WO2019057250A1

WO2019057250A1 - Hand-held iontophoretic device for treating the scalp

Info

Publication number: WO2019057250A1
Application number: PCT/DE2018/100806
Authority: WO
Original assignee: Wellstar Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2017-09-25
Filing date: 2018-09-24
Publication date: 2019-03-28
Also published as: WO2019057250A8; DE112018005438A5

Abstract

The invention relates to a hand-held iontophoretic device for treating the scalp, comprising a hand-held device housing (1) having a treatment head with a treatment head surface (10), an electrode system for applying an electrical iontophoretic current, when said electrode system is in contact with the scalp, being provided on the treatment head surface (10) and a dosing system for applying an iontophoretic active ingredient formulation to the scalp being provided adjacently to the electrode system. According to the invention, the electrode system is formed as a plurality of electrically conductive polymer bristles (11) provided in the treatment head surface (10).

Description

Lontophoresis handpiece for scalp treatment

The invention relates to a handheld lontophoresis device for scalp treatment, in particular for the regeneration of hair follicles in the scalp, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a handset includes a handset housing having a treatment head with a treatment head surface. At the

Treatment head surface is disposed an electrode means for applying a Lontophorese current in contact of the electrode means with the scalp of a human body. Further disposed on the treatment head surface adjacent to the electrode means is a dosing means for applying an iontophoresis active agent formulation to the scalp.

Lontophoresis is a process which is used in particular for the introduction of active substances and nutrients into the skin, in particular into the scalp, in which active substances and nutrients are introduced into the epidermis, driven by an ion flow generated by means of direct current. Likewise, the iontophoresis but at a reversal of the DC direction is also suitable for the discharge of moisture and thereby with discharged waste products from the epidermis and thus for their deep cleaning. For this purpose, specially pretreated substance mixtures are applied to the scalp part to be treated for the iontophoresis and then brought into contact with the treatment head surface together with the electrode device arranged there with a defined electrical polarity (electrically positive or electrically negative). As a result, an iontophoresis direct current is introduced from the scalp part or into the scalp part. The electrical polarity of the electrode device is based on the specially adapted iontophoresis active ingredient formulation used Generating a so-called positive iontophoresis or a so-called negative iontophoresis set.

If the electrode device passed through by the DC current is electrically negatively poled, one speaks of negative iontophoresis. Positive poled electrode means positive iontophoresis.

The lontophoresis handpiece for scalp treatment exhibits in one

Gripping portion of a counter electrode, which is encompassed by the hand of the person whose scalp is to be iontophoretically treated. By the

Surrounding the counter electrode is an electrical contact between the iontophoresis handset and the arm and body of the person with the scalp lot to be treated. The established by the electrode device, by the iontophoresis active ingredient formulation, by the body of the person on the arm and the counter electrode electrical

DC circuitry exerts a driving force on ionized molecules in the iontophoresis drug formulations used. This force on the ions also works in the underlying scalp layers. As an effect of this ionic flux, in active iontophoresis, the active substances and nutrients can be introduced in higher concentrations and deeper into the scalp parts to be treated than with a purely topical application of conventional treatment agents. Conventional treatment agents are not suitable for iontophoresis use. For this purpose, especially for the iontophoresis use pretreated drug formulations are required. The positive

By means of such iontophoresis active agent formulations, iontophoresis provides a deep supply of the scalp with active ingredients and nutrients.

The negative iontophoresis is mainly used for the deep cleansing of the scalp epidermis. In this iontophoresis DC flow, the induced ion flux provides moisture to the scalp, which is pulled upwards from deeper layers of the scalp. In this way, slag from deeper layers of the scalp with upwards moves the scalp surface, which there mix with a washing product and wash off. The negatively poled electrode means has a repulsive effect on negatively charged ionized substances. If such charged substances are present in the iontophoresis mixture mixture formulation used, they can be introduced into the scalp epidermis in the case of negative iontophoresis parallel to the above-described deep cleansing.

A generic iontophoresis handpiece for scalp treatment is known for example from AT386340B.

