Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DERMABRASION HAND TOOL FOR ABRASIVELY REMOVING SKIN SURFACE
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a hand tool hereinafter called
"dermabrasion hand tool" for abrasively removing skin surface. More
particularly,
the present invention relates to a dermabrasion hand tool devised so as to
allow a
controlled and stable removal of superficial skin surface by the projection of
a fine
abrasive stream onto the skin surface to be removed, said fine abrasive stream
being projected and retrieved in a rotational pattern and orthogonally to and
from
the skin surface to be removed.
Background of the invention
Devices used for aesthetic applications in the field of skin treatment are
well
known in the art. These devices generally consist of hand tools used for
abrasively
removing layers of human skin in such a way as to ultimately obtain aesthetic
improvements of the skin being treated. Depending on the application and the
desired end result, such superficial skin abrasion may range from a light
abrasion
where the outermost layers of the epidermis are removed, to a much deeper
abrasion where the dermis is involved. Therefore, it would be useful to
provide a
hand tool which enables a controlled and adjustable removal of superficial
skin
surface by the projection of an abrasive stream onto the skin surface to be
removed.
An example of the hand tools known in the art is disclosed in US patent
No. 5,037,432 granted on August 6t", 1991 to Molinari. This patent describes
an
apparatus which is used to remove surface portions of human tissues in an
adjustable manner and essentially comprises a tool provided with a supply tube
along which abrasive reducing substances are conveyed under pressure. A
throughhole in the head disposed along the axis of the tube permits the
substances to abrade the region of tissue facing the hole. A collection tube
in
which is created a depression is provided for the purpose of removing under
suction both the reducing substances and the portions of tissue removed during
the treatment.
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A major problem associated with the above-mentioned device is that the
hand tool is devised to project the abrasive stream onto the skin surface to
be
removed at a tilted angle, which gives rise to an abrasion pattern on the skin
surface in the form of a "half-moon". This is undesirable because, as it is
known in
the art, axisymmetrical abrasion patterns, such as a circular pattern for
example,
enable for a much more uniform and thus improved superficial skin abrasion,
leading ultimately to better aesthetic skin improvements. Another problem
associated with the above-mentioned type of hand tool is that the latter is
generally devised to be operated at an optimal tilted angle with respect to
the skin
surface being worked upon, said tilted angle being generally very difficult
for a
manual operator of the device to keep constantly with respect to the surface
being
worked upon throughout the entire duration of the treatment. This leads to
fluctuations in time of the abrasion patterns on the skin surface being worked
upon
which is also undesirable for obvious reasons known in the art. Therefore, it
would
be useful to provide a hand tool which would enable a more even skin abrasion
pattern than what is possible with the devices known in the prior art, both in
surface geometry and in time.
Also known in the art are hand tools which are devised to project the
abrasive stream orthogonally to the skin surface to be removed. These devices
are generally more practical than the above-discussed hand tools, since they
are
designed to be operated orthogonally to the skin surface worked upon, thereby
simplifying positioning and handling thereof. However, a major problem
associated
with these types of devices is that instead of adequately removing layers of
skin,
because they project the abrasive stream orthogonally to the skin surface to
be
removed, they tend to mark said skin surface being worked upon with deep
cavities, a phenomenon commonly known as "pitting" or "skin stabbing" which is
also undesirable for obvious reasons known in the art. Therefore, it would be
useful to provide a hand tool which enables to project an abrasive stream
orthogonally to the skin surface to be removed without causing "skin stabbing"
thereon.
It is also known in the art that most of the hand tools used for abrasively
removing layers of skin tend to be of elaborate construction, thereby making
them
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quite difficult to assemble, use and/or maintain. Therefore, it would be
useful to
provide a hand tool which is easy to assemble, easy to use, and easy to
maintain.
Also known to the Applicant are the following US patents which describe
other devices used for clinical applications or abrasive purposes: 2,608,032;
2,921,585; 3,085,573; 3,574,239; 3,715,838; 4,560,373; 4,646,480; 4,676,749;
and 4,757,814.
None of the above-mentioned patents seems to disclose or even suggest a
dermabrasion hand tool which can project and retrieve an abrasive stream to
and
from the skin surface to be removed in a rotational pattern and orthogonally
thereto. Furthermore, none of the above-mentioned patents seems to disclose or
even suggest a dermabrasion hand tool which enables a controlled and
adjustable
removal of superficial skin surface by the projection of an abrasive stream
onto the
skin surface to be removed, while providing a substantially even skin abrasion
pattern, both in surface geometry and in time. Moreover, none of the above-
mentioned patents seems to disclose or even suggest a dermabrasion hand too(
which is easy to assemble, easy to use, and easy to maintain.
