WO1998002126A1

WO1998002126A1 - Cosmetic skin treatment and apparatus therefor

Info

Publication number: WO1998002126A1
Application number: PCT/GB1997/001924
Authority: WO
Inventors: Evelyna Dyson Cantwell; Jack Cantwell
Original assignee: Evelyna Dyson Cantwell; Jack Cantwell
Priority date: 1996-07-16
Filing date: 1997-07-16
Publication date: 1998-01-22
Also published as: GB9614958D0; AU3552397A

Abstract

The invention provides apparatus for the cosmetic treatment of a human face comprising a full or partial face mask (27), said mask comprising a substantially oxygen diffusion resistant flexible plastics outer layer (21) formed with a skin adhesive edge (28) to affix to the skin in a gas tight fashion, an inner layer (20) comprising a liquid retaining but gas permeable layer, a sachet (23) disposed between the inner and outer layers, and a catalyst (not shown) disposed adjacent said sachet, said sachet containing a liquid capable of producing a biologically acceptable oxygen containing gas on contact with said catalyst, and means (22) for releasing said liquid sachet when the apparatus is in situ to release said gas. The invention also provides the use of oxygen or an oxygen containing gas having a higher partial pressure than oxygen in ambient air for the cosmetic treatment of human skin.

Description

COSMETIC SKTN TREATMENT AND APPARATUS THEREFOR

The present invention relates to the use of oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas for the cosmetic treatment of human skin, and to an apparatus for such treatment.

FR-A-2, 637, 180 discloses a face mask for treating the face with a liquid of gas, for example ozone. The purpose of the treatment is not specified.

DE-A-4,224, 642 relates to apparatus for treating the "head region", particularly the region of the eyes and throat with gas in order to increase the blood flow. C02 , 02 and steam are exemplified. The arrangement comprises an eye mask similar to a pair of goggles which is connected to tubes for supplying the gas to the interior of the mask.

Additionally, facial saunas have been known for a long time, eg. from GB-592,861 (dated 1947) and GB-1, 343 , 630.

None of the above prior art documents disclose or suggest that oxygen alone or at a higher partial pressure could be useful for the cosmetic treatment of human skin.

Accordingly, in one aspect the invention provides use of oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas having a higher partial pressure of oxygen than ambient air for the cosmetic treatment of human skin.

In a further aspect the invention provides apparatus for treatment of the human face with oxygen or oxygen-containing gas comprising a face mask, a source of oxygen or oxygen- containing gas at a higher partial pressure of oxygen than ambient air and means for delivering the pre-heated oxygen or oxygen-containing gas to the interior of the face mask. The apparatus may further comprise means for pre-heating the oxygen or oxygen-containing gas. It is also an aspect of this invention to provide oxygen to selected portions of the face by using a partial face mask. This is effected in substance by providing an oxygen producing sachet comprising a liquid which may be converted by catalysis into a medical grade biologically acceptable gas including oxygen at a higher partial pressure than in air. This sachet is provided with inner and outer layers as hereinafter described which outer layer may be cut to appropriate sizes.

According therefore to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for the treatment of the human face comprising a full or partial face mask, said mask comprising a substantially oxygen diffusion resistant flexible plastics outer layer formed with an adhesive edge to affix to the skin in a gas tight fashion, an inner layer comprising a liquid retaining, but gas permeable liner, a sachet disposed between the inner and outer layer, a catalyst disposed for ready access to the contents of the sachet when released, said sachet containing a liquid capable of producing a biologically acceptable oxygen containing gas on contact with said catalyst, and a means for releasing said liquid from the sachet when the apparatus is in situ to release the gas.

The partial face mask may comprise an outer layer which is shaped and configured to overlie a portion of the face, for example the cheek. This may be either pre-formed or may be adapted to be cut to size dependant upon the shape of the part of the face to be covered. The permeable liner which allows gas diffusion but which is most preferably liquid diffusion resistant may also be provided and adhesively affixed to the intended interior face of the outer layer. This inner layer may approximate to the shape of the outer layer or preferably is rather smaller so that the outer layer can be cut to size without destroying the edge seal of one to the other. Thus the inner layer may only just be large enough to cover the sachet.

The layer of adhesive may for example be any surgical adhesive which can adhere the device to the facial skin; with the proviso that the adherence of the apparatus to the skin must be sufficiently strong so that the partial pressure of the biologically acceptable gas such as oxygen or an oxygen containing a gas does not readily result in significant leaks.

