Massager and method of using same

• US 7,041,072 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2004
• Issued: 05/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intellimed Surgical Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Matrix Surgical Consulting Corp
• Inventors: Calvert, Jay Wynn
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, Quang D.
• Application Number:
  US10/887,194
• Publication Number:
  US 20040243031A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 601/17, 601/19, 601/46, 601/70, 601/80, 601/101, 601/103, 601/107, 601/108, 601/110, 601/111, 601/129, 601/130, 601/131, 601/134, 601/135, 128/898
• US Class Current: 601/111
• 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
• 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

The invention relates to a method of operating a percussive massage device for 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. A method of smoothing tissue irregularities in a treatment area during a liposuction procedure comprising the steps of:

providing a percussive massager comprising a housing including a base portions, a handle portion, a drive unit and a massage node, wherein operation of the drive unit causes the massage node to reciprocate axially thereby providing a massage effect;

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 thereby improving contour irregularities caused by the liposuction procedure.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue is skin.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue is fat.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the percussive massager is applied to the treatment area following the liposuction procedure to remove unwanted scar tissue formed during the liposuction procedure.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the percussive massager is applied to the treatment area prior to the liposuction procedure to precondition the tissue thereby minimizing blood vessel damage caused by the liposuction procedure.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the percussive massager is watertight.