The known iontophoresis handpieces for scalp treatment usually operate with the DC effect described above. Often, the treatment of the scalp is made more difficult by the condition of the scalp epidermis. In such cases, the epidermis acts as a primary barrier to the establishment of ion flow throughout the scalp layers.

The invention is therefore the object of an improved

To provide iontophoresis hand-held device for scalp treatment.

This object is achieved by an iontophoresis hand-held device for scalp treatment having the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the electrode device is designed in the form of a multiplicity of electrically conductive polymer bristles arranged in the treatment head surface and surrounding the metering device. Instead of an electrode device in the form of rigid, usually metallic, smooth surfaces, the iontophoresis DC current exits from a large number of electrically conductive polymer bristles. These many polymer bristles are disposed adjacent to one another in the treatment head surface and surround the metering device. The polymer bristles practice in one movement of the treatment head relative to the scalp to be treated from an abrasive effect on the epidermis of the scalp.

In a negative iontophoresis can thus be supportive to a

Deep cleansing of the scalp epidermis superficial

Scalp blemishes in the form of a combination of old scalp flakes with environmental particulate matter and skin lipids due to the abrasive movement of the polymer bristles away from the scalp epidermis

mechanically loosened and loosened. By removing the

superficial scalp contamination can also be caused by the

Lontophoresis- Handpiece-induced ion flow will flow better through the scalp epidermis, thus enhancing the iontophoretic deep-cleansing of the scalp epidermis through negative iontophoresis. In the case of positive iontophoresis, the abrasive action of the polymer bristles generated by the movement of the treatment head on the scalp area to be treated assists in the distribution and introduction of the active ingredients and nutrients for the deep care of the scalp epidermis. This also applies to the infectable in a negative iontophoresis agents and nutrients.

The polymer bristles preferably have diameters of up to 3 mm, more preferably up to 2 mm, and most preferably 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the electrically conductive polymer bristles protrude more than five millimeters beyond the treatment head surface. The preferred length is in a range of 10 to 1 5 mm.

As electrically sufficiently conductive and at the same time permanently elastic material, an electrically conductive rendered rubber has been found. For this material consist of polymer bristles or they have this material predominantly. There are highly pure rubbers used, preferably with fine soot particles, z. B. in the form of acetylene black, and then vulcanized. From the state of the art Known examples of the preparation of such a rubber can be found for example in the publications DE3853068D1 and DE3919869C2.

Advantageously, the metering device has a plurality of metering nozzles, each metering nozzle of at least four electrically conductive

Surrounded by polymer bristles. Preference is given to five, six to seven times more electrically conductive polymer bristles compared to the number of metering nozzles of the metering device. The metering nozzles are a few millimeters shorter compared to the electrically conductive polymer bristles, so that the application of iontophoresis active substance formulations can be carried out without touching the scalp by the metering nozzles.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, a plurality of the electrically conductive polymer bristles in the interior of the treatment head are coupled to a mechanical vibration device such that the sections of the electrically conductive polymer bristles projecting beyond the treatment head surface can be excited to periodic vibrations with amplitudes of less than two millimeters. The locally acting abrasive effect of the conductive polymer bristles is thereby significantly increased again compared to the rubbing effect caused purely by manual movement. The scalp surface cleansing achieved by the vibration of the polymer bristles in conjunction with cleansing cosmetics is at the same time accompanied by the deep cleansing of the scalp epidermis caused by iontophoresis during negative iontophoresis. The incoming surface cleaning facilitates and enhances the iontophoresis processes, so that a significantly better overall scalp treatment result is achieved as compared to prior art iontophoretic hand-held devices. In positive iontophoresis, the conductive polymer bristles ensure the delivery of nutrients and active ingredients into deep layers of the scalp epidermis, which is completely painless and, compared to many alternative methods for treating the scalp, especially in hair loss, unlike the use of syringes and needles hygienic. The vibration of the conductive polymer bristles promotes the microscopic processes required for iontophoresis.

