Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a device that fits a person&#39;s finger and that can be used to reduce the effect, appearance, and/or sensitivity of a scar over a period of time. Aspects of the device include its form factor and material construction so that a contoured surface of the device fitted to a user&#39;s finger or fingers can be used to therapeutically rub an affected region of skin that is scarred. In a treatment regimen extending over a plurality of time periods, a plurality of devices in a set provide a system for systematically reducing a scar. Other aspects provide a therapeutic cream to aid in the healing and amelioration of said scar.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is related to and claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/872,007, entitled “Scar Erasing Thimble and Scar Cream,” filed on Aug. 30, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present application relates to devices for treating scars, and more particularly, for a textured apparatus that fits a person&#39;s finger and that can be used to reduce the effect and appearance of a scar over a period of time. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A scar is a mark that remains on body tissue after it has been damaged. Scars commonly occur after injury to the body tissue, for example as a result of an accident, surgery, disease, or skin condition (e.g., acne). A scar can include tissue that is raised above the surrounding tissue, which can be unaesthetic if the scar is on a human&#39;s skin. In addition, scars are often discolored with respect to the surrounding skin. Another problem is that scars on sensitive areas, such as a finger, can be uncomfortable, painful or more susceptible to the same. Painful scars can cause a patient to avoid stimulating the scar area, which can result in the avoidance of use of the scar area (a finger, a hand, etc.) since motion, pressure, and/or tactile stimulation can increase pain in a scar. Furthermore, scars with poor aesthetic appearances can have negative social consequences (e.g., embarrassment, self-consciousness, etc.) for the patient. 
         [0004]    It is recognized that rubbing a scar with a frictional tool could reduce the effects of or appearance of the scar in the long term. However, many existing systems for doing this are cumbersome, bulky, heavy, expensive and/or simply inconvenient to use, leaving persons with scars with few options to conveniently and inexpensively treat their scar tissue. In addition, many existing systems require a medical practitioner, such as an occupational therapist, to administer treatment in a formal medical setting (e.g., an office, hospital, etc.), which is less convenient and more expensive for the patient. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present disclosure is directed to a device or a system including a device or devices that treat scars on the skin. The present devices and systems overcome many of the shortcomings of existing devices and systems for treating scars. In an aspect, the present device can improve fingertip hypersensitivity for isolated finger injuries. The embodiments described include convenient and effective form factors such as in the form of a wearable thimble with a textured outer surface that fits over one or more fingers that can apply the thimble to an affected area (scar). For some users the present device could aid in improving (reducing) the size of a scar, improving its appearance, reducing the pain from the scar, and improving edema, swelling and/or fingertip sensitivity of certain scars. 
     
    
     
