Method for skin/surface abrasion

Abstract

A dermabrasion handpiece adapted for use to abrade the skin of a patient includes a housing extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end. Portions of the housing define a hole at the distal end with an abrasion element disposed in the housing in proximity to the hole. The housing is adapted for connection to a vacuum source to pull a portion of the skin through the hole and to move the skin portion into contact with the abrasion element. Movement of the abrader relative to the skin abrades tissue from the skin portion extending through the hole. The abrader can be provided in the form of a roller or blade moveable relative to the housing to abrade the skin. The abrasion element can be selected from a series of elements each having different abrasion characteristics and can be mounted in either the cap or the base of the housing.

1 . A surface abrasion handpiece adapted for use to abrade skin of a patient, comprising: 
 a housing extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end;    portions of the housing defining a hole at the distal end of the housing;    an abrasion element disposed in the housing in proximity to the hole;    the housing being adapted for connection to a vacuum source to pull a portion of the skin through the hole and to move the skin portion into contact with the abrasion element; whereby    movement of the abrader relative to the skin abrades tissue from the skin portion extending through the hole.    
     
     
         2 . The handpiece recited in  claim 1  wherein the abrader includes an abrasive surface disposed relative to the hole.  
     
     
         3 . The handpiece recited in  claim 2  wherein the abrader includes: 
 a disc having a generally planer outer surface; and  
 the abrasive surface is formed on the outer surface of the disc.  
 
     
     
         4 . The handpiece recited in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the abrader includes a roller having a generally cylindrical outer surface; and    the abrasive surface forms the outer surface of the roller.    
     
     
         5 . The handpiece recited in  claim 1 , wherein the abrader includes a blade disposed in proximity to the hole, the blade being movable relative to the housing.  
     
     
         6 . The handpiece recited in  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the blade is moveable between a first position and a second position;    the blade in the first position being adapted for scraping the skin with movement of the housing in a first direction; and    the blade in the second position being adapted for scraping the skin with movement of the housing in a second direction opposed to the first direction.    
     
     
         7 . The handpiece recited in  claim 6 , wherein the blade is pivotal relative to the housing between the first position and the second position.  
     
     
         8 . A method for abrading skin of a patient, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a hand piece with a hole;    moving a portion of the skin through the hole and into the handpiece; and    abrading the skin portion moved through the hole of the handpiece.    
     
     
         9 . The method of abrading skin recited in  claim 8 , further comprising the step of: 
 providing an abrasive surface in proximity to the hole in the housing; and    moving the skin relative to the abrasive surface to abrade the skin portion.    
     
     
         10 . The method recited in  claim 9 , wherein the moving step includes the steps of: 
 moving the abrasive surface relative to the skin to abrade the skin portion extending through the hole.    
     
     
         11 . The method recited in  claim 10  wherein the step of moving the abrasive surface relative to the skin includes a step of moving the housing relative to the skin.  
     
     
         12 . The method recited in  claim 8  where the abrading step includes the steps of: 
 providing an abrader in the housing;  
 moving the handpiece over the skin to draw successive portions of the skin through the hole and into abrasive contact with the abrader.  
 
     
     
         13 . The method recited in  claim 10  wherein the step of moving the abrasive surface includes the step of moving the abrasive surface relative to the housing.  
     
     
         14 . The method recited in  claim 13  wherein the step of moving the abrasive surface relative to the housing includes the step of rotating the abrasive surface relative to the housing.  
     
     
         15 . The method recited in  claim 13  wherein the step of moving the abrasive surface relative to the housing includes the step of oscillating the abrasive surface relative to the housing.  
     
     
         16 . The method recited in  claim 8  wherein the moving step includes the step of drawing the skin portion into the hole.  
     
     
         17 . The method recited in  claim 16  wherein the drawing step includes the step of sucking the skin portion into the hole.  
     
     
         18 . A method for operating a skin abrader, including the steps of: 
 providing a housing with a base and a cap separable to provide access to an abrasion element within the housing;    providing a series of abrasion elements each having different abrasion characteristics;    selecting from this series a particular one of the abrasion elements having the abrasion characteristics desired;    removing the cap from the base;    mounting the particular abrasion element in one of the caps and the base; and    replacing the cap on the base with the particular abrasion element disposed in the housing.