Patent Application
20170120071
Tattooing is a form of body modification involving the injection of ink particles into the papillary and superficial dermis, thereby causing a visible change in skin pigmentation. Upon initial injection of a needle into the skin, ink particles are dispersed throughout a homogenized upper layer of skin (epidermis) into the underlying dermis. As the skin heals, the damaged epidermis sheds and eliminates surface pigment. Deeper within the skin, granulation tissue forms and allows the growth of collagen; this mends the upper dermis, where pigment remains trapped within fibroblasts in a layer just below the epidermis/dermis boundary.
The practice of permanent tattooing has become so widespread that an estimated 45 million Americans have at least one tattoo. However, with the tremendous growth of the industry comes an increasing number of people seeking tattoo removal on a more frequent basis. Although tattoos are no longer considered permanent and irreversible marks on the skin, there is not one universally practiced tattoo removal treatment. Common removal techniques once included physical destruction of the skin layers, such as dermabrasion, chemical destruction, surgical excision, and cryotherapy. More modern practice employs pulsed laser irradiation. Although some of these treatments may be effective, they are often painful and cost-prohibitive. These procedures also require prolonged recovery time, involve a high risk of scarring and skin discoloration and ultimately produce unpredictable results.
Exemplary embodiments described herein generally relate to a cosmetic and therapeutic treatment including the enhancement of chemical reactions with light and more specifically to cosmetic and medical treatments of light in combination with oxidizing or bleaching solution for tattoo removal. Light of certain wavelengths has been demonstrated to improve or “supercharge” the effects of certain pharmaceuticals or target chemicals and agents, creating a synergistic effect that may break down tattoo ink molecules and may fade or eliminate tattoos in the skin of humans or other animals.
According to an exemplary embodiment, a retainer for cosmetic and therapeutic treatment may retain an oxidizing or bleaching solution against a tattooed region of tissue. The retainer may include a number of heating elements, and a number of oxidizing or bleaching solution delivery elements that may deliver an oxidizing or bleaching solution to the area to be treated. A number of light terminations rigidly connected to the retainer for cosmetic and therapeutic treatment may be connected to a light source through a fiber optic cable.
According to another exemplary embodiment, a method of tattoo removal that includes treating a tattooed region of skin with an oxidizing or bleaching solution activated by certain wavelengths of light may be provided. The method of tattoo removal may include applying a layer of removal solution to a tattooed region of skin; regulating a temperature of the layer of removal solution with a temperature control element; and exposing the layer of removal solution to a light source of pre-determined wavelength.
Advantages of exemplary embodiments of the system, retainer and method of providing cosmetic and therapeutic treatment will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which:
Aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the following description and related figures directed to specific exemplary embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternate exemplary embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.
As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”. “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation.
In an exemplary embodiment, and generally referring to
In another exemplary embodiment, the retainer may include a retainer for cosmetic and therapeutic treatment that emits certain wavelengths of light into the solution. When a specific composition of solution is combined with certain wavelengths of light and applied to tissues, a synergistic effect may be created that may chemically react with the tattoo ink pigments, thereby eliminating or fading the tattoo. In an exemplary embodiment, the ink molecules or molecular structure of tattoo pigments may be altered by reaction with the specific light and solution. Once the ink molecules or molecular structure of the tattoo pigments are altered, they may lose their physical properties, such as size and color, and may be broken down in substructures small enough for the body to eliminate. It may be appreciated that tattoo ink pigments may include commercially available tattoo ink, homemade inks and any pigment not primarily intended for tattooing, as may be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art.
In another exemplary embodiment, the retainer for cosmetic and therapeutic treatment 104 may hold solutions in contact with tissues 100, such as skin or flesh, while the tissues 100 and solutions 102 may be simultaneously exposed to certain wavelengths of light. The retainer for cosmetic and therapeutic treatment 104 may include at least one covering tray that may emit light for treatments creating a synergistic oxidizing or bleaching effect between an oxidizing or bleaching solution and a light of certain predetermined wavelengths. The resulting synergistic effect may be greater than the effect of an oxidizing or bleaching solution or the light acting alone. The retainer 104 may be applied to one or more human or animal tissue areas. A light source may shine from a light emitting device or from the end of a fiber optic cable. The fiber optic cable may have one side exposed down its length. An oxidizing or bleaching solution 102 may fill a tissue-covering tray. In an exemplary embodiment, the light source may be blue, or another predetermined wavelength of light that may supercharge the solution, with an exposure from, but not limited to, a few second to several minutes, as desired. It may be appreciated that any desired wavelength or exposure time may be applied. It may also be appreciated that the treatment may be performed in multiple sessions, over a period of hours, days or weeks at a time until the desired reduction in tattoo pigment is acquired.