       IN THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a scar treatment thimble according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  illustrates another perspective view of a scar treatment thimble according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of a scar treatment thimble according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of a scar treatment thimble according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  illustrates a multi-coarseness scar treatment thimble device according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of a multi-coarseness scar treatment thimble device according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  illustrates another side view of an exemplary scar treatment thimble device; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary scar treatment thimble device; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of another exemplary scar treatment thimble device; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of another exemplary scar treatment thimble device; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate a bottom view of exemplary scar treatment thimble devices; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  illustrates a side view of another exemplary scar treatment thimble device; 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  illustrates application of a scar treatment thimble apparatus to a scar; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  illustrates a configuration of scar treatment devices in a kit for personal scar care. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    The present disclosure is generally directed to devices and methods for treating localized dermatological conditions in humans and other animals using a wearable device for applying pressure and friction to the affected area. The conditions known to respond to the treatment include scars, burns, keloids, skin blemishes, incisions, lacerations, abrasions, and stretch marks. 
         [0021]    A scar therapy kit is also disclosed and can be used as a tool for wound/laceration/incision/abrasion recovery by decreasing the appearance and sensitivity of traumatic and/or post-surgical scars throughout the body. For isolated finger injuries, it can also improve fingertip hypersensitivity and minimize scar formation as mentioned above. The kit comprises a scar treatment device or thimble and can comprise a therapeutic cream which could also be applied on and/or within a sheet or a pad. In an aspect, the kit and device allow a person with scar(s) to both actively and passively improve scar recovery. 
         [0022]    In general, the wearable device includes a body having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The exterior surface includes features that provide one or more textured regions that a patient can rub against the affected area. The textured regions can have varying coarseness or roughness. The features can include raised bumps, grooves, or other shapes that have a coarseness appropriate for the skin condition and/or the treatment regimen. The textured regions can have features arranged in various patterns, which can have variations within the pattern such as the distance between each feature and adjacent features, the arrangement of the features (e.g., in linear columns and rows or an offset between adjacent columns and/or rows), and/or the hardness or flexibility of the material that creates the features. These variables, described above, can be the same or different across the textured region. 
         [0023]    The body has a cavity to receive one or more fingers. A proximal end of the body defines an aperture to allow a finger to penetrate the cavity. The interior surface of the distal end of the body is adapted to conform to the tips of one or more fingers. Thus, a patient can mount the apparatus on a finger by inserting the finger(s) through the proximal end of the body and through the cavity to the distal end of the body. 
         [0024]    The cavity can be cylindrical and can have a central axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the body. A support member can be disposed on the body to enhance the mechanical strength of the device. The support member can be disposed in an orientation orthogonal to the central axis. 
         [0025]    As discussed above, the device has one or more textured regions. For example, a first textured region can have a coarseness appropriate for a first portion of a treatment regimen and a second textured region can have a coarseness appropriate for a second portion of the treatment regimen. The second textured region can have a greater or lower coarseness or roughness than the first textured region. The first and second textured regions can have other variations including the pattern of the features within each textured region, the distance between each feature, the arrangement of the features (e.g., in linear columns and rows or an offset between adjacent columns and/or rows), the distance between each feature and adjacent features, and/or the hardness or flexibility of the material that creates the features. In addition, a therapeutic cream can flow through interstices or channels of the first textured region at a first rate and a therapeutic cream can flow through interstices or channels of the second textured region at a second rate, thereby allowing the cream to flow through the textured regions at the same or different rates. 
         [0026]    In addition, a kit with two or more devices is disclosed. A first device, similar to the devices described above, has at least one textured region having a first coarseness appropriate for a first portion of a treatment regimen. A second device, also similar to the devices described above, has at least one textured region having a second coarseness appropriate for a second portion of the treatment regimen. The kit can include additional devices having varying coarseness, which can be used for other portions of the treatment regimen. The kit can also include a cream to be used together or separately from the devices to treat the skin. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary device  10  consistent with the present teachings to treat a localized dermatological condition, e.g., scars, burns, keloids, skin blemishes, and/or stretch marks. The device  10  includes a body  100  having an exterior surface  110  and an interior surface  120 . The exterior surface  110  has a textured region  130  comprised of various raised features  140  that extend from the exterior surface  110 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the features  140  have an elongated shape such as oval prisms (i.e., a oval in one plane with a height in an orthogonal plane). In some embodiments, the features  140  can be raised bumps, grooves, ridges, spheres (or semi-spheres, spherical sections, etc.), cubes, parallelepipeds, cones, or other shape that provides an abrasive or textured surface. The features  140  can have a uniform shape (e.g., all oval prisms as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) or the features  140  can be a combination of two or more shapes, such as a combination of semi-spheres and cubes. Additionally, the features  140  can have a uniform shape but can be oriented in the same direction relative to each other or they can be oriented in two or more directions on the exterior surface  110 . Alternatively, the features  140  can be formed from treating the exterior surface  110 , such as by sand blasting, scraping, scratching, or other treatment to create a desired coarseness. In addition, the features  140  can be arranged to allow a therapeutic cream (not shown) to flow through the textured region  130 , for example in the interstices or channels formed by the features  140 . 
