Dissection handpiece and method for reducing the appearance of cellulite

• US 8,574,251 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2013
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ulthera Inc. (Merz Pharma GmbH & Company Kgaa)
• Original Assignee: Cabochon Aesthetics, Inc. (Merz Pharma GmbH & Company Kgaa)
• Inventors: Clark, Robert L. III, Chomas, James E., Merchant, Adnan I., Brian, Ben F. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Severson, Ryan
• Assistant Examiner(s): EASTWOOD, DAVID C
• Application Number:
  US13/772,753
• Publication Number:
  US 20130190740A1
• Time in Patent Office: 257 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/9, 606 13- 16, 606 32- 52, 606 61-162, 606166-167, 606170-172, 606/185, 606/190, 606/191, 606/198, 600/131, 600/132, 600135-137, 600/565, 600/571, 604115-117, 604/542, 607/89
• US Class Current: 606/167
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets A61B18/00 takes precedence; contraceptive devices, pessaries, or applicators therefor A61F6/00; eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• 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 17/3201 Scissors for biopsy A61B10/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32093 for skin incisions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00747 Dermatology
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00761 Removing layer of skin tissue, e.g. wrinkles, scars or cancerous tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/308 with suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320028 with reciprocating movements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32004 having a laterally movable cutting member at its most distal end which remains within the contours of said end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320056 Tunnelers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32006 with a cutting strip, band or chain, e.g. like a chainsaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3405 using mechanical guide means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3407 : including a base for support on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0016 : Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00291 : using suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00452 : Skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 : Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 : Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/143 : multiple needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 : curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 : for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0815 : Implantable devices for insertion in between organs or other soft tissues
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 : with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 : with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 : Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0207 : heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/10 : with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/105 : with means for delivering media, e.g. drugs or cosmetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2207/00 : Anti-cellulite devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0245 : with ultrasonic transducers, e.g. piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/306 : Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/327 : for enhancing the absorption properties of tissue, e.g. by electroporation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/328 : for improving the appearance of the skin, e.g. facial toning or wrinkle treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/403 : for thermotherapy, e.g. hyperthermia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0008 : Destruction of fat cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 : Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

A dermatological skin treatment device is provided. The device comprises a handpiece and a cutting tool, wherein the tool is inserted through the conduit and percutaneously inserted into a tissue disposed within a recessed area of the handpiece. The device and method cut the fibrous structures under the skin that cause cellulite at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the skin and replace these structures with a non-cellulite forming structure by deploying a highly fibrous mesh through a single needle hole to create a highly fibrous layer directly or through wound healing processes.

Claims

1. A tissue treatment system, comprising:

a handpiece having a chamber defining a treatment region in which target tissue may be positioned, the chamber being configured to elevate the target tissue in the treatment region relative to the surrounding tissue;

a tool movably coupled to the handpiece so that a distal end of the tool is positionable in the treatment region for treating target tissue by extending the distal end of the tool through an aperture in the chamber;

and a resilient seal positionable in the aperture in order to minimize leakage around the tool; and

a guidance track operably connected to the handpiece, wherein the guidance track is configured to constrain a portion of the tool to move within a predetermined area such that the distal end of the tool moves within a subcutaneous region of a predetermined shape within the treatment region.

2. The tissue treatment system of claim 1, wherein the chamber has an apposition surface and the target tissue is elevated into contact with the apposition surface.

3. The tissue treatment system of claim 2, wherein the tool moves along a surface that is parallel to the apposition surface for treating the target tissue in the treatment region.

4. The tissue treatment system of claim 1, wherein a guide pin is attached to the tool, the guide pin configured to engage the guidance track so that the tool is constrained to move within the predetermined area.

5. The tissue treatment system of claim 1, wherein the guidance track comprises one or more channels forming a pattern, the tool being constrained to move within the pattern.

6. The tissue treatment system of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the tool comprises a tissue cutting device.

7. The tissue treatment system of claim 6, wherein the tissue cutting device comprises a blade.

8. The tissue treatment system of claim 6, further comprising a motor controlled module coupled to the tool which imparts reciprocating motion to the cutting device.

9. The tissue treatment system of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the tool comprises an energy emitter.

10. The tissue treatment system of claim 9, wherein the energy emitter comprises an RF electrode.

11. The tissue treatment system of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the tool comprises a laser.

12. The tissue treatment system of claim 2, wherein the chamber includes a reversible lid having a recessed side and a raised side for adjusting the depth of the distal end of the tool relative to the apposition surface.

13. A tissue treatment system, comprising:

a handpiece having a chamber and an apposition surface, the chamber defining a treatment region in which target tissue may be positioned and being configured to receive an interventional tool such that a distal end of the tool is positionable in the treatment region, the chamber having a vacuum port configured for connection to a vacuum source to evacuate the chamber to elevate the target tissue into contact with the apposition surface in the treatment region relative to surrounding tissue, the chamber further having an aperture for receiving the tool;

a resilient seal positionable in the aperture in order to minimize leakage around the tool;

a guidance track operably connected to the handpiece; and

an interfacing structure configured to movably couple the interventional tool to the guidance track, wherein the guidance track is configured to constrain a portion of the interventional tool to move within a predetermined area such that the distal end of the interventional tool moves within a subcutaneous region of a predetermined shape within the treatment region.

14. The tissue treatment system of claim 13, wherein the tool moves along a surface that is generally parallel to the apposition surface for treating the target tissue in the treatment region.

15. The tissue treatment system of claim 13, wherein the interfacing structure includes a guide pin, the guide pin configured to engage the guidance track so that the tool is constrained to move within the predetermined area.

16. The tissue treatment system of claim 13, wherein the distal end of the tool comprises a tissue cutting device.

17. The tissue treatment system of claim 13, wherein the guidance track comprises one or more channels defining a pattern for treating cellulite in the treatment region.

18. The tissue treatment system of claim 13, wherein the tool is constrained to move along a surface that is generally parallel to the apposition surface for treating the target tissue in the treatment region.