SKIN STIMULUS

• US 20120245497A1
• Filed: 11/09/2010
• Published: 09/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Owen Mumford
• Original Assignee: Owen Mumford
• Inventors: Nicholls, Clive, Evans, Timothy Simon, Hudson, Christopher W.
• Granted Patent: US 9,724,034 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/136
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150114 by tissue compression, e.g. with specially designed surface of device contacting the skin area to be pierced
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150137 by vibration enhancing collection by vibration A61B5/150175
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150183 Depth adjustment mechanism using end caps mounted at the distal end of the sampling device, i.e. the end-caps are adjustably positioned relative to the piercing device housing for example by rotating or screwing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150259 Improved gripping, e.g. with high friction pattern or projections on the housing surface or an ergonometric shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150412 Pointed piercing elements, e.g. needles, lancets for piercing the skin blade-like piercing elements A61B5/150442
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150503 Single-ended needles hollow piercing element tip design A61B5/150396, needle sets for catheters A61M25/06, needles for bringing media into the body A61M5/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15113 Manually triggered, i.e. the triggering requires a deliberate action by the user such as pressing a drive button
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15117 comprising biased elements, resilient elements or a spring, e.g. a helical spring, leaf spring, or elastic strap
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15128 comprising 2D- or 3D-shaped elements, e.g. cams, curved guide rails or threads comprising tooth-shaped elements A61B5/15132
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1519 comprising driving means, e.g. a spring, for propelling the piercing unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15194 fully automatically retracted, i.e. the retraction does not require a deliberate action by the user, e.g. by terminating the contact with the patient's skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1692 Enhanced rubbing effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1695 Enhanced pressure effect, e.g. substantially sharp projections, needles or pyramids
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/00 Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms apparatus for passive exercising A61H1/00; generating or transmitting mechanical vibrations in general B06B
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/006 Percussion or tapping massage hand percussion A61H23/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 with electric or magnetic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 39/00 Devices for locating or stimulating specific reflex points of the body for physical therapy, e.g. acupuncture chiropodists' instruments A61B17/54; for radiation therapy A61N5/0619
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 39/04 Devices for pressing such points, e.g. Shiatsu or AcupressureMassage or pressure on general areas A61H9/00 - A61H23/00
• 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: A61H 7/00 : Devices for suction-kneading massage; Devices for massaging the skin by rubbing or brushing not otherwise provided for electro-medical massage devices applying electric current by contact A61N1/18
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/005 : hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/422 : Desensitising skin

Abstract

Skin stimulus arrangements are described for creating a stimulus in the skin in the vicinity of a treatment or wound site to alleviate the perception of pain. First and second textured surfaces are provided for making contact with the skin, with the surfaces being moved to create a stimulus which alleviates the perception of pain. The movement may be linear, rotary or a combination of both, and just a single textured surface may be provided.

Claims

1. A skin stimulus apparatus for creating in use a stimulus in the skin in the vicinity of a treatment or wound site to alleviate the perception of pain, said apparatus comprising:

first and second textured surfaces (30, 36) for contacting the skin, and

an arrangement (18, 44, 46) for moving one of the textured surfaces relative to the other to create said stimulus.

2. A skin penetration device comprising:

a body (10), a penetration element (22) mounted in said body for penetrating the skin of the user,

a skin stimulus arrangement for creating in use a stimulus in the skin in the vicinity of an intended penetration site to alleviate the perception of pain,

characterized in that said skin stimulus arrangement comprises first and second textured surfaces (30, 36) for contacting the skin and an arrangement (18, 44, 46) for moving at least one of the textured surfaces relative to the other, thereby to create said stimulus.

3. A skin penetration device according to claim 2, wherein said moving arrangement (18, 44, 46) is adapted to move one (36) of said textured surfaces whilst the other remains stationary (30).

4. A skin penetration device according to claim 3, wherein said moving arrangement moves (18, 44, 46) one said one textured surface (36) longitudinally with respect to the other surface (30) in a direction, in use, generally towards to the skin.

5. A skin penetration device according to claim 4, wherein said moving arrangement (18, 44, 46) is designed in use to urge said one textured surface (36) against the skin during an initial part of the penetration stroke of said penetration element and, towards the end of the penetration stroke of the penetration element, to apply an impulse to said one textured surface more firmly to press it against the skin.

6. A skin penetration device according to claim 5 including a driver means (12) for moving the penetration element (22) through its stroke and, wherein said penetration element, or an element (44) that moves therewith during penetration movement, is adapted to create an impact which is transmitted to said one textured surface thereby to provide said impulse.

7. A skin penetration device according to claim 5, wherein said moving arrangement (18, 44, 46) includes bias means (40) associated with or acting between said penetration element and said one textured surface (36).

8. A skin penetration device according to claim 2, wherein said moving arrangement (18, 44, 46) moves at least one of said textured surfaces (36) in use in a plane generally parallel to the skin.

9. A skin penetration device according to claim 2, wherein said relative movement of the first and second textured surfaces (30, 36) is angular, about an axis generally normal to said plane.

10. A skin penetration device according to claim 2, wherein the first and second textured surfaces (30, 36) are generally annular and concentrically arranged about the intended penetration site.

13. A skin penetration device according to claim 9, wherein said moving arrangement (118, 158, 159, 160) includes a stored energy device (160) for rotating said one textured surface.

15. A skin penetration device according to claim 13, wherein said moving arrangement (118, 158, 159, 160) includes means (152) for manually energizing said stored energy device (160).

16. A skin penetration device according to claim 13, wherein said moving arrangement (118, 158, 159, 160) is adapted initially to move said one textured surface (138) forwardly to contact the skin in use and thereafter to rotate said one textured surface.

