Devices And Methods For Treating Skin
Patent No. US11446477 (titled "Devices And Methods For Treating Skin") was filed by Us Bank Trust Company Na on Jul 19, 2019.
What is this patent about?
’477 is related to the field of skin treatment, specifically apparatuses and methods for improving a person's skin condition. Traditional methods like dermabrasion and microdermabrasion abrade the skin's outer layer to promote regeneration, but can be painful, messy, and may not effectively deliver moisturizing elements deep into the skin. The patent addresses these shortcomings by providing a system for controlled abrasion and simultaneous fluid delivery.
The underlying idea behind ’477 is to combine mechanical exfoliation with targeted fluid delivery in a single handpiece. This is achieved by using a handpiece with a specialized tip that both removes skin cells and applies treatment fluids directly to the underlying skin. A manifold system allows for the selection and delivery of different treatment fluids, enhancing the versatility of the skin treatment.
The claims of ’477 focus on a skin treatment system comprising a manifold system connected to multiple containers of treatment material, a handpiece assembly with a skin contact surface, a vacuum source for waste removal, and a supply conduit for delivering treatment material to the handpiece. The system is designed to use the vacuum to both remove waste and assist in transferring treatment material to the handpiece.
In practice, the system works by selecting a treatment fluid from one or more containers via the manifold system. This fluid is then pumped through the supply conduit to the handpiece. As the handpiece is moved across the skin, the tip exfoliates the surface while simultaneously delivering the treatment fluid. The vacuum source removes waste material, including exfoliated skin and used fluid, ensuring a clean treatment area. The user can control the flow of treatment material to customize the procedure.
’477 differentiates itself from prior art by integrating fluid delivery with mechanical exfoliation and waste removal in a single, controlled system. Unlike traditional microdermabrasion, which can dry out the skin, this system allows for simultaneous hydration and treatment. The manifold system also provides flexibility by allowing the user to select from multiple treatment fluids, tailoring the treatment to the specific needs of the patient. The use of a vacuum to assist in fluid delivery is also a novel approach.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the mid-2000s when ’477 was filed, systems commonly relied on localized treatment and suction for microdermabrasion at a time when moisturizing elements only worked as deep as the active ingredients can passively migrate through the remaining epidermis. At this time, hardware or software constraints made it non-trivial to control fluid flow from a plurality of containers to one or more handpieces.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner allowed the claims because the non-statutory double patenting rejections were overcome by the timely filing of a terminal disclaimer. The reasons for allowance over the prior art were included in a previous Office Action.
Claims
This patent contains 20 claims, with claims 1, 9, and 15 being independent. The independent claims are directed to skin treatment systems that include a manifold system, multiple containers for treatment materials, a handpiece assembly, a supply conduit, a vacuum source, and a waste conduit. The dependent claims generally add further details or features to the skin treatment systems described in the independent claims.
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Date
Description
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US11446477
- Application Number
- US16517268
- Filing Date
- Jul 19, 2019
- Status
- Expired
- Expiry Date
- Mar 29, 2026
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents