WO2024256421A1 - Skin treatment device - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for treating the skin of a user by iontophoresis and/or electrostimulation, intended to be applied to the skin of the user, the device (1) comprising: - a support layer (2) having an active face (25) intended to be in contact with the skin and comprising a main electrode (22) and a counter electrode (23), - a current generator (24) electrically connected to the main electrode (22) on the one hand and to the counter electrode (23) on the other hand, the current generator (24) comprising at least one galvanic couple (240), the galvanic couple (240) being formed of a first conductive pole (241) forming a cathode and a second conductive pole (242) forming an anode, the first conductive pole (241) and the second conductive pole (242) being intended to be electrically connected by an electrically conductive activation product, at least a first part (24a) of the current generator (24) being arranged on the active face (25) of the support layer (2), - a tab (3) comprising a protective film (30) intended to cover the first part (24a) of the current generator (24), the protective film (30) preventing any contact between the current generator (24) and the skin of the user when the device (1) is applied to the skin of the user.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Skin treatment device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of skin treatment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for skin treatment, in particular by iontophoresis and/or electroporation and/or electrostimulation, preferably non-therapeutic.

STATE OF THE ART

Iontophoresis, electroporation or electrostimulation allow the skin to be treated using electric currents. Skin treatment devices are known, such as facial care masks designed to deliver an electric current to a user's face. These devices typically comprise a polymer support matrix on which current generators are arranged. However, the effectiveness of these masks is limited or even very low, particularly due to short circuits that may occur between the current generators and the matrix and/or between the current generators and the skin. The electric currents are therefore not correctly delivered to the user's skin, whether in terms of intensity and/or location. Treatment by iontophoresis and/or electrostimulation is therefore not optimal, and the effectiveness of the known devices is disappointing. In addition, it is generally complex to use these masks. In addition, these devices may potentially present a risk of migration of components, and in particular metals, forming the current generators towards the skin, which could lead to unexpected reactions from the skin.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

One aim of the invention is to improve the operation of devices for treating the skin by iontophoresis or electrostimulation, in particular to improve their effectiveness.

Another aim of the invention is to make the use of skin treatment devices by iontophoresis or electrostimulation easier and more accessible to everyone.

Another aim of the invention is to improve the storage and durability of devices for treating the skin by iontophoresis or electrostimulation.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a skin treatment device which is particularly ergonomic and intuitive to use.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a device for treating the skin of a user by iontophoresis and/or electrostimulation intended to be applied to the skin of the user, the device comprising:

- a support layer having an active face intended to be in contact with the skin and comprising a main electrode and a counter-electrode, said main electrode and counter-electrode preferably comprising, or even advantageously being made of, the same material,

- a current generator electrically connected to the main electrode on the one hand and to the counter-electrode on the other hand, the current generator comprising at least one galvanic couple, the galvanic couple being formed of a first conductive pole forming a cathode and a second conductive pole forming an anode, the first conductive pole and the second conductive pole being intended to be electrically connected by an electrically conductive activation product, at least a first part of the current generator being arranged on the active face of the support layer,

- a tab comprising a protective film intended to cover the first part of the current generator, preferably without covering the main electrode and the counter electrode, the protective film preventing any contact between the current generator and the user's skin when the device is applied to the user's skin. The tab makes it possible to avoid contact, direct or indirect, between the skin and the current generator, thus preventing the migration of components of the current generator to the skin. In addition, short circuits via the skin are limited.

According to advantageous and non-limiting characteristics, taken alone or in any combination: the protective film comprises at least one electrically insulating material; the protective film comprises at least one material impermeable to the activation product; the tab is physically linked to the support layer; the tab is designed to be folded so that the protective film covers the first part of the current generator, which allows simple use of the device; the current generator comprises a plurality of galvanic couples connected in series, the first conductive pole of one of the galvanic couples being electrically connected to the second conductive pole of an adjacent galvanic couple; the tab comprises a covering face intended to be positioned opposite the first part of the current generator, the tab comprising activation product arranged on the covering face so as to electrically connect the first conductive pole and the second conductive pole when the tab covers the first part of the current generator which ensures that the activation product is correctly applied for the activation of the current generator, thus facilitating the use of the device; the tab comprises at least one non-woven impregnation film and the activation product, preferably comprising a cosmetic active ingredient, is pre-impregnated on the at least one impregnation film; the current generator comprises a plurality of galvanic couples, each galvanic couple being arranged on the active face of the support layer, the first conductive pole and the second conductive pole of each galvanic couple being separated from each other by a free space, at least part of the free space being intended to be covered with the activation product, and in which the activation product is arranged at a plurality of activation zones of the covering face of the tab, the activation zones being distinct and separated from each other, each activation zone being intended to be arranged opposite at least part of a free space of a corresponding galvanic couple; the tab comprises a second part of the current generator arranged on the covering face, different from the first part of the current generator, the first part comprising one of the first conductive pole and the second conductive pole of the at least one galvanic couple and the second part comprising the other of the first conductive pole and the second conductive pole of the at least one galvanic couple, the first conductive pole or second conductive pole of the second part being intended, when the protective film of the tab covers the first part, to be arranged opposite the first conductive pole or second conductive pole of the first part belonging to the at least one galvanic couple, which makes it possible to increase the intensity of the electric current generated by the current generator and thus increase the efficiency of the device; the current generator comprises a plurality of galvanic couples comprising a first galvanic couple and a last galvanic couple, the first conductive pole of the first galvanic couple being electrically connected to the main electrode and the second conductive pole of the last galvanic couple being electrically connected to the counter electrode, or the second conductive pole of the first galvanic couple being electrically connected to the main electrode and the first conductive pole of the last galvanic couple being electrically connected to the counter electrode, the conductive poles respectively connected to the electrode and to the counter electrode. electrode being included in the first part of the current generator arranged on the active face of the support layer, the galvanic couples being provided to be connected in series, two conductive poles of different galvanic couples adjacent and electrically connected both belonging either to the first part of the current generator or to the second part of the current generator; the main electrode and the counter-electrode are made of silver and/or silver chloride, each first conductive pole forming a cathode comprises silver and/or silver chloride and each second conductive pole forming anode comprises zinc; the device comprises at least one adhesive film provided to be arranged between the active face and the covering face when the protective film of the tab covers the first part of the current generator.

According to a second aspect, a method of using a device described above is provided comprising steps of: a) applying an electrically conductive activation product to the device; b) arranging the tab on the support layer such that the protective film of the tab covers at least the first part of the current generator; c) applying the device to the skin of a user such that the main electrode and the counter-electrode are arranged facing the user's skin.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description of a preferred embodiment. This description will be given with reference to the appended figures, including: FIG. 1 illustrates a skin treatment device having a drop-shaped support layer; FIG. 2 illustrates a skin treatment device having a circle-shaped support layer; FIG. 3 schematically shows the operation of the device, in a cross-sectional view, when it is applied to the skin of a user; FIG. 4 illustrates the skin treatment device of FIG. 1 with the tab folded; Figure 5 illustrates a skin treatment device having a tab comprising activation product; Figure 6 illustrates the skin treatment device of Figure 5 with the tab folded; Figure 7 schematizes an enlarged sectional view of the skin treatment device of Figure 6; Figure 8 illustrates a skin treatment device having a tab comprising a portion of a current generator; Figure 9 illustrates another skin treatment device having a tab comprising a portion of a current generator; Figure 10 illustrates another skin treatment device having a tab comprising a portion of a current generator; Figure 11 illustrates, by transparency of the tab, the skin treatment device of Figure 8 with the tab folded; Figure 12 schematizes the operation of the devices of Figures 8 to 10, according to an enlarged sectional view; Figure 13 illustrates an assembly comprising a support layer, an impregnation layer and a drop-shaped stencil layer; Figure 14 illustrates an assembly comprising a support layer, an impregnation layer and a circle-shaped stencil layer; Figure 15 illustrates an assembly comprising a support layer and a drop-shaped impregnation layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Device

With reference to FIG. 1 , there is proposed, according to a first aspect, a device 1 for treating the skin of a user by iontophoresis (also called iontophoresis) and/or electrostimulation. The device 1 is intended to be applied to the skin of the user, in particular and preferably on the face. The device 1 could be applied to any dermal part of the user's body. However, as will be detailed later, the invention proposes different forms of device which are remarkably well adapted for particular areas of the face which are often the subject of a desire for treatment. by users. The device 1 advantageously allows cosmetic treatment of the skin, for example by activation of a cosmetic substance and/or by optimization and/or improvement of its effectiveness. Different methods can be envisaged for doing this, typically the generation of microcurrents, for example iontophoresis and/or electroporation. By activation, optimization and/or improvement of the effectiveness of a cosmetic substance, it is understood that at least one active agent contained in the cosmetic substance is likely to be activated or to see its effectiveness optimized and/or improved by the device 1, in order to increase the effectiveness of the cosmetic treatment of the skin.

The device 1 is adapted to be activated, i.e. placed in operating conditions, by an activation product that is electrically conductive. In other words, the generation of electric currents is triggered by the application of a product to at least certain areas of the device 1 . The device 1 is therefore inactive in the absence of the activation product, and only becomes active when the activation product is in contact with at least one predefined area, as will be detailed later. This makes it possible to control the moment of activation of the product, and in particular to match this moment to the actual use of the device 1 by the user. Thus, during the storage (or transport) phase of the device 1 , the latter is not activated, thus preserving its service life, and in particular the service life of the current generator, as will be detailed later.

The activation product may comprise an active agent for skin treatment. This active agent allows a cosmetic treatment of the skin, preferably non-therapeutic, the effectiveness of which is increased by the device 1, thanks to the current that it generates, as will be detailed later. Preferably, said active agent is ionized at the pH of the activation product, for example between 4 and 10, and substantially equal to 7, in order to obtain an electromigration mechanism.

The device 1 which is the subject of the invention will make it possible to improve the diffusion of the active agent in the skin, thanks to the principle of iontophoresis and/or electrostimulation and/or electroporation. These principles, using electric current to transport an active agent in the skin, are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be detailed in more detail. The activation product may for example comprise a cosmetic product, preferably non-therapeutic, such as a cosmetic cream, a serum, comprising an active agent such as vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, or any other active agent beneficial for the skin and compatible with treatment by iontophoresis and/or electrostimulation and/or electroporation. The activation product may also be a therapeutic product such as a cream for treating burns. The device 1 may also be used to eliminate or reduce various types of pain or other sensory discomfort, including, but not limited to, back pain, joint pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, tingling or numbness of the skin, muscle pain, muscle cramps, joint stiffness, etc. To this end, the device 1 may then make it possible to improve the diffusion of an analgesic by means of the principles set out above.

