Patent Application
20220296265
The invention disclosed in this application is directed generally to the removal of skin tags from the human body, and more particularly to a kit containing the components needed for a self-removal of skin tags, and a system for affecting the removal of skin tags.
Acrochordons, more commonly referred to as “skin tags”, are benign (non-cancerous) growths on the skin of humans that are connected to the skin by a small, thin stalk called a peduncle. Most skin tags are tiny, typically between two and five millimeters in size; however, some skin tags can grow as large a several centimeters. Skin tags are typically round, mobile, and soft to the touch. Skin tags may be smooth or wrinkly. Approximately sixty (60%) percent of the human population has skin tags. Skin tags are common in both men and women and are more prevalent in individuals over the age of fifty (50) years and in patients with diabetes.
Most skin tags are found in the armpits (axillae), groin, neck, eyelids or under the breasts. Skin tags often become irritated, inflamed and/or painful from rubbing against clothing, jewelry or skin folds. The removal of skin tags is not typically covered by insurance policies and can cost hundreds of dollars for removal by a board-certified dermatologist.
In U.S. Pat. No. 8,128,637, granted to Staffan Sundstrom on Mar. 6, 2012, a device for removing skin tags is disclosed as a device that is secured to the patient's skin and used to strangulate the skin tag by occluding the flow of blood thereto. The Sundstrom device covers and conceals the skin tag while being removed. In U.S. Pat. No. 10,542,997, granted to the University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc. on Jan. 28, 2020, a hemostatic clamp is provided to engage unwanted tissue, such as a skin tag, and maintain pressure until the skin is fused to create a skin tab which can then be excised with the clamp in position. The fusion of the skin limits bleeding upon excision. In U.S. Pat. No. 10,736,639, issued on Aug. 11, 2020, to Tagaway Devices, APS, an applicator is disclosed that includes a skin tag removal device that occludes the skin tag and interrupts the flow of blood thereto and allow the skin tag to be removed.
Other skin tag removal devices and processes are available for purchase over the internet. These devices include processes for cryogenic (freezing) removal and chemical removal such as with salicylic acid (frequently marketed for wart removal). A number of commercially available devices also use rubber bands to strangulate the skin tag. Still others utilize preparations that can include propylene glycol, tea tree oil, titanium dioxide, some of which are infused in patches applied to the skin tag and surrounding skin. These devices and preparations generally do not work, but cause swelling, irritation of the skin, and scabbing. At least one is not recommended to be suitable for patients with diabetes.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a system and a kit for the self-removal of skin tags from easily reached locations on the body. Removal of skin tags from sensitive locations, particularly from around the eyes or the genitals, should be accomplished by a healthcare professional, particularly a board-certified dermatologist. This skin tag removal kit should also not be used to remove skin tags in children.
It is an object of this invention to overcome the disadvantages of the known prior art by providing a convenient to use system and kit for the removal of skin tags.
It is another object of this invention to provide a system by which a person can effectively self-remove skin tags in a safe manner.
It is a feature of this invention that the kit disclosed herein provides the utensils and medication to permit a safe self-removal of skin tags.
It is an advantage of this invention that skin tags can be removed without incurring charges for professional help.
It is another feature that the disclosed kit for removing skin tags includes forceps and scissors for the mechanical removal of skin tags from the human body.
It is still another feature of this invention that the disclosed kit for removing skin tags includes medicinal ointments or liquids for the anesthetizing the skin tag, for stopping bleeding and for bandaging the removal site.
It is another advantage of this invention that once the forceps and scissors have been utilized in the removal of one or more skin tags, these instruments can be sterilized, stored and reused at a later date for removal of skin tags on the same individual.
It is yet another feature of this invention that the skin tag removal kit should not be utilized at home to remove skin tags having a diameter greater than one centimeter, as such large skin tags typically have a blood supply. Such large skin tags should be removed by a professional.
These and other objects, features and advantages are accomplished according to the instant invention by providing a system for a safe and effective removal of skin tags at home. A kit is also provided that contains the necessary instruments and medications for the safe and effective self-removal of skin tags. The kit contains sterilized forceps and scissors for grasping and severing a skin tag smaller than one centimeter in diameter. The kit also contains medications for the numbing of the skin tag before severing, for stopping any minor bleeding that might occur, and for bandaging the wound site. The system involves the numbing of the skin tag and surrounding tissue, then grasping the skin tag with the forceps to apply tension into the base of the skin tag, and then severing the base of the skin tag with the scissors. Aluminum chloride can be used to stop minor bleeding, and petrolatum or petroleum jelly covered by a sterile bandage can be used to prevent infection and promote healing of the skin.
