Abstract:
The present method and apparatus seek to provide cosmetic skin care including application in concert or consecutively of various types of energy to bring about a welcomed combination of skin cleansing and skin re - juvenation and enhancing. There is thus provided, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the current method and apparatus an apparatus for cosmetic skin care including a brush-like head having a multiplicity of bristles attached to one or more carriers at least a portion of which is operative to apply forms of energy to the skin. At least one of the forms of energy is 212 RF energy while other forms include light energy, mechanical energy, ultrasound energy and any suitable combination thereof.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The current method and apparatus relate to the field of personal cosmetic care procedures and in particular cosmetic skin care procedures. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Facial skin is one of the most common skin areas cosmetically attended to. Traditional cosmetic facial skin care involves facial skin massage and skin exfoliation employing cleansing tools such as woven mesh sponges. Such cleansing tools tend to be too harsh for the skin on the face and may cause increased dryness and irritation. 
         [0003]    Facial cloths are used to remove dirt, oil and makeup but leave skin debris and clogged pores on the face, leading to facial irritation such as pimples or blackheads. 
         [0004]    The practice of using heat energy for cosmetic skin treatment is known. Heating the skin and underlying tissues causes tissue shrinkage and produces the desired cosmetic effect. 
         [0005]    The use of RF energy emitting devices for cosmetic skin treatment is also known. Cosmetic RF skin treatment is administered using an applicator coupled with one or more RF electrodes. The electrodes RF energy delivery surface, coupled with the surface of the skin, generate in the skin an electric current that heats the skin and underlying subcutaneous tissues to create the desired effect of tissue shrinkage. 
         [0006]    The use of light energy in the form of visible light, infra-red (IR) light or coherent light in cosmetic skin treatment is also used in cosmetic skin treatment. Cosmetic Lasers and LED Light Therapy have shown to contribute to skin rejuvenation and reverse and control the visible signs of aging. Both visible and infrared light have been shown to effect various positive changes at a cellular level. 
         [0007]    The application in concert of RF energy, light energy and mechanical massage energy in cosmetic skin care bring about a welcomed combination of skin cleansing and skin rejuvenation, enhancing the appearance of treated facial skin. Such apparatuses however exist for professional use only and the treatment is performed in cosmetic clinics under supervision of qualified personnel. 
         [0008]    Recently, the at-home use of personal cosmetic skin care and skin cleansing devices have become popular. The present apparatus and method provide a solution for conducting a cosmetic skin care cleansing in residential conditions by a casual apparatus user. The treatment could result in similar or close to similar cosmetic skin cleansing results, as treatment performed in cosmetic clinic results. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The present method and apparatus seek to provide cosmetic skin care including application in concert or consecutively of various types of energy to bring about a welcomed combination of skin cleansing and skin rejuvenation and enhancing 
         [0010]    There is thus provided, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the current method and apparatus an apparatus for cosmetic skin care including a brush-like head having a multiplicity of bristles attached to one or more carriers at least a portion of which is operative to apply forms of energy to the skin. At least one of the forms of energy is RF energy while other forms include light energy, mechanical energy, ultrasound energy and any suitable combination thereof. 
         [0011]    In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present method and apparatus, there is also provided a brush-like head that may be attached to a handle and having a multiplicity of bristles attached to one or more carriers at least a portion of which is operative to apply forms of energy to the skin and also including LEDs to directly or indirectly apply light energy to the skin. 
         [0012]    In accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the present method and apparatus, the brush-like head may also include one or more soft pads lined with a material easily charged with a stationary electrical charge. 
         [0013]    In accordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the present method and apparatus, the brush-like head carrier may also include one or more stationary portions and at one or more rotatably moveable portions. 
         [0014]    In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present method and apparatus, the RF energy applying bristles may be arranged in a monopolar or bipolar configuration. 
         [0015]    In accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the present method and apparatus, the RF energy applying bristles may also include a grounding electrode located on the handle or on the brush-like head. 
         [0016]    In accordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the present method and apparatus, the carrier may be translational in one or more directions and include a rail, wheel and motor mechanism, a rail, wheel and electromagnet mechanism, a rotational mechanism or a piezoelectric mechanism. 
         [0017]    In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present method and apparatus, there is also provided a gel reservoir in or attached to the brush-like head and operative to hold and apply electric-conductive cleansing gel through pores in the brush-like head carrier. 
         [0018]    In accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the present method and apparatus, there is also provided a method for cosmetic skin care including brushing skin with a brush-like head having a multiplicity of bristles attached to a carrier, operative to apply forms of energy to the skin, applying at one or more forms of energy of which at least one form is RF energy to the skin and in which another form of energy may be vibrating mechanical energy to massage and exfoliate said skin. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The present apparatus and method will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a cross-section view simplified illustration of an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the current method and apparatus; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a plan view and cross-section view simplified illustration of another exemplary embodiment in accordance with the current method and apparatus; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C and  3 D are cross-section view simplified illustrations of exemplary embodiments of light delivering bristles in accordance with the current method and apparatus; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are cross-section view simplified illustrations of exemplary embodiments of RF energy applying bristles in accordance with the current method and apparatus; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5 , which is a plan view and cross-section view simplified illustration of yet another exemplary embodiment in accordance with the current method and apparatus; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 6A ,  6 B and  6 C are plan view and cross-section views simplified illustrations of still another exemplary embodiment in accordance with the current method and apparatus; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are plan view simplified illustration of two other exemplary embodiment in accordance with the current method and apparatus; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a cross-section view simplified illustration of another exemplary embodiment in accordance with the current method and apparatus; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 9A ,  9 B and  9 C are cross-section view simplified illustrations of yet other exemplary embodiments in accordance with the current method and apparatus; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a plan view and cross-section view simplified illustration of still another exemplary embodiment in accordance with the current method and apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    Reference is made to  FIG. 1 , which is a cross-section view simplified illustration of an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the current method and apparatus. An apparatus for cosmetic skin care or cleansing  100  includes a head  102  which may be brush-like in appearance and may include one or more carriers  106  and a multiplicity of semi-rigid or pliable bristles  108  attached to carrier  106 . A portion of bristles  108  may be regular brush bristles made of any pliable material such as plastic, rubber and others. 
         [0031]    At least one portion of bristles  108  may include RF energy applying bristles  112  operative to apply RF energy to skin  114  in contact with bristles  108 . Additionally or alternatively, at least one portion of bristles  108  may be light delivering bristles  116  operative to apply light energy to skin  114 . 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, apparatus  100  could include a handle  104 . The handle may be designed to be comfortable to hold when manipulating and translating head  102  over skin  114 . 
         [0033]    Head  102  and/or handle  104  could include components such as a power source  118  and different sources of energy. For example, an RF generator  120 , a light source  122 , a controller  124  and indicator lights  126 . Power source  118  may be rechargeable. Handle  104  may also include an On/Off switch  128  and a plug or socket  130  for connecting rechargeable power source  118  to a charger (not shown). 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , which is a plan view and cross-section view simplified illustration of head  202 , similar to head  102  of  FIG. 1  as viewed in the direction of arrow (W), of an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the current method and apparatus. Head  202  includes a combination of bristles  208  attached to carrier  206  and arranged in clusters each including a multiplicity of bristles  208  of the same type. The location of each cluster on carrier  206  may vary. 
         [0035]    For example purposes only, clusters  230  and  232  may include RF energy applying bristles  212 , clusters  234  and  236  may include regular inert brush bristles made of any pliable material such as plastic, rubber and cluster  238  may include light delivering bristles  216 . RF energy applying bristles  212  may be supplied by RF generator  120  ( FIG. 1 ) and light delivering bristles  216  may be supplied by light source  122  ( FIG. 1 ). The shortest distance (d) between RF energy applying bristles  212  in clusters  230  and  232  closest to each other may be more than the combined lengths (l) of the bristles  212  (i.e., d &gt;l 1 +l 2 ) to avoid shorting of RF energy applying bristles  212 . 
