PERCUTANEOUS BLEPHAROPLASTY DEVICE AND METHOD

• US 20150025604A1
• Filed: 07/17/2014
• Published: 01/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William Thomas Mcclellan
• Original Assignee: William Thomas Mcclellan
• Inventors: MCCLELLAN, William Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 9,827,140 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/99
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0047 Upper parts of the skin, e.g. skin peeling or treatment of wrinkles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00916 with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1467 using more than two electrodes on a single probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00718 Restoration of lid function

Abstract

Approaches for percutaneous blepharoplasty are provided. An electrosurgical device includes: a hand-piece; a tip connected to the hand-piece; and two needles extending from a distal end of the tip. The hand-piece is structured and arranged to connect to an electrical energy source, and to convey electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the needles in a percutaneous blepharoplasty procedure.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a handle; and

two small parallel needle tips and an attachment means to an electrosurgical generator unit,

wherein the device is adapted to utilize bipolar electrosurgery with one of the needles serving as the active electrode and the other needle representing the return electrode,

wherein the device is adapted such that the electro surgical current travels through the active electrode, passes through the tissue between the needle tips and run into the return electrode,

wherein, during this process, the tissue shrinks and/or retracts as a result of the electrosurgical current.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a pencil grip type hand-piece.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the tip is angled to improve visualization

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the handle is reusable with disposable tips, or the entire hand-piece, tips and attachment means are disposable.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the tip is able to rotate to adjust the needle entry into the skin.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment means consists of a standard cord that has appropriate connection means to attach to a standard electrosurgical generator unit.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein actuation of the electrosurgery is done using a foot pedal that extends off the unit.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein a button on the hand-piece controls the electrical current.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the tip consists of two needles.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the needles are approximately 27-30 gauge.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the needles are approximately 1.5 cm long needles.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the needles are insulated except near the tip so a current can pass across the two tips.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the needles are movable relative to each other, either translating in a parallel fashion towards or away from each other, or actuating in a scissoring fashion towards or away from each other.

14. The device of claim 13, further comprising an actuator on the hand-piece that is adapted to cause the movement of the needles relative to each other.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the needles extend and/or retract from the hand-piece via an actuator on the hand-piece.

16. The device of claim 9, wherein the needles are cooled to help prevent additional damage to surrounding tissues.

17. The device of claim 9, wherein the tip oscillates from side to side to increase the coverage during use.

18. The device of claim 9, wherein the needles or a second set of needle(s) provide electrical stimulation to the surrounding muscles to aid in the tightening of the muscles following fat removal.

19. A method of treating tissue using the device recited in claim 1, the method comprising:

the needles are inserted under the skin in an angled manner directed lateral to medial;

the needles are inserted down through the skin and muscle, to the fascial/fat layer;

once appropriate depth is achieved, the bovie (electrosurgical current) is applied to the fat;

the needles are slowly withdrawn laterally through a fat section, e.g., along the fascia ridge;

the needles are then withdrawn from the skin, and moved over laterally to the next section; and

repeat the above steps across the width of the section to be treated,

wherein the above steps are performed on a tissue of an eyelid, without making an incision in the skin at the eyelid.

20. A method of treating a human eyelid using the device recited in claim 1, the method comprising:

the needles are inserted under the skin in an angled manner directed lateral to medial;

the needles are inserted down through the skin and muscle, to the fascial/fat layer;

once appropriate depth is achieved, the bovie (electrosurgical current) is applied to the fat;

the needles are slowly withdrawn laterally through a fat section, e.g., along the fascia ridge;

the needles are then withdrawn from the skin, and moved over laterally to the next section; and

repeat the above steps across the width of the section to be treated.