Handpieces for tissue treatment

• US 10,485,573 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2017
• Issued: 11/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ulthera Inc. (Merz Pharma GmbH & Company Kgaa)
• Original Assignee: Ulthera Inc. (Merz Pharma GmbH & Company Kgaa)
• Inventors: Clark, III, Robert L., Chomas, James E., Merchant, Adnan I., Brian, III, Ben F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mendez, Manuel A
• Application Number:
  US15/673,096
• Publication Number:
  US 20170333074A1
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 604115, 604116, 604117, 604542, 606161-162, 606166-167, 606170-172, 606185, 606190, 606191, 606198, 600131, 600132, 600135-137, 600565, 600571
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets A61B18/00 takes precedence; contraceptive devices, pessaries, or applicators therefor A61F6/00; eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3201 Scissors for biopsy A61B10/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32093 for skin incisions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00747 Dermatology
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00761 Removing layer of skin tissue, e.g. wrinkles, scars or cancerous tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/308 with suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320028 with reciprocating movements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32004 having a laterally movable cutting member at its most distal end which remains within the contours of said end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320056 Tunnelers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32006 with a cutting strip, band or chain, e.g. like a chainsaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3405 using mechanical guide means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3407 : including a base for support on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0016 : Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00291 : using suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00452 : Skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 : Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 : Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/143 : multiple needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 : curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 : for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0815 : Implantable devices for insertion in between organs or other soft tissues
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 : with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 : with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 : Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0207 : heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/10 : with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/105 : with means for delivering media, e.g. drugs or cosmetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2207/00 : Anti-cellulite devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0245 : with ultrasonic transducers, e.g. piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/306 : Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/327 : for enhancing the absorption properties of tissue, e.g. by electroporation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/328 : for improving the appearance of the skin, e.g. facial toning or wrinkle treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/403 : for thermotherapy, e.g. hyperthermia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0008 : Destruction of fat cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 : Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes.

Claims

1. A handpiece for treating tissue to reduce an appearance of cellulite, the handpiece comprising:

a transparent top comprising a planar inner surface and a reference feature configured to indicate a treatment area;

a circular sidewall, wherein the circular sidewall is approximately orthogonal to the transparent top;

a tool conduit extending through the circular sidewall, the tool conduit being positioned between 4 mm and 20 mm below the planar inner surface of the transparent top;

a chamber at least partially defined by the planar inner surface of the transparent top and an inner surface of the circular sidewall, the tool conduit widening from the chamber outward, the tool conduit configured to allow passage of a distal end of a tissue treatment tool into the chamber,

wherein the tool conduit is configured to allow a distal end of the tissue treatment tool to move side-to-side within the chamber and to provide stability for the treatment tool in order to maintain the distal end of the treatment tool inserted through the conduit and being disposed in the chamber to move within a plane parallel to the planar inner surface of the transparent top;

a vacuum port extending through the circular sidewall and in fluid communication with the chamber, the chamber configured to elevate target tissue relative to surrounding tissue upon application of vacuum pressure to the chamber through the vacuum port, the target tissue including epidermis, a dermis, and a subcutaneous layer; and

locking receiving spaces configured to reversibly receive complementary insertable clips to enable the handpiece to be reversibly coupled to a guidance track.

2. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein the tissue treatment tool comprises a needle.

3. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein the tissue treatment tool comprises a cutting blade.

4. The handpiece of claim 1, further comprising a membrane configured to seal around a tissue treatment tool upon insertion of a distal end of the tissue treatment tool through the tool conduit.

5. The handpiece of claim 1, wherein the handpiece further comprising an o-ring between the transparent top and the circular sidewall.

6. A handpiece for treating tissue to reduce an appearance of cellulite, the handpiece comprising:

a transparent top comprising a planar inner surface;

a circular sidewall, wherein the circular sidewall is approximately orthogonal to the transparent top;

a tool conduit extending through the circular sidewall, the tool conduit being positioned between 4 mm and 20 mm below the planar inner surface of the transparent top;

a chamber at least partially defined by the planar inner surface of the transparent top and an inner surface of the circular sidewall, the tool conduit widening from the chamber outward, the tool conduit configured to allow passage of a distal end of a tissue treatment tool into the chamber,

wherein the tool conduit is configured to allow a distal end of the tissue treatment tool to move side-to-side within the chamber and to provide stability for the treatment tool in order to maintain the distal end of the treatment tool inserted through the conduit and being disposed in the chamber to move within a plane parallel to the planar inner surface of the transparent top; and

a vacuum port extending through the circular sidewall and in fluid communication with the chamber, the chamber configured to elevate target tissue relative to surrounding tissue upon application of vacuum pressure to the chamber through the vacuum port,

wherein the handpiece is configured to be affixed to a guidance track configured to guide movement of a tissue treatment tool along a plane parallel to the planar inner surface of the top.

7. The handpiece of claim 6, wherein the tissue treatment tool comprises a needle.

8. The handpiece of claim 6, wherein the tissue treatment tool comprises a cutting blade.

9. The handpiece of claim 6, wherein further comprising a membrane configured to seal around a tissue treatment tool upon insertion of a distal end of the tissue treatment tool through the tool conduit.

10. The handpiece of claim 6, further comprising an o-ring between the transparent top and the circular sidewall.

11. The handpiece of claim 6, wherein the top comprises a reference feature configured to indicate a treatment area.

12. A handpiece for treating tissue to reduce an appearance of cellulite, the handpiece comprising:

a top comprising a planar inner surface;

a sidewall;

a tool conduit extending through the sidewall;

a chamber at least partially defined by the planar inner surface of the top and an inner surface of the sidewall, the tool conduit configured to allow passage of a distal end of a tissue treatment tool into the chamber; and

a vacuum port extending through the sidewall and in fluid communication with the chamber, the chamber configured to elevate target tissue relative to surrounding tissue upon application of vacuum pressure to the chamber through the vacuum port,

wherein the handpiece is configured to be affixed to a guidance track configured to guide movement of a tissue treatment tool.

13. The handpiece of claim 12, wherein the tissue treatment tool comprises a needle.

14. The handpiece of claim 12, wherein the tissue treatment tool comprises a cutting blade.

15. The handpiece of claim 12, further comprising a membrane configured to seal around a tissue treatment tool upon insertion of a distal end of the tissue treatment tool through the tool conduit.

16. The handpiece of claim 12, wherein the handpiece further comprises an o-ring between the top and the sidewall.

17. The handpiece of claim 12, wherein the top is transparent.

18. The handpiece of claim 12, wherein the top comprises a reference feature configured to indicate a treatment area.

19. The handpiece of claim 12, comprising locking receiving spaces configured to reversibly receive complementary insertable clips coupled to a guidance track.

20. The handpiece of claim 12, wherein the tool conduit is positioned between 4 mm and 20 mm below the planar inner surface of the top, wherein the tool conduit widens from the chamber outward, wherein the tool conduit is configured to allow a distal end of the tissue treatment tool to move side-to-side within the chamber and to provide stability for the treatment tool in order to maintain the distal end of the treatment tool inserted through the conduit and being disposed in the chamber to move within a plane parallel to the planar inner surface of the transparent top, wherein the treatment tool comprises a cutting blade, and wherein the guidance track is configured to guide movement of the tissue treatment tool along a plane parallel to the planar inner surface of the top.

21. The handpiece of claim 12, wherein the top is adjustable to change at least one of a depth of the tool conduit or a volume of the chamber.