WO2005110531A1

WO2005110531A1 - Electrodes for simultaneous electrostimulation of all face, neck, arms, legs and trunk muscles

Info

Publication number: WO2005110531A1
Application number: PCT/HR2005/000032
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sanja Gosovic
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-05-18
Filing date: 2005-05-17
Publication date: 2005-11-24
Anticipated expiration: 2006-11-18
Also published as: HRP20040441A2

Abstract

The invention strengthens musclex of all lets, arms and thrunk at the same time by use of flexible electrode strips 5 to 80 mm wide and as long as the circumference of the body part at the place of application. The electrode includes a built-in connector for receiving eletrical impulses from a multichannel electro stimulator. Electro stimulation of the platysma muscle is achieved with flexible electrode strips 3 to 30 mm wide. Electrodes passing the larynx and thyroid gland region must be insulated on these parts. Self-adherent electrodes are affixed on the face by sticking, while the others use elastic Velcro straps. Testing results show that electrode treatment according to the invention very effectively raises face and neck muscle structure, made noticeable by the disappearance of wrinkles on the forehead, between the eyebrows, around the eyes and mouth. The double chin disappears, as do neck wrinkles, and the neck is made thinner.

Description

ELECTRODES FOR SIMULTANEOUS ELECTRO STIMULATION OF ALL FACE, NECK, ARMS, LEGS AND TRUNK MUSCLES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is applicable to areas of medicine and cosmetics, more precisely electrotherapy of human face and body muscles, with the goal of increasing treated muscle tone. According to the invention, electrotherapy means the electro stimulation of face, neck and body (arms, legs and trunk - below chest level) muscles. According to International Patent Classification the invention can be classified into:

- section A Human necessities

- subclass A61N Electrotherapy; Magnetotherapy; Radiation therapy; Ultrasound therapy

- subgroup A61N1/36 Applying alternating or intermittent electric currents by contact electrodes for stimulation, e.g. heart pace-makers.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

Due to the shape of electrodes for electro stimulation of muscles currently available on the market, it is possible only to stimulate a single muscle or a small group of arms, legs or trunk muscles. Because of this, it is not possible to strengthen simultaneously all arms, legs and trunk (below chest level) muscles.

Face and neck muscles can be stimulated - with electrodes existing on the market - by electro stimulation of a single muscle or muscle group, by using many pairs of single electrodes. Full stimulation of all facial muscles and the control of the strength of stimulation regarding single muscles or all facial muscle groups at the same time, symmetrically and on both sides is not possible with currently available electrodes. These ways of stimulation have as an effect a relatively little and therefore inadequate muscle coverage by the electrode itself. This is especially true for the platysma muscle (musculus platysma).

STATE OF THE ART

All current electrodes cover a smaller or larger part of the body (part of a leg, arm or trunk) and electro stimulate the corresponding surface of a muscle or group of muscles. The electrodes are square, rectangular or round, in different sizes. Electrodes that simultaneously, synchronously and symmetrically stimulate a large group of facial muscles are now limited to the method of placing small circular electrodes, or in the variant of several pairs of self-adherent electrodes, or in the variant of a mask with built-in point electrodes, or in the variant of stimulating only one muscle or small group of muscles.

There is no electrode for electro stimulation of the platysma (musculus platysma).

Patent document JP2003339884A describes a mask with electrodes for the stimulation of the nerves of the mimic muscles of the face - around the eyes, lips and lower jaw.

Patent document JP2004216069A describes the combination of four pairs of electrodes pressed against the area under and on the outer rim of the eyes. The electrodes are positioned on the inner part of the carrier, shaped as a frame of a pair of skiing goggles. Electro stimulation of the nerves of the under skin tissue of the rim area around the eyes is achieved via electrode pairs.

Patent document JP2004222741A, like document JP2004216069A, describes a carrier with four pairs of electrodes deployed under and on the outer rim of the eyes, thus following the fibres of the circular eye muscle (orbicularis oculi). By stimulating the muscle with electrical impulses, the area around the eyes is tightened.

DISCLOSURE OF ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION The solution to simultaneous stimulation of all arms, legs and trunk (below chest level) muscles and their synchronous activity can be achieved by flexible electrodes connected to the electrical impulses source - a multichannel electro stimulator.

The electrodes are as long as the total circumference of the body part they are being applied to: forearm, waist, hips, upper leg, lower leg, ... Complete, strong and efficient stimulation of both sides of all facial muscles, especially the platysma muscle, can be achieved by a pair of flexible electrode strips, according to the invention. Five basic and four combined electrode positions are set based on the position of facial muscle groups on the upper or lower region of the head, above or below nose level. The treatment is effected without holding the electrodes by hand. The treatment may be effected with all currently known materials used for flexible electro stimulation electrodes production. If self-adherent electrodes are not being used, all other materials may be affixed by elastic attachments to the electrodes. Electrodes that touch the larynx and the thyroid gland (glandula thiroidea) regions must have insulators on these parts.

