AU733339B2 - Hand tool assembly for micro-abrasion apparatus - Google Patents

Description

48032DIV1 P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: RONALD ALLAN GREENBERG Actual Inventor(s): RONALD ALLAN GREENBERG ADDRESS FOR SERVICE Address for Service: ALTERED <riLc-r~te A S.A Goefc, l I 11l P',1 t17 King Afilliam Strct, AdIlaidc, S.A. 5000nn Invention Title: HAND TOOL ASSEMBLY FOR MICRO-ABRASION APPARATUS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: HAND TOOL ASSEMBLY FOR MICRO-ABRASION APPARATUS This invention is for a hand tool for use in an apparatus making microabrasions, particularly on human tissue or on hides.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to a hand tool used in an apparatus for making micro-abrasions, particularly for cosmetic treatment of human tissue such as the removal of scars and other skin blemishes but may also be used for therapeutic treatment. In addition, the invention can be used to treat hide or other similar type of materials which require fine abrasion to remove particular attributes.

Apparatus for making micro-abrasions are known and generally rely on a vacuum source to provide a pneumatic carrier for the reducing or abrasive particles. The particles are drawn through a hand tool that includes an aperture through which the reducing particles impinge on the surface being 15 treated thereby abrading it. The particles are then further drawn by the vacuum source to a collection container.

The present invention provides for a hand tool that is able to effect controlled application of reducing substances to enable the strength of abrasion to be varied. Whilst hand tools offering different reducing substance control are known, the adjustment is not easy to make, requires the exchange of handle parts and is not finely variable. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hand tool that overcomes at least some of these problems or provides the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, according to one form of the invention there is proposed a tool for S"use in a micro-abrasion apparatus, said apparatus including a pneumatic means operatively connected in series with a recovery container, the tool and a supply container to cause abrasive particles to flow from said supply container, through said handle and into said recovery container, said tool including; An inlet passage therethrough one end of which operatively connects to said supply container by a tube, the other end including a hollow member having an outlet extending longitudinally outwardly therefrom, said particles adapted to flow through said inlet passage and out of said outlet; an aperture disposed substantially co-axially with the hollow member and adapted to be pdsitioned against a surface to be treated; an outlet passage operatively connected at one end to a recovery container by a tube, the other end of which is located near the aperture to enable particles that have impacted on said surface to be drawn out through said outlet passage and into said recovery container; the hollow member being slidable within said inlet passage to thereby adjust the spatial separation between said aperture and outlet of said hollow member.

Preferably said hollow member includes external threads adapted to engage internal threads in said inlet passage to thereby adjust the spatial separation between said aperture and outlet of said hollow member by rotation of said member. Thus, the hollow member is screwed into the inlet passage.

Preferably said hollow member includes internal threads adapted to engage external threads in said inlet passage to thereby adjust the spatial separation between said V aperture and outlet of said hollow member by rotation of said member. Here, the S hollow member screws over the inlet passage. Obviously the inlet passage thereby is a hollow rod to allow for the clearance to achieve this.

Preferably said member includes a head having at least one groove adapted to cooperate with a screwdriver for rotatably driving said member.

In preference the tool includes a body housing said passages and a cap including :said aperture, said cap being replaceable.

Preferably said body incudes a groove adapted to house an O-ring to be engaged by said cap, to effect a seal between said cap and said body.

9eel In another aspect of the invention there is proposed a tool for use in a micro-abrasion apparatus, said tool including two passages therein, one for the supply of and the other for the removal of abrasive particles, an aperture spatially separated from and substantially in-line with the supply passage said supply passage being adjustable in length to vary the separation between it and the aperture, to thereby control the width of the particle stream at the aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To further assist in understanding the invention reference is now made to the following figures in which: FIG 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus; FIG 2 is a schematic of the invention; FIG 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the handle; FIG 4 is a cross-sectional view of the handle of Figure 3; FIG 5 is a cross-sectional view of the supply container; go FIG 6 is a cross-sectional view of a handle according to a second embodiment; and FIG 7 is a close up view of the handle of FIG 6 in use.

oi BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION Turning now to the figures in detail there is shown in FIG 1 an apparatus 10 for making abrasions including a handle 12 having an aperture 14 an inlet passage 16 Ibp and an outlet passage 18, said inlet passage 16 being connected by an inlet tube to a supply container 24 via supply connector 26. Outlet tube 22 is connected to a recovery container 28 via recovery connector An electric vacuum pump 32 operable by switch 34 has a suction outlet 35 which provides suction through tube 36 that passes through filter 29 and a three-way f uction connector 40, one end of which is fed into the recovery container 28 and a second end of which is connected to a suction regulator 42 and vacuum gauge 46. The suction regulator 42 has a suction aperture 44 in connection with the atmosphere. The filter 29 ensures that any particulates within the tube 36 do not enter the vacuum pump 32 and potentially damage it.

