Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46B—BRUSHES
  • A46B13/00—Brushes with driven brush bodies or carriers
  • A46B13/02—Brushes with driven brush bodies or carriers power-driven carriers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
  • A47K7/00—Body washing or cleaning implements
  • A47K7/04—Mechanical washing or cleaning devices, hand or mechanically, i.e. power operated
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46B—BRUSHES
  • A46B13/00—Brushes with driven brush bodies or carriers
  • A46B13/008—Disc-shaped brush bodies
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46B—BRUSHES
  • A46B13/00—Brushes with driven brush bodies or carriers
  • A46B13/02—Brushes with driven brush bodies or carriers power-driven carriers
  • A46B13/023—Brushes with driven brush bodies or carriers power-driven carriers with means for inducing vibration to the bristles
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46B—BRUSHES
  • A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
  • A46B5/0095—Removable or interchangeable brush heads
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46D—MANUFACTURE OF BRUSHES
  • A46D1/00—Bristles; Selection of materials for bristles
  • A46D1/02—Bristles details
  • A46D1/0238—Bristles with non-round cross-section
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
  • A47K7/00—Body washing or cleaning implements
  • A47K7/04—Mechanical washing or cleaning devices, hand or mechanically, i.e. power operated
  • A47K7/043—Mechanical washing or cleaning devices, hand or mechanically, i.e. power operated hand operated
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H7/00—Devices for suction-kneading massage; Devices for massaging the skin by rubbing or brushing not otherwise provided for
  • A61H7/002—Devices for suction-kneading massage; Devices for massaging the skin by rubbing or brushing not otherwise provided for by rubbing or brushing
  • A61H7/003—Hand-held or hand-driven devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46B—BRUSHES
  • A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
  • A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
  • A46B2200/1006—Brushes for cleaning the hand or the human body
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46B—BRUSHES
  • A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
  • A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
  • A46B2200/102—Brush specifically designed for massaging the skin or scalp
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
  • A61H2201/12—Driving means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
  • A61H2201/12—Driving means
  • A61H2201/1207—Driving means with electric or magnetic drive
  • A61H2201/1215—Rotary drive
  • A61H2201/1223—Frequency controlled AC motor
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
  • A61H2201/16—Physical interface with patient
  • A61H2201/1657—Movement of interface, i.e. force application means
  • A61H2201/1676—Pivoting
  • A61H2201/1678—Means for angularly oscillating massage elements
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2205/00—Devices for specific parts of the body
  • A61H2205/02—Head
  • A61H2205/022—Face

Definitions

• the invention is related to devices for cleansing and treating skin, particularly facial skin, and methods of using the devices for cleansing and treating skin.
• Skin is the largest organ of the human body with several important functions, including forming a physical barrier to the environment, protection against microorganisms, allowing and limiting the inward and outward passage of water and electrolytes, ultraviolent radiation and toxic agents.
• the epidermis Within the skin there are three structural layers: the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutis. Keratinocytes are the main cell type found within the epidermis. Fibroblasts are the predominant cell type within the dermis.
• the dermis is composed of a supportive extracellular matrix and contains bundles of collagen which run parallel to the skin surface. The role of fibroblasts within the dermis is to produce collagen, elastin, and structural proteoglycans.
• TGF- ⁇ Transforming growth factor ⁇
• TGF- ⁇ Transforming growth factor ⁇
• skin connective tissue This factor is also of importance in the process of wound healing.
• Skin also is innervated and vascularized, and also contains small numbers of immune cells (e.g. mast cells, tissue macrophages, etc.).
• Aging of human skin is associated with discoloration, wrinkling, and the sagging effect. These developments related to aging are dramatically visible in human skin which becomes dry, wrinkled, lax, and irregularly pigmented over time.
• aged skin is characterized by a flattening of the dermal-epidermal junction, increased atrophy, and a loss of elasticity of the dermal connective tissue.
• the loss of firmness and elasticity is commonly associated with the decrease/loss and disorganization of the major extracellular components, including collagen I (associated with being the primary cause of wrinkle formation), elastin, and large and small proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans.
• Aging skin also possesses decreased TGF- ⁇ which results in reduced production of collagen and compromised wound healing.
• a histological analysis of aging in human skin has revealed a decrease in tissue thickness, disorganization of collagen, and accumulation of non-functional elastin.
• Handheld skin cleansing devices are used for cosmetic purposes to efficiently cleanse facial skin. In some cases the devices claim additional benefits, such as exfoliation, smoothing/resurfacing, or deep cleaning.
• Such devices have one or more discrete electrically powered bristle brushes or nonwoven fabric pads that oscillate, vibrate, or a combination thereof to provide mechanical action of the brush(es) or pad(s) against the skin.
• a cleanser is applied to the bristles or the pad. Cleansing effectiveness of these devices depends on the bristle or pad type, pressure applied, and the type of cleanser.
• SonicDermabrasion Facial Brush ST255 sold by PRETIKA® Corp. of Laguna Hills, California.
• the brush includes a handle and a round bristle brush head that rotates.
• Pore Sonic Cleanser sold by Pobling of Seoul, South Korea, which includes an oblong brush that is vibrated.
• MIA 1®, MIA 2®, and MIA 3® sold by CLARISONIC® of Redmond, Washington.
• PRO X® Facial Brush by Procter & Gamble of Cincinnati, Ohio. Many examples similar to these are easily found in department stores, drug stores, and online.
• Such rotating and/or vibrating heads provide cleaning action that is superior to the use of hands to clean one's face.
• the brushes and pads only reach the surface of the topmost layer of skin cells. Brush tips do not effectively reach the interstitial spaces between cells or other fine skin features where dirt or dead cells may be trapped, and thus do not effectively clean such spaces.
• brushes tend to build up a combination of cleansers, dirt, bacteria, and dead skin cells at the base of the bristles that is difficult or impossible to clean off.
• brushes used for facial cleansing tend to lift, but not remove facial skin cells. Thus, brushes can actually have a skin roughening effect.
• a cleansing device including a handle; an electrical motor disposed within the handle and attached to an actuator, said motor and actuator adapted to apply an oscillating movement at a frequency of about 5 Hz to 30 Hz; and a substantially planar cleansing head having a first major surface and a second major surface and partitioned into two or more cleansing head sections, the first major surface comprising a plurality of elastomeric cleansing features extending away from the first surface and having an aspect ratio of about 1:5 to 10:1, wherein the actuator is attached to the second major surface of the cleansing head to apply oscillating movement to one or more cleansing head sections to provide a total displacement per oscillation of about 0.5 mm to 12 mm.
• the oscillation is a circular oscillation and at least one cleansing head section is circular or annular. In some embodiments, at least two cleansing head sections are adapted to counter-oscillate relative to each other. In some embodiments, the cleansing head first surface includes more than one cleansing feature shape, relative cleansing feature orientation, or both. In some embodiments, the elastomer is characterized by a fully reversible strain of about 5 -700 , Shore A hardness of about 10 to 50, and a coefficient of friction of about 0.25 to 0.75.
• the cleansing features include a prismatic or frusto-prismatic shape having a base footprint of about 0.1 mm to 10 mm in the longest dimension, and a height of about 0.5 mm to 5 mm.
• the elastomer includes one or more permanent or fugitive additives.
• the one or more permanent or fugitive additives include antibacterial compositions, abrasive compositions, cleansing or treatment compositions, or a combination thereof.
• the total displacement is about 0.5 mm to 8 mm.
• a skin cleansing system including a device with a handle; an electrical motor disposed within the handle and attached to an actuator, said motor and actuator adapted to apply an oscillating movement at a frequency of about 5 Hz to 30 Hz; a substantially planar cleansing head having a first major surface and a second major surface and partitioned into two or more cleansing head sections, the first major surface comprising a plurality of elastomeric cleansing features extending away from the first surface and having an aspect ratio of about 1:5 to 10:1, wherein the actuator is attached to the second major surface of the cleansing head to apply oscillating movement to one or more cleansing head sections comprising a total relative displacement per oscillation of about 0.5 mm to 12 mm; and a cleanser selected from the group consisting of a liquid, dispersion, lotion, gel, serum, or solution that reduces a stick portion of the stick-slip action of a cleansing feature that has frictional contact with a skin surface during the oscillating movement of the cleansing head.
