Elastomeric Filament for Wrinkle Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current skin rejuvenation methods, such as surgical tightening and dermal fillers, are associated with high trauma, adverse side effects, and temporary results, while less invasive techniques like subcutaneous threads face issues with migration and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A biocompatible elastomeric filament is used, which can be injected or pulled under wrinkles to provide permanent lifting and support, made from materials like silicon rubber, ePTFE, polyurethane, or polyolefinic copolymers, secured to a needle for insertion and deployment under the skin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical skin tightening is performed, then skin rejuvenation effect is improved, but tissue trauma and adverse side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible barbed thread made of biocompatible materials (metallic, polymeric, or biological) that can be inserted subcutaneously to provide skin tightening without extensive surgical incisions. The flexible nature of the thread allows it to conform to tissue while the barbs anchor it in place, achieving surgical-level results with minimal trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The barbed thread acts as an intermediary device that mechanically bridges and gathers wrinkled or sagging skin to underlying tissue structures. By inserting the thread perpendicular to wrinkles and anchoring it to facia or other stable tissue, it mediates the tension needed for skin tightening without direct surgical manipulation of the skin layers.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If barbed surgical thread is used for subcutaneous skin tightening, then tissue trauma is reduced, but thread migration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The thread features asymmetric barbs oriented in a specific direction opposite to the thread pull direction. This asymmetric design allows the barbs to engage tissue effectively in one direction while allowing the thread to be pulled taut, creating stable anchoring that prevents migration while maintaining minimal trauma during insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The barbs on the thread are designed with curved or rounded tips rather than sharp points, allowing them to gently engage and anchor to tissue without causing excessive trauma or inflammation. The curved geometry enables effective anchoring while minimizing tissue damage and reducing the risk of thread rejection or migration.
3Reliability
If collagen is used as dermal filler, then skin filling effect is improved, but allergic reactions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent offers multiple biocompatible material options for the thread including metallic, polymeric, and biological materials with varying properties. By changing the material parameters (composition, elasticity, degradation rate), the system can achieve skin filling and tightening effects while selecting materials with appropriate hypoallergenic properties for different patient needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The thread can be constructed from composite materials combining different biocompatible substances, such as biodegradable polymers with barbed structures, or combinations that provide both structural integrity and tissue compatibility. This allows optimization of both the mechanical filling effect and the biological safety profile.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If permanent dermal fillers like silicone or PMMA microspheres are used, then longevity of effect is improved, but material migration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using large permanent filler volumes that can migrate, the patent employs a segmented approach with a barbed thread structure. The thread is divided into sections with barbs at intervals, creating multiple anchoring points along its length. This segmentation prevents migration by distributing anchoring forces along the thread rather than relying on a single injection site.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the migration problem by removing the filler material from the traditional injected microsphere form and replacing it with a structured thread architecture. The barbed thread provides permanent or long-lasting effect through its mechanical anchoring structure rather than through injected particles, eliminating the migration issue inherent in microsphere fillers.
Data Source
AI summary
A cosmetic implant comprises a filament made from a biocompatible elastomer. The elastomeric filament can be injected or pulled under one or more wrinkles. Once implanted under the wrinkle(s), the filament lifts and supports the tissue above it. Such lifting lessens (and possibly removes altogether) the appearance of the wrinkle(s). The biocompatible elastomeric filament is preferably made from a polyolefinic copolymer material having a triblock polymer backbone comprising polystyrene-polyisobutylene-polystyrene, which is herein referred to as “SIBS”; or alternatively can be made from silicon rubber, expanded polytetrafluorethelyene (ePTFE), polyurethane, polyolefin, copolymers of nylon, copolymers of polyester, or elastin.