Depending on the vibration frequency and energy used, the depth of action can be influenced and adjusted in the scalp layers. Different vibration patterns can be realized. A purely linear back and forth of the conductive polymer bristles, a circular or an oval-like movement, but also more complex movement patterns like

For example, a cross shape can be realized by appropriately trained vibration devices. Preferably, circular or oval-like movement patterns are used, because they are adapted

Vibrating devices, for example, piezoelectrically operated, are low available and require a relatively small amount of space. Furthermore, it is advantageous that in addition to the electrically conductive

Polymer bristles electrically non-conductive polymer bristles in the

Treatment head surface are arranged. These are preferably also formed of rubber. Since this rubber does not have to be rendered conductive, it is possible to use a highly pure natural product with the desired permanently elastic properties, which produces a pleasant and not too rough feeling when moving on the scalp part to be treated. The parameters such as polymer bristle diameter and polymer bristle length are in the same range as previously described for the electrical

conductive polymer bristles has been described.

The electrically conductive polymer bristles and the electrically non-conductive polymer bristles of this invention can be due to the aforementioned parameters for polymer bristles material, polymer bristle diameter and

Polymer bristle length also synonymously referred to as polymer nappies.

In a combination of electrically conductive polymer bristles with electrically non-conductive polymer bristles the electrically non-conductive polymer bristles surround the electrically conductive polymer bristles on the Treatment head surface preferably on all sides. The electrically conductive polymer bristles usually cause a rougher feeling in their mechanical interaction with the scalp parts to be treated. Therefore, it is advantageous for the handset user's body feel when a softer bristle area surrounds or encloses the rougher electrically conductive polymer bristles on all sides. In this constellation that offers

Lontophoresis handpiece for scalp treatment an optimized spatial distribution of different mechanical and electrical treatment interactions with the scalp. The dosing device gives the

Lontophoresis drug formulation on the scalp. By a

Usually circulating macroscopic movement of the treatment head on the scalp that is manually influenced by the user of the handset, the electrically conductive polymer bristles and the electrically nonconductive polymer bristles distribute the active substance formulation on the scalp, the nutrients and active substances being painless and hygienic through the contact with the electrically conductive polymer bristles allowed iontophoresis to be introduced into the epidermis of the scalp. In this process, it is optimal if both the conductive polymer bristles and the non-conductive ones

Polymer bristles on a vibratory device in microscopic

Movements, so-called micro-circulations are offset. The effects generated by this will be further explained below.

For the electrically non-conductive polymer bristles inside the

Treatment head also applies with particular advantage that they are coupled to a vibration device such that the on the

Excite treatment head surface protruding portions of the electrically non-conductive polymer bristles to vibrate with amplitudes of less than two millimeters. The locally acting abrasive and

circulation enhancing effect of the non-conductive polymer bristles is thereby significantly increased compared to the rubbing effect caused purely by manual movement of the non-conductive polymer bristles. The vibration caused by the non-conductive polymer bristles interacts with

Cleaning cosmetics achieved surface cleansing of the scalp epidermis At the same time it is accompanied by the deep cleansing of the scalp epidermis caused by negative iontophoresis. Surface cleaning due to the abrasive movement of the polymer bristles facilitates and enhances the iontophoresis processes in both negative and positive iontophoresis, thus providing a significantly better overall scalp treatment result, as compared to prior art iontophoresis hand held devices is achieved. In positive iontophoresis, the vibration of the non-conductive polymer bristles provides even better

Fine distribution of the iontophoresis active agent formulations on the scalp. This also works in conjunction with the preferably also vibrating electrically conductive polymer nappies supportive for the iontophoretic introduction of nutrients and active ingredients.

Depending on the vibration frequency and energy used, the depth of action can be influenced and adjusted in the scalp layers. Different vibration patterns can be realized. A purely linear back and forth of the non-conductive polymer bristles, a circular or an oval-like movement, but also more complex movement patterns such as a cross shape can be realized by appropriately trained vibration devices. Preferably, circular or oval-like movement patterns are used, because they are adapted

Vibrating devices, for example, piezoelectrically operated, are low available and require a relatively small amount of space. It has proven advantageous in experiments that the vibrations of the vibrating device for the conductive and / or the non-conductive

Polymer bristles in the frequency range from 1 kHz to 50 kHz. Preference is given to frequencies in the range of 15 to 35 kHz and more preferably in the range of 25 to 30 kHz.