The electric vacuum pump 32 includes an exhaust outlet 37 which is connected via pressurised tube 38 to a three-way pressure connector 39 one outlet of which is an aperture 50 in connection with the atmosphere whilst the other is fed into a flow regulator 48 itself connected to pressure connector 52.

In use, after the electric vacuum pump 32 has been activated, it provides suction through suction outlet 35, suction tube 36, filter 29, three way suction container 40 to the recovery container 28 and then through the recovery connector 30 the outlet tube 22, through the outlet passage 18 and through the handle 12. When the aperture 14 is applied against a surface to be treated, the suction causes air to be then sucked through the inlet passage 16 inlet tube 20 supply connector 26 to the supply container 24 and therefore causes the reducing substances 54 to be sucked or flow back through that arrangement and be collected in the recovery container 28. To ensure that the particles remain in the recovery container 28 the container has a filter 27 with apertures that are smaller than the particulates thus ensuring that they remain 20 within the recovery container. In the case where some of the particles may be sucked though the tube 36, the filter 29 ensures that potentially none reach S.into the vacuum pump. This double-filtering action therefore protects the vacuum pump from potential damage.

The suction may be regulated by the suction regulator 42 which allows the 25 introduction of atmospheric air through suction aperture 44, the vacuum being •indicated by the vacuum gauge 46. For maximum suction, the suction regulator 42 is closed so that no outside air enters the system through suction aperture 44. To reduce the amount of suction and thus the amount of reducing substances 54 being sucked from the supply container 24 and thus flowing through the handle the suction regulator may be slightly opened to allow outside air to enter the system.

At the same time the exhaust outlet 37 from the vacuum pump may be used to pressurise tube 38 and is fed into the supply container 24 through a three-way pressure connector 39 and flow regulator 48. By closing the flow regulator 48 all of the pressurised air from the exhaust outlet exits to the atmosphere through aperture 50. When the flow regulator 48 is opened, the pressure causes air to flow into supply container 24 through pressure corrector 52 to enable the reducing substances to flow to the handle 12. As shown in more detail in Figure 5, the pressurised air flows into the supply container through distributor 56 which is made from a fine mesh material whose size is of the same order or smaller than the particle sizes. The flow of air 58 out through the distributor 56 causes the particulates to be aired (essentially fluidised) and which then enter collection tube 60 through aperture 62. The collection tube is chosen to be of a sufficient height to ensure that the particulates do not directly enter into the tube but rather through the aperture 56. After passing through the aperture 62 the particulates flow through passageway 64, through supply connector 26 and into the inlet tube Of course, the supply container may not be pressurised by the use of the exhaust from the vacuum pump and a separate compressor may be used.

Alternately, the supply container may simply be connected to atmospheric air.

Accordingly, as a result of the external air entering the supply container and the vacuum, the reducing substances 54 held in supply container 24 are pneumatically transported to the handle 12 and the aperture 14 by the 20 assistance of both a vacuum source and a pressure source and thus pass over the region of the surface to be treated defined by the aperture 14 and thereby causing micro-abrasions. The reducing substances, together with any particles and detritus removed from the surface being treated are then sucked through the outlet passage 18 outlet tube 22 and into recovery container 28 to be thereafter disposed of.

Both the recovery and supply containers are fitted with quick release seals 66 that allow access to the bottom of the recovery container enabling it to be emptied of particulate and to the top of supply container 24 enabling particulates to be added. In addition, both the supply and recovery containers are mounted on the side of the apparatus via quick release connectors 68 allowing them to be removed for cleaning, storage, replacement or transportation purposes.

Obviously the degree of micro-abrasion caused on the surface is adjustable by operating both the suction regulator 42 and the flow regulator 48 associated with the electric vacuum pump 32. However it has been shown that the system is virtually ineffective if there is no air flowing into the system and a degree of this always has to be present for the apparatus to effectively work.

Figures 3 and 4 exhibit in further detail a first embodiment of the handle 12.

The handle 12 as discussed above includes aperture 14 and is connected to inlet and outlet tubes 20 and 22 by connectors 16 and 18 respectively.

