U.S. patent application number 11/172698 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-04 for system for abrading skin to remove outer portions thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to COSMEDIC R & D, INC.. Invention is credited to Jackie Hart, Leonard L. Hofheins.
Application Number | 20070005078 11/172698 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37590630 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070005078 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hart; Jackie ; et
al. |
January 4, 2007 |
System for abrading skin to remove outer portions thereof
Abstract
A system for abrading skin to remove outer portions thereof
includes an apparatus having a skin abrading head with a head
portion and a skin abrading brush. The outer head portion has a rim
for placement in contact with the skin along with the bristles of
the brush. Air flow is generated in the head to bring the skin into
engagement with the rim and bristles and transport removed skin
portions.
Inventors: |
Hart; Jackie; (Rocklin,
CA) ; Hofheins; Leonard L.; (Walnut Creek,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THOMAS R. LAMPE;BIELEN, LAMPE & THOEMING
1390 WILLOW PASS ROAD, SUITE 1020
CONCORD
CA
94520
US
|
Assignee: |
COSMEDIC R & D, INC.
|
Family ID: |
37590630 |
Appl. No.: |
11/172698 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
606/131 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/54 20130101;
A61B 2017/320012 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/131 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/50 20060101
A61B017/50 |
Claims
1. Apparatus for abrading skin to remove outer portions thereof,
said apparatus comprising, in combination: a hand-held member
defining an air-flow passageway for communication with a vacuum
source; and a skin abrading head connected to said hand-held member
for engaging and abrading skin, said skin abrading head including a
head portion having a rim for placement in contact with the skin,
said head portion defining a head interior and an opening in
communication with said head interior, a skin abrading brush having
a plurality of bristles located in or adjacent to said head
interior, said skin abrading brush engageable with said skin when
said rim is placed in contact therewith, and said skin abrading
head defining at least one orifice providing communication between
said air-flow passageway and said head interior for creating a
vacuum induced air flow within said head interior for selectively
pulling said skin in the direction of said rim and skin abrading
brush entraining skin portions removed due to abrasion of the skin
by said skin abrading brush and delivering said skin portions to
said air-flow passageway.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said skin abrading
head further includes a brush support disposed inwardly of and
spaced from said opening, said skin abrading brush projecting
outwardly from said brush support in the direction of said opening,
said at least one orifice located between at least some of
said-skin abrading brush and said head portion.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said skin abrading
brush comprises a plurality of spaced brush segments, each said
brush segment having a plurality of bristles.
4. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said skin abrading
head defines a plurality of spaced orifices located between said
skin abrading brush and said head portion.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said skin abrading
head further includes a brush support disposed inwardly of and
spaced from said opening, said skin abrading brush projecting
outwardly from said brush support in the direction of said opening,
said at least one orifice being substantially surrounded by said
skin abrading brush, with said skin abrading brush located between
said at least one orifice and said head portion.
6. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said spaced brush
segments are staggered to provide serpentine air-flow paths for
said vacuum induced air flow within said head interior.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said head portion
defines spaced air-flow recesses located at said rim.
8. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said spaced brush
segments have flattened outer distal brush segment ends.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said rim occupies a
plane, said flattened outer ends not extending beyond said
plane.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rim is
substantially smooth and non-abrasive.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said skin abrading
head is releasably connected to said hand-held member.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said skin abrading
head is one of a plurality of selectively interchangeable skin
abrading heads having differing abrading characteristics.
13. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rim is
circular.
14. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said head portion
comprises an outer wall substantially surrounding said skin
abrading brush.
15. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said head portion
comprises an inner wall surrounded by said skin abrading brush.
16. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said skin abrading
brush comprises a plurality of brush segments, at least some of
said brush segments having a chamfered outer skin engaging
surface.
17. A method for abrading skin to remove outer portions thereof,
said method comprising the steps of: providing a hand-held member
defining an air-flow passageway connected to a skin abrading head
including a head portion having a rim and defining a head interior
and a skin abrading brush having a plurality of bristles;
substantially simultaneously bring said rim and said bristles into
engagement with the skin; while maintaining said engagement
utilizing said hand-held member to move said rim and bristles along
said skin; during said movement and while maintaining said
engagement, creating a vacuum in said air-flow passageway and in
said head interior causing air flow from the ambient atmosphere
through said head interior and past said bristles and into said
air-flow passageway; selectively employing said vacuum to pull said
skin in the direction of said rim and bristles ; abrading the skin
with said bristles; and entraining in said air flow outer portions
of said skin abraded by said skin abrading brush.
