US3516411A - Apparatus for the therapeutic treatment of the skin - Google Patents

Description

June 23,, 1970 E. ADLER 3,516,411

APPARATUS FOR THE THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT OF THE SKIN Filed May 13, 1968 INVENTOR. f5fe//e Ac//e/- AT ORNEY United States Patent 3,516,411 APPARATUS FOR THE THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT OF THE SKIN Estelle Adler, 405 E. 56th St., New York, NY. 10022 Filed May 13, 1968, Ser. No. 728,643 Int. Cl. A61n 1/00 US. Cl. 128-404 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a therapeutic apparatus, particularly for the treatment of the surface of the human body, and is an extension and improvement over the similar apparatus described and claimed in my co-pending Pat. No. 2,597,966, dated May 27, 1952.

In my said patent, I have described and claimed an apparatus for the treatment of the surface of the human body by the application of suction thereto, in which regulation of the force of the suction is entirely within the control of the operator. The present invention is directed to apparatus for the treatment of the surface of the human body by means of suction and by the simultaneous application of heat thereto, as by means of infra-red heat rays.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide therapeutic apparatus, of the character described, whereby the exposure of the body surface to the therapeutic heat rays may be pre-set for automatic as well as for manual control.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide therapeutic apparatus, of the character described, which is of relatively simple construction; relatively economical to produce, and simple and easy to use and apply to the surface of the human body.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the therapeutic apparatus of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the embodiment thereof shown in the accompany drawings, and from the description following. It is to be understood, however, that such embodiment is shown by way of illustration only, to make the principles and practice of the invention more readily comprehensive and without any intent of limiting the invention to the specific details therein shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a more or less schematic, elevational and partly sectional view of one embodiment of the therapeutic apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an electric circuit that may be used with the apparatus.

Referring now to the apparatus illustrated in the drawing, the same is shown to comprise an applicator, generally designated as 10, consisting of an inverted, more or less cup-shaped head 12, having the bottom opening 14', defined by an edge 16, conforming more or less to the surface of the human body. The hollow head is provided at one end with a reduced neck 20, by which it is joined to a tubular stem or handle 22, whose free end may be connected to one end of a flexible tube 26, whose other end connects with an inlet port 28, of

a suction pump 30.

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Interposed between the port 28 and the applicator 10 there is provided a tank 32, to which a suitable pressure gauge is connected and an adjustable valve 34, for regulating the maximum degree of vacuum that will be available at the applicator opening.

Another valve 38, may be inter-posed between the applicator and the tank 32, to avoid losing the reduced pressure effect within the tank when the use of the applicator is temporarily discontinued. The tubular stem or handle 22 is provided with a vent 40, set in the wall thereof in posititon to be closed or partially closed by a finger of the operator.

Thus, when the applicator head 12 is applied to the surface of the skin and the suction pump set into operation and connected with the operating head 12 and the .vent 40, or completely closed by the finger of the operator, the full effect of the suction will be applied to the skin of the subject through the opening 14 of the applicator. Where the applicator head is formed of a transparent material or has a transparency set thereinto,

. the operator can continuously observe the effect of the suction upon the area of the skin surface to which it is applied. After the desired effect has been obtained, the operator may remove, wholly or partially, the finger from the opening, and discontinue the suction over that area or the section to which it had been applied.

Set into the roof of the applicator head 12 is an infrared, heat-ray-producing device, such as an infra-red lamp 42, which is set into a socket 44, held in the wall of the applicator head 12, and connected to the roof of the applicator head 12, surrounding the socket 44, there may be provided a reflector 46, to reflect heat against the surface of the body on which the apparatus is used.

A screen 45, may be provided within said applicator, exteriorly of lamp 42, to prevent contact of said lamp with the body of a person being treated.

Associated with the applicator head 12 and with the lamp 42 and connected in the circuit of the lamp 42 there is provided heat-responsive means for controlling the circuit through the lamp to automatically shut the same oif at a predetermined, pre-set temperature. In the illustrated embodiment, such means comprises a bimetallic element, 48, connected at one end in the circuit of lamp 42 with its other end adapted to come in and out of contact with the terminal, 50, in said circuit as the temperature within the head 12 reaches or falls below a predetermined temperature. The bi-rnetallic element 48 may preferably be flexible, to a degree, and have its said other end normally in contact with terminal 50 and is arranged to break such contact at a predetermined temperature and may have its terminal contacting end adjustable to contact said terminal at different pressures, so that it will break contact at different temperatures. Such adjustment may be effected from the exterior of the applicator 12 and may be elfected by a rotating knob, 52, mounted on the applicator, such knob including an indicator arm moving along a scale, 54, supported adjacent said knob; the scale indicating the preset contact breaking temperature for the bi-metallic element 48.

Additional control over the temperature within the applicator head 12 may be provided by means of the offand-on rheostat switch, 56, that may be mounted on the handle 22 of the apparatus.

This completes the description of the therapeutic apparatus of the present invention. It will be readily apparent that such apparatus provides increased therapeutic benefits when used upon the surface of the body. It will also be apparent that such apparatus is convenient, as well as safe to use, because of the ease and simplicity with which it may be controlled. It will likewise be apparent that the apparatus of the present invention is of relatively simple construction and relatively economical to produce and use.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the therapeutic apparatus of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the embodiment thereof shown in accompanying drawing and from the description following. It is to be understood however, that such embodiment is shown by way of illustration only, to make the principles and practice of the invention more readily comprehensible and without any intent of limiting the invention to the specific details therein shown.

What I claim is:

1. In therapeutic apparatus for the treatment of the body surface comprising a substantially cup-shaped applicator body having an opening formed therein with an edge adapted to make snug contact with the body surface and controllable means connected to said applicator body for providing sub-atmospheric pressure therewithin when applied against a body surface, an electrical source for producing infra-red heat rays secured within said applicator body, said source connected in an electric circuit, and means connected within said circuit responsive to the temperature within said applicator body for breaking said circuit at a predetermined temperature within said applicator body.

2. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 1, wherein said infra-red-ray producing means comprises an electric lamp.

3. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 1, wherein a heat reflector is provided within said body around said infrared-ray-producing element.

4. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 1, wherein said heat-responsive means is adjustable for breaking said circuit at varying selected temperature levels.

5. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 1, wherein said heat-responsive means comprises a bi-metallic element and a terminal in said circuit, said bi-metallic element being connected at one end within said circuit with its other end normally in contact with said terminal, and arranged to move away from said terminal to break said circuit.

6. The therapeutic apparatus of claim 5, wherein said bi-rnetallic element is flexible and is adjustable from the exterior of said body to contact said terminal with selected variable pressure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,567,757 9/1951 Argento 128-404 2,580,628 1/1952 Welsh 128404 2,597,966 5/1952 Adler 128-67 2,655,145 10/1953 Heger 128241 ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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