For all variants of the iontophoresis handpiece for scalp treatment described above, their dosing device is a receptacle for a disposable container with an iontophoresis active ingredient formulation having. Such a receptacle may be incorporated in the treatment head or in the handle portion of the iontophoresis handset. The disposable containers are

usually provided for a single treatment of the scalp in terms of their capacity. The iontophoresis handset offers different iontophoresis

Treatment programs for the scalp. These vary in addition to the

specific active ingredient formulation used with regard to the polarity of the electrode device (positive or negative iontophoresis), the applied currents and electrical power and the

Treatment duration.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the metering device is set up and designed in such a way that the application of an iontophoresis active ingredient formulation is controlled by gas pressure. In an embodiment of the metering nozzles of the metering device with nozzles and pressure valve function at their ends, which are provided for the exit of the drug formulations, the applied gas pressure above a threshold value can be used to open the nozzles with their valve function for the application of the formulation , If the gas pressure falls below the threshold again, then the nozzles close again with the pressure valve function. Furthermore, the gas pressure control has the advantage that the iontophoresis active ingredient formulations can be completely driven out of the metering nozzles.

For all the preceding variants of the iontophoresis handpiece for scalp treatment, it is true that they advantageously have an electrical energy source in the form of a rechargeable battery. The accumulator is arranged in the handset housing. This allows a particularly comfortable and user-friendly wireless handling of the handset. Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent in connection with the following description of a purely exemplary

Embodiment of the iontophoresis handpiece for scalp treatment explained. It shows:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the entire treatment and functional side of the purely exemplary single embodiment of the iontophoresis handpiece for scalp treatment;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the Lontophorese- handset

Figure 1 and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the iontophoresis handpiece treatment head of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the entire treatment and functional side of an embodiment of the iontophoresis handpiece for scalp treatment which is shown purely by way of example. All components of this handheld lontophoresis device are arranged in a handset housing 1. The

Handset housing 1 is ergonomically shaped so that it can be comfortably held by a user in the area of its lower half in FIG. 1. At the upper end of the handset housing 1 is the

Treatment head with its curved treatment head surface 10. This treatment head surface 10 is in particular occupied with electrically non-conductive polymer bristles 12 and with comb bristles 14, the one in the

Have substantially cylindrical basic shape and are consistently represented as white cylinders. The electrically non-conductive polymer bristles 12 surround a plurality of electrically conductive polymer bristles 11, which also have a substantially cylindrical basic shape with identical or very similar proportions to the electrically non-conductive polymer bristles 12. The electrically conductive polymer bristles 1 1 are shown as black cylinders.

On all sides surrounded by the electrically conductive polymer bristles 1 1 are arranged centrally over almost the entire width of the treatment head surface 10 along a straight extension axis equidistantly five metering nozzles 13 of a metering device for the application of an iontophoresis drug formulation. These six metering nozzles 1 3 are on both sides along their strung arrangement each surrounded by equally rectilinear and equidistant from each other arranged conductive polymer bristles 11, staggered on both sides in three rows are set up. The non-conductive polymer bristles 12 continue to adjoin the outside. Along their outer edge, the electrically non-conductive polymer bristles 12 are surrounded by the likewise electrically non-conductive comb bristles 14. The comb bristles 14, in comparison with the conductive polymer bristles 11 and the electrically non-conductive polymer bristles 12 have a slightly larger bristle diameter and are also arranged at a greater distance from each other on the treatment head surface 10. In the enlarged view of the treatment head surface 10 shown in FIG. 3, the arrangement of the electrically conductive polymer bristles 11, the electrically non-conductive polymer bristles 12, the metering nozzles 13 and the comb bristles 14 can be better recognized and will be described in more detail below.

