WO2008097022A1

WO2008097022A1 - Apparatus for removing skin tag

Info

Publication number: WO2008097022A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/000722
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hyung Chul Kang
Original assignee: Sqz Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2007-02-05
Filing date: 2008-02-05
Publication date: 2008-08-14
Also published as: KR100796318B1

Abstract

A skin tag removal device is provided. The device comprises a grip part and a skin tag removing part connected to the grip part wherein the skin tag removing part includes: a body part connected to the grip part and formed with an insertion hole into which a skin tag is introduced; a guide part inclined upwardly and tapered from a proximal end toward a distal end of the body part along an inner peripheral surface of the body part; and a cutting part protruding inward from the body part to remove the skin tag and an upper portion of the epidermis introduced into the insertion hole. The skin tag removal device can pull and elongate skin tags firmly attached to the epidermis while securely holding the skin tags to easily remove the skin tags. In addition, the skin tag removal device can completely remove skin tags together with portions of the epidermis to achieve improved therapeutic effects on the skin tag and causes no pain and no bleeding during removal of skin tags. Furthermore, the portions of the epidermis removed by the skin tag removal device are perfectly regenerated, leaving no scar.

Description

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING SKIN TAG

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a device for removing skin tags (hereinafter, referred to as a 'skin tag removal device'), and more specifically to a skin tag removal device that pulls and elongates skin tags from the epidermis to facilitate the removal of the skin tags and that removes portions of the epidermis together with skin tags to prevent the recurrence of new skin tags. Background Art

[2] Skin tags, medically termed as acrochordons, are a kind of benign tumors and are made up of collagen that extends and protrudes outward from the epidermis. Skin tags, whose size is as small as small beans (typically, 1 to 3 mm in diameter), tend to come out in groups on the affected parts. Some skin tags grow to several centimeters in diameter and are called 'mouse papillae' in Korean because of the similarity in shape (FIGs. 1 and 2). Aging increases the possibility of occurrence of skin tags on the neck, the armpits, the groin and other parts where the skin is folded.

[3] People suffering from skin tags feel no pain or itching because skin tags are not malignant tumors. Since skin tags, however, are unfavorable in appearance and frequently occur in the aged, they are unwelcome troubles to modern people who desire to look more beautiful and youthful. Particularly, if skin tags are not suitably treated, their number and size will increase, which not only causes a bad appearance but also gives a lot of stress to youths and women who are more interested in appearance.

[4] Skin tags have been found to be associated with various factors, such as aging, viral diseases, diabetes and pregnancy. The precise mechanism of occurrence of skin tags remains unknown. Few effective therapeutic methods have been reported to treat skin tags. The treatment of skin tags is still dependent on surgical operations.

[5] In traditional efforts to remove skin tags, people tie skin tags with thread to decay the skin tags or use knives and nail clippers to cut out skin tags. Such efforts, however, cause the problems that new skin tags may recur or the skin may be irritated due to bacterial infection. To avoid these problems, laser surgical operations are currently conducted in hospitals to remove skin tags. However, laser equipment is very expensive and difficult to handle.

[6] It is common to remove skin tags using suitable tools, such as operating cutters.

However, skin tags firmly attached to the epidermis are very difficult to remove. In many cases, portions of skin tags remain attached to the epidermis, resulting in recurrence of new skin tags. Removal of the epidermis together with skin tags using cutters may lead to serious problems, for example bleeding, because it is difficult to determine the depth of the epidermis to be removed. Thus, a high degree of skill is required to completely remove skin tags without causing any problem.

[7] It appears that an increase in the population of the aged will create the demand for skin tag removal devices. Under these circumstances, there is a need for skin tag removal devices that are easy to use and capable of effectively removing skin tags. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[8] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art, and it is one object of the present invention to provide a skin tag removal device capable of removing skin tags in a simple and economical manner.

[9] It is another object of the present invention to provide a skin tag removal device that pulls and elongates skin tags firmly attached to the epidermis to provide a suitable position to be cut, thus facilitating the removal of the skin tags.

[10] It is another object of the present invention to provide a skin tag removal device that completely removes skin tags together with portions of the epidermis to prevent the recurrence of new skin tags, alleviates pain arising from the removal of skin tags, and causes no bleeding from the epidermis.

[11] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a skin tag removal device that is sanitary in use.

Technical Solution

[12] According to the present invention, the above objects can be accomplished by the provision of a skin tag removal device comprising a grip part and a skin tag removing part connected to the grip part wherein the skin tag removing part includes: a body part connected to the grip part and formed with an insertion hole into which a skin tag is introduced; and a guide part inclined upwardly and tapered from a proximal end toward a distal end of the body part along an inner peripheral surface of the body part.

