Pen style microneedling machine apparatus
A microneedling machine for tattooing is disclosed, which has a substantially radially symmetric exterior shape and may include subcomponents that can be disassembled and sterilized. The machine may include an adjustment mechanism for configuring the impact of the microneedle into skin. The machine may also include a motion translation device adapted to change rotational motion of the drive shaft or motor into linear reciprocating motion of the microneedle.
1 . A microneedle drive apparatus for converting rotational motion into reciprocating oscillating motion, the microneedle drive apparatus comprising:
a housing having substantially radial symmetry about a central axis;
a rotary motor having an output driveshaft end, the output driveshaft end having an axis of rotation, driveshaft end constrained within the housing and the axis of rotation positioned substantially co-axial to the central axis; and
a motion translation device dimensioned to fit within the housing comprising:
a combination offset pin and counterweight connectable to the driveshaft end, wherein the combination offset pin and counterweight is orbitally driven by the driveshaft end a distance from the central axis, wherein the combination offset pin and counterweight orbits about the central axis as it is driven by the driveshaft end;
an offset pin bearing;
a follower slidingly constrained within the housing and having a first face and a second face, the first face having a groove dimensioned to be engaged by the offset pin bearing, wherein the offset pin bearing oscillatingly travels within the groove while the follower oscillatingly slides linearly within the housing in a direction orthogonal to the groove as the offset pin bearing orbits about the driveshaft end; and
a bellcrank having a fulcrum, a first arm, and a second arm, the fulcrum pivotably constrained within the housing, the first arm adapted to be oscillatingly driven by the second face of the follower, wherein the second arm reciprocates as the follower drives the first arm.
2 . The microneedle drive apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the housing is between approximately 7 millimeters and approximately 45 millimeters.
3 . The microneedle drive apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a grip, the grip having substantially radial symmetry about the central axis and having a cartridge end and a housing mating portion distal to the cartridge end, the cartridge end dimensioned to accept a microneedle cartridge, the housing mating portion adapted to threadingly engage the housing so that the grip translates onto the housing as the grip is rotated about the central axis relative to the housing.
4 . The microneedle drive apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising:
a ratchet disc having a slot and at least one positive detent, the ratchet disc configured to slottedly mate with the housing; and the housing mating portion of the grip having at least one groove parallel to the central axis dimensioned to engage with the at least one positive detent; wherein the ratchet disc operatively interacts with the at least one groove as the grip is rotated about the central axis relative to the housing.
5 . The microneedle drive apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the offset pin comprises a bearing and a counterweight adapted to reduce vibration produced by the mass of the offset pin and bearing combination as it orbits around the central axis.
6 . The microneedle drive apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the follower has a plurality of slide facets that reduce the surface area contact between the follower and the housing for reducing friction as the follower slidingly oscillates within the housing.
7 . The microneedle drive apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a spring in mechanical communication between the motion translation device and the housing so as to return the motion translation device to a retracted position.
8 . A microneedle give adjustment apparatus for adjusting the force applied to a microneedle from a drive source, the microneedle give adjustment apparatus comprising:
a give knob having a non-circular aperture through its center and detents on an exterior surface of the give knob, wherein the detents allow the give knob to be rotated to a desired position to set a microneedle give;
a give slide comprising a drive end and an inner circumference, the inner circumference defining a substantially cylindrical cavity and having a threaded portion about the inner circumference of the cavity, the drive end having an opening into the cavity;
a drive pin comprising:
a first pin end, the first pin end dimensioned to slidably pass through the opening of the give slide drive end and dimensioned to engage the aperture of the give knob so as to rotatably engage the give knob about the central axis and linearly oscillate through the aperture co-axially with the central axis;
a collar having a diameter larger than the opening of the drive end whereby the collar of the drive pin is retained within the cavity, the collar dimensioned to slide linearly within the cavity; and
a second pin end;
a give nut dimensioned to threadedly engage the give slide cavity and adapted to be rotatably engaged by the second pin end and permit the second pin end to linearly oscillate co-axially with the central axis; and
a spring positioned between the give nut and the collar wherein the spring imparts force between the drive pin and the give nut.
9 . The microneedle give adjustment apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the give slide has a plurality of slide facets that reduce the surface area contact between the give slide and the housing for reducing friction as the give slide slidingly reciprocates within the housing.