Ultrasonic lipectomy probe and method for manufacture
First Claim
1. An ultrasonic lipectomy probe device comprising:
- a shank having a proximal end and a distal end;
means at said proximal end of said shank for connecting said shank to a source of ultrasonic vibrational energy; and
an enlarged head at said distal end of said shank;
wherein said shank is provided with a longitudinally extending channel, said head being provided with at least one inlet bore communicating with said channel and extending at a substantial angle to said channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ultrasonic lipectomy probe device comprises, in accordance with the present invention, a shank having a proximal end and a distal end, a connector at the proximal end of the shank for connecting the shank to a source of ultrasonic vibrational energy, and an enlarged head at the distal end of the shank. The probe head has a width, in a first direction, substantially larger than an outer diameter of the shank at the distal end thereof. In addition, the head has a thickness, in a second direction essentially orthogonal with respect to the first direction, substantially equal to the outer diameter of the shank. Accordingly, the probe head is flattened, for facilitating the removal of fat in accordance with the present invention. In most applications, the shank is provided with a longitudinally extending channel, while the head may be provided with a pair of inlet bores communicating with the channel and extending at substantial angles to the channel on substantially opposite sides thereof.
217 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic lipectomy probe device comprising:
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a shank having a proximal end and a distal end; means at said proximal end of said shank for connecting said shank to a source of ultrasonic vibrational energy; and an enlarged head at said distal end of said shank; wherein said shank is provided with a longitudinally extending channel, said head being provided with at least one inlet bore communicating with said channel and extending at a substantial angle to said channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An ultrasonic lipectomy probe device comprising:
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a shank having a proximal end and a distal end; means at said proximal end of said shank for connecting said shank to a source of ultrasonic vibrational energy; and an enlarged head at said distal end of said shank, wherein said head includes a plug element inserted into a recess in said distal end of said shank.
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8. An ultrasonic lipectomy probe device comprising:
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a shank having a proximal end and a distal end; means at said proximal end of said shank for connecting said shank to a source of ultrasonic vibrational energy; and an enlarged head at said distal end of said shank, wherein said head has a width, in a first direction, substantially larger than an outer diameter of said shank at said distal end thereof, said head having a thickness, in a second direction essentially orthogonal with respect to said first direction, substantially equal to said outer diameter of said shank. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An ultrasonic lipectomy probe device comprising:
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a shank having a proximal end and a distal end; means at said proximal end of said shank for connecting said shank to a source of ultrasonic vibrational energy; and an enlarged head at said distal end of said shank, said shank including a plurality of distinct shank pieces joined to one another at an antinode, said shank being provided with a longitudinally extending bore having a plurality of diameters decreasing from said proximal end towards said distal end.
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15. A method for manufacturing an ultrasonic lipectomy probe, comprising the steps of:
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providing an elongate shank section; forming a longitudinally extending channel in said shank section; providing a plug element with at least one inlet bore; and inserting said plug element into said channel at a distal end of said shank section so that said bore communicates with said channel and so that said bore extends at a substantial angle to said channel. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for manufacturing an ultrasonic lipectomy probe, comprising the steps of:
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providing an elongate first shank section and an elongate second shank section; and connecting said first shank section to said second shank section at a junction point to form a completed probe shank, said first shank section and said second shank section having predetermined lengths so that said junction point is located at an antinode of said probe shank. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An ultrasonic lipectomy method comprising the steps of:
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providing an ultrasonic lipectomy probe device comprising a shank having a proximal end and a distal end, means at said proximal end of said shank for connecting said shank to a source of ultrasonic vibrational energy, and an enlarged head at said distal end of said shank; forming an incision in a skin surface of a patient; inserting said head and a distal end segment of said shank through said incision and into subcutaneous adipose tissues of the patient; upon insertion of said head through said incision, generating an ultrasonic pressure wave at said proximal end of said shank; transmitting said ultrasonic wave through said shank to establish a longitudinal standing wave therein; producing cavitation bubbles at said head in response to said standing wave; by virtue of the production of said cavitation bubbles, liquefying adipose tissues of the patient at a surgical site located distally of said head; and during said steps of generating, transmitting, producing and liquefying, manipulating said probe device from outside the patient so that said head moves from side to side. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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Specification