[13] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the skin tag removing part further includes a cutting part protruding inward from the body part to remove the skin tag introduced into the insertion hole.

[14] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the guide part is designed such that the distance between the bottom surface and the distal end of the body part is larger than the distance between the bottom surface and the proximal end of the body part.

[15] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the bottom surface of the body part is curved at a predetermined radius of curvature so that a force applied from the grid part is transmitted along the curved surface. [16] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cutting part includes one or more cutters protruding inward from the body part along the bottom surface of the body part or an extended cutter having a crescent shape installed at a tilt angle. [17] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cutters are spaced at regular intervals, one or more cutters thereof cut the lower portions of the skin tag, and the cutter positioned nearest to the distal end of the body part completely cuts the skin tag. [18] According to an embodiment of the present invention, skin tag removing parts are connected to both ends of the grip part at constant angles to be opposed to each other through the grip part. [19] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the distal end is moderately curved to form a space under the distal end below which cutting means is introduced to remove the skin tag. [20] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a switch is installed in the grip part to allow the cutting part to be operated in an alternating or cutting manner to remove the skin tag. [21] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the grip part is formed with an insertion recess and the skin tag removing part is formed with an insertion protrusion so that the grip part is detachably coupled to the skin tag removing part.

Advantageous Effects

[22] According to the present invention, the skin tag removal device can pull and elongate skin tags firmly attached to the epidermis while securely holding the skin tags to easily remove the skin tags.

[23] In addition, the skin tag removal device can completely remove skin tags together with portions of the epidermis to achieve improved therapeutic effects on the skin tags and causes no pain and no bleeding during removal of the skin tags.

[24] Furthermore, the skin tag removal device can utilize a rotational force to facilitate the removal of skin tags, can use skin tag removing parts having different sizes to rem ove skin tags having various sizes, and remove skin tags with high efficiency.

[25] Moreover, the skin tag removal device can be reused and is improved in terms of hygiene. Brief Description of the Drawings

[26] In the figures:

[27] FIG. 1 is a photograph of skin tags growing in an area between the chin and the front of the neck of a person, where the skin is repeatedly folded;

[28] FIG. 2 is a photograph of skin tags growing in an area between the shoulder and one side of the neck of a person, where the skin is repeatedly folded; [29] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a skin tag removal device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[30] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of FIG. 3;

[31] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a skin tag removal device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [32] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the removal of a skin tag by using a skin tag removal device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [33] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a skin tag removal device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[34] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of FIG. 7;

[35] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing inner and outer peripheral surfaces of a body part of a skin tag removal device according to an embodiment of the present invention before a guide part is formed along an inner peripheral surface of the body part; [36] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing inner and outer peripheral surfaces of a body part of a skin tag removal device according to an embodiment of the present invention after a guide part is formed along the inner peripheral surface of the body part; [37] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a skin tag removal device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which no cutting part is not provided; [38] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a skin tag removal device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which a space is formed under a distal end of a body part; [39] FIGs. 13 through 15 are plan views of skin tag removal devices according to preferred embodiments of the present invention in which cutting parts are provided in various forms; and [40] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a skin tag removal device according to an embodiment of the present invention in which a grip part is separable from a skin tag removing part.

[41] Brief explanation of essential parts of the drawings

[42] 1, Ia, Ib: Skin tags,

[43] T, 1", 1'": Pulled and elongated skin tag,

[44] 2: Epidermal surface before protruding upward,

[45] 2', 2", 2'": Positions of elongated and protruded epidermal surface,

[46] 3: Position where skin tag is cut,

[47] 4: Portion of the epidermis cut out,

[48] 100: Skin tag removal device, 10: Body part,

[49] 10a: Inner peripheral surface of body part,

[50] 10b; Outer peripheral surface of body part, [51] 10c, 1Od: Bottom surface of body part,

[52] 1Oe: Distal end of body part, 1Of: Proximal end of body part,

[53] 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d: Divided areas of insertion hole,

[54] 20: Guide part, 30: Cutting part,

[55] 40: Grip part, 41: Insertion recess,

[56] 50: Skin tag removing part, 51: Insertion protrusion,

[57] 60: Space, hi, h2: Heights of guide part.

Mode for the Invention

[58] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known functions or configurations are omitted in order to avoid making the essential subject of the invention unclear.

[59] As used herein, the terms "about", "substantially", etc. are intended to allow some leeway in mathematical exactness to account for tolerances that are acceptable in the trade and to prevent any unconscientious violator from unduly taking advantage of the disclosure in which exact or absolute numerical values are given so as to help understand the invention.

