Sebum collection and monitoring means and method
First Claim
1. A device for collecting sebum as it is secreted from the sebaceous glands of a subject which comprises (a) an open-celled, microporous, hydrophobic polymeric film having coated on a major surface thereof (b) a layer of synthetic, pressure-sensitive adhesive consisting essentially of high molecular weight components that are resistant to migration into the pores of said microporous film, said layer of adhesive being sufficiently thick and continous to hold said microporous film in close proximity with the openings of said sebaceous glands, yet sufficiently thin to permit passage therethrough, and into said pores of said microporous film, of substantially all of the sebum secreted by said glands during a period of contact between said device and said sebaceous glands, said microporous film having a pore volume of from about 25% to about 50%, a film thickness of from about 0.01 mm to about 0.05 mm, the pores of said film having a mean effective diameter of less than about 0.1 micron, and said film being opaque to light or opolescent when its pores are filled with gaseous material but substantially translucent when said pores are filled with sebum or another hydrophobic substance.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Means for absorbing sebum screted by sebacious glands of a subject as well as providing semi-quantitative estimation of the rate of sebum production at various sites on the subject'"'"'s skin and a record of excretion patterns on the skin, said means comprising a microporous hydrophobic polymeric film substrate coated on a major surface with a high molecular weight adhesive that is resistant to migration into the pores of the polymeric film. Said means may also be used to provide therapy by absorbing excess sebum or delivering medication to sites or abnormal sebum secretion. Method for ascertaining secretion patterns on the skin by applying to the skin for a preselected time a microporous, hydrophobic, polymeric film.
44 Citations
15 Claims
- 1. A device for collecting sebum as it is secreted from the sebaceous glands of a subject which comprises (a) an open-celled, microporous, hydrophobic polymeric film having coated on a major surface thereof (b) a layer of synthetic, pressure-sensitive adhesive consisting essentially of high molecular weight components that are resistant to migration into the pores of said microporous film, said layer of adhesive being sufficiently thick and continous to hold said microporous film in close proximity with the openings of said sebaceous glands, yet sufficiently thin to permit passage therethrough, and into said pores of said microporous film, of substantially all of the sebum secreted by said glands during a period of contact between said device and said sebaceous glands, said microporous film having a pore volume of from about 25% to about 50%, a film thickness of from about 0.01 mm to about 0.05 mm, the pores of said film having a mean effective diameter of less than about 0.1 micron, and said film being opaque to light or opolescent when its pores are filled with gaseous material but substantially translucent when said pores are filled with sebum or another hydrophobic substance.
- 7. A method for determining the location and approximate rate of sebum secretion of sebaceous glands of a subject which comprises (a) applying to the skin of said subject for a predetermined time a device which comprises (i) an open-celled, microporous, hydrophobic polymeric film having coated on a major surface thereof (ii) a layer of synthetic, pressure-sensitive adhesive consisting essentially of high molecular weight components that are resistant to migration into the pores of said microporous film, said layer of adhesive being sufficiently thick and continuous to hold said microporous film in close proximity with the openings of said sebaceous glands, yet sufficiently thin to permit passage therethrough, and into said pores of said microporous film, of substantially all of the sebum secreted by said glands during a period of contact between said device and said sebaceous glands, said microporous film having a pore volume of from about 25% to about 50%, a film thickness of from about 0.01 mm to about 0.05 mm, the pores of said film having a mean effective diameter of less than about 0.1 micron, and said film being opaque to light or opalescent when its pores are filled with gaseous material but substantially translucent when said pores are filled with sebum or another hydrophobic substance, and (b) removing said device upon the expiration of said time period.
-
15. A method for removing excess sebum from the skin of a subject which comprises periodically, sequentially applying thereto and thereafter removing therefrom a device which comprises (a) an open-celled, microporous, hydrophobic polymeric film having coated on a major surface thereof (b) a layer of synthetic, pressure-sensitive adhesive consisting essentially of high molecular weight components that are resistant to migration into the pores of said microporous film, said layer of adhesive being sufficiently thick and continous to hold said microporous film in close proximity with the openings of said sebaceous glands, yet sufficiently thin to permit passage therethrough, and into said pores of said microporous film, of substantially all of the sebum secreted by said glands during a period of contact between said device and said sebaceous glands, said microporous film having a pore volume of from about 25% to about 50%, a film thickness of from about 0.01 mm to about 0.05 mm, the pores of said film having a mean effective diameter of less than about 0.1 micron, and said film being opaque to light or opalescent when its pores are filled with gaseous material but substantially translucent when said pores are filled with sebum or another hydrophobic substance.
Specification