BACKGROUND

Field

This application relates generally to the promotion of hair growth, and more specifically, to apparatuses, systems and methods for facilitating hair growth by treatment of a subject's adjacent skin tissue. The application also has applicability to any other type of skin treatment procedure and other skin treatment devices and systems.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, embodiments of the devices, systems and methods disclosed herein have specific relevance to treatment devices, systems and methods for the promotion of hair growth and the preparation/treatment of skin in connection with such hair growth. However, the features, advantages and other characteristics disclosed herein may have direct or indirect applicability in other applications, such as, for example, medical devices and procedure, mechanical devices and non-skin treatment devices and methods and/or the like. For example, the various devices, systems and related methods described herein can be used in other types of skin treatment procedures and protocols (non-hair growth procedures), such as, e.g., for microdermabrasion of skin, for treatment of acne, oily skin and other skin ailments and conditions, for the removal of blackheads, sebum and/or other substances from skin, for skin tightening, skin lightening, anti-aging, anti-oxidant treatment and/or for any other type of skin or tissue treatment.

According to some embodiments, devices, systems and methods can be used to promote the growth of hair. For instance, one or more fluids and/or other substances can be selectively delivered to and/or into the scalp (e.g., at least partially into a subject's skin tissue) to help stimulate hair follicle growth and/or otherwise promote hair growth. As discussed in greater detail herein, the delivery of such materials on and/or into a subject's skin surface (e.g., scalp) can be facilitated with the assistance one or more infusion or penetration features and methods. For example, the delivery of the desired or required treatment materials (e.g., growth factors) can be facilitated by use of one or more of the following: use of suction or vacuum (e.g., to stimulate blood flow), use of force, pressure and/or mechanical agitation (e.g., mechanical pulsing using air delivery to a targeted skin surface), use of needles or other tissue penetration devices or tools, use of exfoliation or massaging to targeted skin tissue, use of thermal conditioning (e.g., heating or cooling) of the targeted skin tissue, use of energy delivery simultaneously with the delivery of treatment materials (e.g., ultrasound, laser, radiofrequency energy, microwave energy, electric current or stimulation, iontophoresis, etc.), use of light (e.g., red light, ultraviolet light, etc.), use of hair implants or other hair growth systems, methods and/or technologies) and/or the like.

According to some embodiments, an engagement member or shroud configured to be positioned along a distal end of a handpiece assembly, the engagement member comprising a proximal end configured to attach to a proximal component of a handpiece assembly, a distal end configured to contact and engage with a skin surface being treated, a body extending between the proximal end and the distal end that is configured to accommodate for irregularities and other contours along the skin surface being treated, wherein the engagement member is flexible, and wherein the engagement member is configured to facilitate capture of liquids present along the skin surface being treated during use.

According to some embodiments, the engagement member or shroud comprises a rubber or other elastomeric material (e.g., silicone rubber). In some embodiments, the engagement member comprises at least one bellow or other collapsible member to facilitate the maneuverability of the engagement member relative to the skin surface being treated.

In some embodiments, the engagement member or shroud is configured to couple to a tip of the handpiece assembly, wherein the proximal end of the engagement member is configured to fixedly or removably coupled to the tip. In some embodiments, the engagement member or shroud is configured to couple to a main body portion of the handpiece assembly, wherein the proximal end of the engagement member is configured to fixedly or removably coupled to the main body portion of the handpiece assembly.

According to some embodiments, a method of promoting hair growth or hair stimulation in a subject comprises applying vacuum or suction using a handpiece assembly along a targeted portion of the subject's skin surface where hair growth or hair stimulation is desired and providing at least one treatment material to said targeted portion of the subject's skin surface, wherein the application of vacuum or suction helps promote hair growth or stimulate hair.

According to some embodiments, a method of promoting hair growth or hair stimulation in a subject comprises applying positive pressure using a handpiece assembly along a targeted portion of the subject's skin surface where hair growth or hair stimulation is desired and providing at least one treatment material to said targeted portion of the subject's skin surface, wherein the application of positive pressure helps promote hair growth or stimulate hair.

According to some embodiments, the vacuum or suction is applied continuously or intermittently. In some embodiments, the vacuum or suction is applied intermittently using a pulsing device. In one embodiment, the pulsing device is configured to create alternating first and second pressure s along the subject's skin surface, wherein the first pressure is greater than the second pressure, and wherein the second pressure is a vacuum or suction. In some embodiments, the first pressure is a positive pressure. In some embodiments, the first pressure is a vacuum or suction.

