Fat removal and nerve protection device and method

• US 8,052,672 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2003
• Issued: 11/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tony R. Brown
• Original Assignee: LENR Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Nguyen, Hien, Stambaugh, Bruce, Wadhwani, Suresh K., Brown, Tony R., Laufer, Michael D., Adlparvar, Payam
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephens; Jacqueline F.
• Application Number:
  US10/735,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20050165345A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,889 Days
• Field of Search: 604/542, 604/540, 604/902, 606/170
• US Class Current: 604/542
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320068 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00685 Archimedes screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32007 with suction or vacuum means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320082 for incising tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320775 Morcellators, impeller or propeller like means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 reciprocating lengthwise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00208 actively driven, e.g. by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00464 Subcutaneous fat, e.g. liposuction, lipolysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1435 Spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 of the patient or his organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/007 Aspiration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/85 with gas or fluid supply means, e.g. for supplying rinsing fluids or anticoagulants for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92, A61M1/94; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463; dental instruments with combined rinsing and aspirating A61C17/0208
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/08 : Lipoids

Abstract

A fat removal device includes a screen which includes passages through which fat can be extruded, to be cut or melted away from the surface of an internal organ. The device includes a blade to cut the fat or radiofrequency monopolar or bipolar electrodes to melt the fat, aspiration to remove the fat away from the screen and blade, irrigation to irrigate the screen and blade, and an electrocautery member to cauterize the capillary bed of the fat. Methods of using removing the fat layer from the surface of an internal body organ are also described.

Claims

1. A method of removing fatty tissue while protecting nerves, comprising the steps of:

exposing a portion of said fatty tissue;

pressing said fatty tissue with a non-convex surface having at least one hole;

extruding fat through said at least one hole, the hole being dimensioned to allow fat cells to extrude through while preventing nerves from passing therethrough; and

cutting, using a blade, fat that has extruded through said hole on a side of said surface opposite said fatty tissue.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of extruding fat further comprises the step of preventing nerves from passing through said at least one hole while permitting blood vessels to pass therethrough.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising cauterizing fat that has extruded through said hole on a side of said surface opposite said fatty tissue.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising heating said fatty tissue at a time selected from the group consisting of prior to said cutting step, during said cutting step, and both prior and during said cutting step.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of pressing said fat layer further comprises pressing with a surface having at least one hole located on a distalmost end of a wand.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of pressing said fat layer further comprises pressing with a surface having at least one hole located proximal of a distalmost end of a wand.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the hole has a diameter R, and said fat is extruded a distance D through the hole having a diameter R, the ratio D/R being about 1.0.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the hole has a diameter R, said fat is extruded a distance D through the hole having a diameter R, and D is from 10% less than the diameter of a nerve to be protected to 6 mm.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the hole has a diameter R, said fat is extruded a distance D through the hole having a diameter R, and R is from 10% less than the diameter of a nerve to be protected to 6 mm.

10. A method of removing fatty tissue while protecting nerves, comprising the steps of:

exposing a portion of said fatty tissue;

pressing said fatty tissue with a non-convex surface having at least one hole;

extruding fat through said at least one hole, the hole being dimensioned to allow fat cells to extrude through while preventing nerves from passing therethrough; and

cutting, using a shearing member, fat that has extruded through said hole on a side of said surface opposite said fatty tissue.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein said step of extruding fat further comprises the step of preventing nerves from passing through said at least one hole while permitting blood vessels to pass therethrough.

12. A method in accordance with claim 10, further comprising cauterizing fat that has extruded through said hole on a side of said surface opposite said fatty tissue.

13. A method in accordance with claim 10, further comprising heating said fatty tissue at a time selected from the group consisting of prior to said cutting step, during said cutting step, and both prior and during said cutting step.

14. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein said step of pressing said fat layer further comprises pressing with a surface having at least one hole located on a distalmost end of a wand.

15. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein said step of pressing said fat layer further comprises pressing with a surface having at least one hole located proximal of a distalmost end of a wand.

16. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein the hole has a diameter R, and said fat is extruded a distance D through the hole having a diameter R, the ratio D/R being about 1.0.

17. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein the hole has a diameter R, said fat is extruded a distance D through the hole having a diameter R, and D is from 10% less than the diameter of a nerve to be protected to 6 mm.

18. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein the hole has a diameter R, said fat is extruded a distance D through the hole having a diameter R, and R is from 10% less than the diameter of a nerve to be protected to 6 mm.

19. A method of removing fatty tissue while protecting nerves, comprising the steps of:

exposing a portion of said fatty tissue;

pressing said fatty tissue with a non-convex surface having at least one hole;

extruding fat through said at least one hole, the hole being dimensioned to allow fat cells to extrude through while preventing nerves from passing therethrough; and

cutting, using a scraper, fat that has extruded through said hole on a side of said surface opposite said fatty tissue.

20. A method in accordance with claim 19, wherein said step of extruding fat further comprises the step of preventing nerves from passing through said at least one hole while permitting blood vessels to pass therethrough.

21. A method in accordance with claim 19, further comprising cauterizing fat that has extruded through said hole on a side of said surface opposite said fatty tissue.

22. A method in accordance with claim 19, further comprising heating said fatty tissue at a time selected from the group consisting of prior to said cutting step, during said cutting step, and both prior and during said cutting step.

23. A method in accordance with claim 19, wherein said step of pressing said fat layer further comprises pressing with a surface having at least one hole located on a distalmost end of a wand.

24. A method in accordance with claim 19, wherein said step of pressing said fat layer further comprises pressing with a surface having at least one hole located proximal of a distalmost end of a wand.

25. A method in accordance with claim 19, wherein the hole has a diameter R, and said fat is extruded a distance D through the hole having a diameter R, the ratio D/R being about 1.0.

26. A method in accordance with claim 19, wherein the hole has a diameter R, said fat is extruded a distance D through the hole having a diameter R, and D is from 10% less than the diameter of a nerve to be protected to 6 mm.

27. A method in accordance with claim 19, wherein the hole has a diameter R, said fat is extruded a distance D through the hole having a diameter R, and R is from 10% less than the diameter of a nerve to be protected to 6 mm.