WO1994025103A1

WO1994025103A1 - Electrical muscle toning

Info

Publication number: WO1994025103A1
Application number: PCT/CA1993/000183
Authority: WO
Inventors: Norma Johnson; James Petersen; Edward Paryzek
Original assignee: Norma Johnson; James Petersen; Edward Paryzek
Priority date: 1993-04-28
Filing date: 1993-04-28
Publication date: 1994-11-10
Also published as: AU4257693A

Abstract

The facial muscles are toned using an electrical stimulation method and an apparatus (10) for carrying out the method. The apparatus includes two probes (12) for engaging the skin surface and a mechanism for applying an AC signal of selected amplitude and waveform to the probes. The apparatus monitors the current amplitude and varies the voltage applied to the probes to maintain the current constant at the selected level. In use of the apparatus, a circulation phase is used at a selected amplitude and frequency to warm the muscles for subsequent toning at a higher frequency. After toning, the muscles are stabilized using a frequency greater than the toning frequency. Also disclosed is a method of applying collagen to the skin using the apparatus and a method of cleaning the skin, also using the apparatus.

Description

ELECTRICAL MUSCLE TONING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the toning of muscles and particularly subcutaneous facial muscles. BACKGROUND

Various cosmetic techniques have been used for maintaining a youthful, healthy facial appearance. These include surgical face lifts and the periodic application of various compounds to the face. It has now been discovered that desirable results can be achieved by appropriate electrical stimulation of the facial muscles in order to condition those muscles.

While electrical stimulation techniques have been used in the past for therapeutic reasons, in order to rehabilitate damaged tissue, the present invention is concerned with the toning or conditioning of undamaged muscles for cosmetic rather than functional purposes.

The present invention is more particularly concerned with novel apparatus and methods for performing the desired toning or conditioning. SUMMARY

It has been found that current levels through the muscles being conditioned are of importance in achieving the desired results. Thuε, current rather than voltage or power should be maintained at a controlled and controllable level.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for conditioning subcutaneous somatic muscles comprising: first and second probe means for engaging the skin surface; means for generating an AC electric signal; means for selecting an application current amplitude; means for applying the electric signal to the probe means; means for monitoring the amplitude of an electric current passing between the first and second probe means; means for varying the voltage amplitude of the electric signal to bring the monitored amplitude of the current passing between the first and second probe means to substantially the selected application current amplitude.

The apparatus preferably includes a waveform generator for generating plural different waveforms that can be selected for application to the probes.

Another preferred feature is a frequency changing mechanism for selectively varying the frequency of the AC signal .

A further preferred feature of the invention is a timer for timing a selected period of treatment. During this period, the apparatus produces a sound signal, for example a low tone. Once the timer counts out, the sound signal is shut off. Power to the probes is preferably maintained, but may be shut off as well in some embodiments.

The preferred embodiments of the invention include a mechanism for selecting certain combinations of signal frequency and duration for application in sequence to the muscles being toned, thus providing a warn-up, exercise and warn-down sequence.

Other optional features that may be included or may be used in a separate stand-alone machine are a sterilizing cycle with a high frequency and an application cycle for applying a collagen compound to the skin.

The present invention alεo relates to methods that can be carried out using the apparatus. Thuε, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of toning facial muscleε comprising:

(a) applying two electrically conductive probes to the skin at spaced points thereon;

(b) applying to the probes a circulate AC electric signal at a predetermined circulate amplitude and a predetermined circulate frequency for a sequence of circulate periods;

(c) subsequently applying to the probes a tone AC electrical signal at the circulate amplitude and a tone frequency greater than the circulate frequency for a sequence of tone periods; and (d) applying to the probes a stabilize AC electrical signal at a stabilize amplitude not greater than the circulate amplitude, and a stabilize frequency greater than the tone frequency for a sequence of stabilize periods.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of applying collagen to the skin comprising: applying the collagen to the skin with one probe of a pair of electrically conductive probes electrically contacting the skin and passing an AC electric current from probe to probe through the skin and adjacent subcutaneous tissue .