According to some embodiments, a distal end of the handpiece assembly is configured to contact the subject's skin surface. In some embodiments, the distal end of the handpiece assembly comprises a tip. In some embodiments, the tip is removable from a proximal portion of the handpiece assembly. In one embodiment, the tip comprises at least one suction port or opening through which vacuum or suction is selectively applied.

According to some embodiments, the at least one treatment material comprises one or more of the following: growth factors (e.g., human-derived, non-human derived, liposome (courier) chemically altered growth factors, etc.), amino acids (e.g., leucine, isoleucine, valine, etc.), antioxidants, minoxidil, other antihypertensive vasodilators, finasteride, dutasteride, ketoconazole, spironolactone, flutamide, catechin, epicatechin, other phytochemicals, carnitine, rejuvaplex, copper peptides, other hair growth-stimulating agents, other pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceuticals, plant-derived products, cleansing or pre-cleansing shampoos, other cleansing or pre-cleansing solutions (e.g., salicylic acid, GlySal™ (glycolic acid and salicylic acid mix), other acids, etc.), and other natural and synthetic materials. In some embodiments, the at least one treatment material is contained in a bottle, said bottle being in fluid communication with the handpiece assembly. In one embodiment, the at least one treatment material is contained in a cartridge, said cartridge being configured to secure to the handpiece assembly. In some embodiments, the at least one treatment material is positioned on a tip of the handpiece assembly, wherein the at least one treatment material is configured to at least partially dissolve or release in the presence of a liquid.

According to some embodiments, the application of vacuum or suction helps promote blood flow at or near the targeted portion of the subject's skin surface. In some embodiments, the method further comprises at least partially exfoliating the skin surface of the subject. In some embodiments, at least partially exfoliating the skin surface of the subject comprises exfoliating using an abrasive surface or member. In one embodiment, at least partially exfoliating the skin surface of the subject comprises exfoliating using a chemical exfoliating agent. In some embodiments, at least partially exfoliating the skin surface of the subject precedes providing at least one treatment material to said targeted portion of the subject's skin surface. In some embodiments, the at least one treatment material comprises a growth factor.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises providing a light treatment to the skin tissue. In some embodiments, the light treatment comprises providing red or blue light to the skin tissue. In one embodiment, the light treatment is used to activate the at least one treatment material to facilitate hair growth or stimulate hair.

According to some embodiments, the method additionally comprises at least partially penetrating the skin surface of the subject. In some embodiments, penetrating the skin surface of the subject comprises using at least one needle assembly configured to selectively penetrate skin tissue. In some embodiments, the at least one needle assembly is configured to open up passages within the skin of the subject, said passages leading to or near a subject's follicles. In some embodiments, the at least one needle assembly is coated or otherwise provided with at least one treatment material. In one embodiment, the at least one needle assembly comprises a plurality of hollow needles, wherein at least one treatment material is configured to be delivered through passages of the hollow needles.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises massaging or otherwise agitating the targeted portion of the subject's skin surface to facilitate the delivery of the at least one treatment material deeper into said skin surface. In some embodiments, the massaging or agitating results in at least partially opening pores along the subject's skin surface to facilitate the passage of the at least one treatment materials therethrough. In one embodiment, the massaging or agitating comprises moving a handpiece comprising a surface with at least one non-linear feature relative to said skin surface. In some embodiments, the at least one non-linear feature comprises an undulating yet smooth surface or feature.

According to some embodiments, the method additionally comprises performing the procedure at or near a portion of skin tissue that has received hair implants. In some embodiments, the method further comprises implanting at least a plurality of hair follicles at or near the portion of the skin tissue being treated.

According to some embodiments, the method additionally comprises heating or cooling the targeted portion of the subject's skin surface being treated. In some embodiments, heating or cooling the skin surface comprises using a separate thermally-conditioned device (e.g., a thermoelectric device, Peltier element, etc.).

According to some embodiments, further comprises providing energy to the targeted portion of the subject's skin surface to enhance hair growth or hair stimulation. In some embodiments, wherein the energy provided to the skin tissue comprises one or more of the following: radiofrequency (RF) energy, microwave energy, ultrasound energy, iontophoresis and laser.

