Massager and method of using same

• US 20040243031A1
• Filed: 07/08/2004
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intellimed Surgical Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Matrix Surgical Consulting Corp
• Inventors: Calvert, Jay Wynn
• Granted Patent: US 7,041,072 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/95
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 15/0085 hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0111 watertight
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0153 hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1418 Cam
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1678 Means for angularly oscillating massage elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1685 interchangeable modular devices, A61H2201/0107
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2207/00 Anti-cellulite devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0254 with rotary motor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0263 using rotating unbalanced masses
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/001 without substantial movement between the skin and the device
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/005 hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/005 Pneumatic massage

Abstract

A massage device to be used pre-operatively, intra-operatively and post-operatively. The device that includes a housing with a base portion and a handle portion, a drive unit contained in the base portion of the housing; and a massage node operably connected to the drive unit by coupling means such that operation of the drive unit causes the massage node to provide a massage effect.

The present massage device is capable of smoothing the skin and fat irregularities associated with any liposuction procedure including suction assisted lipectomy, ultrasonic assisted lipectomy, and direct lipectomy; improving the contour irregularities assisted with any liposuction procedure; preconditioning the skin and fat prior to any liposuction procedure to minimize blood vessel damage; removing scar tissue from patients who have recently undergone any liposuction procedure; and treating skin irregularities due to “cellulite”.

Claims

1-16. -16. (Canceled)

17. A method of conditioning tissue in a treatment area prior to a liposuction procedure comprising the steps of:

providing a massager;

identifying the tissue to be conditioned which defines a treatment area; and

applying the massager to the treatment area to smooth the tissue prior to a liposuction procedure.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the tissue is skin.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the tissue is fat.

20. A method of smoothing tissue in a treatment area during a liposuction procedure comprising the steps of:

providing a massager;

identifying the tissue to be conditioned which defines a treatment area; and

applying the massager to the treatment area to smooth the tissue irregularities during a liposuction procedure.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the tissue is skin.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the tissue is fat.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the massager is watertight.

24. A method of smoothing tissue irregularities in a treatment area following a liposuction procedure comprising the steps of:

providing a massager;

identifying the tissue to be conditioned which defines a treatment area; and

applying the massager to the treatment area to smooth the tissue irregularities following a liposuction procedure.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the tissue is skin.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the tissue is fat.