In an exemplary embodiment, an oxidizing or bleaching solution 102 may be used without a reservoir. The retainer for cosmetic and therapeutic treatment 104 may include devices to inject the solutions 102 at pre-determined depth into the skin or tissue 100. Alternatively, the oxidizing or bleaching solution 102 may be applied directly to the body and exposed to light by a retainer in the form of a fiber optic wand with a number of light emitting fibers. Further exemplary embodiments of a carrier or reservoir may be the solution 102 itself or a gel. This gel may be applied to a body with an applicator and exposed to the synergizing light by the same applicator or a different device. The synergizing light may create an oxidizing or bleaching effect between an oxidizing or bleaching solution and a light of certain predetermined wavelengths. The resulting oxidizing or bleaching effect may be greater than the effect of an oxidizing or bleaching solution or the light acting alone. It may be appreciated that the oxidizing or bleaching solution 102 may be delivered by any desired expedient, including, but not limited to, reservoirs, bandages, gels, solutions, head coverings, wraps, socks, stockings, hats, helmets, mitts, and suits. In another exemplary embodiment, the retainer for cosmetic and therapeutic treatment may be a light emitting sponge that can apply and hold the solution on the surface of the tissue.
In an exemplary embodiment illustrated in
Now referring to
According to another exemplary embodiment, and generally referring to
In an exemplary embodiment, gloves, mittens, or feet may help retain the oxidizing or bleaching solution within the suit, and may be integrated with the rest of the suit or may be removable. Exemplary embodiments of integrated portions may include fiber optic cable, similar to the rest of the suit. Exemplary embodiments of removable portions may lack fiber optic cable, or may include fiber optic cable that can be connected to the fiber optic cable in the sleeves or pants, as desired. The fiber optic cable may have light terminations spaced along the fiber optic cable inside the suit. The fiber optics may irradiate an oxidizing or bleaching solution with a light of certain predetermined wavelengths and may create a synergistic oxidizing or bleaching effect. The resulting synergistic effect may be greater than the effect of an oxidizing or bleaching solution or the light acting alone. An exemplary embodiment may include a heating element inside the bodysuit; such heating wires may be embedded in the fabric of the suit.
In a further exemplary embodiment, the body area covering may include an input tube or input tubing to carry an oxidizing or bleaching solution into the covering, an area within the covering to circulate the oxidizing or bleaching solution against the user, and an exhaust tube or exhaust tubing to allow air and the oxidizing or bleaching solution out of the covering. Exemplary embodiments of tubing may include an input tube on one side of the covering and an output tube on the opposite side, such as input and output tubes on opposite shoulders.
In an exemplary embodiment, a user may put on the garment, add oxidizing or bleaching solutions using the input tube, allow the mist to circulate within the suit, and turn on the light source. The user may simultaneously input and output oxidizing or bleaching solutions to circulate through the suit. The user may power on the heating element to warm the mist and/or otherwise activate or control any portion of the suit, as desired.
Further to the above, another exemplary embodiment of the cosmetic and therapeutic treatment retainer may be illustrated in
In further exemplary embodiment, and generally referring to
In an exemplary embodiment, the oxidizing or bleaching solution may be warmed in the bowl. An object or a body part such as a hand, a foot, or a finger may be placed into the oxidizing or bleaching solution, and the light source may be turned on. The light source may interact with the oxidizing or bleaching solution and may create a synergistic oxidizing or bleaching effect. The resulting synergistic effect may be greater than the effect of an oxidizing or bleaching solution or the light acting alone. The user may utilize a control box, or any other wired or wireless controller, to turn on or off, or set timers for, the light source, the heater power, or both. It may be appreciated that any desired functions may be managed and timed by the control box.
As depicted in exemplary
Now referring to exemplary
In an exemplary embodiment, a retainer may be a mist or gel providing the oxidizing or bleaching agent to the tattooed tissue creating a synergistic oxidizing or bleaching effect between an oxidizing or bleaching solution and a light of certain predetermined wavelengths and may be in combination with one or more of a topical antibiotic, topical anesthetic, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, antimicrobials, salicylic acid, sulfur, retinoids such as 6[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-methoxy-phenyl] naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid, glycolic acid, tretinoin, borax, and additional chemicals useful in the method.
