 seconds. Although the application periods T1 and T2 may be different, it is preferable that 0.5<T1/T2<2, and most preferably T1=T2 from the viewpoint of permeation effect and user experience. The inventor of the present application has found that.

The (repetition) frequency F is preferably F1<F2, more preferably F1=1 kHz (kilohertz) to 3 kHz (repetition period is 0.3 to 1 ms), and F2=70 kHz to 300 kHz (period is 3 to 14 μs). is. The applied voltage is preferably V1<V2, more preferably V1=10V (volt) and V2=50V to 300V.

The numerical values of (the amplitude of) the applied voltage, the application period, and the frequency (repetition frequency) mentioned above are examples, and the molecular weight and other properties of the drug to be permeated, the resistance value of the user's skin, and the physical sensation given to the user ( (including discomfort), other purposes (the purpose of obtaining a thermal effect, the purpose of imparting muscle vibration), etc., can be considered.

As in the above embodiment, the inventor of the present application regularly repeats the application of voltages having two different waveforms, that is, a DC pulse train and an AC, so that the electroporation effect caused by the application of the DC pulse train and the application of the AC It was found that the so-called ion introduction effect due to By applying a pulse train instead of a single pulse for a predetermined period,
It is thought that the hole is not closed immediately but remains open for a certain period of time, and the substance is efficiently moved by applying an AC voltage during this period. In addition, since the DC pulse train is applied over a period of about several seconds in the preferred embodiment, a relatively low voltage is sufficient to obtain the electroporation effect compared to short pulses. This reduces the burden (such as discomfort) on the user.

Further, according to the electrode arrangement and voltage application method of the above embodiment, the electrode to be used among the three electrodes is switched in conjunction with the switching of the applied voltage. That is, the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112, which are relatively close to each other, are used as an electrode pair, which is preferable in view of the discomfort given to the user when the alternating current is applied. , a relatively distant first electrode 111 (and a second electrode 112) and a third electrode 113, at a distance suitable for direct current application, are used as electrode pairs. At this time, the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 function as one electrode, thereby increasing the effective area of the electrode, and as a result, increasing the permeation effect of the drug.

In addition, switching between the DC pulse train and AC is performed using a non-contact relay such as a semiconductor device, so that switching can be performed more quickly than when hardware is used. In a preferred embodiment, switching is performed at intervals of several seconds. If a switching element is used, a load is expected to be applied to the element. There is no such fear, and the durability and reliability of the equipment are improved.

<Other Examples>
The first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 may be elliptical, teardrop-shaped (raindrop-shaped), polygonal, rectangular, or any other annular shape instead of being perfectly circular. For example, protrusions may be formed on the outer circumference or inner circumference of the ring. In other words, an annulus refers to any figure that has a hollow portion. However, it is preferable that the distance between the electrodes be as constant as possible. Further, another annular electrode may be provided inside the first electrode 111 or outside the second electrode 112 . Also, the first electrode 111 may have a solid shape such as a disk. Alternatively, each of the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 is not a single ring, but, for example, two semi-arc rings are combined and separated, or four quarter-arc rings are combined and separated from each other. Thus, the configuration may be such that the entirety can be regarded as one annular shape.

In short, the beauty device of the present invention includes a first electrode and a second electrode arranged on the same plane,
The third electrodes that are not on the same plane, the first generating means for generating a voltage of a first waveform (for example, a DC pulse train voltage), and the second generating means for generating a voltage of a second waveform (for example, an AC voltage) applying a voltage having a first waveform using generating means, the third electrode, and at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode; It is only necessary to have control means for alternately repeating the application of the AC voltage using two electrodes at a predetermined cycle.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Beauty device, 111... 1st electrode, 112... 2nd electrode, 113... 3rd electrode, 121... switch, 122... switch, 190... housing, 130 power supply terminal 160 power supply 161 first power supply circuit 162 second power supply circuit 163 third power supply circuit 151 control section 152 DC pulse train generator 153 AC generator 171 first switching unit 172 second switching unit 173 third switching unit 174 fourth switching unit

Claims (5)

a first electrode and a second electrode arranged on the same plane, and a third electrode provided on a handle portion not on the same plane;
When an alternating current is applied, the third electrode is insulated and the first electrode and the second electrode are used as a positive electrode and a negative electrode, respectively. and a control means for applying voltage using the electrode as one electrode and the first electrode and the second electrode as the other electrode. a first generating means for generating the DC pulse train;
a second generating means for generating the alternating current;
Switching means for selectively supplying the DC pulse train and the AC to the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode,
2. The beauty machine according to claim 1, wherein said control means switches between said DC pulse train and said alternating current by supplying control signals to said first generating means, said second generating means, and said switching means. . The repetition frequency of the DC pulse train is 1 kHz to 3 kHz,
The alternating current has a frequency of 70 kHz to 300 kHz,
The beauty device according to claim 1 or 2. The beauty device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the length of the application period of the DC pulse train and the length of the application period of the AC pulse train are substantially the same. The beauty device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the length of the application period of the DC pulse train and the length of the application period of the AC pulse train are each 3 seconds to 6 seconds.