Disposed within the handle 12 are two passageways, passageway operatively connected with inlet tube 20 and passageway 72 operatively connected to outlet tube 22. Removably attached over the end of the handle 12 adjacent the ends of passageways 70 and 72 is cap 74 within which is disposed aperture 14. The axis of the aperture 14 is substantially coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the end of supply passageway 70 with the plane of the aperture being substantially perpendicular to the coaxial axis of the end of passageway 70. Also disposed within the end of passageway 70 is a hollowed length adjustable rod 76 that allows particulates to flow therethrough and allows for the adjustment of the distance between the effective end of passageway 70 and the aperture 14. By adjusting the distance one can adjust the amount of dispersal of the particulates by the time they reach the aperture. In this particular embodiment the length adjustability is i o accomplished by the rod being screwable into the end of passageway :allowing the distance to be adjusted by the use of a screwdriver which engages slit 78 at the end of rod 76. In addition the dimension of the hollow of the rod can also be chosen to be less than that of the passageway and thereby adjust the flow of particulates therethrough. To ensure that there is a good seal between the cap 74 and the rest of the handle there may be an '0' ring Figures 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the handle including an inlet passage 16 and an outlet passage 18. Positioned at the end of inlet passage 30 16 is plug 82 which is so shaped so as to reduce the diameter of the inlet passage 16 and thereby affect the number of reducing substances or particles 54 passing through the inlet tube 16 and through handle 12. To adjust the position of the plug 82 in relation to the aperture 14 the inlet tube 16 can be affixed relative to the handle by the use of a nut 84 which engages both the handle 12 and the inlet tube 16. Similarly the outlet passage 18 is fixed in place by a similar type of nut As indicated in Figure 7 reducing substances 54 are caused to impact the surface 86 to be treated with the reducing substances causing microabrasions of the surface and the residual of both the reducing substances 54 and particles of skin 88 is sucked up through outlet passage 18 and into the recovery container.

By controlling the effective distance between the end of the rod 76 (Fig's 3-4) or plug 82 (Fig's 6-7) and the aperture 14, the density of the particulates arriving at the surface is finely controlled leading to a different rate of microabrasions of the surface. When the end of the rod or plug is moved away from the aperture, the particulates are widely dispersed when they arrive at the aperture, reducing the particle density per given area and thus the abrasion effect. When the end of the rod or plug are moved towards the aperture, the particulate stream is more concentrated leading to a greater particle density per given area and causing greater abrasion.

Depending on the treatment required, the present handle enables either abrasion over a larger surface area, or a fine concentrated beam that can be used, for example, for the removal of fine scars. The replacement of the removal head enables the tool to be used on different patients without fear of contamination.

:20 The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the inlet tube passing through supply 26 may open into a manifold structure within the supply container to include multiple holes and shaking filters (not shown). The supply container may also include an electrical heating means to thereby heat the reducing substance and improve the micro-abrasion effect.

To assist in using the apparatus other instrumentation may be attached to the i apparatus such a timer 90 to ensure that the length of the treatment does not exceed the necessary levels.

S- 30 Throughout this specification the above description has been intended to illustrate the invention and not to limit it thus,. Other embodiments may equally well be applied by those skilled in the art without deviating form the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. A tool for use in a micro-abrasion apparatus, said apparatus including a pneumatic means operatively connected in series with a recovery container, the tool and a supply container to cause abrasive particles to flow from said supply container, through said handle and into said recovery container, said tool including; an inlet passage therethrough one end of which operatively connects to said supply container by a tube, the other end including a hollow member having an outlet extending longitudinally outwardly therefrom, said particles adapted to flow through said inlet passage and out of said outlet; an aperture disposed substantially co-axially with the hollow member and adapted to be positioned against a surface to be treated; an outlet passage operatively connected at one end to a recovery container by a tube, the other end of which is located near the aperture to enable particles that have impacted on said surface to be drawn out through said outlet passage and into said recovery container; wherein said hollow member is movable within said inlet passage to thereby adjust the spatial separation between said aperture and outlet of said hollow member.

2. A tool as in claim 1 wherein said hollow member includes external threads adapted to engage internal threads in said inlet passage to thereby adjust the spatial separation between said aperture and outlet of said hollow member by rotation of said member.

3. A tool as in claim 1 wherein said hollow member includes internal threads adapted to engage external threads in said inlet passage to thereby adjust the spatial separation between said aperture and outlet of said hollow member by rotation of said member.

4. A tool as in either claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said member includes a head having at least one groove adapted to co-operate with a screwdriver for rotatably C driving said member.

A tool as in any one of the above claims having a body housing said passages and a cap including said aperture, said cap being replaceable.

6. A tool as in claim 5 wherein said body includes a groove adapted to house an O-ring to be engaged by said cap, to effect a seal between said cap and said body.

7. A tool for use in a micro-abrasion apparatus, said tool including two passages therein, one for the supply of and the other for the removal of abrasive particles, an aperture spatially separated from and substantially in-line with the supply passage, said supply passage being adjustable in length to vary the separation between it and the aperture, to thereby control the width of the particle stream at the aperture.

8. A tool for use in a micro-abrasion apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

9. A tool for use in a micro-abrasion apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 6'and 7. Dated this 14th day of March 2001 RONALD ALLAN GREENBERG By his Patent Attorneys LESICAR PERRIN S •e