         [0028]    The interior surface  120  of the body  100  is exposed to a cavity  150 . The cavity  150  is generally sized to a finger of a patient (not shown). The distal end  180  of the interior surface  120  is shaped to conform to a tip of a finger. The cavity  150  has a central axis  160  that extends from a proximal end  170  to a distal end  180  of the body  100 . Although the cavity  150  as illustrated in  FIG. 1  is generally cylindrical, the cavity  150  can have other shapes such as a parallelepiped or a polyhedron prism (e.g., an octagon in one plane with a height in an orthogonal plane). In some embodiments, the body  100  is tapered from the proximal end  170  to the distal end  180 , such that the body  100  is wider at the proximal end  170  and narrower at the distal end  180 . 
         [0029]    The body  100  defines an optional first opening  192  between the proximal end  170  of the body  100  and the support member  190 . The body  100  further defines an optional second opening  194  between the distal end  180  of the body  100  and the support member  190 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first opening  192  has approximately the same size and approximately the same shape as the second opening  194 . In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first opening  192  and the second opening  194  are on the same “side”  105  of the body  100  so that they are substantially in alignment with each other along the circumference of the exterior surface  110  of the body  100 . The openings  192  and  194  are located approximately  180  degrees from the features  140 . However, other relative positions of the openings  192  and  194  and the features  140  are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the features  140  can be disposed on the exterior surface  110  of the body  100  up to an edge  115  of the exterior surface  110  adjacent the first opening  192  and/or up to an edge  115 ′ of the exterior surface  110  adjacent the second opening  194 . The optional first opening  192  and/or the optional second opening  194  can enhance the flexibility of the body  100  by decreasing the mechanical strength of the side  105 . In addition, the optional first opening  192  and/or the optional second opening  194  can provide space for the body  100  to flex when a patient bends a finger in the cavity  150  towards the features  140  and away from the side  105 . For example, the optional first opening  192  and/or the optional second opening  194  can be arranged to align and/or contour to a shape and/or position of the interphalangeal articulations/joints of the hand, which can enhance flexibility and/or comfort for the patient. In some embodiments, three or more openings are defined in the body  100 . 
         [0030]    The optional support member  190  is arranged in an orientation orthogonal to the central axis  160  along the circumference of the body  100 , although other orientations (e.g., diagonal) are within the scope of the disclosure. The support member  190  can enhance the mechanical strength of the device  10 . 
         [0031]    The proximal end  170  of the body  100  defines an aperture  175  sized to allow a finger to pass through to the cavity  150 . A patient can mount the device  10  on a finger by a fingertip through the aperture  175 . The patient can then slide the device  10  down the finger through the cavity  150  so that the fingertip touches the interior surface  120  of the proximal end  180  of the body  100 . The patient aligns the openings  192  and  194  with the back (nail side) of the finger so that the pad of the finger faces away from the openings  192  and  194  and towards the features  140 . The patient then rubs the features  140  against a scar (or other dermatological condition) for treatment thereof. The textured surface  130  provides an abrasive force that can decrease the scar size and/or decrease the sensitivity of the scar as the scar heals, for example by re-training neuroreceptors connected to the scar tissue to be less sensitive. In addition or in the alternative, a patient can wear the device  10  on a finger that had a recent injury, trauma, or surgery during the healing process (e.g., at night). The device  10  can help retain moisture on the injured finger during healing, which can reduce scar sensitivity (e.g., by re-training neuroreceptors) and scar size. 
         [0032]    The body  100  can be formed of a flexible or semi-flexible material such as silicone, fluoro-silicone, rubber, thermo-plastic rubber, polyurethane rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), latex, polyisoprene, an elastomer, an elasto-plastic or other plastic or polymeric materials. The flexible or semi-flexible material can allow the body  100  to conform to the treatment area on a patient. For example, a flexible or semi-flexible material can allow the body  100  to conform to the shape of the skin on a patient&#39;s forearm where a scar may be located thereby increasing the surface area of the textured region  130  in contact with the treatment area (e.g., a wound site). In addition, a flexible or semi-flexible material can allow the interior surface  120  of the body  100  to conform to a patient&#39;s finger in the cavity  150  when the patient uses the device  10 . Also, a flexible or semi-flexible material can be more comfortable to a patient when the device  10  is in contact with a wound site. In addition, a flexible or semi-flexible material can be gentler to a wounded area. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, the body  100  is formed of a rigid material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, a thermoplastic material, or other material described herein. The rigid material can enhance the application of a mechanical force applied by a patient to the treatment site using the device  10 . 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, the interior surface  120  of the body  100  has a “sticky” or frictional material (e.g., a rubber) that prevents a patient&#39;s finger from sliding along the interior surface  120  during use, thus allowing the patient&#39;s finger to stay engaged with the device  10  during treatment. The “sticky” or frictional material can also prevent the patient&#39;s finger from sliding in a direction parallel to the central axis  160  and/or from rotating about the central axis  160  in the cavity  150 . For example, making the device  10  from a soft rubber substantially in the shape of a thimble and fitted snugly to securely fit over a finger can aid in the easy and secure application of the device to a patient&#39;s digit and keep it there while the device  10  is rubbed onto a scar. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, the body  100  is formed from two or more materials including the materials described above. For example, the body  100  can have an inner “core” made of a first material and an outer layer made of a second material. The inner “core” can be the portion of the body  100  exposed to the interior surface  120 . Likewise, the outer layer can be the portion of the body  100  exposed to the exterior surface  110 . In this way, the body  100  can be formed of materials having different properties. As an example, the inner “core” can be made out of a rigid material that has a “sticky” or frictional surface (e.g., a rubber) while the outer layer can be made out of a flexible material. An advantage of this approach is that the rigid material of the inner core increases the translation of mechanical force from a patient&#39;s finger to the treatment area while the flexible material of the outer layer increases the surface area of the textured region  130  in contact with the treatment site. The body  100  can include additional layers consistent with this disclosure. In another example, the body  100  can be formed out of two more materials in “strips” that run parallel to or perpendicular to the central axis  160 , as discussed in more detail below. 
