Abstract:
A process for the determination of body parameters, in which body hair removed by shaving, especially facial hair, is separated from body substances adhering thereto or body substances removed by shaving. Body substances include skin particles, fat and/or perspiration. The separated body hair is tested for its mineral content and/or the separated, removed body substances are analyzed for their pH and/or their conductance. A device for performing the process is also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of prior co-pending International Application No. IB2010/052865 filed Jun. 23, 2010, designating the United States. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to processes and devices for determining body parameters in which body hair removed by shaving is used, in particular facial hair. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In the prior art it is quite generally known that because of the composition of body hair, inferences about body parameters can be drawn from it. For human hair growth, nutritional substances are drawn from the blood and accumulate in the hair follicles. Along with the nutritional substances, minerals and trace elements also enter the growing hair shaft from the blood. In the hair, concentrations of some trace elements occur up to ten fold greater than in the blood. 
         [0004]    Moreover, various processes for analysis of trace elements are generally known. Trace elements can be analyzed spectrophotometrically, among other ways. A well known process is spectro-analysis using an emission spectrometer that works with inductively coupled plasma. The plasma is usually a chemically inert gas, wherein argon lends itself well because of its high potential for ionization, its relatively low cost and its lack of band spectra. Samples to be analyzed are sprayed into the plasma with a sample atomizer and excited by the plasma. These samples emit characteristic spectral lines that can be measured with a spectrometer. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, various shaving systems are very well known. Besides wet shaving, dry or electric shaving enjoys great popularity. This kind of shaver usually works with an electric drive and a shaver or shaving system powered by the electric drive. Typically, a combination of upper and lower blades is used, wherein the lower blade moves in opposition to the upper blade. Shavers that can be used wet also belong to this class of shaver, nevertheless they can be assigned to the above description of the dry or electric shavers due to their manner of operation. 
         [0006]    In addition, a cleaning device for cleaning the shaving head of a dry shaver is known from DE 44 02 237 C1, in which a shaving head of the electric shaver is inserted into a cleaning station and is flushed with a cleaning fluid by a motor-driven delivery device. The accumulated hair residue in the shaving head of the electric shaver is filtered out of the cleaning fluid through a filtering device in the cleaning station. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    There is a desire to integrate the monitoring of bodily functions into everyday life so that when values deviate from the norm, a quick diagnostic tool is ready to permit a modification of the health condition of a patient. 
         [0008]    The object is to provide processes and devices of the type mentioned above, that are easy to integrate into everyday life and that offer the user a way to monitor body parameters without imposing an additional burden on the user. 
         [0009]    The invention is achieved by means of a process for determining body parameters according to claim  1 , a device for determining body parameters according to coordinate claim  9  and a use of a shaving system according to coordinate claim  16 . Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims. 
         [0010]    A process for determining body parameters according to the invention is based on the use of body hair removed by a shaver. Additional body substances are removed along with the body hair removed by the shaver, for example, skin particles, fat and/or perspiration. The body substances adhere to the hair or are picked up by the razor during the process of shaving. 
         [0011]    In the context of the invention, body parameters are primarily the presence and concentration of specific elements and compounds as well as other chemical or physical quantities such as pH value, for example, or other similar quantities. 
         [0012]    According to the invention, the body hair, in particular facial hair, is separated from the other body substances adhering thereto or which are removed by the shaver, so that the body hair on the one hand and the body substances on the other hand can be analyzed separately. 
         [0013]    The isolated or separate body hair is evaluated for its mineral content, while the removed body substances are analyzed separately for their pH value and/or for their conductance. 
         [0014]    Today it is possible to measure calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc, iron, chromium, iodine, selenium, cobalt, molybdenum, vanadium, lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, manganese, silicon, barium, phosphorus, tin, bismuth, strontium, sodium, boron, lithium, silver, and thallium, for example. 
         [0015]    Deviations in the concentrations of these elements or of some of these elements suggest inferences about deviations in bodily functions. For example, a reduced level of calcium in the hair may indicate declining bone density. Too little iron can be an indicator of anemia. Elevated levels of mercury, cadmium, arsenic, bismuth, strontium, thallium, in turn can be warning signs of poisoning. 
         [0016]    Moreover, in addition or alternatively, the pH value of the isolated or separated body substances collected during shaving is analyzed. The pH provides evidence concerning the condition of the skin and inferences can possibly be drawn about the acid balance in the body. In this way, both health monitoring can be undertaken, and the fitness level of the user can measured, because a poor fitness level is often accompanied by body acidification. 