Summary of the invention
The main objects of the present invention are to provide a dermabrasion
hand tool which satisfies each of the above-mentioned needs.
More particularly, a first object of the invention is to provide a
dermabrasion
hand tool which enables a controlled and adjustable removal of superficial
skin
surface by the projection of an abrasive stream onto the skin surface to be
removed.
A second object of the invention is to provide a dermabrasion hand tool
which enables a more even skin abrasion pattern than what is possible with the
devices known in the prior art, both in surface geometry and in time.
A third object of the invention is to provide a dermabrasion hand tool which
enables to project and retrieve the abrasive stream to and from the skin
surface to
be removed in a rotational pattern and orthogonally thereto.
A fourth object of the invention is to provide a dermabrasion hand tool which
is easy to assemble, easy to use, and easy to maintain.
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In accordance with the invention, the above objects are achieved by a
dermabrasion hand tool for abrasively removing a skin surface by means of an
abrasive stream projected onto the skin surface to be removed, the abrasive
stream after projection onto said skin surface becoming a used abrasive
stream,
said hand tool comprising:
an elongated manipulative body having a longitudinal axis and first and
second opposite ends;
an operative head through which the abrasive stream is projected onto the
skin surface to be removed and through which the removed skin surface and used
abrasive stream are evacuated, said operative head being removably mounted
onto the first end of the manipulative body; and
a supply channel for supplying the abrasive stream to the operative head
from a supply stream source, and an evacuating channel for evacuating the
removed skin surface and used abrasive stream from the operative head to an
evacuating means, both of said channels extending within and along the
manipulative body and each having first and second extremities located
respectively at the first and second ends of the manipulative body;
wherein the operative head comprises:
a projection head for projecting the abrasive stream orthogonally to the skin
surface to be removed;
an evacuation chamber operatively connected to the evacuating channel for
facilitating evacuation of the removed skin surface and used abrasive stream
into
said evacuating channel; and
rotation-inducing means for giving a rotational pattern to the abrasive
stream projected from the operative head.
The invention and its advantages will be better understood by reading the
following non-restrictive description of a preferred embodiment thereof, made
with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief description of the drawings
Figure 1 is a plan view of the dermabrasion hand tool according to a
preferred embodiment of the invention.
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Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal
axis of the hand tool shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the hand tool shown in Figure 1, said hand tool
being shown with no cap.
5 Figure 4 is a schematic view of the hand tool shown in Figure 1 being used
with a dermabrasion system according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention.
Figure 5 is an exploded view of the components of the main filter assembly
shown in Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a plan view of the hand tool shown in Figure 1, said hand tool
being shown with a cross-sectional view of the cap taken along the
longitudinal
axis thereof.
Figure 7 is a plan view of the manipulative body of the hand tool shown in
Figure 1.
Figure 8 is a top plan view of the manipulative body shown in Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along section A-A of the
manipulative body shown in Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along section B-B of the
manipulative body shown in Figure 8.
Figure 11 is a top plan view of the projection head shown in Figure 3.
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along section B-B of the projection
head shown in Figure 11.
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along section A-A of the projection
head shown in Figure 11.
Figure 14 is an enlarged plan view of the tip of the projection head shown in
Figure 12.
Figure 15 is a perspective view of the projection nozzle shown in Figure 12.
Figure 16 is a top plan view of the projection nozzle shown in Figure 14.
Figure 17 is a sectional view of the operative head of the hand tool shown in
Figure 1.
Figure 18 is a front plan view of the dermabrasion hand tool according to
another preferred embodiment of the invention, said hand tool being shown with
no cap.
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Figure 19 is a side view of the hand tool shown in Figure 18.
Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along section A-A of the hand tool
shown in Figure 19.
Figure 21 is an enlarged view of section B of the projection head shown in
Figure 20.
Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention
In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar
elements.
Moreover, although the present invention was primarily intended for
aesthetic and clinical applications in the field of human skin treatment, it
could be
used for other applications with other objects of different fields, as
apparent to a
person skilled in the art. For this reason, expressions such as "human",
"skin",
and/or "abrasive stream" and any other references and/or other expressions
equivalent thereto should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present
invention and include all other objects with which the present application
could be
used. As apparent to a person skilled in the art, the present invention may be
used
for other projection applications, such as surface painting purposes for
example,
where the "abrasive stream" would be "paint particles".