The electrodes, thanks to their flexible shape and length, may be adapted ideally to faces or body parts of any size.

The duration of the treatment, i.e. the intensity of electro stimulation is determined individually and is adapted to the individual condition of single muscles or muscle groups, with the synchronous activity of all facial muscles. Thus we may increase or decrease the intensity of stimulation to a certain muscle group, while stimulating all facial muscles. The flexible electrodes used on the body are shaped as strips 5 to 80 mm wide, depending on the material of construction, and the length of the body part to be applied to, for example forearm, waist, hips, upper leg, lower leg, etc.

Complete and efficient stimulation of both sides of the platysma muscle can be achieved by a pair of electrode strips, 3 to 30 mm wide and as long as required, with elastic straps and protective insulators for the thyroid gland and larynx. The future appearance of even thinner electrodes on the market would recommend them for use in the electro stimulation of muscles according to this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows face and neck muscles.

Fig. 2 shows a pair of strips T-A and T-B in the single electrode pair El-A and El-B (n=l) variant.

Fig. 3 shows a pair of T-A and T-B strips in the 3 electrode pairs El-A and El-B, E2-A and E2-B, and E3-A and E3-B (n=3) variant. Fig. 4 shows two pairs of strips Tl and T2, and T3 and T4 in the single pair of self- adherent electrode strips (n=l) variant, correctly positioned on face.

Fig. 5 shows two pairs of strips Tl and T2, and T3 and T4 in two electrode placement variants. The Tl and T2 strip pair with 2 pairs of self-adherent electrodes (n=2), and the T3 and T4 strip pair with 5 pairs of self-adherent electrodes (n=5). Fig. 6 shows Tl and T2, and T3 and T4 pairs of strips, attached to face with Velcro straps F.

Fig. 7 shows areas of neck that require electrodes to be insulated - the larynx and thyroid gland. Fig. 8 shows the basic position of Tl and T2 pair of strips in the single pair of self- adherent electrodes (n=l) variant.

Fig. 9 shows the basic position of T3 and T4 pair of strips in the single pair of self- adherent electrodes (n=l) variant.

Fig. 10 shows the basic position of T5 and T6 pair of strips in the single pair of self- adherent electrodes (n=l) variant.

Fig. 11 shows the basic position of T3 and T7 pair of strips in the single pair of self- adherent electrodes (n=l) variant. Fig. 12 shows the basic position of T4 and T7 pair of strips in the single pair of self- adherent electrodes (n=l) variant.

Fig. 13 shows the position of the combination of two strip pairs Tl and T2, and T3 and T4 in the single pair of self-adherent electrodes (n=l) variant.

Fig. 14 shows the position of the combination of two strip pairs Tl and T2, and T3 and T7 in the single pair of self-adherent electrodes (n=l) variant.

Fig. 15 shows the position of the combination of two strip pairs Tl and T2, and T4 and T7 in the single pair of self-adherent electrodes (n=l) variant.

Fig. 16 shows the position of the combination of two strip pairs Tl and T2, and T5 and T6 in the single pair of self-adherent electrodes (n=l) variant. Fig. 17 shows the TC body strip with F Velcro straps, in the three electrodes E4, E5 and E6 (n=3) variant.

Fig. 18 shows the positions of strip pairs on body in the single pair of electrodes (n=l) variant.

A list of reference marks with accompanying descriptions, used in the detailed description of the invention embodiment and the figures, is given in the table: Reference mark Description 2 ^" muscules frontalis 3 muscules occipitalis 4 muscules temporalis 5 muscules auricularis anterior 6 muscules auricularis superior 7 muscules auricularis posterior

^"~T5^{~ "" '} strip T6 strip T7 strip T-A strip T-B strip TC strip TG thyroid gland TNI strip TN2 strip TP1 strip TP2 strip TRl strip TR2 strip TTI strip TT2 strip

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION EMBODIMENT

The invention applies to electrodes for the electro stimulation of all face and neck muscles, i.e. the platysma, according to Fig. 1. Electro stimulation is performed with a multichannel device for the electro stimulation of muscles, connected with as many pairs of conductors as there are pairs of electrodes on the face, neck and/or body. This can range from one pair (n=l) to several pairs of electrodes (n=2, 3, 4, ...)

