U.S. patent application number 11/694615 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-08 for device for delivery of agents to and through the human scalp.
This patent application is currently assigned to Transdermal Cap, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael I. Rabin.
Application Number | 20070256212 11/694615 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38625779 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070256212 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rabin; Michael I. |
November 8, 2007 |
Device For Delivery Of Agents To And Through The Human Scalp
Abstract
A method and device for administering minoxidil and other
topical solutions to the scalp. The method entails administering a
minoxidil preparation through a manifold that fits over the scalp
of a patient, and placing a moisture barrier over the scalp for a
period of time effective to enhance absorption of the minoxidil
preparation by the scalp.
Inventors: |
Rabin; Michael I.; (Gates
Mills, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CROCKETT & CROCKETT
24012 CALLE DE LA PLATA, SUITE 400
LAGUNA HILLS
CA
92653
US
|
Assignee: |
Transdermal Cap, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38625779 |
Appl. No.: |
11/694615 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60745269 |
Apr 20, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/171 ;
604/290 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/24 20130101; A61K
8/4953 20130101; A61M 35/10 20190501; A61M 37/00 20130101; A61Q
7/00 20130101; A61K 8/02 20130101; A42B 1/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/171 ;
604/290 |
International
Class: |
A42B 1/04 20060101
A42B001/04 |
Claims
1. A device for applying a hair-regrowth topical solution to the
scalp of a user, said device comprising: a manifold sized and
dimensioned to cover a portion of the scalp, said manifold having a
interior surface adapted to appose the scalp and an outer surface,
and a plurality of nozzles depending from the interior surface of
the manifold, and a fluid inlet port; a moisture barrier disposed
about the manifold, said moisture barrier sized to cover a portion
of the scalp; said manifold and moisture barrier shaped to fit over
the scalp of the user.
2. The device of claim 1 further comprising: an occlusive seal
disposed about the manifold and adapted to engage and encircle a
portion of the scalp.
3. The device of claim 1 further comprising: an ornamental cap for
housing the manifold, and moisture barrier, wherein the manifold is
secured to the inside of the cap and the fluid inlet port protrudes
from the inside of the cap to the exterior of the cap.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the inlet port protrudes from the
crown of the cap.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the cap comprises a baseball cap,
and the inlet port protrudes from the crown of the cap.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the manifold comprises a
bowl-shaped manifold.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the manifold comprises a plurality
of manifold arms extending radially from a central plenum, and the
inlet port is disposed proximate the central plenum.
8. A system for applying a hair-regrowth topical solution to the
scalp of a user, said device comprising: a manifold sized and
dimensioned to cover a portion of the scalp, said manifold having a
interior surface adapted to appose the scalp and an outer surface,
and a plurality of nozzles depending from the interior surface of
the manifold, and a fluid inlet port; an moisture barrier disposed
about the manifold, said moisture barrier sized to cover a portion
of the scalp; said manifold and moisture barrier shaped to fit over
the scalp of the user; a source of hair-regrowth topical solution
in fluid form for injection into the manifold.
9. The system of claim 8 further comprising: an occlusive seal
disposed about the manifold and adapted to encircle a portion of
the scalp.
10. The system of claim 8 further comprising: an ornamental cap for
housing the manifold, and moisture barrier, wherein the manifold is
secured to the inside of the cap and the fluid inlet port protrude
from the inside of the cap to the exterior of the cap.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the inlet port protrudes from
the crown of the cap.
12. The system of claim 8, wherein the cap comprises a baseball
cap, and the inlet port protrudes from the crown of the cap.
13. The system of claim 8 wherein the manifold comprises a
bowl-shaped manifold.
14. The system of claim 8 wherein the manifold comprises a
plurality of manifold arms extending radially from a central
plenum, and the inlet port is disposed proximate the central
plenum.
15. The system of claim 8 wherein the reservoir comprises a bladder
pump adapted for connection to the inlet port.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the reservoir comprises a
bladder pump adapted for connection to the inlet port, said bladder
pump sized to hold a single dose of hair-regrowth topical
solution.
17. The system of claim 15 wherein the reservoir comprises a
bladder pump adapted for connection to the inlet port, said bladder
pump sized to hold a single dose of hair-regrowth topical solution,
and a multi-dose reservoir, wherein said bladder pump includes an
inlet port adapted to connect to the multi-dose reservoir.