In addition, the expressions "stream" and "powder", as well as any
equivalent expressions andlor compound words thereof, may be used
interchangeably in the context of the present description. The same applies
for
expressions such as "skin" and "surface", "removed" and "exfoliated", and for
any
other mutually equivalent expressions, as apparent to a person skilled in the
art.
The dermabrasion hand tool 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the
invention shown in the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 to 21, is a
dermabrasion hand tool 1, used in conjunction with a dermabrasion system 2,
for
abrasively removing a skin surface 3 by means of an abrasive stream 5
projected
onto the skin surface 3 to be removed. The abrasive stream 5 after projection
onto
the skin surface 3 becomes a "used" abrasive stream 5. The hand tool 1
comprises an elongated manipulative body 7 having a longitudinal axis 9 and
first
and second opposite ends 11, 13. The hand tool 1 also comprises an operative
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head 15 through which the abrasive stream 5 is projected onto the skin surface
3
to be removed and through which the removed skin surface 3 and used abrasive
stream 5 are evacuated. The operative head 15 is preferably removably mounted
onto the first end 11 of the manipulative body 7. The hand tool 1 also
comprises a
supply channel 17 for supplying the abrasive stream 5 to the operative head 15
from a supply stream source 19, and an evacuating channel 21 for evacuating
the
removed skin surface 3 and used abrasive stream 5 from the operative head 15
to
an evacuating means 23. Both channels 17, 21 preferably extend within and
along
the manipulative body 7 and each has first and second extremities 25, 27, 29,
31
located respectively at the first and second ends 11, 13 of the manipulative
body 7. The hand tool 1 is characterized in that the operative head 15
comprises a
projection head 33 for projecting the abrasive stream 5 orthogonally to the
skin
surface 3 to be removed, an evacuation chamber 35 operatively connected to the
evacuating channel 21 for facilitating evacuation of the removed skin surface
3
and used abrasive stream 5 into the evacuating channel 21, and rotation-
inducing
means 37 for giving a rotational pattern to the abrasive stream 5 projected
from
the operative head 15. These rotation-inducing means 37 are devised preferably
also to enable retrieval of the removed skin surface 3 and used abrasive
stream 5
in a rotational pattern from the skin surface 3 being treated, as will be
explained in
greater detail hereinbelow.
As better shown in Figure 4, the supply stream source 19 preferably
comprises a compressor 39 which maintains under pressure air contained within
a
"fresh" powder reservoir 41 filled with clean abrasive powder, the reservoir
41
being operatively connected to the supply channel 17 of the hand tool 1
preferably
by means of a flexible tube 43. The compressor 39 is preferably devised for
appropriately generating compressed air so as to be able to convey clean
abrasive
powder under pressure from the fresh powder reservoir 41 to and along the
supply
channel 17 of the hand tool 1, in order to provide the projection head 33 of
the
hand tool 1 with a clean abrasive stream 5. It is worth mentioning that an
auxiliary
filter 45 may be connected between the compressor 39 and the fresh powder
reservoir 41 so as to filter out unwanted impurities coming from the
compressor
39. Preferably, the compressor 39 comprises a regulator 47 so as to be able to
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control and adjust the output parameters of the compressed air. Preferably
also,
the fresh powder reservoir 41 also comprises a regulator 49 to be used for
controlling and adjusting the output parameters of the clean abrasive stream
5.
As also shown in Figure 4, the evacuating means 23 preferably comprise a
"used" powder reservoir 51 and a vacuum pump 53. It is to be understood that
the
expression "used powder" here designates both the removed skin surface 3 and
the used abrasive stream 5, as well as any other normal operating impurities
of the
system. Preferably, the vacuum pump 53 is operatively connected, via the
evacuating channel 21 and the other components shown, such as a flexible tube
55 for example, to the evacuating chamber 35 of the hand tool 1 for creating
therein a depression, so as to remove under suction both the removed skin
surface 3 and used abrasive stream 5 into the evacuating channel 21, and
ultimately into the used powder reservoir 51. The used powder reservoir 51 is
preferably provided with a filter 57 so as to filter out the impurities, i.e.
removed
skin surface 3, used abrasive stream 5, etc., from the air being sucked into
the
vacuum pump 53. It is worth noting that an auxiliary filter 59 may be
connected
between the used powder reservoir 51 and the vacuum pump 53 so as to further
filter out undesirable impurities. Moreover, the vacuum pump 53 preferably
comprises a regulator 61 so as to control the intensity of the suction effect.