Electrodes are placed on the face and neck in five basic positions (Fig. 8 to Fig. 12) that can be treated individually. Each basic position requires two strips, i.e. one strip pair. One pair of strips must have the same number of electrode pairs, from one pair (n=l) to n pairs (n>l). Apart from the five basic positions (Fig. 8 to Fig. 12), the electrodes may be placed in four combinations of basic positions (Fig. 13 to Fig. 16).

Each electrode on a strip has its pair on the other strip (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3). All electrodes on the same strip, regardless of their number (n=l, 2, 3, 4, ...), have the same impulse polarity of the connected power supply. Electrodes on a single strip may have different impulse amplitudes of the connected power supply. The number of impulses of the connected power supply, or the duration of electrotherapy may vary from one electrode to another on the same strip.

The electrodes are either stuck or affixed on the facial skin surface, so that they do not need to be held by hand during the treatment.

The electrodes are in a "conductive" contact with skin, so that the electrical impulse may be brought from the power source to the muscle via the electrode and skin. There are two possible ways of forming the electrodes into strips, according to the material they are built of: 1. Self-adherent electrodes, for example made of aluminium, can be cut into n=l, 2, 3, ... electrodes and by sticking form the strips of one of the possible combinations of two strip pairs (Fig. 4 and Fig. 5). 2. Electrodes made of different materials, for example lead, silicone rubber, conductive elastic rubber, ... must have a conductive contact agent between the skin and electrode surface, to increase conductivity and decrease skin burning, for example contact gel, a sponge soaked in water, etc. Electrodes of these and similar materias must be attached to a common strip and extended by fixating attachments (F), as shown in Fig. 6. Electrodes passing the larynx and the thyroid gland must have insulators on these parts of the body, on the electrode surface facing the skin. The larynx (L) and thyroid gland (TG) must not be treated with electrical impulses (Fig. 7).

The basic position of Tl and T2 strips (Fig. 8) stimulates muscles (2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 and

12).

Strip pair Tl and T2 is used, placed horizontally on the forehead, one above the other.

The T2 strip starts from the left hairline on the forehead, continuing immediately below, on or above eyebrow level, to the right hairline at temple level.

The Tl strip lies above strip T2, starting from the left to the right hairline, lying on the musculus frontalis (2).

The basic position of strips T3 and T4 (Fig. 9) stimulates muscles (4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15,

16, 17, 18, 24, 20, 19, 21, 22 and 23). A pair of strips, T3 an T4, are used, descending from the left temple area of the forehead down the cheeks, below the chin and going up the same way along the right to the right temple area.

The T3 strip is closer to the centre of the face, while T4 is closer to the ear, i.e. the outer part of the face. The T4 strip starts from the left side of the forehead, by the hairline, and descends along the hairline across the temple, in front of the left ear, descending past the angle of the lower jaw, that is to say between the left ear and the jaw angle, past the lower jaw and near the neck, and going up the same way symmetrically along the right side of the face. The T3 strip starts at the upper edge of the forehead hairline, descending by the temple by the left eye, further over the zygomaticum bone, over the central part of the cheek, by the left edge of the lips, to the left edge of the chin, descends below the chin and remounts the same way symmetrically along the right side of the face.

The basic position of strips T5 and T6 (Fig. 10) stimulates muscles (20, 21, 22, 23, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 24).

A pair of strips T5 and T6 is used in a horizontal position above and below the lips from the left to the right ear.

The T5 strip starts level with the upper edge of the left earlobe, across the central part of the left cheek, above the upper lip and continues symmetrically along the right side of the face. The T6 strip starts level with the lower edge of the left earlobe, across the central part of the left cheek, below the lower lip and continues symmetrically along the right side of the face.

The basic position of T3 and T7 strips (Fig. 11) stimulates muscles (4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15,

16, 17, 18, 24, 20, 19, 21, 22 and 23).

A pair of strips T3 and T7 is used. The position of strip T3 has already been described in this text.

The T7 strip starts from the neck spine on the lower part of the neck, continues horizontally around the left side of the neck to the front side and symmetrically around the right side of the neck back to the spine.

The basic position of T4 and T7 strips (Fig. 12) stimulates muscles (4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 24, 20, 19, 21, 22 and 23).

The Tl, T2, T3 and T4 strip combination position (Fig. 13) stimulates muscles (4, 5, 8, 9, 10,

13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 24, 20, 19, 21, 22, 23, 2, 11 and 12).

The Tl, T2, T3 and T7 strip combination position (Fig. 14) stimulates muscles (4, 5, 8, 9, 10,

13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 24, 20, 19, 21, 22, 23, 2, 11 and 12). The Tl, T2, T4 and T7 strip combination position (Fig. 15) stimulates muscles (4, 5, 8, 9, 10,

13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 24, 20, 19, 21, 22, 23, 2, 11 and 12).

