Methods of tissue release to reduce the appearance of cellulite

• US 8,920,452 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2014
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• 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:
  US14/290,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20140277047A1
• Time in Patent Office: 215 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. A method for releasing tissue to reduce the appearance of cellulite, comprising:

positioning a handpiece comprising a recessed chamber over a first region of target tissue comprising dermis, epidermis and subcutaneous tissue,

wherein the recessed chamber comprises a top surface comprising an inner surface,

wherein the handpiece further comprises a port configured to allow elevation of target tissue into the recessed chamber;

attaching a platform comprising a guidance track to the handpiece, the guidance track of the platform configured to limit manipulation of a tissue dissection device;

capturing target tissue in the recessed chamber until the captured tissue contacts the inner surface of the top;

engaging a tissue dissection device comprising a cutting element with the handpiece;

advancing the tissue dissection device relative to the handpiece to insert the cutting element through the dermis of the captured target tissue and into the subcutaneous tissue;

manipulating the tissue dissection device to sever fibrous structures in the subcutaneous tissue, thereby releasing tissue and reducing the appearance of cellulite.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein engaging the tissue dissection device comprises inserting the cutting element through a conduit in the handpiece, thereby allowing at least a portion of the cutting element to enter the recessed chamber.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein capturing the target tissue in the recessed chamber comprises connecting a vacuum source to the handpiece port and applying vacuum pressure to the recessed chamber via said port, wherein said manipulating comprises moving the tissue dissection device in one or more of a forward, reverse, or side to side direction, wherein the fibrous structures are severed by the cutting element at a defined depth and in a plane that is substantially parallel to the tissue surface, and wherein the defined depth is between 4 mm and 20mm below the surface of the tissue contacting the adjustable top.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising retracting the cutting element from the captured tissue, releasing the captured tissue, and repeating the procedure on at least a second region of target tissue.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second region of target tissue is continuous with the first region of target tissue.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the fibrous structures of the second region are severed at a depth that differs from the depth at which the fibrous structures of the first region of target tissue are severed.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the top of the recessed chamber is adjustable and the difference in depth is achieved by adjusting the top.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue dissection device comprises a guide pin and wherein the guide pin interacts with the guidance track of the platform, thereby limiting the manipulation of the tissue dissection device.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising anesthetizing the first region of target tissue after capturing the target tissue in the recessed chamber.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the cutting element comprises a single cutting blade.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the cutting blade moves in a reciprocating fashion.

12. A method for releasing tissue to reduce the appearance of cellulite, comprising:

capturing, via application of vacuum pressure, a first region of target tissue comprising dermis, epidermis and subcutaneous tissue in a recessed chamber of a handpiece,

wherein the captured tissue is positioned in contact with an inner top surface of the recessed chamber;

engaging a tissue dissection device comprising a cutting element with the handpiece;

inserting the cutting element into the recessed chamber and into the subcutaneous layer of the captured tissue;

manipulating the tissue dissection device to sever fibrous structures in the subcutaneous tissue and reducing the appearance of cellulite;

adjusting the top of the recessed chamber to adjust the volume of the chamber and releasing tissue in at least a second region of target tissue, wherein the severing of the fibrous structures occurs at a depth in the second region of target tissue that is not the same as that of the first region of target tissue.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said manipulating comprises moving the cutting element in at least one of a forward, reverse, or side to side direction.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said manipulating comprises moving the cutting element within a predefined area within the subcutaneous layer of the captured tissue, said predefined area being defined by interaction of the tissue dissection device with a guidance track operably coupled to the handpiece.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the fibrous structures are severed at a depth of between 4 mm and 20 mm from the surface of the tissue in contact with the adjustable top surface.