• FIGS. 1A-1I depict several representative schematic views of a cleansing device and motion-generating sub-assemblies as described herein.
• FIG. 2 shows a number of exemplary cleansing feature shapes useful in conjunction with the cleansing device.
• FIGS. 3A-3F illustrate exemplary cleansing head section displacement.
• FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate additional details of the cleansing head section displacement of FIG. 3A.
• FIGS 5A and 5B illustrate additional details of the cleansing head section displacement of FIG. 3D.
• FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a controller as used in the cleansing device in a schematic block diagram.
• FIG. 7 is a flowchart representation of one embodiment of a method of using the cleansing device.
• FIG. 8 illustrates the theoretical physical elements of stick-slip movement (static and kinetic friction).
• FIGS. 9A and 9B are plots showing the effect of a static compression loading regime on the expression of (8A) Collagen 1 and (8B) TGF- ⁇ .
• FIGS. 10A - 10D are plots showing the effect of a dynamic compression loading regime on the expression of (9A) Collagen 1, (9B) biglycan, (9C) decorin and (9D) TGF- ⁇
• FIGS. 11A - l lC are illustrations of a pattern of marks used to measure displacement of a silicone film by stretching upon application of an embodiment to a film used as a skin model, and displacement of the film upon the application of the embodiment.
• FIG. 12 illustrates a graph showing the assessment for lack of skin smoothness.
• FIG. 13 illustrates a graph showing the assessment for lack of facial skin softness.
• FIG. 14 illustrates a graph showing the assessment for the appearance of pores on the facial skin.
• FIG. 15 illustrates a graph showing the assessment for poor facial skin texture.
• FIG. 16 illustrates a graph showing the assessment for lack of facial skin clarity.
• FIG. 17 illustrates a graph showing the assessment for lack of facial skin radiance.
• FIG. 18 illustrates a graph showing the assessment for overall facial skin appearance.
• FIG. 19 illustrates a graph showing the assessment for lack of facial skin cleansing ability .
• FIG. 20 illustrates a cleansing head having a three-dimensional, frustoconical shape.
• FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate components of an embodiment for imparting force generally perpendicularly to skin with pins 802 in order to displace tissue.
• FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate top and side views, respectively, of an embodiment of an inter-links feature shape.
• FIGS. 23 A and 23B illustrate top and side views, respectively, of an embodiment of a split alpha blade feature shape.
• FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate top and side views, respectively, of an embodiment of inverting and non-inverting mushroom features.
• the term "cleansing head” means an article having a first major surface and second major surface, wherein the first major surface has a plurality of cleansing features arranged thereon and the second surface is adapted to be attached at least to the actuator of a cleansing device.
• the cleansing head includes two or more discrete cleansing head sections, each section including a plurality of cleansing features.
• one or more cleansing head sections are attached to the handle; provided that at least one cleansing head section is attached to be moved by an actuator.
• the cleansing head first major surface is substantially planar.
• the cleansing head has a curvilinear or arcuate shape, including in some embodiments a hemispherical shape.
• the cleansing head is generally symmetrical; in other embodiments, the cleansing head includes one or more asymmetries or asymmetrical contours. In some embodiments, the cleansing head includes multiple arcuate shapes.
• cleaning feature means a protrusion attached to and extending away from the first major surface of a cleansing head in a direction generally perpendicular thereto. There are between 2 and 100 cleansing features per square centimeter of the first major surface.
• the cleansing features have an aspect ratio of 1:5 to 10:1 (width:height), wherein width, or x distance, is the longest dimension of the base (portion of the cleansing feature intersecting the first major surface of the cleansing head) and height, or y distance, is the distance between the base and the peak (portion of the cleansing feature furthest away from the first major surface).
• the cleansing features are elastic cleansing features, that is, they are formed from an elastomeric composition and are resiliently deformable to a degree.
• the shape of the cleansing features is not particularly limited. In some embodiments, more than one cleansing feature shape, relative cleansing feature orientation, or both is situated on a single cleansing head. In some embodiments, more than one cleansing feature shape, relative orientation, or both is situated on a single cleansing head section.
• total displacement means the maximum linear distance traveled by the movement of a first cleansing head section relative to a second, adjacent cleansing head section, as measured at two adjacent points, such as two points on opposed sided of their adjacent edges.
• the displacement traveled at the peak of the amplitude is measured relative to a stationary adjacent cleansing head section to result in the total displacement.
• the adjacent stationary cleansing head section is also oscillating, the total displacement is a result of the combined movement of the sections.
• the term "handle” or “handle portion” means the portion of the cleansing device that fits in an average human grip in a manner that enables a user to urge the cleansing head of the device toward the user's face, and manipulate the device to slide the cleansing head across the facial surface.
• the handle further includes the motor and associated wiring, supports, and power input to facilitate the application of electrical power to the motor via DC or AC/DC.
• the handle includes a switch for switching the electrical power to the motor or device control module on and off.
• the handle includes additional controls.
• the term "elastomer” or “elastomeric composition” means a thermoplastic or thermoset polymeric composition that has a fully reversible strain of about 5% - 700%, a Shore A hardness of about 10 to 50, and a coefficient of friction against human facial skin of about 0.2 to 0.8, for example about 0.25 to 0.75.
• the elastomeric composition includes one or more fillers, crosslinks, or both.
• suitable polymers used in the elastomeric composition include silicone rubbers (polydiorganosiloxane), rubbery polyurethanes, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), butyl rubber (isobutylene-isoprene copolymer), natural or synthetic polyisoprene, nitrile rubber (butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber), rubbery polypropylene, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene copolymer), EPM (ethylene propylene copolymer), and others as well as blends and copolymers thereof.
• silicone rubbers polydiorganosiloxane
• SBR styrene-butadiene rubber
• butyl rubber isobutylene-isoprene copolymer
• natural or synthetic polyisoprene nitrile rubber (butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber)
• rubbery polypropylene EPDM (ethylene propylene diene copolymer), EPM
• the term "electrical motor” means a device powered by electricity for generating motion, whether rotary, reciprocal, orbital or otherwise that can be coupled directly or indirectly to a cleansing head or cleansing head section to cause it to move as described herein.
• the term “about” also encompasses amounts that differ due to aging of a formulation with a particular initial concentration or mixture, and amounts that differ due to mixing or processing a formulation with a particular initial concentration or mixture. Where modified by the term “about” the claims appended hereto include equivalents to these quantities.
• Intended properties include, solely by way of nonlimiting examples thereof, elasticity, modulus, hardness, and shape; intended positions include position of a first cleansing feature relative to a second cleansing feature.
• a cleansing device for cleansing the skin of a mammal, for example a person, the device including at least a handle; an electrical motor disposed within the handle and attached to an actuator, said motor and actuator adapted to apply an oscillating movement at a frequency of about 5 Hz to 30 Hz; and a cleansing head having a first major surface and second major surface, the first major surface comprising a plurality of elastomeric cleansing features, the cleansing features extending away from the first surface and having an aspect ratio of about 1:5 to 10:1 (width:height), wherein the cleansing head is partitioned into two or more cleansing head sections, and wherein the actuator is attached to the second major surface of the cleansing head to apply oscillating movement to one or more cleansing head sections, resulting in a total displacement per oscillation of about 0.5 mm to 8 mm.
• FIGS. 1A, IB are representative views of one exemplary embodiment of a cleansing device.
• Cleansing device 100 is shown in FIG. 1A, wherein device 100 includes handle portion 110, on/off switch 120, and mounting portion 130 that positions and secures cleansing head 140.
• Cleansing head 140 first major surface 150 includes cleansing features 160.
• handle portion 110 includes a motor (not shown) that actuates a selected motion of cleansing head 140 or a section thereof.