18. A method of treating hair loss comprising: providing a manifold
adapted to fit over the scalp of a patient, said manifold having an
inlet for the injection of a hair-regrowth topical solution, a
plurality of nozzles providing for drainage of the hair-regrowth
topical solution from the manifold; placing the manifold over the
scalp of the patient and injecting the hair-regrowth topical
solution onto the scalp through the manifold and nozzles to apply
an effective amount of the hair-regrowth topical solution to the
scalp of the patient.
19. A method of claim 18 further comprising: providing a moisture
barrier adapted to fit over the scalp of the patient, and holding
the vapor barrier over the scalp for a period after application
effective to enhance absorption of the hair-regrowth topical
solution by the scalp.
20. A method of claim 18 further comprising: providing an
ornamental cap to house the manifold.
21. A method of claim 18 further comprising: providing the
hair-regrowth topical solution in a plurality of single dose
reservoirs, each of said single dose reservoirs sized to hold an
amount of the hair-regrowth topical solution sufficient to apply an
effective dose of the hair-regrowth topical solution to the scalp
through the manifold.
22. A device for applying a prophylactic hair maintenance
preparation to the scalp of a user, said device comprising: a
manifold sized and dimensioned to cover a portion of the scalp,
said manifold having a interior surface adapted to appose the scalp
and an outer surface, and a plurality of nozzles depending from the
interior surface of the manifold, and a fluid inlet port; a
moisture barrier disposed about the manifold, said moisture barrier
sized to cover a portion of the scalp; said manifold and moisture
barrier shaped to fit over the scalp of the user.
23. The device of claim 22 further comprising: an occlusive seal
disposed about the manifold and adapted to engage and encircle a
portion of the scalp.
24. The device of claim 22 further comprising: an ornamental cap
for housing the manifold, and moisture barrier, wherein the
manifold is secured to the inside of the cap and the fluid inlet
port protrudes from the inside of the cap to the exterior of the
cap.
25. The device of claim 24, wherein the inlet port protrudes from
the crown of the cap.
26. The device of claim 25, wherein the cap comprises a baseball
cap, and the inlet port protrudes from the crown of the cap.
27. The device of claim 22 wherein the manifold comprises a
bowl-shaped manifold.
28. The device of claim 22 wherein the manifold comprises a
plurality of manifold arms extending radially from a central
plenum, and the inlet port is disposed proximate the central
plenum.
29. A system for applying a prophylactic hair maintenance
preparation to the scalp of a user, said device comprising: a
manifold sized and dimensioned to cover a portion of the scalp,
said manifold having a interior surface adapted to appose the scalp
and an outer surface, and a plurality of nozzles depending from the
interior surface of the manifold, and a fluid inlet port; an
moisture barrier disposed about the manifold, said moisture barrier
sized to cover a portion of the scalp; said manifold and moisture
barrier shaped to fit over the scalp of the user; a source of
prophylactic hair maintenance preparation in liquid form for
injection into the manifold.
30. The system of claim 29 further comprising: an occlusive seal
disposed about the manifold and adapted to encircle a portion of
the scalp.
31. The system of claim 29 further comprising: an ornamental cap
for housing the manifold, and moisture barrier, wherein the
manifold is secured to the inside of the cap and the fluid inlet
port protrude from the inside of the cap to the exterior of the
cap.
32. The system of claim 29, wherein the inlet port protrudes from
the crown of the cap.
33. The system of claim 29, wherein the cap comprises a baseball
cap, and the inlet port protrudes from the crown of the cap.
34. The system of claim 29 wherein the manifold comprises a
bowl-shaped manifold.
35. The system of claim 29 wherein the manifold comprises a
plurality of manifold arms extending radially from a central
plenum, and the inlet port is disposed proximate the central
plenum.
36. The system of claim 29 wherein the reservoir comprises a
bladder pump adapted for connection to the inlet port.
37. The system of claim 36 wherein the reservoir comprises a
bladder pump adapted for connection to the inlet port, said bladder
pump sized to hold a single dose of prophylactic hair maintenance
preparation.
