Tissue abrasives

#The present invention relates generally to biological tissue abrasives and, more specifically, to the use of bioactive materials, such as bioactive glass, bioactive ceramics, bioinert glass, and bioinert ceramics, for abrading tissue such as skin.

#A number of abrasive materials and methods are used to abrade, scrape, cleanse, massage, or buff the skin, scalp, fingernails, toenails, teeth, tongue or other body surfaces or body cavities of animals, and in particular, mammals such as humans.

#Dermabrasion equipment is typically used to mechanically remove outer layers of skin to provide a fresh skin surface. One type of dermabrasion equipment is similar to a wire brush attached to an electric drill. One example of the more popular types is an apparatus that applies a stream of abrasive particles to skin under selectable pressure while simultaneously vacuuming the particles and flakes of skin debris into a waste container. This later type of dermabrasion equipment can simply remove the stratum corneum or penetrate deeply enough to remove the upper layers of the dermis. The process of applying abrasives can be repeated several times to achieve the desired effects.

#Bioactive materials, such as bioactive glass and bioactive ceramics, are non-toxic inorganic materials that can provide certain biological properties. Bioactive glasses and bioactive ceramics, according to particular embodiments of the present invention, are generally mineral oxides fused at high temperatures and milled into particles such that they release ions that react with a mammal's body. In exemplary embodiments these bioactive glasses and ceramics are materials that combine silicon, sodium, calcium and phosphorous oxides in various combinations.

#As used herein, the term “bioactive” refers to substances having properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-irritant and anti-oxidant effects as well as the acceleration and improvement of wound healing. In addition, “bioactive” refers to the mineral-building effects produced by the formation of hydroxyapatite on a surface.

#As used herein, the term “bioactive glass” may refer to particulate melt-derived and/or sol-gel derived bioactive glass. In addition, the term “bioactive glass” may be used to refer to an aqueous extract of particulate melt-derived and/or sol-gel derived bioactive glass. Silicon-based bioactive glasses are amorphous, non-crystalline materials.