In other exemplary embodiments, the system, retainer, and method of providing cosmetic and therapeutic treatment may utilize blue light, or another predetermined wavelength of light that may supercharge the solution, with an exposure from about a few second to a few minutes. In a further exemplary embodiment, the oxidizing or bleaching solution may be a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solution, such as a gel, with concentration of about 0.3 mM or any concentration of solution that may be suitable as an oxidizing or bleaching agent. In an exemplary embodiment, tattoo ink that may be exposed to hydrogen peroxide alone may fade or lighten. Similarly, a 20 seconds irradiation with light of the wavelength from 360 nm to 500 nm may lighten or fade a tattoo it may be exposed to. However, hydrogen peroxide in combination with irradiation with a light of 360 nm to 500 nm may exhibit a synergistic reaction that lightens or fades a tattoo to a greater extent than if it were exposed to either hydrogen peroxide or light alone. Solution of hydrogen peroxide may work best at a temperature of about 57 degrees Celsius. It may be appreciated that other chemicals may have different preferred temperatures.
In an exemplary embodiment, and generally referring to
In an additional exemplary embodiment, topical solutions of peroxide compounds may include hydrogen peroxide and/or carbamide peroxide and/or benzoyl peroxide in various organic carriers in concentrations that may range from about 0.001% to about 50% by volume of carrier.
In an exemplary embodiment, the oxidizing or bleaching solution may be incorporated into various vehicles or carriers including solutions, lotions, creams, gels, mists, pastes and ointments along with one or more of the following ingredients: nicotinic acid or nicotinamide that may be present in concentrations from about 0.001% to 30% by volume of the carrier.
In an exemplary embodiment, the oxidizing or bleaching solution may include erythromycin base in concentrations from about 0.001% to about 30% by volume of the carrier.
In another exemplary embodiment, the oxidizing or bleaching solution may contain clindamycin phosphate methyl 7-chloro-6,7,8-trideoxy-6-(1-5 methyl-trans-4-propyl-L-2pyrrolidinecarboxamido)-1-thio-L-threo-α-D-galacto-octopyranoside 2-(dihydrogen phosphate) with a concentration from about 0.001% to 30% by volume of carrier.
In another exemplary embodiment, the oxidizing or bleaching solution may contain tetracycline hydrochloride in concentrations of from about 0.001% to 30% by volume of the carrier; retinoids such as 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-methoxy-phenyl] naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid; It may be appreciated that the oxidizing or bleaching solution may contain any desired compounds deemed effective in removing or fading tattoo ink.
In still other exemplary embodiments, the oxidizing or bleaching solution carriers may include combinations of ethyl alcohol and propylene glycol, surface-active agents such as lauryl ethers and lauryl esters, and other carriers effective for the desired purposes.
In other exemplary embodiments, the oxidizing or bleaching solution may include a light activated pigment that may fluoresce when exposed to the wavelength of light used in the treatment. This pigment may indicate to the user that the synergistic effect may be occurring.
This synergistic oxidizing or bleaching effect may be greater than the solution oxidizing or bleaching effect or the light's oxidizing or bleaching effect if they were used separately. The light may be applied to the irradiated area by a LED device exposing the entirety of the tattooed area or a portion of the tattooed area.
The irradiated area may be exposed to a 10 watt light source emitting at wavelengths from about 410 nm to about 500 nm thus creating a synergistic effect between the solution and the light causing a greater reduction and fading of tattoo ink than with the light or with the solution acting alone. The retainer may have a number of terminations and may be dimensioned so as to enable the targeting areas of various sizes. However, the diameter of the termination may have any desired value. The exposure time of the light may be about 60 seconds. However, it may be appreciated that any desired duration of treatment may be selected.
In another exemplary embodiment, a solution containing chemical species including, but not limited to, about 15% carbamide peroxide, about 2.5% clindamycin phosphate (Methyl 7-chloro-6,7,8-trideoxy-6-(1-methyl-trans-4-propyl-L-2-pyrrolidinecarboxamido)-1thio-L-threo-α-D-galacto-octopyranoside 2-(dihydrogen phosphate)) and tretinoin may be combined in a gel-form carrier. The tattooed area may be exposed to a light of a wavelength from about 410 nm to about 500 nm by a number of light terminations that would expose an area with a diameter of about 30 centimeters. The tattooed area and solution may be exposed to this certain wavelength of light for about 30 seconds. The synergistic effect of the light and solution that may be warmed may be greater than the effect of the light or the solution acting individually.
The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred exemplary embodiments, and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular exemplary embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the exemplary embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Therefore, the above-described exemplary embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those exemplary embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/248,721 filed Oct. 30, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62248721 | Oct 2015 | US |
