Tissue treatment system for reducing the appearance of cellulite

• US 8,900,261 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2014
• Issued: 12/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ulthera Inc. (Merz Pharma GmbH & Company Kgaa)
• Original Assignee: Ulthera Inc. (Merz Pharma GmbH & Company Kgaa)
• Inventors: Clark, Robert L III, Chomas, James E., Merchant, Adnan I., Brian, Ben F. III
• Primary Examiner(s): EASTWOOD, DAVID C
• Application Number:
  US14/290,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20140277024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 187 Days
• Field of Search: 606161-162, 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
• US Class Current: 606/171
• 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 by marking A61B2090/395
• 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 comprising a recessed tissue engaging chamber defining a treatment region in which target tissue may be positioned, the recessed tissue engaging chamber having a top and being configured to allow elevation of the target tissue into the chamber in the treatment region relative to surrounding tissue;

a tissue cutting device movably coupled to a guidance track so that a distal end of the tissue cutting device is positionable into the recessed chamber and in the treatment region for treating tissue,

the handpiece further comprising a conduit configured to allow at least a portion of the tissue cutting device to pass into the recessed tissue engaging chamber and defining a pivot point when at least a portion of the tissue cutting device passes through the conduit and into the recessed tissue engaging chamber;

the guidance track being configured to operably connect to the handpiece, wherein the guidance track is configured to constrain a portion of the tissue cutting device to move within a predetermined area such that the distal end of the tissue cutting device moves relative to the top within a predetermined shape within the treatment region; and

the top having an apposition surface and the target tissue is configured to be elevated into contact with the apposition surface wherein the position of the apposition surface defines a depth of the distal end of the tissue cutting device relative to the apposition surface, wherein the tissue cutting device moves laterally within a plane at the depth from the apposition surface.

2. The treatment system of claim 1, wherein the tissue cutting device further comprises a guide pin, the guide pin being configured to engage the guidance track and constrain the movement of the tissue cutting device within the predetermined shape, wherein the distal end of the cutting device comprises one or more cutting blades, wherein the one or more cutting blades cuts fibrous tissue within the treatment region, and wherein the fibrous tissue is cut at a depth between 4 mm and 20 mm from the apposition surface.

3. The treatment system of claim 1, wherein the top comprises a reversible lid.

4. The treatment system of claim 1, wherein the tissue cutting device is configured to operably connect with a motor module, the motor module being configured to drive the tissue cutting device to cut tissue in the treatment region.

5. The treatment system of claim 4, wherein the motor module comprises a reciprocating motor and reciprocates the tissue cutting device to cut tissue in the treatment region.

6. The treatment system of claim 1, wherein the tissue engaging chamber of the handpiece further comprises a port connectable to a vacuum source, wherein application of vacuum pressure via the port draws the target tissue into contact with the apposition surface.

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

8. The treatment system of claim 1, wherein the conduit for receiving at least a portion of the tissue cutting device enables the tissue cutting device to access the treatment region through the tissue engaging chamber.

9. The treatment system of claim 8, wherein the conduit further comprises a membrane to reduce leakage from the tissue engaging chamber via the conduit.

10. The treatment system of claim 8, wherein the membrane is self-sealing.

11. The treatment system of claim 8, wherein the conduit is configured to enable movement of the tissue cutting device to be pivoted in an arc about the conduit.

12. A tissue treatment system, comprising:

a handpiece comprising a tissue engaging chamber comprising a reversible lid having a first and second apposition surface, the chamber at least partially defining a recessed area into which target tissue may be positioned, thereby defining a treatment region;

a tissue cutting module comprising a housing and tissue cutting blade and configured to be operably coupled to the handpiece, the tissue cutting blade comprising a proximal end and a distal end; and

at least one guidance track configured to be operably connected to the handpiece and movably engaged by the tissue cutting module;

the tissue engaging chamber being configured to elevate, relative to surrounding tissue, the target tissue into the recessed area of the chamber and into contact with either the first or second apposition surface of the reversible lid,

wherein the reversible lid allows adjustment of a depth of the tissue cutting device relative to the reversible lid, depending on whether the first apposition surface or the second apposition surface is facing the target tissue,

the distal end of the tissue cutting blade being positionable into the treatment region, and

the at least one guidance track being configured to at least partially constrain movement of the tissue cutting module to cause the tissue cutting blade to move within a predetermined shape within the treatment region.

13. The treatment system of claim 12, wherein the housing of the tissue cutting module comprises a guide pin that engages the guidance track, and wherein the engagement of the guide pin with the guidance track constrains the movement of the tissue cutting module to the predetermined shape.

14. The treatment system of claim 13, wherein the guide pin comprises a protruding feature and wherein the guidance track comprises a recessed groove.

15. The treatment system of claim 13, wherein the guide pin comprises a recess in the tissue cutting module and the guidance track comprises a raised ridge.

16. A tissue treatment system, comprising:

a handpiece comprising a tissue engaging chamber defining a treatment region in which target tissue may be positioned, the tissue engaging chamber having a top and a port configured for connection to a vacuum source, the chamber being configured to elevate the target tissue into the chamber in the treatment region relative to surrounding tissue;

wherein the handpiece further comprises a seal configured to allow at least a portion of a tissue cutting device to pass through a perimeter wall of the chamber and into the chamber;

a tissue cutting device movably coupled to a guidance track so that a distal end of the tissue cutting device is positionable into the chamber and within a subcutaneous layer of tissue within the treatment region for treating tissue;

the guidance track being configured to operably connect to the handpiece and the tissue cutting device and being configured to constrain the movement of the tissue cutting device to a predetermined area such that the distal end of the tissue cutting device moves in accordance with a predetermined shape within the treatment region; and

the top having an apposition surface into which the target tissue is configured to be elevated and wherein the top allows a depth to be defined for positioning of the distal end of the tissue cutting device relative to the apposition surface.

17. The treatment system of claim 16, wherein the guidance track is operably connected to the handpiece by screws, clips, or combinations thereof.

18. The treatment system of claim 16, wherein the tissue cutting device comprises a shaft that houses at least a portion of a proximal end of a tissue cutting blade.

19. The treatment system of claim 18, wherein the tissue cutting blade is slidably disposed within the shaft, wherein the shaft reduces unintended contact of tissue underlying the target tissue with the tissue cutting blade.