• Cleansing head 140 second major surface is attached to an actuator (not shown) in a manner that facilitates the actuation of the oscillatory movement.
• FIG. 1A wherein device 100 includes handle portion 110, on/off switch 120, and mounting portion 130 that positions and secures cleansing head 140.
• Cleansing head 140 first major surface 150 includes cleansing features 160.
• handle portion 110 includes a motor (not shown) that actuates a selected motion of cleansing head 140 or a section thereof.
• Cleansing head 140 second major surface is attached to an actuator (not shown) in a manner that
• IB shows a recharging port 170, which is configured to receive a charger cable (not shown) for providing electricity, for example from a 120V wall plug, to a rechargeable battery device inside handle portion 110.
• the battery device provides electrical energy to the motor and control module that actuates movement of cleansing head 140 or one or more sections thereof.
• FIGS. 1C and ID show representative dimensions of the cleansing device.
• height H of the device is between about 140 mm to 220 mm, or about 170 mm to 180 mm.
• Width W of the device is about 30 mm to 70 mm, or about 40 mm to 60 mm.
• Depth D of the device is about 50 mm to 120 mm, or about 70 mm to 100 mm.
• the cleansing head of the cleansing device is an article having a first major surface and second major surface, the first major surface having a plurality of cleansing features arranged thereon. At least some portions of the cleansing features are formed from an elastomeric composition. In some embodiments the cleansing head, including all cleansing features, is formed from an elastomeric composition. In other embodiments, the cleansing head is a composite construction having an elastomeric composition as a portion thereof, wherein the portion includes at least the surface of the first major surface of the cleansing head and at least a portion of the cleansing features.
• the elastomeric composition is a thermoplastic or thermoset polymeric composition that has a fully reversible strain of at least about 5% - 1000%, a Shore A hardness of about 10 to 50, and a coefficient of friction ( ⁇ , a property affected by the composition) against human facial skin (without a beard or similar substantial facial hair) of about 0.20 to 1.20.
• the reversible strain is at least 100%, or 200% and as much as 1000%, for example about 700%, or about 500%.
• Shore A is about 20 to 40.
• the coefficient of friction against human facial skin is about 0.20 to 1.20, or about 0.20 to 1.00, or about 0.20 to 0.90, or about 0.20 to 0.80, or about 0.25 to0.80, or about 0.25 to 0.75, or about 0.30 to 1.00, or about 0.40 to 1.00, or about 0.40 to 0.90, or about 0.40 to 0.80, or about 0.50 to 1.00, or about 0.50 to 0.90, or about 0.30 to 0.90, or about 0.30 to 0.80
• Suitable polymers used in the elastomeric composition include crosslinked silicone rubbers (polydiorganosiloxanes, in particular polydimethylsiloxane), rubbery polyurethanes, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), butyl rubber (isobutylene- isoprene copolymer), natural or synthetic polyisoprene, nitrile rubber (butadiene- acrylonitrile rubber), rubbery polypropylene, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene copolymer), EPM (ethylene propylene copolymer), and others as well as blends and copolymers thereof.
• the elastomeric composition is a crosslinked network.
• the elastomeric composition includes one or more fillers, plasticizers, or both. In some embodiments, the elastomeric composition further includes one or more colorants, thermal stabilizers, UV stabilizers, antimicrobials, and the like.
• a suitable elastomeric composition is a silica-filled silicone elastomer, such as those sold by the Dow Corning Co. of Midland, MI, Momentive Performance Materials Inc. of Columbus, OH; Wacker Chemie AG of Kunststoff, Germany, and Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan.
• Suitable silicone elastomeric compositions include SUPERSIL®, a two-part filled silicone elastomer sold by Mouldlife of Suffolk, Great Britain, and SYLGARD®-184, a 10:1 two-part mix sold by DOW CORNING® Corporation of Midland, MI.
• Other suitable elastomeric polymers useful in forming the elastomeric compositions include rubbery or thermoplastic polyurethanes sold by Bayer MaterialsScience AG of Leverkusen, Germany, Huntsman International LLC of The Woodlands, Texas, and others.
• the elastomeric composition includes one or more additives.
• the additives are embedded within the cleansing head or cleansing head surface to provide further beneficial results for the user during using of the cleansing device.
• the additives are permanent, that is, they are not depleted from the cleansing head surface during use.
• the additives are fugitive additives; that is, they are depleted during use. Examples of additives include abrasive particles embedded at least within the cleansing features for skin exfoliation or microdermabrasion, or to adjust the static friction or stick-slip level of the cleansing features with respect to the skin surface. Such additives are suitably permanent or fugitive, as determined by the manufacturer.
• Suitable fugitive additives include skin-beneficial inorganic and organic molecules that allow the user to treat the skin during cleansing. Examples of such molecules include magnesium, calcium, vitamins such as vitamin D, plant-derived skin active ingredients, anti-oxidants, and the like.
• a fugitive additive is a skin cleansing composition that is embedded within or surrounding the cleansing features or the cleansing head or a portion thereof.
• a portion of or the entirety of one or more cleansing heads is a consumable item intended for frequent replacement, i.e. a disposable cleansing head.
• a suitable time to replace the one or more cleansing heads is upon depletion of the fugitive additive.
• one or more indicators are present on the cleansing head to indicate when the fugitive additive is depleted and a fresh cleansing head is needed.
• a suitable indicator is a color layer disposed under a layer of a fugitive additive, such that depletion of the fugitive additive is indicated by exposure of the color layer that is visible to the user.
• a manufacturer provides instructions to the user to replace the cleansing head after a designated period of time in order to ensure the user is using a cleansing head having a sufficient amount of one or more fugitive additives.
• one or more on-board electronic indicators is used to inform a user that it is time to replace the cleansing head.
• a useful additive is an antimicrobial composition.
• Useful antimicrobial compositions are either permanent or fugitive, depending on the nature of the additive.
• silver or a silver (Ag) composition In some embodiments, the silver composition is a particulate.
• One useful type of silver composition is BIOMASTER® TD100, available from ADDMASTER® Ltd. of Stafford, UK.
• the silver compositions are dispersed in the elastomer composition employed in forming the first major surface of the cleansing head at about 0.001 wt to 5 wt based on the weight of the elastomer composition, or about 0.01 wt to 1 wt , or about 0.05 wt to 0.5 wt based on the weight of the elastomer composition.
• the cleansing features are integral with the cleansing head or cleansing head sections, that is, a cleansing head or cleansing head section having a plurality of cleansing features is a single article formed by molding, 3D printing, or the like.
• a cleansing head or cleansing head section is a composite construction having at least a surface layer including an elastomer composition, the surface layer disposed at least on the first major surface and inclusive of the cleansing features.
• the cleansing head includes a stiffness layer proximal to the first major surface.
• the stiffness layer is composed of one or more non- elastomeric thermoplastics, thermosets, metals, and combinations thereof such as poly(ethylene terephthalate), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polycarbonate, nylon, aluminum, steel, glass, combinations thereof, and the like. In some such embodiments the stiffness layer forms the second major surface.
• the shape of the cleansing features is selected from one or more of a variety of shapes as will be described in detail below. In some embodiments, more than one cleansing feature shape, relative cleansing feature orientation, or both is situated on a single cleansing head or cleansing head section.
• the cleansing features are protrusions attached to and extending away from the first major surface of the cleansing head in a direction generally perpendicular thereto. In some embodiments, the cleansing features are integral with the first surface of the cleansing head or cleansing head section; that is, the cleansing head or cleansing head section including cleansing features disposed thereon is a single molded or shaped article or portion thereof.
• the cleansing features have an aspect ratio of about 1:5 to 10: 1 (width:height), wherein width, or x distance, is the longest dimension of the base (portion of the cleansing feature intersecting the first major surface of the cleansing head) and height, or y distance, is the distance between the base and the peak (portion of the cleansing feature extending furthest away from the first major surface).