         [0017]    In addition or alternatively, the conductance and the temperature of the solution are measured. With the aid of a conductivity measurement, other body parameters are determined, for example, an acetate-lactate ratio and a metal ion concentration can be measured, from which a global parameter value of minerals can be determined. In this way, for example, low mineral concentrations due to poor nutrition can be determined. 
         [0018]    The results of the process can be used to inform the user about the body parameter, so that, when changes occur in his body parameters, he receives early information about the state of his body. By knowing about deviations in the parameters, one can consult a doctor early on for a diagnosis. Furthermore, users can monitor their fitness levels, for example, as well as changes in their fitness level over time. Moreover, statistical analysis of changes in body parameters can be carried out. Finally, it is conceivable that when certain parameters deteriorate, information will be given about opportunities for future improvement of the parameters. 
         [0019]    According to a first advantageous embodiment of the invention, body hair is removed along with the body substances removed by a shaver, in particular a dry or electric shaver, wherein the analysis of the body parameters are carried out in a cleaning device of the shaver. In an advantageous embodiment, a cleaning device, which can be configured as a cleaning station, can be provided with the required devices and components for analysis of the body parameters. In addition, it is easier to supply a cleaning device, particularly a cleaning station, with the energy required for analysis. 
         [0020]    Another advantage of using a cleaning device or cleaning station is that the purpose of such cleaning devices is precisely to free the razor of body hair and body substances. These are thus already incorporated into the cleaning device. 
         [0021]    In this way, the next time the procedure is performed, it can be ensured that no hair and body substances remain from the last use of the razor, which could skew results. 
         [0022]    Alternatively, body parameters can be determined in the shaver itself. 
         [0023]    Preferably, body hair and body substances are separated in a liquid, in particular in acetone. 
         [0024]    Preferably, the length of the removed body hair is measured. Using the measurement of the length of the removed body hair can indicate the period of time to which the body parameters relate, since the rate of hair growth is relatively constant. In addition, it may be preferred to calibrate the system by correlating the measured hair length with the time intervals between successive cleaning cycles. 
         [0025]    For separating body hair and body substances from each other, suspending the hair and body substances removed by shaving in a solution and then filtering is particularly preferred. By means of filtration, it is particularly easy to separate hair from the other body substances, which tend to be composed of much smaller particles. 
         [0026]    Alternatively, the difference in hydrodynamic volumes of hair and of body substances can be used to separate these from the hair in a slight counter current of an acetone solution, for example. 
         [0027]    Another possibility is to subject the suspended body hair and body substances to ultrasonic waves one or more times, wherein the body substances aggregate in the supernatant. The hair particles, in contrast, drop out. 
         [0028]    The above processes for separation can be achieved very easily in small scale devices. 
         [0029]    A preferred process for analysis of body hair is the use of spectroscopic examination processes. What is known as the ICP-OES process (inductive coupled plasma, optical emission spectroscopy) has proven to be particularly suitable for this purpose. In this process, body hair suspended in a solution is sprayed into plasma, in particular argon plasma, and the spectral lines of the suspended body hair in the solution excited by the plasma are measured, preferably with respect to frequency and amplitude. In this way, the presence and concentration of certain substances, such as minerals, are detected. 
         [0030]    Another possible embodiment of a spectrometer is a UV-VIS spectrometer, by means of which a weakening of a hair solution can be determined. From this weakening, conclusions can be drawn about the mineral content of the solution, whereby a global parameter can be determined. 
         [0031]    To dissolve the body hair, it is preferably decomposed with nitric acid and then reduced to ashes by microwave. This process ensures complete disintegration of the body hair and denaturation of all organic components. 
         [0032]    A clear, colorless solution is obtained by means of the described process of disintegration and reduction to ash, in which the minerals are present as nitrates. Such a solution is particularly suitable for spectrophotometric analysis. 
         [0033]    In addition, fats can advantageously be separated from the body substances and amino acids and/or cholesterol can be measured in the fats. This allows other health-related body parameters to be captured, such as cholesterol content. 
         [0034]    Using an advantageous analysis of amino acids, a ratio of hair quantity to skin quantity can be determined. From variations in the concentration of amino acids, conclusions about the health of skin can be drawn. For example, the amino acid concentration can increase with dry or sunburned skin, because skin cells are more easily released by the razor during shaving. 
