EP1059861B1 - Transcutaneous vibratory stimulating device and use - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a vibratory stimulation device transcutaneous, intended to produce an analgesic effect as well as a use of these measures.

PRIOR ART

Vibration stimulation by applying mechanical vibrations transcutaneous has been the subject of theoretical and applied medical studies since more than 10 years, in particular by a team of researchers from universities Aix-Marseille I and II, which were the subject of several articles by M.-F. Tardy-Gervet et al. in different medical journals. According to this work, it appears that a majority proportion of people with chronic pain see these pains disappear, or at least their intensity decrease, in often large proportions, following the application of mechanical vibrations transcutaneous.

In addition to the applications of this technique for therapeutic purposes, we have already offered to use it in combination with medical devices body such as devices for removing hair from human skin tissue, in particular devices of the movable roller type rotating around a shaft located on the longitudinal axis of the roller driven in rotation by a motor and comprising pliers formed by parallel blades side by side, mobile and interposed in fixed blades or discs, control means serving to alternately move the movable blades in translation in the direction longitudinal of the shaft, so as to tighten them against the blades or discs fixed to pinch the hairs to pluck and then move away from these blades or discs fixed, which allows the hairs to be pinched in the area of these blades adjacent to skin and then tear them off when this pinch area moves away from the skin following rotation of the roller.

The use of these devices causes some pain. That's the reason for which it has already been proposed to use various means to apply mechanical vibration stimulation simultaneously with the hair removal process, to reduce pain. The more or less rigorous application of this transcutaneous vibrational stimulation is described, implicitly or explicitly, in different patents or published patent applications.

EP 0 467 733 describes an epilator of the above-mentioned type. comprising rotary brushes the bristles of which may project slightly beyond the peripheral edge of the hair removal discs. By turning, these brushes repeatedly strike the skin to reveal a certain analgesic side effect although of limited scope.

EP 0 493 849 relates to an epilator comprising a vibrating grid intended to exert on the skin forces of varying intensities, so as to alleviate the pain of hair removal.

EP 0 671 136 has also proposed an epilator comprising a series of small brushes and a series of pins directly adjacent to one of the sides of the pinch blades, which in particular have a massage effect reducing the pain caused by pulling out the hair.

DE 195 21 585 proposed an epilator with tweezers comprising a series of radially movable weights, intended for apply mechanical impulses to the epidermis.

WO 97/00032 describes an epilator comprising a device mounted the outside of the epilator housing and which therefore does not rotate with the roller clamps and having pins movable alternately in the direction longitudinal to make a rapid repetitive strike of the skin in order to reduce the pain caused by hair removal.

In EP 0 760 219, various devices intended to produce an effect pain relievers are offered in combination with epilators. These devices are are either in the form of vibrating combs carried by the housing of the epilator, either in the form of additional vibrating rollers filled with pins or stiff hairs, also carried by the housing next to the roller hair removal.

Finally, WO 97/19613 relates to an epilator comprising a series of striking pins of relatively hard elastomeric material, assembled under shape of a comb or a hand and mounted vibrating on the housing.

Les éléments vibrants tels que les patins, les roulettes ou les picots engendrent un frottement sur la peau qui peut produire, dans certains cas, une irritation.

Il peut arriver, comme dans le dernier document cité par exemple, que les éléments vibrants masquent les dispositifs mécaniques qui assurent l'épilation, ce qui est gênant pour l'utilisatrice.

In general, the solutions of the aforementioned prior art have drawbacks of two kinds:

Vibrating elements such as pads, rollers or pins cause friction on the skin which can, in some cases, produce irritation.

It can happen, as in the last document cited for example, that the vibrating elements mask the mechanical devices which ensure the epilation, which is inconvenient for the user.

We have certainly already proposed the use of air jets, or even air jets discontinuous to produce a vibration effect, in massage devices tires. Such an apparatus is described in DE-C2-41 19 793 and comprises a tube rotated about its longitudinal axis and the wall of which is crossing of a plurality of openings arranged in a helix around the axis longitudinal. A piston is slidably mounted at one end of this tube and is driven by an alternating movement by a drive member to produce pulsed air jets through these openings. The pulsation of the jets is simultaneous with their rotation, so that the points of impact of the jets on the skin constantly move to produce the desired massage effect. according to this massage device, the same jet must rotate 360 ° before being again directed against the skin. During most of the time, the jet did not therefore no effect since it no longer meets the skin surface to be massaged. he it is therefore not possible, by this means, to reach a vibration frequency on the same portion of skin, capable of producing any analgesic effect.

Other pneumatic massage devices are described in the DE-U1-297 02 844 as well as in EP-A2-0 107 518 without the directed air against the skin surface to be massaged is not pulsed. It therefore appears that none of the massage devices mentioned above is not capable of generating vibrations cutaneous likely to generate an analgesic effect.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to remedy, at least in part, the disadvantages of the above solutions.

To this end, an object according to the present invention includes the features of claim 1.

Using a pulsed fluid jet to exert vibration stimulation avoids the risk of irritation due to contact of vibrating elements with the skin.

The pulsed jet of pressurized gas is directed against the skin surface to be treated at through the dispensing nozzle at a frequency greater than 50 Hz.

It is indeed established that the analgesic effect is a function of the frequency of vibrational stimulation.

According to a first embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a source of gas pulsed under pressure consisting of a source of gas under pressure and means to establish a periodic link between this source gas and the distribution nozzle.

This has the advantage of being able to connect the device to a single source gas under pressure, the pulsed jet being created by connecting means belonging only to the device, which simplifies construction and cost means used to adjust the parameters of said pulsed jet under pressure thus produced.

Preferably, the device according to the invention has a plurality of nozzles aligned distribution, thus forming a curtain composed of air jets adjacent pulses. Thus, thanks to such an arrangement, it is easy to process and quickly an entire skin area by moving the device in translation in a direction perpendicular to that of the nozzle alignment.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention comprises means to keep the dispensing nozzles at a distance predetermined, even adjustable, of the skin surface. These means can include rollers or rollers mounted on hinged arms adjustable, can roll on the skin surface.

According to an advantageous variant of the first embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises two concentric tubular elements fitted together axially one inside the other, the external tubular element being mounted rotatably around the fixed internal tubular element, the latter being connected by one end to said source of pressurized gas while its wall is crossed by a series of longitudinally distributed distribution nozzles in a part of this internal tubular element intended to come opposite the skin area to be treated, the external tubular element having at least one light which, in at least one of the angular positions of this element tubular coincides with the distribution nozzles of the tubular element internal, drive means being engaged with this tubular element external to rotate it around the internal tubular member at a speed angular chosen to open and close said distribution nozzles at the desired frequency.

This embodiment by nested tubes is relatively simple and economical to produce to produce a curtain of several air jets. He is in besides easy to choose the frequency of the pulsed air jet (s), as well as the duration of the pulse. Indeed, the frequency can be chosen by the speed of rotation of the outer tube and by the number of lights distributed angularly on the wall of this tube. The pulse duration can be chosen by the dimension angular of the light (s) as well as by the speed of rotation of the tube external.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the device stimulation includes a forced air generator.

This embodiment has the advantage of a simpler construction and more compact, the various elements of the forced air generator can, but not necessarily, be integrated in the same box. This variant also has the advantage of easy handling of such a device.

According to a first variant of the second embodiment of the invention, the stimulation device includes a pressurized pulsed air jet generator comprising a cylinder at least one end wall of which passes through a nozzle for distributing said jet and an air intake port whose opening and closing are controlled by a valve, a piston being mounted sliding between two limit positions inside this cylinder, this piston being kinematically integral with a drive member to do so pass from one to the other of its limit positions and vice versa at a frequency and at a speed chosen as a function of the frequency of pulsation of said air jet able to produce the desired analgesic effect.

The essential advantage of this device lies in its simplicity and the small number of parts that make it up, making it easy to manufacture and assemble, leading to an inexpensive device to produce. Another benefit of this device is its low volume and reliability, requiring no maintenance.

Preferably, the piston is connected to a rotary drive member by a connecting rod-crankshaft system.

Preferably, the part of the piston located within the cylinder is slightly tapered towards the crankshaft and the piston forms with the connecting rod a monobloc assembly.

This simplified construction method makes it possible to reduce construction costs.

Advantageously, several pistons are kinematically integral with a crankshaft, each of these pistons with the cylinder in which it is mounted sliding constituting a forced air generator.

The presence of several forced air generators side by side allows to extend the area to be treated, all the pistons being actuated by the same member drive.

Preferably, the nozzle and the valve form a single insert of a elastic polymer material.