The device 1 may have different shapes depending on the area to which it is designed to be applied. For example, a device intended to be applied to the temple may have a general drop shape. Thus, the contours of the device are rounded and a first portion of the device, seen from above, is wider than a second portion of the device. A device intended to be applied to the cheekbone may have a circular shape. Thus, seen from above the device forms a disk. A device intended to be applied to the forehead may have a triangular shape. Thus, thanks to the different shapes proposed by the invention, each area of the face traditionally treated by care (cheekbone, forehead, temple) has a device particularly well adapted to the shape of the area in question, which makes it possible to increase the comfort of use, the ergonomics and the effectiveness of the treatment. However, other shapes could be imagined, without departing from the scope of the invention, which would be adapted to other areas of the face or other dermal areas of the body such as for example the tops of the hands, the neckline, etc.

Support layer

Referring to the figures, the device 1 comprises a support layer 2, a current generator 24 and a tab 3. Figure 1 illustrates a device 1 comprising a drop-shaped support layer 2. Figures 2 and 10 illustrate a circular-shaped support layer 2.

The support layer 2 comprises at least one support film 21. The support film 21, and consequently the device 1 which is the subject of the invention, is sufficiently flexible to be able to adapt to the shapes and reliefs of the skin of the area to be treated, and in particular to the cheekbones, temple, and forehead, as explained above. The support film 21 is preferably insulating, that is to say that it does not allow current to pass. This makes it possible to avoid any risk of short circuit within the device, by preventing the current from flowing in the support film 21.

The support film 21 is for example made of a flexible plastic such as polyurethane (PU) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Preferably, the support film 21 has a thickness greater than or equal to 20 μm, preferably greater than or equal to 40 pm, and less than or equal to 90 pm, for example substantially equal to 50 pm or 80 pm. Indeed, such thicknesses allow the support film 21, and therefore the device 1, to conform well to the area of skin on which it is intended to be placed.

The device 1 may comprise a plurality of support films 21 assembled together, for example by gluing. On the contrary, the support film may be monolithic, that is to say formed from a single film.

The support layer 2 comprises an active face 25 intended to be in contact with the user's skin when the device 1 is applied to the user's skin.

The active face 25 comprises at least one main electrode 22, at least one counter-electrode 23 and at least a first part 24a of the current generator 24.

The current generator 24 is electrically connected to the main electrode 22 on the one hand and to the counter-electrode 23 on the other hand, so as to create an electrical potential differential between the latter.

The electrodes 22, 23 are distinct from the current generator 24. In other words, the main electrode 22 and the counter electrode 23 are distinct elements from the current generator 24.

As will be detailed later, the current generator 24 may be arranged solely on the active face 25 of the support layer 2 or may comprise a first part 24a of the current generator 24 arranged on the active face 25 of the support layer and a second part 24b of the current generator 24 arranged on a tab 3 of the device 1.

The electrodes 22, 23 are intended to be applied opposite the user's skin and are adapted to allow the circulation of an electric current in the user's skin, when the device 1 is placed in contact with the user's skin. Indeed, the user's skin behaves as a current consumer, in particular as a resistor. The skin of a mammal, in particular human skin, typically behaves as a 10 kΩ resistor. For this purpose, the main electrode 22 and/or the counter electrode 23 is formed at least of one main metal, a good electrical conductor.

The electrodes 22, 23 are intended to be in direct or indirect contact with the skin. By indirect contact, it is meant that an element is arranged between the electrode 22, 23 and the skin such as an activation product, an absorbent layer and/or a fabric, etc.

Consequently, the electrodes 22, 23, in particular the main electrode 22, advantageously have a size greater than that of a conductive pole 241, 242 of a galvanic couple 240 of the current generator 24 (the galvanic couples 240 will be detailed later). Also preferably, the main electrode 22 has a size greater than that of the current generator 24. This makes it possible to maximize the contact surface (direct or indirect) between the electrodes 22, 23 and the skin, the device 1 thus allowing the circulation of more active agent of the activation product in the skin. This also makes it possible to increase the transfer surface of the electric current between the device and the skin, and thus, for an equivalent intensity, to reduce the risk of pain or injury to the skin. This also implies that the size of the main electrode 22 and/or the counter-electrode 23 can be adapted to that of the area of the human or animal body to be treated.

The device 1 is in a so-called “operating” state when it is applied to the skin of a user and when the current generator 24 is activated so as to generate an electric current. The expression “in operation” will subsequently be used to designate a situation in which the device 1 is in operation, that is to say that it generates a potential differential between the electrodes, then an electric current when the device is applied to the skin.

In operation, the electric current generated by the current generator 24 flows between the electrodes 22, 23 and into the user's skin. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the electric current flows through the current generator 24 to the main electrode 22 and then enters the user's skin PE to reach the counter electrode 23. The current can also flow in a direction opposite to that illustrated.

In some cases, the main electrode 22 is called a “treatment electrode”. In other words, advantageously, the main electrode 22 can specifically allow the improvement of the absorption of an activation product when the main electrode 22 covers a portion of the user’s skin to which an activation product containing a particular active agent is applied. In operation, the activation product is thus specifically absorbed by the skin at the main electrode 22, the shape of which can then advantageously be chosen to correspond as precisely as possible with the area to be treated. Thus, the main electrode 22 of the device can advantageously have the same shape as the general shape of the device 1, as defined and explained previously. This makes it possible to position the main electrode 22 as close and as precisely as possible opposite the specific area to be treated (cheekbone, temple, forehead, etc.).

The main electrode 22 may be a cathode or an anode and, correspondingly and inversely, the counter electrode 23 may be an anode or a cathode.

Preferably, the nature of the main electrode 22 (cathode or anode), and therefore of the counter-electrode 23, is adapted according to the type of activation product that it is desired to use in combination with the device 1. In particular, the main electrode 22 will be adapted to be an anode for certain types of activation products such as vitamin C cream while the main electrode 22 will be adapted to be a cathode for certain other types of activation products.

More specifically, the activation product may comprise molecules that are positively or negatively charged at a given pH. If the main electrode 22 is intended to have the same polarity as the polarity of the molecules, the molecules are repelled by the main electrode 22 and thus pushed towards the user's skin. For example, vitamin C molecules are negatively charged for a pH between 5 and 7. A device 1 aimed at improving the absorption by the skin of vitamin C molecules present in an activation product will therefore preferably have a main electrode 22 forming an anode.

As can be seen in the various figures, the main electrode 22 preferably comprises carbon, advantageously in the form of a plurality of carbon points, for example arranged under the main metal constituting the main electrode. This makes it possible to give the user a visual indication of the main electrode 22 (or active electrode as explained above) to help him correctly position the latter on the area of the skin that he wishes to treat, without however degrading the electrical conductivity of the main electrode 22.

The counter-electrode 23 is intended to have a polarity opposite to that of the main electrode 22. The counter-electrode 23 is therefore a cathode if the main electrode 22 is an anode and the counter-electrode 23 is therefore an anode if the main electrode 22 is a cathode.

The main electrode 22 and the counter electrode 23 are made from conductive materials, typically metals. Preferably, the main electrode 22 and the counter electrode 23 comprise the same material. This allows a particularly simple construction of the device while minimizing the number of different materials in contact with the skin, and therefore the risk of undesirable reactions of the latter. Advantageously, the main electrode 22 and the counter electrode 23 are made of the same material or set of materials.

The main electrode 22 and the counter electrode 23 preferably comprise silver and/or silver chloride. More preferably, the main electrode 22 and the counter electrode 23 are made of silver and/or silver chloride. In addition, silver and silver chloride have the advantage of being good conductors of electricity. Silver chloride is less subject to oxidation than silver, so that combined with silver, it contributes to limiting oxidation and therefore to improving the durability of the electrodes 22, 23. Preferably, the main electrode 22 and the counter electrode 23 are made of silver and silver chloride. More specifically, the main electrode 22 and the counter electrode 23 are each composed of 55% silver and 45% silver chloride.

Alternatively, the main electrode 22 and/or the counter electrode 23 are made of carbon. Carbon is conductive and not very oxidizable.

As explained above, the main electrode 22 and the counter electrode 23 are separate from the current generator 24. Consequently, the main electrode 22 and/or the counter electrode 23 may comprise materials different from the materials included in the current generator 24. The main electrode 22 and/or the counter electrode 23 may therefore be particularly suitable for contact with the skin in that they may comprise skin-friendly materials.

Advantageously, the main electrode 22 and the counter electrode 23 are printed on the support film 21 using conductive inks, and preferably metallic inks. In particular, the main electrode 22 and the counter electrode 23 are preferably printed on the support film 21 by screen printing.

The current generator 24 comprises at least one galvanic couple 240. The galvanic couple 240 is formed of a first conductive pole 241 forming a cathode and a second conductive pole 242 forming an anode intended to be electrically connected by an activation product. The first conductive pole 241 and the second conductive pole 242 of a galvanic couple 240 are arranged at a distance and separated from each other.

The first conductive pole 241 and the second conductive pole 242 of the galvanic couple 240 are adapted to, when connected by the activation product, allow the circulation of electrons between them. The electrons are generated by the difference between the standard electrical redox potentials of the first conductive pole 241 and the second conductive pole 242.

A galvanic couple 240 is thus adapted to generate an electric current when the first conductive pole 241 and the second conductive pole 242 are connected so as to allow an oxidation-reduction reaction between said poles. An electrochemical cell is formed.

More specifically, when the first conductive pole 241 and the second conductive pole 242 of the galvanic couple 240 are connected by the activation product, upon contact with the activation product, constituent atoms of the second conductive pole 242 (forming an anode) oxidize and electrons are released. The electrons then flow via the activation product to the second conductive pole 242. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the activation product PA between the first conductive pole 241 and the second conductive pole 242 allows the flow of electrons and the generation of an electrical circuit. Thus, in operation, the device 1 is traversed by an electric current without requiring an external battery or any other source of electrical power external to the device 1. This results in a remarkably limited size of the device 1, and remarkable freedom of use (no need for a power outlet, external battery, etc.).

The constituent materials of the first conductive pole 241 and the second conductive pole 242 advantageously comprise conductive materials, typically metals.

The first conductive pole 241 (forming the cathode) advantageously comprises silver and/or silver chloride. Preferably, the first conductive pole 241 is made of silver and/or silver chloride.

