Abstract:
An Improved Facial Rejuvenation Device and Method. The device is small and portable. The device further has an ergonomic nozzle shape defined by a housing having a suction bore defined by a throttle positioned within it. The throttle may perform its throttling action by adjusting the diameter of the suction bore formed within the housing. The method employs the unique device to create a localized suction force to the skin in the vicinity of a previously-applied medicinal formulation. The device further may have a housing defined by a conical outer shape terminating in a sealing ring at its tip.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to skin care and, more specifically, to an Improved Facial Rejuvenation Device and Method 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   The skin care industry has undergone explosive growth in recent years. Daily, additional lotions, treatments and devices arrive on the market that are touted to reduce the effects of age and harsh environmental conditions on a person&#39;s skin. A somewhat recent approach has been to apply a localized vacuum source against a user&#39;s skin in order to remove the upper layer(s) of dead skin (the sebum) and other debris. A portable device now available for such application is provided in  FIG. 1 . 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional portable suction device  10 . the device  10  is defined by a somewhat ergonomic handle  12 , from which extends a head  14 . The head  14  is defined by a neck  16  that tapers down in diameter to a rim  18 . A suction port stem  20  extends from the head  14  in the center portion of the rim  18 ; the gap between the suction port stem  20  and the rim  18  being defined here as an annular ring  24 . Near the distal end of the stem  20  is a gasket  22 , such as a conventional “O” ring. 
   The handle  12  is defined by an “on-off” switch  26 , and a removable cover  28  which encases the batteries used to power the electric motor contained within the device  10  for creating the suction. To operate the device  10 , the user need simply turn on the switch  26 ; the motor will drive a small internal pump (not shown), which will create a vacuum at the opening in the suction port stem  20 . The stem  20  is intended to permit the user to attach and detach a variety of brushes or tips for creating a suction against the user&#39;s (or patient&#39;s) skin. 
   There are at least two deficiencies with this prior device  10 : (1) it fails to address the need for having adjustability in the level of vacuum being applied to the skin; and (2) it fails to provide an ergonomic tip attachment that can be used to massage the skin, rather than simply to remove dead or dying skin. 
   Ito I and Ito II, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,319,211 and 6,468,235 both attempt to address the need for a variable vacuum source. The Ito devices both couple a battery-operated suction-developing device with a detachable nozzle (similar to  FIG. 1  in their basic design); the alleged novelty in these devices is related to their ability to regulate the vacuum power. The Ito devices recite the addition of a “regulator” for regulating the pump characteristics such that the suction created by the pump can be varied. The purpose articulated for regulating the vacuum is to enable the device to be removed more easily from the user&#39;s face, and to thereby prevent the creation of purplish marks on the skin. 
   While the Ito&#39;s both disclose a device for regulating the suction created at the tips of the devices, neither does so in a manner that is cost-effective or ergonomic. Furthermore, the Ito disclosures fail to address the application of localized suction to the skin as a massaging technique that further prepares the dermis and subcutaneous tissue to improve the subcutaneous delivery of medicinal formulation. What is needed, therefore, is a device and method that modifies a conventional suction device such that the suction strength is adjustable and to provide an improved delivery system for topical applications of skin rejuvenating formulations. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices and methods, it is an object of the present invention to provide an Improved Facial Rejuvenation Device and Method. The device should be small and portable. The device should further have an ergonomic nozzle shape defined by a housing having a suction bore defined by a throttle positioned within it. The throttle may perform its throttling action by adjusting the diameter of the suction bore formed within the housing. The method should employ the unique device to create a localized suction force to the skin in the vicinity of a previously-applied medicinal formulation. The device may have a housing defined by a conical outer shape terminating in a sealing ring at its tip. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional portable suction device; 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the conical tip attachment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the attachment of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the attachment of  FIGS. 2 and 3  attached to the device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 5  is a cutaway side view of the attachment of  FIGS. 2-4 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide an Improved Facial Rejuvenation Device and Method. 
   The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the conical tip attachment  30  of the present invention. The attachment  30  is configured to be detachably attached to a conventional suction-creating device, such as the one depicted above in  FIG. 1 , as well as other devices and systems. The attachment  30  is defied by a housing  32  having a conical outer shape. The conical shape of the housing  32  is an important distinction from the prior devices because it is less cumbersome to use, particularly in the facial area, and it is further more aesthetically pleasing. The housing  32  has a skirt edge  34  at the widened end of the cone shape, and is defined by the tip end  36  opposite. A sealing ring  38  is attached or formed at the tip end  36 . the sealing ring  38  is made from a pliable material, such as silicone, rubber or plastic material. Substantially in the center of the sealing ring  38  is an aperture  40 . 
   Disposed along the wall of the housing  32  is a throttle knob  42 . As will be discussed more fully below, the throttle knob  42  is the interface for the user to increase or decrease the amount of suction being provided through the aperture  40 . In this example, the housing  32  and throttle knob  42  are constructed from a rigid, durable material, such as molded plastic; other materials may be employed depending upon the particular application for the device  30 . Now turning to  FIG. 3 , we can examine other aspects of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the attachment  30  of  FIG. 2 . The attachment  30  has a suction interface tube  44  extending rearwardly from substantially the center of the skirt edge  34 . The tube  44  defines a suction bore  48  at its center, and further an annular ring  46  between its exterior surface and the inner wall of the housing  32  commencing with the skirt edge  34 . 
   The tube  44  is cooperatively designed to be placed over the suction port stem (see  FIG. 1 ), and to create a leak-proof seal between the two. The rim of the suction device (see  FIG. 1 ) will be accepted within the annular ring  46  of the attachment  30 . Since the housing  32  and interface tube  44  have circular cross-sections, the attachment  30  can be rotated to any angular position desired; the user can thus position the throttle knob  42  on whichever side of the housing  32  that he or she finds convenient.  FIG. 4  reflects the completed assembly. 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the attachment  30  of  FIGS. 2 and 3  attached to the device  10  of  FIG. 1 . As shown, the attachment  30  provides a very sleek, ergonomic addition to the conventional suction device  10 . As discussed above, the attachment  30  can be rotated to position the throttle knob  42  as desired such that the suction force is conveniently adjusted. 
   It should be apparent that when the switch  26  is activated, it will cause the motor and pump to run, thereby causing a suction to be developed at the stem (see  FIG. 1 ). This suction will in turn be created at the tip end  36  through the aperture  40 . Once this suction is developed, the assembled device  10  and attachment  30  can be used to perform a unique process. 
   As discussed above in the background section, no prior device or method has been used to assist in the subcutaneous delivery of skin care lotions or creams. This device is designed to be gently passed over the user&#39;s skin, typically the facial area. The suction developed at the sealing ring  38  serves to stretch the skin as the attachment  30  is placed against a particular skin area. As the skin is stretched not only are the pores opened in the outer layer of the skin, but the circulation within the underlying tissue of the skin (i.e. the epidermis) is also increased. Furthermore, the collagen and elastin fibers that are found in the outer layer of skin are stretched; this creates additional elasticity in the skin. The additional skin elasticity will diminish the appearance of wrinkles, will reduce fine lines in the skin, and will generally improve overall skin tone. Still further, when the attachment  30  is used in conjunction with a topical collagen-enriched skin cream or lotion, even better results are achieved. 
   If the user first applies a collagen-enriched skin cream or lotion, and then passes the attachment  30  over that portion of skin, the stretching of the collagen fibers in the skin will actually make the skin absorb the lotion (and collagen enrichment) more fully and quickly. By driving the collagen enrichment into the skin, the fibers found within the skin are supplemented in a way that improves the skin tone above and beyond what was previously achievable through either manual rubbing in of the lotion, or through application of suction alone.  FIG. 5  provides additional detail regarding the attachment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5  is a cutaway side view of the attachment  30  of  FIGS. 2-4 . As can be seen, the housing  32  defines a suction bore  48  extending between the aperture  40  and the general vicinity of the skirt edge  34 . At a point between the two ends, a screen  54  may be positioned to prevent contaminants from being sucked through the suction bare  48  and into the suction device (see  FIG. 1 ). If the screen  54  is not included/attached within the bore  48 , the suction developed at the aperture  40  will be greater than if it is in place. The sealing ring  38  is shown here a distinct element that is separate from the housing  32 , however it should be understood that in some embodiments, the two elements may be combined into a single item. 
   The throttle  60  is a device used to adjustably narrow down or pinch off the suction bore  48  in order to create a variable suction force at the aperture  40 . Unlike the prior pump regulating devices, the throttle acts on the suction side of the system, so that the throttle knob  42  can be positioned in close proximity to the tip of the attachment for convenient adjustment. 
   The throttle  60  is defined by the throttle knob  42 , preferably extending outside of the outer wall of the housing  32 . Somewhat adjacent to the throttle knob  42  is a threaded portion  52  of the throttle  60 ; the threaded portion  52  engages threads formed in the wall of the housing  32  in order to convert rotation into translation. The throttle  60  in this embodiment terminates in a plunger  50 , which is extendable into the suction bore  48 . In operation, the user can adjust the suction force created at the aperture  40  by rotating the throttle knob  42 ; rotation of the throttle knob  42  will cause the plunger  50  to travel into or out of the suction bore  48 , thereby pinching off or opening up the suction bore diameter. 
   Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.