This characteristic makes it possible to reduce the number of parts and to simplify the manufacturing.

In this case, the part forming the nozzle and the valve preferably comprises a frustoconical part, coaxial with this nozzle, the large base of which is adjacent to a cylindrical portion, also coaxial with this nozzle, but smaller diameter than that of this large base, the opposite end of this portion cylindrical being adjacent to said valve eccentric with respect to said nozzle, the axial length of this cylindrical portion corresponding to the thickness of the end wall of said cylinder through which said nozzle passes, this wall being crossed by an opening whose diameter corresponds substantially to that of said cylindrical portion.

The design of this part does not require any means of fixing and its mounting simply involves passing the cone through the opening passing through the end wall of the cylinder.

According to a second variant of the second embodiment of the invention, the transcutaneous vibratory stimulation device comprises a body of pump whose end wall is crossed by at least one check valve delivery in relation to a nozzle for distributing said jet and a valve air intake, the opening and closing of which are controlled by a core mounted sliding between two limit positions in a bore inside the pump body, the seal between the core and the bore being provided by a deformable membrane, this core being kinematically attached to a drive member to move it from one to the other of its limit positions and vice versa at a frequency and at a speed chosen in function of the pulsation frequency of said air jet capable of producing the effect analgesic desired.

This variant has the advantage of simplicity and compactness remarkable, which allows its manufacture at a lower cost.

Preferably, said core is kinematically connected to a member rotary drive by an eccentric.

This solution has the advantage of being robust and reliable in operation, while remaining very simple.

According to a third embodiment of the invention, the device for transcutaneous vibration stimulation is used in combination with a device transcutaneous electrical stimulation.

This embodiment produces an analgesic effect far superior to that of the use of a vibratory stimulation device only with forced air or a only electrical stimulation device, as mentioned in the studies referenced above.

Preferably, the electrical stimulation device comprises at least one electrode in contact with or directed to the area of skin to be treated.

This solution has the advantage of being easy to implement and integrate in such a device used to treat an area of skin.

The present invention also relates to a use of this device with a device for removing hair from the human body, with an electric razor, or with a massage and / or skin suction device.

The use of this device with the aforementioned devices has moreover the advantage of not hindering the visibility of the user of the skin area treated by the epilator, electric shaver or massage since the distribution nozzle (s) intended for distributing the jet of forced air generating skin stimulation can be located at a certain distance from the skin area to be treated, which allows place them outside the field of vision of the person using the device.

According to the use of the device according to the invention, for example when it is used independently of any other device, for the sole treatment of pain, it may be advantageous to have several pairs of tubular elements nested one inside the other, arranged side by side.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention will be used with an apparatus for depilating including a movable roller rotating around a tree located on the longitudinal axis of the roller driven in rotation by a motor and comprising at least one row of pliers, formed of a first series of blades parallel side by side, mobile and interspersed in a second series of discs or fixed blades, as well as control means for moving alternately the movable blades in contact with the fixed blades, so to clamp them against the blades or fixed discs to pinch the hairs to be plucked then move away from these blades or fixed discs.

Preferably, the means for periodically connecting the gas source with the cutaneous surface to be treated through the dispensing nozzle are kinematically integral with the drive motor of the hair removal device roller.

Finally, according to a variant of the invention, the drive motor of said roller also serves as a drive member of said piston or pistons of the vibrational stimulation.

The drive motor of the epilating roller also serves as an organ of the sliding core in the bore of the pump body.

It is thus possible to have only one drive motor for the roller. the epilator and to activate the jet of pulsed air at the desired frequency.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la figure 1 est une vue de côté avec coupe partielle d'un appareil à épiler comportant un dispositif selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne II-II de la figure 1, dans laquelle seule la forme d'exécution du dispositif de stimulation vibratoire transcutanée est représentée,
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe analogue à la précédente, selon la ligne III-III de la figure 1,
• la figure 4 est une vue de côté avec coupe partielle d'un appareil à épiler comportant un dispositif selon une première variante du deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 4,
• la figure 6 est une vue partielle agrandie d'un détail de la figure 5,
• la figure 7 est une vue de côté avec coupe partielle d'un appareil à épiler comportant un dispositif selon une deuxième variante du deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne V-V de la figure 7.

