1. CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThe instant non-provisional patent application is a divisional patent application of non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 11/432,244, filed on May 11, 2006, for a CRYOGENIC APPLICATOR FOR REJUVENATING SKIN AND A METHOD FOR USING THE APPLICATOR, which claims priority from provisional patent application 60/757,102 filed on Jan. 6, 2006, entitled CRYOGENIC APPLICATOR AND RELATED SKIN TREATMENT, and which both are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA. Field of the Invention
An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for rejuvenating and tightening human skin, and more particularly, to a method for rejuvenating and tightening human skin utilizing a cryogenic applicator.
B. Description of the Prior Art
Liquid nitrogen, and/or other biocompatible non-toxic cryogenic liquids, all herein sometimes referred to as “cryogenic liquids” is frequently used at offices of physicians in removal of warts, lesions, sun damage, and/or the like from a person's skin. For example, a method used for removing a wart is to apply liquid nitrogen thereto for a substantial length of time, usually a matter of seconds. The liquid nitrogen has a boiling temperature of approximately −335° F.
Although liquid nitrogen is here mentioned, it will be understood that other suitable biocompatible non-toxic cryogenic liquids could be substituted therefor, and the very cold temperature used in the treatment could be different and might vary. In treating the wart, the nitrogen “burns” by freezing the wart.
Numerous innovations for skin rejuvenation have been provided in the prior art, which will described below in chronological order to show advancement in the art, and which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Even though each of these innovations may be suitable for a specific purpose to which it is addressed, the innovations all differ in structure and/or technique and/or objective from that of the present invention, in that they do not teach a method for rejuvenating and tightening human skin utilizing a cryogenic applicator.
(1) U.S. Pat. No. 4,074,717 to Schulze et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,074,717 issued to Schulze et al. on Feb. 21, 1978 teaches a cryogenic probe, its method of charging, and its method of use. The probe includes a barrel having a plunger mechanism movably mounted therein and a valve on the lower end thereof. The valve normally closes the lower end of the barrel, but the plunger is movable relative to the barrel to permit a cryogenic liquid, such as liquid nitrogen, to by-pass the valve and move upwardly into the interior of the barrel. The valve has a tip portion at the lower end thereof. The barrel is removably positioned in a guard, so that the tip portion extends outwardly through the bottom of the guard, whereby the upper end of the plunger is exposed above the guard. The tip portion has a lower end portion that is extremely thin, so that the cryogenic liquid will be positioned closely adjacent the skin, but not in actual contact therewith when the tip portion is placed into contact with the patient's skin.
(2) U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,745 to McDow.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,745 issued to McDow on Jul. 19, 1994 teaches a method for cryogenically treating a skin lesion employing a hollow fluid retaining device for retaining cryogenic refrigerant in a liquid pool, and then contacting the area of the skin lesion at a temperature and for a time, so that permanent, irreversible rupture of the cellular membrane of the lesion cells occurs.
(3) U.S. Pat. No. 6,350,276 to Knowlton.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,350,276 issued to Knowlton on Feb. 26, 2002 teaches a fluid delivery apparatus for introducing a fluid cooling media to a skin surface, including a template with a skin interface surface. An energy delivery device is coupled to the template. A fluid cooling media introduction member is coupled to the template. Resources controllably deliver energy from the energy delivery device to the skin surface. In a related embodiment, the resources are configured to controllably deliver the flowable cooling media to the introduction member. In another embodiment, a sensor is coupled to the resources and to the skin surface.
(4) U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,693 to Weber et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,693 issued to Weber et al. on Apr. 27, 2004 teaches tissue resurfacing accomplished by propelling biocompatible, non-toxic materials at the tissue with sufficient velocity to cause destruction or loosening of tissues to a desired depth. The biocompatible materials are generated by abrading a solid frozen unit and propelling the abraded material onto the surface of the skin or tissue to be treated. A vacuum line near the delivery tip is used to remove excess materials or reaction by-products building up on the surface of the skin. The treatment system generally includes a control unit, a handheld particle generator, and a cable connecting the control unit to the particle generator. The control unit includes user controls to select particle temperature, particle flux, particle velocity, and vacuum. The handheld particle generator contains a mechanism to push the frozen biocompatible material against a rotating grinding wheel producing the small particles being propelled against tissue being treated.
(5) U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,624 to Knowlton.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,624 issued to Knowlton on Jun. 15, 2004 teaches a fluid delivery apparatus for introducing a fluid cooling media to a skin surface, which includes a template with a skin interface surface. An energy delivery device is coupled to the template. A fluid cooling media introduction member is coupled to the template. Resources controllably deliver energy from the energy delivery device to the skin surface. In a related embodiment, the resources are configured to controllably deliver the flowable cooling media to the introduction member. In another embodiment, a sensor is coupled to the resources and to the skin surface.
