APPARATUS WITH ELLIPTICAL MOVEMENT FOR MICRODERMABRASION AND TOPICAL DELIVERY OF TREATMENTS

• US 20140202493A1
• Filed: 08/11/2013
• Published: 07/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Newton Medical, LLC
• Original Assignee: Newton Medical, LLC
• Inventors: Zelickson, Brian David, Freeman, Nathaniel Hayes, Thompson, Kevin John, Wayman, Michael Joseph, Filipek, Shawn Michael, Zelickson, Alvin Sheldon
• Granted Patent: US 9,032,576 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/6
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 13/02 power-driven carriers
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 13/04 with reservoir or other means for supplying substances
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1006 Brushes for cleaning the hand or the human body
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/102 Brush specifically designed for massaging the skin or scalp A46B2200/1026 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 7/026 for cleaning the feet or toes
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 7/043 hand operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320004 abrasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320008 Scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/10 with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/105 with means for delivering media, e.g. drugs or cosmetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1207 with electric or magnetic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1215 Rotary drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1418 Cam
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1481 Special movement conversion means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/501 connected to external computer devices or networks
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5015 using specific interfaces or standards, e.g. USB, serial, parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0254 with rotary motor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/005 hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 35/003 Portable hand-held applicators having means for dispensing or spreading integral media hand-held massage devices with liquid delivery A61H7/003
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0651 : Diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0654 : Lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 : Skin treatment other than tanning
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 5/046 : Offset spindle drives
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 23/03 : the tool being driven in a combined movement
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 23/04 : with oscillating grinding tools; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 25/18 : for conveying or interconverting oscillating or reciprocating motions
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0084 : Hand tools; Toolboxes

Abstract

A device for providing elliptical path motion to skin or other surface. The device includes a motor, shaft, and a cam having at least one offset axis cam lobe for creating offset motion. A mounting bracket assembly that has a pair of arms associated with the motor can be moved by the cam in an elliptical path having X-axis, Y-axis and, in exemplary embodiments, Z-axis movement. The mounting bracket assembly may have two brackets, each being associated with an oscillating plate. Each oscillating plate may have a plurality of protrusions or tufts of bristles protruding therefrom. Elliptical movement of the oscillating plates creates offset elliptical motion of the protrusions associated with each oscillating plate. A fluid delivery system may be incorporated to provide fluid through the device. The device may be used for cleaning, stimulation or treatment of skin.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing elliptical motion, comprising:

a) a motor;

b) a drive shaft having an axis of rotation and extending from the motor, the shaft having a distal end;

c) an elliptical motion creating mechanism associated with the shaft, the mechanism including at least one axially offset member having an axis of rotation in an axis offset from the axis of the shaft; and

,

d) a mounting bracket comprising

i) a base plate operatively associated with the offset member, the base plate having a first side defining an X-axis movement direction and a second side generally perpendicular to the first side, the second side defining a Y-axis movement direction,

ii) a first side arm extending from the base plate and associated with the motor, the first side arm having a distal end terminating in a connection portion, the first side arm defining a Z-axis movement direction,

iii) a second side arm extending from the base plate and associated with the motor, the second side arm having a distal end terminating in a connection portion,

whereby rotation of the shaft causes the offset member to rotate and impart elliptical motion to the mounting bracket such that the base plate moves in an elliptical path in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a grommet associated with the base plate, the grommet having a bore extending at least partially therethrough, the distal end of the shaft being adapted to fit at least partially in the bore.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an interface member associated with the base plate.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a connecting member extending from the base plate.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket moves in a Z-axis direction.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second axially offset member and a second mounting bracket, the mounting bracket comprising

a) a base plate operatively associated with the offset member, the base plate having a first side defining an X-axis movement direction and a second side generally perpendicular to the first side, the second side defining a Y-axis movement direction,

b) a first side arm extending from the base plate and associated with the motor, the first side arm having a distal end terminating in a connection portion, the first side arm defining a Z-axis movement direction,

c) a second side arm extending from the base plate and associated with the motor, the second side arm having a distal end terminating in a connection portion,

wherein the second mounting bracket is associated with the second offset member such that the first and second mounting brackets are adapted to each move in a separate and offset elliptical path.

7. An apparatus for providing elliptical motion to a structure, comprising:

a) a motor;

b) a drive shaft having an axis of rotation and extending from the motor;

c) means for generating at least one rotational motion having an axis offset from the shaft axis; and

,

d) means for providing oscillating elliptical motion associated with the means for generating rotational motion.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for generating at least one rotational motion offset from the shaft axis comprises a cam.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cam comprises at least two offset axis cam lobes, each offset axis cam lobe having a central axis that is offset from the shaft axis, and each offset axis being offset from each other.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for providing elliptical motion comprises at least one base plate operatively associated with the means for generating at least one rotational motion such that elliptical rotation of the means for generating rotational motion causes the base plate to move in an elliptical path in both an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the means for providing elliptical motion is adapted to move in a Z-axis defined by an axis orthogonal to both the X-axis and Y-axis.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a plate associated with the means for providing elliptical motion.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plate further comprises a plurality of protrusions extending from one face of the plate.