The
above-mentioned components and their regulators 47, 49, 61, as well as the
design of the present invention, as will be further explained hereinbelow,
enable
an operator of the hand tool 1 to carry out abrasions of different extents and
depths of portions of human skin surface 3, thereby allowing a controlled and
adjustable skin abrasion.
It is worth mentioning that other components and/or interconnections
thereinbetween may be used respectively for the supply stream source 19 and
evacuating means 23 of the hand tool 1, as apparent to a person skilled in the
art,
without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the
second extremities 29, 31 of the supply and evacuating channels 17, 21 are
preferably provided with push-in connectors 62, as better shown in Figure 2,
so as
to facilitate connection of the flexible tubes 43, 55 to their corresponding
channels
17, 21. Furthermore, as can be easily understood, adequate substances with
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appropriate dimensions (grain size, etc.) are used for the abrasive powder
(abrasive stream 5), as apparent to a person skilled in the art, depending on
the
applications for which the hand tool 1 is intended. Moreover, as also apparent
to a
person skilled in the art, appropriate materials are selected for the various
components of the hand tool 1, explained in greater detail hereinbelow, given
the
notable abrasion that the abrasive stream 5 may exert on the internal surfaces
of
these components. Indeed, materials such as aluminum are to be avoided, for
reasons well known in the art, because this material may contaminate the
abrasive
stream 5 being projected to the skin surface 3 and in turn contaminate the
blood of
the patients being treated. Therefore, appropriate materials which will not
contaminate the abrasive stream 5, such as polymers and/or stainless steels,
should be used, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. Preferably also,
the
abrasive stream 5 being projected is a homogeneous stream 5.
As better shown in Figures 2 and 3, the projection head 33 preferably
comprises a base 63 removably mounted to the first end 11 of the manipulative
body 7, a tip 65 opposite to the base 63 and through which the abrasive stream
5
is projected, and a feeding channel 67 extending inside the projection head 33
from the base 63 to the tip 65 thereof. The feeding channel 67 preferably has
a
first extremity 69 connected to the first extremity 25 of the supply channel
17 and a
second extremity 71 located adjacent to the tip 65 of the projection head 33
through which the abrasive stream 5 is projected. As can be easily understood,
the
clean abrasive stream 5 is provided from the fresh powder reservoir 41 to the
tip
65 of the projection head 33 via the feeding channel 67 which is operatively
connected to the supply channel 17.
As better shown in Figures 11 to 14, the projection head 33 preferably
further comprises a peripheral outer surface 73 about a portion of which a
spiral-shaped groove 75 extends coaxially. The spiral-shaped groove 75
preferably has a first extremity 77 connected to the first extremity 27 of the
evacuating channel 21 and a second extremity 79 located on the peripheral
outer
surface 73 of the projection head 33 between the base 63 and the tip 65
thereof.
The spiral-shaped groove 75 cooperates with the evacuation chamber 35 and is
used, among other things, to evacuate the removed skin surface 3 and used
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abrasive stream 5 from the evacuation chamber 35 into the evacuating channel
21. As can be easily understood, the removed skin surface 3 and used abrasive
stream 5 are evacuated, under the suction effect of the vacuum pump 53,
through
the operative head 15, as will be explained hereinbelow, from the evacuation
5 chamber 35 of the operative head 15 to the used powder stream reservoir 51
via
the spiral-shaped groove 75 which is operatively connected to the evacuating
channel 21.
It is worth mentioning here that, according to another embodiment of the
present invention, more than one spiral-shaped groove 75 could extend about
10 portions of the peripheral outer surface 73 of the projection head 33, such
as a
"manifold", each of which would have a first extremity 77 operatively
connected to
the evacuating channel 21 and a second extremity 79 located at an appropriate
location on the peripheral outer surface 73 of the projection head 33.
Furthermore,
the first and second extremities 77, 79 of each spiral-shaped groove 75 may be
respectively common to one another or not, depending on the applications of
the
hand tool 1. Moreover, the shape, size, and orientation of each spiral-shaped
groove 75 are selected depending on the particular applications of the hand
tool 1,
as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
As better shown in Figures 7 to 10, the first end 11 of the manipulative body
7 preferably comprises a rim 81 onto which a cap 83 is removably mounted.