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of cleaning the skin comprising electrically contacting spaced positions on the skin with two electrically conductive probes, passing an AC electric current between the probes through the skin, the current having a frequency greater than 500 Hz. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of an apparatus according to the present invention; Figure is block diagram of the operating system;

Figure 3 is a simplified schematic of the digital and analog boards; and

Figure 4 illustrates the main operating screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the accompanying drawings , there is illustrated an instrument 10 constructed according to the present invention. The instrument has a main housing 11. Two probes 12 extend from the front of the housing for application to the simulation of muscles as will be described more fully in the following. On the front face of the housing 11 is a display screen 14. Below and to the front of the screen is a shallow tray 16 for holding accessories .

Figure 2 illustrates schematically a block diagram of the instrument. The operating system is based on an AT mother board. This is an off-the-shelf computer mother board that receives operator input from a touch panel 20 through a serial card 22. Both the touch panel and the serial card are off-the-shelf units.

The screen 14 is an electric luminescent display 24 driven by a suitable graphics driver card 26. Both units are off the shelf.

The mother board drives a digital board 28 especially constructed for the present instrument. The read only memory (ROM) chips 30 on the digital board contain the software for the system. Thiε board also contains the pulse with modulator (PWM) generator 32.

The touch panel can be used by an operator to specify the wave shape, frequency and amplitude of the current delivered to the probes. Based on these inputs, a set of nine bit words representing the desired wave is computed and stored in the computer's RAM before the waveform is generated. The PWM generator converts these 9 bit words from the motherboard to the appropriate pulse width. After a pulse is output from the generator, the computer is interrupted to provide the next pulse to be generated. On slower signals, the computer is interrupted only after a number of pulses of the same width have been delivered.

The PWM generator deliverε the pulεe width modulated signals to an analog board 34. This board includes an isolated power supply 36 consisting of an isolating transformer and a switching regulator. This provides the necessary output power to drive a current generator 38 and other related isolated circuitry. Optical isolators 40 provide isolation for the digital εignalε coupling the analog and digital boards together. These signals include the PWM signal, fault signals and a digital reading of the output voltage as will be discussed more fully in the following.

The current generator on the analog board includes an input filter 42 for integrating the PWM digital signalε and a feedback circuit 44 that convertε the voltage from the filter into a current to be passed through the probes and a person being treated. If the current is too low, the filter output voltage increases until the required current is reached or the output amplifier saturateε.

The analog board also includes a serial analog to digital converter 46 that receives the output voltage from the current generator and translates this to a serial data stream for the digital board. This serial signal is converted to parallel by a serial to parallel converter 48 on the digital board for reading by the computer. The signal provides operator feedback on how good a connection is being achieved between the probes and the person being treated .

The AT motherboard drives a speaker 54 providing a low frequency sound to indicate good contact between the treatment probes and the person being treated.

Referring to the simplied εchematic of Figure 3, clock pulses and the PWM signal are delivered to the analog board 34 from the digital board 28. The PWM signal s integrated by a filter 58 to generate the desired waveform t the desired frequency and amplitude. The voltage εignalε from the filter are converted to a current signal by resiεtor 60 which is in turn connected to the minus input of the amplifier 62. The positive input of the amplifier is connected to a reference voltage so that any imbalance between the voltage appearing at the downstream side of the resistor 60 and the reference voltage will be reflected in the output voltage of the amplifier.

The output voltage of the amplifier 62 is used as a source of the positive output to the probes while the negative output to the probes is derived from the current resistor 60. The output of the amplifier 62 is fed back to the A/C converter 46 for delivery to the serial to parallel convertor 48 on the digital board.

Fault detection circuitry 68 iε connected to the downstream side of resistor 60. It iε intended to detect any current imbalances indicative of a ground fault condition and also to detect over voltages.

In use, the output of the filter 42 is an AC voltage. This applied to the resistor 60 in series with the probes and the resistance of the muscle being stimulated. The current in the resistor 60 is maintained at a sufficient level that the voltage input to the amplifier 62 remains equal to the reference voltage applied to the positive input of the amplifier. With a constant output from the filter, the voltage at the negative input to the amplifier will vary with the current, as an inverse function of the resiεtance of the muεcle being treated. The feedback will act to correct this at the digital board by boosting the pulse width of the PWM signal and hence the amplitude of the filtered εignal.

