Methods and devices for improving the appearance of tissue

• US 8,652,123 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2008
• Issued: 02/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tautona Group Ip Holding Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Geoffrey C. Gurtner
• Inventors: Gurtner, Geoffrey C., Horne, Kenneth N., Hoffmann, Drew A., Saul, Gordon
• Primary Examiner(s): HAND, MELANIE JO
• Application Number:
  US12/231,547
• Publication Number:
  US 20100057056A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,995 Days
• Field of Search: 604/164.01, 604/543, 606/9, 607/101
• US Class Current: 606/9
• 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 17/32075 Pullback cutting; combined forward and pullback cutting, e.g. with cutters at both sides of the plaque
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22074 the instrument being only slidable in a channel, e.g. advancing optical fibre through a channel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320775 Morcellators, impeller or propeller like means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system

Abstract

Cellulite is treated by severing septae, which interconnects the skin with the underlying muscle. The septae may be severed in connection with a liposuction procedure or independent of a liposuction procedure.

Claims

1. A method of dissecting septae which extend between the skin and muscle, comprising the steps of:

providing a septae cutting device having a body and a sensing element;

moving the body through tissue in an area between skin and muscle so that tissue contacts the sensing element as the body is moved, the sensing element being affected an amount when contacting septae to distinguish septae from other tissue;

cutting septae, which affect the sensing element the amount, wherein tissue which does not affect the sensing element the amount is not cut;

wherein the cutting step is initiated after the amount is measured and the amount is measured before beginning the cutting step.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the sensing element measures deflection.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the cutting step is carried out automatically when the sensing element measures the amount.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the cutting step is carried out using radiofrequency energy.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the cutting step is carried out using ultrasonic energy.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the septae cutting device having an indicator and an actuator, the indicator indicating to the user when the sensing element has measured the amount during the moving step;

the cutting step is carried out when the user activates the actuator.