Skin treatment system and method of use

• US 20030212415A1
• Filed: 03/19/2003
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Envy Medical, Inc. (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Envy Medical, Inc. (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Inventors: Karasiuk, Kenneth B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,658,742 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/54 Chiropodists' instruments , e.g. pedicure chiropractic devices A61H1/008
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/545 using a stream or spray of abrasive particles
• 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 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: B24C 3/065 with suction means for the abrasive and the waste material
• CPC Class Codes: B24C 7/0046 the abrasive material being fed in a gaseous carrier

Abstract

A device, a system employing the device and method of performing skin treatment are provided for skin treatment. The device includes a vacuum head base defining a chamber therein and having a substantially smooth treatment tip attached and extending from an end thereof or integral therewith. The tip has at least one central opening that is open to the chamber, and is adapted to contact the skin and traverse the skin in a substantially non-abrasive manner. A vacuum access opening is provided through a side wall of the vacuum head base and adapted to connect with a source of vacuum. A tissue stop member is located within the chamber. It may have an abrasive surface for exfoliating skin cells, or a smoother surface for traversing the skin without substantial abrasion.

Claims

1. A skin treatment device, comprising:

a vacuum head base having a longitudinal axis, said vacuum head base defining a chamber therein and having a substantially smooth treatment tip having at least one central opening which is open to said chamber, said tip being adapted to contact the skin and traverse the skin in a substantially non-abrasive manner, a vacuum access opening through a side wall of said vacuum head base and adapted to connect said vacuum head base with a source of vacuum;

a tissue stop member located within said chamber; and

at least one opening adapted to allow the flow of one or more fluids through said chamber, wherein upon application of vacuum through said vacuum access opening, the one or more fluids are drawn through said chamber, applied to the skin and taken up through said vacuum access opening, and a portion of the skin targeted by said at least one central opening is drawn into said chamber and contacted with said tissue stop member.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said tissue stop member is a removable abrasive member for exfoliating skin cells from an external surface of the skin.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said tip is connected to said vacuum head base and sealed thereagainst.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said tissue stop member is substantially smooth for contacting the skin and traversing the skin in a substantially non-abrasive manner.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a tubular member adapted to be connected to a source of fluid, wherein said vacuum head base is fitted over said tubular member and sealed thereagainst.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said tissue stop member is attached to said tubular member at an end thereof, sealing said end of said tubular member, and wherein said at least one opening adapted to allow the flow of one or more fluids comprises at least one opening through a wall of said tubular member.

20. A method of performing skin treatment, the method comprising:

providing a treatment device according to claim 1 or 7;

applying said non-abrasive treatment tip to a skin surface;

providing negative pressure through said opening in said treatment tip to establish a relative vacuum;

drawing a portion of the skin surface through said opening an into contact with said tissue stop member; and

moving said non-abrasive treatment tip over the skin surface.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said tissue stop member is abrasive and the method further comprises microabrading the portion of the skin in contact with said abrasive tissue stop member.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of applying a fluid to the skin though said opening in the treatment tip.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said fluid comprises a formulation selected from beaching, acne treatment, fine lines/wrinkle treatment and antioxidant formulations.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein vacuum provided by said negative pressure surrounds a perimeter of said abrasive tissue stop member so that microabraded skin particles are collected downstream of said abrasive tissue stop member and from all surrounding locations.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the fluid is collected together with the microabraded skin particles.

26. The method of claim 20, further comprising applying fluid to the skin through said opening in the treatment tip.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein said tissue stop member is substantially smooth for contacting the skin and traversing the skin in a substantially non-abrasive manner.

29. The method of claim 28, performed with a device according to claim 1 or 7.

7. A skin treatment device, comprising:

a body having a longitudinal axis;

a substantially non-abrasive tip attached to an end of said body and having at least one opening therethrough;

a tissue stop member located internally of said body and tip; and

a vacuum access opening adapted to apply negative pressure to a skin surface of a patient through said tip, thereby drawing a portion of the skin into contact with said tissue stop member.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising at least one opening through said body adapted to be connected to at least one of a source of fluid and atmospheric pressure.

9. The device of claim 7, further comprising a conduit extending into said body and generally aligned with said longitudinal axis, said conduit adapted to be connected to at least one of a source of fluid and atmospheric pressure.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said tissue stop member seals an end of said conduit within said body and said conduit includes at least one opening through a wall thereof in a portion of said conduit that is located within said body.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said at least one opening through a wall comprises a plurality of openings.

12. A system for performing skin treatment, comprising:

an applicator tool having a substantially non-abrasive tip with at least one opening therethrough, said tip being adapted to contact the skin of a patient;

a tissue stop member located internally of said applicator tool;

means for applying vacuum through said at least one opening, wherein upon application of vacuum a portion of the skin is drawn into contact with said tissue stop member.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising means for delivering fluid through said applicator tool and said at least one opening in said tip to be applied to the skin.

14. A system for performing skin treatment, comprising:

an applicator tool having a longitudinal axis and a substantially non-abrasive tip with at least one opening therethrough, said tip being adapted to contact the skin of a patient;

a conduit extending into said applicator tool;

a tissue stop member mounted on an end of said conduit and located internally of said applicator tool; and

a vacuum access opening through a side wall of said tool, adapted to connect with a source of vacuum and apply vacuum to said at least one opening of said tip.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said tissue stop member seals off said end of said conduit located internally of said applicator tool, and wherein said conduit further comprises at least one opening through a wall thereof.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said at least one opening through a wall is located internally of said applicator tool and is adapted to deliver liquids from said conduit to said at least one opening in said tip.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a fluid reservoir adapted to hold treatment liquids, said conduit connected to said fluid reservoir, wherein, upon application of vacuum through said vacuum access opening, the treatment liquids are drawn through said conduit and delivered to said at least one opening in said tip.

18. The system of claim 14, further comprising a collection reservoir connected through a first opening to said vacuum access opening via a vacuum line, said collection reservoir further having a second opening adapted to be connected to the source of vacuum.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a filter connected inline between said collection reservoir and the source of vacuum.

28. A method of performing microdermabrasion, the method comprising:

abrading the skin, and

concurrently applying a solution comprising a formulation selected from beaching, acne treatment, fine lines/wrinkle treatment and antioxidant formulations.