Surgery – Instruments – External pressure applicator
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-09
2001-02-27
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Surgery
Instruments
External pressure applicator
C128S858000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193741
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a non-surgical upper eyelid lift system. More particularly, the invention relates to a system for restoring a more youthful appearance to the eyelid area by lifting sagging skin of the eyelid.
People generally ascertain the age of another person by virtue of various visual cues. For example, wrinkles around the eyes and sagging skin around the mouth and chin are examples of visual cues which tend to indicate a person's advancing age. Attempts to make a person appear more youthful generally focus on eliminating some of these cues.
Some of the most common techniques for reducing the visual cues associated with aging are surgical techniques such as face lifts, and various injections which are aimed at smoothing the skin or eliminating discolorations thereof. However, considerable risks are inherent in all of these procedures. Thus, most people shy away from the invasiveness of surgical procedures.
One particular visual cue is sagging skin on the eyelid. Surgical procedures for attempting to reduce the sagging are commonly known as “eye lifts”. These procedures involve making an incision in the eyelid at the eyeball crease. This surgery is potentially dangerous, in that if the surgeon accidentally cuts into the eyelid muscle, there is no known technique to correct such an accident. Once again, the invasiveness and expense of such a procedure deters many people from remedying their sagging eyelids in such a manner.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,854,307 to Elfenbein and 4,653,483 to Clavin both disclose systems which seek to eliminate drooping eyelids by adhering two portions of the eyelid together. Elfenbein employs liquid adhesive, while Clavin employs cosmetic tape. However, both systems undesirably require that two skin surfaces be adhered together.
While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a more youthful appearance around the eyes. Accordingly, the invention provides a procedure for lifting and stabilizing sagging skin of the eyelid.
It is another object of the invention to provide a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure. Accordingly, the system requires the mere external application of a plastic device to the eyelid to prop up the sagging skin of the eyelid, without requiring that two skin surfaces be adhered together.
It is a further object of the invention that the device is safe to use. Accordingly, the device is made of a thin, conformable plastic, and is applied with a hypoallergenic medical grade adhesive.
It is a further object of the invention that the device is easily repositioned on the eye, and can be removed without stretching the skin unnecessarily. Accordingly, the device is applied with a lubricating substance over the adhesive so that the device can be removed and repositioned until a smooth arc is achieved over the eye. After waiting a few moments, the device will set and remain firmly adhered to the eyelid until removed by the user.
It is a still further object of the invention that the device is self-contained. Accordingly, the device can be provided with the lubricating substance already present over the adhesive so that the device is truly “ready to use”. The lubricating surface is thus initially covered by backing material, to maintain the moistness of the lubricating substance prior to use.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide temporary relief from drooping eyelid skin in cases where said skin actually obscures vision.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a device which allows surgeons to demonstrate the results that would be achieved by cosmetic eyelid surgery, such as by an “eye lift” procedure.
The invention is an eyelid lifting system, for restoring a youthful appearance to an eye by lifting sagging eyelid skin at an eyelid crease, using an eyelid lifting device. The eyelid lifting device is a flat, thin piece of nonporous, conformable, waterproof plastic which is generally crescent shaped. The eyelid lifting device has a rear surface which has a medical grade adhesive thereon. Prior to application of the eyelid lifting device, a lubricating substance is spread across the rear surface. The eyelid lifting device is then applied to the eyelid crease to lift the sagging skin thereat. After a short time, the eyelid lifting device will set in place, will be virtually invisible, and will maintain the sagging skin in an upward position to provide a more youthful appearance to the eye.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1593216 (1926-07-01), Lewis
patent: 2001862 (1935-05-01), Buttry
patent: 3949741 (1976-04-01), Hofmann
patent: 4653483 (1987-03-01), Clavin
Heavenridge Cecily
Heavenridge Keith
Brown Michael A.
Goldstein & Canino
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