Method and apparatus for dermatological treatment

Abstract

Exemplary methods and systems can be provided for resurfacing of skin that include formation of a plurality of small holes, e.g., having widths greater than about 0.2 mm and less than about 0.7 mm or 0.5 mm, using a mechanical apparatus. Compressive and/or tensile forces can then be applied to the treated region of skin as the damage heals to facilitate hole closure, and provide enhanced and/or directional shrinkage of the treated skin area.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cosmetic method for producing an effect in skin tissue, comprising:
 forming a plurality of holes in a region of the skin tissue using at least one coring needle; and   providing a stress that is at least one of a compressive stress or a tensile stress in the region of skin tissue after forming the holes,   wherein a diameter of the holes is between about 0.2 mm and 0.7 mm,   wherein the holes extend from the skin surface into the dermal layer of the skin,   wherein the holes extend over an areal fraction of a surface of the region that is between about 5% and 50%,   wherein the stress provides a force in the region along a direction that is substantially parallel to the surface of the region, and   wherein the stress is maintained on the surface of the region until the holes have substantially closed.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the holes is between about 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the holes extend over the areal fraction of the surface of the region that is between about 10% and 30%. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the holes extend through an entire depth of the dermal layer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stress is the compressive stress which is provided by adhering a pre-stretched film over at least one portion of the region. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising adhering a rigid object onto the pre-stretched film after the pre-stretched film has been adhered to the at least one portion of the region. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the rigid object is at least one of a rigid film or a plate. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stress is the compressive stress that is provided by inserting at least one of a surgical staple or a tensioning clip into or adjacent to the region. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stress is the compressive stress, which is provided by inserting at least one suture into or adjacent to the region. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stress is the compressive stress, which is provided by adhering a heat-shrink film onto at least a portion of the region and then heating the heat-shrink film. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stress is the compressive stress, which is provided by applying a curable liquid onto at least a portion of the region and allowing the liquid to cure, wherein the curable liquid is a liquid that shrinks when curing. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stress is the tensile stress, which is provided by stretching at least a portion of the region and then adhering a rigid object onto the stretched region. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the rigid object is at least one of a rigid film or a plate. 
     
     
         14 . The method of any one of  claims 5 - 13 , wherein the stress is maintained for at least 4 days. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying at least one of a biological glue or an adhesive to at least one portion of the region after forming the holes, and maintaining the stress until the glue or the adhesive has at least partially set. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying a photoactivated substance to at least one portion of the region, and directing light energy onto the region while maintaining the stress until the adhesive has been activated. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the photoactivated adhesive comprises at least one of rose bengal, riboflavin, a porphyrin, a chlorine, or a photosensitizer precursor. 
     
     
         18 . A system for producing a cosmetic effect in skin tissue, comprising:
 at least one coring needle structured to form a plurality of holes in a region of the skin tissue; and   a compression arrangement configured to produce and maintain a compressive stress over at least one portion of the region after the holes are formed,   wherein an inner diameter of the at least one coring needle is between about 0.2 mm and 0.7 mm,   wherein the at least one needle is capable of forming or structured to form the holes that extend from the skin surface into the dermal layer of the skin, and   wherein the compression arrangement is configured to maintain the stress that provides a force in the region along a direction that is substantially parallel to the skin surface until the holes have substantially closed.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one coring needle comprises a plurality of coring needles. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the inner diameter of the at least one coring needle is between about 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one needle is structured to form the holes that extend from the skin surface through the entire dermal layer of the skin. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the compression arrangement is configured to adhere a pre-stretched film to at least a portion of the region of skin. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the compression arrangement is configured to adhere a rigid material to at least a portion of the stressed region of skin. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the compression arrangement is configured to apply at least one of a surgical staple or a suture onto or adjacent to the region of skin.