The invention will be better understood on studying an embodiment of the device which is the subject of the invention used, in this example, in an apparatus for removing hair from the human body, described below, by way of nonlimiting example and illustrated diagrammatically in the appended figures in which:

• FIG. 1 is a side view with partial section of a depilatory device comprising a device according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line II-II of FIG. 1, in which only the embodiment of the transcutaneous vibratory stimulation device is shown,
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to the previous one, along the line III-III of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 4 is a side view with partial section of a depilatory device comprising a device according to a first variant of the second embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 5 is a sectional view along the line IV-IV of FIG. 4,
• FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view of a detail of FIG. 5,
• FIG. 7 is a side view with partial section of a depilatory device comprising a device according to a second variant of the second embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 8 is a sectional view along the line VV of FIG. 7.

BEST WAY TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for depilating human skin tissue to which associated with a transcutaneous vibratory stimulation device. The device hair removal to which this device has been added corresponds to that described in FR 97 00224, the content of which forms part of this description by virtue of this quote and to which we can refer for more details. The device hair removal as such not part of the present invention, only the parts of this apparatus necessary for the understanding of this invention will be described. It is however obvious that this hair removal device does not constitutes an example of the use of the device according to the invention, but that this is not limited to this epilator or even to epilators in general since it is apparent to the skilled person that this same device can be used with other devices intended for personal care such as electric razors or massage and / or suction devices, such as those used for the treatment of cellulite, for example.

It is also specified that the present invention is not limited to the use of this device in combination with a device intended for personal care of the aforementioned type, but on the contrary also extends to the use of this device only for the treatment of pain, in particular pain chronic due to rheumatism, osteoarthritis, tendinitis, pain muscular or other, the applications of the analgesic effect due to the application of transcutaneous vibrational stimuli being given for example in Rev. Neurol. (Paris), 1993, 149, 3, 177-185 (M.-F. Tardy-Gervet et al), as well as in Can. J. Neurol. Sci. 1991; 18: 113-119 (Régis Guieu et al) or even in Scientific Physiotherapy N ° 333 April 1994 (M.-F. Tardy-Gervet et al).

In Figure 1 is illustrated in particular a depilation head comprising a rotary drum 1 provided with a central shaft 2 movable in rotation in a cradle 3 and a cage mounted coaxially on the tree which it surrounds, this cage being formed by two lateral flanges 4, 5 holding between them four rods 6.

The left flange 4 is integral with a pinion 7 engaged with a train reduction gear 8 driven by a pinion 9 secured to the output shaft a drive motor 10.

Two series of alternate cruciform blades 11, respectively 12, are mounted on the central shaft 2 of the rotary drum 1, each pair of blades alternating 11, 12 forming a tweezer comprises a movable blade 11 likely to deviate from a fixed blade 12, alternatively to apply against it. The actuation of the movable blade 11 to cause the opening and closing these clips is not necessary for understanding the present invention will not be described here, the reader can, if desired, be see document FR 97 00224 mentioned above.

This briefly described hair removal device is associated with a transcutaneous vibration stimulation, intended to produce an analgesic effect in to alleviate the pain caused by hair removal.

According to an advantageous variant of a first embodiment, this device of transcutaneous vibratory stimulation comprises two tubular elements 13, 14 nested axially one inside the other. The internal tubular element 13 is held in two branches 15a, 15b of a support bracket 15 secured to the frame B carrying the depilation mechanism, its longitudinal axis being parallel and extending laterally to that of the central shaft 2 of the rotary drum 1. The external tubular element 14 is rotatably mounted around the element internal tubular 13 and is integral with a pinion 16 engaged with a reference 17 meshing with the pinion 7 of the rotary drum 1.

One end of the internal tubular element 13 is closed, while the other is connected to a source of pressurized air S by a supply duct 18. The wall of this internal tubular element 13 is crossed by nozzles distributions 19 which are, in this example, aligned along the same generator of this internal tubular element 13, located opposite the surface skin to be treated. Dispensing nozzles are formed by drilling cylindrical. We can also consider a conical passage whose top is turned outwards to better concentrate the air jet. These nozzles could then be made in pellets added in the wall of the tube 13. The external tubular element 14 has at least one lumen 20, which can be consisting of a longitudinal slot whose width is chosen, depending on the speed of rotation of the external tubular element 14 and the desired duration opening of the distribution nozzles 19. Of course, it is possible to have several lights 20 angularly distributed around the tubular element external 14, which makes it possible to reduce the angular speed of this element or, for a given speed, increase the frequency of pulsation of the air jets to through the distribution nozzles 19.

