Microstructures for treating and conditioning skin
First Claim
1. A method for removing cells from skin, said method comprising:
- (a) providing a microstructure having a substrate and a plurality of microelements;
(b) placing said microstructure on skin then rubbing the microstructure against said skin, thereby scraping and accumulating skin cells on said substrate in areas between said plurality 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 substrate.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for removing cells from skin, said method comprising:
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(a) providing a microstructure having a substrate and a plurality of microelements;
(b) placing said microstructure on skin then rubbing the microstructure against said skin, thereby scraping and accumulating skin cells on said substrate in areas between said plurality 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 substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 6, 7, 11, 12, 28, 29, 30)
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- 4. (canceled)
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8-10. -10. (canceled)
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13-14. -14. (canceled)
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15. 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 so as to scrape a substantially predetermined quantity of skin cells from skin when said microstructure apparatus is placed upon said skin and moved in at least one predetermined direction; and
said plurality of microelements being spaced-apart from one another upon said substrate by predetermined distances so as to remove a large majority of said scraped skin cells when said microstructure apparatus is withdrawn from said skin. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- a substrate and a plurality of microelements affixed upon a first surface of said substrate;
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23. 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, and said plurality of microelements being spaced-apart from one another upon said substrate by predetermined distances;
wherein said shape of said plurality of microelements comprises a wedge. - View Dependent Claims (24)
- a substrate and a plurality of microelements affixed upon a first surface of said substrate;
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25. 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, and said plurality of microelements being spaced-apart from one another upon said substrate by predetermined distances;
wherein said shape of said plurality of microelements comprises an elongated triangle. - View Dependent Claims (26)
- a substrate and a plurality of microelements affixed upon a first surface of said substrate;
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27. 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, and said plurality of microelements being spaced-apart from one another upon said substrate by predetermined distances;
wherein said shape of each of the plurality of microelements comprises a topless box-like structure exhibiting three connecting walls that are affixed to said substrate, said three connecting walls having a substantially perpendicular relationship to each adjacent said connecting wall where they join to create a corner, two of said three connecting walls being substantially parallel to one another with an open area therebetween at their ends which do not join with said third of the connecting walls.
- a substrate and a plurality of microelements affixed upon a first surface of said substrate;
Specification