(6) U.S. Pat. No. 6,764,493 to Weber et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,764,493 issued to Weber et al. on Jul. 20, 2004 teaches biocompatible materials propelled at the skin with sufficient velocity to cause desired resurfacing of tissue to the desired penetration depth. The materials, such as dry ice or water ice, are harmonious with the human body and thus eliminate foreign body reactions. Various materials are used in combination, which include local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors in solid or liquid form. The biocompatible solid or liquid particles are suspended in a cold carrier fluid, and are propelled through an insulated delivery system to the surface of the skin. The treatment of diseased skin lesions is accomplished by its use as a drug delivery system.
It is apparent that numerous innovations for skin treatments have been provided in the prior art. Even though these innovations each may be suitable for a specific purpose to which it is addressed, the innovations would not be suitable, either individually or collectively, for the purposes of an embodiment of the present invention as hereafter described, namely, a method for rejuvenating and tightening human skin utilizing a cryogenic applicator.
3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThus, an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a method for rejuvenating and tightening human skin utilizing a cryogenic applicator, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
Briefly stated, another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a method for tightening and rejuvenating skin utilizing a cryogenic applicator, which includes the steps of holding a handle of a barrel of the cryogenic applicator in a hand, fluidly communicating the barrel with a source of a biocompatible non-toxic cryogenic fluid to supply the biocompatible non-toxic cryogenic fluid through a hollow interior of the barrel, out through a plurality of openings in a distal portion of the barrel, and onto a head of the cryogenic applicator, rolling the head quickly, smoothly, and evenly over the skin being treated for a period of time in an order of hundredths or tenths of a second, and sparging the biocompatible non-toxic cryogenic fluid onto the skin quickly, evenly, and smoothly when the head is rolled on the skin, and thereby tightening and rejuvenating the skin.
The novel features considered characteristic of an embodiment of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. An embodiment of the present invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of an embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying figures of the drawing.
4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGThe figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the cryogenic applicator utilized by an embodiment of the method of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the cryogenic applicator utilized by an embodiment of the method of the present invention identified byARROW2 inFIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE3-3 inFIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified byARROW4 inFIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified byARROW5 inFIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified byARROW6 inFIG. 3; and
FIGS. 7A-7B are a flowchart of the method of an embodiment of the present invention.
5. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGA. General.- 10 cryogenic applicator utilized by method of embodiment of present invention for rejuvenating and tighteninghuman skin12
- 12 human skin
B. Overall Configuration ofCryogenic Applicator10.- 14 barrel
- 15 flow-control dial ofbarrel14 for controlling flow of biocompatible non-toxiccryogenic fluid20
- 16 head
- 18 cryogenic interface for fluidly connectingbarrel14 to source22 of biocompatible non-toxic cryogenic fluid20 to supplycryogenic fluid20 throughbarrel14 to head16 that in turn sparges biocompatible non-toxic cryogenic fluid20 ontoskin12 quickly, evenly, and smoothly whenhead16 is rolled onskin12, and thereby tightening and rejuvenatingskin12
- 20 biocompatible non-toxic cryogenic fluid
- 22 source of biocompatible non-toxiccryogenic fluid20
C. Specific Configuration ofBarrel14,Head16, andCryogenic Interface18.- 23 hollow interior ofbarrel14 for directing biocompatible non-toxic cryogenic liquid20 tohead16.
- 24 proximal portion ofbarrel14
- 26 distal portion ofbarrel14
- 28 handle ofproximal portion24 ofbarrel14 for being hand-held
- 30 plurality of openings indistal portion26 ofbarrel14
- 32 circumferential groove inbarrel14
- 34 end ofdistal portion26 ofbarrel14
- 36 tit ofend34 ofdistal portion26 ofbarrel14
- 38 flexible tube ofcryogenic interface18 for fluidly communicating withsource22 ofcryogenic fluid20 to supplycryogenic fluid20 throughhollow interior23 ofbarrel14, out through plurality ofopenings30 indistal portion26 ofbarrel14, and ontohead16 that in turn spargescryogenic fluid20 ontoskin12 quickly, evenly, and smoothly whenhead16 is rolled onskin12, and thereby tightening and rejuvenating theskin12
- 39 valve for regulating flow of cryogenic fluid
- 40 drum ofhead16
- 42 web ofhead16
- 44 mesh of drum40 ofhead16
- 46 soft porous material of web42 ofhead16 for contactingskin12 in rolling action
- 48 proximal end of mesh44 of drum40 ofhead16
- 50 distal end of mesh44 of drum40 ofhead16
- 52 circumferential ring ofproximal end48 of mesh44 of drum40 ofhead16
- 54 opening indistal end50 of mesh44 of drum40 ofhead16
6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENTA. General.Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly toFIG. 1, a diagrammatic perspective view of the cryogenic applicator utilized by an embodiment of the method of the present invention, the cryogenic applicator utilized by the method of an embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at10 for rejuvenating and tighteninghuman skin12.
B. Overall Configuration of theCryogenic Applicator10.The overall configuration of thecryogenic applicator10 can best be seen inFIG. 2, which is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the cryogenic applicator utilized by an embodiment of the method of the present invention identified byARROW2 inFIG. 1, and as such, will be discussed in conjunction therewith.
Thecryogenic applicator10 comprises abarrel14, ahead16, and acryogenic interface18.
Thebarrel14 is hand-held, and is provided with a flow-control dial15.
Thehead16 is rotatably mounted to thebarrel14.
Thecryogenic interface18 is for fluidly connecting thebarrel14 to asource22 of a biocompatible non-toxic cryogenic fluid20 to supply thecryogenic fluid20 through thebarrel14 to thehead16 that in turn sparges the biocompatible non-toxic cryogenic fluid20 onto theskin12 quickly, evenly, and smoothly when thehead16 is rolled on theskin12, and thereby tightening and rejuvenating theskin12.
Thevalve39, or similar apparatus for controlling flow of the cryogenic liquid can be arranged, as is well known in the art, at thesource22, in theinterface18, or at thebarrel14. Thevalve39, or similar apparatus, is controllable by the operator by way of thedial15 using ways also well known in the art.
Thecryogenic applicator10 provides a simple, effective way for wrinkle, lesion, and discoloration reduction or elimination thereof from theskin12. Applicant achieves tightening and rejuvenation of theskin12 by using a quick, smooth, and even application of thecryogenic fluid20, e.g., liquid nitrogen or other suitable biocompatible non-toxic cryogenic liquid, over one or more substantial surfaced areas of a person'sskin12.
Typically, the areas of theskin12 treated include the forehead, the temples, the nose, the cheeks, around the eyes, the cheeks, the chin, the neck, the backs of the hands, and/or other suitable areas for a dramatically shorter time period, typically in the order of hundredths or tenths of a second, so that thecryogenic liquid20 quickly evaporates, wrinkles, lesions, and discolorations are reduced or eliminated, and theskin12 is tightened and rejuvenated.
These things happen while the person experiences mild exhilaration. The treatment is painless, eliminating a need for local anesthetic, in fact it is a pleasurable experience. It affects only the epidermal layer(s) of theskin12 because thecryogenic liquid12 is applied at its boiling temperature for a very short length of time, so that damage to the epidermal layer does not occur.
With proper operation of thecryogenic applicator10, heat of theskin12 very quickly evaporates thecryogenic liquid20 in at the most one to two seconds to treat wrinkles, blemishes, and/or discolorations without adversely affecting theskin12. Waste of the biocompatible non-toxiccryogenic liquid20 is avoided eliminating a need for expensive facilities for storage thereof. Thecryogenic applicator10 is economical to manufacture, reliable, durable, easy and safe to use, refined in appearance, easy to clean, and easy to maintain.
C. Specific Configuration of theBarrel14, theHead16, and theCryogenic Interface18.The specific configuration of thebarrel14, thehead16, and thecryogenic interface18 can best be seen inFIGS. 3-6, which are, respectively, an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE3-3 inFIG. 2, an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified byARROW4 inFIG. 3, an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified byARROW5 inFIG. 3, and an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified byARROW6 inFIG. 3, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.
Thebarrel14 is slender, elongated, and has ahollow interior23, aproximal portion24, and adistal portion26.
Thehollow interior23 of thebarrel14 is for directing the biocompatible non-toxic cryogenic liquid20 to thehead16.
Theproximal portion24 of thebarrel14 functions as ahandle28 for being hand-held.
Thedistal portion26 of thebarrel14 has a plurality ofopenings30 extending radially therethrough, spaced axially therealong, and communicating with thehollow interior23 of thebarrel14 for passing the biocompatible non-toxic cryogenic liquid20 to thehead16.
The source of thecryogenic fluid20 could be arranged optionally in thebarrel14. By this expedient, the interface (supply tube)18 could be eliminated. Thebarrel14 could be thinner and ergonomically shaped, being thinner or wider in its middle. Thebarrel14 should heft like a knife handle.
As shown inFIG. 4, thebarrel14 further has acircumferential groove32 extending completely therearound and being located where theproximal portion24 of thebarrel14 meets thedistal portion26 of thebarrel14.
