Abstract: A microdermabrasion apparatus and system is provided. In general, the apparatus includes a housing having a first end and a second end, a suction cup located at the first end of the housing, a motor located within the housing, a pump located within the housing, an exfoliation tip mechanically coupled to a shaft that is mechanically coupled to the motor, the exfoliation tip being located within a vacuum space in the suction cup and a tube located within the housing and connected between the pump and the suction cup.

Abstract: A wart removal device is disclosed. The device has a handle and first and second pluralities of tines having different heights. One set of tines has a height of approximately 0.04 inch or less, and the other set has a height of approximately 0.08 inch or less. The different sets may be disposed on opposite sides of the handle at the same end of the handle or may be disposed on opposite ends of the handle. In operation, the longer set of tines is raked against wart tissue to create a plurality of incisions in the wart tissue. This treatment is repeated over a time period. After that time period, the shorter set of tines is used. The tines create incisions without causing noticeable bleeding. The device may be used in combination with a medicament and may be provided as a kit, including the device and a medicament.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand piece used for vacuum suction type dermabrasion apparatus. The hand piece includes a replaceable dermabrasion tip installed into a tubular housing. The dermabrasion tip consists of a cylindrical upper stage and a cylindrical lower stage, the upper has a smaller diameter than the lower stage and an abrasive surface formed on the upper surface of the upper stage, and the lower stage has a diameter generally fitting to the diameter of the hollow and a plurality of suction holes are formed through the lower stage around the periphery of the upper stage.

Abstract: A brush debridement tip for use with hand-held wound debridement devices. The brush debridement tip of the present invention provides concurrent irrigation and suction to the area to be debrided and includes a plurality of bristles extending therefrom. The plurality of bristles have varying lengths to advantageously allow for mechanical debridement of, e.g., resected or otherwise formed having irregular shapes. The brush debridement tip further includes an elongate aperture allowing passage of a fan spray of irrigation fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A dermabrasion handpiece adapted for use to abrade the skin of a patient includes a housing extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end. Portions of the housing define a hole at the distal end with an abrasion element disposed in the housing in proximity to the hole. The housing is adapted for connection to a vacuum source to pull a portion of the skin through the hole and to move the skin portion into contact with the abrasion element. Movement of the abrader relative to the skin abrades tissue from the skin portion extending through the hole. The abrader can be provided in the form of a roller or blade moveable relative to the housing to abrade the skin. The abrasion element can be selected from a series of elements each having different abrasion characteristics and can be mounted in either the cap or the base of the housing.

Abstract: Skin dermabrasion device by gently contacting the skin with an abrasive, comprising a handleable housing (10) and driving means for the abrasive. This device is intended in particular for cosmetic treatments of the epidermis called microepidermabrasion. The device comprises a curved abrasive surface (30) held by a support (32) mounted in or on the housing (10, 18) for an oscillatory motion allowing the oscillation of the curved abrasive surface (30) about its axis. A support surface (40) surrounds the abrasive surface (30) on at least two opposing sides leaving a gap to allow the oscillating motion. The device is arranged in such a way as to allow, by the application of the support surface (44) against the skin (50) and around the region of the skin to be treated, the gentle contact of this region of skin with the oscillating abrasive surface.

Abstract: A hand held skin abrading apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a handle configured for gripping by a human operator; a reciprocating motion generator, in the form of a magnetostrictive ultrasonic transducer, associated with the handle; an applicator attached to the handle and having an applicator blade for applying abrading motion to a surface and a coupler for coupling the applicator to the magnetostrictive ultrasonic transducer. The applicator is releasably securable to the handle of a skin abrading apparatus and includes a connector portion extending from the applicator blade, the connector portion having a central axis, wherein the applicator blade is offset from the central axis to enable the apparatus to be operated with the handle above the plane of the surface being abraded. The apparatus may include provision for irrigation of the surface being abraded.