Indeed, in the case of the example described, since the tubular element external 14 is driven by the pinion 7 secured to the flange 4 of the rotary drum 1, the speed thereof is fixed by the desired characteristics for the actuation of mobile cruciform blades. Therefore, it is possible increase the opening and closing frequency of the distributions 19 by increasing the number of lights 20 and / or by the ratio reduction gears 7, 16 and 17.

The position of the tubes 13, 14 relative to the drum 1 is chosen so as not to obstruct the visibility of the area to be epilated. Preferably, since the device to be depilated is a hand-held device, the source of pressurized air S is not not on the device itself, so as not to increase its weight and volume, but at a certain distance. The supply conduit 18 connecting this source S to the internal tubular element 13 can be combined with the supply wire electric so as to form a mixed electricity supply cord and in the air.

We can consider giving a certain inclination to the nozzles of distributions 19, for example, by turning the inner tube 13 in the yoke support 15 so as to direct the pulsed air jets in the epilation zone. We can also imagine distribution nozzles 19 whose inclinations by with respect to the axis of the internal tubular element 13 are not the same, for cover a wider skin area.

Furthermore, it can be envisaged that the arms 15a, 15b are adjustable in height along slides, keeping the gear 17 in engagement with the pinion 7.

For example, with three 0.3mm diameter dispensing nozzles, one air supply pressure of 0.2 MPa and a frequency of 100Hz, we were able to get an analgesic effect.

Of course, the application is not limited to the example described. The device transcutaneous vibration stimulation described here can be used independently of any other device for body care, for the treatment of pain chronicles in particular. It can also be associated with another device used for body care, as already mentioned above.

Similarly, other means than those described in the preceding example can be used to generate pulsed air jets. We could in particular use vibrating valves actuated by electromagnets on the pressurized air supply duct. We could also use two tubes such as those described in the example above, but one of which would be mobile axially and alternately driven in this direction instead of turning around the other tube as in the example described.

We can also consider pulsing air at a temperature different from the room temperature, especially by cooling the air, which can allow to increase the analgesic effect sought. This could for example be obtained by placing a Peltier element on the wall or forming at least part of the wall of the air supply duct 18 or of the internal tubular element 13 for example, in order to lower the temperature of the air supplied to the distribution nozzles 19.

As already mentioned, especially in the case of the use of the device described alone, several pairs of tubular elements 13, 14 can be arranged side by side. Of course, it would also be possible to have a pair of these tubular elements 13, 14, laterally on each side of the drum 1 in the case of the example described above.

a first variant of the second embodiment of the device is shown in Figure 4. In Figure 4, the vibrational stimulation device transcutaneous according to the invention is therefore mounted on a housing B of an epilator of which only the epilation head comprising a rotary epilation drum 1 provided of two series of alternate cruciform blades 11,12 is shown, for allow to locate the respective positions of the active organs of the epilator and of the transcutaneous vibratory stimulation device.

This device comprises a drive motor 10, the output shaft of which is formed by a crankshaft 21 comprising, in this example, two parts eccentric cylindrical 21a, 21b, on each of which one end a connecting rod 22, 23 is pivotally mounted around the axes of the cylinders 21a, 21b. In the other ends of these connecting rods 22, 23 are embedded the respective rear ends of two pistons 24.25, the ends of which before are engaged in two respective bores 26,27. Piston bodies are slightly tapered so as to allow them a slight pivoting during their translation within their bores allowing the connecting rods to follow the circular movement of the eccentric parts of the crankshaft.

The bottom of each bore 26, 27 is crossed by two openings 28 and 29. The openings 28 are intake openings, while the openings 29 are coaxial with distribution nozzles 19. These distribution nozzles 19 do not are not formed directly in the bottom of bores 26,27, but in two inserts 30 one of which is illustrated separately at a larger scale by figure 6.

This insert 30 is injected or molded from an elastomer of silicone or EPDM. It comprises a frustoconical segment 30a coaxial with the nozzle 19, followed by a cylindrical segment 30b, also coaxial with nozzle 19. The diameter of this cylindrical segment 30b is substantially equal to the diameter openings 29, while the axial length of this cylindrical segment 30b corresponds to the thickness of the bottom of the bores 26,27. A flexible tongue 30c follows the cylindrical segment 30b. This flexible tab 30c is of circular shape, its diameter corresponding to that of the bores 26.27. She is offset from the axis of nozzle 19, the value of this offset corresponding to the distance from the center of the bore to the axis of the opening 29, so that by introducing the frustoconical part 30a through the opening 29 and making the center of the flexible tongue 30c coincide with that of bore 26, respectively 27, this flexible tongue 30c covers the bottom of this bore and therefore the inlet opening 28.

