Ultrasonic liposuction handpiece

• US 5,823,990 A
• Filed: 01/16/1997
• Issued: 10/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1997
• 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:
  US08/783,875
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 604/22, 128/751, 128/752, 128/753-758, 606/167, 606/169, 606/170, 606/171
• US Class Current: 604/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22012 in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement for removing obstructions in blood vessels by laser A61B18/245
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0014 removed from the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/08 Lipoids

Abstract

An ultrasonic avulsing liposuction handpiece including a handle portion and a cannula portion. In one embodiment, the cannula portion includes an auger rotatably mounted within an apertured outer tube. An independently controllable source of vibration housed within the handpiece causes the auger to vibrate at a desired frequency as the auger rotates. A portion of the rotary auger underlying an aperture in the wall of the outer tube includes a helical flange which has an elastically deformable outer tissue-contacting edge. When the outer tube is inserted within fatty tissue, the tissue-contacting edge avulses or tears apart fatty tissue protruding inwardly through the aperture in the outer tube when the auger is rotating. The mechanical vibration imparted to shaft of the rotating auger enhances the mechanical transport of avulsed tissue to a vacuum aspirator port within the handpiece for removal. The handpiece is relatively easy to use, rendering the procedure less tiring for the surgeon. In all embodiments incorporating vibration, the tissue-removing element vibrates at an ultrasonic or sonic frequency within the protective confines of the outer tube thereby reducing loading and heating. In the avulsing auger embodiment, the rotating auger vibrates within the outer tube, imparting a complex, wobbly, vibrorotatory wavelike motion to the tissue-contacting edge of the auger providing improved performance for suction lipectomy procedures.

Claims

1. A handpiece comprising an invasive cannula portion and a non-invasive handle portion, said handle portion comprising an elongate case having a proximal end, a distal end, a housing, a vibrating member therewithin, a motor means adapted to rotate a drive shaft, and a power connector adapted to provide releasable connection of said handle portion to an external source of energy, said distal end of said handle portion having cannula connection means thereon, the invasive cannula portion comprising:

(a) a rigid elongate outer tube having (i) a proximal end having handle connector means thereon adapted to releasably engage said cannula connection means on said handpiece and (ii) a distal end and a hollow cylindrical wall enclosing an axial lumen therebetween, said cylindrical wall having an aperture therein with a rim wherein said rim is a stationary avulsing edge;

(b) an elongate avulsing member coaxially disposed and rotatably mounted within said lumen of said outer tube, the outermost lateral extension a portion of said avulsing member being a movable avulsing edge, wherein said avulsing edge elastically deforms away from said stationary avulsing edge in response to pressure applied between said stationary avulsing edge and said movable avulsing edge.

2. A power assisted suction lipectomy device comprising a handpiece, said handpiece further comprising;

(a) a handle portion having electrical power connection means adapted for releasable connection to an external source of electrical power, a motor having a movable drive shaft connected to said power connection means therewithin; and

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

i) a hollow outer tube having a proximal end with connection means adapted to releasably connect said outer tube to said handle portion, and a distal end and a cylindrical wall therebetween with an aperture therein having an elastically deformable edge; 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 movable edge therebetween wherein at least a portion of said movable edge underlies said aperture in said cylindrical wall of said outer tube; and

iii) a member having an elastically deformable stationary edge affixed to said outer tube and wherein said stationary edge overlies and is in juxtaposition with said movable edge, and wherein said stationary edge is elastically deformable;

(c) a piezoelectric vibrating element housed within said handle portion, said vibrating element having a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end being in electrical communication with said source of electrical power.

3. The power assisted suction lipectomy device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said movable edge is elastically deformable, said movable edge comprising a helical flange having an outer avulsing edge projecting laterally therefrom along a length of a elongate shaft, said shaft having a proximal end adapted to releasably connect to said handle portion, and a distal end.

4. The power assisted suction lipectomy device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said stationary edge is rigid.