# US 6,926,681 B1 · Method and system for performing microabrasion and suction massage > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,926,681 B1 - Document ID: US6926681B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 10/009,932 - Filed: 2000-05-11 - Granted: 2005-08-09 - Earliest claimed: 1999-05-11 - Assignees: Dynatronics Corporation - Inventors: John S. Ramey; Larry K. Beardall; Eric M. Simon; Randall D. Block - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6926681B1 ## CPC - A61H 9/005: {Pneumatic massage} - A61B 17/54: Chiropodists' instruments {, e.g. pedicure} - 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) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Massage device (10) comprising head (12), which 76 defines cavity (8) and an opening to cavity (8). Head (12) has one or more contact surfaces and post (32) connected to head (12). Post (32) is positioned within cavity (8) and extends toward the opening. Post (32) also has one or more contact surfaces. Vacuum source (49) communicating with cavity (8) provides a means for creating negative pressure with cavity (8). Additionally, a method and system for performing abrasion on a surface, such as on the skin 74 of a patient, is disclosed. The dermabrasion apparatus includes means 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. Hand piece (118) is coupled to the abrasive handling device as well as the waste retrieval holding device, which is further coupled to the delivery and retrieval means. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An abrasion and massage apparatus for use on a patient, the apparatus comprising: a vacuum generator; a massage head coupled to the vacuum generator, the massage head in combination with the vacuum generator comprising: means for generating an area of negative pressure along a dermal surface of the patient; and means for applying positive pressure to the patient's skin that is undergoing the negative pressure; and a dermabrasion system comprising: a dermabrasion hand piece coupled to the vacuum generator and configured to deliver an abrasive material; an abrasive material supply device; a receiving channel coupled to the supply device; a feeding chamber coupled to the receiving channel; a delivery channel coupled to the feeding chamber and to the dermabrasion hand piece; and a waste retrieval holding device, coupled to the dermabrasion hand piece, to collect and store the delivered abrasive material and waste debris after treatment. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the abrasive material supply device gravity feeds the abrasive material to the feeding chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the receiving channel extends within the feeding chamber and controls the amount of abrasive material filling the feeding chamber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the feeding chamber comprises a top, a bottom, and generally inwardly sloped walls from the top to the bottom. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the abrasive material supply device comprises generally inwardly sloping walls with an opening at the bottom coupled to the receiving channel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the delivery channel connects to an inverted generally funnel-shaped collector channel used to receive abrasive material within the feeding chamber and to direct the abrasive material to the delivery channel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the waste retrieval holding device comprises a filter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the dermabrasion hand piece comprises a supply aperture and a return aperture. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the dermabrasion hand piece comprises a removable tip that contacts a dermal surface of the patient that is to be abraded. ### Claim 10 A dermal abrasion and massage apparatus comprising: a vacuum generator configured for use in dermal abrasion and massage of a patient, the vacuum generator coupled to: a dermabrasion hand piece of a dermal abrasion system, the dermal abrasion system further comprising: a feeding chamber that has a generally funnel-shaped portion that receives an abrasive material from a source for use in the dermal abrasion; a receiving channel that limits the amount of abrasive material supplied to the feeding chamber; an intake aperture, connected to a base of the feeding chamber to receive means for displacing the abrasive material in a substantially vertical direction; and a delivery channel, placed above the feeding chamber to receive the displaced abrasive, and coupled to the dermabrasion hand piece; and a massage head of a massage system, the massage head defining a cavity and an opening to the cavity, wherein the massage system is configured to create a negative pressure within the cavity, wherein the massage head includes a first contact surface to the patient, and wherein the massage system further includes a post coupled to the massage head and positioned within the cavity, the post being static relative to the massage head during massage and having a second contact surface to the patient. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a generally funnel-shaped supply device, positioned above the feeding chamber and connected to the receiving channel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the apparatus is pneumatically driven. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the funnel-shape of the feeding chamber forms an arc ranging approximately 40 degrees to 90 degrees. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the funnel-shape of the feeding chamber forms an arc of generally 60 degrees. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising an airflow regulator, coupled to the delivery channel, to regulate a flow of the abrasive material during operation. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the delivery channel comprises an inverted funnel-shaped opening within the feeding chamber. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a transition chamber disposed between the source and the feeding chamber. ### Claim 18 A dermabrasion and massage apparatus comprising: a vacuum generator; a massage head defining a cavity and coupled to the vacuum generator, wherein the massage head in combination with the vacuum generator is configured to provide an effleurage-like massage; and dermabrasion system comprising (i) a dermabrasion hand piece coupled to the vacuum generator and configured to deliver an abrasive material, (ii) an abrasive material supply device, (iii) a receiving channel coupled to the supply device, (iv) a feeding chamber coupled to the receiving channel, (v) a delivery channel coupled to the feeding chamber and to the dermabrasion hand piece, and (vi) a waste debris receiving device coupled to the dermabrasion hand piece and to the vacuum generator to collect and store waste debris and the delivered abrasive material after treatment. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The dermabrasion and massage apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the dermabrasion hand piece comprises a body having a first end, a second end, a delivery aperture communicatively coupled to the first end and to the delivery channel, a retrieval aperture communicatively coupled to the first end and to a retrieval channel, and a dermabrasion tip that removably mounts to the first end of the hand piece body. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The dermabrasion and massage apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the delivery channel includes an intake aperture and the retrieval channel includes an outlet aperture, both intake and outlet apertures positioned at the second end of the body with the intake aperture concentric with the delivery channel and the outlet aperture offset from the intake aperture. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The dermabrasion and massage apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the tip is generally dome-shaped. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The dermabrasion and massage apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the delivery channel comprises a hollow tube coupled between the first and second ends of the hand piece body. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The dermabrasion and massage apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the hollow tube is removable. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The dermabrasion and massage apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the hand piece body comprises a middle portion and an end portion removably connected to the middle portion. ### Claim 25 (depends on 20) The dermabrasion and massage apparatus according to claim 20 further comprising a nozzle placed at the first end of the hand piece body adjacent the delivery aperture with an opening through which the abrasive material passes. ### Claim 26 (depends on 20) The dermabrasion and massage apparatus according to claim 20 further comprising a nose tube, concentric with the delivery channel and removably attached to the first end of the hand piece body. ### Claim 27 (depends on 20) The dermabrasion and massage apparatus according to claim 20 further comprising an O-ring mounted on the first end of the body. ### Claim 28 A dermabrasion and massage device, the device comprising: a vacuum generator configured to collect waste debris and to provide a negative pressure that is used in providing a massage; a massage head of a massage system that includes the vacuum generator, the massage head defining a cavity and an opening to the cavity, wherein the massage system is configured to create a negative pressure within the cavity that is used in providing the massage; a dermabrasion hand piece of a dermal abrasion system that includes the vacuum generator, the dermal abrasion system further comprising: a feeding chamber that has a generally funnel-shaped portion that receives an abrasive material from a source for use in the dermal abrasion; a receiving channel that limits the amount of abrasive material supplied to the feeding chamber; an intake aperture, connected to a base of the feeding chamber to receive means for displacing the abrasive material in a substantially vertical direction; a delivery channel, placed above the feeding chamber to receive the displaced abrasive, and coupled to the dermabrasion hand piece; a waste can receiver coupled to the dermabrasion hand piece; a waste canister removably coupled to the waste can receiver at an open end of the waste canister; and a filter disposed between the waste can receiver and the waste canister such that an intake port of the dermabrasion system passes through the filter and the filter prevents waste debris from exiting the waste canister through a return port. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The device according to claim 28 further comprising a filter frame configured to support and retain the filter in position between the waste can receiver and the waste canister and having an aperture through which the intake port passes. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The device according to claim 28 further comprising pliable retention prongs to secure the filter between the waste canister and the waste can receiver to prevent air-bleeding at the filter location. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The device according to claim 29 wherein the filter is removable. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) The device according to claim 29 wherein the waste canister further comprises a removable lid to seal the waste canister upon removal from the waste can receiver. ### Claim 33 (depends on 29) The device according to claim 29 wherein the filter comprises a fabric having pores that prevent the waste debris from passing therethrough. ### Claim 34 An apparatus for selectively performing dermabrasion or massaging, comprising: a vacuum generator; a massage device, coupled to and operable by the vacuum generator, comprising: a massage head; and a handle, coupled to the massage head; and a dermabrasion device, coupled to and operable by the vacuum generator, comprising: a dermabrasion hand piece for delivery and retrieval of an abrasive material; an abrasive material source device; a dermabrasive handling device, coupled to the source device and to the hand piece; and a waste debris receiving device, coupled to the hand piece, to collect and store waste debris and the delivered abrasive material after treatment. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The apparatus according to claim 34 wherein the dermabrasive handling device gravity feeds the abrasive material to a feeding chamber. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The apparatus according to claim 35 wherein a receiving channel extends within the feeding chamber a sufficient distance to control an amount of abrasive material entering the feeding chamber. ### Claim 37 (depends on 35) The apparatus according to claim 35 wherein feeding chamber comprises a generally funnel shaped chamber in which the abrasive material is lofted during operation. ### Claim 38 (depends on 35) The apparatus according to claim 35 wherein a delivery channel connects to an inverted generally funnel-shaped collector channel to receive the abrasive material within the feeding chamber and direct it to the delivery channel. ### Claim 39 (depends on 34) The apparatus claimed in claim 34 wherein the massage head comprises one or more substantially flat contact surfaces to enable the massage device to deliver an effleurage-like massage. ### Claim 40 (depends on 34) The apparatus as claimed in claim 34 wherein the massage head comprises a rim that has a substantially flat contact surface and enables a substantially air tight seal. ### Claim 41 A method for treating a skin surface comprising: actuating a vacuum generator to selectively operate (i) a massage system, and (ii) a dermabrasion system; using the vacuum generator in combination with the massage system to deliver a deep tissue massage on a patient across a section of the patient's skin; and using the vacuum generator in combination with the dermabrasion system to deliver a dermabrasion treatment across the section of the patient's skin. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The method for treating a skin surface according to claim 41 wherein the delivery of the deep tissue massage comprises: using the vacuum generator in combination with a massage head to generate an area of negative pressure on the patient's skin surface, the area of negative pressure defined by a perimeter of positive pressure; and applying a second positive pressure radially interior to the perimeter. ### Claim 43 (depends on 41) The method for treating a skin surface according to claim 41 wherein the delivery of the dermabrasion treatment comprises: drawing abrasive material from the dermabrasion system to abrade the skin surface; and using negative pressure from the vacuum generator to collect the drawn abrasive material and abraded skin debris to a refuse container.