Abstract: A method and device for forming artificial openings in a biological membrane with a pyrotechnic charge that is exploded in a controlled manner in proximity of the biological membrane to form the artificial opening(s) therein. The method and device are useful in connection with transdermal delivery and monitoring applications.

Abstract: A tissue removal pen includes a pen body having a working end and a handle portion, and an abrasion unit, which is mounted on the pen body, including an abrasion head extended outwardly from the working end of the pen body for removing cells from a treating skin surface of a user. A collecting unit includes a collecting conduit, which is mounted on the pen body, having a discharging end and an intake end extended toward the working end, and a collecting head replaceably mounted to the intake end of the collecting conduit and extended from the working end of the pen body to a position that adjacent to the abrasion head of the abrasion unit. A vacuuming source is connected to the discharging end of the collecting conduit to provide a reduced pressure within the collecting head for collecting cells removed from the treating skin surface.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an appliance for the epilation of the human skin, having a housing to accommodate a motor and a drive mechanism for driving at least one clamping device (43) by which the user's hairs can be extracted. Moreover, a stimulus mechanism is to reduce the sense of pain during epilation. This mechanism includes at least one element (55) that is movable toward and away from the skin when the appliance is placed in epilating position on the user's skin. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the at least one element (55) has a free end (56) and is arranged adjacent to the side of the rotary clamping device (43). In consequence, the user perceives at least subjectively a reduced sense of pain during epilation. Still further, a method for epilation and a method for the use of the appliance of the present invention are described.

Abstract: Tissue resurfacing is accomplished by propelling biocompatible, non-toxic materials at the tissue with sufficient velocity to cause destruction or loosening of tissues to a desired depth. The biocompatible materials are generated by abrading a solid frozen unit and propelling the abraded material onto the surface of the skin or tissue to be treated. A vacuum line near the delivery tip may used to remove excess materials or reaction by-products that build up on the surface of the skin. The treatment system generally consists of a control unit, a handheld particle generator and a cable that connects the control unit to the particle generator. The control unit can include user controls to select particle temperature, particle flux, particle velocity and vacuum. The handheld particle generator contains a mechanism to push the frozen biocompatible material against a rotating grinding wheel that produces small particles, which are propelled against tissue being treated.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for peeling the skin of a person has a drivable peeling tool (19), the drivable peeling tool (19) being mounted such that it can pivot about a pivot axis (21) within a specific pivoting angle range (&bgr;), said pivot axis (21) being perpendicular to the operating direction (20) of the apparatus (1) in a preferred design of the apparatus (1).

Abstract: A microdermabrasion device, microdermabrasion system employing the device and method of performing microdermabrasion. A device for exfoliating skin cells from an external surface of skin includes a vacuum head base defining a chamber therein and having a substantially smooth treatment tip attached and extending from an end thereof or integral therewith. The tip has at least one central opening which is open to the chamber, and is adapted to contact the skin and traverse the skin in a substantially non-abrasive manner. A vacuum access opening is provided through a side wall of the vacuum head base and adapted to connect with a source of vacuum.

Abstract: A skin care device (1) includes a cleaning tool (18) which can be driven by a driving mechanism (8). The device also includes a drivable padding holder (19) and a padding configuration (31) retained by the padding holder (19). The configuration includes a padding interior (23), which is enveloped in a padding cover (24). The cover (24) may consist of a microfiber tissue material.

Abstract: Dental-based stereotactic localizers for non-invasively inducing computer tomographic (CT) slice images of the anatomy of a patient are disclosed. The localizer includes a dental piece configured and adapted to be received in the mouth of the patient, a support structure secured to the dental piece, the support structure defining an arcuate configuration which extends to the posterior margins of the teeth of the patient thus allowing an occipital region of the head of the patient to directly contact a surface of a treatment table, and a plurality of graphic reference elements, wherein the plurality of graphic reference elements produce index information on an image scan when intersected by a plane of a scan slice, wherein the index information is used to develop a mapping of data from the image scan so as to reference the data from the image scan to a coordinate system of the dental tray.

