# US 6,582,442 B2 · Method and system for performing microabrasion > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,582,442 B2 - Document ID: US6582442B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 09/514,531 - Filed: 2000-02-28 - Published: 2002-11-14 - Granted: 2003-06-24 - Earliest claimed: 2000-02-28 - Assignees: Dynatronics Corporation - Inventors: Eric M. Simon; Randall D. Block - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6582442B2 ## CPC - A61H 9/005: {Pneumatic massage} - A61H 2009/0014: {with particles, e.g. sand} - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) ## Abstract A method and system for performing abrasion on a surface, such as on the skin of a patient, is disclosed. The dermabrasion apparatus includes apparatus for delivering and retrieving material to and from a selected site to be abraded, a delivery and retrieval hand piece, an abrasive handling device, and a waste retrieval holding device. The hand piece is coupled to the abrasive handling device as well as the waste retrieval holding device, which is further coupled to the delivery and retrieval apparatus. The abrasive handling device further includes an abrasive supply device, a receiving channel, a feeding chamber, and a delivery channel. The abrasive supply device typically is a canister fitted with a funnel-shaped spout that is inverted into the receiving channel. The receiving channel feeds abrasive to the feeding chamber. The delivery and retrieval apparatus, typically a vacuum source that generates a pneumatic air supply within the abrasion apparatus, causes the abrasive within the feeding chamber to loft in an arc such that it reaches the delivery channel. The delivery channel then leads to the hand piece, which is utilized to apply the abrasive to the surface and then retrieve the waste debris during the procedure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An abrasive handling device for use in an abrasion apparatus, comprising: a feeding chamber that has generally funnel-shaped portion that receives an abrasive; a receiving channel that limits the amount of abrasive supplied to the feeding chamber; an intake aperture, connected to a base of the feeding chamber to receive means for displacing the abrasive in a substantially vertical direction; and a delivery channel, placed above the feeding chamber to receive the displaced abrasive. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1 further comprising a generally funnel-shaped supply device, positioned above the feeding chamber and connected to the receiving channel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device according to claim 2 further comprising an abrading material holding container removably fitted with a funnel that fits within the supply device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1 wherein the device is pneumatically driven. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1 wherein the funnel-shape of the lofting chamber forms an arc ranging approximately 40 degrees to 90 degrees. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1 wherein the funnel-shape of the feeding chamber forms an arc of generally 60 degrees. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The device according to claim 4 further comprising an airflow regulator, coupled to the delivery channel, to regulate the flow abrasive during operation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1 wherein the delivery channel comprises an inverted funnel-shaped opening within the feeding chamber. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1 further comprising a transition chamber disposed between the supply device and the feeding chamber. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving channel extends within the feeding chamber a sufficient distance to control the amount of abrasive filling the feeding chamber. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, further comprising: a hand piece coupled to the abrasive handling device; and a waste retrieval holding device, coupled to the hand piece, to collect and store the abrasive and waste debris after treatment. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device according to claim 11, wherein the waste retrieval holding device comprises a filter. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device according to claim 12, wherein the filter comprises a fabric having pores sufficiently small to prevent the abrasive and collected waste from passing therethrough. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The device according to claim 12, wherein the filter is removable. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The device according to claim 12, wherein the waste retrieval holding device further comprises: a waste can receiver having an intake port and a return port; and a waste canister removably coupled to the waste can receiver at an open end of the waste canister. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The device according to claim 11, wherein the hand piece comprises a supply aperture and a return aperture. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The device according to claim 11, wherein the hand piece comprises a removable tip that has an aperture that contacts the surface to be abraded. ### Claim 18 (depends on 2) The device according to claim 2, wherein the supply device utilizes gravity to feed the abrasive to the feeding chamber. ### Claim 19 (depends on 4) The device according to claim 4, wherein a motor coupled to the abrasive handling device pneumatically drives the device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The device according to claim 19, wherein the motor generates a vacuum for drawing the abrasive through the device. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The abrasive handling device according to claim 20, further comprising: a delivery and retrieval hand piece coupled to the abrasive handing device; a waste debris receiving device, coupled to the hand piece, to collect and store waste debris and the dermabrasive after treatment; and a massage device coupled to and operable by the motor, comprising: a head having a concave inner wall and a rim, the concave wall defining an orifice communicating with a vacuum source and the rim having a substantially flat contact surface, the concave wall and rim defining a cavity and an opening to the cavity, the cavity being substantially semi-spherical; a post extending from the concave inner wall toward the opening, the post being slightly recessed within the cavity and having a substantially flat contact surface, the post being substantially vertically cylindrical; and a handle defining an internal conduit, the conduit having a first open end and a second open end, the conduit communicating with the orifice at the first open end and communicating with the vacuum source at the second open end.