38. The system of claim 36 wherein the reservoir comprises a
bladder pump adapted for connection to the inlet port, said bladder
pump sized to hold a single dose of prophylactic hair maintenance
preparation, and a multi-dose reservoir, wherein said bladder pump
includes an inlet port adapted to connect to the multi-dose
reservoir.
39. A method of treating hair loss comprising: providing a manifold
adapted to fit over the scalp of a patient, said manifold having an
inlet for the injection of a prophylactic hair maintenance
preparation, a plurality of nozzles providing for drainage of the
prophylactic hair maintenance preparation from the manifold;
placing the manifold over the scalp of the patient and injecting
the prophylactic hair maintenance preparation onto the scalp
through the manifold and nozzles to apply an effective amount of
the prophylactic hair maintenance preparation to the scalp of the
patient.
40. A method of claim 39 further comprising: providing a moisture
barrier adapted to fit over the scalp of the patient, and holding
the vapor barrier over the scalp for a period after application
effective to enhance absorption of the prophylactic hair
maintenance preparation by the scalp.
41. A method of claim 39 further comprising: providing an
ornamental cap to house the manifold.
42. A method of claim 39 further comprising: providing the
prophylactic hair maintenance preparation in a plurality of single
dose reservoirs, each of said single dose reservoirs sized to hold
an amount of the prophylactic hair maintenance preparation
sufficient to apply an effective dose of the prophylactic hair
maintenance preparation to the scalp through the manifold.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application 60/745,269 filed Apr. 20, 2006.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONS
[0002] The inventions described below relate the field of hair
regrowth and treatments for baldness.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Minoxidil has proven to be an effective treatment for
baldness. Specifically, it can stop and reverse ongoing hair loss
and stimulate hair growth in adult men and women who are losing
hair due to male or female pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia).
However, minoxidil is only effective if properly applied. Minoxidil
is applied with an eye-dropper, followed by careful massage of the
applied solution to distribute it over the scalp. This is a tedious
process, given that the typical user must apply minoxidil through
the hair, and avoid wasting the minoxidil by wetting the hair
instead of the scalp. Minoxidil must be applied twice daily for
effective treatment. The desired result of renewed hair growth is
obtained after several weeks or months of use. The twice-daily
regimen must be continued indefinitely to maintain the effect, and
if discontinued, any hair re-grown will be lost.
[0004] Due to the tedious nature of the regimen, most patients do
not comply with the regimen. Because they do not maintain the
regimen, the drug does not work, and patients discontinue the
regimen, thereby abandoning an otherwise beneficial treatment.
SUMMARY
[0005] The devices and methods described below provide for a more
convenient application of minoxidil to the scalp, to enhance
patient compliance and/or permit a less rigorous treatment regimen.
The device comprises a hat with a distribution manifold adapted to
distribute minoxidil about the scalp, an injection port for
injecting minoxidil into the manifold, and a reservoir for taking
up a dose of minoxidil and injecting it into the manifold. The
manifold includes numerous outlet nozzles that protrude, when the
cap is in place, from the interior of the hat toward the scalp of
the patient, and preferably contact the scalp. The hat is used by
the patient by injecting a minoxidil solution into the manifold and
hence through the nozzles onto the scalp, and thereafter wearing
the hat for a period of time suitable to promote absorption of the
distributed minoxidil.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of the cap to be used
for distribution of minoxidil to the scalp of a patient.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a manifold used with the cap of
FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a side view of cap to be used for distribution of
minoxidil to the scalp of a patient.
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a reservoir for use with the cap.
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
manifold.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of cap 1 to be used for distribution
of hair-regrowth topical solutions, such as minoxidil preparations,
to the scalp of a patient. The cap covers a manifold 2 supporting
an array of nozzles 3 distributed about the inner surface of the
hat. The manifold comprises several arms 4 with lumens 5
communicating with the nozzles. The manifold arms may be embedded
in, or covered by, a neoprene liner which fits within the cap. An
occlusive band 6 is disposed about the perimeter of the cap, on the
interior surface. The occlusive band may be elastic and
tight-fitting to provide a tight-fitting sealing gasket between the
user's scalp and the cap, or may be somewhat loose and merely
promote creation of a closed environment of relatively high
humidity immediately proximate the scalp.