Abstract: A dermabrasion/microdermabrasion apparatus, having a central control unit and a hand piece. Negative and positive pressure is provided to the hand piece from the central control unit. The hand piece further has a sealed chamber, a brush wheel and a turbine. The sealed chamber has an opening and a negative pressure supply port to receive the negative pressure. The brush wheel is installed in the seal chamber and brought in contact with a skin to be treated through the opening during dermabrasion/microdermabrasion. The turbine is installed external to the sealed chamber and driven by the positive pressure to provide a rotational force to the brush wheel during dermabrasion/micro-dermabrasion.

Abstract: A microdermabrasion composition is provided. The composition preferably has 2-60 weight percent surfactant, 5-60 weight percent volatile silicone oil, 8-50 weight percent anhydrous solvent, and 1-25 weight percent water soluble salt. The water soluble salt is most preferably sodium chloride. The composition is effective and safe for in-home microdermabrasion. A kit including such a microdermabrasion composition and an applicator sponge, and a method of microdermabrasion are also provided.

Abstract: A microdermabrasion handpiece includes a supply lumen and a return lumen in fluid communication with an abrasion chamber. A window formed at a distal end of the handpiece is off-centered from the supply lumen. The supply lumen directs a flow of abrasive particulate in a first direction. A supply nozzle adjacent to the distal end of the handpiece directs the flow of abrasive particulate at the window in a second direction different from the first direction. Methods for performing microdermabrasion are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of dermal abrasion, that includes exposing a source of sterile liquid to a flow of pressurized gas, thereby causing a pumped supply thereof into a fluid delivery head (200); supplying the pressurized gas to the fluid delivery head; combining the gas, and liquid (204) supplied to the delivery head; this fluid delivery head having a fluid outlet (206) with a predetermined internal diameter (210), so as to provide a gas-liquid outflow in the form of a sterile liquid mist jet suspended in a high velocity gas stream; and exposing to the mist jet, at a preselected distance from the fluid outlet, a portion of the skin surface (224) sought to be abraded, thereby separating therefrom at least a portion of the epidermis (225), and removing therefrom the resulting tissue debris.

Abstract: An electromagnetically induced cutting mechanism provides accurate cutting operations on soft tissues. The electromagnetically induced cutter is adapted to interact with atomized fluid particles. A tissue remover comprises an aspiration cannula housing a fluid and energy guide for conducting electromagnetically induced cutting forces to the site within a patient's body for aspiration of soft tissue. The cannula is provided with a cannula distal end. The proximal end of the cannula is provided with fluid flow connection to an aspiration source. Separated soft tissue and fluid are aspirated through the cannula distal end and the cannula by an aspiration source at the proximal end of the cannula.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing dead epidermis layers, tissue debris and dirt without the harsh abrasive and violent materials that are now known in the art. More Specifically, exfoliating the epidermis layers by using an Ultrasonic Device together with an Exfoliating Fluid.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided as a system to enhance skin appearance and health, in which skin is cleaned (or exfoliated) and conditioned by use of microelements affixed to a base element or hand-held patch. The dimensions of the microelements are controlled so as to remove a certain number of layers of skin cells and to accumulate those skin cells, along with other foreign substances, into areas between the microelements. In addition, a conditioning compound or therapeutic active can be applied to the exfoliated skin to enhance the skin. Moreover, the amount of accumulated skin cells represents a self-limiting maximum quantity that cannot be substantially exceeded regardless of the number of attempts by a user to re-use the microstructure apparatus. Some of the microstructures are designed with very close-packed microelements, which in some cases have flexible substrates.

Abstract: A cream moisturizer for resurfacing human skin is provided with a suspension of microcrystals of alumina (Al2O3) in a ratio of approximately 14 grams per ounce of moisturizer cream. The cream moisturizer is buffed into the epidermal layer of the skin with a closed-cell sponge pad driven by a vibrator. The alumina microcrystals buffs an epidermal layer off the skin to provide a soft smooth surface, thereby rejuvenating the skin.