The sum of the electrically conductive polymer bristles 11 together form an electrode device of the iontophoresis handpiece for scalp treatment. This polymer bristle-electrode device contacts an iontophoretic drug formulation applied from dosing nozzles 13 on the surface of a user's scalp to be treated. The user holds the handset housing 1 in his hand and thereby inevitably touches on the back of the handset housing 1 and therefore not shown in Figures 1 and 2, arranged counter electrode. From a not shown in the figure 1, arranged in the handset housing 1

electric power source, a direct current through the electroconductive polymer bristles 11 forming the electrode means is sent into the skin area to be treated and thus into the body of the user. The circuit closes through the user's body and its arm flows into the holding hand. The holding hand of the user is in mechanical contact with the counter electrode (not shown here) on the back of the

Handset Housing 1. If the polarity of the electrode assembly and the counter electrode are reversed, the DC current is reversed. The known from the prior art operation of the different lontophoresis treatments is in the

Introduction to the description and in the explanation of the preferred

Embodiments have been set forth and therefore should not be repeated here again.

To activate the lontophoresis handpiece for scalp treatment, an on-off switch 6 is provided with a display device 60 arranged concentrically around this on-off switch 6. In addition to the display device 60, further, not shown here, display areas may be provided which indicate different treatment program modes of the iontophoresis handset or visualize, for example, the treatment duration of the current treatment.

Furthermore, at the lower end of the handset housing 1 electrical

Charging contacts 5 and a connector device 4 is provided. The

Plug device 4 allows, if necessary, the production of a digital communication connection to the electronic control device of the iontophoresis handset and / or the charging of the im

Handset housing 1 provided accumulator. For the user to be made settings of the selected treatment programs, a function switch 7 is arranged above the on-off switch 6.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the iontophoresis handset of Figure 1. The same components are provided with the same reference numerals. To avoid repetition, it should be emphasized that the statements made above regarding these components apply accordingly.

The ergonomic design of the handset housing 1 is better recognizable in this view. In addition, the handset housing 1 offers space inside for other components, which are shown purely schematically.

In the handset housing are purely schematically an electrical energy source 2, which is usually designed as an accumulator, and a Vibrating device 3 shown. The vibration device 3 ensures that both the electrically conductive polymer bristles 1 1 and the electrically non-conductive polymer bristles 12 having a frequency in the kilohertz range, z. B. with 28kHz, periodically vibrate. The resulting microscopic mechanical vibrations of the bristles significantly support the

Functionality and physiological effectiveness of the iontophoresis processes. On the one hand, the epidermis is mechanically stressed by the combination of the macroscopic user-induced movement of the bristle head with the microscopic mechanical vibrations of the bristles and thereby cleaned. On the other hand, the combination of these two movements effectively and efficiently distributes the iontophoresis active ingredient formulation applied by the dosing nozzles 13 on the scalp surface, whose active ingredients and nutrients are introduced into the depth of the scalp epidermis by means of the electrical direct current circuit established via the conductive polymer bristles. This results in an optimized treatment of the scalp.

The iontophoresis active ingredient formulation is supplied to the dosing nozzles of the dosing device from a disposable container C in the form of a small capsule. This capsule C contains a few milliliters of the iontophoresis active substance formulation and can be used, for example, via a flap, which is not visible in this view, on the rear side of the handset housing 1 spatially close behind the treatment head surface 10. Per application, the capsule C is usually to change. A gas pressure device also not shown here allows the controlled application of

An iontophoresis active substance formulation on the scalp part to be treated, provided that the metering nozzles of the metering device are formed at their end sections with pressure-controlled valve devices (not illustrated in the figures). FIG. 3 shows an enlarged plan view of the treatment head surface 10 from the iontophoresis handpiece for scalp treatment from FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Identical components are provided with the same reference numerals. Around To avoid repetition, it should be emphasized that the statements made above regarding these components apply accordingly.