Preferably also, the cap 83 encases the projection head 33 forming thus the
evacuating chamber 35 around the projection head 33 so as to facilitate
evacuation of the removed skin surface 3 and used abrasive stream 5 via the
spiral-shaped groove 75. The cap 83 preferably comprises a throughhole 85
through which the abrasive stream 5 is projected onto the skin surface 3 to be
removed and through which the removed skin surface 3 and used abrasive stream
5 are sucked back into the evacuating chamber 35 so as to be evacuated via the
spiral-shaped groove 75 through the evacuating channel 21, as better shown in
Figures 2, 6, and 17. The throughhole 85 preferably consists of a circular
orifice,
although other suitable shapes may be used.
The throughhole 85 and the tip 65 of the projection head 33 are preferably
aligned with the longitudinal central axis 9 of the manipulative body 7 so
that the
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abrasive stream 5 is projected axially with respect to the hand tool 1 and
thus
orthogonally to the skin surface 3 to be removed when the hand tool 1 is
positioned perpendicularly thereon. In use, the cap 83 is preferably laid
perpendicularly over the skin surface 3 to be treated in such a way that the
throughhole 85 faces directly the specific region of skin surface 3 to be
removed.
The abrasive stream 5 is projected from the projection head 33 through the
throughhole 85 under the thrust of the air provided from the stream supply
source
19, thereby causing removal of the skin surface 3 in the amount desired by the
operator of the hand tool 1, as selected by controlling and adjusting the
different
regulators of the dermabrasion system 2. As can be easily understood, pressing
the cap 83 against the skin surface 3 being treated so as to "seal" the
working
area allows the suction effect exerted in the evacuation chamber 35 by the
vacuum pump 53.
Preferably, the cap 83 is made of a transparent material to allow a user of
the hand tool 1 to see the abrasive stream 5 being projected and the removed
skin
surface 3 and used abrasive stream 5 being evacuated. Preferably also, as
shown
in Figures 1, 2, and 6, the cap 83 has a substantially "bell-shaped"
configuration,
although other suitable shapes may be used. Preferably also, the cap 83 is
made
of an inexpensive material so as to be disposable after treating a particular
patient
with the hand tool 1. Preferably also, the cap 83 is provided with a knurled
surface
87 along the bottom periphery thereof so as to facilitate gripping of the cap
83 and
thus facilitating mounting/removal of the cap 83 onto the manipulative body 7.
It is
worth mentioning here that the shape and dimensions of the cap 83, as well as
the
distances thereof with respect to the projection head 33, are selected so as
to
ensure an effectively appropriate suction action exerted by the vacuum pump 53
in
the evacuation chamber 35, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. The rim
81
of the manipulative body 7 is preferably provided with sealing means 89 so as
to
ensure an appropriate seal between the manipulative body 7 and the cap 83
mounted thereon. Preferably also, the sealing means 89 consist of an o-ring
gasket 91 and the gasket 91 is preferably housed within an annular groove 93
extending all around the rim 81 of the manipulative body 7. As apparent to a
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person skilled in the art, other suitable sealing means 89 appropriately
cooperating
with the cap 83 and manipulative body 7 may be used.
As better shown in Figures 11 to 14, the tip 65 of the projection head 33
preferably comprises a slot 95 projecting inwardly into the tip 65 of the
projection
head 33. The slot 95 is preferably devised to allow a projection nozzle 97 to
be
removably inserted into the tip 65 so as to adjust (i.e. affect) the flow of
the
abrasive stream 5 projected through the tip 65 of the projection head 33. It
is worth
mentioning here that other suitable means may be provided at the tip 65 of the
projection head 33 so as to affect the flow of the abrasive stream 5 passing
therethrough, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
The projection nozzle 97 preferably consists of a hollow member comprising
an outer surface 99 and an inner cylindrical projection channel 101, also
known as
a "nozzle cavity". Preferably also, the protection channel 101 comprises a
first
extremity 103 connected to the second extremity 71 of the feeding channel 67
and
a second extremity 105 through which the abrasive stream 5 is projected. As
can
be easily understood, the clean abrasive stream 5 is provided to the second
extremity 105 of the projection channel 101 from the fresh powder reservoir 41
via
the projection channel 101, feeding channel 67, and supply channel 17, which
are
all operatively connected to one another.
