MICROPIGMENTATION DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

A micropigmentation device and related method of use may be used for micropigmentation and other similar procedures. The micropigmentation device may include two needle tips, which may optionally each be part of a separate needle or may be tips on a single component, such as a single needle. In other embodiments, the device may include pairings of needle tips, such as two components with each having a plurality of needle tips or a plurality of needles grouped into two groupings of needle tips. The device may be used to simulate natural human hair follicles as they grow in pairs.

Claims

1. A micropigmentation device, comprising: a first needle tip configured to apply a liquid through a hole in a material and defining a first axis; and a second needle tip configured to apply a liquid through a hole in a material and defining a second axis; wherein the first axis and the second axis are substantially parallel, and further wherein the first needle tip is configured to translate relative to a cowling of the micropigmentation device along the first axis, the second needle tip is configured to translate relative the cowling of the micropigmentation device along the second axis, and the first needle tip and the second needle tip are configured to translate in unison.

2. The micropigmentation device according to claim 1, further wherein the material is a dermis.

3. The micropigmentation device according to claim 1, further wherein the liquid is ink.

4. The micropigmentation device according to claim 1, further wherein the first axis and the second axis define a spacing distance between the first axis and the second axis, and further wherein the spacing distance approximates the distance between human hair follicle pairs.

5. The micropigmentation device according to claim 1, further wherein the micropigmentation device is removably connectable to a tattoo gun.

6. The micropigmentation device according to claim 1, further wherein the first needle tip and the second needle tip are connected.

7. The micropigmentation device according to claim 1, further wherein the first needle tip is a feature of a first needle and the second needle tip is a feature of a second needle.

8. The micropigmentation device according to claim 7, further wherein the first needle is unitary with the second needle.

9. The micropigmentation device according to claim 7, further wherein the first needle is connected to the second needle.

10. The micropigmentation device according to claim 9, further wherein the first needle is connected to the second needle by means of a cartridge.

11. The micropigmentation device according to claim 9, further wherein the first needle is connected to the second needle by means of a bar.

12. The micropigmentation device according to claim 9, further wherein the first needle is welded to the second needle.

13. A method of applying pigmentation below a dermis, comprising: using a micropigmentation device that further comprises a first needle tip and a second needle tip; wherein the pairs of pigmentation applications are applied below the dermis.

14. The micropigmentation device according to claim 1, further wherein the micropigmentation device comprises exactly two needle tips.

15. The micropigmentation device according to claim 1, further wherein the micropigmentation device comprises exactly two needles.

16. A method of applying pigmentation at or below a dermis, comprising: connecting an ink cartridge to a micropigmentation device; connecting a needle cartridge to the micropigmentation device; and using the micropigmentation device to simulate hair follicle pairs on or below a patient’s dermis; wherein the micropigmentation device further comprises two needles which are configured to at least partially extend from a housing during use of the micropigmentation device, and further wherein the two needles translate along a first axis defined by a first needle and a second axis defined by a second needle in unison.

17. The method of method of applying pigmentation at or below a dermis according to claim 16, further wherein the micropigmentation device comprises exactly two needle tips.

18. The method of method of applying pigmentation at or below a dermis according to claim 16, further wherein the needle cartridge and the ink cartridge or unitary.

19. The method of method of applying pigmentation at or below a dermis according to claim 16, further comprising extending the two needles from a housing of the needle cartridge, at least partially retracting the two needles at least partially within the housing, and marking the location of a plane extending between a first axis of a first needle and a second axis of a second needle on a component of the micropigmentation device.

20. The method of method of applying pigmentation at or below a dermis according to claim 16, further wherein the micropigmentation devices comprises a mark or feature configured to denote a plane extending between a first axis of a first needle and a second axis of a second needle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The invention is now disclosed in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, where:

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a front top right isometric view of an embodiment of a micropigmentation device of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a detail view of the embodiment of the micropigmentation device of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a front view of an embodiment of the micropigmentation device of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 4 shows a detail view of the embodiment of the micropigmentation device of FIG. 3;

[0025] FIG. 5 shows a right side view of an embodiment of the micropigmentation device of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 6 shows a detail view of the embodiment of the micropigmentation device of FIG. 5;

[0027] FIG. 7 shows a front right top isometric view of an embodiment of the micropigmentation device of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of an embodiment of the micropigmentation device of the present disclosure; and

[0029] FIG. 9 shows a photograph of a front view of an embodiment of the micropigmentation device of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in the Figures and are explained in the following description in more detail, wherein identical reference numbers refer to identical, or similar, or functionally identical or similar components.

[0031] Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features or those previously described are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

[0032] Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention, however the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation. In some instances, structures and devices may be shown in block diagram or flow chart form in order to facilitate describing the disclosed subject matter.

[0033] An embodiment of the micropigmentation device of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 1-2. As shown, the device includes a cartridge for tattooing or micropigmenting, which may optionally include ink. The cartridge may optionally be attachable, such as in a removable fashion, to a tattoo gun or other micropigmentation tool. The micropigmentation device includes two needs which can be seen extending from a bottom end of the cartridge, through an opening, though it should be understood that the needles may be substantially exposed, substantially enclosed, or may be completely exposed without deviating from the scope or intent of this disclosure.

[0034] The two needles may be grouped and located proximal to each other, so as to simulation a pair of hair follicles. One or both of the needles may comprise tips which may be substantially flat, substantially angled, conical or pointed, or other shapes known in the art. The needles are shown substantially circular in cross-section, though it should be understood that other shapes of needles may also be used without deviating from the scope or intent of this disclosure. The needles may also be hollow, solid, or have partial cutaways, grooves, notches, slots, or may include other features or irregularities. One or both needles may pierce a material, such as a dermis, and deliver ink, such as by pushing ink down into an opening with the one or both needles, or may contain an opening, such as a slot passing at least partially through the needles, through which ink may pass. It should be understood that other fluids may also be used, including ink, water, saline, dyes, medications, and other things known in the art.

[0035] Though not shown, the needles may be completely separate, connected by means of the cartridge or by other components or features of a tattoo gun or other pigmentation device. The needles may also be welded to each other or adhered through sintering or other means known in the art. The needles may also be connected by means or an armature or bar. The needles may also be connected by means of a sleeve. The needles may also be formed unitary, such as being extruded together, forged, or created through other means known in the art. The needles may also be a substantially unitary component where two ends are formed, such as by polishing or machining, creating two needle tips while being a substantially singular component.

[0036] FIGS. 3-4 show a front view of the micropigmentation device of the present disclosure. The needles can be seen side-by-side, substantially within a single plane. As can be seen in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-6, a side view with both needles substantially within a single plane shows the needles to be aligned.

[0037] An isometric view of the micropigmentation device of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 7, with a bottom view shown in FIG. 8.

[0038] As can be seen in the photograph in FIG. 9, the end of the micropigmentation device may show two needle tips, while the bottom of a needle assembly extending into a cartridge or other micropigmentation device may show a welded or otherwise substantially unitary construct which terminates in two needle tips.

[0039] While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations, combinations, and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the claimed coverage.