The main operating εcreen 70 of the apparatuε is illustrated in Figure 4. It displays information about the statuε of the unit and itε operating parameters. It allows the user to modify the settings of the unit by touch. The default settings on the main screen 70 appear in Figure 4. The main operating screen includes three parameter bars 72. These are long horizontal bars with arrowheads at either end. The top bar 74 is for indicating and controlling the signal amplitude. It is labelled "level change". The middle bar 76 is for controlling the signal frequency. It is labelled "freq change". The third parameter bar 78 is a time bar for timing treatment application. It is labelled "time change" .

Each of the parameter bars iε an interactive graphical tool. It continuously displays the setting of the parameter in question, while allowing the user to change that setting by touch.

Each parameter bar has a series of numbers along the top. These numbers represent the magnitude of the parameter represented by the bar, e.g. level, frequency or time. The current setting of the parameter is indicated by shaded boxes appearing on the lower half of the bar. These boxeε begin from the left and extend to the number representing the setting of the parameter. Thuε, the "level change" parameter bar 74 is set at "3" aε indicated by the shaded box extending from the left of the bar to the numeral 3. Similarly, the frequency bar is set to "5" and the time change bar is set to "60".

The setting of a parameter bar is changed by touching the desired number on the screen. For example, the frequency change parameter bar may be set from 5 to 8 by touching the number 8 on the bar. The shaded boxes will immediately change to reflect the new setting.

An alternative way of changing the parameter bar setting is touching the bar with a finger and sliding it along the parameter bar to the desired new setting. The shaded boxes will follow the finger as it moves, giving instant feedback. When the finger is removed, the new εetting iε put into effect.

The set of numberε displayed on a parameter bar at any one time is referred to as the parameter "range". A parameter bar can have many ranges. Additional ranges are accessed by touching either of the arrows on the εideε of the parameter bar. The right and left arrows jump to the next and previous ranges respectively. For example, the "level change" parameter bar displays the numbers from 1 to 9 as the first range. By preεεing the right arrow, the εecond range, conεiεting of the numbers 11 to 19, is displayed .

The level bar haε four different ranges with numbers from 1 to 35. The frequency bar has three different ranges, the first range is illuεtrated. The second range extends from 10 to 50, in intervals of 5. The third range extends from 100 to 600 in a mixture of intervals of either 100 or 50. The time bar haε two rangeε. The first range is illuεtrated in Figure 4. The second range includes numerical valueε from 66 to 120.

The level bar 74 controls the output level of the treatment probe, that is the current amplitude. The numbers displayed on the level bar correspond to the electrical current to be passed through the treated muscles in hundreds of micro-amps.

The frequency bar 76 controls the frequency of the output waveform. The numbers displayed on the frequency bar correspond directly to the output frequency in Hertz.

The time bar 78 provides a means of timing applications of the treatment. The time bar is linked to the time indicator bar which is located on the extreme right of the display screen. The numbers on the time bar indicate the starting value in εecondε of a countdown timer that activateε whenever there is good contact between the probes and the person being treated. Below the parameter bars is a mode bar 80. Thiε iε a long rectangular area composed of several boxes or icons or "modes". The modes are: circulate; tone; apply; stabilize ; and sterilize. The mode bar also includes a "wave" icon that will be discussed in the following.

Only one mode icon can be active at any given time. The active icon is indicated by reverse video display. In Figure 4, the circulate icon is in reverse video.

Modes are changed by touching the desired mode.

The different modes serve to enable the user to apply a logical sequence of treatment steps. Each mode retains itε own local memory of the parameter bar settings. Whenever a new mode is selected, the parameter bars will change to reflect the last settingε remembered for that mode, with certain exceptions as follows:

The level and wave settingε in "circulate" are automatically εet in "tone" and vice verεa.

The level and wave settings in "apply" are automatically set in "stabilize" and vice versa.

