Devices and methods for cosmetic skin resurfacing

Abstract

Disclosed herein are apparatuses, kits, and methods for treating skin, such as skin tightening, e.g., reducing skin laxity, for treating conditions that would benefit from tissue area or volume reduction, skin restoration, skin tightening, skin lifting, and/or skin repositioning, and/or for generally improving skin function or appearance. Such apparatuses, kits, and methods include one or more hollow needles each having at least one prong and a mechanism for removing skin tissue portion(s) from the hollow needle(s).

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A needle assembly comprising:
 a hollow needle having a lumen,   a z-actuator configured to perform multiple actuation cycles, where each actuation cycle comprises:
 displacing the hollow needle to extend into at least the dermal layer, and 
 withdrawing the hollow needle from the dermal layer, 
   wherein a single actuation cycle takes from about 5 milliseconds to about 50 milliseconds.   
     
     
         3 . The needle assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the z-actuator takes about 20 milliseconds to about 35 milliseconds to extend the hollow needle about 20 millimeters to about 30 millimeters towards the dermal layer and the hollow needle extends into the dermal layer. 
     
     
         4 . The needle assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the z-actuator takes about 25 milliseconds to about 30 milliseconds to extend the hollow needle about 23 millimeters into skin tissue. 
     
     
         5 . The needle assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the z-actuator takes about 25 milliseconds to about 35 milliseconds to withdraw the hollow needle about 20 millimeters to about 30 millimeters from a penetration depth in the skin tissue of about 20 millimeters to about 30 millimeters. 
     
     
         6 . The needle assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the z-actuator takes about 30 milliseconds to withdraw the hollow needle to a position about 23 millimeters away from the dermal layer. 
     
     
         7 . The needle assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the z-actuator operates with an insertion force of about 0.5 Newtons to about 20 Newtons. 
     
     
         8 . The needle assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the z-actuator operates with an insertion force of about 10 Newtons to about 20 Newtons. 
     
     
         9 . The needle assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the hollow needle comprises at least a first prong. 
     
     
         10 . The needle assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the hollow needle further comprises a second prong. 
     
     
         11 . The needle assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein an angle (α) between a lateral side of the first prong and a longitudinal axis of the hollow needle is between 5 degrees and 20 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The needle assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein an angle (α) between a lateral side of the first prong and a longitudinal axis of the hollow needle is less than 20 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The needle assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein an angle (α) between a lateral side of the second prong and a longitudinal axis of the hollow needle is between 5 degrees and 20 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . The needle assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein an angle (α) between a lateral side of the second prong and a longitudinal axis of the hollow needle is less than 20 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The needle assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the needle assembly is configured to be detachably attached to an x- and/or y-actuator. 
     
     
         16 . The needle assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein portions of skin tissue removed from the lumen of the hollow needle are tissue portions that remain intact through the removal. 
     
     
         17 . The needle assembly according to  claim 2 , further comprising an aspiration tube, wherein the aspiration tube is coupled to a trap. 
     
     
         18 . The needle assembly according to  claim 2 , further comprising a low pressure source, wherein the low pressure source is a vacuum pump. 
     
     
         19 . The needle assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein the trap is configured to capture portions of skin tissue to be discarded. 
     
     
         20 . The needle assembly according to  claim 2 , further comprising a spacer. 
     
     
         21 . The needle assembly according to  claim 20 , wherein the spacer is attached to a cover, wherein the spacer is positioned between the cover and skin tissue, and wherein the spacer is configured to control the depth of insertion of the hollow needle. 
     
     
         22 . The needle assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein an angle (α) between a lateral side of the first prong and a longitudinal axis of the hollow needle is 10 degrees. 
     
     
         23 . The needle assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein an angle (α) between a lateral side of the second prong and a longitudinal axis of the hollow needle is 10 degrees.