         [0036]    The features  140  can be formed out of the same or a different material than the body  100  or a combination of different materials. In some embodiments, the features  140  are formed out of a flexible or semi-flexible material and the body  100  is formed out of a rigid material. In other embodiments, the features  140  are formed out of a rigid material and the body  100  is formed out of a flexible or semi-flexible material. In some embodiments, a first group of features  140  is made of a first material (e.g., a flexible material) and a second group of features  140  is made of a second material (e.g., a semi-flexible material) to allow a patient to select features having properties (e.g., flexibility or softness) appropriate for a treatment regimen. For example, a patient can select a gentler flexible material for a first portion of a treatment regimen (e.g., week  1 ) and an incrementally more rigid material (e.g., semi-flexible) for a second portion of a treatment regimen (e.g., week  2 ) and so on. In some embodiments, the features  140  are formed integrally with the body  100  during an injection molding or similar process. In addition, the features  140  can be arranged to allow a therapeutic cream (not shown) to flow through the textured region  130 , for example in the interstices or channels formed between the features  140  and the patient&#39;s skin. The width of the interstices or channels can vary depending on the material of the features  140 . For example, a wide channel (allowing flow of more cream thus increasing the cream&#39;s permeability into the skin both in quantity/time and surface area) can be formed when the features  140  are formed out of a rigid material. In contrast, a narrow channel (allowing for flow of less cream thus decreasing the cream&#39;s permeability into the skin both in quantity/time and surface area) can be formed when the features  140  are formed out of a flexible material. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  illustrates a device  20  like the one shown in  FIG. 1  but from a different perspective. The device  20  includes a textured region  230  on an exterior surface  210  of a body  200 . The textured region  230  includes a plurality of features  240  having the same shape but arranged in a grid pattern based on orientation of the features  240 . The grid includes a first group  242  of features  240  arranged in a first orientation and a second and a second group  244  of features  240  arranged in a second orientation. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the features  240  have an elongated shape (e.g., are oval prisms) though it is to be noted that this disclosure is not limited to a particular shape and that oval prisms are only provided as an example. The first group  242  of features  240  is oriented so that the elongated portion of the oval extends from a proximal end  170  to a distal end  180  of the body  200 . The second group  244  of features  240  is oriented so that the elongated portion of the oval extends in a direction orthogonal to the elongated portion of ovals in the first group  242  of features  240 . The relative orientation of the features  240  can affect the width and/or shape of the interstices or channels formed between the features  240  and the patient&#39;s skin. The relative orientation of the features  240  can also affect the coarseness of the textured region  230 . 
         [0038]    The first group  242  of features  240  is adjacent to the second group  244  of features  240 . As illustrated, the first group  242  and the second group  244  are arranged on the exterior surface  210  in a repeating, grid-like pattern to form the textured region  230 . It should be noted that other orientations of the features  240  and/or groups of features  240  are included within this disclosure. For example, the first group  242  can include a set of three features  240  where the outer features  240  have one orientation and the inner feature  240  has a different orientation. Likewise, the features  240  in the first group  242  can each have a different orientation. The first group can have additional or fewer features  240  than the three features  240  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , such as four features  240  or two features  240 . Similar variations can be made with respect to the second group  244  of features  240 . In some embodiments, the features  240  are divided into three or more groups and arranged in various orientations and/or shapes within each group as described above. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  illustrates another exemplary perspective of a device  30  similar to the devices  10  and  20  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively. 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of a device  40  similar to the devices  10 ,  20 , and  30  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 3 , textured region  430  optionally extends to the distal portion  480  of the body  400 . The textured region  430  includes a first group  432  of features  440  and a second group  434  of features  440 . The first group  432  of features  440  is disposed laterally from another first group  432  of features  440  with respect to an axis  460 . Above and below the first group  432  of features  440 , with respect to the axis  460 , are a pair of the second group  434  of features  440 . Additional arrangements of the first group  432  and the second  434  of features  440  are contemplated within this disclosure, as discussed above, including additional groups of features  440  and a different number of features  440  in each group. The features  440  can be arranged to form a channel within the features  440  and/or between the features  440  and the treatment area to allow a cream to flow there through. 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of a device  50 . The device  50  has a generally cylindrical body  500  having an exterior surface  510  and an interior surface (not shown). Textured regions  530 A,  530 B, and  530 C are on the exterior surface  510 . The textured regions  530 A,  530 B, and  530 C extend vertically from a proximal end  570  to a distal end  580  of the body  500 . The textured regions  530 A,  530 B, and  530 C are arranged laterally across a circumference of the exterior surface  510  of the body  500 . Optionally, a plain or non-textured region  512  is disposed between textured regions  530 A and  530 B. Another optional plain or non-textured region  514  is disposed between textured regions  530 B and  530 C. In some embodiments, the textured region  530 A is adjacent to the textured region  530 B without the optional plain or non-textured region  512  between the textured regions  530 A and  530 B. Likewise, the textured region  530 B can be adjacent to the textured region  530 C without the optional plain or non-textured texture  514  between the textured regions  530 B and  530 C. The textured regions  530 A,  530 B, and  530 C can be made out of the same material (e.g., with different sizes or shapes of features  540  (not shown)) or they can be made out of different materials (e.g., materials with different flexibilities or softness as discussed above). 
