DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS FOR COSMETICALLY AND HYGIENICALLY TREATING SKIN

• US 3,866,600 A
• Filed: 05/03/1973
• Issued: 02/18/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jean Paul Rey
• Original Assignee: Jean Paul Rey
• Inventors: Rey, Jean Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/356,916
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.1RC,2.1Z,172.1,419R,421,422
• US Class Current: 600/547
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0531 Measuring skin impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/325 for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body electrodes for external use A61N1/0428
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/328 for improving the appearance of the skin, e.g. facial toning or wrinkle treatment

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for aiding in the cosmetic and hygienic treatment of human skin-particularly skin of the face and scalp. The apparatus comprises resistance measuring circuitry for measuring the electrical resistivity of areas of the skin and a micro-massage unit for applying to the skin a low frequency, low voltage electrical massage. The resistance measuring circuitry comprises means for determining the average resistivity of the skin, means for detecting localized departures from this average value, and means for measuring the resistivity in localized areas. The micro-massage unit stimulates the underlying muscular tissues, thereby inducing more rapid penetration of cosmetic or therapeutic preparations into the skin.

Claims

1. A therapeutic apparatus for cosmetically and hygienically treating the skin, comprising:

a. a first electrode having a relatively large area;

b. a second electrode having a relatively large area;

c. a voltage source coupled to said first electrode;

d. a third electrode having a pointed tip;

e. selector switch means coupled to said voltage source having a plurality of positions and a plurality of output terminals;

f. first circuit means for measuring the average resistivity of the skin between said first and second electrodes, said first circuit means comprising;

i. an indicator coupled to said second electrode means; and

ii. means for applying power from a first output terminal on said selector switch means to said indicator;

g. second circuit means for detecting localized deviations in the average resistance measured between said first and third electrodes, comprising;

i. an indicator; and

ii. amplifier means coupled to a second output terminal on said selector switch means and coupled to said third electrode responsive to the resistance measured between said first and third electrodes for actuating said indicator; and

h. third circuit means for obtaining a quantitative indication of the resistance between said first and third electrodes, comprising an indicator coupled to a third output terminal on said selector switch means and said third electrode.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said means for applying power from said first output terminal to said indicator is a timing circuit.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2, further comprising:

a. an oscillator coupled to a fourth output terminal on said selector switch means; and

b. a transformer coupled to the output of said oscillator and applying the output of said oscillator to said third electrode.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said amplifier means includes resistance means for varying the level of resistivity of the skin, in contact with said third electrode means, needed to actuate said indicator.