The advantages of this invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring to
The skin tag removal kit 10 has some form of container 12, which is depicted in
This skin tag removal kit 10 can remove many, even hundreds, of skin tags during the single deployment, but the kit should not be shared by multiple people as to do so involves a risk of contamination and contraction of blood-borne diseases. The self-removal of a skin tag can be accomplished within a few minutes through use of this skin tag removal kit 10 in the comfort of the patient's own home. As a matter of warning, this skin tag removal kit 10 was not designed to be, or intended to be, used for the removal of moles, warts or any other growth on the patient's skin. Furthermore, this skin tag removal kit should not be used to remove skin tags that have a diameter of one centimeter (1 cm) or more, as the risk of bleeding is greater with such large skin tags.
As is depicted in
The aluminum chloride solution with cotton swabs 27 are available in a clean, pre-packaged array in which the cotton swabs are already impregnated with the aluminum chloride solution. Alternatively, a bottle of 20% aluminum chloride 27a can be provided within the kit 10 for administering to cotton-tipped swabs provide by the patient. There are other wound sealant powders and solutions that can be used to stop bleeding instead of the preferred aluminum chloride swabs. The numbing solution 22 is preferably in the form of a lidocaine numbing spray that can be applied to the skin tag and surrounding area, but other numbing solutions, such as Aspercreme® with lidocaine pain relieving crème. The skin tag removal kit 10 can also include bandages, and petrolatum for application to the wound site. However, such components are usually within the patient's normal medical supplies and would not be a required component for the skin tag removal kit 10.
The system 30 for the self-removal of skin tags is documented in
Once the skin tag has been removed, the severed base may bleed, although small skin tags may not bleed at all. However, if some bleeding occurs, the patient should use the gauze from the skin tag removal kit 10 at step 36 to apply pressure on the wound for approximately ten (10) seconds, and then the solution to stop the bleeding should be applied at step 37 by either removing one of the clean pre-packaged swabs soaked with aluminum chloride, or opening a bottle of aluminum chloride and applying the liquid to a fresh cotton-tipped swab, and then roll the cotton-tipped swab over the wound to apply the aluminum chloride to the wound site and stop the bleeding. The wound can then be bandaged at step 38 after applying a dab of petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist.
As with all surgical procedures, whether minor surgery or major surgery, some risks are encountered. The following risks certainly apply to the utilization of the skin tag kit 10 for the self-removal of skin tags, including infection, bleeding, scar formation and allergies to the anesthetic. While infections are unlikely to occur from such a small wound as is encountered with the snipping of the base of a skin tag, cleaning the area with the alcohol preparation wipes and keeping the surrounding area clean after the skin tag is removed will decrease the risk of infection. Wound care should be performed for approximately 3-5 days following removal of the skin tag or until all scabbing resolves. Signs of infection would include, but not necessarily be limited to, redness of the skin surrounding the wound site, pain, drainage and fever.
The skin tag removal kit 10 includes devices and methods to stop bleeding from the wound site. If bleeding is unable to be stopped with the components 27, 27a included in the skin tag removal kit 10, the patient should hold pressure for twenty (20) minutes without relieving pressure. The patient may also apply ice to the area surrounding the wound at the same time as applying pressure. If bleeding still does not cease after these measures, then the patient should report to the closest emergency room. Large skin tags, i.e., skin tags greater than one centimeter (1 cm) should not be removed at home, as these large skin tags have a significant blood supply and should be treated by a medical professional in an office setting.
The above-described system 30 for the self-removal of skin tags is safe and is as effective as the removal of the skin tag at the office of a medical professional. Each skin tag can be removed in a few moments of time at a minimum of cost to the patient. Once the skin tag removal kit 10 has been deployed, subsequent use thereof should involve a re-sterilization of the scissors 25 and the forceps 26, which can be accomplished by wiping these metallic components with alcohol. The skin tag removal kit 10 should not be shared among individuals even after cleansing components with alcohol to avoid risk of contraction of blood borne illness.
It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts, which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within the principles of the scope of the invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the description may be employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the vibration generator could be powered electrically instead of pneumatically. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly, as well as in the specific form shown.
This application claims domestic priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/163,625, filed on Mar. 19, 2021, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63163625 | Mar 2021 | US |
