Hollow Needles for Controlled Tissue Debulking and Skin Tightening

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current cosmetic resurfacing methods, such as surgical therapies and minimally invasive techniques, are either invasive, expensive, or less effective in tightening and rejuvenating skin, with limitations in treating deep tissue layers and scarring.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising hollow needles or staples that can be extended and retracted to remove tissue portions from the skin, using a tensioner mechanism to insert and withdraw the needles or staples, and an adhesive material to secure the device to the skin, allowing for controlled tissue debulking and remodeling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surgical therapies are used for skin tightening and lifting, then skin tightness and lifting effectiveness are improved, but invasiveness and scarring increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin tightening effectivenessVSAvoidinvasiveness and scarring

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional surgical mechanical cutting and incision systems with a mechanical needle-based system that creates micro-channels and delivers energy or substances directly to deep tissue layers, achieving surgical-level effectiveness with minimal surface disruption and no visible scarring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different treatment modalities (needles of varying lengths, energy delivery, substance injection) to specific local areas and depths of tissue, allowing targeted skin tightening and lifting while preserving surrounding healthy tissue and avoiding widespread invasiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If energy-based methods (laser, radiofrequency, ultrasound) are used for skin resurfacing, then skin architecture and texture improvement are achieved, but skin tightening effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin texture improvementVSAvoidskin tightening effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines mechanical needle-based tissue removal or stimulation with energy delivery (laser, radiofrequency, ultrasound) or substance injection in a single integrated system, simultaneously achieving skin resurfacing precision and deep tissue tightening that neither method could accomplish alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite treatment approaches where mechanical needle elements work in conjunction with energy fields or biological substances, creating a synergistic effect that addresses both surface texture and deep tissue firmness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Loss of substance

If ablative methods with photo-thermal energy are used, then tissue removal is achieved, but coagulation zones form that interfere with tissue closure and tightening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue removalVSAvoidtissue closure and tightening

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces photo-thermal ablation with a mechanical needle-based system that physically removes or stimulates tissue through micro-channels, avoiding the formation of coagulation zones that would impede tissue closure and subsequent tightening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow needles serve as intermediaries that can deliver cooling substances, growth factors, or other agents through the treatment zone, promoting optimal tissue healing and closure while maintaining effective tissue removal or stimulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Manufacturing precision

If laser ablation is used for deep tissue treatment, then surface resurfacing is achieved, but treatment depth is limited by laser beam focus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface resurfacingVSAvoidtreatment depth

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional laser beam focus to three-dimensional needle-based treatment, where needles of varying lengths can reach different depths while maintaining precise surface control, effectively adding a depth dimension to the treatment capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses multiple needles with different lengths and configurations to treat different tissue depths simultaneously or sequentially, overcoming the single-focus depth limitation of laser systems while maintaining surface precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11464954B2Devices and methods for cosmetic skin resurfacing

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 CYTRELLIS BIOSYST

AI summary

Disclosed herein are devices (e.g., needles (e.g., hollow needles), hollow staples, articles, apparatuses, and systems), kits, and methods for treating skin and skin conditions, for example, by promoting skin tightening, such as by reducing skin laxity and reducing tissue area or volume.