14. An apparatus for providing elliptical motion, comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a motor;

c) a drive shaft having an axis of rotation and extending from the motor;

d) at least one attachment member associated with the motor;

e) an elliptical motion creating mechanism associated with the shaft, the mechanism including a first offset motion means for imparting movement in a first rotational direction offset from the axis of the shaft and a second offset motion means for imparting movement in a second rotational direction offset from the axis of the shaft; and

,

f) a mounting bracket assembly comprising

i) an inner mounting bracket comprising

(a) an inner base plate operatively associated with the first offset movement means of the elliptical motion creating mechanism,

(b) a first side arm extending from the inner base plate and associated with an attachment member,

(c) a second side arm extending from the inner base plate and associated with an attachment member,

(d) a first pin extending from the inner mounting bracket base plate,

ii) an outer mounting bracket comprising,

(a) an outer base plate operatively associated with the second offset movement means of the elliptical motion creating mechanism,

(b) a first side leg extending from the outer mounting bracket base plate,

(c) a second side leg extending from the outer mounting bracket base plate,

(d) a second pin extending from the outer mounting bracket base plate,

whereby rotation of the shaft causes the first offset motion means for imparting movement to rotate and impart oscillating elliptical motion to the inner mounting bracket and the first pin, and impart oscillating elliptical motion to the outer mounting bracket and the second pin.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising

a) a first oscillating plate having a first face operatively associated with the first pin;

and,

b) a second oscillating plate having first face operatively associated with the second pin, wherein the first and second plates are in separate generally parallel planes,

whereby when the motor is actuated, the first oscillating plate moves in a first elliptical path and the second oscillating plate moves in a second elliptical path that is offset from the first elliptical path.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the elliptical motion creating mechanism comprises a cam operatively associated with the shaft, the cam having a first offset cam and a second cam, the first cam being offset from the second offset cam.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of protrusions extending from a second face of each oscillating plate.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the protrusions comprise tufts of bristles.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the protrusions comprise rods having a degree of flexibility.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least one of the protrusions comprises a rod have a distal end having a shape selected from the group consisting of flat, rounded, beveled, tapered, conical, pointed, ball-ended, concave curved, convex curved, and recessed.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the protrusions have a material either coated on or impregnated in at least a portion of the protrusion.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the protrusions can retain fluid.

23. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first oscillating plate and the second oscillating plate are curved.

24. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the second oscillating plate has a plurality of rows of protrusions and a plurality of elongated slots, each slot being defined between adjacent rows of protrusions, and wherein the first oscillating plate has rows of protrusions, whereby at least one of the first oscillating plate protrusions in a given row is adapted to be received in an elongated slot.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, whereby the first and second oscillating plates are in separate generally parallel planes and the distal ends of the first oscillating plate protrusions and the distal ends of the second oscillating plate protrusions are generally co-planar.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, whereby when the motor is actuated, the protrusions of the first oscillating plate oscillate in a first elliptical path and the protrusions of the second oscillating plate oscillate in a second elliptical path, whereby the first elliptical path and the second elliptical path are offset from one another.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the first elliptical path and the second elliptical path are offset from one another by 90 degrees.

28. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first oscillating plate and second oscillating plate elliptically move in separate distinct and generally parallel planes.

29. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the elliptical motion mechanism further comprises

a) a third offset motion means for imparting movement in a third rotational direction offset from the axis of the shaft and the axes of the first and second offset motion means, and

b) a third mounting bracket comprising

i) a third base plate operatively associated with the third offset movement means of the elliptical motion mechanism,

ii) a first side arm extending perpendicularly from the third base plate and associated with an attachment member associated with the motor,

iii) a second side arm extending perpendicularly from the third base plate and associated with an attachment member associated with the motor,

iv) a third pin extending from the inner mounting bracket base plate,

whereby the third mounting bracket is positioned at least partially around the outer mounting bracket and whereby the first, second and third pins are generally co-parallel.

30. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an attachment head assembly either detachably or permanently associated with the housing, the attachment head assembly comprising,

a) a first oscillating plate having a first face operatively associated with the first pin;

and,

b) a second oscillating plate having first face operatively associated with the second pin, wherein the first and second oscillating plates are in separate generally parallel planes,

c) a head assembly housing,

d) a first suspension ring associated with first oscillating plate and the head assembly housing such that the first suspension ring permits movement of the first oscillating plate in the X-, Y- and Z-axes,

e) a second suspension ring associated with second oscillating plate and the head assembly housing such that the second suspension ring permits movement of the second oscillating plate in the X-, Y- and Z-axes.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the first oscillating plate has a first boss extending from the first face and is associated with the first pin and the second oscillating plate has a second boss extending from the first face and is associated with the second pin, whereby when the motor is actuated, the first oscillating plate moves in a first elliptical path and the second oscillating plate moves in a second elliptical path that is offset from the first elliptical path.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the first oscillating plate comprises two plate segments, each segment adapted to attach to each other.

33. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an attachment head assembly either detachably or permanently associated with the base plate, the attachment head assembly comprising,

a) a first oscillating plate having a first face operatively associated with the first pin, a first side edge portion having a first hinge member extending therefrom and terminating in a first attachment member a second side edge portion having a second hinge member extending therefrom and terminating in a second attachment member, the first and second attachment members being generally parallel;

b) a second oscillating plate having first face operatively associated with the second pin, a first side edge portion having a first hinge member extending therefrom and terminating in a first attachment member a second side edge portion having a second hinge member extending therefrom and terminating in a second attachment member, the first and second attachment members being generally parallel; and

,

c) a head attachment assembly housing, the housing being associated with the first oscillating plate first and second attachment members, the head attachment assembly housing further being associated with the second oscillating plate first and second attachment members,

wherein each of the first and second attachment members can axially slide in the head attachment assembly housing to provide a Y-axis movement component,

wherein the first and second attachment members of the first and second oscillating plates, respectively, are adapted to permit pivoting movement of the hinge member and providing an X-axis movement component, and

wherein the first and second oscillating plates are in separate generally parallel planes.

34. The apparatus of claim 14,

a) wherein each of the inner mounting bracket first and second side arms and the outer mounting bracket first and second side arms terminate in a female connecting portion, and

b) further comprising a pair of first male connecting members extending from the housing and a pair of second male connecting members extending from the housing, whereby the first male connecting members receive the female connecting portion of the inner mounting bracket first and second side arms and whereby the second male connecting members receive the female connecting portion of the outer mounting bracket first and second side arms such that the inner mounting bracket first and second side arms and the outer mounting bracket first and second side arms can pivot and slide about the first and second male connecting members.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first mounting bracket has a first oscillating plate associated therewith and the second mounting bracket has a second oscillating plate associated therewith.

36. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a light-emitting attachment assembly either detachably or permanently associated with the apparatus, the light-emitting attachment assembly comprising

a) a housing,

b) a circuit board associated with the housing,

c) at least one light-emitting device associated with the circuit board, and,

d) an electrical connection member for electrically associating the circuit board with the motor.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising a connection plate associated with the housing.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising a lens associated with the housing.

39. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising at least one first electrical contact adapted to be electrically associated with at least one second electrical contact associated with the motor.

40. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising a microcontroller associated with the circuit board and adapted to control the at least one light-emitting device.

41. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the at least one light-emitting device is at least one device selected from the group consisting of an incandescent lamp, an LED lamp, an optical fiber, an infrared light-emitting device, and an ultraviolet light-emitting device.

42. A brush head assembly attachable to a drive apparatus, the drive apparatus comprising a motor, a drive shaft, a means for producing oscillating elliptical motion in a X-axis and a Y-axis, both axes being orthogonal to the drive shaft, a first connecting member and a second connecting member, each connecting member being associated with the means for producing elliptical motion, the brush head assembly comprising:

a) a first oscillating plate having a first face including a connecting portion adapted to connect to the first connecting member, the first oscillating plate having a second face including a plurality of protrusions;

b) a second oscillating plate having a first face including a connecting portion adapted to connect to the second connecting member, the first oscillating plate having a second face including a plurality of protrusions, wherein the first and second oscillating plates are in separate generally parallel planes and adapted for oscillating elliptical;

c) a brush head assembly housing adapted to attach to the drive apparatus housing;

d) a first suspension ring associated with the first oscillating plate and the brush head assembly housing such that the first suspension ring permits movement of the first oscillating plate in the X- and Y-axes,

e) a second suspension ring associated with the second oscillating plate and the brush head assembly housing such that the second suspension ring permits movement of the second oscillating plate in the X- and Y-axes.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the suspension ring is made of an elastic material.

44. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the suspension ring includes at least one annular pleat, fold, undulation, involution or wavy cross-section shape.