• the cleansing feature aspect ratio is about 1:5 to 5:1, or about 1:4 to 4:1, or about 1:3 to 3:1, or about 1:3 to 2:1, or about 1:3 to 1:1.
• the aspect ratios of individual cleansing features are variable on a single cleansing head or section thereof.
• the space between cleansing features, or "land area" of the first major surface of the cleansing head or cleansing head section is about 1% to 50% of the total first major surface area of the cleansing head, or about 5% to 30% of the first major surface area of the cleansing head.
• the cleansing features are spaced so as to be substantially equally distributed on the first major surface in one or more directions.
• the cleansing features are spaced in a pattern on the first major surface.
• the cleansing features are spaced irregularly on the first major surface.
• the footprint of the base of the cleansing features is about 0.1 mm to 10 mm in the longest dimension, or about 0.5 mm to 8 mm, or about 1 mm to 6 mm, or about 2 mm to 5 mm in the longest direction.
• the peak, or height, of the cleansing features extends about 0.5 mm to 5 mm from the base, or about 1 mm to 4 mm, or about 1 mm to 3 mm from the base.
• a cleansing feature has a substantially continuous contact surface with the skin of about at least 1 mm square or greater, for example about 1 mm to 5 mm square. This area, significantly larger than the skin contact area of a conventional single bristle, is useful to apply the stretch-slip forces to the skin described below.
• the shape of the cleansing features is not particularly limited, except that in many configurations the peak footprint area is the same or less than the base footprint area of individual cleansing features.
• the benefits of such configurations include ease of manufacturing and more robust anchoring of the cleansing features on the first surface of the cleansing head or section thereof during use of the device.
• Cleansing feature shapes useful in the devices include conical, frusto-conical, pyramidal (base has triangle shape), frusto-pyramidal, cylindrical, hemispherical, prismatic (triangular prism with rectangular or square base), frusto-prismatic, cubic, cuboid, pentahedral (base has rectangular shape), frusto-pentahedral, and variations and modifications thereof.
• the base of the cleansing feature has an "x" shape, a "v” shape, a “y” shape, a "u” shape, a star shape, a crescent shape, an annular shape, or some other shape and the peak footprint mirrors the shape; in some such embodiments, the peak footprint is somewhat smaller than the base footprint.
• the base footprint has one distinguishable shape, and the peak footprint has a different distinguishable shape.
• the base of the cleansing feature is hexagonal and the peak is hemispherical.
• Irregular shapes and variations on the shapes recited above include an elongated prism shaped feature that is notched in one or more locations at the peak; mushroom shapes (substantially cylindrical base portion having a solid or hollow hemispherical or frusto-conical peak portion with the larger dimension thereof facing the first major surface of the cleansing head or portion thereof), inverted mushroom shapes (substantially cylindrical base portion having a solid or hollow hemispherical or frusto- conical peak portion with the smaller dimension thereof facing the first major surface of the cleansing head or portion thereof), conical features that are curved as the feature proceeds from the base portion to the peak portion, in some cases forming a hook-like appearance; and other variations that are envisioned by one of skill.
• Shape design 1 (“Alpha Blade”) is a prism shape having a rectangular base footprint and a blade-like peak footprint, wherein the distribution of Alpha Blade features on the cleansing head or cleansing head section is provided by a first three cleansing features in a single, even parallel orientation, then a second three cleansing features oriented 90° from the first three.
• Shape design 2 (“Alpha Latch”) is a curved conical shape having a circular base footprint and a smaller circular peak footprint, wherein the distribution thereof on the cleansing head or cleansing head section is provided by a first row of features wherein the conical shape is curved in a first direction and a second row of features wherein the conical shape is curved in a second direction that is about 180° from the first direction.
• Shape design 3 (“Crested Wave Latch”) is a different curved conical shape having a rectangular peak footprint, wherein the distribution thereof on the cleansing head or cleansing head section is similar to that of shape design 2.
• Shape design 4 (“ Blade Tipped Latch ”) is similar to shape design 2, except that the peak footprint has a rectangular shape.
• shape design 4 is similar to that of shape design 2.
• Shape 5 (“Alpha Latch Concentric Chase”) is the same shape as shape 2, but the direction of the curved portion of the conical shape is somewhat randomized; further, the overall spatial arrangement of the features on the cleansing head or cleansing head section is concentric and not in straight rows.
• shape 6 Blade Tipped Latch Chase
• shape 7 Concentric Blades
• Shape 8 Inverting Mushroom
• shape 8 is a frusto-conical feature mounted on a cylindrical portion, or stalk. The features are arranged in a hexagonally packed arrangement on the cleansing head or cleansing head portion.
• the frusto-conical portion of shape 8 is sufficiently flexible that can become inverted.
• Shape 9 is a crescent shape having a blade like peak footprint. The features are disposed on the cleansing had or cleansing head portion in an interleaved fashion; the interleaved features are arranged in rows on the cleansing head or cleansing head portion.
• Shape 10 Non-inverting Mushrooms
• Shape 11 Split Alpha Blade
• Configuration of Shape 11 on the cleansing head or cleansing head portion is configured in a same manner as Shape 1.
• the cleansing head is partitioned into two or more discrete cleansing head sections, each section including a plurality of cleansing features.
• Cleansing head sections are formed by the discrete division of the cleansing head at least at the first major surface thereof, the divisions extending toward the second major surface.
• the cleansing head is partitioned through the entirety of its thickness, that is, from the first major surface to the second major surface thereof.
• the cleansing head sections allow movement of one or more sections by one or more motors activating one or more actuators via the connection of the second major cleansing head surface to the handle portion of the cleansing device. Skin stretching movement is imparted by the interaction of the cleansing features with the skin during the movement of one or more cleansing head sections while maintaining contact with the skin.
• first major surface configurations 150A - 150F are variations of the cleansing head first major surface 150 of FIG. 1.
• the configurations of FIGS. 3A-3F are shown without cleansing features to show detail of the cleansing head section configurations and their selected movement relative to one another.
• the first half of an oscillatory movement is shown by an arrow, wherein the second half of the oscillatory movement (not shown) is in the opposite direction from that indicated by the arrow. All movements shown by arrows are contemporaneous in each individual embodiment shown in FIGS.
• FIG. 3A illustrates first embodiment 150 A, which includes stationary sections 151 positioned on either side of first linear moving section 152 moving in first linear direction A.
• FIG. 3B illustrates second embodiment 150B, which includes first linear moving sections 152 moving in first linear direction A alternating with proximal second linear moving sections 152' moving in second linear direction B. Such opposing movement of two proximal sections is referred to in some embodiments as "counter-oscillation.”
• FIG. 3C illustrates third embodiment 150C, which includes first lateral moving section 154 and second lateral moving section 154' on either side of stationary section 151, with first lateral moving section 154 moving in linear direction C and second lateral moving section 154' moving in linear direction D.
• FIG. 1 illustrates first embodiment 150 A, which includes stationary sections 151 positioned on either side of first linear moving section 152 moving in first linear direction A.
• FIG. 3B illustrates second embodiment 150B, which includes first linear moving sections 152 moving in first linear direction A alternating with proximal second linear
• FIG. 3D illustrates fourth embodiment 150D, which includes circular moving section 156 moving in counterclockwise direction E and positioned within annular stationary section 153.
• FIG. 3E illustrates fifth embodiment 150E, which includes circular moving section 156 moving in counterclockwise direction E and positioned within annular moving section 156 moving in clockwise direction F.
• Such counter-rotation of two proximal circular or annular sections is referred to in some embodiments as "counter-oscillation.”
• FIG. 3F illustrates sixth embodiment 150F, which includes annular stationary section 153, circular stationary section 153', and annular moving section 156" moving in counterclockwise direction E, annular moving section 156" disposed between annular stationary section 153 and circular stationary section 153'.
• movement boundary means the outer edge of a moving cleansing head or cleansing head section as shown in FIG. 3A-3F.
• a movement boundary exists at the edge of each moving cleansing head section.