Abstract: A method of performing skin lesion excision using balloon dissectors. The method's principle benefits are: (1) a reduction in the amount of time it takes the surgeon to create a surgical field with properly undermined and hemostatically controlled skin flaps, (2) a reduction in the amount of tension on the skin closure, and (3) an increase in the likelihood of optimal scar formation.

Abstract: A device, a system employing the device and method of performing skin treatment are provided for skin treatment. The device includes a vacuum head base defining a chamber therein and having a substantially smooth treatment tip attached and extending from an end thereof or integral therewith. The tip has at least one central opening that is open to the chamber, and is adapted to contact the skin and traverse the skin in a substantially non-abrasive manner. A vacuum access opening is provided through a side wall of the vacuum head base and adapted to connect with a source of vacuum. A tissue stop member is located within the chamber. It may have an abrasive surface for exfoliating skin cells, or a smoother surface for traversing the skin without substantial abrasion.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing tape-like material by applying it to human skin and then stripping the tape from the skin to remove excess or unwanted material. The system further includes application of other elements to facilitate skin recovery and rejuvenation processes.

Abstract: An instrument and technique for the removal of epidermal layers in a controlled manner utilizing a hand-held instrument with a working end that (i) a vacuum aspiration system, (ii) a source for delivery of a sterile fluids or pharmacological agents to the skin; and (iii) a skin interface surface in the working end that has specially shape structure for abrading surface layers of the patient's epidermis as the working end is moved over the patient's skin while at the same time causing rapid penetration of the fluids into the skin for therapeutic purposes. Movement of the working end across the skin causes abrasion of the surface layers in a path over the patient's skin. The method of the invention may be used in a periodic treatment for the removal of superficial skin layers that enhances the synthesis of dermal collagen aggregates by inducing the body's natural wound healing response.

Abstract: A method of treating a body portion wound on a patient includes the steps of arranging a flexible envelope about the wound site of the patient being treated, the envelope having at least one primary opening to permit entry of the body portion; introducing a manipulable, fluid dispersing gun through a second opening in the envelope; supplying a pressurized fluid to the gun from a fluid transfer pump; and regulating the fluid dispersed in the envelope onto the wound site by a control apparatus selected from the group comprised of a temperature control, a pressure control, a spray control, a stream control, a pulsation control, a medicament control, or a suction control.

Abstract: A method for producing preferential damage to hair exiting mammalian skin. A agent having an average diameter for enabling the agent to penetrate the hair duct is selected. The agent is designed to attach to, or become physically incorporated into, the hair shaft, the hair follicle, the hair bulb or the hair duct. The agent has an electromagnetic radiation absorption characteristic which enables the agent to absorb a first wavelength of electromagnetic radiation from a skin-penetrating electromagnetic radiation source, such as a laser. The agent is applied to the skin so that the agent penetrates the skin and attaches to or becomes physically incorporated into the hair shaft, the hair follicle, the hair bulb or the hair duct. The agent is exposed to the first wavelength of electromagnetic radiation and absorbs the first wavelength of electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A dermabrasion handpiece adapted for use to abrade the skin of a patient includes a housing extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end. Portions of the housing define a hole at the distal end with an abrasion element disposed in the housing in proximity to the hole. The housing is adapted for connection to a vacuum source to pull a portion of the skin through the hole and to move the skin portion into contact with the abrasion element. Movement of the abrader relative to the skin abrades tissue from the skin portion extending through the hole. The abrader can be provided in the form of a roller or blade moveable relative to the housing to abrade the skin. The abrasion element can be selected from a series of elements each having different abrasion characteristics and can be mounted in either the cap or the base of the housing.

