Devices, systems and methods for treating the skin

• US 10,251,675 B2
• Filed: 02/10/2017
• Issued: 04/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hydrafacial LLC
• Original Assignee: Edge Systems LLC
• Inventors: Ignon, Roger, Nicolas, Ed F., Mallett, Scott R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tanner, Jocelin C
• Application Number:
  US15/430,209
• Publication Number:
  US 20170245876A1
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/545 using a stream or spray of abrasive particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00747 Dermatology
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00761 Removing layer of skin tissue, e.g. wrinkles, scars or cancerous tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320004 abrasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00452 Skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0047 Upper parts of the skin, e.g. skin peeling or treatment of wrinkles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/20 Holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments drapes with means to hold surgical instruments A61B46/23; for catheters A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/22 Racks
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0075 using a Peltier element, e.g. near the spot to be heated or cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/007 characterised by electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 35/003 Portable hand-held applicators having means for dispensing or spreading integral media hand-held massage devices with liquid delivery A61H7/003
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0034 Skin treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/022 Apparatus adapted for a specific treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 Skin treatment other than tanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/067 using laser light

Abstract

According to some embodiments, a method of treating a skin surface of a subject comprises heating a skin surface, abrading native skin tissue of a subject using a microdermabrasion device, wherein using the microdermabrasion device comprises moving the microdermabrasion device relative to the skin surface while simultaneously delivering at least one treatment fluid to the skin surface being treated and cooling the abraded skin surface.

Claims

1. A method of treating a skin surface of a subject, the method comprising:

positioning a distal end of a handpiece assembly along a skin surface of a subject, wherein the distal end comprises a first region and a second region, wherein the first region is fluidly separated and fluidly isolated from the second region by a lip, ridge or other separation member when the distal end of the handpiece assembly is positioned against the skin surface of the subject;

activating a vacuum source to create suction within the first region, wherein the vacuum source is in fluid communication with at least one vacuum port located along the first region;

delivering a fluid to the first region via at least one fluid delivery passage, wherein delivering the fluid to the first region results from the suction created along the first region by activation of the vacuum source when the distal end of the handpiece assembly is positioned against the skin surface; and

delivering air to the second region defined by the first region via an air delivery passage;

wherein delivering air to the second region facilitates the transfer of fluid at least partially into the skin.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein air is delivered to the second region in a pulsed manner.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least partially abrading skin tissue using at least one abrasive structure positioned within or along the first region, wherein at least partially abrading skin tissue occurs by moving the handpiece assembly relative to the skin surface when the distal end of the handpiece assembly is positioned along the skin surface and then the vacuum source is activated.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one abrasive structure in the first region comprises at least one of a protruding member and an abrasive surface.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least protruding member comprises at least one of a spiral ridge and a plurality of posts.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one abrasive structure comprises at least one of an abrasive disc, a foam pad with an abrasive surface and an abrasive surface.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one product or material is impregnated, embedded, saturated with or otherwise positioned along the distal end of the handpiece assembly, wherein the at least one product or material is configured to be at least partially dissolved or otherwise released when contacted by a solute.

8. A system of treating a skin surface of a subject, the system comprising:

a handpiece assembly comprising a distal end configured to contact a skin surface of a subject, wherein the distal end comprises a first region and a second region, wherein the first region is fluidly separated and fluidly isolated from the second region by a lip, ridge or other separation member when the distal end of the handpiece assembly is positioned against the skin surface of the subject;

at least one vacuum port located along the first region, wherein the at least one vacuum port is configured to be placed in fluid communication with a vacuum source to create suction within the first region;

at least one fluid delivery passage, wherein the at least one fluid delivery passage is configured to be placed in fluid communication with a fluid source, wherein fluid from the fluid source is configured to be delivered to the first region when suction is created along the first region by activation of the vacuum source; and

an air delivery passage, wherein air is configured to be delivered to the second region defined by the first region via the air delivery passage;

wherein delivering air to the second region facilitates the transfer of fluid at least partially into the skin.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein air is delivered to the second region in a pulsed manner.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising at least one abrasive structure positioned within or along the first region.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one abrasive structure in the first region comprises at least one of a protruding member and an abrasive surface.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least protruding member comprises at least one of a spiral ridge and a plurality of posts.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one abrasive structure comprises at least one of an abrasive disc, a foam pad with an abrasive surface and an abrasive surface.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising at least one product or material impregnated, embedded, saturated with or otherwise positioned along the distal end of the handpiece assembly, wherein the at least one product or material is configured to be at least partially dissolved or otherwise released when contacted by a solute.