• counter-oscillation provides an opposing movement boundary 157 at the edges of 152 proximal to the edges of 152', whereas movement boundaries 158 are simple movement boundaries.
• counter-oscillation of 156, 156' provides opposing movement boundary 157'
• oscillation of 156' provides a simple movement boundary 158'.
• each of the embodiments 150A - 150F of FIG. 3A-3F shows the first half of an oscillatory movement, wherein the second half of the oscillatory movement is in the opposite direction from that indicated by the arrow.
• the oscillatory movement is a skin- stretching movement when the cleansing features disposed on cleansing head 150 are held against the skin. Skin- stretching movement is particularly beneficial within certain defined parameters.
• FIGS. 4A-5B provide additional details of this movement, specifically with regard to embodiments 150A and 150D of FIGS. 3A and 3D, respectively, to illustrate these parameters.
• first linear moving section 152 has moved in first linear direction A and points x and y are aligned; thus, section 152 has moved 0.5 mm to 8 mm relative to stationary sections 151.
• First linear moving section 152 now moves in the opposite direction until the cleansing head is back in its original configuration 150A, completing one oscillation.
• first linear moving section 152 moves in a manner that causes it to oscillate from the position represented by 150A equally on both sides, that is, half the total displacement distance is represented by 150A' and 150A-150A' represents a quarter of a cycle instead of a half, and in embodiment 150A, points x and y are about 1 mm to 4 mm apart. It will also be appreciated that for two contiguous moving cleaning head sections such as the representations of 150B and 150E of FIGS. 3B and 3E, respectively, the total displacement distance must take into account the movement of both moving sections. In some such embodiments, each moving cleaning head section moves one half the total displacement distance in each cycle.
• embodiment 150D-150D' shows that at the beginning of an oscillation, points x and y are displaced 0.5 mm to 8 mm apart along line z.
• circular moving section 156 has moved in counterclockwise direction E and points x and y are aligned; thus, movement of circular section 156 has displaced point y 0.5 mm to 8 mm.
• Circular moving section 156 now moves in a clockwise direction until it arrives back in its original configuration 150D, completing one oscillation.
• Total displacement per cycle of each moving cleansing head section relative to contiguous moving cleansing head section(s), or relative to contiguous stationary cleansing head sections is about 0.5 mm to 8 mm.
• the displacement per cycle is about 1 mm to 8 mm, or about 2 mm to 8 mm, or about 2 mm to 7 mm, or about 2 mm to 6 mm, or about 2 mm to 3 mm, or about 3 mm to 5 mm, or about 3 mm to 4 mm.
• the cycle frequency (time per cycle) is about 5 Hz to 30 Hz, or about 10 Hz to 30 Hz, or about 15 Hz to 30 Hz, or about 20 Hz to 30 Hz, or about 25 Hz to 30 Hz, or about 5 Hz to 25 Hz, or about 5 Hz to 20 Hz, or about 5 Hz to 15 Hz, or about 10 Hz to 30 Hz, or about 10 Hz to 25 Hz, or about 10 Hz to 20 Hz.
• a circular center cleansing head section is surrounding by counter-oscillating rings
• 1 to 3 annular cleansing head sections, or 2 to 5, or even 5 to 100 annular cleansing head sections are arranged in concentric circles on the cleansing head wherein counter- oscillating action is provided by alternating oscillation motion of the concentric annular cleansing head sections.
• a single annular cleansing head section includes a single row of cleansing features arranged radially around the annular section.
• the sections can be counter-oscillating, or oscillating sections can be alternated with stationary sections, or a combination thereof.
• linear oscillating cleansing head sections are not particularly limited as to total number of counter-oscillating or alternating stationary/oscillating sections.
• the cleansing head is partitioned into two cleansing head sections including an inner circular section and an outer annular section, wherein one of the sections is adapted to be substantially stationary during operation of the cleansing device while the other section is moved in an orbital motion.
• the orbital motion follows a round or elliptical path without any circular (turning or twisting) displacement.
• the shifting gap formed between the inner circular section and the outer annular section provides a displacement of about 0.5 mm to 8 mm.
• the outer annular section is stationary and the inner circular section moves in an orbital fashion at a frequency of 5 Hz to 30 Hz to provide displacement between the inner and outer sections of 0.5 mm to 8 mm.
• the inner circular section is stationary and the outer annular section moves in an orbital fashion at a frequency of 5 Hz to 30 Hz to provide displacement between the inner and outer sections of 0.5 mm to 8 mm, as well as displacement at the outer perimeter of the outer annular section.
• the first major surface of the cleansing head is not divided into cleansing head sections. Instead, in such embodiments movement of the cleansing features relative to one another is accomplished by moving the elastomeric surface from underneath.
• a cleansing head has a single, continuous elastomeric top layer bearing the cleansing features. The cleansing head first surface is manipulated or stretched from underneath. In some such embodiments, more complicated modes of movement are implemented, such as planetary or orbital movement and the like.
• the movement of the cleansing head sections is facilitated by the motor coupled to actuate the movement by the attachment of a cleansing head section to the actuator.
• the cleansing head is attached to the handle, while one or more cleansing head sections are attached to one or more actuators.
• one or more cleansing head sections are attached to one or more actuators to provide an oscillatory movement, while one or more additional cleansing head sections are attached to the handle to provide one or more stationary cleansing head sections.
• one or more actuators provide counter-oscillatory movement of two or more cleansing head sections.
• a user is free to use the cleansing device without engaging the motor to move the cleansing head or cleansing head section(s).
• the cleansing device includes in some embodiments one or more settings allowing the user to employ greater or less displacement per cycle, a greater cycle frequency such as 30 Hz to 100 Hz, or combinations of such variable displacement and frequency to accomplish specific tasks, such as deep cleansing or exfoliation.
• FIG. IF illustrates an enlarged view of the cleansing device of FIG. IE.
• FIG. IF shows cleansing head 140 as removable from cleansing device 100, revealing features of actuator mechanism 200.
• FIG. 1G is a partially exploded view of actuator mechanism 200, including features disposed within handle 110 of cleansing device 100.
• Actuator mechanism 200 includes primary drive 201 and secondary drive 202.
• Primary drive 201 includes motor drive shaft 210, gear mechanism 220 and pivot arm 230.
• Motor drive shaft 210 includes engagement member 212, collar 214, and collar gear 216.
• Collar gear 216 is attached to motor drive shaft 210 and thus moves along with motor drive shaft 210.
• Collar 214 and engagement member 212 are attached to each other but not to motor drive shaft 210 and thus the collar 214 and engagement member 212 are able to move in a rotational manner independently of motor drive shaft 210 and collar gear 216.
• Gear mechanism 220 includes gear 222, offset pin 224 (extending upwards from gear 222 in FIG.
• Gear 222 is engaged with collar gear 216 and is held stationary in space by center pin 226 (that is, center pin 226 is engaged with a stationary member, not shown).
• Pivot arm 230 is attached to and is supported by collar 214 and includes slot 232 that is slidably engaged with offset pin 224.
• Secondary drive 202 includes outer ring gear 240, planetary gears 250, and sun gear 260.
• Outer ring gear 240 includes engagement pins 242.
• Sun gear 260 includes engagement slot 262 that is adapted to receive engagement member 212. Sun gear 260, planetary gears 250, and outer ring gear 240 combined to form a planetary gear system.
• FIG. II is a top-down view of the motion of secondary drive 202 when engagement member 212 of primary drive 201 is engaged within engagement slot 262.
• design of a cleansing head fitted to work in conjunction with actuator mechanism 200 of FIG. 1G includes an annular outer cleansing head section adapted and designed to engage with pins 242 of secondary drive 202, and an inner circular cleansing head section adapted and designed to be engaged with the hub of engagement slot 262.
• Collar gear 216 on primary drive 201 is connected to a DC motor. The action of the motor turning shaft 210 and collar gear 216 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise motion causes the movement described and shown in FIGS. 1H and II. Motion of the hub of engagement slot 262, moved when engaged with moving engagement member 212 of primary drive 201, moves the circular inner cleansing head section in a first direction (counterclockwise as shown in FIG.