         [0042]    The textured regions  530 A,  530 B, and  530 C can have the same coarseness or they can each have a different coarseness. For example, textured region  530  can have a first coarseness, textured region  530 B can have a second coarseness, and textured region  530 C can have a third coarseness, and so on. In some embodiments, textured region  530 C is coarser than textured region  530 B, and textured region  530 B is coarser than textured region  530 A. In this way, a patient can use the device  50  for a treatment plan or regimen having three portions (e.g., a three-week treatment regimen, a six-week treatment regimen, etc.). In the first treatment portion (e.g., the first 1-2 weeks), a patient can use textured region  530 A to treat a scar such as by rubbing textured region  530 A against the scar. Textured region  530 A can have a fine or non-rough coarseness to gently treat the scar as it first starts to heal and/or while the scar has increased sensitivity. In the second treatment portion (e.g., the second 1-2 weeks), the patient can use textured region  530 B to treat the scar such as by rubbing textured region  530 B against the scar. Textured region  530 B can have an incrementally rougher or greater coarseness than textured region  530 A, which allows the patient to apply a greater abrasive force to the scar (e.g., since the wound has healed more and is less sensitive since the first treatment portion) by using textured region  530 B instead of textured region  530 A. In the third portion (e.g., the third 1-2 weeks), the patient can use textured region  530 C to treat the scar, such as by rubbing textured region  530 C against the scar. Textured region  530 C can have an incrementally rougher or greater coarseness than textured region  530 B, which allows the patient to apply a greater abrasive force to the scar (e.g., since the wound has healed more and is less sensitive than it was in the second treatment portion) by using textured region  530 C instead of textured region  530 B. Greater or fewer textured regions  530 N (not shown) can be included in the device  50  for additional or fewer treatment portions, or they can be used in combination during the same treatment portion (e.g., textured regions  530 A and  530 B are both used during week  1  of treatment). A treatment regimen such as the one described above can decrease the scar size and/or decrease the sensitivity of the scar tissue. 
         [0043]    Alternatively, treatment portions  530 A,  530 B, and  530 C can be disposed in bands along the circumference of the exterior surface  510  of the body  500 . For example, textured region  530 A can be in a first band adjacent to the proximal end  570  of the body  500 . Textured region  530 B can be in a second band adjacent to the first band, where the second band is located transversely from the first band in the direction of the distal end  580  of the body  500 . Similarly, textured region  530 C can be in a third band adjacent to the second band, where the third band is located transversely from the second band in the direction of the distal end  580  of the body  500 . The bands can be made out of the same material or different materials as described above. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  illustrates a bottom view of a device  60  similar to the device  50  illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The device  60  includes a body  600  having an exterior surface (not shown) with textured regions  630 A,  630 B,  630 C, and  630 D. The textured regions  630 A,  630 B,  630 C, and  630 D can each have a different roughness, the same roughness, or combination thereof (e.g., two textured regions have the same roughness and two textured regions a different roughness). In addition, the textured regions  630 A,  630 B,  630 C, and  630 D can be made out of the same material or different material as discussed above. 
         [0045]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a device  70 . The device  70  has a textured region  730  on an exterior surface  710  of a body  700 . The textured region  730  is comprised of semi-spherical features  740  having a given coarseness or roughness. The coarseness of the textured region  730  can be modified by adjusting the radius of the semi-spherical features  740 , and/or by varying the distance between adjacent features  740  and/or the material of the features  740 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. Device  80  has a textured region  830  on an exterior surface  810  of a body  800 . The textured region  830  is comprised of relatively small, semi-spherical features  840  having a projection  842  extending from the feature  840  away from the body  800 . The coarseness of the textured region  830  can be modified by adjusting the radius of the semi-spherical features  840 , the height or thickness of the projection  842 , and/or by varying the distance between adjacent features  840  and/or the material of the features  840 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the invention. Device  90  has a textured region  930  on an exterior surface  910  of a body  900 . The textured region  930  is comprised of generally flat features  940 , such as rectangular prisms. The coarseness of the textured region  930  can be modified by adjusting the size of the features (length, width, and/or height), and/or by varying the distance between adjacent features  940 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the invention. Device  10  has a textured region  1030  on an exterior surface  1010  of a body  1000 . As illustrated, the body  1000  is optionally closed and does not include a cavity for a finger. In some embodiments, the body  1000  includes a cavity (not shown) for receiving a finger, similar to the cavities described above (e.g., in  FIG. 1 ). Likewise, the body  1000  can include an aperture (not shown) in a proximal portion  1070  of the body  1000 , similar to the apertures described above (e.g. in  FIG. 1 ). The body  1000  has a handle member  1040  that allows a patient to hold the device  10  and to rub the device against a scar or other treatment area. The patient can hold the device  10  by the handle member  1040  alone or can use the handle member  1040  while the device  10  is mounted on a finger. The handle member  1040  can be a block, a knob, or other shape that allows a person to hold the device  10 . 
         [0049]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate a bottom view of exemplary scar treatment thimble devices  11 A and  11 B, respectively. Device  11 A has a body  1100  that defines a first aperture  1110  for receiving a first finger and a second aperture  1111  for receiving a second finger. The body  1100  has at least one textured region (not shown) with features that provide a coarseness as described above. In some embodiments, the body  1100  has two, three, four, or more textured regions (not shown). The textured regions and/or features can be made out of the same or different materials as other textured regions on the body  1100 . In addition, the textured region(s) can correspond to a portion of a treatment regimen for treating a scar or other dermatological feature. A person can wear the device  11 A by inserting a first finger though the first aperture  1110  and into a first cavity  1115  in the body  1100 , and by inserting a second finger through the second aperture  1111  and into a second cavity  1116 . Distal portions (not shown) of the first cavity  1115  and/or the second cavity  1116  can be shaped to conform to a fingertip, as described in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the body  1100  defines three or more apertures and respective cavities for receiving three or more fingers. 
