Apparatus with elliptical movement for microdermabrasion and topical delivery of treatments

Abstract

A device for providing elliptical path motion to skin or other surface. The device includes a motor, shaft, and a cam having at least one offset axis cam lobe for creating offset motion. A mounting bracket assembly that has a pair of arms associated with the motor can be moved by the cam in an elliptical path having X-axis, Y-axis and, in exemplary embodiments, Z-axis movement. The mounting bracket assembly may have two brackets, each being associated with an oscillating plate. Each oscillating plate may have a plurality of protrusions or tufts of bristles protruding therefrom. Elliptical movement of the oscillating plates creates offset elliptical motion of the protrusions associated with each oscillating plate. A fluid delivery system may be incorporated to provide fluid through the device. The device may be used for cleaning, stimulation or treatment of skin.

Claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for providing elliptical motion, comprising:
 a) a motor;   b) a drive shaft having an axis of rotation and extending from the motor, the shaft having a distal end;   c) an elliptical motion creating mechanism associated with the shaft, the mechanism including at least one axially offset member having an axis of rotation in an axis offset from the axis of the shaft; and,   d) a mounting bracket comprising
 i) a base plate operatively associated with the offset member, the base plate having a first side defining an X-axis movement direction and a second side generally perpendicular to the first side, the second side defining a Y-axis movement direction, 
 ii) a first side arm extending from the base plate and associated with the motor, the first side arm having a distal end terminating in a connection portion, the first side arm defining a Z-axis movement direction, 
 iii) a second side arm extending from the base plate and associated with the motor, the second side arm having a distal end terminating in a connection portion, 
   whereby rotation of the shaft causes the offset member to rotate and impart elliptical motion to the mounting bracket such that the base plate moves in an elliptical path in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a grommet associated with the base plate, the grommet having a bore extending at least partially therethrough, the distal end of the shaft being adapted to fit at least partially in the bore. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an interface member associated with the base plate. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a connecting member extending from the base plate. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket moves in a Z-axis direction. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for providing elliptical motion to a structure, comprising:
 a) a motor;   b) a drive shaft having an axis of rotation and extending from the motor;   c) means for generating at least one rotational motion having an axis offset from the shaft axis; and,   d) means for providing oscillating elliptical motion associated with the means for generating rotational motion.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the means for generating at least one rotational motion offset from the shaft axis comprises a cam. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the cam comprises at least two offset axis cam lobes, each offset axis cam lobe having a central axis that is offset from the shaft axis, and each offset axis being offset from each other. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the means for providing elliptical motion comprises at least one base plate operatively associated with the means for generating at least one rotational motion such that elliptical rotation of the means for generating rotational motion causes the base plate to move in an elliptical path in both an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the means for providing elliptical motion is adapted to move in a Z-axis defined by an axis orthogonal to both the X-axis and Y-axis. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a plate associated with the means for providing elliptical motion. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the plate further comprises a plurality of protrusions extending from one face of the plate. 
     
     
         13 . A method for treating skin or other surface, comprising: contacting an area of skin with at least one first contact means for contacting the skin and at least one second contact means for contacting the skin whereby the at least one first contact means moves in a first elliptical path and the at least one second contact means moves in a second elliptical path the first and second elliptical paths being offset from one another. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first elliptical path and the second elliptical path are offset by 90 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second contact means also move in direction orthogonal to the elliptical path movement so as to provide pulsatingly applied force to the skin or surface contact area. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first contact means comprises a plurality of first protrusions and the second contact means comprises a plurality of second protrusions. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising delivering a fluid via either or both of the first or second contact means.