Skin treatment tool applicator tip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microdermabrasion devices with disposable tips have inefficiencies in fluid residency on the skin and are prone to skin damage due to high negative pressure ratios and limited surface area coverage.
Innovation Solution
A cap-shaped applicator tip with a circumferential edge and outer abrading surface featuring multiple apertures for fluid delivery and vacuum ports, including recesses that form fluid chambers and C-shaped barriers to enhance fluid circulation and reduce suction-related injuries by distributing negative pressure across multiple ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single vacuum port is used, then the device structure is simple, but the negative pressure is concentrated on a small area increasing skin damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The single vacuum port is segmented into multiple vacuum ports (at least two) distributed around the applicator tip perimeter. This segmentation distributes the negative pressure across multiple contact points, reducing the pressure concentration on any single area of skin and thereby reducing the risk of skin damage while maintaining effective fluid removal.
2Productivity
If the applicator tip moves quickly over the skin, then the treatment coverage area increases, but the fluid residency time on skin decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The recesses in the outer surface create a periodic flow pattern for the fluid as the applicator moves. The fluid enters recesses, circulates in a vortex pattern, and is periodically evacuated, creating a rhythmic action that maintains fluid residency time even during continuous motion of the applicator over the skin surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The recesses are formed with curved surfaces that guide the fluid in vortex flow patterns. This curvature extends the fluid path length and increases residence time by creating swirling motion that keeps the fluid in contact with the skin longer, even as the applicator moves across the treatment area.
3Productivity
If the fluid flow path is short, then the fluid extraction is quick, but the fluid residency time on skin is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The recesses incorporate curved surfaces that direct the fluid into vortex flow patterns. This curvature significantly extends the fluid path length within each recess, causing the fluid to circulate in a swirling motion before being evacuated. The extended path length increases residence time while the vortex pattern maintains efficient extraction by preventing fluid stagnation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution increases fluid residency time on the skin, improves fluid extraction efficiency, and reduces the risk of skin damage by lowering negative pressure requirements, while maintaining effective exfoliation and hydration through turbulent fluid flow and efficient fluid path design.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum source to remove the abrading fluid
Implementation Method 2
vacuums the fluid through a plurality of peripheral ports
Implementation Method 3
navigating the C-shaped barrier and sector walls in a vortex flow pattern
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is an applicator tip for a hand piece assembly used in dermal abrasion procedures, the applicator tip having a cap shape with a plurality of apertures that form ports communicating with a fluid supply line in the hand piece assembly and a vacuum source to remove the abrading fluid. The fluid is introduced onto the outer abrading surface of the applicator tip through a first central aperture and spreads out along the outer abrading surface when the applicator tip is placed against the patient's skin. Recesses in the outer abrading surface establish pathways for the abrading fluid to move along as the applicator tip is moved over the patient's skin. The fluid emitting from the central port is moved into one of four quadrants defined by recesses in the outer abrading surface, each quadrant serving as a fluid chamber that receives fluid from the central fluid supply port. Each sector shaped chamber includes within its border a C-shaped barrier with its opening facing a dividing sector wall. As the applicator tip forms a seal with the patient's skin, fluid is introduced through the supply port and through the entrance of the chamber, filling each chamber with working fluid as the working fluid flows to and around the C-shaped barrier. Disposed inside each C-shaped barrier is a respective vacuum port that removes the working fluid from each chamber. Fluid from each chamber is vacuumed through its vacuum port after having flowed around a maze-like path, navigating the C-shaped barrier and sector walls in a vortex flow pattern.