The second conductive pole 242 (forming anode) advantageously comprises zinc. Preferably, the second conductive pole 242 is made of zinc. In this case, the zinc is the reducing agent of the chemical oxidation-reduction reaction and the second conductive pole 242 (the zinc ink in this case) will be consumed during use of the device 1.

Thus, advantageously, when the first conductive pole 241 and the second conductive pole 242 are connected by an activation product, the zinc atoms are oxidized and therefore release electrons according to the following reaction: Zn — > Zn ²⁺ + 2e'.

The electrons will flow from the first conductive pole 241 to the second conductive pole 242. This is made possible by the fact that the standard electrical redox potentials of zinc and silver are different. In this case, the theoretical standard electrical potential of zinc is -0.76 V and that of silver is +0.80 V. Thus, each galvanic couple 240 formed of zinc and silver theoretically makes it possible to produce a 1.56 V battery.

Galvanic couples 240 may include other materials. For example, these pairs can be formed by: zinc-copper, zinc-copper/copper halide, zinc-copper/copper oxide, magnesium-copper, magnesium-copper/copper halide, zinc-silver, zinc-silver-silver oxide, zinc-silver-silver halide, zinc-silver-silver chloride, zinc-silver-silver bromide, zinc-silver-silver iodide, zinc-silver-silver fluoride, zinc-gold, magnesium-gold, aluminum-gold, magnesium-silver, magnesium-silver oxide, magnesium-silver-silver halide, magnesium-silver-silver chloride, magnesium-silver-silver bromide, magnesium-silver-silver iodide, magnesium-silver-silver fluoride, magnesium-gold, aluminum-copper, aluminum-silver, aluminum-silver oxide, aluminum-silver/silver halide, aluminum-silver/silver chloride, aluminum-silver/silver bromide, aluminum-silver/silver iodide, aluminum-silver/silver fluoride, copper-silver/silver halide, copper-silver/silver chloride, copper-silver/silver bromide, copper-silver iodide/silver, copper-silver fluoride/silver, iron-copper, iron-copper/copper oxide, iron-copper, iron-copper/copper oxide, iron-copper/copper halide, iron-silver, iron-silver/silver oxide, iron-silver/silver halide, iron-silver/silver chloride, iron-silver/silver bromide, iron-silver/silver iodide, iron-silver/silver fluoride, iron-gold, iron-conductive carbon, zinc-conductive carbon, copper-conductive carbon, magnesium-carbon and aluminum-carbon.

The galvanic couples 240 and the couple comprising the main electrode 22 and the counter-electrode 23 may also comprise alloys.

As explained above, the current generator 24 is electrically connected to the main electrode 22 on the one hand and to the counter electrode 23 on the other hand.

More precisely, the main electrode 22 is electrically connected to a first conductive pole 241 of a galvanic couple 240 or to a second conductive pole 242 of a galvanic couple 240.

Depending on the nature of the main electrode 22 (anode or cathode), the main electrode 22 is electrically connected to one or the other of a first conductive pole 241 of a galvanic couple 240 and a second conductive pole 242 of a galvanic couple 240.

For example, if the main electrode 22 is an anode, it will be connected to a second conductive pole 242 since the latter forms an anode. Generally speaking, each of the main electrode 22 and counter electrode 23 is intended to have the same polarity as the first or second conductive pole 241, 242.

The main electrode 22 and the counter-electrode 23 can be connected to a conductive pole 241, 242 of the same galvanic couple 240 or of different galvanic couples 240. In the case where the current generator 24 comprises a single galvanic couple 240, the main electrode 22 and the counter-electrode 23 are connected to a conductive pole 241, 242 of this same galvanic couple 240.

One of the electrodes 22, 23 is electrically connected to a first conductive pole 241 by a first connector 244. The other of the electrodes 22, 23 is electrically connected to a second conductive pole by a last connector 245.

In other words, the first conductive pole 241 connected to an electrode 22, 23 is connected to the electrode 22, 23 via the first connector 244. The second conductive pole 242 connected to an electrode 22, 23 is connected to the electrode 22, 23 via the last connector 245.

The main electrode 22 and the counter electrode 23 can be connected to a conductive pole 241, 242 via connectors 244, 245 advantageously comprising carbon, and preferably made of carbon. A connector 244, 245 comprising carbon, hereinafter called a carbon connector 244, 245, allows the circulation of an electric current.

A carbon connector 244, 245 is advantageously a carbon strip. A carbon connector 244, 245 preferably has a length of less than 5 mm and greater than 1 mm and a width of the order of 2 mm. The length of a carbon connector 244, 245 is preferably less than 5 mm to allow good conductivity of the current, a carbon connector that is too long having a significant resistance. In the case where a connector is required over a longer distance, in particular greater than 5 mm, it will be preferable to use another better conductive material, preferably the material used for the main electrode 22 or the counter-electrode 23.

Preferably, a connector 244, 245 is printed on the support film 21 from a conductive ink comprising carbon, preferably by screen printing. A carbon connector 244, 245 comprises carbon but may additionally comprise other materials, preferably conductive materials.

The main electrode 22 and the counter electrode 23 may be connected to a conductive pole 241, 242 via connectors 244, 245 comprising other electrically conductive materials. For example, a connector 244, 245 may comprise the same material as a material comprised in the main electrode 22 and/or the counter electrode 23.

Alternatively, the main electrode 22 and the counter electrode 23 may be connected to a conductive pole 241, 242 by direct contact between an electrode 22, 23 and a conductive pole 241, 242.

According to a non-illustrated embodiment, the first connector 244 comprises a material identical to a material included in the electrode 22, 23. Preferably, the first conductive pole 241 and the electrode 22, 23 to which the first conductive pole 241 is connected comprise silver and/or silver chloride and the first connector 244 comprises silver and/or silver chloride. Also preferably, the last connector 245 is made of carbon.

According to an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , the counter electrode 23 is connected to the first conductive pole 241 , the counter electrode 23 and the first conductive pole 241 are made of silver and/or silver chloride and the first connector 244 which connects the counter electrode 23 and the first conductive pole 241 is made of silver and/or silver chloride. Since the counter electrode 23 and the first conductive pole 241 are made of the same material, they can be continuously connected by a first connector 244 of the same material. The printing of the counter electrode 23, of the first conductive pole conductor 241 and first connector 244 on the support film 21 is thus facilitated and does not require a different material for the first connector 244.

Furthermore, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the main electrode 22 is connected to the second conductive pole 242, the electrode 22 is made of silver and/or silver chloride, the second conductive pole 242 is made of zinc and the last connector 245 which connects the electrode 22 and the second conductive pole 242 is made of carbon.

Alternatively, the electrode 22 could be in direct contact with the second conductive pole 242 and there would be no additional connector.

Advantageously, the current generator 24 comprises a plurality of galvanic couples 240. It is then understood that the main electrode 22 is connected to a conductive pole 241, 242 of a galvanic couple 240a different from the galvanic couple 240d of which a conductive pole 241, 242 is connected to the counter-electrode 23. More precisely, a conductive pole 241, 242 of a first galvanic couple 240a is electrically connected to the main electrode 22 and a conductive pole 241, 242 of a last galvanic couple 240d is electrically connected to the counter-electrode 23.

The current generator 24 comprises a plurality of galvanic couples 240 preferably connected in series. The galvanic couples 240 are thus adjacent two by two and are electrically connected two by two. This makes it possible to make a series connection of said plurality of galvanic couples 240, and therefore to increase the voltage potential, as will be detailed later.

Preferably, two adjacent galvanic couples 240 are separated by a distance equal to the distance which separates the two conductive poles 241, 242 of the same galvanic couple 240.

More precisely, two adjacent galvanic couples 240b, 240c are connected by connecting the second conductive pole 242b of one galvanic couple 240b and the first conductive pole 241c of the other galvanic couple 240c.

Advantageously, two adjacent galvanic couples 240 are electrically connected via a couple connector 246 advantageously comprising carbon. Preferably, the couple connector 246 is made of carbon. The couple connectors 246 make it possible to circulate an electric current from one galvanic couple 240 to another adjacent galvanic couple 240. Alternatively, the couple connector 246 may comprise other materials, such as electrically conductive metals. However, as illustrated in the various figures, it will be preferable to use carbon couple connectors 246 for its low cost, its ease of implementation and its harmlessness to the skin. Preferably, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 12, the torque connector 246 extends below at least one conductive pole 241, 242 that it connects. In other words, the at least one conductive pole 241, 242 partially covers the torque connector 246.

More preferably, the couple connector 246 comprises a portion extending below at least 80% of the surface of a conductive pole 241, 242. Advantageously, the couple connector 246 comprises a portion extending below at least 80% of the surface of a second conductive pole 242. This makes it possible to improve the electrical conductivity between two adjacent galvanic couples 240. Advantageously, each couple connector 246 has, when viewed from above, a p-shape (or symmetrically q-shape), that is to say that it has a solid, substantially square zone and a tail (or thin zone), the solid zone extending below the surface of a second conductive pole 242 while the tail is not covered. Such an arrangement makes it possible to optimize the passage of current between two adjacent 240 galvanic couples without impacting the redox reaction, or even by optimizing it.

Indeed, in the case, for example, of a couple connector 246 made of carbon and a second conductive pole 242 made of zinc, the conductivity is improved because carbon is more conductive than zinc. It has been measured that the conductivity could be multiplied by two when the couple connector 246 has a solid area under a conductive pole 241, 242.

According to one embodiment, the solid area of the torque connector 246 corresponds to 100% of the surface of a second conductive pole 242. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 for example, the surface of a second conductive pole 242 is greater than the solid area of the torque connector 246, that is to say that the second conductive pole 242 (in this case the zinc) covers the torque connector 246 (in this case the carbon) and protrudes from said torque connector 246. This makes it possible to ensure that, despite the manufacturing tolerances, the second conductive pole 242 (in this case the zinc) will completely cover the torque connector 246 (in this case the carbon), in particular in order to guarantee a good aesthetic appearance of the device 1.

The couple connectors 246 are advantageously arranged on the support film 21 so that, when activation product is applied to the free spaces 243 of the current generator 24 and the device 1 is applied to the user's skin, the electric current flows between the different galvanic couples 240 via the couple connectors 246. In other words, the couple connectors 246 are correctly arranged to ensure good circulation of the electric current within the electric generator 24. This also applies to the connectors 244, 245 which are also arranged on the support film 21 and which are therefore correctly arranged to ensure a good circulation of electric current between the electric generator 24 and the electrodes 22, 23.