         [0050]    With respect to  FIG. 11B , the device  11 B includes a first body  1101  and a second body  1111  connected by a bridge  1105 . The first body  1101  defines a first aperture  1110 ′ that connects to a first cavity  1115 ′. The second body  1102  defines a second aperture  1111 ′ that connects to a second cavity  1116 ′. Each body  1101 ,  1102  has a textured region (not shown) with features (not shown) that provide a coarseness as described above. In some embodiments, one or both bodies  1101 ,  1102  has multiple (e.g., two, three, four, or more) textured regions. Each textured region can be made out of the same material or a different material. In some embodiments, the textured region(s) correspond to a portion of a treatment regimen for treating a scar or other dermatological feature. 
         [0051]      FIG. 12  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , a device  12  includes animal or caricature features  1205  (e.g., nose, eyes, mouth, ears, paws, etc.) on a body  1200 . The animal or caricature features  1205  can be amusing or less intimidating for a child when using the device  12 . In some embodiments, a cartoon character or a superhero likeness is disposed on the device  12 . In some embodiments, the body itself  1280  is formed to resemble an animal shape. In some embodiments, the device  12  can have a fun color (pink, yellow, blue, etc.) or pattern (polka dot, stripe, plaid, etc.) that can be appropriate for a child. The device  12  can have various textured regions, features, and materials as described herein. 
         [0052]      FIG. 13  illustrates a non-detailed view of a device  13  on a finger  1305  of a patient. The patient mounts the device  13  on the finger  1305  by inserting a fingertip  1315  through an aperture  1375  in a proximal end  1370  of a body  1300 . The patient then slides the device  13  down the finger  1305  such that fingertip  1315  passes through a cavity  1350  and touches an interior surface  1320  of a distal end  1380  of the body  1300 . As illustrated, the interior surface  1320  of the distal end  1380  of the body  1300  conforms to the fingertip  1315 . For treatment, the patient rubs a textured region  1330  on an exterior surface  1310  of the body  1300  against a scar  1307  (or other dermatological condition) on a patient&#39;s body  1309 . In some embodiments, the device  13  is adapted to be worn on two or more fingers  1305 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 14  illustrates a kit  14  for treating a dermatological condition. The kit  14  includes a housing  1400  containing a first device  1410 , a second device  1420 , and a third device  1430 . The devices  1410 ,  1420 , and  1430  can be substantially similar to one or more of the devices described above. For example, the devices  1410 ,  1420 , and  1430  can be substantially similar to the device  10 . The devices  1410 ,  1420 , and  1430  can have textured regions (not shown) having the same or different coarseness. For example, device  1410  can have a textured region (not shown) with a first coarseness, device  1420  can have a textured region (not shown) with a second coarseness, and device  1430  can have a textured region (not shown) with a third coarseness. In some embodiments, the devices  1410 ,  1420 , and  1430  have textured regions that are progressively coarser. For example, device  1410  can have a textured region that is relatively fine or non-coarse; device  1420  can have a textured region that his incrementally more course or rough than that of device  1410 ; and device  1430  can have a textured region that his incrementally more course or rough than that of device  1420 . In other words, device  1410  can be the least coarse, device  1430  can be the most coarse, and device  1420  can have a “middle” coarseness. Each device  1410 ,  1420 , and  1430  can be made out of the same or different materials as described above. 
         [0054]    Similarly, each device  1410 ,  1420 , and  1430  has the same or different feature shape (not shown). For example, device  1410  can have features (not shown) that are oval prisms (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) while device  1420  can have features (not shown) that are semi-spheres (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 7 ). Device  1430  can have features (not shown) that are oval prisms, semi-spheres, ridges, another shape or a combination thereof. The features of each device  1410 ,  1420 , and  1430  can be arranged in a pattern, randomly, or a combination thereof. 
         [0055]    The texture/coarseness of the devices  1410 ,  1420 , and  1430  can correspond to a step or portion of a treatment regimen. For example, a patient can use device  1410  for a first portion of a treatment regimen (e.g., first 1-2 weeks) followed by device  1420  for a second portion of a treatment regimen (e.g., second 1-2 weeks) and device  1430  for a third portion of a treatment regimen (e.g., third 1-2 weeks). Additional devices can be provided for additional portions of a treatment regimen. The devices  1410 ,  1420 , and  1430  can have writing, coloring, or another indicator to connect the appropriate device with the appropriate portion of the treatment regimen. For example, each device  1410 ,  1420 , and  1430  can have a number inscribed on its surface to designate the week number to use the appropriate device  1410 ,  1420 , and  1430  (e.g., device  1410  has a “1” inscribed on its surface, etc.). In some embodiments, one or more of devices  1410 ,  1420 , and  1430  has a textured surface having two or more regions with a different coarseness (e.g., similar to device  50  in  FIG. 5 ). In some embodiments, one or more of devices  1410 ,  1420 , and  1430  has a handle and/or does not include cavity or aperture for receiving a finger. In some embodiments, one or more of devices  1410 ,  1420 , and  1430  has a cavity and aperture for receiving two or more fingers. 
         [0056]    In some embodiments, the kit  14  includes a cream  1440  that can be used to treat the dermatological condition together or in combination with the devices  1410 ,  1420 , and  1430 . The cream  1440  can include one, some, or all of the ingredients in Table 1. It is noted that the weight percentages provided in Table 1 are examples and are not intended to be exhaustive. For example, the cream  1440  can include plus or minus 1%, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, or 15% of the weight percentage of any ingredient listed in Table 1. The cream  1440  can have a pH of about 5.9 (at 25° C.) plus or minus 1%, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, or 15% and it can have a viscosity of about 200,000 cps plus or minus 1%, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, or 15%. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Weight 
                   
