Electrostimulation face mask

An electrostimulation device comprises at least one shell (2) forming an inner compartment (21) and comprising an opening (22); at least one electrode (3) located at least partly outside the corresponding shell (2) at the opening (22). The device is characterised by the fact that the electrode (3) is connected to an articulated joint (4). The articulated joint (4) is at least partly inside the shell (2) and mobile in its seat (41). The electrode (3) can be angled and moved relative to the shell (2) as a result of the freedom of movement of the articulated joint (4) in its seat (41) depending on the anatomical form and structure of the treatment zone (8).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a muscular electrostimulation device and a face mask comprising said device.

Muscular electrostimulation devices are normally used to allow the passive exercising of muscles in many areas of the human body. In particular, the present invention is advantageously used in the treatment of facial muscles to recover muscle tone and combat the signs of ageing.

BACKGROUND ART

Muscular electrostimulation devices of the type described in patent document EP0603451 are known. Such devices comprise an outer case with a pair of electrodes and a handgrip. The case has a seat with an opening for each of the electrodes. In the home position said opening is blocked by the electrode held in position by a helical spring, whilst the seat contains a conducting liquid. After pressure is applied to the electrode by the area of the patient being treated, the resistance of the spring is overcome. As a result, the electrode moves and the liquid originally in the seat flows out, wetting the skin and improving electrical conductivity.

The muscular electrostimulation devices described above have several disadvantages.

In particular, at dips or bumps on the face, the pair of electrodes described above are unable to precisely follow the outline of the surfaces of the body being treated. Poor electrical contact between the electrode and the surface being treated results in the user feeling discomfort, pain and in extreme cases forms of skin burns.

Devices are also known which use electrodes and adhesive gels which are expensive and inconvenient on the face because they do not allow any movement once positioned. The gel is also expensive and dirties the zone treated.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages by providing a muscular electrostimulation device which allows the patient to avoid pain, discomfort and burns.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide an electrostimulation device which allows the plurality of electrodes to follow the outline of the surface to be treated even in critical zones such as dips or bumps on the human body.

Yet another aim of the present invention is to provide a face mask comprising said electrostimulation device, the mask being particularly convenient to use.

These aims and others, which are more apparent in the description which follows, are achieved, in accordance with the present invention, by an electrostimulation device with the structural and functional characteristics described in the independent claims herein. Alternative embodiments of the device are described in the dependent claims.

The following description is supplied by way of example and is non-limiting.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral1denotes a muscular electrostimulation device of the type comprising at least one shell2. The shell2has an inner compartment21. The shell2also comprises at least one opening22. The inner compartment21preferably has the shape of a cylindrical chamber210which tends to have a smaller cross-section at the opening22. The opening22is preferably positioned at one end of the shell2. In particular, the opening22is positioned at a base of the cylindrical chamber210. The electrostimulation device1also comprises at least one electrode3. The electrode3is located at least partly outside the shell2at the opening22.

The device is characterised by the fact that each electrode3is connected to an articulated joint4. The articulated joint4constitutes an articulated connection between the electrode3and the shell2in such a way that the electrode3and the shell2can move relative to one another without any loss of cohesion. The articulated joint4is at least partly inside the shell2. The articulated joint4is also mobile in its own seat41. The electrode3can be angled and moved relative to the shell2as a result of the freedom of movement of the articulated joint4in its seat41, depending on the anatomical form and structure of the treatment zone8. In particular, according to a preferred but non-limiting configuration, the electrostimulation device1comprises at least one pair of electrodes3and corresponding shells2. This is illustrated for example inFIGS. 2,4,5,6. In this configuration a case10connects the shells2of the various electrodes3. The various electrodes3brought into contact with the patient's treatment zone8allow the electrical circuit to be made. This electrical circuit is connected to a voltage or current generator. Advantageously, the electrical current generated is an alternating pulsing current. As illustrated inFIG. 9, even close to dips or bumps on the face such as the chin, jaws, arch of the eyebrows, forehead, the electrostimulation device1allows optimisation of the contact between each electrode3and the treatment zone8. However, the muscular electrostimulation device1can also be used on parts of the body other than the face.

The electrode3comprises a first portion31which during use is located close to the treatment zone8. The electrode3also comprises a second portion32which connects the first portion31to the articulated joint4.

Advantageously, the electrode3is shaped like a mushroom. The first portion31corresponds to the mushroom cap. The second portion32corresponds to the mushroom stalk. As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the first portion31comprises a plate-shaped head311.

The first portion31comprises a first surface310which during use is opposite the treatment zone8. Said first surface310is advantageously dome-shaped. Alternatively, the first surface310could also be flat.

In the embodiments illustrated the electrode3could form part of a single body with the articulated joint4.

In an alternative configuration, the electrode3is removably connected to the articulated joint4, for example by a threaded connection. In this way, the electrode3can be removed and substituted with another electrode3specially shaped to allow treatment of a particular zone of the face or body.

The articulated joint4and the electrode3are made of a material which conducts electricity. The electrode3is advantageously made of stainless steel or nickel-plated brass.

The first surface310is covered by a spongy element5which is soaked before each treatment to give it good electrical conductivity. Advantageously, said spongy element5is soaked in water or in another liquid which conducts electricity. The spongy element5is preferably made of pure cellulose, an ideal material for holding water without causing any type of skin allergy.

The use of water is particularly advantageous both in terms of inexpensiveness and because it does not dirty the treatment zone8.

The spongy element5is removably connected to the first portion31of the electrode3.

The spongy element5is preferably irremovably connected to a support51for connection to the first portion31of the electrode3. The support51is preferably made of PVC foam. The spongy element5and the support51are suitably coupled by industrial bonding techniques.

The support51is suitably punched so that it surrounds the first portion31of the electrode3as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3.

The spongy elements5are periodically substituted when dirty or worn.

Thanks to the support51, the spongy element5can be substituted easily and rapidly. The spongy element5is also shaped in such a way that it allows a large contact surface with the skin, thus improving treatment comfort.

The relatively low cost of the spongy element5and the support51relative to the entire electrostimulation device1also allows their substitution every time the electrostimulation device1is used by a new patient. This makes it hygienic.

The elastic means6comprise a helical spring61. The helical spring61is made of a material which conducts electricity, preferably metal. The helical spring61has a longitudinal axis611. When the skin of the treatment zone8is simply pressed, the articulated joint4can slide in the compartment21, compressing the elastic means6, in particular the helical spring61. For each electrode3, the electrostimulation device1comprises a conductor element62located in contact with the helical spring61. The helical spring61is in turn in electrical contact with the electrode3by means of the articulated joint4. The conductor element62preferably comprises a ring63to which a lead64is connected, in turn connected to the electricity supply65.

The seat41is at least partly formed by an inner surface23of the shell2close to the opening22.

The seat41is at least partly formed by a coil610of the helical spring61closest to the opening22.

The articulated joint4can rotate freely through 360° about the longitudinal axis611of the helical spring61. Consequently the electrode3can also rotate freely through 360° about the longitudinal axis611of the helical spring61.

The inner surface23of the shell2, close to the opening22forms a contact surface230for the articulated joint4. The articulated joint4is, advantageously, pressed against said contact surface230by the helical spring61. The contact surface230consists of a surface shaped to match the articulated joint4and converging towards the longitudinal axis611of the spring61. The articulated joint4is preferably a ball joint and the opening22is circular. In such a case the diameter of the opening22is smaller than the diameter of the articulated joint4ball.

Advantageously, the electrode3is shaped according to a symmetrical axis. The electrode3may be moved in an operating cone. The vertex of the cone coincides with the centre of rotation of the articulated joint4. The maximum angle of opening of said cone is determined by the contact between the second portion32of the electrode3and the contact surface230of the shell2.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, the electrostimulation device1comprises a plurality of electrodes3, of the type previously described, which can be applied on the treatment zone8. In particular inFIG. 7the electrostimulation device1comprises four electrodes3connected to the same case10.

FIGS. 10 and 11illustrate a face mask7comprising a plurality of electrostimulation devices1of the type previously described. In this way, each electrode3is positioned at the muscles of a specific area of the face. Advantageously, the mask7is transparent. In this way, the electrodes3can be precisely positioned by an external operator on the points of application requested by the patient. To facilitate this operation, advantageously, the mask7comprises handgrips (not illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11) at each electrode3. The mask7electrodes3can be arranged in pairs. In another configuration there is a plurality of electrodes3operating in sequence, sending electrical pulses. By operating these electrodes3in sequence, one after another, the mask7, in each portion corresponding to half of the face, advantageously comprises only one shared electrode3having the function of making the electrical circuit.

The invention brings important advantages.

Firstly, the device allows patients to avoid discomfort, pain or skin necrosis.

Secondly, it allows uniform treatment of the various zones of the body, even those where there are dips or bumps. The complete mobility in all directions of the electrode3allows it to adapt to the shape of the area treated.

Another important advantage is the maximum hygiene linked to interchangeability of the spongy element which makes contact with the patient's skin.

The invention described may be modified and adapted without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

Moreover, all details of the invention may be substituted by other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, all of the materials used, as well as the dimensions may be any, according to requirements.