Description

For a clearer understanding of this paper, we are including a brief description of the figures mentioned in the text; fig.1/3 is a sequence of images showing the hair loss phases and a graphic representation of the type of massage performed. Fig 2/3 shows the various parts making up the device. Fig 3/3 is a block diagram referring to the implemented electronics. The device described in this paper performs a combined detachment, photostimulation and vibration massage; it is based on an innovative pressure therapy system which does not require any compressed air. The development of technical devices for personal care purposes is a continuously evolving sector relying on a number of different applied technologies: vibration, pressure, stretching, light, electric current, laser, ultrasound are only some of the techniques applied each time to obtain dedicated systems suitable for specific conditions or requirements. To implement a product which is also likely to sell, these technologies must be applied at reasonable prices and by fulfilling aesthetic, medical and ergonomic requirements. The above mentioned device is in line with these preconditions as it uses innovative technical solutions which are beneficial for problems related to blood circulation and

microcirculation on the inside and outside of the skull, such as baldness, migraine, erythema, poor circulation, alopecia, etc. There are different theories regarding the possible causes and treatment of hair loss: while one specific cause has not been identified, a number of factors have been named ranging from genetic predisposition to lifestyle, and going through a whole range of pathologic dysfunctions which may all be contributing causes. However, there is a general consensus on one common element: baldness is caused by, among other factors, poor blood supply to the scalp; this is the reason why all hair loss treatment techniques tend to restore blood circulation and microcirculation locally. Several published scientific studies show that while the lower part of the scalp receives sufficient blood supply, the blood flow to the top of the head seems to be poorer; the lower part of the scalp receives 4 to 6 times more blood than the areas traditionally affected by baldness. It has also been observed that baldness occurs in areas of the scalp which will go thinner because of gravity exercising a downward pull and because of facial muscle stress. The flattening of the scalp at the top of the braincase causes its thinning and consequently, a further decrease in the supply of blood to the hair; these findings are confirmed by the repetitive pattern of baldness (see fig. 15 picturing the different phases of baldness). This picture clearly shows that baldness tends to concentrate in the upper scalp area, where blood circulation is insufficient and the skin tends to become thinner or 'flattened' against the braincase. This condition is referred to by experts (hair care specialists) as gluing. The opposite operation - which counters the effects of gluing - is known as "detachment". Further on in this paper and in the claims, we will repeatedly use the word detachment to refer to what has been described here above. To perform the operation known as detachment, a professional masseur is required to 'push' the scalp upwards with fingertips; this is a specialist treatment performed at a considerable cost; consequently, some companies have developed systems to mechanically perform the detachment operation. What is currently available commercially today is a pressure therapy system consisting of an inflatable headband wrapped around the top of the head; when the band is inflated, its diameter decreases suddenly pushing the scalp rapidly upwards and effectively performing mechanical detachment; after a pre-set period of time, the air cushion is automatically deflated releasing the scalp, which will move back down. This system uses a sudden, impulsive movement with opening and closing times of approximately 1 second determined by the compressed air systems. It also has a high cost because it uses a compressor and a set of four dedicated electronic solenoid valves, as well as watertight devices. The

shortcomings of this system are the difficulty to control movement, the difficulty to control the applied force and the system complexity. Our invention, besides being more cost- efficient, also allows detachment to be performed slowly and in a programmable manner in terms of time and applied force, since the system can be programmed according to the time needed for the blood to flow up to the required circulation areas. The

implemented innovation consists in wrapping a looped string around the head fig.16, decreasing the loop diameter until the scalp is lifted fig.17. The practical implementation of this design is done by securing both ends of the loop string fig. 1 to the rotary shaft of an electric gearmotor fig.2. Winding (fig.9) or unwinding (fig.8) this high resistance string will cause a change in the diameter of the loop placed on an elastic support fig 10 and sliding in it fig. 11 through special slots fig.14. The gearmotor fig.13 is integral with the elastic support fig.10. When the diameter decreases fig.3 the elastic support is raised fig 5 because of the shape of skull; conversely, when the loop becomes wider fig.4, the support will move downwards fig. 6. These vertical movements (which occur because the scalp - pressed against the skull - will follow its hemispherical shape) cause the blood to flow towards poorer circulation areas, and at the same time, will detach the scalp from the braincase, softening it and creating a sufficient gap to restore a correct, healthy blood flow and effectively delivering a form of pressure therapy which, in our claims, is repeatedly referred to as detachment. The device can be programmed and used with only 2 control buttons: a "+" button fig.18 , which causes the elastic support to close and consequently lifts the scalp, fig. 5, and a "-" button fig.19 which causes the elastic support to open fig.4. The end user will control elastic support tightening by pressing the button fig.18 until the required detachment is obtained; when the user releases the 75 button, the system begins to work according to the programmed cycle. The cycle time can be programmed between 1 second to hundreds of seconds, by cyclically opening and closing the elastic support. Consequently, pressure will increase proportionally to the elastic support closing time. During the scalp compression phase, the motor will turn more slowly than in the decompression phase as it is not under stress; consequently,

80 with closing and opening times being the same, the system would tend to open. To make up for this error, we have implemented an automatic software correction which takes this information into account; this adjustment - referred to as correction - is claimed in point 9; with this solution, the system will tend to close the elastic support more than it is opened; this automatic adjustment of the operation point has enabled us to considerably

85 simplify the system by doing without limit switches and position sensors. In consideration of the reasonable cost of the system, we have added an extra device by connecting a vibrator fig.12 to the elastic support fig.10. The vibrator consists of a motor causing a cam to rotate; the vibrator speed fig.21 follows a pattern stored in a microprocessor fig.20. The vibrator is integral with the elastic support which goes up and down to

90 perform detachment; the vibratory motion will help detachment, and the combination of the two (vibration-detachment) movements will help restore healthy circulation; the combination of these movements will produce a uniquely pleasant sensation, typical of our invention. To reunite all the known methods in a single device, we have completed our system with Photostimulation: since baldness always affects the top part of the head,

95 we have arranged a number of light sources with different wavelengths around the

vibrator fig.7. Photostimulation is a very popular, commercially successful technique which has never been offered in combination with the controlled detachment and vibration typical of our invention, which makes ours the only "photostimulated vibrational detachment" product available on the marketplace. The simultaneous application of 100 these three separate and combined actions (detachment, vibration and photostimulation) dramatically enhances the benefits produced by the device. By applying these technical solutions, we have developed an innovative system the structure of which can be covered in different ways (in terms of shapes and materials), ensuring aesthetically pleasant and functional results at low cost. Our research has resulted in the

105 implementation of a product active on microcirculation with near-infrared light; vibration will reactivate deep-level circulation, the microprocessor-controlled detachment typically performed by our system will reactivate deep-level circulation making our system different from any other existing system or patent.