By rotating the crankshaft 21, the engine 10 causes the displacement of the two pistons 24.25 in an alternating movement in their bores respectively 26.27. Since the positions of the two cylindrical parts 21a, 21b of the crankshaft 21 are offset 180 ° from each other around the axis of rotation of the crankshaft 21, the pistons 24.25 move in opposition phase. When a piston 24.25 moves away from the flexible tongue 30c adjacent to the bottom of a bore 26,27, it creates a depression inside the corresponding bore. Since the diameter of the nozzle 19 does not allow not enough air flow for the bore to fill at the frequency of desired operation, the vacuum created by the retraction of the piston 24, respectively 25 causes the flexing of the flexible tongue 30c which releases the intake opening 28 and allows the air to return with sufficient flow.

When the piston 24, respectively 25 reverses its movement, it compresses the air sucked in, which causes the intake opening 28 to close by the flexible tongue 30c. This pressurized air is then expelled through the nozzle 19 and directed against a skin surface P on which it is desired to produce a analgesic effect by the vibrations of the jets.

In the example illustrated where the vibratory stimulation device is associated with a epilator, this device is placed on the upstream side of the housing B of the epilator by relative to its direction of movement, so as to treat the portion of skin located upstream of the area to be depilated in order to reduce its sensitivity just before subject her to hair removal.

As can be seen, in particular in FIG. 5, the frustoconical parts 30a crossed by the nozzles 19 are located at a certain distance from the surface P of skin to be treated, not masking this surface in the visual field of the user.

As an example, we can give some dimensions and parameters of operation relating to the device which has just been described. The race of pistons 24, respectively 25 is 8 mm, the diameter of the bore being 7 mm and that of the nozzle 19 of the order of 0.5 mm. The rotation speed of the drive motor 4 is 6000 rpm which gives a frequency of each 100Hz air jet. Since these jets are phase shifted by half a period and that they are directed against two adjacent portions of the skin, the frequency on the area of skin to be treated is 200Hz.

The pressure inside the cylinders 26, 27 when the pistons expel the sucked air is 5.10 ³ Pa (50 mB) and the pressure of the jet on the skin is 5.10 ⁴ Pa (5 g / mm ² ). The flow rate of each nozzle is approximately 1.8 l / min.

The thickness of the tongue 30c is 1 mm, the diameter of the part cylindrical 30b is of the order of 2 mm. The axial length of the part frustoconical 30a is 4 mm and the diameter of the base of this part tapered is 2.8 mm.

Of course, the device according to the invention is not limited to the example described. Thus, in particular, the number of nozzles can be adapted to the extent of the surface to be treated.

According to a variant not shown, but easily achievable for any skilled in the art, the drive motor 10 can be deleted, the crankshaft 21 then being connected by a gear transmission providing a appropriate reduction, to the motor (not shown) used to drive the rotary epilation drum 1 and disposed inside the housing B.

According to a second variant of the second embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the forced air generator is constituted by a diaphragm pump, pulsations being obtained by reciprocating motion of some of its components.

The device shown in Figure 7, consists of a housing B which can be hand-held and comprising a motor 10 actuating a rotary roller 1 carrying series of pliers 11,12, as well as its opening and clamp closure. Transmission of movement from motor 10 to roller 1 is made by a reducing gear train consisting of toothed wheels such than 31,32,33,34.

A diaphragm pump is arranged in the vicinity of the rotary roller 1, preferably housed inside the housing B. The pump comprises a body of pump 35 comprising a bore 36 in which is slidably mounted a core 37 driven in an alternating movement between two limit positions at inside the bore 36. The seal between the core 37 and the bore 36 is provided by a deformable membrane 38 integral with both the body 35 and the core 37. The core 37 is actuated in its alternating movement by a eccentric 39 rotated by the motor 10. The pump body 35 furthermore comprises at least one suction opening closed by a valve. suction 41b. It also has at least one delivery opening in relation to respective distribution nozzles 19, the opening of discharge being closed by a discharge valve 41a. The valves 41a, 41b are preferably made of a flexible material.

