# US 9,517,085 B2 · Skin treatment system and method of use

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- Number: US 9,517,085 B2
- Document ID: US9517085B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/276,911
- Filed: 2014-05-13
- Published: 2015-07-23
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2001-11-21
- Assignees: Envy Medical, Inc.
- Applicants: Kenneth B. Karasiuk
- Inventors: Kenneth B. Karasiuk
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517085B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/54: Chiropodists' instruments {, e.g. pedicure}
- A61B 17/32: Surgical cutting instruments ({A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467;} implements for ligaturing and cutting {A61B17/122, A61B17/12; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133})
- B24C 3/065: {with suction means for the abrasive and the waste material}
- B24C 7/0046: {the abrasive material being fed in a gaseous carrier}
- A61B 17/545: {using a stream or spray of abrasive particles}
- A61B 2017/00761: {Removing layer of skin tissue, e.g. wrinkles, scars or cancerous tissue}
- A61B 2017/320004: {abrasive}
- A61B 2217/005: with suction drainage system
- A61B 2217/007: with irrigation system
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- B24C: ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL

## Abstract

A device, a system employing the device, and method of performing skin treatment are provided for skin treatment. The device includes a vacuum head base defining a chamber therein and having a substantially smooth treatment tip attached and extending from an end thereof or integral therewith. The tip has at least one central opening that is open to the chamber, and is adapted to contact the skin and traverse the skin in a substantially nonabrasive manner. A vacuum access opening is provided through a side wall of the vacuum head base and adapted to connect with a source of vacuum. A tissue stop member is located within the chamber. It may have an abrasive surface for exfoliating skin cells, or a smooth surface for traversing the skin without substantial abrasion.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method comprising:
applying a treatment tip to a skin surface, wherein the treatment tip is coupled to a distal end of a handle;
at the treatment tip, providing at least one opening at a tip surface, and in a recessed region, away the tip surface, providing an abrasive surface;
before providing a suction through the at least one opening of the treatment tip, separating the skin surface from the tip surface by a recessed distance existing between the surface and abrasive surface;
after providing a suction through the at least one opening of the treatment tip to establish a region of the suction in the recessed region, wherein the recessed region at least partially surrounds an abrasive surface, and the abrasive surface is coupled to the distal end, drawing a portion of the skin surface into contact with the abrasive surface using the suction;
providing a fluid to the skin surface drawn into the recessed region of the treatment tip, wherein the fluid passes from a proximal end of the handle to the distal end; and
moving the treatment tip over the skin surface.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising removing and replacing the treatment tip with another treatment tip comprising a smooth surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid comprises a hydroquinone.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid comprises 2-hydroxymethyl-5-hydroxy-γ-pyrone.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid comprises vitamin K.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid comprises a 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone derivative.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid comprises magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid comprises hydrocortisone in an aqueous base.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid comprises tyrosinase inhibitors.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid comprises a bleaching formulation.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment tip comprises a first length L1 and the method further comprises:
replacing the treatment tip of length L1 with another treatment tip comprising a second length L2, wherein L2 is a different length than L1, and a length of the treatment tip limits an amount of the skin surface that is drawn toward the at least one opening of the treatment tip.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment tip comprises a first length L1 and the method further comprises:
replacing the treatment tip of length L1 with another treatment tip comprising an abrasive surface and a second length L2, wherein L2 is a different length than L1, and a length of the treatment tip limits an amount of the skin surface that is drawn toward the at least one opening of the treatment tip.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the drawing a portion of the skin surface into contact with the abrasive surface using the suction comprises:
causing the skin surface to elevate with respect to surrounding skin.

### Claim 14

A method comprising:
applying a treatment tip to a skin surface, wherein the treatment tip is coupled to a distal end of a handle;
at the treatment tip, providing at least a first opening at a tip surface, and in a recessed region, away the tip surface, providing an abrasive surface;
when not providing a suction through the at least one opening of the treatment tip, separating the skin surface from the tip surface by a recessed distance existing between the surface and abrasive surface;
when providing a suction through the at least one opening of the treatment tip, establishing a region of suction in the recessed region of the treatment tip, wherein the region at least partially surrounds an abrasive surface within the recessed region;
using the suction, drawing a portion of the skin surface across the recessed distance into contact with the abrasive surface, wherein the portion of the skin surface drawn into contact with the abrasive surface becomes stretched by the suction relative to surrounding skin outside the first opening of the tip surface;
providing a fluid to the skin surface stretched by the suction inside the recessed region of the tip, wherein the fluid flows from a second opening in the recessed region of the tip across the abrasive surface and to the skin surface; and
while suction and fluid are being applied, moving the treatment tip with abrasive surface over the skin surface.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 wherein the treatment tip comprises a first length L1 and the method further comprises:
replacing the treatment tip of length L1 with another treatment tip comprising a second length L2, wherein L2 is a different length than L1, and a length of the treatment tip limits an amount of the skin surface that is drawn toward the at least one opening of the treatment tip.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 further comprising removing and replacing the treatment tip with another treatment tip comprising a smooth surface.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 wherein the fluid comprises a hydroquinone.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 wherein the fluid comprises 2-hydroxymethyl-5-hydroxy-γ-pyrone.

### Claim 19 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 wherein the fluid comprises a 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone derivative.

### Claim 20 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 wherein the fluid comprises hydrocortisone in an aqueous base.