Method of treating acne with stratum corneum piercing device

• US 20070049901A1
• Filed: 04/21/2006
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Sun, Ying, McDonough, Justin, Wu, Jeffrey, Maghribi, Mariam, Lambino, Danilo, Liu, Jue
• Application Number:
  US11/409,454
• Publication Number:
  US 20070049901A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/506
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00765 Decreasing the barrier function of skin tissue by radiated energy, e.g. using ultrasound, using laser for skin perforation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0023 Drug applicators using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0046 Solid microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0015 by using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/306 Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/325 for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body electrodes for external use A61N1/0428
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 17/10 Anti-acne agents

Abstract

The invention features a method of treating acne by piercing the stratum corneum of skin in need of such treatment with a stratum corneum-piercing device that contains at east one stratum corneum-piercing microprotrusion and a compressible cover such that the compressible cover substantially encases the at least one stratum corneum-piercing microprotrusion, and wherein upon contacting the skin with the compressible cover, the at least one stratum corneum-piercing microprotrusion protrudes from the compressible cover and pierces the stratum corneum of the skin.

Claims

1. A method of treating acne, wherein said method comprises piercing the stratum corneum of skin in need of such treatment with a stratum corneum-piercing device, said device comprising at least one stratum corneum-piercing microprotrusion and a compressible cover such that the compressible cover substantially encases said at least one stratum corneum-piercing microprotrusion, wherein upon contacting said skin with said compressible cover, said at least one stratum corneum-piercing microprotrusion protrudes from said compressible cover and pierces said stratum corneum of said skin.

2. A method of claim 1, wherein said method further comprises applying to said skin a composition comprising an anti-acne active agent proximate to the time of said piercing the stratum corneum of said skin with said stratum corneum-piercing device.

3. A method of claim 2, wherein said anti-acne agent is selected from the group consisting of salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.

4. A method of claim 2, wherein said device comprises said composition.

5. A method of claim 4, wherein said composition is contained in said compressible cover.

6. A method of claim 4, wherein said device comprises a handle and said composition is contained within said handle.

7. A method of claim 1, wherein said compressible cover is absorbent.

8. A method of claim 1, wherein said device comprises at least three stratum corneum-piercing microprotrusions.

9. A method of claims 1, wherein said microprotrusions have a length of from about 20 to about 500 microns.

10. A method of removing pus from a pimple, wherein said method comprises piercing said pimple with a stratum corneum-piercing device, said device comprising at least one stratum corneum-piercing microprotrusion and a compressible cover such that the compressible cover substantially encases said at least one stratum corneum-piercing microprotrusion, wherein upon contacting said pimple with said compressible cover, said at least one stratum corneum-piercing microprotrusion protrudes from said compressible cover and pierces said pimple and said compressible cover absorbs said pus released from said pimple.

11. A method of claim 10, wherein said device comprises at least three stratum corneum-piercing microprotrusions.

12. A method of claims 10, wherein said microprotrusions have a length of from about 20 to about 500 microns.

13. A device comprising (i) a handle having a first end, (ii) at least one stratum corneum-piercing microprotrusion attached at said first end, and (iii) a compressible cover, wherein said compressible cover substantially encases said at least one stratum corneum-piercing microprotrusion.

14. A device of claim 13, wherein said device further comprises a composition comprising an anti-acne agent.

15. A device of claim 14, wherein said anti-acne agent is selected from the group consisting of salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.

16. A device of claim 13, wherein said composition is contained in said compressible cover.

17. A device of claim 13, wherein said composition is contained within said handle.

18. A device of claim 17, wherein said device is adapted such that said composition is in communication with at least one of said at least one microprotrusions.

19. A device of claim 13, wherein said compressible cover is absorbent.

20. A device of claim 13, wherein said device comprises at least three stratum corneum-piercing microprotrusions.

21. A device of claims 13, wherein said:

microprotrusions have a length of from about 20 to about 500 microns.