The Wave ico , located on the right of the mode bar indicates the waveform that is being generated by the unit. There are three waveforms, "wave 1", "wave 2", and "wave 3". The actual waveforms are square, εinuεoidal and εawtooth. The wave icon can be used to change the output wave form by touching the icon. Each touch increments the wave number.

To the right of the parameter indicator bars and the mode indicator bar is a vertical probe indicator bar. This is headed by the word "probes". By means of a moving arrow, it indicates how much of the available voltage remains available to drive the current demanded by the level bar setting. The probe bar ranges from 10% to 90%. Reading 10% or less means that the unit may not be able to generate as much current as the level setting demands. In this case, it may be necessary to apply additional gel to the probe contact area to overcome skin resistance, or to bring the probes closer together. This tends to decrease the electrical resistance between the probes and to allow the unit to deliver the desired current.

The speaker emits a continuous low frequency tone when the unit is able to generate the proper current levels and is turned off when the output amplifier is overdriven.

The time indicator bar is to the right of the probe indicator bar and iε similar in appearance. This bar is a visual display of a countdown timer. The numbers on the time indicator bar indicate seconds and the moving arrow indicates the time remaining in a treatment cycle. The maximum time displayed correspondε to the εetting on the time change parameter bar. The time counts down whenever there iε good contact between the probes and the person being treated.

When the count reaches zero, the low frequency tone is interrupted. There is a three εecond pause before the timer resets and begins a new countdown.

At the bottom right hand corner of the main operating screen is a polarity icon. This displays the polarity of the output waveform. Three displays are possible :

ALT - alternating waveform (both negative and poεitive) ;

POS - positive waveform only;

NEG - negative waveform only.

When touched, the polarity icon will change the output polarity to the next state.

A self-test icon is located in the top right corner of the screen. Toughing this icon brings the user to a self-test screen that iε used to verify proper operation of the unit. This will not be described in further detail.

During operation of the unit, the output is monitored for two error conditions: over-voltage and ground fault. An over-voltage occurs when the internal power supply voltage becomes too high. This representε a potentially dangerouε εituation and when it iε detected, the internal power supply is immediately shut down.

A ground fault occurs when a current inbalance is detected at the output stage. This too is a potentially dangerous situation and the internal power supply is immediately shut down when it is detected.

When either an over-voltage or a ground fault is detected, the unit emits a high pitched beeping to alert the user and displays an appropriate error message on the screen.

In use of the unit, the various parameters are set as desired, including the waveform and the polarity. Initially the circulate mode is selected and the probes are applied to spaced positions on the face, spaced along the facial muscles to be treated. A conductive gel is used to ensure good electrical conductivity between the probes and the skin of the person being treated. The probes are applied to all of the areas to be treated to provide them with an initial stimulation. The level, frequency and time parameters are preselected to provide the desired warm-up.

Subsequently, the tone mode is selected to provide the actual muscle shaping exercise. The signal level is the εame as that applied in the circulate mode, while the frequency is increased and the time is reduced.

Following treatment, the stabilize mode is selected as a warm-down procedure. The level selected is not greater than the level used for the circulate and tone modes. The frequency selected is generally the same as that used in the circulate mode.

The treatment is applied to the facial muscleε from time to time. Aε muscle condition is improved, the level employed in the circulate and tone modes is increased as the muscles develop increased resistance to the passage of current. When the circulate and tone level reaches a predetermined maximum, the level is reduced and the waveform used in the circulate and tone modes is changed.

The apply mode is used for applying collagen to the skin for skin conditioning purposes. The collagen iε applied to the εkin with one of the probes. The polarity icon is used to select the negative waveform. The level is relatively low at 300 micro-amps while a frequency of 30 Hz is selected. This process breaks down the collagen, causes it to ionize and penetrate the skin.

The sterilize mode is used for cleaning the skin. In this mode, the probes are applied to the skin with an AC current with an amplitude equivalent to that used in the circulate or tone modes and a frequency above 500 Hz. , usually 600 Hz.

Through use of the apparatus and the methods described in the foregoing, the subcutaneouε muεcles of the body can be stimulated and exercised to provide a better muscle condition and consequently an improved skin condition and appearance.