[60] The structure of a skin tag removal device according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to FIGs. 3 through 10.

[61] The skin tag removal device 100 comprises a grip part 40 (partially shown) designed to allow a user to easily grasp the skin tag removal device and a skin tag removing part 50 connected to one end of the grip part.

[62] Although not shown, the grip part 40 preferably has a curved surface specially designed to allow the user to conveniently grasp the skin tag removal device 10. An extension shaft connecting the grip part 40 to the skin tag removing part 50 is preferably curved such that the user can easily position his/her fingers thereon.

[63] A skin tag 1 is firmly attached to the epidermis and is substantially removed by the skin tag removing part 50. The skin tag removing part 50 is configured to pull and elongate the skin tag 1 from the epidermis to facilitate the removal of the skin tag (FIG. 6).

[64] The skin tag removing part 50 includes: a body part 10 integrally connected to one end of the grip part 40 and formed with an insertion hole having divided areas 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d into which the skin tag 1 is introduced; a guide part 20 inclined along an inner peripheral surface 10a of the body part 10 and designed such that the distance h2 between a bottom surface 1Od and a distal end 1Oe of the body part 10 is larger than the distance hi between a bottom surface 10c and a proximal end 1Of of the body part 10; and a cutting part 30 protruding inward from the body part 10 along the portions 10c and 1Od of the bottom surface. The cutting part 30 is an optional element, as will be described in detail below.

[65] As shown in FIGs. 3 and 9, the inner and outer peripheral surfaces 10a and 10b of the body part 10 are tapered toward the distal end 1Oe in shape. A contour line connecting a proximal end 1Of to the distal end 1Oe of the body part 10 is not straight but rather curved. As viewed from the top of the body part 10, the diameters of the areas 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d of the insertion hole gradually decrease as approaching the distal end 1Oe of the body part. That is, the area 12a has the largest diameter and the area 12d has the smallest diameter. The insertion hole, into which the skin tag 1 is introduced, has a shape such that its width is gradually narrowed toward the distal end 1Oe.

[66] As shown in FIG. 4, as viewed from the plane of the line A-A', the guide part 20 of the skin tag removal device 100 is inclined along the inner peripheral surface 10a of the body part 10 and is designed such that the distance h2 between the bottom surface 1Od and the distal end 1Oe of the body part 10 is larger than the distance hi between the bottom surface 10c and the proximal end 1Of of the body part 10. Specifically, a portion 20a of the guide part 20 positioned around the proximal end 10a of the body part 10 is spaced at a distance of about 1 mm (hi) from the bottom surface 10c of the body part 10, whereas a portion 20b of the guide part 20 positioned around the distal end 1Oe of the body part 10 is spaced at a distance of about 5 mm (h2) from the bottom surface 1Od of the body part 10. That is, the guide part 20 is inclined upwardly toward the distal end 1Oe.

[67] The guide part 20 is formed along the inner peripheral surface 10a of the body part

10 so as to correspond to the shape of the insertion hole (including the areas 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d) (FIGs. 3 and 10). The guide part 20 has a shape such that its width is gradually narrowed toward the distal end 1Oe in a manner substantially identical or similar to the shape of the insertion hole. As a consequence, the guide part 20 is gradually inclined upwardly and tapered from the proximal end 10a toward the distal end 1Oe of the body part.

[68] Due to this configuration of the guide part 20, the skin tag removal device 100 of the present invention can pull and elongate skin tags while securely holding the skin tags fast.

[69] The removal procedure of the skin tag 1 will be explained below with reference to

FIGs. 3, 4 and 6. First, the skin tag 1 is introduced into the area 12a of the insertion hole. Then, when the skin tag removing part 50 is moved to the right using the grip part 40, the skin tag 1 passes through the areas 12b and 12c of the insertion hole in this order to finally reach the area 12d of the insertion hole. The guide part 20 is formed along the inner peripheral surface 10a of the body part 10 so as to correspond to the shape of the insertion hole. Therefore, an insertion space formed within the guide part 20 is gradually narrowed toward the distal end 1Oe. When the skin tag removing part 50 is moved to the right (FIG. 6), the sides of the skin tag 1 are gradually pressed by the guide part 20. When the skin tag 1 reaches near the insertion hole 12d (or the portion 20b of the guide part), the upper portion of the skin tag 1 is securely held by the portion 20b of the guide part (FIG. 6). Further, when the location of the skin tag 1 is changed from the portion 20a positioned around the proximal end 1Of to the portion 20b positioned around the distal end 1Oe by the movement of the skin tag removing part 50, the guide part 20 pulls the skin tag 1 upward while gradually pressing the sides of the skin tag 1 because it is inclined upwardly toward the distal end 1Oe (FIGs. 4 and 6). Therefore, when the skin tag 1 reaches the portion 20b positioned around the distal end 1Oe from the portion 20a positioned around the proximal end 1Of, it is pulled, elongated and securely held by the guide part 20.

