Method of exfoliation of skin using closely-packed microstructures

• US 20030220656A1
• Filed: 05/24/2002
• Published: 11/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corium Pharma Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Corium International, Inc.
• Inventors: Gartstein, Vladimir, Sherman, Faiz Feisal
• Granted Patent: US 7,828,827 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/131
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 26/0004 by abrasion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/205 Vaccinating by means of needles or other puncturing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/54 Chiropodists' instruments , e.g. pedicure chiropractic devices A61H1/008
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00761 Removing layer of skin tissue, e.g. wrinkles, scars or cancerous tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/003 having a lumen
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0015 by using microneedles

Abstract

An improved method and apparatus is provided as a system to enhance skin appearance and health, in which skin is cleaned (or exfoliated) and conditioned by use of microelements affixed to a base element or hand-held patch. The dimensions of the microelements are controlled so as to remove a certain number of layers of skin cells and to accumulate those skin cells, along with other foreign substances, into areas between the microelements. In addition, a conditioning compound or therapeutic active can be applied to the exfoliated skin to enhance the skin. Moreover, the amount of accumulated skin cells represents a self-limiting maximum quantity that cannot be substantially exceeded regardless of the number of attempts by a user to re-use the microstructure apparatus. Some of the microstructures are designed with very close-packed microelements, which in some cases have flexible substrates.

Claims

1. A method for removing cells from skin, said method comprising:

(a) providing a microstructure having a substrate and a plurality of microelements, wherein a majority of said microelements are of at least one predetermined size and shape, said majority of microelements each exhibiting at least one side wall, wherein said majority of microelements are oriented in a closely-packed arrangement such that any spacing between portions of the side walls of adjacent microelements is substantially minimized yet form open areas between other portions of said side walls of adjacent microelements;

(b) placing said microstructure on skin then rubbing the microstructure against said skin, thereby scraping and accumulating skin cells in the open areas between said majority of microelements; and

(c) withdrawing said microstructure from said skin, and thereby removing a large majority of said skin cells that have accumulated upon said microstructure.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein during said step of rubbing the microstructure against the skin, vellus hair is also removed along with skin cells.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said majority of microelements have a length and shape that tend to scrape skin cells loose without penetrating entirely through a stratum corneum layer of skin.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said microstructure is substantially flexible and able to fit a curved area of skin.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said microstructure is coated so as to alter a friction characteristic of said microelements.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said microstructure is coated so as to act as a feedback indicator during use.

7. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein said majority of microelements exhibits at least one substantially sharp edge and does not create substantial focal discrete points of pressure on skin.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein said majority of microelements exhibits at least three of said side walls, and a lowermost portion of one of said side walls of a first of the majority of microelements substantially abuts a lowermost portion of one of said side walls of an adjacent, second of the majority of microelements.

9. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein said majority of microelements exhibits three of said side walls which form a three-sided truncated pyramid, such that the lowermost portions of the three side walls are spaced-apart from one another at a minimum distance, and the uppermost portions of the three side walls are spaced-apart from one another at a greater distance, and further comprising an upper surface that contacts the uppermost portions of the three side walls at said at least one substantially sharp edge.

10. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein said majority of microelements exhibits a substantially sharp peak at their uppermost points.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein said majority of microelements exhibits at least three of said side walls, and a lowermost portion of one of said side walls of a first of the majority of microelements substantially abuts a lowermost portion of one of said side walls of an adjacent, second of the majority of microelements.

12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein said majority of microelements exhibits three of said side walls which form a three-sided pyramid, such that the lowermost portions of the three side walls are spaced-apart from one another at a maximum distance, and the uppermost portions of the three side walls come together at said substantially sharp peak.

13. A microstructure apparatus, comprising:

a substrate and a plurality of microelements affixed upon a first surface of said substrate;

said plurality of microelements being of predetermined sizes and shapes for use in scraping skin cells from skin when said microstructure apparatus is placed upon said skin and moved in at least one direction;

said predetermined sizes and shapes including at least one substantially sharp edge at a distal end of the microelements, said predetermined sizes and shapes having a characteristic such that the microelements do not create substantial focal discrete points of pressure on said skin;

said plurality of microelements each having at least one side wall that extends above said first surface of the substrate; and

wherein said plurality of microelements are oriented in a closely-packed arrangement such that any spacing between portions of said side walls of adjacent microelements is substantially minimized.

14. The microstructure apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the side walls between two adjacent of said plurality of microelements share a common base line.

15. The microstructure apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein a shape of said plurality of microelements comprises a partial pyramid wherein a surface of said distal end is substantially solid, but does not form a substantially sharp tip.

16. The microstructure apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said microelements have a length and shape that tend to scrape skin cells loose without penetrating entirely through a stratum corneum layer of skin.

17. The microstructure apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said microstructure is substantially flexible and able to fit a curved area of skin.

18. The microstructure apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said microstructure is coated so as to alter a friction characteristic of said microelements.

19. The microstructure apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said microstructure is coated so as to act as a feedback indicator during use.

20. The microstructure apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said plurality of microelements exhibits three of said side walls which form a three-sided truncated pyramid, such that the lowermost portions of the three side walls are spaced-apart from one another at a minimum distance, and the uppermost portions of the three side walls are spaced-apart from one another at a greater distance, and further comprising an upper surface at said distal end that contacts the uppermost portions of the three side walls at said at least one substantially sharp edge.