While the various aspects of the present invention have been described in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. The invention is to be considered limited solely by the scope of the appended claimε.

Claims

CLA IMS

1. Apparatus for conditioning subcutaneouε εomatic muscleε compriεing: first and second probe means for engaging the skin εurface; means for generating an AC electric signal; means for selecting an application current amplitude; means for applying the electric signal to the probe means; means for monitoring the amplitude of an electric current passing between the first and second probe means; means for varying the voltage amplitude of the electric signal to bring the monitored amplitude of the current passing between the first and second probe means to substantially the application selected current amplitude.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 including wave form generating means for generating AC signals with plural different wave forms and wave form selecting means for selecting the wave formε.

3. Apparatuε according to Claim 2 wherein the wave form generating meanε comprise means for generating a square wave form.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 2 or 3 wherein the wave form generating means comprise means for generating a sinusoidal waveform.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 2 or 3 wherein the wave form generating means comprise means for generating a sawtooth waveform.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2 including frequency change means for selectably varying the frequency of the AC signal.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2 including timer meanε compriεing means for timing a period of a selected duration in response to the current amplitude reaching and remaining at the selected amplitude and meanε for indicating the completion of said period.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7 including timer reset means for resetting the timer means for timing a further period of said selected duration on completion of each said period.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 7 including time selector means for selectively varying the duration of εaid period.

10. Apparatuε according to Claim 1 or 2 including polarity control meanε for selectively applying a positive or negative DC biaε to the AC electric signal to provide selectively a positive waveform or a negative waveform.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or including probe indicator meanε for indicating available voltage in addition to the actual voltage of the signal.

12. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2 including probe signal means for generating a signal when the generator means are generating the εelected current amplitude.

13. Apparatus according to Claim 12 wherein the signal is an audible εignal.

14. Apparatuε according to Claim 7, 8 or 9 including time indicator meanε compriεing a timer display operatively associated with said timer means for displaying time remaining in each said period.

15. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2 including: circulate selector means actuable to select a predetermined circulate frequency and a predetermined circulate period duration; tone εelector meanε actuable to εelect a predetermined tone frequency higher than the circulate frequency and a tone period of shorter duration than the circulate period; and stabilize selector means actuable to select a predetermined stabilize current amplitude and a stabilize frequency greater than the tone frequency.

16. Apparatus according to Claim 15 including apply selector means actuable to select a predetermined current amplitude and an apply frequency higher than the tone frequency.

17. Apparatus according to Claim 16 including sterilize selector means actuable to select a predetermined sterilize frequency higher than the apply frequency, and a sterilize current amplitude substantially equal to the circulate amplitude.

18. A method of toning facial muscles comprising:

(c) subsequently applying to the probes a tone AC electrical signal at the circulate amplitude and a tone frequency greater than the circulate frequency for a sequence of tone periods; and

(d) applying to the probes a stabilize AC electrical signal at a stabilize amplitude not greater than the circulate amplitude, and a stabilize frequency greater than the tone frequency for a sequence of stabilize periods.

19. A method according to Claim 18 including repeatedly applying the method of Claim 18 at εelected time intervalε and periodically increasing the circulate and tone amplitude between one application and the next.

20. A method according to Claim 19 comprising, when the circulate and tone amplitude reaches a predetermined maximum, reducing the circulate and tone amplitude and changing the waveform of the circulate and tone electrical εignalε.

21. A method of applying collagen to the skin comprising : applying the collagen to the skin with one probe of a pair of electrically conductive probes electrically contacting the skin and passing an AC electric current from probe to probe through the skin and adjacent subcutaneous tissue .

22. A method according to Claim 21 wherein the AC electric current haε a negative DC bias.

23. A method according to Claim 22 wherein the AC current haε an amplitude of substantially 3x10 Amps.

24. A method according to Claim 23 wherein the AC current haε a frequency of substantially 30 Hz.

25. A method of cleaning the skin comprising electrically contacting spaced positions on the skin with two electrically conductive probes, pasεing an AC electric current between the probeε through the εkin, the current having a frequency greater than 500 Hz.

26. A method according to CLaim 25 wherein the frequency is approximately equal to 600 Hz.