The Tl, T2, T5 and T6 strip combination position (Fig. 16) stimulates muscles (2, 4, 5, 8, 9,

10, 11, 12, 20, 21, 22, 23, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 i 24). Body electrodes shaped as a pair of strips are laid on each individual body part. Two strip pairs TRl and TR2 are applied to the arms, one strip pair TTl and TT2 is applied to the trunk, two pairs TNI and TN2 are applied to the upper leg, and two pairs TPl and TP2 on the lower leg, as depicted in Fig. 18.

The strips are laid in pairs according to the body part to be treated. Two strips, making one strip pair (for example Tl and T2, T3 and T4, T5 and T6), must have the same number of electrodes on them, creating, like the strips, a certain number of electrode pairs, from one pair (n=l), to n pairs (n>l). Electrodes, made of any flexible material for the production of electrodes for electro stimulation, may be self-adherent. In that case, fixing them onto the face forms them into strips.

In the variant when the electrodes for electro stimulation are not self-adherent, they are attached to extensions that are affixed on the face (Fig. 6) or body (Fig. 17) by means of Velcro strap (F).

APPLICATION OF INVENTION

Electro stimulation of face, neck and body muscles as described in the invention, using flexible electrode strips, can be very successfully applied in medical rehabilitation and cosmetic treatments.

The goal is to achieve muscle tone and strength increase in all face, neck and body (arms, legs and trunk - below chest level) muscles at the same time.

Testing results show that electrode treatment, according to the invention, is very efficient in lifting the structure of face and neck muscles, noticeable by the disappearance of wrinkles on the forehead, between the eyebrows, around the eyes and mouth. The double chin disappears, as do neck wrinkles, and the neck is made thinner.

Claims

C L AI M S

1. Electrodes for simultaneous electro stimulation of all face, neck, arms, legs and trunk muscles, characterized by being shaped as flexible strips: - 3 to 30 mm wide for the stimulation of head and neck muscles (platysma muscle), and 5 to 80 mm wide for the stimulation of other body muscles, - length equal to the circumference of the body on location of application.

2. Electrodes according to the invention, according to claim 1, characterized by the five basic positions for electrodes on the face and neck: - Tl and T2 (Fig. 8), - T3 and T4 (Fig. 9), - T5 and T6 (Fig. 10), - T3 and T7 (Fig. 11), - T4 and T7 (Fig. 12).

3. Electrodes according to the invention, according to claim 1, characterized by the four combinations of basic positions for electrodes on the face and neck: - Tl, T2, T3 and T4 (Fig. 13), - Tl, T2, T3 and T7 (Fig. 14), - Tl, T2, T4 and T7 (Fig. 15), - Tl, T2, T5 and T6 (Fig. 16).

4. Electrodes according to the invention, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that on other parts of the body (Fig. 18) one pair (TTl and TT2 on the trunk) or two pairs of strips (TRl and TR2 on the arms, TNI and TN2 on upper leg and TPl and TP2 on lower leg) are applied.

5. Electrodes according to the invention, according to claim 1, characterized by that: - all electrodes on one strip, regardless of their number (n=l, 2, 3, 4, ...) have the same impulses polarity of the connected power supply, - electrodes on one strip may have different impulses amplitudes of the connected power supply, - the number of impulses from the connected power supply, i.e. the duration of electrotherapy can vary from one electrode to another on the same strip.

6. Electrodes according to the invention, according to claim 1, characterized by the two possible ways of forming the electrodes into strips, based on the material of construction: - self-adherent electrodes, for example made of aluminium, can be cut into n=l, 2, 3, ... electrodes and be formed, by attaching, into strips of one of the possible combinations of two strip pairs (Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) - electrodes made of other materials, like lead, silicone rubber, conductive elastic rubber, etc. must have a conductive contact agent between electrode and skin surface to increase conductivity and decrease skin burning, for example contact gel or a sponge soaked in water.

7. Electrodes according to the invention, according to claims 1-6, characterized by the fact that increasing the electrode number (n=2, 3, 4, etc.) increases the effectiveness of the therapy and enables an individual approach to each individual muscle or muscle group being treated.

8. Electrodes according to the invention, according to claims 1-7, characterized by the fact that: - the intensity of electro stimulation and the duration of the treatment is defined individually, according to the condition of individual muscles or muscle groups, - the intensity of electro stimulation and/or the duration of treatment of individual muscles or muscle groups can be increased or decreased during the treatment.

9. Electrodes according to the invention, according to previous claims, characterized by the fact that electrodes passing over the larynx and thyroid gland on these body parts must be insulated on the surface of the electrode facing the skin.