According to the preferred embodiment of the invention and as better
shown in Figures 15 to 17, the rotation-inducing means 37 of the hand tool 1
may
include at least one coaxial groove 107 provided along the feeding channel 67
of
the projection head 33 so as to induce the rotational pattern onto the
abrasive
stream 5 projected through the feeding channel 67. Preferably also, the
rotation-
inducing means 37 of the hand tool 1 further comprise at least one coaxial
groove
109 provided along the projection channel 101 of the projection nozzle 97 so
as to
further induce the rotational pattern to the abrasive stream 5 projected
through the
projection channel 101. Moreover, the rotation-inducing means 37 of the hand
tool
1 preferably comprise also at least one lateral slit 111 provided on the
projection
nozzle 97, each slit 111 extending preferably from the projection channel 101
to
the outer surface 99 of the projection nozzle 97 and cooperating with the
evacuation chamber 35 so as to further induce the rotational pattern to the
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abrasive stream 5 projected through the projection nozzle 97, as apparent to a
person skilled in the art. Furthermore, the rotation-inducing means 37 may
also
comprise at least one coaxial groove 110 provided along an internal surface
112 of
the cap 83 so as to induce an additional rotational pattern to the removed
skin
surface 3 and used abrasive stream 5 being evacuated from the evacuation
chamber 35 into the evacuating channel 21 via the spiral-shaped groove 75. The
above-mentioned rotation-inducing means 37 are intended, among other things,
to
provide the abrasive stream 5 with a spiral movement about the longitudinal
axis 9
of the hand tool 1.
The at least one coaxial groove 109 provided along the projection channel
101 of the projection nozzle 97 preferably consists of an appropriate number
of
turbine-like fan blades suitably arranged along the projection channel 101
about
the center axis thereof. Furthermore, the projection nozzle 97 is preferably
provided with an appropriate number of spaced and oriented nozzle lateral
slits
111, each being operatively connected to the evacuation chamber 35 and devised
to permit a radially outward induced flow within the projection channel 101,
and
thus directly induce a rotational movement of the abrasive stream 5
circulating
through projection channel 101 located within the projection nozzle 97. Such
an
obtained rotational flow is preferably transmitted to the abrasive stream 5 as
it
exits the projection channel 101 of the nozzle 97. This substantially radial
and
rotational movement of the abrasive stream 5 as induced by the above-described
rotation-inducing means 37 allows the flow of the abrasive stream 5 to clear
the
evacuation chamber 35 more efficiently, significantly contributing to
stabilizing the
flow of the abrasive stream 5 because of its rotational component, leading
thus to
a more controlled abrasion, under various operating conditions of the
components
of the dermabrasion system 2 and under various operating angles of the hand
tool
1 with respect to the normal plane (i.e. angles with respect to gravity).
As previously hinted, another component of the present invention used as
part of the rotation-inducing means 37 is the spiral-shaped groove 75 of the
projection head 33. Preferably, the spiral-shaped groove 75 by means of its
design
cooperating with the suction effect in the evacuation chamber 35, as explained
hereinabove, induces an additional rotation to the abrasive stream 5 projected
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from the nozzle 97 before the abrasive stream 5 strikes the skin surface 3 at
the
throughhole 85 of the operative head 15. Preferably also, after the abrasive
stream
has provided the required abrasion on the skin surface 3, the spiral-shaped
groove 75 provides a rapid and unobtrusive removal of the abrasive stream 5
from
5 the throughhole 85 and away from the longitudinal central area within the
cap 83,
by means of the rotation induced centrifugal forces, created by the vacuum
pump
53 and the various rotation-inducing means 37, directing the abrasive stream 5
away from the longitudinal axis 9 of the hand tool 1, where the rotating
abrasive
stream 5 is created and used, and into the evacuating channel 21 via the
spiral
shaped groove 75.
As better shown in Figure 14, the projection channel 101 preferably has
sections 113, 115 of different cross-sections so as to alter the velocity of
the
abrasive stream 5 projected through the projection nozzle 97. Preferably, an
appropriate aspect ratio is selected between the different sections 113, 115
of
different cross-section, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
Preferably also,
tapered ends 117 are used to connect these different sections so as to allow
for a
smoother transition from one section 113, 115 to another.