The combined use of electrically conductive polymer bristles 1 1 and electrically non-conductive polymer bristles 12 and the outermost arranged comb bristles 14, each surrounded in a plurality of five linearly arranged metering nozzles 13, shows the spatial distribution of the respective

Polymer bristles associated functionalities. The applied iontophoresis active ingredient formulation is applied to the scalp by the metering nozzles 13 according to their arrangement along a line. The

macroscopic and by the vibration device preferably for all polymer bristles generated microscopic movement of the multifunctional bristle ensemble distributes the formulation and massages them on the

Scalp, wherein the matched to the formulation Lontophorese- DC ensures the introduction of the active ingredients and nutrients from the formulation. The comb bristles 14 cause a kind of pre-structuring of the polymer bristle ensemble consisting of the electrically non-conductive polymer bristles 12 and the electrically conductive

Polymer bristles 1 1 entering hair.

Reference number list:

1 handset housing

10 treatment head surface

1 1 electrically conductive polymer bristles

12 electrically non-conductive polymer bristles

13 dosing nozzles of the dosing device

14 comb bristles

2 electrical energy source

3 vibration device

4 plug device

5 charging contacts

6 on-off switch

60 display device

7 function switch

C Disposable container with iontophoresis active ingredient formulation

Claims

claims:

1. Lontophoresis handpiece for scalp treatment with

a handset housing (1) comprising a treatment head having a treatment head surface (10), an electrode means for applying an iontophoresis electrical current in contact of the electrode means with the scalp being disposed on the treatment head surface (10) and adjacent to the electrodes Means a dosing device for applying a Lontophorese active substance formulation is arranged on the scalp,

characterized in that

the electrode device in the form of a plurality of electrically conductive, in the treatment head surface (10) arranged and the metering device () surrounding polymer bristles (11) is formed.

2. iontophoresis handset according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrically conductive polymer bristles (11) protrude more than five millimeters beyond the treatment head surface.

3. iontophoresis handset according to claim 1 or 2, characterized

in that the electrically conductive polymer bristles (11) comprise an electrically conductive rubber.

4. iontophoresis handpiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metering device has a plurality of metering nozzles (13), wherein each metering nozzle is surrounded by at least four electrically conductive polymer bristles (11).

5. iontophoresis handset according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of the electrically conductive polymer bristles (11) in the interior of the treatment head in such a way to a vibration device (3) is coupled, that over the

Treatment head surface (10) protruding portions of the electrically conductive polymer bristles (11) to periodic vibrations with

Amplitudes of less than two millimeters can be stimulated.

6. iontophoresis handset according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that in addition to the electrically conductive

Polymer bristles (11) are arranged electrically non-conductive polymer bristles (12) in the treatment head surface (10).

7. iontophoresis handset according to claim 6, characterized in that the electrically non-conductive polymer bristles (12) surrounding the electrically conductive polymer bristles (11) on the treatment head surface (10).

8. iontophoresis handset according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that a plurality of electrically non-conductive

Polymer bristles (12) are coupled in the interior of the treatment head to a vibrating device (3) that over the

The treatment head surface (10) protruding portions of the electrically non-conductive polymer bristles (12) to stimulate periodic vibrations with amplitudes of less than two millimeters.

9. iontophoresis handset according to one of claims 5 or 8, characterized in that the vibrations in the frequency range from 25kHz to 30kHz.

10. iontophoresis handset according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the dosing device has a receptacle (12) for a disposable container (C) with an iontophoresis active ingredient formulation.

11. iontophoresis handset according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the metering device is set up in this way and is formed so that the application of an iontophoresis active ingredient formulation is controlled by gas pressure.

12. iontophoresis hand tool according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metering metering nozzles (1 3) which are shorter than the conductive polymer bristles (1 1) are formed and at their ends valve means for pressure-controlled application of iontophoresis active ingredient formulations respectively.

13. iontophoresis handset according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrically conductive

Polymer bristles (1 1) are surrounded by a plurality of comb bristles (14) having a larger bristle diameter than the electrically conductive polymer bristles (1 1) and the comb bristles (14) are arranged one below the other at a greater distance than the electrically conductive polymer bristles (1 1).

14. iontophoresis handset according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hand-held device has an electrical

Having energy source in the form of an accumulator (2).