               
               
                 Ingredient 
                 Percent 
                 Function 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Deionizied water 
                 57.30 
                 Vehicle 
               
               
                 Glycerine 
                 5.00 
                 Humectant 
               
               
                 Propanediol 
                 2.00 
                 Solvent moisturizer 
               
               
                 SabiWhite ™ 
                 0.20 
                 Skin lightener, 
               
               
                 (tetrahydrocurcumin 95%) 
                   
                 antioxidant 
               
               
                 (Sabinsa Corporation) 
               
               
                 
                   Aloe barbedensis 
                 
                 2.00 
                 Anti-inflammatory 
               
               
                 Carbopol ® Ultrez 10 (carbomer) 
                 0.80 
                 Rheology, viscosity 
               
               
                 (Lubrizol Corporation) 
               
               
                 Vital ET ™ 
                 2.50 
                 VE phosphate non- 
               
               
                 (disodiumLauriminodipropionate 
                   
                 steroidal anti- 
               
               
                 tocopheryl phosphates) 
                   
                 inflammatory, source 
               
               
                 (Ashland Inc.) 
                   
                 of Vitamin E 
               
               
                 Allantoin 
                 0.50 
                 Stimulates new tissue 
               
               
                   
                   
                 growth, wound 
               
               
                   
                   
                 healing 
               
               
                 Muira puama ( ptychopetalum   
                 0.50 
                 Increase blood flow, 
               