In operation, at each rotation of the eccentric 39, the core 37 in its reciprocating movement deforms the membrane 38 which varies the volume of air inside the bore 36. Consequently, the suction and discharge gradually open and close in order to draw air to inside the bore 36 and evacuate it through the nozzle (s) 19 towards the zone of skin to be treated P.

The nozzle (s) 19 are preferably small diameter tubes arranged laterally to the rotary roller 1, at the front thereof relative to its direction of displacement and a little behind so as not to mask the area to tweezers. The nozzle (s) 19 can be arranged perpendicularly by relative to the skin P or inclined with respect to the latter. In the case using several nozzles 19, they can be positioned one beside on the other or facing the axis of the roller 1.

The pump described is preferably arranged in the housing B of the device to depilate in such a way that it takes up as little space as possible. In the variant shown in Figure 8, given that it is driven by the epilator motor 10 and that the nozzle 19 is perpendicular to the skin P, the sliding movement of the core 37 is perpendicular to the direction of air outlet through nozzle 19. Other ways to position the pump by compared to the housing B can be envisaged with the arrangement of the parts of respective connection between the axis of the eccentric 39 and the head of the core 37. From the same way, we can imagine other means of movement training alternative of the core 37, as mechanical as electromagnetic.

By way of nonlimiting example, one can indicate some parameters of operation of the device described in this variant. So the race from core 37 inside bore 36 is 2 mm. The pressure inside the bore 36, before the expulsion of air through the nozzle 19 is 2400 Pa, the energy which is transmitted to the skin being 20 mJ per pulse. Air speed at outlet from nozzle 19 is 60 m / s. The rotational speed of the engine and the train gears are calculated so as to obtain an air jet frequency greater than 50Hz.

According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, not shown in figures, the vibratory stimulation device described in the variants presented is used in combination with a stimulation device electric transcutaneous nerve. This electrical stimulation device has at least one stimulation electrode in contact with the skin or producing discharges when the electrode is directed towards the skin, at a predetermined distance from the latter.

Thus, in the case of a hair removal device of the type described, the electrodes can be placed in contact with the blades or pliers 11,12, on a part metallic housing B, or they can also be supported by brushes inserted along the generator of the rotating roller 1, between the depilatory blades 11.12. Intermittent voltage is applied between at least two electrodes, positive and negative, the discharges generated in the area of skin to be treated P acting in combination with the jet of forced air produced by a stimulation device according to the invention. The analgesic effect felt in this case is improved.

Other variants relating to this embodiment can be envisaged. Thus, one or more electrodes can be placed in contact with the skin, this variant more suitable for a massage or shaving device which are displaced relative to the skin in contact with the latter.

POSSIBILITIES OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The invention finds its application in the technical field of personal care and more particularly in that of large appliances public.

Claims (22)