As better shown in Figure 2, the manipulative body 7 preferably further
comprises a tubular channel 119 through which a fastening screw 121 is
slidably
inserted. Preferably, the tubular channel 119 extends within the manipulative
body
7 along the longitudinal central axis 9 thereof and has first and second
extremities
121, 123 located respectively at the first and second ends 11, 13 of the
manipulative body 7. Preferably also, the fastening screw 125 has a first
extremity
127 threadedly inserted into the projection head 33 through the base 63
thereof
and a second extremity 129 in abutment with the second end 13 of the
manipulative body 7, so that when the fastening screw 125 is threadedly
inserted
into the projection head 33 up to a certain point,,the projection head 33
becomes
securely mounted onto the first end 11 of the manipulative body 7, with the
first
extremity 25 of the supply channel 17 being connected to the first extremity
69 of
the feeding channel 67 and the first extremity 27 of the evacuating channel 21
being connected to the first extremity 77 of the spiral-shaped groove 75.
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As better shown in Figures 12 and 13, the projection head 33 is preferably
provided with a flange 131 protruding from the base 63 of the projection head
33.
The flange 131 is preferably devised to be threadedly engaged with the first
extremity 127 of the fastening screw 125 and is further devised to be inserted
into
5 a first alignment slot 133 provided at the first extremity 121 of the
tubular channel
119 when the projection head 33 is securely mounted onto the manipulative
body 7.
Preferably also and as better shown in Figures 7 to 10, the first end 11 of
the manipulative body 7 is provided with a dowel pin 135 cooperating with a
10 second alignment slot 137 on the base 63 of the projection head 33 when the
projection head 33 is being mounted onto the manipulative body 7 so as to
ensure
that the first extremity 25 of the supply channel 17 is properly connected to
the first
extremity 69 of the feeding channel 67 and the first extremity 27 of the
evacuating
channel 21 is properly connected to the first extremity 77 of the spiral-
shaped
15 groove 75 when the projection head 33 is securely mounted onto the first
end 11
of the manipulative body 7 by means of the fastening screw 125.
It is worth noting that different suitable .mounting means, other than the
above-described, may be used, as apparent to a person skilled in the art, for
removably mounting the different components of the hand tool 1 together, such
as
the projection head 33 and manipulative body 7 for example, and for ensuring
proper connection between the elements thereof, preferably in an air tight
manner.
For example, Figures 18 to 21 illustrate a hand tool 1 according to another
preferred embodiment of the invention. In this particular embodiment, the
operative head 15 (and more particularly, the projection head 33) is removably
fastened onto the manipulative body 7, as better shown in Figure 20, and thus
does not require a fastening screw 125. The illustrated modified base 63 of
the
projection head 33 is inserted and fastened into a cavity of the manipulative
body
7, the cavity being defined by the first end 11 of the manipulative body 7 and
a
peripheral lip 138 thereof, as also better shown in Figure 20. Hence, in light
of the
aforementioned, it should be easily understood that various modifications can
be
made to the hand tool 1 without departing from the scope of the invention, as
apparent to a person skilled in the art.
CA 02340154 2001-03-09
16
As better shown in Figure 7, the manipulative body 7 preferably has a
substantially tubular shape and provides an ergonomic grip to the hand tool 1.
Preferably also, the manipulative body has a knurled outer surface 139 for
facilitating hand gripping of the hand tool 1.
As may now be appreciated, the present invention comprises several
advantages and is thus a substantial improvement over the devices known in the
art.
Firstly, the hand tool 1 according to the present invention enables a
controlled and adjustable removal of superficial skin surface 3 by the
projection of
an abrasive stream 5 onto the skin surface 3 to be removed, as explained
hereinabove. Indeed, the working principle of the hand tool 1 and of the
different
regulators 47, 49, 61 of the different components of the dermabrasion system 2
enable to provide a substantially homogeneous, stable, controlled, and
adjustable
removal of skin surface 3, in that a given velocity and pattern for the
abrasive
stream 5 may be selected by the operator of the present invention. For
example,
the removably interchangeable projection nozzles 97 enable to vary the
parameters of the treatment carried out by the abrasive stream 5 being
projected,
depending on the particular needs of the treatment as required by the hand
tool 1.
Therefore, the present invention enables for a wide range of skin abrasions,
ranging from a light abrasion where the outermost layers of the epidermis are
removed, to a much deeper abrasion where the dermis is involved. This ability
to
provide a wide range of skin abrasion depths and patterns is very
advantageous.