               
                   olacoides  bark/root extract (and) 
                   
                 antiseptic, 
               
               
                 glycerin (and) water) 
                   
                 antibacterial 
               
               
                 Cutina ® GMS V (glyceryl 
                 1.00 
                 Emulsifier 
               
               
                 stearate) (BASF Corporation) 
               
               
                 Phenoxyl T (cetearyl alcohol 
                 2.00 
                 Emulsifier 
               
               
                 (and) ceteareth-20) 
               
               
                 Alpha-bisabolol 
                 0.20 
                 Non-steroidal anti- 
               
               
                   
                   
                 inflammatory 
               
               
                 Cocoa butter ( theobroma cacao   
                 2.00 
                 Reduces degeneration 
               
               
                 seed butter) 
                   
                 of skin cells and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 restores skin flexibility 
               
               
                 Cremelin ® PURA (vegetable 
                 1.00 
                 Natural petrolatum 
               
               
                 oils) (CREMER OLEO GmbH &amp; 
               
               
                 Co. KG) 
               
               
                 Almond oil ( prunus amygdalus   
                 1.00 
                 Emollient 
               
               
                   dulcis ) 
               
               
                 Olive oil ( olea europaea ) 
                 1.00 
                 Soothing, promotes oil 
               
               
                   
                   
                 spreading and skin 
               
               
                   
                   
                 smoothness 
               
               
                 Jojoba oil ( simmondsia chinesis ) 
                 8.00 
                 Wax esters for 
               
               
                   
                   
                 antioxidant, moisture 
               
               
                   
                   
                 emollient, improves 
               
               
                   
                   
                 skin elasticity 
               
               
                 Dow Corning ® 200, 100 cSt 
                 0.50 
                 Silicone spreading 
               
               
                 (dimethicone) (Dow Corning 
               
               
                 Corporation) 
               
               
                 Freshcolat ® MGA (menthone 
                 1.00 
                 Skin coolant and 
               
               
                 glycerine acetal) (Symrise AG) 
                   
                 refreshant 
               
               
                 Triethanolamine 99% 
                 0.60 
                 pH adjustment 
               
               
                 Escalol ® 557 Octinoxate 
                 1.00 
                 UV absorber 
               
               
                 (Ashland Inc.) 
               
               
                 Germaben ® II (propylene glycol 
                 1.00 
                 Preservative 
               
               
                 (and) diazolidinyl urea (and) 
               
               
                 methylparaben (and) 
               
               
                 propylparaben) (Sutton 
               
               
                 Laboratories) 
               
               
                 Phytotal ™ AI PS (glycerin, aqua, 
                 2.30 
                 Reduces visible and 
               
               
                 butylene glycol,  euphrasia   
                   
                 physical signs of 
               
               
                   officinalis  extract,  melissa   
                   
                 irritation 
               
               
                   officinalis  extract,  magnolia   
               
               
                   biondii  extract, lecithin) (Croda 
               
               
                 International PLC) 
               
               
                 SymSitive ® 1609 (pentylene 
                 3.00 
                 Reduces neuropathic 
               
               
                 glycol, 4-t-butylcyclohexanol) 
                   
                 pain (e.g., stinging 
               
               
                 (Symrise AG) 
                   
                 and burning) 
               
               
                 Cucumber phytobasic in 
                 2.30 
                 Astringent/skin 
               
               
                 glycerine ( cucumis sativa  extract) 
                   
                 tightening 
               
               
                 Pro-Lipo ™ Neo (propanediol 
                 1.30 
                 Pro-liposome 
               
               
                 (and) lecithin) (Unipex Group 
                   
                 encapsulation skin 
               
               
                 Inc.) 
                   
                 penetrant; increases 
               
               
                   
                   
                 skin penetration and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 bioavailability of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 entrapped hydrophilic 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and/or lipophilic active 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ingredients for better 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and faster results 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0057]    The cream  1440  can be infused or stored in a silicone (or similar) elastomer sheet or pad, which can be available in various sizes to use as a dressing over a surgical or traumatic scar. The cream  1440  can be located in a recessed compartment within the elastomer sheet or pad. The elastomer sheet or pad can be which is stored prior to clinical application by using an impermeable or semipermeable peel away covering. For example, the elastomer sheet or pad can be sized and shaped to fit over a caesarian section scar. The sheet or pad can be applied over the entire length of the scar for several weeks following the caesarian section procedure, allowing the scar (and the patient) to benefit from the cream contained in the sheet or pad. Additionally, the sheet or pad can retain moisture, which can soften a scar and protect the skin from post-surgical hypersensitivity. 
         [0058]    The present invention should not be considered limited to the particular embodiments described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention as fairly set out in the present claims. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the present invention may be applicable, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention is directed upon review of the present disclosure. The claims are intended to cover such modifications.