1. A device for transcutaneous vibratory stimulation, the device comprising a source of pulsating gas under pressure, and at least one dispenser nozzle (19), and being characterized in that in order to produce an analgesic effect, the device is arranged in such a manner that the pulsating jet of said gas under pressure is directed against a surface of the skin through said dispenser nozzle (19) at a frequency greater than 50 Hz.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the source of pulsating gas under pressure is constituted by a source (S) of gas under pressure and by means (7, 14, 16, 20) for establishing a periodic connection between said gas source (S) and the dispenser nozzle (19).
3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises two concentric tubular elements (13, 14) engaged coaxially one inside the other, the outer tubular element (14) being mounted to rotate abut the inner tubular element (13) which is connected via one end to said source (S) of gas under pressure while its wall is pierced by a series of dispenser nozzles (19) distributed longitudinally over a portion of said inner tubular element (13) and designed to come into register with the zone of the skin to be treated, the outer tubular element (14) presenting at least one opening (20) which, in at least one of the angular positions of said outer tubular element (14), coincides with the dispenser nozzles (19) of the inner tubular element (13), drive means (7, 10, 16, 17) engaging said outer tubular element (14) to cause it to rotate about the inner tubular element (13) at an angular speed selected to open and close said dispenser nozzles (19) at the desired frequency.
4. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of pairs of said tubular elements (13, 14) engaged one inside another and disposed side by side.
5. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the source of pulsating gas under pressure includes at least one generator of a pulsating air jet.
6. A stimulation device according to claim 5, characterized in that the generator of a jet of pulsating air under pressure comprises a cylinder (26, 27) having an end wall pierced by at least one dispenser nozzle (19) for said jet and an air admission orifice (28) whose opening and closing are controlled by a valve member (30c), a piston (24, 25) being slidably mounted between two limit positions inside the cylinder (26, 27), the piston (24, 25) being drivingly connected to a drive member (10) to cause it to pass from one of its limit positions to the other, and vice versa, at a frequency and at a speed that are selected as a function of the pulsating frequency of said air jet that is suitable for producing the desired analgesic effect.
7. A stimulation device according to claim 6, characterized in that said piston (24, 25) is connected to a rotary drive member (10) by a crank shaft and connecting rod system (21, 22, 23).
8. A stimulation device according to claim 7, characterized in that the portion of the piston (24, 25) situated within the cylinder (26, 27) is slightly conical towards the crank shaft, and in that the piston and the connecting rod together form a one-piece assembly.
9. A stimulation device according to any one of claims 6, 7, or 8, characterized in that a plurality of pistons (24, 25) are drivingly connected to a crank shaft (21), each of the pistons (24, 25) being slidably mounted in a cylinder (26, 27) and co-operating therewith to constitute a pulsating air generator.
10. A stimulation device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said nozzle (19) and said valve member (30c) together form a single fitting (30) made of an elastic polymer material.
11. A stimulation device according to claim 10, characterized in that said fitting (30) forming the nozzle (19) and the valve member (30c) has a frustoconical portion (30a) on the same axis as said nozzle (19), the larger base of the frustoconical portion being adjacent to a cylindrical portion (30b) also on the axis of said nozzle (19) but of smaller diameter than said larger base, the opposite end of said cylindrical portion being adjacent to said valve member (30c) which is eccentric relative to said nozzle (19), the axial length of said cylindrical portion (30b) corresponding to the wall thickness at the end of said cylinder (26, 27) through which said nozzle (19) passes, said wall being pierced by an opening (29) of diameter corresponding substantially to the diameter of said cylindrical portion (30b).
12. A stimulation device according to claim 5, characterized in that the pulsating air generator comprises a pump body (35) having an end wall pierced by at least one delivery valve (41a) in relationship with a dispenser nozzle (19) for dispensing said jet, and an air suction valve (41b) whose opening and closing are controlled by a core (37) mounted to slide between two limit positions in a bore (36) inside the pump body (35), sealing between the core (37) and the bore (36) being provided by a deformable diaphragm (38), the core (37) being drivingly connected to a drive member (10) to cause it to pass from one of its limit positions to the other and vice versa at a frequency and at a speed that are selected as a function of the pulsating frequency of said air jet that is suitable for producing the desired analgesic effect.
13. A device according to claim 12, characterized in that said core (37) is drivingly connected to a rotary drive member (10) via an eccentric (39).
14. A device according to claim 13, characterized in that the sliding movement of the core (37) is perpendicularly to the direction in which air exits through the nozzle (19).
15. A vibratory stimulation device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it is used in combination with a device for electrical transcutaneous stimulation.
16. A stimulation device according to claim 15, characterized in that the electrical stimulation device includes at least one electrode directed towards the zone of the skin (P) that is to be treated.
17. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it includes means for cooling said gas between said source of pulsating gas under pressure and said nozzle (19).
18. The use of a device according to any preceding claim with an appliance for epilating hairs on the human body.
19. The use of a device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, in association with an electric shaver.
20. The use of a device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, in association with an appliance for massaging and/or sucking the skin.
21. A use according to claim 18, characterized in that said epilator appliance comprises a roller (1) rotatable about a shaft (2) situated on the longitudinal axis of the roller (1) and rotated by a motor (10), the roller having at least one row of tweezers formed by a first series of parallel moving blades (11) placed side by side and interleaved in a second series of fixed blades or disks (12), and control means for causing the moving blades to reciprocate in translation in the longitudinal direction of said shaft (2) so as to clamp them against the fixed disks or blades (12) to grip the hairs to be pulled out and then to move away from said fixed disks or blades (12).
22. A use according to claim 8, characterized in that said means for periodically connecting said source (S) of gas with the surface of the skin to be treated through said dispenser nozzle (19) are drivingly connected to said drive motor (10) for driving said roller (1) of the epilator appliance.

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