Device for Tattooing and Method of Using the Same

• US 20090090218A1
• Filed: 10/05/2007
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adam P. Jarboe, Jonathon M. Fruchte, Megan B. Fruchte
• Original Assignee: Adam P. Jarboe, Jonathon M. Fruchte, Megan B. Fruchte
• Inventors: Zapf, Jesseca R., Jarboe, Adam P., Farr, Lon, Fruchte, Jonathon M., Vaitkunas, Samantha J., Fruchte, Megan B., Christensen, Katherine, Hirako, Kevin K., Borchers, Brooks D., Gland, Joseph, Rudolphi, John Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 7,748,294 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 81/9.22
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/0076 Tattooing apparatus apparatus for marking animals A01K11/00; vaccine applicators having needles or other puncturing means A61B17/205

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tattoo device having a single DC coil with a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit to control when the single DC coil is energized. Such arrangement eliminates the need for a set screw as in traditional tattoo machines and allows for a lighter device having fewer vibrations, better balance, and improved precision when being used.

Claims

1. An ergonomic device for tattooing biological tissue, the device being comprised of:

a body support comprised of a substantially planar section and an elevated section;

a hollow hand grip attached to a bottom side of the planar section, the hollow hand grip having at least a first opening and a second opening, each opening opposed and connected to one another;

a single DC coil on a topside of the planar section;

a controlling means connected to the DC coil for controlling the direction of current through the DC coil, and determining and setting the speed and strength at which the current through the DC coil changes direction;

an armature bar connected to the body support, wherein the armature bar has a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the elevated section of the body support and the second end having a needle support;

a magnetic flux guide connected to the top side of the planar section and a portion of which is surrounded by the single DC coil;

a magnet attached to an underside of the armature bar and adjacent to the topside of the single DC coil; and

a needle held at a head by the needle support and directed towards the body support and through the first opening and second opening of the hollow hand grip.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow hand grip is surrounded by a formed hand grip of various materials.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein a set screw is not present.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controlling means for directing the DC coil uses a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit to control when the single DC coil is energized.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the pulse width is varied as desired by manipulation of a potentiometer.

7. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the head of the needle and the needle support are of similar shape.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the head of the needle and the needle support are of different shape.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein a grommet having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter is inserted between the head of the needle and the needle support;

the inner perimeter being similar in shape as the needle support and the outer perimeter being similar in shape as the needle head.

4. (canceled)

11. A method for tattooing biological tissue, the method comprising:

gripping a tattoo device with at least a single hand, the tattoo device being comprised of

a body support comprised of a substantially planar section and an elevated section;

a hollow hand grip attached to a bottom side of the planar section, the hollow hand grip having at least a first opening and a second opening, each opening opposed and connected to one another;

a single DC coil on a topside of the planar section;

a controlling means connected to the DC coil for controlling the direction of current through the DC coil, and determining and setting the speed and strength at which the current through the DC coil changes direction;

an armature bar connected to the body support, wherein the armature bar has a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the elevated section of the body support and the second end having a needle support;

a magnetic flux guide connected to the top side of the planar section and a portion of which is surrounded by the single DC coil;

a magnet attached to an underside of the armature bar and adjacent to the topside of the single DC coil; and

a needle held at a head by the needle support and directed towards the body support and through the first opening and second opening of the hollow hand grip;

connecting the tattoo device with a power source to allow for energizing the DC coil and driving of the needle;

contacting the needle of the tattoo device with ink;

manipulating the tattoo device such that the needle contacts and pierces the biological tissue desired to be tattooed.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the hollow hand grip is surrounded by a formed hand grip of various materials.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein a set screw is not present.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the controlling means for directing the DC coil uses a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit to control when the single DC coil is energized.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the pulse width is varied as desired by manipulation of a potentiometer.

14. (canceled)