The sachet may be made of a relatively rigid burstable material for example a cellulose based polymer which inert to, and does not catalyse, the liquid to produce the biologically acceptable gas such as oxygen. Alternatively the sachet may be formed of any suitable material with a drawstring attached thereto, the arrangement being such that when the drawstring is pulled with the device in situ it causes the material of the sachet to fracture and allow liquid release. In both cases it is preferred that the sachet is adhesively attached to the outer layer.

The liquid may be hydrogen-peroxide which is capable of being catalysed at all normal temperatures to produce water and oxygen. A suitable catalyst may be any suitable metal salt capable of catalysing hydrogen-peroxide to oxygen, for example potassium permanganate or a ferrous salt.

The catalysts may be coated onto the interior of the outer layer, the interior of the inner gas permeable layer or the exterior surface of the sachet as appropriate.

Although this invention is mainly described with reference to oxygen production it is apparent that other medical grade gases including oxygen can be suitably produced using biologically acceptable systems.

The burstable characteristic of the sachet are such that a moderate manual squeezing force applied to the device when in situ can commence cosmetic treatment with the selected gas. It is preferred that the catalysis of the liquid to oxygen is exothermic so as to warm the gas in situ .

The outer layer may be moulded with a recess into which a sachet may be located at least in part. This enables the sachet to be readily squeezed such that oxygen is produced when the apparatus is in situ . Alternatively a drawstring may be provided to open the sachet when in situ .

The outer layer has been described as configured for attachment to the cheek. Other sizes and shapes may be readily provided for example for the lip, chin and forehead. A full mask is also possible utilizing this technology so long as arrangements are made for normal breathing.

Preferably when using pressurised oxygen from a container the oxygen or oxygen-containing gas is pre-heated to a temperature of 30°C to 44°C, although the precise temperature is not critical. However, unless the flow rate is kept very low, any temperature of significantly greater than 44°C may cause some discomfort. The warming of the gas may be achieved by providing that the oxygen or oxygen containing gas creating reaction is exothermic.

Further preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependant claims.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example only with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3a to

3d of the accompanying drawing, wherein;

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing apparatus in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a front elevation showing the mask of Figure 1 fitted to the subject's face,

Figures 3a to 3c show a second embodiment of the invention in three respective forms in situ in plan elevation; and

Figure 4 shows a device of Figure 3a to 3c in plan in partial section.

Referring to Figure 1, the apparatus comprises a one shot container 5 of oxygen having a valve 4 connected via an electrical thermostatically controlled heater 9 to an inlet tube 11 of a face mask 1. The face mask 1 is provided with a breathing tube 6 which extends through a transparent portion 2 of the face mask 1 to the subject's mouth and this feature, in conjunction with a nose clip 3, enables the subject to breath ambient air through the mouth during treatment. The mask 1 is suitably a lightweight disposable item and is provided with a peripheral sealing strip 8 which is attached to the subject's skin via a suitably releasable skin adhesive.

Referring to Figure 2, the user's cheeks 10 have been found to display a healthy glow after treatment, the effect being substantially greater than the effects obtained by treatment with heated air alone.

Although the embodiment utilizes medical grade oxygen, in principle any oxygen-containing gas mixture which is physiologically acceptable will result in a similar improved effect, provided the partial pressure of oxygen in the mixture is greater than the partial pressure of oxygen in ambient air. The required partial pressure can be achieved either by using a gas mixture containing a greater concentration of oxygen than ambient air (ie. greater than 20.5% v/v) or by suitably pressurizing the gas within mask 1. Preferably the pressure of gas within mask 1 is within the range 1.003 to 1.04 atmospheres, but a second range of from 1.001 to 1.02 atmospheres may be used, particularly if leakage of oxygen is a problem. The one shot container is preferably used, but it may be designed so that the face mask may be "topped up" over the period of treatment if for example there is leakage at the skin surface which can occur if the skin is rough or folded. The peripheral sealing strip 8 may be formed of a double sided tape, and may additionally comprise an intermediate skin attachment strip (not shown) to which the tape is attached in use. The intermediate strip preferably comprises a resilient gas resistant material having a depth of up to 1 cm which is releasable adherent to the skin so that it may be pre- positioned about the face, prior to attachment of the strip 8.

Referring now to Figures 3a to 3d and with particular reference to Figure 3d, a partial face mask or "oxygen-wing" is provided and is shown cut to shape for attachment to the cheek. A transparent oxygen diffusion resistant plastics outer layer (21) is formed of a generally triangular configuration as shown in Figure 3d. To this is welded by normal means an internal inner oxygen permeable layer (20) . Between said layers (20 and 21) is positioned a sachet (23) formed of a hydrogen peroxide inert material and comprising a charge of hydrogen peroxide. Coated onto the under surface of the outer gaseous resistant layer (21) is a catalyst (not shown) of potassium permanganate for the liquid hydrogen peroxide in the sachet (23) .

When cut to shape the outer layer comprises a lower edge (28) , a side edge (24), and an upper edge (25). As stated previously the outer layer can be made rather larger than is shown in Figure 3d and cut to shape in accordance with the requirements of a particular facial configuration.

Suitable facial configurations are shown in Figure 3a, 3c and 3c. In each case it is only necessary that the inner oxygen permeable liner (20) is smaller than the outer layer (21) shown. In each case the device (27) has a different configuration which may be readily provided from a single shaped element. Thus Figure 3a shows the device as applied below the eye, Figure 3c shows the device as applied below the eye and over the cheek, and Figure 3c shows the device as applied below the nose.

In use the intermediate strip is disposed on the face mask (1) and subsequently adhered to the selected face part. When firmly affixed the sachet (23) is squeezed or actuated by a draw-string (22) to release hydrogen peroxide. This flows over the catalyst to release oxygen which diffuses through the inner layer (20) while any liquid is held within the two layers (22 and 23) .

It will be appreciated that the inner oxygen permeable layer (20) is not liquid permeable. It follows that the release of the hydrogen peroxide will not result in any liquid escaping whether this is in the form of hydrogen-peroxide or of water. Thus the hydrogen peroxide even if it is not immediately converted into oxygen will in due course come into contact with a catalyst and be converted. Restricting the amount of catalyst can reduce the speed of oxygen production if desired.

The invention relates individually therefore to each individual claim hereinafter set forth.

Claims

CLAIMS : -

1. An apparatus for the treatment of the human face comprising a full or partial face mask, said mask comprising

5 a substantially oxygen diffusion resistant flexible plastics outer layer formed with a skin adhesive edge to affix to the skin in a gas tight fashion, an inner layer comprising a liquid retaining but gas permeable liner, 10 a sachet disposed between the inner and outer layers, a catalyst disposed adjacent said sachet, said sachet containing a liquid capable of producing a biologically acceptable oxygen containing gas on contact with said catalyst, and means for releasing said liquid from the sachet when the 15 apparatus is in situ to release said gas.

2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the apparatus is in the form of a partial face mask.

203. An apparatus according to either of Claims 1 or 2, wherein the inner layer is smaller than, but approximates to the shape of, the outer layer.

4. An apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 3 , wherein 25 the inner layer is just larger than the sachet.

5. An apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 4 , wherein the liquid is hydrogen-peroxide and the catalyst is a metal salt catalyst adapted to produce oxygen on liquid contact.

30

6. An apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 5 , wherein the means for release of a liquid from an in situ sachet is a drawstring adapted to tear the sachet to release liquid for contact with the catalyst, or wherein the catalyst is

35 burstable by manual pressure in situ .

7. An apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the gas as delivered has a raised temperature in the range of 30°C to 44°C.

58. Use of oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas having a higher partial pressure of oxygen than ambient air for the cosmetic treatment of human skin.

9. Use according to claim 8 wherein the oxygen or oxygen- 10 containing gas is pre-heated before contacting the human skin.

10. Use according to claim 8 or claim 9 for cosmetic treatment of the human face.

1511. Use according to claim 9 wherein the oxygen or oxygen- containing gas is applied to the region of the face below the eyes .

12. Use according to claim 11 wherein the oxygen or oxygen-

20 containing gas is applied to the cheeks.

13. Apparatus for treatment of the human face with oxygen or oxygen-containing gas comprising a face mask, a source of oxygen or oxygen-containing gas at a higher partial pressure

25 of oxygen than ambient air and means for delivering the preheated oxygen or oxygen-containing gas to the interior of the face mask.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein a breathing

30 aperture is provided which enables the subject to avoid breathing said oxygen or oxygen-containing gas.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the face mask covers a cheek.

35

16. Apparatus according to any of claims 13 to 15 including means for pre-heating the oxygen or oxygen-containing gas, said pre-heating means being arranged to pre-heat the oxygen or oxygen-containing gas to a temperature of 30°C to 44°C.