Power assisted suction lipectomy device

• US 5,569,178 A
• Filed: 10/20/1995
• Issued: 10/29/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Henley, Julian L.
• Original Assignee: Henley, Julian L.
• Inventors: Henley, Julian L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MENDEZ, MANUEL A
• Application Number:
  US08/546,478
• Time in Patent Office: 375 Days
• Field of Search: 604/22, 606/167-174, 128/751-759
• US Class Current: 604/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320783 through side-hole, e.g. sliding or rotating cutter inside catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00685 Archimedes screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system

Abstract

A power assisted liposuction handpiece including a handle portion and a cannula portion. The cannula portion includes an apertured outer tube having a rotary auger disposed within the outer tube. In a preferred embodiment, a portion of the rotary auger beneath the aperture has an elastically deformable outer tissue-contacting edge. The elastically deformable outer tissue-contacting edge avulses or tears apart fatty tissue protruding through the aperture into the cannula when the auger rotates. The rotating auger also facilitates the mechanical transport of the avulsed cells to a vacuum aspirator port within the handpiece for removal. The relatively soft, elastically deformable tissue-contacting edge of the auger reduces trauma to more cohesive non-fatty neural and vascular tissue providing greater tissue selectivity than present invasive liposuction equipment. In addition, the handpiece is relatively easy to use, rendering the procedure less tiring for the surgeon. In an alterative embodiment, the avulsing peripheral edge of the cannula aperture is elastically deformable, permitting avulsion of fatty tissue having a relatively low tensile strength but capable of deforming under pressure thereby preventing avulsion of more tenacious tissue. In still another embodiment, the shaft of the rotating member is elastically deformable to permit high tensile strength tissue to deflect the rotating tissue-contacting edge of the auger or similar avulsing rotary member when such tenacious tissue is pinched between the edge of the cannula aperture and the tissue-contacting edge of the rotating member.

Claims

1. A power assisted suction lipectomy device operable for removing fatty tissue from beneath the skin of a patient, said device comprising a non-invasive handle portion housing A source of rotary power and having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end having cannula connection means thereon, and an invasive cannula portion comprising:

(a) a rigid hollow elongate outer tube having an inner lumen, a proximal end adapted to matingly engage and releasably attach said outer tube to said cannula connection means on said distal end of said handle portion and a distal end and a cylindrical surface therebetween, said cylindrical surface having an aperture therein, the edge of said aperture providing a stationary avulsing edge.

(b) a rotating member rotatably mounted coaxially within said inner lumen of said rigid outer tube comprising an elongate shaft having a proximal end adapted to mechanically engage said source of rotary power and a distal end and a shaft therebetween, said shaft having a spiral flange projecting laterally therefrom, the outermost lateral extension of said spiral flange being a rotating avulsing edge, and wherein a portion of said rotating avulsing edge adjacent to said stationary avulsing edge is adapted to elastically deform in response to pressure applied thereto.

2. A handpiece for a suction lipectomy device operable for removing unwanted fatty tissue from beneath the skin of a patient, the handpiece comprising:

(a) a handle portion having a proximal end and a distal end and source of rotary power housed therewithin; and

(b) a cannula portion, said cannula portion further comprising;

(i) an elongate outer tube having a rigid cylindrical wall enclosing a cylindrical cannula lumen, said cannula having a proximal end with attachment means operable for rigidly attaching said cannula to said distal end of said handle portion and having at least one aperture in said cylindrical wall; and

(ii) a rotary member housed within said cannula lumen wherein an avulsing portion of said rotary member underlies said at least one aperture in said cylindrical wall and wherein said avulsing portion of said rotary member comprises a helical flange projecting laterally from an elongate shaft along a portion of the length thereof and wherein said flange has an outer edge which is elastically deformable.

3. A power assisted suction lipectomy device comprising a handpiece, said handpiece further comprising:

(a) a handle portion having a power driven movable drive shaft therewithin; and

(b) a cannula portion wherein said cannula portion further comprises;

i) a rigid hollow outer tube having a proximal end adapted to releasably connect to said handle portion, and a distal end and a cylindrical outer surface having an aperture therein wherein said aperture has an avulsing edge comprising an elastically deformable material; and

ii) a movable member disposed within said outer tube having a proximal end adapted to releasably engage said drive shaft and a distal end and a elongate shaft movable edge therebetween wherein at least a portion of said movable edge underlies said aperture in said outer tube.

4. The power assisted suction lipectomy device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said movable edge is elastically deformable.

5. The power assisted suction lipectomy device in accordance with claim 4 wherein said stationary edge is rigid.