INSTRUMENTS AND TECHNIQUES FOR CONTROLLED REMOVAL OF EPIDERMAL LAYERS
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.
1 . A system for treating the skin surface of a patient, comprising an instrument body with a working surface that carries an abrading structure for abrading skin, at least one opening in the working surface coupled to a passageway that extends to a remote vacuum source for suctioning the skin against the working surface, wherein the abrading structure defines a multiplicity of sharp apices for abrading tissue.
2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the abrading structure is carries about a plurality of undulations in the working surface.
3 . The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one media inflow port in the working surface for delivering a flowable media to the skin during treatment.
4 . The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one media inflow port in the working surface communicates with a fluid media canister in the instrument body.