18. The method according to claim 17 wherein said skin abrading
brush comprises a plurality of spaced brush segments substantially
simultaneously brought into engagement with the skin, each brush
segment having a plurality of bristles.
19. The method according to claim 18 wherein air flowing from said
head interior into said air-flow passageway flows through at least
one orifice adjacent to said skin abrading brush.
20. The method according to claim 19 wherein said at least one
orifice is located between at least some of said skin abrasion
brush and said head portion.
21. The method according to claim 19 wherein said at least one
orifice is substantially surrounded by said skin abrasion
brush.
22. The method according to claim 19 including the step of flowing
the air through serpentine flow paths defined by said skin abrasion
brush on the way to said orifice.
23. The method according to claim 17 wherein said air flow passes
through air-flow recesses located at said rim.
24. The method according to claim 17 wherein said air flow is
caused by creating a vacuum in said air-flow passageway and in said
head interior, the method including the step of employing said
vacuum in said head interior to maintain engagement between said
bristles and said skin.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to apparatus for abrading skin to
remove outer portions thereof as well as to a method. The system
has particular application to microabrading skin by removing outer
layers to provide a fresh skin surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Dermabrasion, sometimes referred to as microdermabrasion, is
a well known process for removing dead cells from the outermost
layer of the skin, cleaning out blocked pores and enhancing skin
tone. U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,739, discloses a treatment tool and
tissue collection system for removing outer layers of skin to
provide a revitalized, fresh skin surface, the objective being to
remove dead end old cell skins without damaging the remaining skin
surface and without the use of powdered abrasive material.
[0003] More particularly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,739 discloses a
device for microabrasion comprising a hollow tube with an abrasive
material permanently attached to a skin contacting end. The
abrasive coated tip is moved over the skin surface while a vacuum
is applied through the tube to the skin surface to remove cells
abraded from the skin surface. The vacuum also causes the skin to
be held in intimate contact with the abrasive tip during the
treatment procedure. Specifically suggested as abrasion particles
attached to the treatment tip are diamond grit, aluminum oxide,
silicon carbide, silicon oxide, and various metal nitrates. Also
suggested is the concept of machining or chemically treating the
tip to provide a roughened surface which when moved across skin
abrades the epidermis, dislodging cells from the surface. A method
employing this technique is also disclosed it U.S. Pat. No.
6,241,739.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,183 matured from a continuation-in-part
application based on the patent application resulting in
above-described U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,739. U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,183
discloses a treatment tool and tissue collection system for removal
of outer layers of skin to provide a revitalized, fresh skin
surface, and a method of using same. The tool is an abrasive tipped
tool mounted on the end or within the end of a hollow tube, the
tube being connected to a source of vacuum. The vacuum aids in
maintaining intimate contact between the abrasive tip and the skin
during the treatment process and transports the removed tissue to a
collection container. The abrasive surface within the tube is a
motor driven abrasive pad. Contact between the pad and the abrasive
disc is brought about or increased by application of a vacuum
through the tube to the skin surface. Other prior art abrasion
techniques are known, some of which can be traced back to ancient
times wherein alabaster and pumice were utilized to remove
blemishes and rough spots and to make the skin smooth and soft.
[0005] U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,712,823, 2,867,214, 2,881,763 and 2,921,585
disclose abrasive tipped devices or rotating brushes and cylinders
coated with abrasive particles such as diamond dust to remove skin
layers.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,446 describes a stick, fingertip or
glove palm coated with an abrasive material which is rubbed over
the skin surface to provide a polishing action. U.S. Pat. No.
3,964,212 discloses a pneumatic grinding machine for flat surfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,804 discloses a skin abrasion device which uses
flowing water to rotate an abrasive brush and create a vacuum to
remove loosened skin particles. The rotating brush is usually
employed in conjunction with a liquid detergent or medicinal
compound applied to the skin surface being scrubbed.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,797 shows the use of an ultrasonic
surgical tool adapted to abrade soft tissue wherein use of the tool
is accompanied by use of rinsing liquid such as an aqueous saline
solution and suction means to withdraw the rinsing fluid as well as
blood and tissue fragments upwardly into a pipe for disposal. U.S.
Pat. No. 5,037,431 describes a hand-held surgical apparatus wherein
a pressurized jet of a liquid, such as water or sterile saline, is
employed to fragment diseased tissue and remove the liquid and
fragmented tissue by vacuum.
[0008] It is also known to abrade the skin surface using powdered
aluminum oxide or a liquid topical composition containing suspended
aluminum oxide, as disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No.
4,957,747. In the arrangement of U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,432 abrasive
reducing substances are conveyed under pressure to the skin and a
collection tube removes under suction both the reducing substances
and the portions of tissue removed during the treatment. Somewhat
similar arrangements, employing collection chambers, are disclosed
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,100,412, 5,207,234 and 5,810,842.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,999 is related to an apparatus for
microdermabrading by means of a jet of a mixture of air and
reducing crystals, and an associated handle. The jet of reducing
crystals is, in particular, a jet of corundum crystals.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,552 discloses a device for collecting
fragments of walls of internal organs and U.S. Pat. No. 2,701,559
discloses apparatus for exfoliating and collecting diagnostic
material from inner walls of hollow visera.
[0011] U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,921,585, 5,207,234 and 6,423,078 show other
dermabrasion approaches. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,121,388, 4,646,482 and
5,035,089 relate to non-medical abrasion systems.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0012] The system of the present invention relates to a unique
combination of structural elements which cooperate in a unique
manner to abrade skin and remove the abraded skin. The invention is
characterized by its high degree of effectiveness and ease of use.
The apparatus and method of the present invention are not taught or
suggested by the known prior art, indicated above, whether taken
alone or in combination.
[0013] The apparatus of the present invention incorporates
apparatus for abrading skin to remove outer portions thereof
including a hand-held member defining an air-flow passageway for
communication with a vacuum source.
[0014] The apparatus further includes a skin abrading head
connected to the hand-held member for engaging and abrading skin,
the skin abrading head including a head portion having a rim for
placement in contact with the skin. The head portion defines a head
interior and an opening in communication with the head
interior.
[0015] A skin abrading brush having a plurality of bristles is
located in or adjacent to the head interior, the skin abrading
brush is engageable with the skin when the rim is placed in contact
therewith.
[0016] The skin abrading head defines at least one orifice
providing communication between the air-flow passageway and the
head interior for selectively pulling said skin in the direction of
said rim and said skin abrading brush and for creating a vacuum
induced air flow within the head interior entraining skin portions
removed due to abrasion of the skin by the skin abrading brush and
delivering the skin portions to the air-flow passageway.
[0017] The method of the invention includes providing a hand-held
member defining a air-flow passageway connected to a skin abrading
head including a head portion having a rim and a skin abrading
brush having a plurality of bristles.
[0018] The rim and the bristles are substantially simultaneously
brought into engagement with the skin.
[0019] While maintaining the engagement, the hand-held member is
utilized to move the rim and the bristles along the skin.
[0020] During movement and while maintaining engagement, a vacuum
is created in the air-flow passageway and in the head interior
causing air flow from the ambient atmosphere through the head
interior and past the bristles and into the air-flow
passageway.
[0021] The vacuum is selectively employed to pull the skin in the
direction of the rim and bristles and entrain portions of the skin
abraded by the skin abrading brush in the air flow.
[0022] Other features, advantages and objects of the present
invention will become apparent with reference to the following
description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of
apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective view showing details of
the skin abrading head incorporated in the apparatus;
[0025] FIG. 3 is an exploded, elevational view showing the skin
abrading head removed from the hand-held member of the
apparatus;
[0026] FIG. 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view showing the skin
abrading head in operative association with a portion of the
hand-held member;
[0027] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an alternative embodiment of
skin abrading head;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating a third
embodiment of skin abrading head; and
[0029] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 6, but illustrating
a fourth embodiment of skin abrading head constructed in accordance
with the teachings of the present invention.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0030] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a preferred embodiment of apparatus
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention. The apparatus is for abrading skin to remove outer
portions thereof.
[0031] The apparatus includes a hand-held member 10 in the form of
a handle and having a tube 12 extending from an end thereof. The
tube 12 is for the purpose of connecting the hand-held member to a
suitable vacuum source (not shown). The hand-held member 10 defines
an air-flow passageway or lumen 14 for communication with the
vacuum source through tube 12.
[0032] Threadedly engaged with the distal end of hand-held member
10 is a skin abrading head 18 utilized to engage and abrade skin of
an individual. The skin abrading head 18 includes an outer head
portion 20 comprising an outer wall of cylindrical configuration.
Outer head portion 20 has a circular rim 22 for placement in
contact with the skin. The rim 22 is generally smooth and itself
does not abrade the skin. Rather, as will be seen below, the outer
head portion and rim thereof cooperate with a skin abrading brush
comprising part of the skin abrading head.
[0033] Outer head portion 20 defines a head interior 24 and an
opening 26 at the distal end of the skin abrading head in
communication with the head interior.