• the cleanser reduces a stick portion of the stick-slip action of a cleansing feature that has frictional contact with a skin surface during the oscillating movement of the cleansing head.
• the stretching caused by the stick portion of the stick- slip action of a cleansing feature may be more easily modulated and reduced relative to a nominal total displacement distance in an oscillation cycle.
• a method of cleansing and/or treating the skin of a human includes applying a cleansing and/or treating composition to the skin and/or to the cleansing head of the device, contacting the cleansing head to the skin, and turning the device on.
• a user may move the cleansing head of the device across the skin to reach desired treatment areas.
• the contacting includes applying force, such as an average of about IN to 10N pressure, or about IN to 8N, or about 2N to 6N, or about 2N to 4N, or about 2N to 10N, or about 4N to 10N, or about 2N to 8N, or about 2N to 6N, or about 3N to 5N, or about 4N force.
• the extracellular matrix is composed of collagen fibers, elastin fibers, and the water-holding molecules retained within the network of the fibers, for example other proteins and gycosaminoglycans such as chondroitin, biglycan, hyaluronic acid, and the like. Restoring the ECM results in an improvement in appearance and a decrease in the apparent age of the subject.
• the skin cleansing composition includes water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetearyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol.
• the skin cleansing composition includes 0.001% to 4 % salicylic acid, or about 0.5% to 3 wt% salicylic acid, or about 1 wt% to 2 wt% salicylic acid.
• Decorin is associated with collagen fibrillogenesis, wherein a decorin-deficient matrix affects skin chondroitin/dermatan sulfate levels and keratinocyte function. Phenotypic effects of biglycan deficiency are linked to collagen fibril abnormalities, are synergized by decorin deficiency, and mimic Ehlers-Danlos-like changes in bone and other connective tissues.
• the scaffolds were dried and crosslinked, followed by adding 0.1M N-(3- dimethylaminopropyl)-N-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride and 0.05 M N- hydroxysuccinimide (obtained from the Sigma-Aldrich Company of St. Louis, MO). This was done in a 0.1M phosphate buffer at pH 5.5/40% ethanol. After 6 hours at room temperature the scaffolds were again dried and then washed with four cycles of 15 minutes in 0.1M phosphate buffer pH 9 and 30min in 4M NaCl and ultra-pure water. Sterilization was undertaken with gamma rays at >25kGray (obtained from Synergy Health Radeberg GmbH of Radeberg, Germany).
• Coated scaffolds were placed into a six well plate and 250 ⁇ 1 of the cell suspension was placed onto the scaffold. The scaffolds were then incubated for 1 hour at 37°C to facilitate cell adhesion. DMEM supplemented with 7.5% FBS was then dispensed into the well containing the cell seeded scaffold and incubated at 37°C in humidified atmosphere with 5% C0 2 . Media was changed every 24 hours for 3 days. After 3 days, the scaffolds were aseptically removed from the six well plates and loaded into the biodynamic chamber for mechanical loading.
• RNA Extraction and quantitative Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT- qPCR).
• Total RNA was extracted using the TRIspin method as per the manufactures instructions and reverse transcription was carried out using the Omniscript kit (obtained from Qiagen Inc of Valencia, CA). Aliquots of the resulting cDNA were amplified in a Bio-Rad iCycler using human- specific primer sets for the molecules in question. The resulting values were normalized to the housekeeper 18S.
• a synthetic skin sample was prepared according to the following protocol. First, the following components were mixed: 30 wt % of a mixture of polyorganosiloxanes 75- 85 wt , amorphous silica 20-25 wt , and platinum- siloxane complex 0.1 wt ; 30 wt % of a mixture of polyorganosiloxanes 65-70 wt , amorphous silica 20-25 wt , and other components 10 wt ; 8.6 wt % of silicone fluid (non-reactive silicone oil); and 31.4 wt % of a mixture of polyorganosiloxanes that alter hardness and the feel of the final cured material.
• the marked silicone film was used to measure displacement during operable contact thereof with the skin cleansing device of Table 1.
• a cleansing fluid Purity Made Simple, obtained from philosophy inc. of Phoenix, AZ
• the test jig provided uniform contact force of 4N between the silicone film and the cleansing features.
• a high speed camera 500 Hz, approx. 200 frames/sec was situated proximal to the contacted area such that the side of the silicone film opposite the white (contacted) side was viewed by the camera; the marks placed on the film using the template of FIG. 11A were all viewable in the camera field.
• FIG. 11C shows displacement measured by the camera in millimeters. It can be seen from FIG. 11C that the displacement of about 5.4 mm resulted in silicone displacement of about 1 mm at some of the measured points, corresponding to a range of about 2 mm.
• Example 2 An 8 week cleansing trial was conducted using human subjects.
• the cleansing device of Example 2 was used in the study except that the type of cleansing features were varied as shown in Table 2 and the rate of counter-oscillation was 15 Hz. Amplitude of the counter-oscillation was 5 mm.
• the cleansing device further included an onboard data gathering and logging system to record use parameters, such as time of use and force applied to the cleansing head during use.
• the cleanser of Example 2 was employed in the study. Table 2 summarizes the protocol and parameters of the cleansing trial and lists the cleansing features employed in the trial.
• the primary efficacy endpoint was the investigator-assessed ability of the assigned cleansing device to cleanse and improve the appearance of the face.
• the secondary efficacy endpoint was the subject-assessed ability of the assigned cleansing device to cleanse and improve the appearance of the face.
• FIGS. 12- 19. Results of the study according to the combined average ratings of the clinical grader assessment and the subject assessment scores is graphically depicted in FIGS. 12- 19. Continuous improvement over the 8 week trial was observed in all ratings areas.
• FIG. 12 shows the assessment for lack of skin smoothness.
• FIG. 13 shows the assessment for lack of facial skin softness.
• FIG. 14 shows the assessment for the appearance of pores on the facial skin.
• FIG. 15 shows the assessment for poor facial skin texture.
• FIG. 16 shows the assessment for lack of facial skin clarity.
• FIG. 17 shows the assessment for lack of facial skin radiance.
• FIG. 18 shows the assessment for overall facial skin appearance.
• FIG. 19 shows the assessment for lack of facial skin cleansing ability.
• a device in an embodiment, includes a cleansing head comprising one or more components of an actuator system (e.g., the secondary drive 202 of the actuator mechanism 200).
• the cleansing head further comprises a plurality of moving sections configured to make substantially non-linear (e.g., circular) counter-oscillation type movements to provide cyclical strain on skin to a particular tension and then allow the skin to relax.
• the non-linear counter-oscillation type movements may beneficially provide improved comfort and movement consistent with natural hand positioning during use.
• the moving sections comprise an inner circular section having a diameter of about 25.4 mm surrounded by an outer ring section having an inner diameter of about 26.4 mm and an outer diameter of about 41 mm.
• the moving sections further comprise one or more cleansing features having an elastomeric composition with a Shore A hardness of about 25.
• the cleansing features have an inverting mushroom design ( FIG. 2, Design 8), Inter-links design ( FIG. 2, Design 9), Split Alpha Blade design ( FIG. 2, Design 11), or a combination thereof.
• the device is configured such that, when in use, the inner circular section has a rotational amplitude of 36° + 2° (an arc of about 7.8 mm) and the outer ring section has a rotational amplitude of 16° + 2°.
• the cycle frequency (time per cycle) of each moving cleansing head section relative to contiguous moving cleansing head section(s), or relative to contiguous stationary cleansing head sections, is about 15 Hz.
• the device is further configured to cause skin displacement having amplitude of about 0 mm to 12 mm, or about 2 mm to 12 mm, or about 2 mm to 8 mm, or about 4 mm to 6 mm, or about 5 mm.
• the device is configured to provide a substantially constant amount of skin displacement across a broad range of skin resistance to stretch.
