Patent ID: 8685038

Claim:
An apparatus for producing markings in the skin, the apparatus comprising: a housing having a proximal and distal end and a reservoir for the storage of a skin colorant, a portion of the housing configured to be held in the hand of a user; a colorant applicator coupled to the distal end of the housing, the applicator having a proximal and distal end and at least one fluid pathway, the proximal end positioned within the reservoir such that the at least one fluid pathway is coupled with the reservoir, the distal end configured to apply colorant to the skin surface through the at least one fluid pathway as the applicator is moved across the skin; and an electrode positioned within the housing, a portion of the electrode extending into the reservoir and terminating proximal to the proximal end of the applicator to allow that portion of the electrode to be immersed in and electrically coupled to the skin colorant in the reservoir, another portion of the electrode extending out of the reservoir and, configured to be electrically coupled to a current source and a return electrode; wherein the electrode is configured to deliver current to the skin to transport charged pigment elements of the colorant into the skin using an electromotive driving force to produce a marking in the skin from the pigment elements.