Patterned Trans-Epidermal Pigment Release for Tattoo Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tattoo removal methods are difficult, costly, and painful, and existing techniques fail to efficiently and effectively remove tattoos without causing significant scarring or requiring multiple treatment sessions.
Innovation Solution
The method employs patterned trans-epidermal pigment release (TEPR) using templates to outline treatment areas on the skin, delivering a tattoo removal fluid in a series of sessions to minimize overlap and optimize healing, allowing for complete tattoo ink removal in fewer sessions while reducing scarring and skin sensitization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tattoo removal methods are used, then tattoo ink can be removed, but the process is difficult, costly, and painful requiring multiple treatment sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tattoo removal process into multiple discrete treatment sessions, each targeting specific tegulae (skin regions) outlined by templates. This segmentation allows for systematic removal of tattoo ink while managing treatment complexity through structured, repeated applications rather than attempting complete removal in a single complex procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by using templates to pre-outline treatment areas (tegulae) before each treatment session. This preliminary marking and planning enables precise delivery of removal fluid to targeted regions, improving effectiveness while reducing unnecessary treatment of surrounding areas, thereby simplifying the overall process
2Loss of time
If aggressive tattoo removal techniques are used to remove ink faster, then treatment time is reduced, but scarring and skin sensitization increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating only specific localized regions (tegulae) outlined by templates rather than treating the entire tattoo area uniformly. This localized approach concentrates the removal effect on small discrete areas, enabling faster overall removal while minimizing cumulative skin damage, scarring, and sensitization through controlled, targeted applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through multiple spaced treatment sessions rather than continuous aggressive treatment. By allowing intervals between sessions, the skin can heal and recover between applications, reducing cumulative harmful effects like scarring and sensitization while still achieving complete ink removal over time through repeated targeted applications
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple treatment sessions are used to remove tattoos safely, then skin damage is reduced, but the overall treatment time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments both the treatment area into discrete tegulae and the treatment process into structured sessions. This dual segmentation allows for efficient progression through treatment areas while maintaining safe intervals between sessions, optimizing the balance between skin recovery time and overall treatment duration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary templating and marking of treatment areas before each session to maximize the effectiveness of each treatment. This preliminary preparation ensures that each session targets fresh, untreated regions systematically, reducing the number of sessions needed compared to unstructured approaches, thereby shortening total treatment time while maintaining skin safety
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a method for removing a tattoo through patterned trans-epidermal pigment release includes determining first treatment area of skin of a patient through a primary template including primary apertures, marking the first treatment area of skin of the patient along borders of the primary apertures to outline a grid of primary tegulae, and delivering a tattoo removal fluid to the marked first exposed skin. In an alternate embodiment, a template, which may be adhered to the skin, is used during a microneedling process to create a structured, patterned procedure to remove skin irregularities. The template has a plurality of needle apertures, an adhesive layer, and a release liner. The release liner may be removed, exposing the adhesive layer, so that the template, with the plurality of needle apertures, may be positioned over the skin irregularity.