Apparatus for reducing the appearance of cellulite

• US 8,906,054 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2014
• Issued: 12/09/2014
• 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:
  US14/290,847
• Publication Number:
  US 20140277025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 194 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: 606/172
• 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. An apparatus for reducing the appearance of cellulite, 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 raised perimeter wall and an adjustable top comprising a tissue apposition surface, wherein the top operatively interacts with the raised perimeter wall,

the handpiece further comprising an aperture configured to allow elevation of the target tissue into the chamber in the treatment region relative to surrounding tissue,

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

a tissue cutting device operatively engaged to the handpiece and having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the tissue cutting device being positionable within the chamber and the treatment region,

the distal end of the tissue cutting device capable of movement within a subcutaneous layer within the treatment region in a plane substantially parallel to the adjustable top, and

the adjustable top configured to adjust a depth at which the distal end of the tissue cutting device enters the target tissue relative to the apposition surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handpiece further comprises a vacuum port configured to operably interact with a vacuum source to apply vacuum pressure to the target tissue within the treatment region, thereby elevating the target tissue.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the raised perimeter wall comprises a conduit configured to allow passage of the distal end of the cutting device through the raised perimeter wall and into the tissue engaging chamber.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the raised perimeter wall of the tissue engaging handpiece comprises a conduit configured to allow passage of the distal end of the cutting device through the raised perimeter wall and into the tissue engaging chamber, wherein the conduit is positioned to allow the distal end of the cutting device to penetrate tissue elevated into the chamber at a predefined depth, wherein the distal end of the cutting tool comprises one or more cutting blades slidably disposed in a shaft, and wherein the cutting blades move in a reciprocating pattern.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tissue cutting device is driven by a motor unit.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the motor unit is controlled by a microprocessor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a guidance platform coupled to the handpiece, wherein the guidance platform is configured to operably interact with the tissue cutting device.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the tissue cutting device comprises a guide pin and wherein the guidance platform guides the tissue cutting device as a result of an interaction between the guide pin and a guidance track of the guidance platform.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the guidance track comprises an undercut track.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the tissue cutting device comprises a guide pin comprising a flange, and wherein an interaction between the undercut track and the flange prevents lifting of the tissue cutting device from the guidance platform.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the cutting device is capable of movement within a defined region of the subcutaneous layer within the treatment region.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein adjustment of the adjustable top changes the position of the apposition surface of the top with respect to the tissue surrounding the target tissue in the treatment region, thereby adjusting the depth at which the distal end of the tissue cutting device enters the target tissue relative to the apposition surface.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top further comprises a rigid upper lid, a rigid inner lid, and a bladder disposed between the rigid upper lid and rigid inner lid, wherein the rigid inner lid is configured to move up and down with respect to the raised perimeter wall, the rigid inner lid being at its lowest point when the bladder is fully expanded, and being at its highest point when the bladder is deflated.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top further comprises a threaded lid having an inner edge and an outer edge, wherein the inner and outer edges interact with a rim of the raised perimeter wall, wherein an inner side of the outer edge and an outer side of the raised perimeter wall are respectively threaded such that the threaded lid is configured to move up and down with respect to the perimeter wall when the threaded lid is rotated.

15. An apparatus for reducing the appearance of cellulite, comprising:

a handpiece comprising a perimeter wall and a tissue apposition surface that together form a recessed area into which tissue may be positioned;

a guidance platform coupled to the handpiece; and

a tissue cutting device comprising a tissue cutting blade,

wherein the handpiece further comprises a conduit configured to allow at least a portion of the tissue cutting blade to pass through the perimeter wall and into the recessed area,

wherein the conduit defines a cutting device pivot point when at least a portion of the tissue cutting blade is passed through the conduit and into the recessed area,

wherein the guidance platform is configured to interact with the tissue cutting device to maintain the cutting blade in a position that enables forming a planar lesion at a fixed depth below a surface and within a subcutaneous region of the tissue in the recessed area.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein tissue is contacted with the tissue apposition surface by application of pressure on the handpiece.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the handpiece further comprises a vacuum aperture and the tissue is contacted with the tissue apposition surface by application of vacuum pressure to the vacuum aperture.

18. An apparatus for reducing the appearance of cellulite, comprising:

a handpiece comprising a perimeter wall and a tissue apposition surface that together form a recessed area into which tissue may be positioned,

the handpiece further comprising an aperture configured to allow positioning of a tissue to be treated into the recessed area,

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

a guidance platform configured to be coupled to the handpiece,

wherein the guidance platform comprises a guidance track,

wherein the guidance platform is configured to operably interact with a tissue cutting device and guide the tissue cutting device in a predetermined pattern within a subcutaneous layer of the tissue through interaction of the tissue cutting device with the guidance track, and

wherein the guidance platform is configured to interact with the tissue cutting device to cause the tissue cutting device to form a planar lesion at a fixed depth below the surface of the tissue in the recessed area.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the recessed area comprises the perimeter wall and wherein the tissue apposition surface comprises a top that operatively interacts with the perimeter wall to form said recessed area, wherein the aperture allows application of vacuum pressure to position the tissue within the recessed area, wherein the tissue cutting device comprise a guide pin that interacts with the guidance track of the guidance platform to guide the tissue cutting device in the predetermined pattern, wherein the tissue cutting device comprises one or more cutting blades having a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the distal end of at least one of the cutting blades is positioned within the recessed area to form the planar lesion by cutting subcutaneous tissue at the fixed depth below the surface of the tissue.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the top comprises a threaded lid having an inner edge and an outer edge, wherein the inner and outer edges interact with a rim of the perimeter wall, and wherein the threaded lid enables adjustment of a volume of the recessed area.

21. An apparatus for reducing the appearance of cellulite, 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 raised perimeter wall and an adjustable top comprising a tissue apposition surface, wherein the top operatively interacts with the raised perimeter wall,

the handpiece further comprising an aperture configured to allow elevation of the target tissue into the chamber in the treatment region relative to surrounding tissue;

the handpiece further comprising a vacuum port configured to operably interact with a vacuum source to apply vacuum pressure to the target tissue within the treatment region, thereby elevating the target tissue,

the handpiece further comprises a conduit configured to allow at least a portion of a tissue cutting blade to pass through the perimeter wall and into the recessed area and defining a pivot point when at least a portion of the tissue cutting blade passes through the conduit and into the tissue engaging chamber; and

a tissue cutting device operatively engaged to the handpiece and having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the tissue cutting device being positionable within the chamber and the treatment region,

the distal end of the tissue cutting device capable of movement within the treatment region in a plane substantially parallel to the adjustable top, and

the adjustable top configured to adjust a depth at which the distal end of the tissue cutting device enters the target tissue relative to the apposition surface.