[70] The skin tag pulled and elongated by the guide part 20 is cut and removed by the cutting part 30. The cutting part 30 includes cutters 30a, 30b and 30c protruding inward from the body part 10 along the portions 10c and 1Od of the bottom surface of the body part 10. The cutters 30a, 30b and 30c of the cutting part 30 may protrude inward from the body part 10 over the portions 10c and 1Od of the bottom surface or on the bottom surface 1Od positioned around the distal end 1Oe of the body part. As shown in FIG. 5, the cutters 30a, 30b and 30c are preferably spaced apart from one another. The cutting part may be an extended cutter in a crescent shape (not shown). The cutters 30a and 30b spaced apart from each other serve to cut the lower portions of the skin tag 1 and the cutter 30c positioned nearest to the distal end 1Oe of the body part serves to completely cut the skin tag 1.

[71] Meanwhile, referring to FIGs. 4 and 6, the portions of 10c and 1Od of the bottom surface of the body part of the skin tag removing part 50 are curved at a predetermined radius of curvature. When a force is applied to remove the skin tag 1, it is transmitted along the curved surface to elongate the epidermal surface 2 where the skin tag 1 grows. This elongation allows the skin tag to protrude upward. After the epidermal surface 2 is protruded upward as shown in FIG. 6, the position where the skin tag is cut by the cutter 30c is not a border line between the skin tag 1 and the epidermal surface 2 but a position 3 slightly lower than the epidermal surface 2. As a result, the skin tag 1 together with a portion of the epidermis can be completely removed to achieve improved therapeutic effects on the skin tag. In addition, a portion under the epidermal surface can be easily removed without pain and bleeding upon removal of the skin tag 1. [72] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the removal of the skin tag 1 by using the skin tag removal device 100 of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 6, an explanation concerning the operation of the skin tag removal device 100 will be given below.

[73] First, the skin tag 1 is introduced into the insertion hole 12a of the skin tag removal device 100. Then, when the skin tag removing part 50 is moved to the right using the grip part 40, the shape of the skin tag 1 is changed along the direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 6.

[74] Stage ® is the initial stage where the skin tag 1 is inserted into the area 12a of the insertion hole of the skin tag removing part 50. In stage ©, the skin tag removing part 50 is moved to the right using the grip part 40 to change the shape of the skin tag 1 along the direction indicated by the arrow. Specifically, the skin tag 1 is pulled and elongated slightly upward by the guide part 20 and a force is transmitted along the portions of 10c and 1Od of the bottom surface to raise the epidermal surface to a position 2' above the initial position 2.

[75] In stage ©, the skin tag 1" is further pulled and elongated upwardly along the inclined bottom surface of the guide part 20 and a force is additionally transmitted along the portions 10c and 1Od of the bottom surface to further raise the epidermal surface to a position 2". In this state, portions of the skin tag 1" are cut by the cutters 30a and 30b. In stage ®, the skin tag 1'" located toward the distal end 1Oe of the body part is fully pulled and elongated upwardly along the inclined bottom surface of the guide part 20 to further raise the epidermal surface to a position 2'". In this state, the skin tag 1'" is completely cut by the cutter 30c positioned toward the distal end 1Oe (FIG. 5). Stage © shows that the skin tag 1'" is completely separated from the epidermal surface 2 and a portion 4 of the epidermis is cut out. That is, the position where the skin tag is cut by the cutter 30c is not a border line between the skin tag 1 and the epidermal surface 2 but a position 3 slightly lower than the epidermal surface 2. Accordingly, the skin tag removal device of the present invention can achieve improved therapeutic effects on the skin tag while preventing the recurrence of new skin tags.

[76] A skin tag removal device 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGs. 7 and 8. The skin tag removal device 200 is the same as the skin tag removal device 100 according to the previous embodiment (FIGs. 3, 4 and 5), except that skin tag removing parts 50 and 50' are provided at both ends of the grip part 40 to be opposed to each other through the grip part 40. Explanations of the same elements of the skin tag removal devices are omitted. In the drawings, the similar elements are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

[77] Referring to FIGs. 7 and 8, the skin tag removal device 200 comprises a grip part 40 and skin tag removing parts 50 and 50' provided at both ends of the grip part 40. The skin tag removing parts 50 and 50' are connected to the grip part 40 at constant angles. The skin tag removing parts 50 and 50' are opposed to each other. Due to this construction, a user grasps the grip part 40, uses one of the skin tag removing parts 50 to remove a skin tag, and rotates the grip part 40 with his/her fingers to place the other skin tag removing part 50' in a position for use. Accordingly, the skin tag removal device can utilize a rotational force to facilitate the removal of skin tags and can use the skin tag removing parts having different sizes to remove skin tags having various sizes. In addition, the skin tag removal device can remove skin tags with high efficiency.