As shown inFIG. 5, thedistal portion26 of thebarrel14 terminates in anend34. Theend34 of thedistal portion26 of thebarrel14 is closed, and has atit36 extending axially outwardly therefrom.
Returning now toFIG. 3, thecryogenic interface18 is a flexible tube38 fluidly communicating with theproximal portion24 of thebarrel14 and for fluidly communicating with thesource22 of thecryogenic fluid20 to supply thecryogenic fluid20 through thehollow interior23 of thebarrel14, out through the plurality ofopenings30 in thedistal portion26 of thebarrel14, and onto the head16 (FIG. 6) that in turn sparges thecryogenic fluid20 onto theskin12 quickly, evenly, and smoothly when thehead16 is rolled on theskin12, and thereby tightening and rejuvenating theskin12.
As shown inFIG. 6, thehead16 comprises a drum40 and a web42.
The drum40 of thehead16 is open surfaced, such as a mesh44, and is generally cylindrically-shaped and rotatably mounted to thedistal portion26 of thebarrel14.
The web42 of thehead16 is a soft porous material46, such as cotton or fabric, woven or non-woven, overlying the mesh44 of the drum40 of thehead16 and affixed thereto for contacting theskin12 in a rolling action. The mesh44 can be replaceably disposable like a sock.
The mesh44 of the drum40 of thehead16 provides support for the soft porous material46 of the web42 of thehead16, while allowing thecryogenic fluid20 passing through the plurality ofopenings30 in thedistal portion26 of thebarrel14 to pass therethrough and into the soft porous material46 of the web42 of thehead16 that in turn sparges thecryogenic fluid20 onto theskin12 quickly, evenly, and smoothly when thehead16 is rolled on theskin12, and thereby tightening and rejuvenating theskin12.
The mesh44 of the drum40 of thehead16 has a proximal end48 (FIG. 4) and a distal end50 (FIG. 5).
As shown inFIG. 4, theproximal end48 of the mesh44 of the drum40 of thehead16 is formed into acircumferential ring52 rotatably engaging in thecircumferential groove32 in thebarrel14, and as shown inFIG. 5, thedistal end50 of the mesh44 of the drum40 of thehead16 has anopening54 therein rotatably receiving thetit36 on theend34 of thedistal portion26 of thebarrel14 for journaling and allowing thehead16 to rotate axially relative to thebarrel14.
It is to be understood that the positioning of theopening54 and thetit36 can be reversed without departing from the spirit of an embodiment of the present invention.
D. Method for Tightening and Rejuvenating theSkin12 Utilizing theCryogenic Applicator10.The method for tightening and rejuvenating theskin12 utilizing thecryogenic applicator10 can best be seenFIGS. 7A-7B, which are a flowchart of the method of an embodiment of the present invention, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.
- STEP1: Hold thehandle28 of thebarrel14 in a hand. Thedial15 controls flow of thecryogenic fluid20 using thevalve39.
- STEP2: Fluidly communicate thebarrel14 with thesource22 of thecryogenic fluid20 to supply thecryogenic fluid20 through the interior23 of thebarrel14, out through the plurality ofopenings30 in thedistal portion26 of thebarrel14, and onto thehead16. Control flow of the cryogenic material (if necessary) by way of thedial15.
- STEP3: Roll thehead16 quickly, smoothly, and evenly over theskin12 being treated for a period of time of a different magnitude from typical procedures, such as “burning” of warts, more in the order of hundredths or tenths of a second.
- STEP4: Sparge the biocompatible non-toxic cryogenic fluid20 onto theskin12 quickly, evenly, and smoothly when thehead16 is rolled on theskin12, and thereby tightening and rejuvenate theskin12.
The person experiences a mild tingling and exhilarating feeling. Wrinkles, blemishes, and discolorations are reduced or eliminated. Theskin12 is stimulated and rejuvenated. The old look younger, the young look better, all look happier, theirskin12 looks refreshed, and they feel buoyant. So their usual reaction is to rejoice.
It is to be understood that some other biocompatible non-toxiccryogenic fluid20 could be used in place of the liquid nitrogen, and the form of thehandle28 of theproximal portion24 of thebarrel14 could be modified. Connection with thesupply22 of thecryogenic fluid20 and itscontrol15 andvalve39 could take different forms. Methods of connecting thehead16 mechanically to thebarrel14 for axial rotation thereabout may vary. The materials of thebarrel14 and thehead16 could be either metal, plastic, or some combination thereof, and the cotton of the soft porous material46 might be replaced typically by a non-woven fabric or any other suitable soft porous material.
E. Impression.It will be understood that each of the elements described above or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.
Although an embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a method for tightening and rejuvenating skin utilizing a cryogenic applicator, however, it is not limited to the details shown because it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of an embodiment of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of an embodiment of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.