         [0035]    Evidence of a possible amino acid deficiency in the user is revealed by measuring the amino acids; this can be offset by appropriate diet. 
         [0036]    A first independent subject matter of the invention relates to an apparatus for determining body parameters with an isolation device for separating body hair shaved with a razor, especially facial hair, from body substances adhering thereto, or body substances removed by the razor, such as skin particles, fat and/or perspiration, and additionally a mineral analysis device to determine the mineral content of body hair and/or a pH sensor to determine the pH of the body substances removed with the hair and/or a device for measuring conductance. Shaving unavoidably creates a material mixture of both body hair and body substances adhering to it or body substances removed by shaving, wherein, if hair components and body substances are separated, further conclusions concerning body parameters can be drawn. Mineral analysis of body hair in particular can be carried out, but it can also establish certain proteins. Other body substances render other conclusions possible, such as those concerning the acid mantle of the skin. 
         [0037]    The device according to the invention preferably conveys the hair separated from the body substances to the hair mineral analysis device which determines the type and concentration of the minerals accumulated in the hair. The separated body substances are delivered to the pH sensor, which provides a pH value thereof. According to a first advantageous embodiment of the invention, a device for measuring hair length is provided so that the length of the severed hair can be measured. The period of time to which the analysis relates can be determined from the length of the hair, taking into account the growth rate. Preferred embodiments of a hair-measuring device are optical, gravimetric or screening devices for measuring hair-length. 
         [0038]    A conductance measuring cell preferably works with alternating current, whereby polarization effects can be prevented at the electrodes of the conductance measuring cell. By specifying the temperature for the measured solution, information on conductance can also be improved because conductance variations due to temperature can be taken into consideration. 
         [0039]    Preferred embodiments of the separating device are a filtration device and/or a counter-current separation device and/or an ultrasonic separation device. With the help of such separation devices, body substances and body hair can be sufficiently isolated from each other. 
         [0040]    Furthermore, the mineral-assay device is preferably attached to a microwave incineration apparatus with which a better solution and distribution of body hair can be achieved, thus increasing analytical accuracy. 
         [0041]    Furthermore, the mineral analysis device can have a spectroscope, in particular an emission spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma, in particular argon plasma (ICP-OES). Such a spectroscopic analysis is especially reliable and allows the simultaneous analysis of a variety of minerals. Thus, the analysis is very fast. An ICP-OES is expensive, therefore, according to this embodiment, the ICP-OES is preferably executed in a laboratory, to which the separated body hair is sent. 
         [0042]    The use of a UV-VIS spectrometer is another possible embodiment of a spectrometer, with which a weakening of a hair solution can be determined From this weakening, conclusions can be drawn about the mineral content of the solution, whereby a global parameter can be determined. 
         [0043]    In a particularly advantageous manner, the device is integrated into a cleaning device for razors. This allows body parameters to be determined using a commercially available razor, especially electric or dry razors. In this way, any additional burden on the user is minimized The device may further include a display panel on which the user can identify the displayed body parameters or on which additional information can be displayed, in particular, additional information related to the body parameters. 
         [0044]    Preferably, further means of storage are provided on which the measured body parameters can be saved. From this, statistics can be derived. for example, or a progression of different body parameters over a longer time period can be traced. 
         [0045]    A further independent object of the invention relates to the use of a shaving system having a dry or electric shaver for determining body parameters. Using a razor, the necessary body hair and body substances are very easily collected and subsequently evaluated. 
         [0046]    An advantageous development of the use requires that a cleaning station of the dry or electric shaver be used to carry out said body parameters on the body hair and body substances collected from the shaver. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0047]    Other objectives, features and advantageous applications of the invention will be apparent from the following description of an embodiment based on the illustrations. All described and/or illustrated features in any reasonable combination form the subject matter of the present invention, even independently of the claims and references. 
           [0048]      FIG. 1  shows a flow chart of the device according to the invention according to a first embodiment; 
           [0049]      FIG. 2  shows a device according to the invention according to a first embodiment; 
           [0050]      FIG. 3  shows a device according to the invention according to a second embodiment; 
           [0051]      FIG. 4  shows a device according to the invention according to a third embodiment; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0052]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic representation of a flow chart of the process according to the invention for determining body parameters. 
