Apparatus and method for acoustic/mechanical treatment of early stage acne

• US 20050277950A1
• Filed: 01/15/2003
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: Pacific Bioscience Laboratories Incorporated (L'Oreal SA)
• Inventors: Pilcher, Kenneth A., Giuliani, David, Meginniss, Stephen M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,320,691 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/54 Chiropodists' instruments , e.g. pedicure chiropractic devices A61H1/008
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00747 Dermatology
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320012 Brushes

Abstract

The apparatus includes at least two skin-contacting elements, the elements having narrow end faces and a mounting assembly for holding the elements closely adjacent to each other. A driving assembly reciprocally moves one element relative to the adjacent element(s) at a frequency that produces an action on the pores of the skin to loosen sebaceous plugs present in the pores, by permitting their ready removal from the skin.

Claims

1. An apparatus for treatment of acne, comprising:

at least two contacting elements having end faces, in substantially the same plane, wherein at least one contacting element is a moving contacting element;

a mounting assembly for holding the contacting elements substantially adjacent to each other; and

an assembly for reciprocally moving said at least one moving contacting element relative to at least one adjacent contacting element, wherein when the apparatus is positioned so that the end faces of the contacting elements contact the skin, an action on the skin is produced to remove sebum plugs from skin pores, permitting ready removal thereof from the skin.

2. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frequency of movement of the moving contacting element is within a range of 20 Hz to 1 KHz.

3. An apparatus of claim 2, wherein the frequency is preferably within the range of 80-200 Hz.

4. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movement of the contacting element places the skin in alternating shear, which assists in loosening the sebaceous plugs from the skin pores in which they are located.

5. An apparatus of claim 4, wherein the movement of moving contacting element is reciprocally linear in nature.

6. An apparatus of claim 4, wherein the movement of moving contact element is reciprocally arcuate in nature.

7. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein the contacting elements comprise a rigid material.

8. An apparatus of claim 7, in which the contacting elements have a contacting surface with a roughness within a range of 5 to 20 microinches.

9. An apparatus of claim 8, in which the roughness is approximately 10 microinches.

10. An apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ratio of peak amplitude of movement of the moving contacting element is within a range of 15%-120% of the distance between adjacent contacting elements moving with respect to each other.

11. An apparatus of claim 10, wherein said ratio is approximately 60%.

12. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein contacting elements comprise, respectively, rows of bristle tufts.

13. An apparatus of claim 12, wherein the bristles have a diameter in the range of 2 to 5 mils and a length in the range of 0.250 to 0.600 inches, and wherein the bristle material has a flexural modulus in the range of 100 to 1000 kpsi.

14. An apparatus of claim 12, wherein the tufts have mechanical characteristics such that a displacement of 0.062 inches at the base of a tuft causes a force in the range of 0.3 grams to 1.4 grams, to be exerted on the skin at the end of said tuft.

15. An apparatus of claim 14, wherein the force is approximately 0.61 grams.

16. An apparatus of claim 12, wherein the peak amplitude of motion at the base of one bristle tuft with respect to that of an adjacent contacting element is in the range of 10%-125% of the center-to-center distance between adjacent contacting elements moving with respect to each other.

17. An apparatus of claim 16, wherein said peak amplitude of motion at the base of one bristle tuft with respect to that of an adjacent element is approximately 45%.

18. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein the contacting elements comprise a compliant material.

19. An apparatus of claim 18, wherein the contacting elements comprise an elastomeric solid material.

20. An apparatus of claim 18, wherein the contacting elements comprise a foam material.

21. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movement of the moving contacting element reciprocally places the skin in alternating tension and compression.

22. An apparatus of claim 21, wherein the peak amplitude of movement of any moving contacting element is a linear displacement with respect to a point on an adjacent contacting element, and where said linear displacement is in the range of 10% to 60% of the distance between adjacent contacting elements when in their neutral position.

23. An apparatus of claim 22, wherein said linear displacement is approximately 40%.

24. An apparatus of claim 21, wherein the contacting elements are composed of a rigid material.

25. An apparatus of claim 24, wherein the contacting elements have a surface finish in the range of 5 to 20 microinches.

26. An apparatus of claim 25, wherein the surface finish is approximately 10 microinches.

27. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motion of the moving contacting elements is controlled by a control means whereby the amplitude of motion of the moving contacting elements is substantially reduced when the contacting elements are not in contact with the skin and whereby the amplitude of motion of the moveable contacting elements is at the preferred magnitude when the contacting elements are applied to the skin with correct pressure for optimal operation and whereby the amplitude of motion of the moveable contacting elements is modified in a manner detectible by the user when the contacting elements are applied to the skin with greater than the correct pressure.

28. An apparatus of claim 1, including a fluid supplying structure positioned adjacent to the contacting elements and wherein said structure supplies a fluid which contacts the skin during operation.

29. An apparatus of claim 1, including a fluid-containing structure positioned adjacent the contacting elements and wherein said fluid-containing structure substantially prevents fluid from being expelled from the apparatus by movement of the contacting elements.

30. An apparatus of claim 29, wherein said fluid-containing structure consists of bristle tufts having a free end in approximately the same plane as that of the contacting elements.

31. An apparatus of claim 1, including a control assembly for controlling pressure applied to the skin so as to minimize the likelihood that excess skin pressure is exerted on the moving contacting elements.

32. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein said contacting elements are removable and replaceable.

33. An apparatus of claim 1, having a timing means, responsive to the device being turned on, for producing successive indications of intervals of elapsed time, wherein the intervals of elapsed time are related to desired times for treating portions of the face, wherein the successive indications of time are provided within a pre-established set period of time during which the apparatus is operating;

and means for maintaining the status of the timing means for a selected period of time after the apparatus has been turned off during said pre-established period of time after the apparatus has been turned on.

34. An apparatus of claim 33, wherein the successive indications of time are provided within a pre-established set period of time during which the apparatus is operating.

35. An apparatus of claim 34, wherein the set period of time is approximately one minute and wherein the selected intervals of time are approximately 10 to 20 seconds.

36. An apparatus of claim 33, wherein the indications are a selected one of a) an audible signal and b) a detectable change in moving contacting element movement.

37. An apparatus of claim 33, wherein the indications comprise both an audible signal and a detectable change in moving contacting element movement.

38. An apparatus of claim 33, including means for changing the state of the timing means between enabled and disabled after the apparatus is turned on.

39. An apparatus of claim 38, wherein the changing means is responsive to an on/off switch being pressed on for a selected period of time.

40. An apparatus of claim 39, wherein a first audible signal indicates that the timing means has been enabled and a second audible signal different from the first audible signal indicates that the timing means has been disabled.

41. An apparatus of claim 12, wherein the rows of bristle tufts comprise a plurality of straight rows, alternating ones of which (a) move and (b) remain fixed in position.

42. An apparatus of claim 41, including a further row of fixed bristle tufts surrounding the plurality of straight rows.

43. An apparatus of claim 12, wherein the rows of bristle tufts comprise a plurality of straight rows, alternating ones of which move in opposing directions.

44. An apparatus of claim 43, including a further row of fixed bristle tufts surrounding the plurality of straight rows.

45. An apparatus of claim 12, wherein the rows of bristle tufts comprise a plurality of circular rows, alternating ones of which (a) move and (b) remain fixed in position.

46. An apparatus of claim 45, including a further row of fixed bristle tufts surrounding the plurality of circular rows.

47. An apparatus of claim 12, wherein the rows of bristle tufts comprise a plurality of circular rows, alternating ones of which move in opposing directions.

48. An apparatus of claim 47, including a further row of bristle tufts surrounding the plurality of circular rows.

49. An apparatus for treatment of acne, comprising:

at least one moving contacting element having an end face for contacting the skin of a user; and

an assembly for reciprocally moving said contact element in a bi-directional manner, such that when the apparatus is positioned so that the contacting element end face contacts the skin, an action on the skin is produced to remove sebum plugs from the skin pores, permitting ready removal thereof from the skin.

50. An apparatus of claim 49, wherein the frequency of movement of the contacting element is within a range of 80-200 Hz.

51. An apparatus of claim 49, wherein movement of the contacting element places the skin in alternating shear, which assists in loosening the sebaceous plugs from the skin pores in which they are located.

52. An apparatus of claim 51, wherein the contacting elements comprise a rigid material.

53. An apparatus of claim 52, wherein the contacting element has a roughness within a range of 5-20 microinches.

54. An apparatus of claim 49, wherein the contacting element has a peak-to-peak amplitude of within the range of 0.04 to 0.150 inches.