45. An apparatus for skin cleansing or delivery of skin treatment, comprising:

a) a main housing;

b) a motor;

c) a drive shaft having an axis of rotation and extending from the motor;

d) at least one attachment member associated with the motor;

e) an elliptical motion creating mechanism associated with the shaft, the mechanism including a first axially offset member for imparting movement in a first elliptical direction offset from the axis of the shaft and a second axially offset member for imparting movement in a second elliptical direction offset from the axis of the shaft; and

,

f) a mounting bracket assembly comprising

i) an inner mounting bracket comprising

(a) an inner base plate operatively associated with the first offset member,

(b) a first side arm extending from the inner base plate and associated with an attachment member,

(c) a second side arm extending from the inner base plate and associated with an attachment member,

(d) a first pin extending from the inner mounting bracket base plate,

ii) an outer mounting bracket comprising,

(a) an outer base plate operatively associated with the second offset member,

(b) a first side leg extending from the outer mounting bracket base plate,

(c) a second side leg extending from the outer mounting bracket base plate,

(d) a second pin extending from the outer mounting bracket base plate, whereby rotation of the shaft causes the first offset member to rotate and impart oscillating elliptical motion to the inner mounting bracket and the first pin, and impart oscillating elliptical motion to the outer mounting bracket and the second pin;

g) a brush head assembly attachable to the main housing, the brush head assembly comprising

i) a first oscillating plate having a first face including a connecting portion adapted to connect to the first connecting member, the first oscillating plate having a second face including a plurality of protrusions;

ii) a second oscillating plate having a first face including a connecting portion adapted to connect to the second connecting member, the first oscillating plate having a second face including a plurality of protrusions, wherein the first and second oscillating plates are in separate generally parallel planes and adapted for oscillating elliptical;

iii) a brush head assembly housing adapted to attach to the main housing;

iv) a first suspension ring associated with the first oscillating plate and the brush head assembly housing such that the first suspension ring permits movement of the first oscillating plate in the X- and Y-axes,

v) a second suspension ring associated with the second oscillating plate and the brush head assembly housing such that the second suspension ring permits movement of the second oscillating plate in the X- and Y-axes.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, further comprising a timer for deactivating the motor after a period of time.

47. The apparatus of claim 45, further comprising a battery.

48. The apparatus of claim 45, further comprising a means for charging the battery.

49. The apparatus of claim 45, further comprising a means for connecting the apparatus to a power source.

50. The apparatus of claim 45, further comprising a fluid delivery system comprising,

a) at least one fluid reservoir,

b) at least one conduit for conveying fluid and in fluid communication with the at least one fluid reservoir,

c) at least one fluid delivery port in fluid communication with the at least one fluid reservoir, and,

d) at least one means for urging fluid from the at least one fluid reservoir toward the at least one fluid delivery port.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the at least one fluid delivery port comprises at least one manifold and at least one nozzle.

52. An apparatus for providing dual offset elliptical motion, comprising:

a) a main housing;

b) a motor;

c) a rotatable drive shaft having an axis of rotation and extending from the motor;

d) an offset axis cam associated with the shaft, the cam including a first cam lobe for imparting movement in a first elliptical direction offset from the axis of the shaft and a second cam lobe for imparting movement in a second elliptical direction offset from the axis of the shaft;

e) an attachable assembly comprising

i) an assembly housing,

ii) a first oscillating plate having a central aperture, an edge and a pair of first pins extending from a first area of the first oscillating plate edge and a pair of second pins extending from an area of the first oscillating plate edge opposite from the first area,

iii) a second oscillating plate having a central aperture, an edge and a pair of first pins extending from a first area of the second oscillating plate edge and a pair of second pins extending from an area of the second oscillating plate edge opposite from the first area,

iv) a plurality of slots either formed in or associated with the assembly housing, each slot adapted to slidingly receive one of the pins,

wherein the first cam lobe is received within the first oscillating plate central aperture and the second cam lobe is received within the second oscillating plate central aperture such that rotation of the first cam lobe causes the first oscillating plate to move in a first elliptical path and rotation of the second cam lobe causes the second oscillating plate to move in a second elliptical path, whereby the first elliptical path is offset from the second elliptical path.

53. A method for treating skin or other surface, comprising:

contacting an area of skin with at least one first contact means for contacting the skin and at least one second contact means for contacting the skin whereby the at least one first contact means moves in a first elliptical path and the at least one second contact means moves in a second elliptical path the first and second elliptical paths being offset from one another.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the first elliptical path and the second elliptical path are offset by 90 degrees.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein the first and second contact means also move in direction orthogonal to the elliptical path movement so as to provide pulsatingly applied force to the skin or surface contact area.

56. The method of claim 53, wherein the first contact means comprises a plurality of first protrusions and the second contact means comprises a plurality of second protrusions.

57. The method of claim 53, further comprising delivering a fluid via either or both of the first or second contact means.

58. A grommet, comprising:

a) a circumferential edge;

b) a groove defined in the grommet by a first flange and a second flange;

c) a bore defined in the grommet; and

,

d) a first deformable portion and a second deformable portion disposed on opposing sides of the grommet.

59. The grommet of claim 59, wherein the first deformable portion comprises a cutout defined between the edge and the bore and the second deformable portion comprises a cutout defined between the edge and the bore, the second deformable portion being disposed opposite the first deformable portion.