Abstract: A tissue removal pen includes a pen body having a working end and a handle portion, and an abrasion unit, which is mounted on the pen body, including an abrasion head extended outwardly from the working end of the pen body for removing cells from a treating skin surface of a user. A collecting unit includes a collecting conduit, which is mounted on the pen body, having a discharging end and an intake end extended toward the working end, and a collecting head replaceably mounted to the intake end of the collecting conduit and extended from the working end of the pen body to a position that adjacent to the abrasion head of the abrasion unit. A vacuuming source is connected to the discharging end of the collecting conduit to provide a reduced pressure within the collecting head for collecting cells removed from the treating skin surface.

Abstract: A method for indicating the periphery line of a patch of an optionally resilient surface layer of a substrate object which patch is intended to be removed in a step, which may cause a change of the appearance of the surface, which method comprises the application on the surface of an adhesive mask, comprising an outer, “negative: and/or optionally an inner, slat “positive” mask component, comprising one or more layers of a sheet material, which can be brought to adhere to the surface of the object, wherein the negative mask comprises a main opening with a borderline, which forms an inner borderline of the mask, and the positive mask comprises a slab with a borderline, which forms an outer borderline of the mask, said inner and/or outer borderlines having essentially the shape of the intended periphery line of the patch of the surface layer intended to be removed, said main opening of slab having circular or preferably elongated, non-circular shape, preferably with a ratio of lengthwise exten

Abstract: The invention relates to an epilating device which comprises a housing (1) with an opening (5), after which a rotatable drive shaft (7) is arranged extending parallel to said opening and carrying a series of cooperating pinching elements (9) coupled to the drive shaft in a rotational direction (R). During rotation of the drive shaft, pairs of adjacent pinching elements are periodically pivoted with respect to each other, under the influence of a compression member (81), from a catching position, in which a distance is present between the pinching elements near the opening, into a pinching position, in which the pinching elements contact each other near said opening. At least one of the pinching elements of each pair comprises a delaying element (49, 65) for delaying or postponing a pivotal motion of the pinching elements towards the pinching position.

Abstract: Microdermabrasion and suction massage apparatus are included in a single unit and alternatively connectable through a mode switch to a source of vacuum. The microdermabrasion section of the unit includes a crystal pick up station operating with a venturi effect to draw crystals through a hole into an air stream. The size of the hole is variable to control crystal density. A bleed valve is provided to control crystal velocity without controlling crystal density, while a bypass valve is provided to control crystal density without controlling crystal velocity. In an associated method, a microdermabrasion procedure is performed on the skin of a patient at an operative site. The mode switch is operated to activate the suction massage apparatus within the unit. This step is followed by performing a suction massage procedure at the operative site in order to promote healing of the abraded skin. The unit can be back flushed by connecting various portions of the unit to a pressurized output of the source of vacuum.

Abstract: A wart removal device includes a handle and a pad. The pad has a base and tines with each tine preferably having a height not less than approximately twice its width. The tine height is preferably less than approximately 0.1 inch. The pad has a width that is preferably not greater than approximately ¼ inch and a length that is preferably not less than approximately twice its width. Each tine is sharpened so that opposing sides form a point at an upper edge with the opposing sides forming an angle of from approximately 20° to approximately 40°. In operation, the device is raked against wart tissue to create incisions in the wart tissue. The sharpness and cutting depth of the device are designed to create incisions without causing noticeable bleeding. The device may be provided in a kit with a medicament, such as pyruvic acid, to improve the effectiveness of the medicament.

Abstract: A motor-powered depilatory device employing a hair-plucking assembly containing a right hand actuator element and a left hand actuator element, identical in construction, each carrying opposing tweezer elements, which fit together in interleaved fashion, arranged to define hair-traps, with the hair-plucking assembly being rotatable about a central shaft and operable to close and open the hair-traps by a system of cams and springs. The device is designed to allow for self-alignment of the tweezer elements, ensuring that all tweezer elements close simultaneously during a revolution of the hair-plucking assembly, with no excessive applied force being required, thus enabling uniform distribution of gripping force among all hair-traps, despite inaccuracies in manufacture. Quality of hair plucking is thereby improved, where quality of plucking is defined as the percentage of hairs plucked versus percentage of hairs cut.