Another substantial improvement of the present invention, as also explained
hereinabove, is that the hand tool 1 enables a substantially more even skin
abrasion pattern than what is possible with the devices known in the prior
art, both
in surface geometry and in time. Indeed, the hand tool 1 is devised to be
operated
orthogonally with respect to the skin surface 3 being treated, thereby making
operating and handling of the device much easier throughout the entire
duration of
the treatment than what is possible with some of the hand tools known in the
art
which are devised to be operated at a tilted angle with respect to the skin
surface
3. Therefore, the present invention allows for a more uniform skin abrasion
pattern
throughout the duration of the treatment, and because the hand tool 1 is
devised
CA 02340154 2001-03-09
17
to be operated orthogonally to the skin surface 3 to be removed, the present
invention also provides axisymmetrical abrasion patterns, and more
particularly a
circular abrasion pattern, similar to a circular "rubbing" effect, which is
also very
advantageous. Moreover, the evacuating means 23 are designed to optimize the
vacuum stability of the system 2 over extended periods of time.
The present invention is also an improvement over the prior art in that
unlike the devices available in the trade, the present invention enables to
project
and retrieve the abrasive stream 5 to and from the skin surface 3 to be
removed in
a rotational pattern and orthogonally thereto. This important feature of the
present
invention enables an efficiently abraded skin surface 3 with a dimensionally
very
stable stream 5 of fine abrasive powder. The various rotation-inducing means
37
of the present invention, such as the turbine-like type projection nozzle 97
for
example, induce rotation of the abrasive stream 5, as would the threaded
internal
surface of a "gun barrel". The combined use of these different rotation-
inducing
means 37 combined with the use of a geometrically orthogonal projection
surface,
enable all parts of the abrasive stream 5 to hit the skin surface 3 at a
substantially
same orthogonal angle and one must further take into consideration the fact
that
external portions of the stream 5 benefit from a transfer of the induced
rotation,
and hence, carry an "angle" component which is desirable when hitting the
treated
skin surface 3. Furthermore, the rotation induced in the evacuation chamber 35
of
the hand tool 1 permits optimal tangential exhaust of the removed skin surface
3
and used abrasive stream 5 from the work area located near and on the
longitudinal axis 9 of the hand tool 1.
Therefore, the operative head 15 can be schematically divided into three (3)
operative zones. A first operative zone where the abrasive stream 5 being
projected is rotationally induced by some of the independently active rotation-
inducing means 37, such as the coaxial grooves 109, 107 provided in the
projection nozzle 97 and feeding channel 67, as well as the slits 111 of the
projection nozzle 97. A second operative zone where, after the abrasive stream
5
has been projected onto the skin surface 3 to be abraded, the used abrasive
stream 5 and removed skin surface 3 are rotationally exhausted away from the
longitudinal axis 9 by other independently active rotation-inducing means 37,
such
CA 02340154 2001-03-09
18
as the slits 111 and the coaxial grooves 110 which may be provided along the
internal surface 112 of the cap 83. Finally, a third operative zone where the
used
abrasive stream 5 and the removed skin surface 3 are further whirpooled by
other
independently active rotation-inducing means 37, such as the grooves 110 of
the
cap 83 and the spiral-shaped groove 75, so as to be evacuated into the
evacuating channel 21 via said spiral-shaped groove 75.
Hence, the various rotation-inducing means 37 of the present invention, as
explained hereinabove, combine their effect to provide several distinct
advantages
to the whole system 2. Firstly, great stability of the projected abrasive
stream 5 is
achieved through particle rotation around the central axis of the abrasive
stream 5.
Furthermore, the rotation of the particles creates a homogeneous sweeping
action
in the manner of a generally rotational rubbing motion at the surface 3 of the
skin.
This second effect reduces the non-desirable "skin stabbing" effect common to
the
orthogonal surface powder projection systems known in the art. Moreover,
desirable abrasive stream stability is further enhanced by the fact that a
whirlpool
ordered and generally peripheral unobstructed motion of powder particles exit
the
work zone tip area, as explained hereinabove. Such a centrifugal induced
rotational geometry powder exit flow results in a highly desirable minimal
collision
occurrence with the incoming abrasive stream 5 projected from the projection
head 33. As a result of the above-discussed, both the efficiency of the
treatment of
the skin surface 3 and the efficiency of the evacuation of the abrasive stream
5 are
increased compared to the devices known in the prior art.
Finally, the present invention is also advantageous in that the hand tool 1 is
easy to assemble, easy to use, and easy to maintain, as explained hereinabove.
Indeed, most of the components of the present invention are removably mounted
to one another, thereby making assembling, cleaning, replacement, etc. of the
components very easy. Furthermore, the ergonomic design of the hand tool 1
also
provides a more comfortable and easier handling and operating thereof.
Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the above-described
embodiments without departing the scope of the invention as defined in the
appended claims.