         [0036]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C and  3 D, which are cross-section view simplified illustrations of exemplary embodiments of light delivering bristles  316 , similar to bristles  116  ( FIGS. 1) and 216  ( FIG. 2 ) in accordance with the current method and apparatus. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 3A , light delivering bristles  316  may include a single optical fiber or a multiplicity of optical fibers  302  bunched together to form a bristles  308 . Optical fibers  302  may be adhered to each other employing a flexible adhesive or a sleeve allowing some longitudinal relative movement between fibers  302  so that to allow a certain degree of pliability to light delivering bristles  316 . 
         [0038]    Alternatively and optionally, and as shown in  FIG. 3B , light delivering bristles  316  optical fibers  302  may be coated with a pliable coating  304  so that to both maintain a certain degree of pliability to light delivering bristles  316  as well as allow passage of light to skin  114  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0039]    Alternatively and optionally, and as shown in  FIG. 3C , light delivering bristles  316  optical fibers  302  may be enclosed within a protective sleeve  306 . Sleeve  306  may be made of any type of elastic, pliable material such as plastic, rubber and similar. Optical fibers  302  may end at a rim  310  of sleeve  306  or, alternatively, protrude beyond rim  310  in which case fibers  302  may be partially coated as described hereinabove. 
         [0040]    Alternatively and optionally, and as shown in  FIG. 3D , a protective transparent cover  312 , which may be dome-shaped or have other shape preventing accidental damage to the treated skin, may be attached to rim  310  protecting optical fibers  302  ending at, or protruding beyond rim  310  of sleeve  306 . 
         [0041]    Optical fibers may be supplied by light source  122  ( FIG. 1 ) and may apply light energy in the form of visible light or Infra-Red (IR) light. The applied light may be in a form of a continuous, semi-continuous or pulsed form and have a wavelength of 400 nm-2000 nm. Light source  122  may be independently controlled by a dedicated switch (not shown) on handle  104 , or, additionally or alternatively, be controlled by controller  124  ( FIG. 1 ) in accordance with a predetermined protocol. The protocol could include different options of light to fibers  302  supply. For example, light may be supplied to one fiber, to a group of fibers or to all fibers  302  simultaneously. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , which are cross-section view simplified illustrations of exemplary embodiments of RF energy applying bristles  412 , similar to bristles  112  ( FIGS. 1) and 212  ( FIG. 2 ) in accordance with the current method and apparatus. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 4A , Bristles  408  may include RF energy applying bristles  412  having one or more RF electrodes  402  communicating with and supplied by RE generator  120  ( FIG. 1 ). RF energy applying bristles  412  may be partially electrically isolated by a coating or a sleeve  404 . 
         [0044]    Alternatively and optionally, and as shown in  FIG. 4B , RF energy applying bristles  412  may include one or more RF electrodes  402  enclosed within a protective sleeve  406 . Sleeve  406  may be made of any type of electrically isolating pliable material such as plastic, rubber and similar. RF electrodes  402  may protrude beyond rim  410 . 
         [0045]    Electrodes  402  may be made of a pliable conducting material to allow pliability to bristles  408 . 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , which is a plan view and cross-section view simplified illustration of head  502 , similar to head  102  of  FIG. 1  as viewed in the direction of arrow (W), of another exemplary embodiment in accordance with the current method and apparatus. 
         [0047]    In  FIG. 5 , light delivering bristles  516  may be one or more LEDs attached to carrier  506  within cluster  538 . Additionally and optionally, head  502  may also include RF energy applying bristles  512  in one or more clusters  530  and  532 . Additionally and optionally, head  502  may also include one or more soft pads  504  lined with a material easily charged, for example by friction, with a stationary electrical charge such as, but not limited to, polyester, silk, styrene, and others. Pads  504  may collect loose electrically charged skin debris during and following a cosmetic skin care session. Pads  504  could be implemented as disposable and replaceable pads. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 6A , which is a plan view and cross-section view simplified illustration of head  602 , similar to head  102  of  FIG. 1  as viewed in the direction of arrow (W), of yet another exemplary embodiment in accordance with the current method and apparatus, light delivering bristles  616  may be one or more LEDs embedded within a recess  604  within carrier  606 . Regular brush bristles  608  made of any clear pliable material such as plastic, nylon or similar, may be attached to a clear plate  610  made of a clear material such as plastic, Poly(methyl methacrylate) (Plexiglas®) or similar attached to carrier  606  and covering recess  604  forming a transparent window. 
         [0049]    Additionally and optionally, similar to head  502  ( FIG. 5 ), head  602  may also include RF energy applying bristles  612  in one or more clusters  630  and  632  and one or more soft pads  614  for collecting electrically charged debris during and following a cosmetic skin care session. 
         [0050]      FIG. 6B , which is a plan view and cross-section view simplified illustration of head  638 , similar to head  102  of  FIG. 1  as viewed in the direction of arrow (W), of yet another exemplary embodiment in accordance with the current method and apparatus. RF energy applying bristles  612  in one or more clusters  630  and  632  have been replaced by solid or flexible regular electrodes  642  and  646 . 
         [0051]    In  FIG. 6C , light delivering bristles  616  may be one or more LEDs directly illuminating the skin (not shown) in concert or consecutively to RF energy applying elements  608 . 
         [0052]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , which are plan view simplified illustrations of head  702 , similar to head  102  of  FIG. 1  as viewed in the direction of arrow (W), of still another exemplary embodiment in accordance with the current method and apparatus. As shown in  FIG. 7A , head  702  includes a carrier  706  having a stationary portion  706 - 1  and a rotatably moveable portion  706 - 2  connected to a driving electrical motor (not shown) controlled by controller  124  ( FIG. 1 ) and powered by energy source  118  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0053]    Stationary portion  706 - 1  of carrier  706  may include light delivering bristles  716  in a form of optical fibers  302  bristles  308  ( FIG. 3 ), LEDs  516  ( FIG. 5 ) or LEDs  616  in the configuration depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0054]    Moveable portion  706 - 2  may include RF energy applying bristles  712  connected via a slip ring assembly or brush assembly (not shown) to RF generator  120  ( FIG. 1 ). RF energy applying bristles  712  may be in a monopolar configuration to prevent shorting of bristles  712  electrodes. A common electrode  704  may be located on handle  104  ( FIG. 1 ) in contact with the hand of an operator during operation. With proper spacing the bristles may be operated in a bi-polar configuration also. 
         [0055]    Moveable portion  706 - 2  may fully rotate around stationary portion  706 - 1  as indicated by arrow  750  or move back and forth as indicated by arrow  755 . 
         [0056]    Movement of moveable portion  706 - 2  may have a massaging and exfoliating (micro abrasive) effect on skin to which head  702  is applied. 
         [0057]      FIG. 7B  depicts another configuration of the embodiment of  FIG. 7B . In this configuration, grounding electrode  704  is in the center of stationary portion  706 - 1  of carrier  706 . The shortest distance (d) between RF energy applying bristles  712  and grounding electrode  704  may be more than the length (l) of the bristles  712  (i.e., d&gt;l) to avoid shorting of RE energy applying bristles  712 . 
         [0058]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , which is a cross-section view simplified illustration of another exemplary embodiment in accordance with the current method and apparatus. Head  802  includes a vibration motor  804  supplied by energy source  118  ( FIG. 1 ) and applying vibrating mechanical energy to head  802 . Vibration motor  804  may be any type of miniature vibration motor such as a bar vibration motor, a coin vibration motor or similar and may be individually controlled by a dedicated switch on handle  104  ( FIG. 1 ) or, additionally or alternatively, by controller  124 . Vibration motor  804  effects a massaging and exfoliating effect on skin to which head  802  is applied. 
         [0059]    In  FIGS. 9A and 9B , which are cross-section view simplified illustrations of other exemplary embodiments in accordance with the current method and apparatus, head  902  may include a recess  904  including at least one rail  908  on at least one wall of recess  904 . A moveable portion  910  of carrier  906  of head  902  may be suspended from a chassis  912  having at least one wheel  914  operative to rotate along rails  908  and activated by an electric motor  916  electrically supplied by energy source  118 . 
         [0060]    Motor  916  may be individually activated by a dedicated switch (not shown) on handle  104  ( FIG. 1 ) and controlled by controller  124 . When activated, carrier  906  is translated from a first resting position, as shown in  FIG. 9A , to a second resting position shown in  FIG. 9B . 
         [0061]    Motor  916  may translate carrier  906  back and forth, as indicated by arrows  950 , between the resting positions indicated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . Translation of carrier  906  may have a massaging and exfoliating effect on skin to which head  902  is applied. 
         [0062]    Alternatively and optionally one or more piezo electric elements could be incorporated into head  902  to vibrate or translate carrier  906 . Vibration of carrier  906  could be performed at frequencies much higher than translation, for example, the vibration frequencies may be in ultrasonic frequency range. 
         [0063]    Alternatively and optionally, as shown in  FIG. 9C , stationary portion  930  of carrier  906  may include at least one electromagnet  918  having an alternating polarity and moveable portion  910  may include magnets  920  located opposite to electromagnet  918 . Alternating the polarity of electromagnet  918  may bring moveable portion  910  to translate back and forth, as indicated by arrow  950 , along rail  908  as described hereinabove. 
         [0064]    The distribution configuration of the various types of energy applying bristles  922  (i.e., RF applying, light applying, and other types of energy applying bristles  922 , as well as regular inert bristles) may, for example purposes only, consist of moveable portion  910  including RF energy applying bristles in one of configurations similar to the configurations of  FIG. 7A  and inert bristles and stationary portion  930  including light applying bristles. Alternatively, another configuration may consist of moveable portion  910  including inert bristles and LEDs and stationary portion  930  including RF energy applying bristles in a monopolar or bipolar configuration. Other configurations may consist of similar or other combinations of energy applying bristles, pads charged with a stationary electrical charge and similar. 
         [0065]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the energy forms (i.e., RF energy, light energy, mechanical/vibration energy, ultrasound energy or any other form of applicable energy) brought forth in this disclosure may be applied concurrently, consecutively or in any other desired order of application. Additionally or alternatively, the energy forms brought forth in this disclosure may be applied in one or more modes consisting of continuous, semi-continuous or pulsed mode. 
         [0066]    Cosmetic facial skin care commonly involves application of moisturizers, cleansers, antioxidants, clearing washes and similar. Additionally, RF skin treatment often involves the use of electric-conducting gels to improve electrode-skin contact. 
         [0067]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 10 , which is a plan view and cross- section view simplified illustration of head  1002 , similar to head  102  of  FIG. 1  as viewed in the direction of arrow (W), of another exemplary embodiment in accordance with the current method and apparatus. Head  1002  includes a gel reservoir  1004  that is operative to hold an electric-conductive skin care cleansing gel such as a cleansing soap. Reservoir  1004  may include a refill valve  1006  and dosing pump  1008  communicating with energy source  118  and controller  124  ( FIG. 1 ). Reservoir  1004  dosing pump  1008  may be individually and manually controlled by a dedicated switch (not shown) on handle  104  or by controller  124  ( FIG. 1 ) in accordance with a predetermined protocol. 
         [0068]    When activated, dosing pump  1008  may dose a set amount of gel through pores  1010  in carrier  1012  of head  1002 . 
         [0069]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of various features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to a person skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.