US 11446477

US Patent 11446477, titled "Devices and methods for treating skin," was issued on September 20, 2022, from an application filed on July 19, 2019. The current assignee is Hydrafacial LLC, and the inventors are Roger Ignon, Scott Mallett, Abraham Solano, and William Cohen.

The abstract describes an apparatus for treating skin, featuring a console with a user input device, a handpiece assembly designed for skin treatment, a fluid line connecting the console and handpiece, and a manifold system. This manifold system, controlled by the user input device, is configured to hold multiple fluid sources and deliver fluid from at least one of them to the handpiece assembly.

Here is a plain-language overview of each independent claim:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a skin treatment apparatus comprising a console with a user interface, a handpiece for treating skin, a fluid line connecting the console to the handpiece, and a manifold system. The manifold system is connected to the console and controlled by the user interface. It is designed to hold and release various fluid sources and to deliver fluid from at least one of these sources to the handpiece.
• Independent Claim 16: This claim details a treatment tip designed to attach to a handpiece for use on a patient's skin. The tip includes a skirt for coupling to the handpiece, a central body, a first internal passage for receiving fluid from the handpiece, and at least one second internal passageway for returning fluid to the handpiece. A distinctive inner member spirals across the tip's distal face, creating a channel between the fluid input and output passages. When the tip is pressed against the skin, this channel forms a chamber with the skin.
• Independent Claim 20: This claim outlines a method for treating skin. It involves using a tip with a fluid input aperture, at least one fluid output aperture, an inner member defining a channel between these apertures, and an outer member. The method includes pressing the tip against the target skin area so the outer member makes contact. Treatment fluid then flows out through the input aperture and along the channel, before being drawn back through the output aperture.
• Independent Claim 24: This claim describes a treatment tip that attaches to a handpiece. It includes a skirt for coupling, a central body with a mounting area designed to hold a pad for skin treatment, a first aperture for fluid delivery from the handpiece, and at least one second aperture for fluid return to the handpiece.
• Independent Claim 28: This claim describes a method of treating a patient's skin using a tip. The tip has a first aperture, at least one second aperture, and a distal end designed to accept a pad. The method involves attaching a pad to this distal end and then engaging the tip with the patient's skin.
• Independent Claim 32: This claim describes a manifold system. It has a main body capable of releasably holding at least two bottles of fluid. This manifold system is designed to connect to a console that operates a skin treatment handpiece. The system includes at least one elongated component that connects to a pump to draw fluid from one of the bottles, and at least one switch to control the flow of fluid from a chosen bottle through the pump.
• Independent Claim 36: This claim describes a method for treating a patient's skin by sequentially using two different treatment tips. First, a skin treatment tip is applied to the skin, and a first material is delivered from it to the target area. Subsequently, a second skin treatment tip engages the same region, utilizing the first material to assist with exfoliation.

Litigation Status:

As of April 26, 2026, US Patent 11446477 is involved in multiple litigation cases:

• District Court Cases:
  • US case filed in Utah District Court (Critical status)
  • US case filed in California Central District Court
  • US case filed in Tennessee Western District Court
  • US case filed in California Central District Court
  • US case filed in Nevada District Court
  • US case filed in Florida Southern District Court
• PTAB Cases:
  • IPR2025-00453 filed (Settlement)
  • IPR2025-01217 filed (Pending - Instituted)
• International Trade Commission Cases:
  • US case filed in International Trade Commission (case 337-TA-3766)
  • US case filed in International Trade Commission (case 337-TA-1417)
• First worldwide family litigation filed

The legal status of the patent is listed as "Expired - Lifetime" with an anticipated expiration date of March 29, 2026. This status is an assumption and not a legal conclusion.