You’re using a public version of DrugPatentWatch with 5 free searches available | Register to unlock more free searches. CREATE FREE ACCOUNT

Last Updated: March 29, 2024

Claims for Patent: 6,641,591


✉ Email this page to a colleague

« Back to Dashboard


Summary for Patent: 6,641,591
Title: Instruments and techniques for controlled removal of epidermal layers
Abstract:An instrument and technique for the removal of epidermal layers in a controlled manner utilizing a hand-held instrument with a working end that (i) a vacuum aspiration system, (ii) a source for delivery of a sterile fluids or pharmacological agents to the skin; and (iii) a skin interface surface in the working end that has specially shape structure for abrading surface layers of the patient\'s epidermis as the working end is moved over the patient\'s skin while at the same time causing rapid penetration of the fluids into the skin for therapeutic purposes. Movement of the working end across the skin causes abrasion of the surface layers in a path over the patient\'s skin. The method of the invention may be used in a periodic treatment for the removal of superficial skin layers that enhances the synthesis of dermal collagen aggregates by inducing the body\'s natural wound healing response. The method of the invention creates more normal dermal architectures in skin with limited depths of skin removal by the series of superficial treatments that may be comparable to the extent of neocollagenesis caused by a deep skin removal treatment (e.g., CO.sub.2 laser skin removal).
Inventor(s): Shadduck; John H. (Tiburon, CA)
Assignee:
Application Number:09/648,025
Patent Litigation and PTAB cases: See patent lawsuits and PTAB cases for patent 6,641,591
Patent Claims:1. A system for treating the skin surface of a patient, comprising: (a) an instrument body with a distal working end that defines a skin interface portion for contacting the skin; (b) a first aperture arrangement in said skin interface consisting of at least one port in communimcation with a treatment media source; (c) a second aperture arrangement in said skin interface consisting of at least one port in communication with a vacuum source for removing treatment media and removed tissue from the skin interface; and (d) wherein the skin interface comprises an abrading structure with substantially sharp edges for abrading tissue.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said skin interface defines a plurality of projecting ridges having a minimum width of about 2.0 mm.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said skin interface and plurality of projecting ridges extends at least partially around the first aperture arrangement.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said skin interface portion has shape irregularities comprising distally projecting apices and recessed portions therebetween.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said skin interface portion has a primary surface structure of distally projecting apices and recessed portions therebetween together with a secondary surface structure of recessed grooves extending across the primary surface structure.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said treatment media source carries a fluid.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the fluid is sterile water or saline solution.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the fluid carries an agent selected from the class comprising TCA (trichloroacetic acid), glycolic acid, alphahydroxy acid (AHA), lactic acid, and citric acid.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said treatment media source carries a crystalline agent.

10. A method for treating the skin surface of a patient, comprising: positioning a treatment device against a patient's skin creating a treatment region at a skin treatment site, the treatment device comprising at least one media entrance port; directing at least one flowable treatment medium through said at least one entrance port; wherein the treatment medium is sterile water or a saline solution; translating the treatment device over the skin treatment site whereby the combination of an abrasive structure carried by the treatment device and the flowable treatment medium removes dermal tissue; and aspirating dermal treatment media and any removed dermal tissue from the treatment region.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the treatment media further comprises an agent selected from the class comprising TCA (trichloroacetic acid), glycolic acid, alphahydroxy acid (AHA), lactic acid, and citric acid.

12. A method for treating the skin surface of a patient, comprising: positioning a treatment device against a patient's skin creating a treatment region at a skin treatment site, the treatment device comprising at least one media entrance port; directing at least one flowable treatment medium through said at least one entrance port; wherein the treatment medium comprises a crystalline agent; translating the treatment device over the skin treatment site whereby surface irregularities of the treatment device partially capture the crystalline agents to remove dermal tissue; and aspirating dermal treatment media and any removed dermal tissue from the treatment region.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said crystalline agents range in size from about 1 .mu.m to about 50 .mu.m in crosstional dimension.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said surface irregularities comprise a surface roughness that cooperates with crystalline agents ranging in size from about 1 .mu.m to about 50 .mu.m in cross-sectional dimension.

15. A system for treating the skin surface of a patient, comprising: an instrument body with a distal working surface that carries an abrading structure for engaging and abrading the skin; an interior channel in the instrument body extending between a first end and a distal open termination in the working surface; a vacuum source coupled to said first end of the interior channel for suctioning the skin against the working surface and for removing abraded skin; wherein the abrading structure defines a plurality of sharp apices and is carried about a plurality of grooves in the working surface; and at least one media inflow port in the working surface for delivering a flowable media to the skin during treatment.

16. A system for treating the skin surface of a patient, comprising: an instrument body with a distal working surface that carries an abrading structure for engaging and abrading the skin; an interior channel in the instrument body extending between a first end and a distal open termination in the working surface; a vacuum source coupled to said first end of the interior channel for suctioning the skin against the working surface and for removing abraded skin; wherein the abrading structure defines a plurality of sharp apices and is carried about a plurality of grooves in the working surface; and at least one media inflow port in the working surface that communicates with a fluid media source.

17. A system for treating the skin surface of a patient, comprising: an instrument body with a distal working surface that carries an abrading structure for engaging and abrading the skin; an interior channel in the instrument body extending between a first end and a distal open termination in the working surface; a vacuum source coupled to said first end of the interior channel for suctioning the skin against the working surface and for removing abraded skin; wherein the abrading structure defines a plurality of sharp apices and is carried about a plurality of grooves in the working surface; and at least one media inflow port in the working surface that communicates with a fluid media source wherein the fluid media source carries a fluid agent selected from the class of skin rejuvenation fluid agents carrying a pharmacologically-active agent or an acid for etching the skin surface.

Make Better Decisions: Try a trial or see plans & pricing

Drugs may be covered by multiple patents or regulatory protections. All trademarks and applicant names are the property of their respective owners or licensors. Although great care is taken in the proper and correct provision of this service, thinkBiotech LLC does not accept any responsibility for possible consequences of errors or omissions in the provided data. The data presented herein is for information purposes only. There is no warranty that the data contained herein is error free. thinkBiotech performs no independent verification of facts as provided by public sources nor are attempts made to provide legal or investing advice. Any reliance on data provided herein is done solely at the discretion of the user. Users of this service are advised to seek professional advice and independent confirmation before considering acting on any of the provided information. thinkBiotech LLC reserves the right to amend, extend or withdraw any part or all of the offered service without notice.