Abstract: A method and system for performing abrasion on a surface, such as on the skin of a patient, is disclosed. The dermabrasion apparatus includes apparatus for delivering and retrieving material to and from a selected site to be abraded, a delivery and retrieval hand piece, an abrasive handling device, and a waste retrieval holding device. The hand piece is coupled to the abrasive handling device as well as the waste retrieval holding device, which is further coupled to the delivery and retrieval apparatus. The abrasive handling device further includes an abrasive supply device, a receiving channel, a feeding chamber, and a delivery channel. The abrasive supply device typically is a canister fitted with a funnel-shaped spout that is inverted into the receiving channel. The receiving channel feeds abrasive to the feeding chamber.

Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaner has a handle having a proximal end, a distal end, a hollow interior, and an exterior gripping surface. A brush mounting point is positioned at the proximal end of the handle and an ultrasonic vibrator is positioned within the hollow interior and operably attached to the brush mounting point. A battery is operably positioned within the hollow interior of the handle for providing power to the ultrasonic vibrator. A skin cleaning brush is mounted on the brush mounting point. The invention includes a method of cleaning skin using an ultrasonic cleaner. Ultrasonic vibration is transmitted from the ultrasonic vibrator, through the brush mounting point, to a plurality of brush bristles of the skin cleaning brush, and the skin cleaning brush is used to scrub the skin. In this arrangement, the plurality of brush bristles effectively transmit the ultrasonic vibration to the skin and work in conjunction with the liquid cleaning solvent to clean the skin.

Abstract: A microdermabrasion device, microdermabrasion system employing the device and method of performing microdermabrasion. A device for exfoliating skin cells from an external surface of skin includes a vacuum head base defining a chamber therein and having a substantially smooth treatment tip attached and extending from an end thereof or integral therewith. The tip has at least one central opening which is open to the chamber, and is adapted to contact the skin and traverse the skin in a substantially non-abrasive manner. A vacuum access opening is provided through a side wall of the vacuum head base and adapted to connect with a source of vacuum.

Abstract: A microabrasion apparatus for providing treatment of skin or other surfaces whereby a pneumatic source [(12, 38)] is operatively connected to a recovery container [(14, 22)] and to a hand tool [(16, 12)] and to one of a plurality of supply containers [(18, 26)] that house treatment particulates. A valve [(30)] controls which supply container [(18, 26)] provides the treatment particles. In operation, the user can select from different supply containers and thus different particles each of which performs different types of treatment such as abrasion. In addition, there is provided the use of a microabrasion apparatus using organic particulates that provide natural treatment of skin.

Abstract: The invention includes an improved handpiece for use in a microdermabrasion system. The handpiece includes a control line which allows the user to easily control activation of the compressor, a vacuum line and a compressor line. The microdermabrasion system includes a vacuum pump, compressor, and a mixing bottle. A pressure sensor is used to detect pressure changes in the system for use in activating/deactivating the compressor.

Abstract: A skin lesion exciser including a moving blade, wherein excision of a skin lesion placed in proximity to the blade is effected by movement of the blade against the skin, a moving engagement portion, wherein the blade and the engagement portion have coincident movement, and a skin-closure device having an open condition prior to excision of the skin lesion, and a closed condition in which the device holds the skin closed after excision of the skin lesion. The device is in engagement with the engagement portion during movement of the blade, and the device is moved from its open to its closed condition in response to movement of the engagement portion. The excision of the skin lesion and the closure of the skin are substantially simultaneous.