Alternatively, according to a non-illustrated embodiment, two adjacent galvanic couples 240 are electrically connected by direct contact between the second conductive pole 242 of a galvanic couple 240 and the first conductive pole 241 of an adjacent galvanic couple 240. This makes it possible to achieve the series connection of said plurality of galvanic couples 240, without having to use another material.

Arranging a plurality of galvanic couples 240 in series makes it possible to generate, when the device 1 is in operation, a voltage (measured between the main electrode 2 and the counter-electrode 23) greater than the voltage generated by a single galvanic couple 240. Indeed, the voltages generated by each galvanic couple 240 of a series of galvanic couples 240 are cumulative. For example, theoretically, a zinc-silver galvanic couple 240 generates a voltage of 1.56 V. Consequently, theoretically, a current generator 24 comprising two galvanic couples 240 will generate a voltage of 3.12 V (1.56 V multiplied by 2) and a current generator 24 comprising three galvanic couples 240 will generate a voltage of 4.68 V (1.56 V multiplied by 3). Empirically, it has been measured that a current generator 24 comprising a zinc-silver galvanic couple 240 generates a voltage of 1.1 V. Thus, empirically, a current generator 24 comprising two galvanic couples 240 generates a voltage of 2.2 V (1.1 V multiplied by 2) and a current generator 24 comprising three galvanic couples 240 generates a voltage of 3.3 V (1.1 V multiplied by 3). The current generator 240 of the circular support layer 2 illustrated in FIG. 9 comprises four galvanic couples 240. Empirically, this current generator 24 generates a voltage of 4.4 V (1.1 multiplied by 4). The current generator 240 of the support layer 2 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises five galvanic couples 240. Empirically, this current generator 24 generates a voltage of 5.5 V (1.1 multiplied by 5). The current generator 240 of the support layer 2 in the shape of a circle illustrated in FIG. 10 comprises six galvanic couples 240. Empirically, this current generator 24 generates a voltage of 6.6 V (1.1 multiplied by 6).

Consequently, in operation, the intensity of the electric current generated by the plurality of galvanic couples 240 in series is greater than the electric current generated by a single galvanic couple 240. Indeed, the resistance of the skin (which will consume the current) remaining identical, by increasing the voltage compared to the devices of the prior art, thanks to the series connection of said plurality of galvanic couples 240, the current (principle of Ohm's law) which will flow in the skin is necessarily increased, when the device 1 of the invention is activated and placed on the skin. It is recalled that the skin behaves on average like a 10 kΩ (10,000 Q) resistor. Thus, theoretically, a 24 current generator comprising a single 240 galvanic couple will generate a current of 110 pA (1.1 V / 10,000 Q). Similarly, a 24 current generator comprising two 240 galvanic couples as illustrated in FIG. 2 will generate a current of 220 pA (2.2 V / 10,000 Q), a 24 current generator comprising four 240 galvanic couples as illustrated in FIG. 9 will generate a current of 440 pA (4.4 V / 10,000 Q), a 24 current generator comprising five 240 galvanic couples will generate a current of 550 pA (5.5 V / 10,000 Q) and a 24 current generator comprising six 240 galvanic couples as illustrated in FIG. 10 will generate a current of 660 pA (6.6 V / 10,000 Q).

However, due to current losses (e.g. at the contact between the skin and the electrodes 22, 23), the actual current measured is lower than the theoretical current. Thus, for example, the current generator 24 illustrated in FIG. 2 comprising two galvanic couples 240 generates a current with an intensity of approximately 120 pA. The current generator 24 comprising four galvanic couples 240 of the circular support layer 2 illustrated in FIG. 9 generates a current with an intensity of approximately 240 pA. In this case, it is noted that the surface area of the device 1 when the tab 3 is folded is the same for the device 1 of FIG. 2 as for the device 1 of FIG. 9. However, the intensity of the electric current generated by the current generator 24 of the device 1 of FIG. 9 is twice the intensity of the electric current generated by the current generator 24 of the device 1 of FIG. 2. In other words, it is possible, thanks to the invention, to double the intensity of the current produced by the device without impacting the size on the area of the skin to be treated. The embodiment of FIG. 9, which will be detailed below, is therefore advantageous. Finally, the current generator 24 of the drop-shaped support layer 2 illustrated in FIG. 1 generates a current with an intensity of up to 300 pA.

The performance of the current generator 24 is thus improved. Thus, more current flows into the user's skin, which will increase the treatment by iontophoresis and/or electrostimulation and/or electroporation. The performance and effectiveness of the device 1 are therefore improved. This allows, among other things, better diffusion of an active agent of an activation product into the user's skin.

Advantageously, the current generator 24 comprises at least three galvanic couples 240. Preferably, the current generator 24 comprises at least four galvanic couples 240 as illustrated in FIG. 2. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the current generator 24 comprises five galvanic couples 240.

Preferably, the elements printed on the support film 21 (electrodes 22, 23, first part 24a of the current generator 24 and connectors 244, 245, 246) have a thickness of between 10 pm and 20 pm. The support film 21 has, as already mentioned, a thickness of between 20 pm and 90 pm, or 40 pm and 90 pm. Consequently, the support layer 2 preferably has a thickness of between 30 pm and 110 pm, or between 50 pm and 110 pm. The support layer 2 thus offers a remarkable compromise between electrical conductivity, flexibility, and duration of use (in particular for the zinc ink which is consumed during treatment as explained above).

Tab

As previously introduced and as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the device 1 further comprises a tab 3 comprising a protective film 30 intended to cover, preferably completely, the first part 24a of the current generator 24, the protective film 30 of the tab 3 preventing any contact between the current generator 24 and the user's skin when the device 1 is applied to the user's skin. Thus, the contact surface, direct or preferably indirect, between the skin and metal elements of the device 1 (i.e. the electrodes 22, 23 and the current generator 24) is reduced when the device 1 is applied to the skin. This prevents any risk of migration of the materials, and in particular of the metals, constituting the current generator 24 towards the skin. In particular, this prevents any risk of migration of zinc and carbon towards the skin, if the current generator 24 comprises them.

Advantageously, the protective film 30 is designed to cover the first part 24a of the current generator 24 without covering the main electrode 22. Preferably, the protective film 30 is designed to cover the first part 24a of the current generator 24 without covering the main electrode 22 and the counter electrode 23. In other words, the protective film 30 has a surface area smaller than that of the device 1. In yet other words, the protective film 30 is adapted to cover only the first part of the current generator 24. Consequently, the tab 3 makes it possible to prevent any contact between the current generator 24 and the skin while allowing contact between the electrodes 22, 23 and the skin.

The tab 3 comprises a covering face 31 intended to be positioned opposite the first part 24a of the current generator 24. It is understood that the tab 3 is adapted to prevent the occurrence of short circuits when the device is in operation. In particular, the tab 3 prevents the occurrence of a short circuit (or leakage current) between one and/or the other of the main electrode 22 and counter electrode 23 and the current generator 24 via the user's skin. In the preferred case where the current generator 24 comprises a plurality of galvanic couples 240, the tab 3 prevents the occurrence of a short circuit between the different galvanic couples via the user's skin. the user. The tab 3 thus makes it possible to control and ensure the proper circulation of the electric current in the user's skin and the device 1 is thus more effective.

Preferably, the protective film 30 comprises at least one electrically insulating material. More preferably, the protective film 30 comprises at least one material impermeable to the activation product. For example, the protective film 30 is made of a flexible plastic such as polyurethane (PU) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Tab 3 may be an element physically independent of support layer 2.

Preferably as illustrated in figures 1, 5 and 8, the tab 3 is physically linked to the support layer 2. In other words, the tab 3 is preferably physically linked to at least one support film 21. By “physically linked”, it is understood that the tab 3 is advantageously connected to, attached to and/or permanently secured to the support layer 2. This has in particular the advantage of facilitating the use of the device 1 which is in this case in one piece.

Advantageously, the tab 3 is integral with the support layer 2 and the tab 3 is designed to be folded so as to cover the first part 24a of the current generator 24. It is therefore understood that, prior to applying the device 1 to the skin, the user can simply fold the tab 3 which is arranged so as to, when folded, cover the first part 24a of the current generator 24. This guarantees the user a particular device that is simple and intuitive to use, while also avoiding any risk of losing the tab.

The tab 3 is advantageously connected to the support layer 2 so that, when it is folded along a fold line corresponding to the junction line between the support layer 2 and the tab 3, the protective film 30 of the tab 3 covers the first part 24a of the current generator 24. In other words, preferably, the protective film 30 has a shape similar to the shape of the current generator 24.

Figures 4, 6 and 11 illustrate devices 1 having a tab 3 folded so that it covers the first part 24a of the current generator 24.

As previously explained, the current generator 24 comprises a first part 24a of the current generator 24.

According to a certain embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 4 to 6, the first part 24a of the current generator 24 corresponds to the current generator 24 and the current generator 24 comprises only the first part 24a of the current generator 24. The first part 24a of the current generator 24 is arranged on the active face 25 of the support layer 2 and therefore, in this case, the current generator 24 is entirely arranged on the active face 25 of the support layer 2.

In this embodiment, the first conductive pole 241 and the second conductive pole 242 of a galvanic couple 240 are separated from each other by a free space 243 of the support layer 2.

The free space 243 is preferably insulating, i.e. it does not allow electric current to pass through it. This can for example be enabled by the fact that the support film 21 is insulating and that the free space 243 consists of an area of the support film 21 on which no material is printed.

Alternatively, an insulating material could be disposed on the support film 21 at the free space 243.

Preferably, the first conductive pole of a galvanic couple and the second conductive pole of a galvanic couple are separated by a distance of between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm, for example equal to 2 mm. In other words, the free space 243 has a length of between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm, for example equal to 2 mm.

The free space 243 is intended to be filled, at the time of activation (of putting into operation) of the device 1, by an electrically conductive activation product to connect together the first conductive pole 241 and the second conductive pole 242 of the same galvanic couple 240.

According to another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12, the current generator 24 comprises a first part 24a of the current generator 24 and a second part 24b of the current generator 24, the second part 24b being initially different and distinct from the first part 24a. Said first part 24a and second part 24b are then designed to cooperate with each other so as to activate the device. The first part 24a and the second part 24b comprise one or more galvanic couples 240 and/or one or more first conductive poles 241 and/or second conductive poles 242. According to this embodiment, the first part 24a of the current generator 24 is arranged on the active face 25 of the support layer 2 and the second part 24b of the current generator 24 is arranged on the tab 3 of the device 1. In other words, the tab 3 comprises the second part 24b of the current generator 24 which is arranged on the covering face 31. According to this embodiment, the first part 24a of the current generator 24 comprises, for each galvanic couple 240, one of the first conductive pole 241 and the second conductive pole 242 and the second part 24b of the current generator 24 comprises the other of the first conductive pole 241 and the second conductive pole 242. The first conductive pole 241 or second conductive pole 242 of the second part 24b of the current generator 24 is provided so that, when the tab 3 covers the first part 24a of the current generator 24, it is arranged opposite the first conductive pole 241 or second conductive pole 242 of the first part 24a of the current generator 24 belonging to the at least one galvanic couple 240. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, the first conductive pole 241x of a galvanic couple 240x is part of the first part 24a of the current generator 24 and is therefore arranged on the active face 25 while the second conductive pole 242x of the galvanic couple 240x is part of the second part 24b of the current generator 24 and is therefore arranged on the covering face 31. The flow of the electric current is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 12.

Figure 11 illustrates the device 1 when the tab 3 covers the first part 24a of the current generator 24. The second part 24b of the current generator 24 arranged on the tab 3 is visible in Figure 11 as if the tab 3 were transparent.

Advantageously, the conductive pole 241, 242 of the first galvanic couple 240a which is connected to the main electrode 22 is part of the first part 24a of the current generator 24 and is therefore arranged on the active face 25 of the support layer 2. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, the second conductive pole 242a of the first galvanic couple 240a is arranged on the active face 25. Similarly, advantageously, the conductive pole 241, 242 of the last galvanic couple 240d which is connected to the counter-electrode 23 is part of the first part 24a of the current generator 24 and is therefore arranged on the active face 25 of the support layer 2. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, the first conductive pole 241d of the last galvanic couple 240d is arranged on the active face 25.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, two conductive poles 241, 242 of two different and adjacent galvanic couples 240 which are connected (for example via a couple connector 246) advantageously both form part of either the first part 24a of the current generator 24 or the second part 24b of the current generator 24 and are therefore both arranged either on the active face 25 of the support layer 2 or on the covering face 31 of the tab 3. In other words, the connection between two adjacent galvanic couples 240, which comprises a conductive pole 241, 242 of two different and adjacent galvanic couples 240 and possibly a couple connector 246, is arranged either on the active face 25 of the support layer 2 or on the covering face 31 of the tab 3.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, advantageously, the conductive poles 241, 242 connected respectively to the electrode 22 and to the counter-electrode 23 are included in the first part 24a of the current generator 24 and are therefore arranged on the active face 25 of the support layer 2. These embodiments according to which a second part 24b of the current generator 24 is arranged on the tab 3 make it possible to limit short circuits between the current generator 24 and the electrodes 22, 23, as explained previously, while increasing the current intensity which will be generated by the current generator 24 without increasing its size (footprint) on the user's skin. It is therefore possible to treat more effectively a delimited area of the user's skin, and in particular a small area.

As illustrated in Figures 8 to 10, different shapes of tab 3 can be designed, in order to correspond to the shapes of the support layer 2. For example, tab 3 can be elongate as can be seen in Figure 8 or 9 in order to correspond with a current generator of substantially elongate shape. More precisely, in the case of Figure 8, current generator 24 and tab 3 are arched while, in Figure 9, current generator 24 and tab 3 are rectilinear. In Figure 10, tab 3 has a circular shape, and more precisely a horseshoe shape, so as to be able to cooperate with a current generator 24 of circular shape.

In any case, we note that tab 3 is designed not to cover electrodes 22 or 23.

It is therefore understood that, whatever the embodiment (current generator 24 arranged only on the active face 25 of the support layer 2 or both on the active face 25 and on the tab 3), the protective film 30 of the tab 3 is a physical barrier between the current generator 24 and the user's skin when the device 1 is applied to the user's skin. This physical barrier will therefore on the one hand prevent the occurrence of a short circuit between the different components via the skin, while preventing the migration of the components of the current generator to the skin when using the device.

Indeed, if the entirety of the current generator 24 is arranged on the active face 25 of the support layer 2, the tab 3 is intended to be arranged on the support layer 2 so as to cover the current generator 24.

Furthermore, if a second part 24b of the current generator 24 is arranged on the tab 3 of the device 1, the tab 3 is intended to be arranged on the support layer 2 so that, when the device 1 is in operation, the protective film 30 is arranged between the second part 24b of the current generator 24 and the skin of the user. In other words, when the protective film 30 covers the current generator 24 and when the device 1 is applied to the skin of the user, the second part 24b of the current generator 24 is arranged facing the active face 25 and not facing the skin. Advantageously, the first part 24a of the current generator 24 is printed on the support film 21 of the support layer 2 using conductive inks, and preferably metallic inks. In addition, if applicable, the second part 24b of the current generator 24 is also printed using conductive inks, and preferably metallic inks. In particular, the first part 24a of the current generator 24 and, if applicable, the second part 24b of the current generator 24 are preferably printed by screen printing.

According to an embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 to 7, the tab 3 comprises activation product arranged on the covering face 31 so as to electrically connect the first conductive pole 241 and the second conductive pole 242 of each galvanic couple 240 when the protective film 30 of the tab 3 covers the first part 24a of the current generator 24.

In other words, if the current generator 24 is exclusively arranged on the active face 25, and therefore the conductive poles 242, 242 of each galvanic couple

240 are separated by free spaces 243 of the support layer 2, when the protective film 30 of the tab 3 covers the first part 24a of the current generator 24, the activation product fills the free spaces 243 between the first conductive pole

241 and second conductive pole 242 of each galvanic couple 240 so that the current generator 24 is activated.

According to an advantageous embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7, the activation product PA is arranged at a plurality of activation zones 310 of the covering face 31 of the tab 3. The activation zones 310 are distinct and separated from each other and each activation zone 310 is intended to be arranged opposite at least part of a free space 243 of a corresponding galvanic couple 240. Consequently, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 6 (in transparency) and in FIG. 7, when the protective film 30 of the tab 3 covers the first part 24a of the current generator 24, the activation product PA is only arranged at the free spaces 243 so as to connect the first conductive pole 241 and the second conductive pole

242 of each galvanic couple 240 without creating short circuits. Indeed, according to this embodiment, there is no activation product that connects two adjacent galvanic couples 240 which makes it possible to avoid any short circuit and also to limit the quantity of activation product used. Advantageously, the tab 3 comprises at least one impregnation film at its covering face 31, preferably made of non-woven fabric, adapted to be impregnated with or even pre-impregnated with activation product. In this embodiment, the use of the device 1 is facilitated because the user does not have to apply activation product to the current generator 24 since the tab 3 already comprises the activation product for activating the current generator 24. The user will only have to apply product to the electrodes 22, 23. Consequently, this embodiment allows easy use of the device 1 without a stencil layer (which will be detailed later).

By “arranged facing at least part of a free space 243”, it is understood that it is not necessary for an activation zone 310 to have a surface area equal to or greater than that of a free space 243. Indeed, when the protective film 30 of the tab 3 covers the first part 24a of the current generator 24, the activation product can spread, for example by capillarity, on the active face 25 of the support layer so as to occupy a surface area of the active face 25 greater than the activation surface and thus to fill the free space 243.

According to the embodiment in which a second part 24b of the current generator 24 is arranged on the tab 3, there is no free space 243. Indeed, the conductive poles 241, 242 of the same galvanic couple 240 are, before the device 1 is in operation, physically separated because one of the conductive poles 241, 242 is arranged on the support layer 2 and the other of the conductive poles 241, 242 is arranged on the tab 3. In this case, activation product can be arranged on the covering face 31 so that, when the protective film 30 of the tab 3 covers the first part 24a of the current generator 24, activation product is arranged between the first conductive pole 241 and the second conductive pole 242 of a galvanic couple 240. (positioned opposite each other) as illustrated in figure 12.

Preferably, the activation product is arranged at a plurality of activation zones 310 of the covering face 31 of the tab 3, the activation zones 310 being distinct and separated from one another and each corresponding to at least part of a conductive pole 241, 242 of a galvanic couple 240. In other words, the activation product is only arranged on the conductive poles 241, 242 arranged on the tab 3. This makes it possible to avoid the occurrence of a short circuit when the device 1 is in operation and also to limit the quantity of activation product used while ensuring the application of the activation product in the right places. This results in a device that is particularly simple to use, ergonomic, efficient and economical.

Advantageously, the device 1 comprises at least one adhesive film 7 intended to be arranged between the active face 25 and the covering face 31 of the tab 3 when the tab 3 covers the first part 24a of the current generator 24.

According to one embodiment, the adhesive film 7 can be arranged on the active face 25 and have an internal adhesive surface intended to be in contact with the support layer 2 so as to ensure the fixing of the adhesive film 7 on the latter. The adhesive film 7 also comprises an external adhesive surface intended to come into contact with the covering face 31 of the tab 3 and to ensure the fixing of the tab 3 to the support layer 2.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the adhesive film 7 may be arranged on the covering face 31 of the tab 3 and have an adhesive internal surface intended to be in contact with the tab 3 so as to ensure the fixing of the adhesive film 7 on the latter. The adhesive film 7 also comprises an adhesive external surface intended to come into contact with the active face 25 of the support layer 2 and to ensure the fixing of the tab 3 to the support layer 2.

Accordingly, when the device 1 is applied to the user's skin, the tab 3 covers the first part 24a of the current generator 24 and prevents any contact between the current generator 24 and the user's skin during the entire operating time of the device 1, i.e. during the entire duration during which the device 1 is applied to the user's skin.

Impresnation layer

With reference to figures 3 and 13 to 15, the device 1 preferably comprises an impregnation layer 4 comprising at least one impregnation film 41. The impregnation layer 4 covers at least the main electrode 22, the counter-electrode 23 and the current generator 24.

Indeed, to operate the device 1, it is desired that activation product be impregnated at the level of zones 42 of the impregnation layer 4, called “activation zones 42”.

First of all, it is necessary to activate the current generator 24 and therefore its galvanic couples 240. To do this, it is necessary to connect together the conductive poles 241, 242 of each galvanic couple 240 so that an oxidation-reduction reaction takes place, as explained previously.

According to the embodiments in which the entire current generator 24 is arranged on the active face 25 of the support layer 2, this can be implemented by the presence of the activation product at the free spaces 243 between the conductive poles 241, 242 of each galvanic couple 240. Thus, it is desired that activation product be arranged at the free spaces 243 and that activation product remain for a certain operating time of the device 1 at the free spaces 243. The impregnation layer 4 at the current generator 24 plays in particular the role of a reservoir of activation product and thus allows the activation of the galvanic couples 240 of the current generator 24 for a certain period of time. Thus, current is generated for a certain period of time, preferably for the duration necessary for treating the area of the face to be treated. First activation zones 42a therefore correspond to the zones of the impregnation layer 4 arranged at the level of the free spaces 243. By "at the level", it is understood that first activation zones 42a therefore correspond to the zones of the impregnation layer 4 arranged opposite and/or on and/or above the free spaces 243. Alternatively or in addition, as explained previously and as illustrated in FIG. 5, one or more impregnation films of the tab 3 act as a reservoir of activation product and thus allow the activation of the galvanic couples 240 of the current generator 24 when the tab 3 is folded onto the support layer 2.

Preferably, each first activation zone 42a extends from the first conductive pole 241 to the second conductive pole 242 of a galvanic couple 240. More preferably, each first activation zone 42a is arranged opposite a portion of a first conductive pole 241, a portion of the free space 243 and a portion of a second conductive pole 242 of a galvanic couple 240. In such a way, when activation product is applied to the first activation zone 42, the first conductive pole 241 and the second conductive pole 242 of each galvanic couple 240 are correctly connected to allow an oxidation-reduction reaction. More precisely, at the time of activation (of putting the device into operation), the activation product will make it possible to bring the first and second conductive poles 241, 242 into electrical contact by filling the free space 243, initially insulating.

According to a certain embodiment, for a galvanic couple 240, a first activation zone 42a comprises a zone of the impregnation layer 4 located opposite (i.e. covering) the entire galvanic couple 240, namely its first conductive pole 241, its second conductive pole 242 and its free space 243.

According to the embodiment in which a second part 24b of the current generator 24 is arranged on the tab 3, each first activation zone 42a comprises a zone of the impregnation layer 4 located opposite (i.e. covering) a conductive pole 241, 242, preferably without extending beyond the conductive pole 241, 242. In other words, advantageously, there is a first activation zone 42a at each conductive pole 241, 242 arranged on the active face 25 of the support layer 2. Indeed, the activation of each galvanic couple 240 is done by establishing an electrical connection via activation product arranged between the first conductive pole 241 and the second conductive pole 242 of each galvanic couple 240. To activate a galvanic couple 240, it is necessary that the first conductive pole 241 and the second conductive pole 242 are arranged opposite each other and that the activation product is arranged between them. Thus, we have a first activation zone 42a per conductive pole 241, 242 of the support layer 2.

Preferably, in operation, it is preferable that activation product is also present between each electrode 22, 23 and the user's skin to facilitate the flow of electric current between the device 1 and the skin. This also makes it possible to limit the risk of redness of the skin upon contact with the electrodes 22, 23 and to increase the comfort of use. Furthermore, in the case where the activation product comprises an active agent for treating the skin, it is necessary to apply activation product between the skin and at least one of the electrodes 22, 23, preferably between the main electrode 22 and the skin, to ensure good absorption of the activation product (more precisely of an active ingredient contained in the activation product) at the level of at least one of the electrodes 22, 23 (preferably of the main electrode 22). Therefore, we understand the interest of the impregnation layer 4 at the electrodes 22, 23 which also makes it possible to play the role of reservoir of activation product, more precisely of active agent, for a certain period of time. Thus, a second activation zone 42b corresponds to the zone of the impregnation layer 4 arranged at the main electrode 22, as can be seen in FIG. 13 for example. A third activation zone 42c corresponds to the zone of the impregnation layer 4 arranged at the counter-electrode 23.

By “at the level”, it is understood that the third and second activation zones 42b, 42c correspond respectively to the zones of the impregnation layer 4 arranged opposite and/or on and/or above the main electrode 22 and the counter-electrode 23.

Thus, the impregnation film 41 of the impregnation layer 4 has in particular the role of being impregnated with an activation product advantageously comprising an active agent intended to be diffused into the skin by iontophoresis and/or electrostimulation. The impregnation film 41 is therefore manufactured from at least one porous material, that is to say a material which absorbs the activation product.

Preferably, the impregnation film 41 is made from a nonwoven textile, for example nonwoven cotton. A nonwoven textile has the advantage of being absorbent and is generally hypoallergenic so that it can be placed in contact with the skin of a user without risk of skin reaction.

Furthermore, a non-woven textile has the advantage of being very flexible and therefore does not limit the flexibility of the device 1 .

The impregnation film 41, and consequently the impregnation layer 4, preferably have a thickness greater than or equal to 100 μm, preferably greater than or equal to equal to 800 pm, and less than or equal to 2 mm. The thickness of the impregnation film 41, and consequently of the impregnation layer 4, will be chosen in particular according to the desired absorption capacity of the impregnation layer 4.

The impregnation film 41 may be made from materials adapted to the viscosity of the activation product. For example, if the activation product is very low in viscosity and therefore very liquid (as would be the case, for example, with a physiological serum or a saline solution), it would be desirable for the impregnation film 41 to be made from a highly absorbent material to prevent, when an activation product is applied to the device 1 , the activation product from spreading (by capillarity) in an undesirable manner in the device 1 or from flowing out of the device 1 (for example, onto the ground). Conversely, if the activation product is very viscous (as would be the case, for example, with a cosmetic cream or a gel), it would be desirable for the impregnation film 41 to be made from a low-absorbent material to allow the impregnation film 41 to impregnate sufficiently.

The impregnation layer 4 may comprise a single impregnation film 41 which covers the assembly comprising the main electrode 22, the counter-electrode 23 and the current generator 24. In this case, the impregnation layer 4 is said to be monolithic. For example, this embodiment, particularly simple and easy to implement during the manufacture of the device 1, is well suited in the case where the activation product has a high viscosity (it is therefore pasty, for example in the form of a cosmetic cream). Indeed, in this case, when the activation product is applied to the activation zone 42 (i.e. to all of this zone 42 or to part of this zone 42) of the impregnation layer 4, the activation product remains substantially on this activation zone 42 and does not spread in an undesirable manner to other zones of the impregnation layer 4, in particular to zones which are not activation zones 42.

In this case of a monolithic impregnation layer 4, the latter may comprise at least one capillarity limitation device, such as for example a groove, a throat or even a slot. Such a device makes it possible to cut capillary paths within the impregnation layer 4 and thus to locally limit the diffusion of the activation product within the impregnation layer 4 by capillarity. It is thus possible to control the diffusion of the activation product within this monolithic impregnation layer 4. This makes it possible to envisage the use of a relatively fluid activation product while simplifying the manufacturing process of the device 1. Advantageously, the impregnation layer comprises two capillarity limitation devices, arranged on either side of the current generator 24. According to another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 15, the impregnation layer 4 comprises a plurality of impregnation films 41. In other words, the impregnation layer 4 is then not monolithic but comprises at least two, preferably three, impregnation films 41 that are distinct and separate from each other. In the example illustrated, the impregnation layer 4 comprises three impregnation films 41, including a first impregnation film 41a intended to cover the main electrode 22, a second impregnation film 41b intended to cover the counter-electrode 23 and a third impregnation film 41c intended to cover the current generator 24. Advantageously, the first, second and third impregnation films 41a, 41b, 41c are not in contact with each other. This embodiment is for example suitable in the case where the activation product has a low viscosity (it is therefore liquid, fluid, for example in the form of serum or solution). Indeed, in this case, when activation product is applied to an activation zone 42 (i.e. to this entire zone 42 or to a part of this zone 42) of the impregnation layer 4, the activation product tends to spread. The fact that the impregnation films 41a, 41b and 41c are not in contact makes it possible to prevent the activation product from spreading undesirably to other zones of the impregnation layer 4, in particular to zones which are not activation zones 42.

In the case where the impregnation layer 4 comprises a plurality of impregnation films 41, the impregnation films 41 are not necessarily made of the same material. However, for reasons of simplicity and cost, three separate but identical films (in the same material) may be used.

It should be noted that different activation products could be used depending on the different activation zones 42. Therefore, the impregnation films 41 could each be made of materials adapted to the viscosity of the activation product they are intended to receive.

Preferably, at least one impregnation film 41 is not pre-impregnated. The pre-impregnation may allow the use of the device 1 by a user without any prior step except applying the device 1 to the skin.

However, pre-impregnation may reduce the operating time of the device 1 for treating the user's skin. For example, this may result in premature activation of the current generator 24 if the corresponding activation area 42a is pre-impregnated. Thus, the current generator 24 and thus the device 1 would have a reduced operating time since the current generator 24 would have already been operating for a certain period of time before the user applies it to his skin. It is therefore preferred that the impregnation film(s) 41 of the impregnation layer 4 are not pre-impregnated. Consequently, it is preferred that the user impregnates the activation zones 42 as little time as possible before applying the device 1 to his skin. Indeed, it is particularly advantageous that the first or second conductive pole 244, 245 comprising the reducing agent (in this case zinc) is not pre-impregnated so as not to trigger the redox reaction before the actual use of the device 1.

As can be seen in FIG. 15 in particular, the impregnation layer 4 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the support layer 2 of the device 1. More specifically, in the preferred embodiment where the impregnation layer comprises a plurality of impregnation films 41a, 41b, 41c, each of the first, second and third impregnation films 41a, 41b, 41c respectively has the same shape as each of the main electrode 22, counter electrode 23 and current generator 24. More specifically, in the case of a drop-shaped support layer 2, the first impregnation film 41a has a drop shape, the second impregnation film 41b has a circular arc shape, the third impregnation film has a circular arc shape. In the case of the support layer 2 in the form of a circle, the first impregnation film has a disk shape, the second impregnation film has a circular arc shape, the third impregnation film has a circular arc shape. It will thus be understood that the shape of each impregnation film corresponds to the shape of the area that it is intended to impregnate.

Stencil layer

As illustrated in Figures 13 and 14 (which do not illustrate the tab 3 of the device 1), the device 1 may comprise a stencil layer 6 at least partially covering the impregnation layer 4. The stencil layer 6 comprises at least one stencil film 61.

The stencil layer 6 comprises at least one permeable zone 62 adapted to allow electrically conductive activation product to pass only at predefined zones of the impregnation layer 4 called “free zones 44”.