[0034] The skin abrading head further includes a brush support in
the form of an inner wall or partition 28. The brush support is
disposed inwardly of and spaced from opening 26.
[0035] A skin abrading brush having a plurality of bristles is
located in the head interior. More particularly, the skin abrading
brush comprises a plurality of spaced brush segments 30, each of
which has a plurality of bristles. The spaced brush segments 30
project outwardly from the brush support 28 in the direction of
opening 26. The spaced brush segments have flattened outer distal
brush segment ends 32 which in the illustrated embodiment are
located at the plane of the rim. It is within the scope of the
present invention to locate the flattened outer ends inwardly of
the plane of the rim to some extent if desired.
[0036] A plurality of orifices 40 are defined by brush support 28,
the orifices providing communication between air-flow passageway 14
and the head interior for creating a vacuum induced air flow within
the head interior entraining skin portions removed due to abrasion
of the skin by the skin abrading brush and delivering the skin
portions to the air-flow passageway. In this embodiment of the
invention the orifices 40 are located between the skin abrading
brush and the outer head portion.
[0037] The spaced brush segments 30 are staggered to provide
serpentine air-flow paths for the vacuum induced air flow within
the head interior. It has been found that such an arrangement
increases vacuum efficiency.
[0038] In operation, the rim 22 and the bristles of the brush
segments are substantially simultaneously brought into engagement
with the skin being treated.
[0039] While maintaining that engagement the hand-held member is
utilized to move the rim and the bristles along the skin.
[0040] During such movement and while maintaining engagement, a
vacuum is created in the air-flow passageway 14 and in the head
interior 24 causing air flow from the ambient atmosphere under the
rim 22, into and through the head interior past the bristles and
into the air-flow passageway. This pulls the skin toward the rim
and skin abrading brush. The skin abraded by the skin abrading
brush are entrained in the air flow for removal and disposal.
[0041] The amount of vacuum in the head interior and bristle
engagement with the skin can be controlled by tilting the rim
relative to the skin. The vacuum produced in the head interior
serves to maintain the skin in engagement with the rim and
bristles. The stronger the vacuum, the tighter the engagement. The
vacuum causes blood to move toward the abraded outer skin surface,
promoting healing and formation of smooth, clear outermost skin
layer.
[0042] The rim is substantially smooth and does not itself abrade
the skin. The smooth beveling of the rim facilitates movement of
the skin abrading head over the skin and facilitates user control
and placement of the skin abrading head. Such an arrangement also
has been found to essentially eliminate striping, the formation of
red streaks on the skin that can otherwise occur. The outer head
portion defines spaced air-flow recesses 44 located at the rim to
prevent formation of a complete vacuum seal between the head and
the skin even when the apparatus is disposed orthogonally relative
to the skin. In this manner, blotchiness, irritation and other
types of problems are unlikely to occur due to vacuum
application.
[0043] FIG. 5 shows an alternative skin abrading head 18A which,
except for a couple of features, is identical to the skin abrading
head 18 of FIGS. 1-4. In this embodiment, the distal brush segment
ends 32 lie in a common plane spaced inwardly of the plane of rim
22A. Furthermore, no recesses equivalent to recesses 44 are formed
in the rim, the rim being smoothly beveled and uniform about the
entire periphery thereof.
[0044] FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of skin abrading head, the
head identified by reference numeral 18B. In this embodiment a
single orifice 40B provides communication between the air-flow
passageway and the head interior. The orifice is centrally disposed
within the skin abrading head. The brush segments 30B surround the
orifice.
[0045] In the FIG. 7 embodiment, the skin abrading head 18C has a
brush support 28C defining radially extending slots comprising the
orifices 40C. The brush segments 30C are arrayed in clusters with
the orifices 40C located between clusters and and the outer head
portion 20C.
[0046] FIG. 8 shows another alternative embodiment of the
invention. This embodiment is somewhat similar to the skin abrading
head embodiment of FIG. 6. In the FIG. 8 head there is a single,
centrally disposed orifice 40D. An inner wall or head portion 20D
surrounds orifice 40D and extends upwardly therefrom to define head
interior 24D and an opening 26D communicating with the head
interior. The head portion 20D has an outer circular rim 22D. Brush
segments 30D surround the inner head portion 20D. The outer brush
segments are chambered to better conform to the skin surface and
reduce likelihood of bristle separation when the head portion is
tilted during use.
[0047] In the invention, the different skin abrading heads can be
substituted for one another, depending upon the abrading and/or
vacuum action desired. Not only can the head components have
different configurations and sizes, different brush materials can
be utilized.
* * * * *