Abstract: A method for examining a body part is disclosed including the steps of immobilizing and compressing the body part to provide reproducible localization of an area of interest in the body part and to improve diagnostic quality of an image of the body part and obtaining at least one physiological image of the body part using multiple projection views of the body part.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cartridge for use in a dermal abrasion system. The cartridge comprises a supply compartment and a waste compartment. The front side of the supply compartment comprises an air inlet fitting for introducing air into the supply compartment and the bottom side of the supply compartment comprises a feed tube fitting. The front side of the waste compartment comprises a vacuum inlet fitting for introducing vacuum into the waste compartment and the front side of the waste compartment comprises a return tube fitting. The present invention also includes an apparatus for use in a dermal abrasion system employing the novel cartridge and a method for removing debris in a dermal abrasion system with the novel cartridge.

Abstract: This invention provides a one hand operable treatment tool and tissue collection system, for removal of outer layers of skin to provide a revitalized, fresh skin surface, comprising an oscillating abrasive tipped tool mounted within a protective housing, said protective housing being connected to a source of vacuum. The vacuum aids in maintaining intimate contact between the abrasive tip and the skin during the treatment process and transports the abraded tissue to a removable filter.

Abstract: Mechanically actuated dermatome comprising a cutting blade, a hollow handle substantially perpendicular to the plane of the cutting blade and a motor housed in the hollow handle with its shaft substantially perpendicular to the plane of the cutting blade. The cutting blade is enclosed in a housing which has a lowermost surface that rides on the skin during treatment, the lower surface being essentially parallel to the plane of the cutting part of the blade and the handle is substantially perpendicular to it and directed upwards when the dermatome rests on the lowermost surface of the blade housing. The lowermost surface that rides on the skin during treatment is smooth, without any protrusion that may interfere with its movement in any direction with respect to the skin.

Abstract: Microdermabrasion and suction massage apparatus are included in a single unit and alternatively connectable through a mode switch to a source of vacuum. The microdermabrasion section of the unit includes a crystal pick up station operating with a venturi effect to draw crystals through a hole into an air stream. The size of the hole is variable to control crystal density. A bleed valve is provided to control crystal velocity without controlling crystal density, while a bypass valve is provided to control crystal density without controlling crystal velocity. In an associated method, a microdermabrasion procedure is performed on the skin of a patient at an operative site. The mode switch is operated to activate the suction massage apparatus within the unit. This step is followed by performing a suction massage procedure at the operative site in order to promote healing of the abraded skin. The unit can be back-flushed by connecting various portions of the unit to a pressurized output of the source of vacuum.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the permeability of a biological membrane, including the skin or mucosa of an animal or the outer layer of a 20 plant to a permeant is described utilizing microporation of selected depth and optionally one or more of sonic, electromagnetic, mechanical and thermal energy and a chemical enhancer. Microporation is accomplished to form a micropore of selected depth in the biological membrane and the porated site is contacted with the permeant. Additional permeation enhancement measures may be applied to the site to enhance both the flux rate of the permeant into the organism through the micropores as well as into targeted tissues within the organism.

Abstract: A pedicure sander, used for a removal of calluses or corns from the hands or the feet, includes a cylindrical rotary body encased in a safety housing, and two abrasive sheets closely covering the external surface of the rotary body while being individually fixed to two fixing grooves of the body. The rotary body is rotatable by a drive motor seated within a handle of the sander. A support bracket rotatably holds the opposite ends of the drive shaft of the rotary body and has two different-sized openings on its bottom surface. A flake brush is hinged to the bracket at the bristle part to remove deposited flakes of epidermis from the filing surface of the abrasive sheet. A torsion spring is held against both the flake brush and the support bracket at its opposite arms. A shock absorbing unit is provided at each end of the drive shaft. This shock absorbing unit includes a support bushing and a support spring.

Abstract: An attachment for an appliance for the epilation of the human skin, the appliance being provided with a housing to accommodate a motor for driving at least one clamping device rotary about a first axle for purposes of epilation, the attachment being provided with at least one element for reducing the perception of pain during epilation, which element makes contact with the skin prior to the epilation.