Surgery – Instruments – Means for removal of skin or material therefrom
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-09
2001-09-04
Philogene, Pedro (Department: 3732)
Surgery
Instruments
Means for removal of skin or material therefrom
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283978
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for microdermabrasion, particularly for cosmetic and/or therapeutic treatment of human tissue.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currently the most commonly used systems for producing microdermabrasion are air entrainment systems that involve a vacuum or pressure apparatus that directs a flow of air carrying a reducing substance in the form of a particulate abrasive substance against the portion of the skin being treated. While these systems have been shown to be safe and effective, they suffer from disadvantages. In particular, the systems are mechanically complex and expensive. The treatment is usually conducted in a medical facility and applied by trained personnel or a physician. Accordingly, for the patient the treatments are both inconvenient and costly. Examples of these systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,037,432, 5,100,412, and 5,954,730.
It would be an advance in the art to provide a microdermabrasion system that is as safe and effective as air entrainment systems currently used, but are less complex, less expensive, and adaptable for use by the patient in his home.
Abrasive pads, files, and the like, are known in the art, which comprise an abrasive surface that is rubbed over the skin surface to abrade the skin. The abrasive surface may include ridges, sharp edges, blades or projection that function to abrade and scrape the skin surface. The abrasive surface also may include abrasive substances imbedded in the surface, or adhered to and/or protruding from the surface. These devises have been used to remove corns and calluses, and the like, but are not commonly used for microdermabrasion applications. A problem with these abrasive-surface devices is that it is difficult prevent overuse and excessive abrasion of the skin. As the surface is stroked over the skin, there is very little indication when the abrasion becomes excessive and begins to damage the skin. This is particularly a problem with inexperienced or untrained persons who in their zeal to see improvement are apt to over-abrade and damage the skin.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a microdermabrasion system that is safe and effective, but without the disadvantages of prior-art systems.
Another object of the invention is to provide a microdermabrasion system that is not mechanically complex and inexpensive to use.
Another object of the invention is to provide a microdermabrasion system that can be used by the patient at his own convenience in his home.
Another object of the invention is to provide a microdermabrasion system that is simpler to use than prior-art systems and does not require extensive training or expertise to use.
Further objects of the invention will become evident in the description below.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is involves a method and apparatus for removing surface portions of human tissue in a controlled and safe manner. The method of the invention is particularly useful for the treatment of scars, stretch marks, acne, facial pigmentation, wrinkles, skin aging, sun damage and exposure, crows feet and other skin conditions, on the face, neck, arms and hands.
The method of the present invention is not mechanically complex, so that it does not require highly trained personnel to treat the patient and it can be used in self-treatment by the patient. With proper instruction, the patient may safely practice the method at her home at her own convenience.
The present method has been shown to be at least as effective as air entrainment systems currently in use. In addition, it has been found that the collagen and elastin in the dermis of the skin are stimulated and remodeled by the present method. Accordingly, the tone and elasticity of the skin are improved.
The present method also enhances the mechanisms, action and depth of penetration of other skin treatments. The aged, scarred, or damaged surface of the epidermis is removed, exposing younger and healthier cells, and increasing the permeability of the epidermis. Accordingly, if the microdermabrasion method of the present invention is soon followed by treatment with appropriate creams, and the like, the action of these treatments is enhanced. Such treatments may include treatment with collagen elastin creams, hydration creams, and sun blocking agents. Post treatments may also include skin-messaging techniques that further stimulate and remodel the elastin.
In summary, the present method comprises applying an abrasive particulate material to an application surface. The application surface is textured to carry or hold the particulate in a non-adhering or non-adhesive manner. The particulate is held in holding regions, cells or chambers that are provided by the surface texture. For example, the holding regions or cells may be provided in the surface texture by grooves, pits, indentations or the like that hold the particulate material and maintain the particulate material at the skin surface during the microdermabrasion process.
In the microdermabrasion process of the present invention, the particulate is applied to the application surface and the application surface moved along the skin with some pressure against the skin. Particulate does not generally adhering to the skin and the application surface. Therefore, it remains free flowing in the cells, and will tend to flow and circulate, and move in the cell and mix with abraded skin particles within the cells. The structure of the cells is such that they hold and retain the particulate in this flowing state in the cell during the micro-abrasion process. The movement and circulation of the particulate in the cells and the pressure against the skin provide cutting action that micro-abrades the skin surface. Thus, the abrasion is provided by the loose and flowing the particulate, and not by an abrasive action from a fixed abrasive surface. After a time particulate will be lost from the cells, and the abrasive action will diminish. This provides a safety against over-abrasion in the event the stroking action is continued too long. Unlike abrasive surfaces, the abrasive action of the present invention will gradually diminish, minimizing the possibility that excessive stroking will over abrade and damage the skin.
The application surface functions to transmit pressure and provide movement required for abrasion by the particulate. It also functions to apply the particulate to the skin surface and hold the particulate adjacent to the skin in a non-adhesive or non-sticking manner while the particulate provides the cutting an abrading action to the skin surface. Accordingly, the texture of the application surface should be designed such that there is no abrasive or cutting action from the surface itself, so that essentially all of the abrasion is essentially from the particulate material.
In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the particulate material is mixed with a cream or other like substance. In this embodiment, the holding cells carry the cream and the particulate, and as described above the abrasion is provided by the particulate mixed in the cream, as the cream and particulate circulates in the holding cells. The cream may provide some holding action for the particulate, but the abrasive action occurs when the cream/particulate is allowed to flow.
The application surface may be of a rigid material, such as mold plastic, or may be flexible (as a cloth) for situations where the greater conformance to the skin is required, such for wrinkles. The holding cells for the particulate may be provided by any suitable construction, such as by grooves perpendicular to the direction of movement of the tool. Any other constructions that provide the holding action and are non-abrasive are suitable, such as, for example, pits, tread patterns, weave patterns, crooked or straight grooves or ridges, or any combination of these. The apparatus of the invention is constructed so that an even pressure and movement can be applied by the application surface onto the skin
Cheski Peter J.
Weideman Allen
Cheski Peter J.
Philogene Pedro
Sonntag James Lawrence
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