VACUUM ASSISTED TREATMENT OF THE SKIN
First Claim
1. A method of treating skin, comprising:
- removing air from inside a chamber positioned adjacent a surface of the skin in a target region so that air outside the chamber flows into the chamber, impedance of the air flowing between a rim of the chamber and the skin surface causing the pressure inside the chamber to decrease relative to ambient;
sensing when the pressure inside the chamber decreases to a threshold value; and
increasing the rate of removal of the air from inside the chamber upon sensing the threshold value so that (i) the rim of the chamber forms a substantially fluid tight seal with the skin surrounding the target region and (ii) the skin of the target region is drawn toward an inner surface of the chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for treating skin includes a chamber defined by a surface and a rim extending from the surface. A source of vacuum is capable of removing air from inside the chamber so that air outside the chamber flows into the chamber. Impedance of the air flowing between the rim of the chamber positioned adjacent the skin surface causes the pressure inside the chamber to decrease relative to ambient. A pressure sensor can determine when the pressure inside the chamber decreases to a threshold value. A controller can receive a signal from the pressure sensor when the threshold value is reached, which causes the rate of removal of the air from inside the chamber by the source of vacuum to be increased. The rim of the chamber forms a substantially fluid tight seal with the skin. The skin is drawn toward an inner surface of the chamber.
139 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of treating skin, comprising:
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removing air from inside a chamber positioned adjacent a surface of the skin in a target region so that air outside the chamber flows into the chamber, impedance of the air flowing between a rim of the chamber and the skin surface causing the pressure inside the chamber to decrease relative to ambient; sensing when the pressure inside the chamber decreases to a threshold value; and increasing the rate of removal of the air from inside the chamber upon sensing the threshold value so that (i) the rim of the chamber forms a substantially fluid tight seal with the skin surrounding the target region and (ii) the skin of the target region is drawn toward an inner surface of the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for treating skin, comprising:
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a chamber defined by a surface and a rim extending from the surface; a source of vacuum in fluid communication with the chamber, the source of vacuum capable of removing air from inside the chamber so that air outside the chamber flows into the chamber, impedance of the air flowing between the rim of the chamber positioned adjacent the skin surface causing the pressure inside the chamber to decrease relative to ambient; a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the chamber, the pressure sensor determining when the pressure inside the chamber decreases to a threshold value; and a controller in electrical communication with the source of vacuum and the pressure sensor, the controller receiving a signal from the pressure sensor when the threshold value is reached, causing the rate of removal of the air from inside the chamber by the source of vacuum to be increased, so that (i) the rim of the chamber forms a substantially fluid tight seal with the skin and (ii) the skin is drawn toward an inner surface of the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for treating skin, comprising:
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means for removing air from inside a chamber positioned adjacent a surface of the skin in a target region so that air outside the chamber flows into the chamber, impedance of the air flowing between a rim of the chamber and the skin surface causing the pressure inside the chamber to decrease relative to ambient; means for sensing when the pressure inside the chamber decreases to a threshold value; and means for increasing the rate of removal of the air from inside the chamber upon sensing the threshold value so that (i) the rim of the chamber forms a substantially fluid tight seal with the skin and (ii) the skin is drawn toward an inner surface of the chamber.
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Specification