17. A skin penetration device according to claim 16, wherein said moving arrangement (118, 158, 159, 160) includes a latch arrangement (150, 156) for retaining said one textured surface (138) against rotation once said stored energy device (160) has been energized, and said latch arrangement is released by said forward movement of said one textured surface.

18. A skin penetration device according to claim 9, wherein said penetration element (22;

122) includes a drive arrangement for moving the penetration element forwardly to effect penetration, and said drive arrangement comprises a linear to angular transmission arrangement (274, 276) between the penetration element and said one textured surface whereby linear movement of said penetration element in use is accompanied by rotary movement of said one textured surface.

19. A skin penetration device according to claim 18, wherein said linear to angular transmission arrangement comprises a cam element (276) associated with one of the penetration element (122) and said one textured surface (138) and a camming surface (274) associated with the other thereof.

20. A skin penetration device according to claim 19, wherein said cam element (276) is associated with the penetration element (122) and the camming surface (274) is associated with said one textured surface (138).

21. A skin penetration device according to claim 20, wherein said penetration element (122) is carried by a holder (218) that moves longitudinally with the penetration element but which is constrained against angular movement, and said cam element (276) is formed integrally with said holder.

22. A skin penetration device according to claim 9, wherein said angular movement is unidirectional.

23. A skin penetration device according to claim 9, wherein said angular movement is oscillatory.

24. A skin penetration device according to claim 2, including a vibratory arrangement (170, 172;

276, 280) for imparting vibration to the textured surface or at least one of said textured surfaces.

25. A skin penetration device according to claim 24, wherein said vibratory arrangement (170, 172;

276, 280) generates vibration mechanically in response to said movement of said textured surface.

26. A skin penetration device according to claim 25, including an abutment (172, 280) associated with one of said device body and said textured surface, in cooperation with an interrupted track (170, 276) provided on the other thereof, whereby movement of said textured surface moves said abutment along the interrupted track thereby to impart vibration.

27. A skin penetration device according to claim 26, wherein said abutment comprises a resilient member associated with said textured surface.

34. A skin penetration device according to claim 2, wherein said textured surface includes a generally flat base surface from which a plurality of projections extend.

35. A skin penetration device according to claim 34, wherein said projections comprise one or more of conical, cylindrical, rounded, triangular, and saw tooth projections.

36. A skin penetration device according to claim 2, wherein said textured surface comprises a generally flat base surface provided with grooves or relieved portions.

37. A skin penetration device according to claim 2, wherein said penetration element comprises the needle of a syringe for being inserted into the skin to effect an injection.

38. A skin penetration device according to claim 2, wherein said penetration element comprises a lancet blade for penetrating the skin by incision.

39. A skin stimulus apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said penetration element comprises the needle of an indwelling device.

11. A skin penetration device comprising:

a body (10;

110),

a penetration element (22;

122) mounted in said body for penetrating the skin of the user,

a skin stimulus arrangement for creating in use a stimulus in the skin in the vicinity of an intended penetration site to alleviate the perception of pain,

characterized in that said skin stimulus arrangement comprises a textured surface (36;

138) for contacting the skin and a moving arrangement (118, 158, 159, 160) for effecting relative angular movement of said textured surface and said body, thereby to create said stimulus.

12. A skin penetration device according to claim 11, wherein said moving arrangement moves said textured surface angularly (36) in use about an axis generally normal to the skin.

14. A skin penetration device according to claim 12, wherein said stored energy device (160) is a torsion spring.

28. A skin penetration device comprising:

a body (310), a penetration element (322) mounted in said body for moving to a penetrating position in which, in use, it penetrates the skin of the user,

a skin stimulus arrangement for creating in use a stimulus in the skin in the vicinity of an intended penetration site to alleviate the perception of pain,

wherein said penetration element includes a longitudinal distal portion (322) with a sharp tip, and said penetration movement is longitudinal

characterized in that said skin stimulus arrangement comprises a nose portion (382) having an aperture (384) through which said tip may pass with clearance, the nose portion having a forwarding facing edge for making edge contact with the skin immediately around the intended penetration site, thereby to create said stimulus.

29. A skin penetration device as claimed in claim 28, wherein said nose portion (382) has an extended snout region of tubular form closely surrounding the tip of said penetration element.

30. A skin penetration device according to claim 29, wherein the wall thickness of said forward facing edge is less than the mean transverse dimension of said aperture.

31. A skin penetration device according to claim 28, including an arrangement for moving said forward facing edge towards said skin in use as said penetration element moves forwardly.

32. A skin penetration device according to claim 28, wherein said body is provided with a textured surface (432) for contacting the skin to provide a further skin stimulus.

33. A skin penetration device according to claim 32, wherein said nose portion (382) is movably mounted with respect to said body from a pre-use position in which it lies rearwardly of said textured surface to a forward position in which it is lies alongside or forwardly of said textured surface, and the device further including a moving arrangement (418) for moving said nose portion forwardly prior to or during said penetration movement.

40. A method for creating a stimulus in the skin in the vicinity of a treatment site to alleviate the perception of pain, which method includes contacting the skin with first and second texture surfaces and moving one of said surfaces relative to the other.

41. A method according to claim 40, wherein one of said textured surfaces remains stationary whilst the other is moved.

42. A method according to claim 41, which comprises contacting said skin sequentially with said first and second textured surfaces.

43. A method according to claim 40, wherein at least one of said first and second textured surfaces is moved longitudinally along an axis generally towards to the skin.

44. A method according to claim 40, wherein at least one of said first and second textured surfaces is moved in a plane generally over the skin.

45. A method according to claim 44, wherein said at least one textured surface is moved angularly about an axis generally normal to the skin.