[78] For reference, FIGs. 9 and 10 are perspective views showing the inner and outer peripheral surfaces 10a and 10b of the body part 10 of the skin tag removal device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention before and after the guide part 20 is formed along the inner peripheral surface 10a of the body part 10, respectively. The position and shape of the guide part 20 within the body part 10 can be readily seen from FIGs. 9 and 10.

[79] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a skin tag removal device in which the cutting part is not provided. The skin tag removal device of the present invention pulls and elongates skin tags along the guide part 20to remove the skin tags. Accordingly, there is no particular restriction on the removal methods of skin tags.

[80] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a skin tag removal device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which a space 60 is formed under the distal end 1Oe of the body part 10. As shown in FIG. 12, the shape of the distal end 1Oe is moderately curved such that the space 60 is formed under the distal end 1Oe of the body part 10. Due to the formation of the space 60, cutting means is introduced into the space 60 to remove skin tags trapped within the guide part 20b region. Any cutting means can be used to cut the skin tags, and an example thereof is a knife.

[81] FIGs. 13 through 15 are plan views of skin tag removal devices according to preferred embodiments of the present invention in which cutting parts are provided in various forms. One or more cutting parts 30 can be disposed in the skin tag removing part 50. There is no particular restriction on the position of the cutting parts 30 disposed in the skin tag removing part 50. For example, the cutting parts may be disposed in the distal end 1Oe of the body part or along the inner peripheral surface 10a of the body part. Alternatively, a switch is installed in the grip part to allow the cutting part to be operated in an alternating manner such that two or more knives cross each other or in a cutting manner such that one knife passes under skin tags.

[82] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a skin tag removal device according to an embodiment of the present invention in which the grip part is separable from the skin tag removing part. The grip part 40 is formed with an insertion recess 41 and the skin tag removing part 50 is formed with an insertion protrusion 51 so that the grip part 40 can be detachably coupled to the skin tag removing part 50 in a simple manner. For example, this coupling can be accomplished by forcedly fitting the insertion protrusion 51 into the insertion recess 41. Therefore, since the skin tag removing part 50 can be replaced with new one for each patient, the skin tag removal device of the present invention is very sanitary. Of course, it is to be understood that the grip part 40 is formed with an insertion protrusion and the skin tag removing part 50 is formed with an insertion recess so that the grid part 40 can be detachably coupled to the skin tag removing part 50.

[83] Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to the foregoing embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings. Therefore, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications and changes are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

[84]

Claims

[1] A skin tag removal device comprising a grip part and a skin tag removing part connected to the grip part wherein the skin tag removing part includes: a body part connected to the grip part and formed with an insertion hole into which a skin tag is introduced; and a guide part inclined upwardly and tapered from a proximal end toward a distal end of the body part along an inner peripheral surface of the body part.

[2] The device of claim 1, wherein the skin tag removing part further includes a cutting part protruding inward from the body part to remove the skin tag introduced into the insertion hole.

[3] The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide part is designed such that the distance between the bottom surface and the distal end of the body part is larger than the distance between the bottom surface and the proximal end of the body part.

[4] The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the bottom surface of the body part is curved at a predetermined radius of curvature so that a force applied from the grid part is transmitted along the curved surface.

[5] The device of claim 2, wherein the cutting part includes one or more cutters protruding inward from the body part along the bottom surface of the body part or an extended cutter having a crescent shape installed at a tilt angle.

[6] The device of claim 5, wherein the cutters are spaced at regular intervals, one or more cutters thereof cut the lower portions of the skin tag, and the cutter positioned nearest to the distal end of the body part completely cuts the skin tag.

[7] The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein skin tag removing parts are connected to both ends of the grip part at constant angles to be opposed to each other through the grip part.

[8] The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the shape of the distal end is moderately curved to form a space under the distal end below which cutting means is introduced to remove the skin tag.

[9] The device of claim 2, wherein a switch is installed in the grip part to allow the cutting part to be operated in an alternating or cutting manner to remove the skin tag.

[10] The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the grip part is formed with an insertion recess and the skin tag removing part is formed with an insertion protrusion so that the grip part is detachably coupled to the skin tag removing part.