Preferably, the stencil layer 6 comprises a plurality of permeable zones 62 and to each permeable zone 62 of the stencil layer 6 corresponds a free zone 44 of the impregnation layer 4. In other words, the free zone 44 of a permeable zone 62 is the zone of the impregnation layer 4 at which the permeable zone 62 is located. By "at the level" is meant "opposite", "above" and/or "on". The free zone 44 has a surface and a shape identical to the permeable zone 62. The permeable zone 62 makes the free zone 44 accessible to an activation product which would be applied to the permeable zone 62. The stencil layer 6 has the role in particular of allowing the activation of only the activation zones 42, and of protecting the other zones from the activation product. The stencil layer 6 aims to prevent the application of activation product to zones of the impregnation layer 4 which are not activation zones 42. This therefore allows the designers of the devices 1 to determine which zones will or will not be in contact with the activation product, regardless of the user's handling and skills. This results in great simplicity of use of the device 1 and great reliability.

Indeed, it is desired to avoid short circuits within the device 1 as much as possible, to limit the current generator 24 from “emptying” too quickly and to ensure that the current passes fully through the skin (treatment effectiveness). Typically, if an activation product were applied to the entire surface of the impregnation layer 4, and therefore the entire surface of the support layer 2 were in contact with an activation product, many short circuits would occur, the current preferring to pass through the activation product (the “simplest” path) rather than through the skin. It is therefore desired to precisely target the areas of the impregnation layer 4 on which the activation product must be applied to avoid as many short circuits as possible and control and optimize the path of the electric current.

For this, the stencil layer 6 comprises permeable zones 62. The permeable zones 62 allow the circulation of activation product through the stencil layer 6, towards the impregnation layer 4 during an application of activation product on the stencil layer 6. The permeable zones 62 are for example made of a porous material.

The remainder of the stencil layer 6, i.e. the impermeable areas 63, are preferably made of a material which would prevent any circulation of activation product towards the impregnation layer 4 during an application of activation product to the stencil layer 6 at these impermeable areas 63.

Advantageously, as can be seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, the permeable zones 62 are openwork zones, preferably formed by holes (or openings or cutouts) made in the stencil film 61. In other words, the permeable zones 62 are empty zones. A stencil film 61 is therefore openwork, i.e. perforated, at the level of a permeable zone 62. In yet other words, the permeable zones 62 reveal the free zones 44 of the impregnation layer 4. The permeable zones 62 are thus, in terms of shape, complementary to the free zones 44.

Each free zone 44 comprises at least one activation zone 42. A free zone 44 typically has a surface area smaller than or identical to that of a corresponding activation zone 42. The free zones 44 are adapted to allow impregnation with activation product at the activation zones 42. By applying activation product to a permeable zone 62 and therefore at the level of a corresponding free zone 44, it is expected that the activation product impregnates a corresponding activation zone 42. More precisely, the free zone 44 may be smaller than the activation zone 42 in the case of a liquid activation product. Indeed, in this case, it is expected that the activation product having reached the free zone 44 spreads (by capillarity) beyond the free zone 44 and impregnates at least the corresponding activation zone 42. Furthermore, the free zone 44 may have a size substantially identical to that of the activation zone 42 in the case of a viscous activation product, such as for example a gel or a cream for example cosmetic. Indeed, in this case, it is not expected that the activation product having reached the free zone 44 will spread beyond the free zone 44 so that it is preferred that the free zone 44 corresponds substantially to the activation zone 42.

Preferably, at least one free zone 44, called “first free zone 44a”, comprises at least a portion of the first activation zone 42a. In other words, a permeable zone 62, called “first permeable zone 62a”, is located opposite at least a portion of the first activation zone 42a.

Thus, according to the embodiment in which the entire current generator 24 is arranged on the active face 25 of the support layer 2, at least a first permeable zone 62 is located opposite at least part of the free space 243 of a galvanic couple 240. Advantageously, a first permeable zone 62a, and therefore a corresponding first free zone 44a, is located opposite each free space 243 of the support layer 2. In such a way, the stencil layer 6 is provided to allow the activation of each galvanic couple 240.

According to one embodiment, a first permeable zone 62a, and therefore a corresponding first free zone 44a, is only arranged opposite a portion of a free space 243 and the length of the first permeable zone 62 (and therefore also of the first free zone 44a) is less than the length of the free space 243. The surface area of the first permeable zone 62a, and therefore of the first free zone 44a, is thus less than the surface area of the first activation zone 42a. This scenario is suitable, for example, when an activation product is not very viscous and therefore very liquid, such as, for example, a physiological serum or a saline solution. Indeed, in this case it is sufficient to initially apply the activation product to a first free zone 44a corresponding to a small part of the first activation zone 42a because the activation product will spread so as to impregnate at least the first activation zone 42a of the impregnation layer 4. According to another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, a first permeable zone 62a is arranged opposite at least 20% of the total surface area of the first activation zone 42a. The corresponding first free zone 44a therefore has a surface area of at least 20% of the total surface area of the first activation zone 42a. In other words, the first permeable zone 62a, and therefore also the first free zone 44a, is arranged opposite a portion of a galvanic couple 240 which extends from the first conductive pole 241 to the second conductive pole 242. The first permeable zone 62a may also be arranged opposite a portion of a galvanic couple 240 so as to be opposite a portion of a first conductive pole 241, a portion of the free space 243 and a portion of a second conductive pole 242 of a galvanic couple 240. This scenario is suitable, for example, when an activation product is viscous. Indeed, it is in this case necessary to initially apply activation product to the first free zone 44a which has a surface area of at least 20% of the surface area of the first activation zone 42a to impregnate at least the first activation zone 42a of the impregnation layer 4 because the activation product will spread little.

It is thus understood that the dimensioning of the permeable zones 62 of the stencil layer 6 is correlated, in particular, with the viscosity of the activation product. Indeed, the more viscous, pasty, thick the activation product is, as would be the case for example with a cream or a gel, the less it will spread (diffuse) in the impregnation layer 4, so it is appropriate to maximize the size of the permeable zones 62. Conversely, the more liquid, fluid the activation product is, the more it will spread (diffuse) in the impregnation layer 4, in particular by capillarity, so it is appropriate to minimize the size of the permeable zones 62.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, the first permeable zones 62a are rectangular in shape. Each first permeable zone 62a has a length approximately equal to 7 mm and a width approximately equal to 2 mm. Each first permeable zone 62a is designed such that each corresponding first free zone 44a is arranged opposite a portion of a first conductive pole 241, a portion of the free space 243 and a portion of a second conductive pole 242 of a galvanic couple 240, each of these portions having an advantageously similar surface.

According to the embodiment in which the second part 24b of the current generator 24 is arranged on the tab 3, a first permeable zone 62 is located opposite at least part of a conductive pole 241, 242 located on the support layer 2. Advantageously, a first permeable zone 62a, and therefore a corresponding first free zone 44a, is located opposite each conductive pole 241, 242 of the support layer 2. Advantageously, the stencil layer 6 further comprises permeable zones 62 arranged opposite the main electrode 22 and/or the counter-electrode 23. The impregnation layer 4 therefore comprises corresponding free zones 44.

Preferably, a second permeable zone 62b is arranged opposite the second activation zone 42b which is arranged at the level of the main electrode 22. The impregnation layer 4 therefore comprises at least one second free zone 44b corresponding to the second permeable zone 62b located opposite said second free zone 44b.

Also preferably, a third permeable zone 62c is arranged opposite the third activation zone 42c which is arranged at the level of the counter-electrode 23. The impregnation layer 4 therefore comprises at least a third free zone 44c corresponding to the third permeable zone 62c located opposite said third free zone 44c.

Thus, an activation product can be applied to these permeable zones 62b, 62c such that the activation product impregnates the second free zone 44b and third free zone 44c and, consequently, impregnates the second activation zone 42b and third activation zone 42c to allow the circulation of electric current via the electrodes 22, 23 when the device 1 is applied to the skin of a user.

Preferably, the second permeable zone 62b has a shape similar to that of the main electrode 22. The second free zone 44b therefore has a shape similar to that of the main electrode 22. Also preferably, the third permeable zone 62c has a shape similar to that of the counter-electrode 23. The third free zone 44c therefore has a shape similar to that of the counter-electrode 23.

The stencil layer 6 preferably comprises a stencil film 61. The stencil layer 6 may also comprise a plurality of stencil films 61, each of which may comprise one or more permeable zones 62.

Regardless of the embodiment of the stencil layer 6 detailed above, it is clear that the latter allows the user to apply activation product to the entire device 1, on the stencil layer 6, without having to worry about the areas that need to be activated or not. Indeed, it is the permeable areas 62 and the impermeable areas 63 of the stencil layer 6 that allow the activation product to pass through to the activation area(s) 42 or, on the contrary, prevent the activation product from reaching the other areas. In other words, the stencil layer 6 allows the activation product to be guided to areas previously defined by the designers of the device 1, in this case the activation areas 42. The stencil layer 6 is preferably adapted to be removed from the device 1 before the application of the device 1 to the skin of a user. Indeed, the stencil layer 6 aims in particular to allow the application of activation product on the free zones 44 of the impregnation layer 4 so as to allow the impregnation of the activation zones 42. Once the user has applied the activation product on the stencil layer 6 and indirectly on the free zones 44 of the impregnation layer 4, the stencil layer 6 can be removed.

This can in particular make it possible to discover the second and third activation zones 42b, 42c. Thus, according to one embodiment, the total surface of the electrodes 22, 23 can be applied in contact with the skin.

Furthermore, this makes it possible to keep on the device 1 only the activation product necessary for the operation of the device 1 and not the activation product which would have been applied to impermeable zones 63. This guarantees that no activation product remains on unwanted zones, which limits the risk of short circuits appearing when using the device 1.

The stencil layer 6 is preferably flexible. The stencil layer 6 is for example made of a flexible plastic such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The stencil layer 6 preferably has a thickness of less than 50 μm. The thickness of the stencil layer 6 is typically greater than 30 μm, preferably approximately equal to 40 μm.

Thus, the stencil layer 6 makes it possible, thanks to a remarkable combination of permeable zones 62 and impermeable zones 63 judiciously sized and positioned, to guide (i.e. to let through) the activation product only towards the activation zones 42 comprising, in this case, a part of the free space 243, and preferably, a part of a first conductive pole 241, a part of a second conductive pole 242 of a galvanic couple 240, and advantageously the main electrode 22 and the counter electrode 23; and on the contrary, to preserve the other zones (other than the activation zones 42) from the activation product.