• the device is configured operate at a constant speed of 15 Hz over a wide range of resistance to movement. If a user applies a relatively high amount of pressure, the skin and underlying fat and muscle may resist to a relatively greater degree, but the motor still maintains the same frequency, applying greater current/torque to compensate for the greater resistance Skin Cleansing Head Section.
• a skin cleansing system may include first and second skin cleansing head sections having first and second elastomeric cleansing features, respectively and an opposing movement boundary defined by and disposed between the first and second skin cleansing head sections.
• Both the first and the second skin cleansing head sections may be configured to translate relative to the other in a reciprocating motion in a plane common to the first and second skin cleansing head sections.
• the first and second cleansing features may have the same pattern of features.
• the first skin cleansing head section may be circular and the second skin cleansing head section is annular and disposed around the first skin cleansing head section.
• the reciprocating motion may have a component in a direction perpendicular to the plane common to the first and second skin cleansing head sections.
• Certain embodiments may comprise different kinds of cleansing features on different cleansing head sections and/or within the same cleansing head section.
• a first design e.g., an inverting mushroom design
• a second design e.g., a non- inverting mushroom design
• there may be a first cleansing feature e.g., an inverting mushroom design
• a first cleansing head section e.g., an inner circle of the cleansing head
• a second cleansing feature e.g., a split alpha blade design
• a cleansing head may comprise a substantially three-dimensional shape.
• FIG. 20 illustrates a cleansing head 710 having a three-dimensional, frustoconical shape.
• the cleansing head comprises three cleansing head sections: section 712, section 714, and section 716.
• the placement of the cleansing head sections 712, 714, and 716 on different parts of the head may facilitate cleansing of hard-to-reach areas of the face such as corners near the nose, lower eyelids, mouth, and other areas.
• the sections 712, 714, and 716 may counter-oscillate relative to each other. While this embodiment of the cleansing head has been shown as having a frustoconical shape, other shapes are also possible, including but not limited to: cylinders, pyramids, prisms, spheres, cubes, other shapes, or combinations thereof.
• the sections may oscillate or otherwise move relative to one or more of the other sections.
• the sections may, but need not, be arranged in concentric, interlaced, circumscribed, overlapping, linear, non-linear, other fashions, or combinations thereof.
• there may be interlocking head sections e.g., like the Olympic Rings.
• beneficial displacement e.g., stretching and/or compression
• beneficial displacement may be accomplished by imparting force in excess of hand pressure applied by the user of the device generally perpendicularly to the surface of skin, for example, by using a device with the features illustrated in FIGS. 21A and 2 IB.
• FIGS. 21A and 2 IB illustrate components of an embodiment for imparting force generally perpendicularly to skin with pins 802 in order to displace tissue.
• the pins 802 may be blunt, non-penetrating pins that ride on a rotating cam 804 driven by a motor 808 and are configured to slide through openings in a plate 810.
• the rotating cam 804 includes ramps 806, which are sections of the rotating cam 804 having an increased height.
• a user contacts the plate 810 of the device to his or her own face, and turns the device on to start the skin- stretching movement.
• the ramps 806 cause certain pins 802 to raise or lower, with some of the pins 802 extending through a plate 810 to stretch or otherwise displace a user's skin.
• the sliding pin configuration of this device may enable the device to provide improved skin displacement to regions typically covered with hair, such as the top of a user's head or the skin of the face of a bearded user.
• the device may include functionality for connecting to a separate device for added functionality.
• the device may be configured to make a wired or wireless (e.g., via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other wireless communications technologies) connections with a mobile phone, tablet, computer, or other separate device.
• the connectivity may enable various features, such as tracking usage of the device, tracking pressure applied to the cleansing head by a user during use of the device, reminding the user to use the device, controlling the functionality of the device, and other functionality.
• the user may pair the device with his or her mobile phone using Bluetooth, and launch an application on the phone.
• the application may receive data from the device and coach the user on optimal use of the treatment device.
• the application may receive data (e.g., current draw of the motor of the device) from the device that the user is applying the device with too firm or too light of pressure to his or her face and provide an alert to the user.
• the application may also provide diagrams or videos showing the user proper use of the device.
• the application may also tell the user when and where to apply the device next.
• Certain embodiments of the device may provide a feature for adjusting features of the device, such as the amount of skin displacement provided by the device or the frequency of the displacement motion. Certain embodiments may provide adjustments for the amount of skin displacement by providing an adjuster that controls a distance traveled by a displaceable section of the head.
• the device may include, as a primary mover for a displaceable section of the head, a stepper motor having rotational displacement controlled electronically and incrementally.
• the motor may be configured to cause a displaceable section of a cleansing head to travel a first adjustable distance before reversing and traveling back the first adjustable distance.
• the motor may be configured to rotate a first distance before reversing.
• the frequency and/or displacement may vary as part of a pattern of cleansing. For example, there may be periods (e.g., 10 seconds, 20 seconds, or other periods of time) of elevated or decreased frequency and/or displacement. In certain embodiments, the frequency and the displacement may have an inverse relationship, such that when the frequency increases, the displacement decreases, or vice versa.
• the pattern of cleansing may correspond to different portions of a user's body. For example, a first frequency and/or displacement setting may be used in a first region of the body (e.g., a user's forehead) and a second frequency and/or displacement setting may be used in a second region of the body (e.g., a user's under-eye area). The regions of the body may be selected based on characteristics of skin, such as thickness or thinness.
• the stick-slip motion may cause the deformation of pores and facilitate the cleansing thereof.
• the device may straddle a pore with features that move in opposite directions and open or otherwise deform the pore opening and/or areas proximal to the pore.
• the deformation of the pore may cause the movement of cleanser into and out of the pore to facilitate cleansing thereof.
• the head section of the device may define a first axis in the direction at which the head section generally extends.
• the handle section may define a second axis in the direction at which the handle section generally extends.
• the relationship between the first and second axes may vary based on design considerations, including ergonomics, mechanism placement, aesthetics, and other factors.
• the angle between the axes may be 0° (the head and handle being substantially aligned with each other), 30°, 45°, 90° (the head and handle being substantially perpendicular to each other), and/or other relationships.
• the handle and head sections may be separable to facilitate the swapping of heads (e.g., to provide different or improved functionality), cleaning of the device, maintenance, or other functions.
• the diameter ⁇ z> ⁇ may be substantially 2x the radius r .
• the diameter ⁇ z> ⁇ may have a different relationship with the radius rj, including but not limited to about 0.25x to 1.75x, or about 0.5x to 1.75x, or about 0.5x to 1.5x, or about 0.75x to 1.5x, or about 0.75x to 1.25x, or about lx the radius r .
• one or more of the links may overlap or otherwise intersect.
• the link may have a width wi of various sizes, including but not limited to about 0.2 mm to 1.4 mm, or about 0.2 mm to 1.2 mm, or about 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm, or about 0.4 mm to 1 mm, or about 0.6 mm to 1 mm, or about 0.6 mm to 0.9 mm, or about 0.7 mm to 0.9 mm, or about 0.7 mm to 0.85 mm, or about 0.75 mm to 0.85 mm, or about 0.8 mm.
• the link may have an outer diameter 0 2 of approximately diameter ⁇ z> ⁇ plus twice the width w .
• the link may have a height hi from the base of the link to the base of a rounded portion of the link of various sizes, including but not limited to about 0.25 mm to 3 mm, or about 0.25 mm to 2.5 mm, or about 0.75 mm to 3 mm, or about 0.75 mm to 2.5 mm, or about 1.25 mm to 2.5 mm, or about 1.25 mm to 2 mm, or about 1.4 mm to 2 mm, or about 1.4 mm to 1.6 mm, or about 1.5 mm, or about 1.48 mm.
• the rounded portion of the link may have a radius r 2 of various sizes, including but not limited to about 0 mm (no rounding) to 0.4 mm, or about 0 mm to 0.3 mm, or about 0.03 mm to 0.3 mm, or about 0.03 mm to 0.2 mm, or about 0.06 mm to 0.2 mm, or about 0.06 mm to 0.15 mm, or about 0.09 mm to 0.15 mm, or about 0.09 mm to 0.12 mm, or about 0.1 mm.
