Method and apparatus for the treatment of cosmetic skin conditions

• US 20020193831A1
• Filed: 04/25/2002
• Published: 12/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Smith, Edward Dewey III
• Application Number:
  US10/132,026
• Publication Number:
  US 20020193831A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/10 Applying static electricity applying ionised gases or vapours A61N1/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of cosmetic skin conditions such as regional fat deposits, and in particular for the treatment of cellulite using an electrostatically discharged current. The method comprises treating a selected area of a cosmetic skin condition by the electrostatic application, from a storage medium, of a current between the storage medium and the selected area. The invention is further concerned with a kit for treating a selected area of cosmetic skin conditions such as regional fat deposits, and in particular for the treatment of cellulite. The kit includes a device comprising an electrostatic storage medium from which, in use, a current is electrostatically discharged between the device and the selected area and a composition adapted to be applied on or adjacent the selected area. The kit preferably further includes a device comprising at least one alternative energy form selected from the group comprising light, ultrasound, active massage, heat, compression, static magnets and combinations thereof.

Claims

1. A device for treating a selected area of cosmetic skin conditions such as regional fat deposits, the device comprising a storage medium from which, in use, a current is electrostatically discharged between the selected area and the device.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the current is in the range of between 1 microamps and 1000 microamps.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the storage medium has a potential thereon of between 0.5 kilovolts and 20 kilovolts.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the storage medium is an electret.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the storage medium is the form of a diffuser.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the diffuser is an air filled glass bulb.

7. A device according to claim 5 wherein the potential is applied to the diffuser from an induction coil.

8. A device according to claim 5 wherein the potential applied to the diffuser is an alternating potential.

9. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a source of at least one alternative energy form selected from the group comprising light, ultrasound, active massage, heat, compression, static magnets and combinations thereof, wherein the, or each, alternative energy form is applied at or adjacent the selected area.

10. A device according to claim 9 wherein the alternative energy form comprises ultrasound.

11. A device according to claim 10 wherein the ultrasound source comprises an ultrasonic generator for generating pressure waves having a frequency of at least 16 kHz.

12. A device according to claim 11 wherein the device includes an ultrasonic applicator for applying the ultrasonic output of said ultrasonic generator to the selected area.

13. A device according to claim 1 wherein the alternative energy form comprises active massage.

14. A device according to claim 13 wherein the device includes one or more mechanical massaging elements for application to the treatment area.

15. A device according to claims 1 wherein the alternative energy form comprises a static magnet.

16. A device according to claim 15 wherein the device includes a series of juxtaposed static magnets for application to the treatment area.

18. A method according to claim 17 comprising the steps of;

(1) exposing the selected area to the current; and

(2) exposing the selected area to a source of at least one alternative energy form selected from the group comprising light, ultrasound, active massage, heat, compression, static magnets and combinations thereof.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the selected area is simultaneously exposed to the current and to the, or each, alternative energy form source.

20. A method according to claim 18 wherein the selected area is sequentially exposed, in either order, to the current and to the, or each, alternative energy form source.

21. A method according to claim 18 wherein the method includes applying a topical composition on or adjacent the selected area before, during, or after exposing the treatment area to the current and/or the, or each, alternative energy form.

22. A method according to claim 18 wherein the method includes administering an oral composition before, during or after exposing the selected area to the current and/or the, or each, alternative energy form.

24. A kit according to claim 23 further including a device comprising at least one alternative energy form selected from the group comprising light, ultrasound, active massage, heat, compression, static magnets and combinations thereof, wherein the, or each, alternative energy form is applied at or adjacent the selected area.

25. A kit according to claim 23 wherein the current is in the range of between 1 microamp and 1000 microamps.

26. A kit according to claim 23 wherein the storage medium has a potential thereon of between 0.5 kilovolts and 20 kilovolts.

27. A kit according to claim 23 wherein the storage medium is an electret.

28. A kit according to claim 23 wherein the storage medium is in the form of a diffuser.

29. A kit according to claim 28 wherein the diffuser is an air filled glass bulb.

30. A kit according to claim 28 wherein the potential is applied to the diffuser from an induction coil.

31. A kit according to claim 23 further including an oral composition.

32. A kit according to claim 23 wherein the topical composition is selected from the group consisting of theophylline, aminophylline, niacinamide, retinyl palmitate and mixtures thereof.

33. A kit according to claim 23 wherein the oral composition includes caffeine, soy extracts, soy isolates including soy isoflavones.

17. A method of treating a selected area of a cosmetic skin condition such as regional fat deposits by the electrostatic application, from a storage medium, of a current between the storage medium and the selected area.

23. A kit for treating a selected area of a cosmetic skin condition such as regional fat deposits including;

(1) a device comprising an electrostatic storage medium from which, in use, a current is electrostatically discharged between the device and selected area; and

(2) a topical composition adapted to be applied on or adjacent the selected area.