Systems and methods for removing exogenous particles from the skin of a patient

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods that removing exogenous particles from a target region of the skin of a patient. The systems and methods can employ dermal lavage to remove the exogenous particles from the target region. In some instances, the exogenous particles can be residual tattoo ink after a tattoo removal process. A conduit can be sized and dimensioned for insertion into or around the target region to inject an irrigation fluid that defines an irrigation area. The exogenous particles can be suspended in the irrigation fluid. A device can be configured to form one or more channels in the irrigation area so that the exogenous particles are removable from the irrigation area.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device configured to remove exogenous particles from skin, the device comprising:
 a housing;   at least one fluid injection mechanism within an outer section of the housing configured to inject an irrigation fluid into the skin to define an irrigation area, wherein the exogenous particles are removeable from the irrigation area with the irrigation fluid; and   a pressure/suction mechanism within an inner section of the housing configured to alternate pressure and suction to the irrigation area to facilitate removal of the irrigation fluid and at least a portion of the exogenous particles from the irrigation area.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner section of the housing is configured to form one or more channels within a portion of the irrigation area, wherein the irrigation fluid and the at least the portion of the exogenous particles are removed through the one or more channels. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the inner section of the housing comprises at least one microneedle or coring needle to form the one or more channels within the portion of the irrigation area. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the inner section of the housing is configured to draw a portion of the irrigation area therein to form the one or more channels within the portion of the irrigation area. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the irrigation area is within a dermis of the skin. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive material along at least a portion of the housing to attach the housing to the skin. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the housing comprises a domed portion to be placed away from the skin and a substantially flat portion to be placed on the skin, wherein the adhesive material is along at least a portion of the substantially flat portion. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the irrigation fluid comprises a biocompatible fluid and an additive. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the additive is a pharmaceutical agent, an enzyme, a natural product, and/or a venom. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the additive is capable of at least one of lysing cells, making the skin more porous, preventing or inhibiting phagocytosis, creating localized edema, and facilitating removal of the irrigation fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the biocompatible fluid comprises at least one of saline and water. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the irrigation fluid comprises a pressurized fluid. 
     
     
         13 . A method for removing exogenous particles from skin, the method comprising:
 attaching a device to the skin;   injecting an irrigation fluid into the skin to define an irrigation area, wherein the exogenous particles are removeable from the irrigation area with the irrigation fluid; and   alternating pressure and suction to the irrigation area to remove the irrigation fluid and at least a portion of the exogenous particles from the irrigation area.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the device comprises a housing, at least one fluid injection mechanism within an outer section of the housing configured to inject the irrigation fluid into the skin to define the irrigation area, and a pressure/suction mechanism within an inner section of the housing configured to alternate pressure and suction to the irrigation area. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising forming one or more channels within a portion of the irrigation area, wherein the irrigation fluid and the at least the portion of the exogenous particles are removed through the one or more channels. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising drawing a portion of the irrigation area into the inner section of the housing to form the one or more channels within the portion of the irrigation area. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the applying further comprises using an adhesive material along at least a portion of the housing to attach the housing to the skin. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the housing comprises a domed portion to be placed away from the skin and a substantially flat portion to be placed on the skin, wherein the adhesive material is along at least a portion of the substantially flat portion.