[0012] The manifold 2 is shown more clearly in FIG. 2, in which the
manifold and the several arms are shown. The lumens 5 (shown in
phantom) extend from the plenum or distribution chamber 7 in the
center of the manifold, and are in fluid communication with the
valved fitting 8 and the several nozzles providing outlet ports
from the lumen. The manifold may be embedded in or covered with
material 9 such as neoprene, cloth, polyurethane or other suitable
material, such that any tubing establishing the lumens, or manifold
arms, are conveniently held in the desired array. This material, or
the material of the cap, is provided in sufficient density to serve
as a moisture barrier to enclose the environment immediately about
the hair and/or scalp while in use.
[0013] The nozzles 3 are arranged on the interior surface of the
cap so that, when the cap is worn, the nozzles will be disposed
proximate the appropriate treatment target zones on the scalp, such
as the vertex, occiput (back of the head), and frontal areas, and
project toward the scalp from the interior surface of the manifold.
Additional projections 10 can be provided on the interior surface
of the cap. Both the nozzles and the additional projections can be
formed in various sizes and profiles, such as blunt flat distal
faces or sharp or abrasive distal surfaces, to aid in distribution
of the applied minoxidil, or to provide complimentary treatment
such as micro-abrasion. Some of the projections may be taller than
nearby nozzles to maintain a small gap between the nozzles and the
scalp. The manifold and manifold arms are sized and dimensioned,
and positioned within the cap, so that they lie over the desired
portions of the scalp (vertex, occiput, and frontal areas) when the
cap is worn in typical fashion (bill forward, hat band level on the
head). The lumens of the manifold are sized to permit slow drainage
of the minoxidil preparation, which may be watery or slightly
viscous, and the lumens may be varied in size to suit the actual
viscosity of the preparation used (commercially available minoxidil
preparations such as Rogaine.RTM. have low viscosity, like water,
though they are mixture of ethanol and slightly viscous propylene
glycol).
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of the cap of FIG. 1. An inlet port in
form of a valved fitting 8 is disposed on the exterior of the cap,
and provides a fluid pathway for injecting minoxidil into the
manifold. The fitting is adapted to receive a minoxidil preparation
from a source such as a pressurized can or bellows reservoir. The
fitting is in fluid communication with lumens of the manifold, and
is disposed in the central plenum connecting the various manifold
arms. The baseball cap provides positioning support for the
manifold and nozzle array, positioning support for the seal, and
ornamental disguise for the manifold. The baseball cap may be
replaced by any style of hat, or altogether omitted if the
occlusive band 6 (or other head band) is secured to the manifold,
or if the moisture barrier is sufficiently sturdy to maintain the
form of manifold (either or both may be used in combination without
the cap). Any style of cap may provide the desired support and
positioning means for the manifold and nozzle array, and any style
of cap, hat, headband or hood can be used as the means of disguise.
Also, the manifold may be used without the cap, moisture barrier or
occlusive band to distribute the preparation.
[0015] A suitable reservoir 11, shown in FIG. 4 is sized to hold a
single dose of minoxidil preparation. This reservoir is a bladder
or bellows pump, with an outlet 12 adapted to provide a sealed
connection with the cap fitting 8 and an inlet check valve 13 to
take in air that can subsequently be pumped into the manifold to
force the entire dose of minoxidil through the manifold and onto
the scalp. The bellows may be sized to accommodate a single dose of
preparation, and may be provided as a disposable or re-usable form.
As an alternative, a typical bladder pump of the type used to
inflate bladders in clothing can be installed in the cap, and the
minoxidil preparation can be supplied in single dose capsules that
can be fitted to the intake of the bladder pump such that operation
of the pump first empties the bladder into the manifold and then
pumps air or other fluid suitable for clearing the manifold into
the manifold to clear the manifold. Any other pump means may be
used, including simple syringes, squeeze bottles, tubes, etc., with
appropriate connectors for connection to the cap, in place of the
bladder pump.
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
manifold, which includes a brush-like body 14 with numerous nozzles
3 and projections 10 depending downwardly (or toward the scalp)
from the body toward the scalp when positioned, along with the cap,
on the user's head. When fitted within the cap, the manifold is
bowl-shaped. The brush like body is sized and dimensioned, and
positioned within the cap, so that it lies over the vertex of the
head when the cap is worn in typical fashion (bill forward, hat
band level on the head).