Alternatively, the device 1 does not comprise a stencil layer 6. In particular, when the tab 3 has pre-impregnated activation product, the user simply needs to apply activation product to the electrodes 22, 23. The user does not need to precisely apply activation product to the free spaces 243 of the current generator 24 since the activation product intended to be applied to the free spaces 243 is already pre-impregnated on the tab 3.

Contact method Advantageously, the device 1 comprises contact and holding means to ensure contact between the device 1 and the user's skin and to hold the device 1 on the skin despite possible external disturbances (wind, clothing, hair, etc.).

The contact means comprise, for example, an elastic band. For example, in the case of a device 1 taking the form of a face mask, the device 1 may comprise an elastic band which would surround the head to press the device 1 against the face.

Preferably, the contact means comprise an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is preferably arranged between the impregnation layer 4 and the stencil layer 6. The adhesive layer comprises at least one adhesive film.

The adhesive layer preferably comprises at least one permeable zone adapted to allow an activation product to pass only at the level of at least one activation zone 42. The permeable zone is preferably perforated, for example by being formed by a hole (or an opening) made in the adhesive film.

The adhesive layer preferably has a shape similar to the stencil layer 6.

Preferably, the adhesive layer covers the impregnation layer 4 located on the current generator 24 (except the free zones 44). The adhesive layer is arranged on and in contact with at least a portion of the impregnation layer 4. The adhesive layer does not cover the portions of the impregnation layer 4 located opposite the main electrode 22 and the counter electrode 23, in order to allow good current flow between the electrodes 22 and 23 and the skin.

Thus, the adhesive layer ensures that the device 1 is held on the skin while isolating the galvanic couples 240 from the skin and allowing the activation of each galvanic couple 240 via the free zones 44. The galvanic couples 240 being isolated from the skin by the adhesive layer, the risk of short-circuiting within the latter is eliminated and the risk of seeing redness appear on the skin is reduced.

The adhesive layer has an external adhesive surface intended to come into contact with the user's skin and to ensure the attachment of the device 1 to the skin for the entire duration of the treatment.

Advantageously, the stencil layer 6 constitutes a cover for the adhesive layer. In other words, when the stencil layer 6 is removed from the device 1, the adhesive external surface of the adhesive layer is uncovered and can then be stuck to the user's skin.

The adhesive layer therefore also remarkably allows the stencil layer 6 to be held on the device 1 before the stencil layer 6 is removed from the device. 1. The stencil layer 6 and the adhesive layer therefore play a respective role towards one another: the stencil layer 6 protects the adhesive outer surface of the adhesive layer, in particular from dust, thus preserving its adhesive power, while the adhesive outer surface ensures the maintenance of the stencil layer 6 while waiting for the user to remove it during the actual use of the device 1.

The adhesive layer advantageously also has an internal adhesive surface intended to come into contact with the impregnation layer 4, and thus ensure its attachment to the latter. Preferably, the adhesive layer is then formed by a double-sided adhesive film, i.e. a film having an external adhesive surface intended to be in contact with the skin and an internal adhesive surface intended to be in contact with the impregnation layer 4.

The adhesive layer preferably has a thickness of less than 150 μm. The thickness of the adhesive layer is, for example, approximately equal to 140 μm.

Consequently, the total thickness of the device 1 (i.e. of the stack of layers previously described) is less than 3 mm, preferably even less than 2 mm. The device 1 is thus flexible and can therefore conform to the shape of the area of the body on which it will be placed.

Method of use

A method of using the device 1 will be described. First, the user equips himself with the device 1.

It also obtains, if necessary, an electrically conductive activation product.

In a step a), the user applies activation product to the device 1. The user preferably applies activation product to the electrodes 22, 23.

Furthermore, if the covering face 31 of the tab 3 does not have any activation product, the user applies activation product at least to parts of the current generator 24.

The user preferably applies activation product to the electrodes 22, 23. Furthermore, the user applies activation product at least to parts of the current generator 24.

More precisely, in the case where the current generator 24 is exclusively arranged on the active face 25 of the support layer 2, the user applies activation product to the device 1 so as to cover at least the free spaces 243. This causes an oxidation-reduction reaction within the galvanic couples 240. This allows the activation of the galvanic couples 240 and therefore of the current generator 24. Advantageously, the user does not apply any activation product to areas located between two adjacent galvanic couples 240 to avoid any internal short circuit in the current generator 24.

In the case where the first part 24a of the current generator 24 is arranged on the active face 25 of the support layer 2 and the second part 24b of the current generator 24 is arranged on the covering face 31 of the tab, the user applies activation product either to the active face 25 or to the covering face 31, so as to cover the conductive poles 241, 242 arranged on the active face 25 or on the covering face 31. Advantageously, the user does not apply activation product at the level of spaces separating two conductive poles 241, 242 of different galvanic couples 240 to avoid any internal short-circuit in the current generator 24. In this case, the current generator 24 is not yet activated because the conductive poles 241, 242 within each galvanic couple 240 are not yet connected.

If the device 1 comprises a stencil layer 6, the user is guided for the application of the activation product on the device 1 and therefore applies product so as to cover at least the permeable zone(s) 62 of the stencil layer 6 and therefore the corresponding free zone(s) 44 of the impregnation layer 4.

If tab 3 already has activation product, it is not necessary to apply activation product to the current generator 24.

In a step b), the user arranges the tab 3 on the support layer 2 so that the protective film 31 covers the first part 24a of the current generator 24 and that the covering face 31 of the tab 3 is thus opposite the active face 25. If the tab 3 is physically linked to the support layer 2, this step preferably consists of folding the tab 3.

If the covering face 31 of the tab 3 had activation product and/or a second part 24b of the current generator 24, the covering of the first part 24a of the current generator 24 by the protective film 30 causes an oxidation-reduction reaction within the galvanic couples 240. This allows the activation of the galvanic couples 240 and therefore of the current generator 24.

In a step c), the device 1 is applied to the user's skin so that the electrodes 22 and 23 are arranged facing the user's skin, in direct or indirect contact (preferably an impregnation film is arranged between the electrodes 22, 23 and the skin).

An electric current is generated and passes through the user's skin as illustrated in Figure 3.

Claims

1. Device (1) for treating the skin of a user by iontophoresis and/or electrostimulation intended to be applied to the skin of the user, the device (1) comprising: - a support layer (2) having an active face (25) intended to be in contact with the skin and comprising a main electrode (22) and a counter-electrode (23), - a current generator (24) electrically connected to the main electrode (22) on the one hand and to the counter-electrode (23) on the other hand, the current generator (24) comprising at least one galvanic couple (240), the galvanic couple (240) being formed of a first conductive pole (241) forming a cathode and a second conductive pole (242) forming an anode, the first conductive pole (241) and the second conductive pole (242) being intended to be electrically connected by an electrically conductive activation product, at least a first part (24a) of the current generator (24) being arranged on the active face (25) of the support layer (2), - a tab (3) comprising a protective film (30) intended to cover the first part (24a) of the current generator (24), the protective film (30) preventing any contact between the current generator (24) and the user's skin when the device (1) is applied to the user's skin. 2. Device according to claim 1, in which the protective film (30) comprises at least one electrically insulating material. 3. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, in which the protective film (30) comprises at least one material impermeable to the activation product. 4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the tab (3) is physically bonded to the support layer (2). 5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the tab (3) is intended to be folded so that the protective film (30) covers the first part (24a) of the current generator (24). 6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the current generator (24) comprises a plurality of galvanic couples (240) connected in series, the first conductive pole (241) of one of the galvanic couples (240) being electrically connected to the second conductive pole (242) of an adjacent galvanic couple (240). 7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the tab (3) comprises a covering face (31) intended to be positioned opposite the first part (24a) of the current generator (24), the tab (3) comprising activation product arranged on the covering face (31) so as to electrically connect the first conductive pole (241) and the second conductive pole (242) when the tab covers the first part (24a) of the current generator (24). 8. Device according to claim 7, in which the tab (3) comprises at least one non-woven impregnation film and the activation product, preferably comprising a cosmetic active ingredient, is pre-impregnated on the at least one impregnation film. 9. Device according to any one of claims 7 and 8, in which the current generator (24) comprises a plurality of galvanic couples (240), each galvanic couple (240) being arranged on the active face (25) of the support layer (2), the first conductive pole (241) and the second conductive pole (242) of each galvanic couple (240) being separated from each other by a free space (243), at least part of the free space (243) being intended to be covered with the activation product, and in which the activation product is arranged at a plurality of activation zones (310) of the covering face (31) of the tab (3), the activation zones (310) being distinct and separated from each other, each activation zone (310) being intended to be arranged opposite at least part of a free space (243). of a corresponding galvanic couple (240). 10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the tab (3) comprises a second part (24b) of the current generator (24) arranged on the covering face (31), different from the first part (24a) of the current generator (24), the first part (24a) comprising one of the first conductive pole (241) and the second conductive pole (242) of the at least one galvanic couple (240) and the second part (24b) comprising the other of the first conductive pole (241) and the second conductive pole (242) of the at least one galvanic couple (240), the first conductive pole (241) or second conductive pole (242) of the second part being intended, when the protective film (30) of the tab (3) covers the first part (24a), to be arranged opposite the first conductive pole (241) or second conductive pole. (242) of the first part (24a) belonging to the at least one galvanic couple (240). 11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the current generator (24) comprises a plurality of galvanic couples (240) comprising a first galvanic couple (240a) and a last galvanic couple (240d), the first conductive pole (241) of the first galvanic couple (240a) being electrically connected to the main electrode (22) and the second conductive pole (242) of the last galvanic couple (240d) being electrically connected to the counter electrode (23), or the second conductive pole (242) of the first galvanic couple (240a) being electrically connected to the main electrode (22) and the first conductive pole (241) of the last galvanic couple (240d) being electrically connected to the counter electrode (23), the conductive poles connected respectively to the electrode (22) and to the counter electrode (23) being included in the first part (24a) of the current generator (24) arranged on the active face (25) of the support layer (2), the galvanic couples (240) being intended to be connected in series, two conductive poles of different adjacent and electrically connected galvanic couples both belonging either to the first part of the current generator (24) or to the second part of the current generator (24). 12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in which the main electrode (22) and the counter-electrode (23) are made of silver and/or silver chloride, each first conductive pole (241) forming a cathode comprises silver and/or silver chloride and each second conductive pole (242) forming an anode comprises zinc. 13. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising at least one adhesive film (7) intended to be arranged between the active face (25) and the covering face (31) when the protective film (30) of the tab (3) covers the first part (24a) of the current generator (24).