         [0053]    In a shaving system  2  with a shaver  4  and a cleaning station  6  an analysis device according to the invention is provided, not shown in  FIG. 1 . A shaving head  8  of the shaver  4  is cleaned in the cleaning station  6  and thereby the shaved body hair  10  is distributed in cleaning solution  12 . 
         [0054]    With the help of a separation device  14 , the body hair  10 , mixed with other body substances such as loose skin cells either adhering to the body hair  10  or taken up as the shaving head  8  passed over the skin, are separated from each other. 
         [0055]    To achieve separation, body hair  10  and body substances adhering thereto or removed therewith can be suspended and then filtered. It is also possible to make use of the different hydrodynamic volumes and to carry out ultrasound on the facial hair, for example, in a light acetone counter-stream or by repeated treatment of the suspended hair and skin particles, preferably in acetone. As a result, several separate components are obtained, namely hair components  16 , skin components  18 , and body fats  20 , as well as perspiration  22 . 
         [0056]    The hair can be fed into a hair-length measuring device  24 , with the aid of which the period covered by the analysis can be established, because hair growth for each individual is constant. For measuring hair length, optical, gravimetric or a screening device may be used. Furthermore, the hair can be analyzed for trace elements in a trace element analysis system  26 . Different measurement methods are used for trace element analysis in the cleaning station  6 , for example, or in the UV-VIS-flow cells integrated into the shaver  4 , or more precise and detailed measurement processes in laboratories, for example, those based on spectroscopic studies, such as ICP-OES processes. Such trace element analyses can provide information about deficiencies in the body. 
         [0057]    Firstly, the quantity proportion of the removed body hair  10  to skin elements  18  can be determined. From the ratio of body hair to skin particles some conclusions about skin dryness can be drawn, because with increasing skin dryness, the resulting looser skin particles are more easily gathered during shaving. 
         [0058]    By analyzing the fat adhering to the hair  16  and to the skin  18  and by isolating the separated fats  20  it is possible to firstly determine cholesterol level and to give feedback concerning the cholesterol level. 
         [0059]    In addition, using body fats  20 , amino acids can be analyzed, which indicate deficiencies in the body. 
         [0060]    The separated perspiration  22  affects the pH of the cleaning solution, which is altered by the perspiration. Using pH values, conclusions can be drawn about the amount of perspiration and thus about a changing fitness level. The perspiration  22  also contains various other acids such as lactic acid, acetic acid and butyric acid. 
         [0061]      FIG. 2  shows shaving system  2  according to the invention of  FIG. 1  in an enlarged and expanded drawing. An analysis system  32  is integrated into the cleaning station  6 , which includes the separation device  14  and the other analytical devices  24  and  26 . 
         [0062]    In addition, the analysis system  32  is provided with a pH sensor  34 , with which the pH of the solution can be ascertained, this being determined largely by the amount and composition of perspiration. 
         [0063]      FIG. 3  shows an alternative shaving system  2 ′ with a razor  4  having shaving head  8 , which is cleaned in a cleaning station  6 ′. A conductivity measuring cell  36  is integrated into the cleaning station  6 ′ by means of two electrodes  38  arranged at a predetermined distance d, the conductance of the solution is measured by an AC voltage applied at the electrodes, and current and voltage is measured in the solution  12  mixed with hair  10 . In this way, the perspiration secreted by the user of the razor can be determined, as well as the condition of the cleaning liquid. When measuring conductance, it is also necessary to measure the temperature of the solution, which is why a temperature sensor is provided, not shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 4  shows a third embodiment of a shaving system  2 ″ according to the invention, in which body hair  10  can be removed from the cleaning solution  12  with the aid of a separating device  14 ″ provided in a cleaning station  6 ″. The body hair  10  separated out can then be collected in a cartridge  40  with several receptacles  42 , of which only three of the ten illustrated receptacles are shown with reference numbers. 
         [0065]    Each of the compartments  42  is designated for a separate shave, so that in this way ten shaves can be analyzed, for example. The cartridge  40  can be removed from the cleaning station  6 ″ and replaced with a fresh cartridge. The full cartridge  40  can then be delivered to a pharmacy or the like, for example, to be sent to a laboratory for an appropriate analysis. 
         [0066]    Further embodiments result from combinations of the illustrated embodiments, in which several of the illustrated measurement principles are combined, for example, a pH measurement with a conductivity measurement.