• the link is shown as being a half of a circle (e.g., about a 180° segment), in certain embodiments, the link may be a segment having a different angle, including but not limited to about 0° to 360°, or about 0° to 270°, or about 90° to 270°, or about 90° to 210°, or about 120° to 210°, or about 180°.
• FIGS. 23 A and 23B illustrate top and side views, respectively, of an embodiment of shape 11 (split alpha blade) according to certain embodiments.
• a first pair of opposite sides of the embodiment may have a length /; of various sizes including, but not limited to about 2.5 mm to 6.5 mm, or about 2.5 mm to 6 mm, or about 3 mm to 6 mm, or about 3 mm to 5.5 mm, or about 3.5 mm to 5.5 mm, or about 3.5 mm to 5 mm, or about 4 mm to 5 mm, or about 4 mm to 4.75 mm, or about 4.25 mm to 4.75 mm, or about 4.5 mm.
• a second pair of opposite sides of the embodiment may have a length of various sizes related to the length including but not limited to about 0.25x to about 2x, or about 0.25x to 1.75x, or about 0.5x to 1.75x, or about 0.5x to 1.5x, or about 0.75x to 1.5x, or about 0.75x to 1.25x, or about lx the length
• the notch of the embodiment may have a width wi of various sizes, including but not limited to about 0.1 mm to 0.7 mm, or about 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm, or about 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm, or about 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, or about 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm, or about 0.3 mm to 0.45 mm, or about 0.35 mm to 0.45 mm, or about 0.4 mm.
• a distance d between the centers of troughs of the embodiment may be of various sizes, including but not limited to about 0.5 mm to 3.5 mm, or about 0.5 mm to 3 mm, or about 1 mm to 3 mm, or about 1 mm to 2.5 mm, or about 1.25 mm to 2.5 mm, or about 1.25 mm to 2 mm, or about 1.25 mm to 2 mm, or about 1.25 mm to 1.75 mm, or about 1.5 mm.
• a distance ⁇ 3 ⁇ 4 between first and second peaks of the embodiment may have various sizes, including but not limited to about 0.5 mm to 3.5 mm, or about 0.5 mm to 3 mm, or about 1 mm to 3 mm, or about 1 mm to 2.5 mm, or about 1.25 mm to 2.5 mm, or about 1.25 mm to 2 mm, or about 1.25 mm to 2 mm, or about 1.25 mm to 1.75 mm, or about 1.5 mm.
• a distance ⁇ 3 ⁇ 4 between second and third peaks of the embodiment may have various sizes, including but not limited to about 0.5 mm to 3.5 mm, or about 0.5 mm to 3 mm, or about 1 mm to 3 mm, or about 1 mm to 2.5 mm, or about 1.25 mm to 2.5 mm, or about 1.25 mm to 2 mm, or about 1.25 mm to 2 mm, or about 1.25 mm to 1.75 mm, or about 1.5 mm.
• One or more of the peaks may have a rounded tip, the rounded tip having a diameter ⁇ z> ⁇ of various sizes including but not limited to about 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm, or about 0.1 mm to 1.25 mm, or about 0.2 mm to 1.25 mm, or about 0.2 mm to 1 mm, or about 0.3 mm to 1 mm, or about 0.3 mm to 0.75 mm, or about 0.4 mm to 0.75 mm, or about 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm, or about 0.5 mm.
• the peaks may have a height hi from the base of various sizes, including but not limited to about 0.5 mm to 5 mm, or about 0.5 mm to 4 mm, or about 0.75 mm to 4 mm, or about 0.75 mm to 3 mm, or about 1 mm to 3 mm, or about 1 mm to 2.5 mm, or about 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm, or about 1.5 mm to 2.25 mm, or about 1.75 mm to 2.25 mm, or about 2 mm.
• FIGS. 24 A and 24B illustrate top and side views, respectively, of an embodiment of shape 8 and 10 (inverting and non- inverting mushroom features).
• the embodiment may have an outer diameter ⁇ z> ⁇ of various sizes, including but not limited to about 1 mm to 6 mm, or about 1 mm to 5 mm, or about 2 mm to 5 mm, or about 2 mm to 4 mm, or about 2.5 mm to 4 mm, or about 2.5 mm to 3.55 mm, or about 2.75 mm to 3.55 mm, or about 2.75 mm to 3.25 mm, or about 3.05 mm to 3.25 mm, or about 3.15 mm.
• the embodiment may have an inner diameter 0 2 of various sizes, including but not limited to about 0.9 mm to 4 mm, or about 0.9 mm to 3 mm, or about 1.1 mm to 3 mm, or about 1.1 mm to 2.7 mm, or about 1.4 mm to 2.7 mm, or about 1.4 mm to 2.4 mm, or about 1.8 mm to 2.4 mm, or about 1.8 mm to 2 mm, or about 1.9 mm.
• the embodiment may have a base diameter 03 of various sizes, including but not limited to about 0.75 mm to 2.75 mm, or about 0.75 mm to 2.5 mm, or about 1 mm to 2.5 mm, or about 1 mm to 2.25 mm, or about 1.25 mm to 2.25 mm, or about 1.25 mm to 2 mm, or about 1.5 mm to 2 mm, or about 1.5 mm to 1.8 mm, or about 1.7 mm to 1.8 mm, or about 1.75 mm.
• the embodiment may have a height hi of various sizes, including but not limited to about 1 mm to 5 mm, or about 1 mm to 4 mm, or about 1.6 mm to 4 mm, or about 1.6 mm to 3.6 mm, or about 2.1 mm to 3.6 mm, or about 2.1 mm to 3.1 mm, or about 2.4 mm to 3.1 mm, or about 2.4 mm to 2.8 mm, or about 2.6 mm.
• the top of the embodiment may have a depression having a depth d of various sizes, including but not limited to about 0 mm (no depression) to about 1.4 mm, or about 0.2 mm to 1.4 mm, or about 0.4 mm to 1.4 mm, or about 0.4 mm to 1.2 mm, or about 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm, or about 0.6 mm to 1 mm, or about 0.7 mm to 1 mm, or about 0.7 mm to 0.9 mm, or about 0.8 mm.
• the embodiment may have a distance ⁇ 3 ⁇ 4 from the top of the mushroom to a diameter transition portion of various sizes, including but not limited to about 0.1 mm to 1.3 mm, or about 1.3 mm to 1.3 mm, or about 0.3 mm to 1.1 mm, or about 0.5 mm to 1.1 mm, or about 0.5 mm to 0.9 mm, or about 0.6 mm to 0.9 mm, or about 0.6 mm to 0.8 mm, or about 0.7 mm.
• the embodiment may have an angle ⁇ between the diameter transition portion and an outer surface of the embodiment of various amounts including but not limited to about 0° to 180°, or about 0° to 135°, or about 10° to 135°, or about 10° to 110°, or about 20° to 110°, or about 20° to 85°, or about 30° to 85°, or about 30° to 60°, or about 35° to 60°, or about 35° to 55°, or about 40°.
• embodiments may be used for skin treatments (e.g., anti-aging treatment, anti-acne treatment, pore reduction treatment, callus treatment, or other treatments), application of products to skin (e.g., sunscreen, moisturizer, anti-aging cream, or other products), or other applications.
• skin treatments e.g., anti-aging treatment, anti-acne treatment, pore reduction treatment, callus treatment, or other treatments
• products to skin e.g., sunscreen, moisturizer, anti-aging cream, or other products
• the device may be packaged into a kit comprising interchangeable cleansing head sections of varying designs.
• a user may select a desired design to correspond to a desired level of stretch intensity or effectiveness for the user's individual skin type.
• the interchangeability may be accomplished by enabling the cleansing features, one or more cleansing head sections, and/or the cleansing head to be interchangeable.
• the invention illustratively disclosed herein can be suitably practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of examples, and are described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.
• the invention suitably comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of the elements described herein and claimed according to the claims.

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