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Publication Number
US-11865288-B2
Publication Date
2024-01-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device comprising a housing having a handle end and a treatment end. The treatment end is configured to provide an antimicrobial treatment and a heat treatment. The treatment end comprises an applicator having an applicator surface for providing at least the heat treatment. The device includes a heat generation unit configured to heat the applicator surface in use, a source of antimicrobial agent, and a control unit operatively connected to at least the heat generation unit for controlling the heat generation unit. The device can be a hand-held device and used to apply topical treatment to a treatment area of a subject.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a handheld device having a housing with a handle end and a treatment end. The treatment end provides an antimicrobial treatment and a heat treatment, and includes an applicator with an applicator body and an applicator surface disposed on the applicator body. The applicator surface is configured to provide both heat conductivity for the heat treatment and a source of antimicrobial agent for the antimicrobial treatment.
The applicator body comprises a metal material different from the applicator surface. The device includes an applicator connector connected to the housing, with the applicator detachably attached to the applicator connector. A heat generation unit is thermally connected to the applicator through the applicator connector to transfer heat thereto, and is operatively connected to the applicator surface through the applicator body for heating of the applicator surface in use.
A control unit is operatively connected to at least the heat generation unit to control heat generation. An activator unit activates the control unit in response to being operatively connected thereto, and comprises computer-readable instructions for instructing the control unit to allow use of the device for a predefined extent of administration of treatment.
The described embodiments further assert an enhanced or synergistic effect when the combined heat treatment and silver-based antimicrobial treatment is applied, and may optionally include copper. Additional embodiments add light emission through an aperture and an activator unit that enables use for a predefined number of treatment rounds or for a predefined period of time.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set centers on at least one independent claim directed to a handheld antimicrobial-and-heat applicator device with an activator that enables only a predefined extent of treatment administration. The main inventive features are defined across the independent claim and further refined by dependent claim refinements included in the provided excerpt.
Handheld antimicrobial and heat applicator device with housing ends
A device with a housing having a handle end and a treatment end, where the treatment end provides both an antimicrobial treatment and a heat treatment.
Applicator surface providing both heat conductivity and antimicrobial agent source
The treatment end includes an applicator having an applicator body and an applicator surface disposed on the applicator body, where the applicator surface is configured to provide heat treatment and antimicrobial treatment, and the applicator body comprises a metal material different from the applicator surface; the applicator surface provides heat conductivity and a source of antimicrobial agent.
Detachably attached applicator connector with thermally coupled heat generation unit
An applicator connector connected to the housing, with the applicator detachably attached to the applicator connector; a heat generation unit thermally connected to the applicator through the applicator connector to transfer heat thereto, and operatively connected to the applicator surface through the applicator body for heating of the applicator surface.
Control unit for controlling heat generation with activator-constrained operation
A control unit operatively connected to at least the heat generation unit for controlling the heat generation unit, and an activator unit for activating the control unit in response to being operatively connected thereto, the activator unit comprising computer-readable instructions for instructing the control unit to allow use of the device for a predefined extent of administration of treatment.
Predefined extent of administration via computer-readable instructions
The activator unit comprising computer-readable instructions instructs the control unit to allow use of the device for a predefined extent of administration of treatment.
Across the independent claim and provided refinements, the core claim coverage is directed to a detachably attached metal-bodied applicator where the applicator surface both conducts heat and provides an antimicrobial agent source, together with a heat generation/control architecture that is activated only under activator instructions permitting only a predefined extent of treatment administration.
Stated Advantages
Synergistic effect is asserted for the combined heat treatment and silver antimicrobial treatment, optionally with copper.
Light emission through an aperture is provided in additional embodiments.
Use of the device is enabled only for a predefined extent of administration of treatment.
Documented Applications
Viral inactivation use cases are described, including Zika virus, West Nile virus, and herpes simplex virus.
Cosmetic applications are described, including treatment relating to redness and wrinkles.
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