55. An apparatus of claim 49, wherein the contact element comprises a single row of bristle tufts.

56. An apparatus of claim 49, wherein the bristles have a diameter in the range of 2 to 5 mils, with a preferred diameter of 3 mils and a length in the range of 0.250 to 0.600 inches, with a preferred length of 0.430 inches, and wherein the bristle material has a flexural modulus in the range of 100 to 1000 kpsi, preferably 600 kpsi.

57. An apparatus of claim 55, wherein the peak-to-peak amplitude of the motion of the bristle tufts is within the range of 0.020 to 0.160 inches.

58. An apparatus of claim 49, wherein the movement of the contacting element reciprocally places the skin in alternating tension and compression.

59. An apparatus of claim 58, wherein the contacting element has a surface finish in the range of 5-20 microinches.

60. An apparatus of claim 55, wherein the single row of bristle tufts is a straight line.

61. An apparatus of claim 55, wherein the single row of bristle tufts is a circle.

62. An apparatus for treatment of skin, comprising:

at least two contacting elements having end faces, in substantially the same plane, wherein at least one contacting element is a moving contacting element;

a mounting assembly for holding the contacting elements substantially adjacent to each other; and

an assembly for reciprocally moving said at least one moving contacting element relative to at least one adjacent contacting element, wherein when the apparatus is positioned so that the end faces of the contacting elements contact the skin, an action on the skin produces a cleansing action on the skin, including removal of foreign material from skin pores.

63. An apparatus of claim 62, wherein the frequency of movement of the moving contacting element is within a range of 80-200 Hz.

64. An apparatus of claim 62, wherein relative movement of the contacting elements places the skin in alternating shear strain.

65. An apparatus of claim 62, in which the contacting elements have a contacting surface with a roughness within a range of 5 to 20 microinches.

66. An apparatus of claim 62, wherein contacting elements comprise, respectively, rows of bristle tufts.

67. An apparatus of claim 62, wherein the movement of the moving contacting element reciprocally places the skin in alternating tension and compression.

68. An apparatus of claim 62, wherein the motion of the moving contacting elements is controlled by a control means whereby the amplitude of motion of the moving contacting elements is substantially reduced when the contacting elements are not in contact with the skin and whereby the amplitude of motion of the moveable contacting elements is at the preferred magnitude when the contacting elements are applied to the skin with correct pressure for optimal operation and whereby the amplitude of motion of the moveable contacting elements is modified in a manner detectible by the user when the contacting elements are applied to the skin with greater than the correct pressure.

69. An apparatus of claim 62, including a fluid supplying structure positioned adjacent to the contacting elements and wherein said structure supplies a fluid which contacts the skin during operation.

70. An apparatus of claim 62, wherein said contacting elements are removable and replaceable.

71. An apparatus of claim 62, having a timing means, responsive to the device being turned on, for producing successive indications of intervals of elapsed time, wherein the intervals of elapsed time are related to desired times for treating portions of the face, wherein the successive indications of time are provided within a pre-established set period of time during which the apparatus is operating;

and means for maintaining the status of the timing means for a selected period of time after the apparatus has been turned off during said pre-established period of time after the apparatus has been turned on.

72. A method for treatment of skin, comprising the steps of:

a first step of deforming the skin from a neutral position to a first deformed position at which point the skin has reached approximately its elastic limit;

a second step permitting the skin to return to said neutral position; and

repeating the first and second steps within a frequency range of 20 Hz to 1 KHz, to produce an action on the skin which results in the cleansing of the skin, including removal of undesired material from skin pores.

73. A method of claim 72, wherein the undesired material is a sebum plug.

74. A method of claim 72, wherein the frequency range is 80-200 Hz.

75. A method of claim 72, including a third step of stretching the skin to a second deformed position in a direction opposite to that in the first step, and a fourth step of permitting the skin to return to said neutral position, the third and fourth steps being accomplished prior to the step of repeating.

76. A method of claim 72, wherein the deformation of the skin is accomplished by a shear strain action.

77. A method of claim 72, wherein the deformation of the skin is accomplished by a tension/compression action.

78. A method of claim 72, including a step of applying a fluid to the skin to assist in the cleansing thereof.

79. A method of claim 72, wherein the steps of the method are carried out for predetermined times for specific skin areas on the face of a user.