Laser-assisted liposuction method and apparatus
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for removal of fatty tissue, comprising:
- a hollow cannula;
a substantially rigid enclosure on said cannula, said enclosure being shaped to enclose an active area within said cannula, and protect said active area from intrusion by surrounding tissues;
a fluid source on said cannula, said fluid source being disposed to release aqueous solution into said active area enclosed within said cannula;
a laser source on said cannula, said laser source being disposed to impinge laser energy on said aqueous solution from said fluid source in said active area enclosed within said cannula, to energize water molecules in said aqueous solution, said laser source being arranged relative to said fluid source and said enclosure so as to prevent escape of any laser energy from said enclosure prior to impingement of said laser energy upon said water molecules;
an opening in said enclosure, said opening being positioned to allow said energized water molecules to escape from said enclosure to contact and break down surrounding fatty tissues; and
a suction port on said cannula for aspirating liquid material resulting from breakdown of surrounding fatty tissues.
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Abstract
A liposuction cannula having a source of aqueous solution, a laser source, and a suction source. Aqueous solution is released into an active area within the cannula, and laser energy is directed onto the aqueous solution within the active area to energize the water molecules. The energized water molecules escape from the active area into the surrounding fatty tissue to break down the fatty tissue and release liquid fatty material, which is removed by aspiration via the cannula.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for removal of fatty tissue, comprising:
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a hollow cannula;
a substantially rigid enclosure on said cannula, said enclosure being shaped to enclose an active area within said cannula, and protect said active area from intrusion by surrounding tissues;
a fluid source on said cannula, said fluid source being disposed to release aqueous solution into said active area enclosed within said cannula;
a laser source on said cannula, said laser source being disposed to impinge laser energy on said aqueous solution from said fluid source in said active area enclosed within said cannula, to energize water molecules in said aqueous solution, said laser source being arranged relative to said fluid source and said enclosure so as to prevent escape of any laser energy from said enclosure prior to impingement of said laser energy upon said water molecules;
an opening in said enclosure, said opening being positioned to allow said energized water molecules to escape from said enclosure to contact and break down surrounding fatty tissues; and
a suction port on said cannula for aspirating liquid material resulting from breakdown of surrounding fatty tissues. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for removal of fatty tissue, said method comprising:
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providing a hollow cannula having a substantially rigid enclosure, a source of aqueous solution, a laser source, and a suction port;
releasing aqueous solution from said source into an active area enclosed within said rigid enclosure within said cannula;
impinging laser energy from said laser source onto water molecules in said aqueous solution in said active area enclosed within said cannula, to energize said water molecules, without allowing escape of any laser energy from said enclosure prior to impingement of said laser energy upon said water molecules;
allowing said energized water molecules to escape through openings in said enclosure to contact and break down surrounding fatty tissues; and
aspirating liquid material resulting from breakdown of surrounding fatty tissues, via said suction port. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification