Intelligent needle technology for acupuncture and injection of cosmetic preparations subcutaneously

• US 20090149830A1
• Filed: 11/24/2008
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Donald Spector
• Original Assignee: Donald Spector
• Inventors: Spector, Donald
• Application Number:
  US12/313,706
• Publication Number:
  US 20090149830A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/506
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0207 heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5064 Position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 39/08 Devices for applying needles to such points, i.e. for acupuncture ; Acupuncture needles or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/20 Automatic syringes, e.g. with automatically actuated piston rod, with automatic needle injection, filling automatically A61M5/142 , A61M5/46 take precedence; hypodermic projectiles F42B12/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3287 Accessories for bringing the needle into the body; Automatic needle insertion A61M5/20, A61M5/31525 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/46 having means for controlling depth of insertion

Abstract

Intelligent needles comprise a needle for insertion into the skin to deposit a substance that causes plumping of the skin. The penetration depth of the needle may be adjusted automatically in conjunction with a sensor mechanism that determines a depth the needle can penetrate without contacting blood vessels. Methods of making and using the same for acupuncture and subcutaneous injection are also provided.

Claims

1. An intelligent needle for subcutaneous injection, comprising:

a housing;

a movable needle within the housing, the needle having a tip and being movable between a retracted position where the needle tip is within the housing to an extended position where the needle extends from within the housing;

an adjustment mechanism coupled to the needle, the adjustment mechanism operative to move the needle between the retracted position and the extended position; and

a sensor operatively coupled to the adjustment mechanism, the sensor adapted to determine a penetration depth, the penetration depth being an amount the needle can penetrate the skin while avoiding blood vessels.

2. The needle of claim 1, further comprising a pump mechanism coupled to the needle and sensor, the pump mechanism operable to pump contents of the needle into the skin upon receiving a signal from the sensor.

3. The needle of claim 1, further comprising a substance which causes plumping of the skin.

4. The needle of claim 3, wherein the substance coats the needle.

5. The needle of claim 3, wherein the substance is prefilled in the needle.

6. The needle of claim 3, wherein the substance is silicone.

7. The needle of claim 3, wherein the substance is released from the needle upon one or more of physical manipulation of the needle, mechanical manipulation of the needle, interaction with the body and applied heat.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the needle is inserted into the skin to a depth less than that which would be required to contact a blood vessel.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the insertion depth is determined by a sensor.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein the substance is deposited by one or more of physical manipulation of the needle, mechanical manipulation of the needle, interaction with the body and application of heat.

12. The method of claim 5, wherein the substance is silicone.

13. The method of claim 5, wherein the substance is coated on the needle.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein the substance is automatically deposited by a pump coupled to the needle, the pump activated by the sensor detecting the needle inserted to the desired depth.

8. A method of administering acupuncture therapy, comprising:

inserting a needle into the skin of a patient; and

depositing a substance under the skin of the patient, the substance operative to cause plumping of the skin.