Device for stabbing a corneum layer

• US 6,080,172 A
• Filed: 06/01/1998
• Issued: 06/27/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Fujiwara, Hidetaka, Matsumoto, Toru
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): HO, TAN-UYEN THI
• Application Number:
  US09/087,865
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 606/166, 606/180, 606/167, 606/161, 606/107, 623/5, 604/22
• US Class Current: 606/166
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/205 Vaccinating by means of needles or other puncturing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0007 having means for enhancing the permeation of substances through the epidermis, e.g. using suction or depression, electric or magnetic fields, sound waves or chemical agents

Abstract

3

A corneum layer stabbing device of the present invention frees a patient or subject from physical and psychological pains and realizes rapid curing. After a casing has been positioned on a skin, an electromagnet is energized to move a needle or needles mounted on a shaft until they stab the skin and penetrate a corneum layer. When the electromagnet is deenergized, the shaft returns to its original position due to the action of a spring, moving the needles away from the skin. As a result, holes are formed in the corneum layer of the skin.

Claims

1. A device for stabbing a corneum layer, comprising:

support means supporting a shaft such that said shaft is movable in an axial up-and-down direction;

needle holding means mounted on a bottom of said shaft and holding at least one needle for forming a hole in the comeum layer, said at least one needle protruding downward from an underside of said needle holding means; and

moving means for moving said shaft in the axial up-and-down direction so that at least one needle for forming said hole moves rapidly in said up-and-down direction in the corneum layer.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an electromagnet included in said moving means for moving said shaft in at least a downward direction.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said support means causes said shaft to move in an X and a Y axis direction.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support means causes said shaft to rotate about an axis thereof.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said support means includes cam means for moving said shaft in the up-and-down direction and a moving pawl for causing said shaft to rotate.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support means causes said shaft to move in an X and a Y direction.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support means includes cam means for moving said shaft in the up-and-down direction and a moving pawl for causing said shaft to rotate.

8. A device for stabbing a corneum layer, comprising:

support means supporting a shaft such that said shaft is movable in an up-and-down direction;

needle holding means mounted on a bottom of said shaft and holding at least one needle for forming a hole in the corneum layer, said at least one needle protruding downward from an underside of said needle holding means; and

moving means for moving said shaft in the up-and-down direction;

wherein an electromagnet is included in said moving means for moving said shaft in at least a downward direction.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said support means causes said shaft to move in an X and a Y axis direction.

10. A device for stabbing a corneum layer, comprising:

a support supporting a shaft, said shaft being moveable in an axial up-and-down direction with respect to said support; and

a needle holder mounted on a bottom of said shaft, holding at least one needle for forming a hole in the corneum layer, said at least one needle protruding from an underside of said needle holder.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising an electromagnet mounted on said shaft for moving said shaft in at least a downward direction.

12. A device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a biasing element surrounding said shaft and constantly biasing said shaft in at least an upward direction.

13. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said shaft supported by said support is movable in an X and a Y axis direction.

14. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said shaft supported by said support is rotatable about an axis thereof.

15. A device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said shaft further comprises at least one cam mounted thereon for moving said shaft in said up-and-down direction and a moving pawl for causing said shaft to rotate.

16. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said shaft further comprises at least one cam mounted thereon for moving said shaft in said up-and-down direction and a moving pawl for causing said shaft to rotate.