[0017] To use the cap, a user wears the cap in regular sessions,
according to the appropriate treatment regimen, applying the
minoxidil preparation through the cap for each session. Twice daily
sessions, in which the cap is worn for about an hour, are adequate
to provide effective treatment in lieu of the twice-daily
eye-dropper application. A 1 cc volume of standard commercially
available minoxidil preparation, or other amount effective to
promote hair growth in other formulations, may be used. The
injection of minoxidil may be accomplished before or after the user
dons the cap, but the flushing of air or other fluid to clear the
manifold should be done when the cap is in place. While wearing the
cap, the user may engage in any activity, preferably for about 10
to 60 minutes, and more preferably for about 15 minutes. The user
thereby holds the vapor barrier over the scalp for a period after
application effective to enhance absorption of the minoxidil
preparation by the scalp. After each session, the user may wash and
style his hair as usual.
[0018] The device and method may be used to for hair re-growth
using minoxidil or other hear re-growth compounds to re-grow hair,
or prophylactically to prevent hair loss, or both. While minoxidil
is generally referred to as a hair regrowth preparation, it also
functions as a prophylactic hair maintenance preparation. Other
compounds that perform solely as prophylactic hair maintenance
preparations may be used in the method.
[0019] As mentioned above, the reservoir may be provided as a
single dose reservoir, in either disposable or re-usable form. The
re-usable reservoir is used by first connecting the suction end of
the bellows/bladder pump to a larger reservoir of minoxidil
preparation and operating the pump to fill the reservoir, and
thereafter connecting the outlet end of the pump to the inlet port
of the cap and operating the pump to pump the minoxidil preparation
into the manifold, and then pump air into the manifold to flush any
minoxidil preparation in the manifold onto the scalp.
[0020] The device may be augmented with features that assist in the
penetration or retention of the hair regrowth preparation, or
augment the hair re-growth by other mechanisms. As mentioned above,
the nozzles and projections may be modified with the addition of
abrasive surfaces, bristles, or sharp, needle-like projections to
provide for micro-abrasion of the scalp that is accomplished by the
normal movements of the cap during use. The nozzles may be tipped
with sponge or other absorbent material to aid in distribution of
the preparation. For patients that are bald, either by choice or
advanced hair loss, the manifold may be covered, over its interior
surfaces, by a sheet of sponge, felt or other diffusive material.
Also for patients with short hair or no hair, the nozzles may be
very short, or omitted altogether, so that ports on the interior of
the manifold open directly onto the scalp. The devices may be
augmented with the addition of LED's or other light sources to
provide illumination in the interior of the cap, to irradiate the
scalp with appropriate visible light wavelengths, as taught by
Yorke, Apparatus And Method For Hair Retention And Regeneration,
U.S. Pub. 2004/0153131 (Aug. 5, 2005), or with other suitable
wavelengths.
[0021] The devices and methods described above have been described
in relationship to the application of minoxidil, which is the
currently predominant hair re-growth preparation available today.
Nonetheless, the devices and methods may be employed with any other
hair re-growth compound or preparation, any hair loss prophylactic
preparation, and with other cosmetic and/or therapeutic agents such
as topical finasteride, minoxidil, ketoconazole, steroids, other
anti-microbials, steroids, copper peptides for post-hair
transplantation wound healing, anti-androgens, antimicrobials,
spironolactone, spironolactone-like compounds, progesterone
derivatives, betametazone valerate, ketoconazole, zinc salts, Zinc
Pyrithione ZnP, finasteride, flutamide, dutasteride, melatonin,
photo-activated compounds, lice treatments, cosmetic preparations
such as scalp dye, hair dye, hair gel, conditioner, moisturizer,
scalp oils, hair "volumizers," vitamins, minerals, herbals,
therapeutic water, zinc, iron, biotin, folic acid, anti-androgens,
tretinoin, azelaic acid, and saw palmetto. The preparations may be
provided in liquids of various viscosity, or in foams or other
fluids, slurries or suspensions. Thus, while the preferred
embodiments of the devices and methods have been described in
reference to the environment in which they were developed, they are
merely illustrative of the principles of the inventions. Other
embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing
from the spirit of the inventions and the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *