MXPA99008365A - Power assisted liposuction and lipoinjection equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

A power assisted liposuction/lipoinjection handpiece includes a handle (12) which provides power to reciprocate a cannula (10) back and forth during surgery.The cannula (10) can be connected to the handle (12) by a connector (24) that is affixed to, integrally formed with, or selectively joinable to a reciprocating member (14). Benefits in sterilization, distribution and surgical use can be realized when the cannula (10) and connector (24) are joined together, such that the surgeon merely needs to remove the cannula (10) from the package and connect it to a reciprocating member of a powered handle (12). The handle (12) may be configured such that the reciprocating member (14) is selectively detachable;thereby, allowing the handle (12) to be used for additional surgical procedures such as sawing or drilling. A vacuum hose (26) is connected to the cannula (10) such that vacuum pressure can be exerted through the cannula (10) for aspirating severed fat tissue. Preferably, the connector (24) radially offsets the cannula (10) from the reciprocating member (14) to a position which is axially in alignment with the vacuum hose (26);thereby avoiding bend regions and enhancing suction.

Description

LIPOSUCTION AND LIPOINJECTION EQUIPMENT ACCESSED BY ENERGY DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to energy-driven hand tools used in surgical operations and, more particularly, to hand tools used in liposuction and lipoinjection procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF BACKGROUND Liposuction is a well-known surgical procedure for surgically removing fatty tissue from selected portions of a patient's body. The current practice is to make an incision and then insert a cannula into the space occupied by fatty tissue. The cannula is then moved in such a manner as to mechanically degrade the fatty tissue. While moving the cannula, pieces of fatty tissue are aspirated from the space through the cannula by vacuum pressure from a syringe or pump. This technique requires significant effort on the part of the surgeon in terms of both physical effort required to move the cannula forward and backward, and the effort required to control the direction of movement of the cannula so that the fatty tissue is removed only of specific areas of the patient's body. It would be advantageous to provide equipment that reduces the physical demands of the surgeon, and allows easier control of the direction of movement of the cannula. The patent of E.U.A. 4,886,491 to Parisi et al., Describes a liposuction tool that uses an ultrasonic probe to degrade fatty tissue. The patent of E.U.A. 5,295,955 to Rosen describes a liposuction apparatus that uses microwave energy to soften fatty tissue. The disadvantage of both methods is that they do not control the direction of liposuction, and can lead to non-uniform removal of fatty tissue, thus producing a deformed surface with the completion of surgery. Swartz describes, in the patents of E.U.A. 4,735,605; 4,775,365 and 4,932,935, energy-powered liposuction tools that include an outer cover housing a rotationally driven drill-type element. The fatty tissue is selectively cut into an opening in the outer cover by the drill element that pushes tissue into the opening and cuts it into the opening. In one of the designs, Swartz contemplates the oscillation of the direction of rotation of the drill element. The patent of E.U.A. 4,815,462 to Clark discloses a lipectomy tool having an internal cannula with a knife edge opening that rotates within an outer cannula. In Clark, the fatty tissue is sucked out into an opening in the outer cannula, and then cut by the knife edge of the inner cannula and aspirated into a collection container. A disadvantage with each of these Swartz and Clark designs is that they tend to tear the fabric. This can be problematic when working in confined spaces near blood vessels and the like. The patent of E.U.A. 5,112,302 to Cucin discloses a manual power-driven liposuction tool that moves a cannula back and forth in a tilting manner. The movement back and forth is similar to the movements made by the surgeons, and is therefore a remarkable improvement over Swartz and Clark's rotating designs. However, Cucin's design is somewhat cumbersome and requires that the cannula and tilting mechanism move within a portion of the base unit held by hand. The patent of E.U.A. 5,352,194 to Greco et al. Describes an automated liposuction device with a tilting cannula movement that is similar to that of Cucin; however, this device relies on a pneumatic cylinder drive system, with multiple sensors, and a computer controller to adjust and regulate the movement of the cannula. Above all, the Greco system is complex and subject to a variety of impulse control problems, as well as high costs for various elements. In addition, the Greco system is designed to provide cannula stripe lengths that are more than 1 cm, which is not ideal in a number of different circumstances.

The patent of E.U.A. 5,348,535 to Cucin discloses another liposuction instrument powered by energy similar to that shown in the patent of E.U.A. 5,112,302 to Cucin. The design in the patent of E.U.A. 5,348,535 uses the movement of an inner sleeve within an outer sleeve to cut fatty tissue pulled into an opening in the outer sleeve. The design in the patent of E.U.A. 5,348,535 is complex in that it requires multiple sleeves, and the tilting motion causes periodic changes in the suction opening. The patent of E.U.A. No. 4,536,180 to Johnson discloses a surgical system for suction lipolysis that uses an internal or external air duct that directs air flow to, or near, the cutting tip of the cannula to improve the evacuation of fatty tissue during aspiration through the cannula The patent of E.U.A. No. 5,013,300 to Williams discloses a suction lipectomy tool that allows suction control through the surgeon's thumb covering and uncovering ventilation holes in the lipectomy tool housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide an improved, energy-powered tilting liposuction tool that overcomes the problems of the prior art and provides a design that is simple in construction, and that provides improved control in the direction and accuracy of removal. of fat (that is, it eliminates "inequalities" in the edges of the operated areas, making it possible to easily remove small patches on the neck, etc.). It is another object of this invention to provide an energy-driven, hand-driven liposuction tool that drives an outer cannula, and which has a configuration that conforms to the shape of the surgeon's hand allowing for orderly storage and a selective uncoupling of the suction tube, ease of monitoring obstructions in the suction tube, and simple and direct control of the impulse velocity of the cannula. It is yet another object of this invention to provide an energy driven liposuction tool wherein the length of the forward and backward stroke of the cannula can be set to be equal to, or larger than, the size of the window or cutting windows. in the cannula. It is further another object of this invention to provide the selective connection of disposable and / or reusable cannulas to an energy-powered liposuction tool, and to provide the use of cannulas having a variety of configurations including bullet nose, spatula tip, and tip. dull, each of which may have a single or multiple cutting windows. It is also another object of this invention to provide a tilting cutting tool, powered by energy, with a suction control characteristic that allows adjustment of the cutting and suction conditions for different fabrics. It is still another object of this invention to provide a filter system to be used in conjunction with an energy-powered liposuction tool that retains aspirated fatty tissue for ease of washing and reuse in lipoinjection procedures. According to the invention, an energy-operated surgical hand piece includes a tilting member to which a cannula is connected. The handpiece propels the cannula back and forth under the control of a drive that preferably provides variable rates of tilt. The handpiece can use any type of drive mechanism; however, a variable speed pneumatic impeller is preferred. In the preferred embodiment, the cannulas are externally connected to the handpiece by a connector that secures the cannula to a pivoting member. The connector can be either integral with the cannula, integral with the swinging member or constitute a piece that is separate from and connectable to each of the swinging member and the cannula. In the most preferred mode, the connector is separate from the swinging member, and is designed to be rapidly connected and disconnected from the swinging member by means of a push-button fitting or similar device. In the preferred configuration, the connector moves the cannula radially away from the axis of the pivoting member such that when the cannula is installed, it moves in a tilting movement along an axis that is parallel to the axis of the tilting member. The offset created in this manner allows the cannula to be placed in alignment with a vacuum hose or other vacuum mechanism, such that the fatty tissue will be freely aspirated through the cannula toward the vacuum tube. In the most preferred configuration, the vacuum hose fits directly over the end of the cannula. The vacuum hose can be securely connected to the housing of the handpiece by one or more slot members positioned on the housing. Therefore, a surgeon can simply fit the hose into the slots on the hand piece, and then secure the end of the hose to a protrusion on the connector. Because the hose is made of an elastic material, such as polyvinyl chloride, the hose can stretch and contract axially with each tilting movement of the cannula / connector combination without narrowing the passage in the hose to a point where the pressure vacuum can not be exerted, and without causing the hose to slip from the groove members. Using an optically clear hose material, the surgeon will be able to see when obstructions of aspirated fatty material occur, so that corrective actions can be taken. In a preferred embodiment, a filter can be fitted within the hose such that fatty tissue aspirated from a patient's body is collected during the liposuction procedure. A wash fluid can then be directed over the collected fatty tissue to wash blood and other foreign materials from the fat, preferably using the same hose and filter. Next, the washed and cleaned fatty tissue can be directed back to the handpiece and used for lipoinjection procedures. If it is desired to use the handpiece as a source of energy for a variety of different surgical tools, the tilting member can be constructed to be removable from the drive mechanism, thereby allowing other devices such as cutting blades, drill bits, etc. be connected to the drive mechanism. The energy-driven liposuction tool of this invention is designed to complement the movements currently used in liposuction procedures, and not as a complete replacement. That is, it has been found that the reciprocal movements of the cannula, which are preferably 0.1 to 6 mm in length, tend to make it significantly easier for the surgeon to move the cannula back and forth in the same manner as is done with a liposuction tool that is not powered by energy. The precise reason for the reduction in force required is not known but may be related to the improved fat breakdown attributed to the head of the cannula and to the window sections that move in and through the fat cells in a repetitive motion while the The cannula is manually moved back and forth by the surgeon. In the preferred embodiment, the invention will allow regulation of the suction pressure applied and / or the stroke length of the cannula (i.e., the distance the tip of the cannula travels from its fully extended to fully retracted positions in one movement). reciprocal). In this way, the tool can be used to remove different types of tissue and to work on different types of body fat. For example, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that the requirements of a liposuction tool in the neck region are different from those in the abdomen and / or legs. The liposuction handpiece of the present invention can be designed to allow the exchange of cannulas using the same handpiece, the tilting speed regulation, the suction regulation, and the regulation of the stroke length, thus allowing the same tool to be used in a variety of applications and to meet the needs and desires of several different specialists.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The aforementioned objects and others, aspects and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which: Figures 1a-b are side views of a liposuction tool / lipoinjection driven by energy, according to the present invention showing respectively a cannula disconnected and connected to a swinging member of the handpiece; Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the energy-powered liposuction / lipoinjection tool showing hose clamp slots formed in the handle region; Figure 3 is a top view of a cannula connector; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cannula connector; Figure 5 is a cutaway cross-sectional view of a portion of a connector fixed to a swinging member of the handpiece, with a vacuum hose adhered to the end of the cannula; Figure 6 is a side view of a connector that is integral with a pivoting member and which is selectively connectable to and detachable from disposable or reusable cannulas; Figure 7 is an end view of a connector that can selectively connect different cannulas; Figures 8a-d are plan views of several different cannula tips showing a variety of different window configurations; Figure 9 is a schematic of the liposuction / lipoinjection equipment showing the collection of fatty tissue in a filter, and the suction control; Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cannula with an internal fluid or gas supply tube; and Figures 11a-b are side views of liposuction handpieces actuated by alternating energy, each having a branched cannula.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES OF THE INVENTION Figures 1a and 1b show the preferred embodiment of the liposuction / lipoinjection powered handpiece of the present invention. A cannula 10 is selectively connectable and detachable from a handle 12. The handle 12 includes a tilting member 14 that moves back and forth, as indicated by the arrow of two heads 16, in a tilting motion. In the preferred embodiment, the handle 12 includes a pneumatic impeller assembly (not shown) and is connectable to a source of compressed air via the connector 18. An example of a suitable handle with internal pneumatic impeller could be the MicroAireR 1400-100 . However, it should be understood that any driving mechanism, including electric, magnetic, etc., can be used to move the cannula 10 in a tilting movement 16. The tilting speed is preferably variable under the control of a lever 20 operated by button or commutator 22, wherein the full depression of the lever 20 accelerates the tilting to its maximum speed, and the partial depression of the lever 20 accelerates the tilting at speeds that are less than the maximum speed. This allows the surgeon to adjust the speed as conditions require. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the liposuction tool could use a simple on / off switch with a preset tilt speed, or a series of pre-set speed buttons which would allow the surgeon to selectively alter the speed of tipping at any pre-set level. The optimal tilting speed 16 may vary for different liposuction operations and / or from patient to patient. It is expected that for most liposuction operations, a maximum speed on the scale of 10-100,000 cycles / minute will be adequate. Although not shown, the handle 12 could be equipped with sensors and protection circuits that detect the tilting speed 16, and prevent the speed from exceeding a preset level, wherein the preset level could be established to protect either the patient or the drive within the handle 12. Although FIGS. 1a and 1b show a handle 12 with a style of " rod "will be understood by those skilled in the art that the loop configuration can vary widely to meet the needs or desires of the surgeon. In this way, the handle 12 could take the form of a gun handle or other configuration, and the lever 12 could take the form of a trigger or other suitable mechanism.

In the preferred embodiment, the stroke length, which is defined as the difference between the farthest point to which the cannula 10 extends and the point closest to which the cannula 10 extends in a tilting movement 16, will preferably be more large than 0.1 mm and less than 1 cm. The preferred scale in most applications will be 1-6 mm, and the most preferred is 1-3 mm. Although the tilting movement 16 itself will allow the degradation of fat particles and the suctioning of fat, it is expected that the surgeon will still move the cannula 10 forward and backward, or in any other direction, during the liposuction procedure, removing by so much fat from areas that he or she considers most suitable. The tilting movement 16 improves the ability of the surgeon to move the cannula 10 after it has been inserted into the patient. When the cannula 10 is being tilted by an energy driven mechanism, particularly for short lengths of less than 1 cm, it is physically easier for the surgeon to move the cannula 10 through the material to be aspirated. In this regard, the present invention is designed to complement the movements and procedures currently used by surgeons in liposuction procedures making them easier and less tired to perform, not to replace them. However, for certain procedures, the tilting motion 16 could serve as a complete replacement for forward and backward movements made by the surgeon. Although not specifically shown in Figures 1a-b, a commor or dial or other suitable control structure may be associated with the handle 12 to allow the surgeon to change the stroke length of the cannula to meet his requirements for different applications. This control structure would then limit the movement of the swing member 14 to a desired distance. In the preferred embodiment, a connector 24 or other suitable device secures the cannula 10 to the pivoting member 14 and to a vacuum hose 26 or another suitable source of vacuum pressure. Preferably, a pressure button 28 or another member selectively operable on the swing member 14 will be used to install and secure the connector 24 to the swing member 14, such that the cannula 10 will be securely retained on the handle 12 during liposuction. The pressure button 28 is depressed as it enters a drilled passage in the connector 24, and when the connector is correctly installed the push button returns to the upright position and is secured within a secure region 30 of the connector 24. To remove the cannula 10, the surgeon simply depresses the pressure button 28, and slides the connector 24 out of the swinging member 14. The connector 24 and its installation on the swinging member are discussed in more detail in conjunction with Figures 3-5. It should be understood that other insurance mechanisms other than push buttons 28 could be used within the practice of this invention, including for example locking mechanisms, pin mechanisms, and the like. Figure 2 shows that in the preferred embodiment, the vacuum hose 24 is secured to the handle 12 through hose clamp slots 32 and 34 formed on the base of the handle 24. The hose clamp slots 32 and 34 are open at the base so that the vacuum hose can be snapped into place on the bottom of the handle 24 along the region 36. This allows the surgeon's hand to comfortably hold the handle 12 without becoming entangled with the hose 26, and ensures that the hose 26 is held firmly in place during the operation of the liposuction / lipoinjection equipment. To improve the ergonomics of the handle 12, cut spheres 39, and contours 40 (FIG. 1A) may be provided. To allow aspiration of fatty tissue from the cannula, the vacuum hose 26 is fitted over the hose coupling member 38 at the rear of the cannula 10 (or alternatively a protrusion on the connector 24). The hose coupling member 38 preferably takes the form of a hollow cylinder or a polygonal conduit which is wider in cross section than the portion of the cannula 10 that extends into the patient; however, it may be desirable to simply have the end engaging the hose 38 which is simply the end of the cannula 10. All that is required is that the hose 26 fits over the hose coupling member 38 and is securely supported at the same. It should be understood that the hose coupling member 38 can either be part of the connector 24 or be part of the cannula 10. In the embodiment wherein the hose coupling member 38 is part of the connector 24, a passage (not shown in FIG. sample) through the connector 24 allows vacuum communication between the cannula 10 and the hose 26. However, it is the preferred embodiment that the cannula 10 is directly connectable to the hose 26. In the configuration shown in Figures 1a-b , the cannula 10 extends through the connector 24 and its base would be the hose coupling member 38, and the thickness of the base could, if desired, be wider or made polygonal so that it fits without slack within the diameter internal hose The vacuum hose 26 will preferably be optically clear, thereby allowing the surgeon to determine if the hose 26 is clogged with fatty tissue sucked from the patient's body through the cannula. By monitoring the vacuum pressure and the hose line, the surgeon can determine when corrective measures are needed during liposuction. The polyvinyl chloride is an example of a material suitable for the hose 26. The main requirements for the hose 26 are that it be sufficiently flexible so that it can be tightly pressed into and retained by the hose clamp grooves 32 and 34 , which is sufficiently "stretchable", "flexible" or the like, which can be stretched with tilting movements 16 of the cannula without detaching from the hose coupling member 38, and having a sufficient internal diameter (not shown) to allow tissue Fat and fluid aspirates from the patient's body flow into a collection container or filter.

The design shown in Figures 1a and 1b shows the preferred embodiment of this invention wherein the cannula 10 is radially offset from the axis of the swing member 14 such that it is in direct alignment with the vacuum hose 26. In this way, the cannula 10 is tiltable along an axis that is parallel to the tilting member 14, but which is in alignment with the section of the vacuum hose 26 fixed to the handle 12. The alignment of the cannula 10 and the vacuum hose 26 eliminates bending regions and, therefore, improves the ability of the vacuum pressure for sucking fat tissue through the cannula 10 into the vacuum hose 26. Additionally, the alignment makes it easier for the vacuum hose to remain fixed during the tilting of the cannula 10, as well as making it easier to fix the connector 24 to the swinging member 14 and the hose 26. Although the design in Figs. 1a and 1b provides for orderly storage of the hose 26, in some applications it may be desired to have the hose 26 more directly attached to the cannula (e.g. hose clamp or other suitable device), and that is freely movable with it. In this embodiment, the hose 26 would not simply be housed under the handle 12 as shown, or, if the invention takes the form of a gun handle design the hose would simply project to the side or be oriented in any other convenient manner which preferably does not interfere with the surgical operations that are performed.

Having the cannula 10 disconnectable from the swing member 14 provides advantages in terms of cleaning and / or disposal; however, it must be understood that more permanent connections can be made. In some applications the cannula could be connected directly to the handle 12, such as by a connection of the cannula 10 directly to a tilting drive, rather than to an intermediate pivoting member 14. Figures 1a and 1b show a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the cannula 10 and the connector 24 are more or less permanently joined together. That is, they are integral such that the combination of cannula 10 / connector 24 forms a self-contained unit that can be selectively installed on the handle 12. In this way, cannula 10 / connector 24 can be sterilized together, and packaged in tubes or in sterile packaging for subsequent shipment and use. In this way, when required by the surgeon, the package will open in the operating room and the cannula 10 will be connected to the handle 12 in one step. The cannula 10 and the connector 24 can be made of the same or different materials. In the preferred embodiment the cannula 10 is a hollow metal tube and the connector is made of plastic. The cannula 10 and the connector 24 can be permanently joined together by an adhesive to create an integral structure, or simply be connected by a friction fit. Figures 3-5 show further details of the preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the cannula 10 is fixed to a connector 24. In Figure 3, the end 38 which engages the hose at the rear end of the cannula 10 is shown as an elongate conduit that is either integral with or fixed to the cannula 10. Conversely, in Figure 5, the trailing end of the cannula 10 is not elongated and the vacuum hose 24 is fixed directly to the base of the cannula 10. In any case, the cannula 10 extends through a cylindrical hole 42 in the connector 24. The vacuum hose 26 is supported on the handle 12 by the hose clamp slot 32 shown in partial cross-section and the internal diameter of the hose. the hose 26 is in alignment with the internal diameter of the cannula 10 such that the broken or cut fatty tissue of a patient moves through the cannula 10 into the hose 26 and to a collection container. As explained above, the decentering provided by the connector 24 ensures a proper alignment of the hose 26 and the cannula 10. The vacuum hose 26 under the handle 12 preferably does not move in conjunction with the tilting movement of the cannula 10 caused by the tilting member 14 Rather, the hose 26 could be lengthened and contracted with each reciprocating blow of the cannula. Alternatively, the cannula 10 could move freely within the inner diameter of the vacuum hose 26. In this case, the stroke length of the cannula 10 could need to be smaller than the length of the hose coupling end 38 of the cannula that it protrudes from the connector 24, in such a way that the hose remains connected to the cannula at all times. As a further alternative, as described above, the hose 24 could be embraced to the hose coupling end 38 of the cannula and could be freely movable with the same; however, this alternative does not have the advantage of the neat and clean hose storage feature of this invention. The connector 24 includes a square hole 44 for connecting with the swinging member 14. Making the pivoting member 14 in a polygonal shape helps prevent the connector 24 from rotating axially around the swinging member 14 during high-speed tilting. To fix the connector 24 on the swinging member 14, the swinging member 14 is inserted into the square hole 44. An inclination 46 formed in the connector 24 depresses the pressing button 28. However, once the pressing button 28 reaches the secure region 30, moves upwards, through a spring mechanism or by other suitable means, and secures the connector 24 on the swing member 14. A tongue 29 on the connector 24 can be used to activate the button pressure 28. If desired, the swing member 14 could be removed from the handle 12 to allow connection of other tools (eg, cutting knives, drill bits, etc.) to the same handle 12. As indicated above, A handle powered by adequate power could be the MicroAire® 1400-100 which is used to drive tilting cutting blades. Thus, if a multi-tool functionality is desired as shown in Figure 5, the swing member 14 may be equipped with an impeller connecting end 48 that fits over a pin connector 50. The swing member 14 may also having a guide groove 52 which slides on a guide pin 54 during tilting movements. The swing member 14 would be disconnected by removing a lock ring 55 from the front of the handle 12, and then disconnecting the drive connection end 48 from the pin connector 50. This feature can also be used to connect larger and larger swinging members. small, or tilting members that have different shapes to the same handle 12. Referring again to Figures 1a-b in some applications the cannula O could be disconnectable from the connector 24. To assist in the installation and reduce connection operations required by the surgeon , the connector 24 could be formed as an integral part of the pivoting member. Figures 6 and 7 show alternative designs for a connector where the cannula can be disconnected. By allowing the cannula to be disconnected and connected as desired, the configuration of the cannula can be very simple (i.e., a hollow tube, preferably made of metal, with one or more cutting windows). Figure 6 shows a connector 56 which is integral with a tilting portion 58 which is fitted to a tilting drive (not shown). The connector has a drilled hole 60 that extends through the length of the connector 56. The cannulas (not shown) can be connected and / or disconnected from the connector 56 by inserting them through the drilled hole 60. A frictional coupling that can be supplemented with glue or other adhesives, holds the cannula inside the drilled hole 60. Although the connector 56 is shown to be integral with the tilting portion 58, it should be understood that the same connector 56, which allows selective adhesion and / or decoupling of desired cannulae thereto, could be adhered to a separate tilting member 14, as shown in Figures 1a-b. Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment wherein a connector 52 includes a cannula lock portion 64 which rotates between an open position and a closed position (shown in dotted lines). A cannula (not shown) is inserted into the space between the connector 62 and the securing portion 64, and is secured to the connector 62 by closing the securing portion 64 and securing the free end 66 by a latch 68 or other securing member. To uncouple the cannula, the latch 68 is released, and the latch portion 64 of the connector is pivoted away from the connector body 62. Figures 8a-d show several examples of cannula tips.

It should be understood that any type of cannula tip can be used in the practice of the present invention. Figures 8a and 8b show cannulas 70 and 72 with spatula-shaped heads. These types of cannulas are preferred in facial surgery and other types of liposuction where there is a need to separate fat from skin and muscle tissue and where space requirements are restricted. The spatula-shaped head helps to separate the tissues. The face of the spatula-shaped head may have a single cutting window 74 or a plurality of cutting windows 76. The shape of the cutting window 74 or 76 may be varied to suit the needs of the surgeon. Although oval windows are commonly used, it has been determined that rectangular or square windows 74 and 76 are preferred for spatula head because they tend to allow more accurate cutting and sculpting of tissue. In facial surgery, in addition to allowing the aspiration of fatty tissue from the patient's body, the cutting window 74 or 76 tends to be used to cut tissue from the patient's body during each reciprocal movement. Therefore, it is preferred to have the strike length of the cannula that is equal to or longer than the longitudinal distance from the bottom of the cutting window to the top of the cutting window. In this way, each tilting stroke of the cannula 70 or 72 will cut a piece of fatty tissue for subsequent aspiration. Keeping small the striking length (eg 1-3 mm) and the longitudinal length of the small window 74 o76 (less than or equal to 1-3 mm) the small size fat particles are excised, and these fat particles They are less likely to clog the vacuum hose or cannula. Figures 8c and 8d show cannulas 78 and 80 which are commonly used in total body or abdominal liposuction. Figure 8c shows a blunt end cannula, and Figure 8d shows a bullet end cannula 80. Each of these cannulas has one or a plurality of windows 82, which are typically ovally formed, around the periphery of the cannula. cannula near the tip of the cannula 78 or 80. In this type of liposuction, the tilting movement of the cannula 78 or 80, as well as the forward and backward movements of the entire handpiece made by the surgeon, tend to Degrade the fat particles. The fluids and particles that are released from those movements are simply aspirated through the windows 82 in the cannula 78 or 80. In those applications, the cut through the windows 82 may or may not occur. Figure 9 shows a tilting liposuction tool 84 in accordance with this invention connected to a pump 86 or other device that produces vacuum pressure. The fat sucked through the cannula toward the vacuum hose 88 is collected in a filter 90. The filter 90 could have openings that are large enough to allow fluids such as blood, plasma, etc., to pass through, but must be small enough to allow large grease particles to be collected. Preferably the filter 90 can be placed directly in line with the hose 88 or be integral with the hose 88. The fluids including blood pass through the filter 90 and are collected in a collection container 92. The collected fat tissue is typically used for lipoinjection procedures. In this way, by collecting the fat from a liposuction operation on a filter 90, the collected fat tissue can be more easily washed and then reused in a lipoinjection procedure. In order to wash the collected fat, it would only be necessary to remove the filter 90 and run rinsing or washing fluids on the fatty tissue until the blood and other contaminants are removed. The cleaned fatty tissue can be re-injected into the cannula using a supply hose and another source of pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the pump 86 and vacuum hose 88 could be used for liposuction and lipoinjection procedures. The clean fatty tissue could travel the entire length of the cannula and could be stratified into holes in the patient's body parts made by the surgeon for deposition through the windows 74, 76, or 82. In this way, the use of a collection filter 90 in a liposuction / lipoinjection device provides the advantage of being able to quickly wash and re-utilize excised fatty tissue. Having the filter 90 in line with the vacuum hose allows the cleaning procedure to be performed immediately after liposuction. Alternatively, a washing line 94 could be connected to the filter 90 to allow cleaning to be performed during liposuction. The appearance of the grease collection filter 90 of this invention can be utilized with the liposuction / lipoinjection tool described above, and with conventional liposuction tools. All that is required is to provide a filter mechanism that allows the isolation of fatty tissue from other fluids during liposuction procedures. The prior art systems suffer by requiring that a separate wash step be performed on all the tissue collected in the collection container 92 after the liposuction procedure has been completed.

In a particular embodiment of this invention, pump 86 or other vacuum pressure source could have controls 96 that allow the surgeon to adjust the vacuum pressure exerted on the end of the cannula. These controls 96 may take the form of disks, switches, buttons, or the like, and are designed to achieve variable force vacuum pressures.

In most liposuction operations, a vacuum pressure on the scale of 70-76 mm Hg is desired. However, larger vacuum pressures may be required if one wishes to use the liposuction tool of this invention in other applications. For example, this tool could also be used to remove bone chips in arthroscopic surgery, or remove cancerous nodules in biopsies, or in other applications. In addition to allowing you to select the type of cannula desired (for example select a cannula with windows large enough to cut and remove cancerous tissue or bones), being able to adjust the vacuum pressure with controls 96 allows the selective removal of different tissues. For example, at certain vacuum pressures only fat tissue will be aspirated into the cannula windows and removed from the patient's body, and the surrounding muscle tissue will not be aspirated. However, if it is desired that a cancerous lesion be removed, the surgeon would insert the cannula into the lesion and adjust the suction exerted by the pump 86 upward using controls 96. FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein the cannula 98 includes an internal member 100 that is designed to assist in evacuating the cannula 98 of fatty tissue aspirated through the window 99. In this manner, the inner member 100 is designed to prevent clogging during liposuction. The inner member 100 can take several different forms. In a preferred embodiment, the inner member 100 supplies a gas (hydrofluorocarbons, oxygen, etc.) or fluids (water, saline, etc.) to the tip of the cannula 98, which, in addition to the vacuum pressure exerted by The pump or other suction device is designed to help carry the fatty tissue along the length of the cannula and into the vacuum hose. To assist in connection of a fluid or gas supply mechanism to the inner member, the vacuum hose can be manufactured with an internal conduit that carries the fluid or gas to the internal member. In this way, a single connection of the vacuum hose will be connected both to the cannula and to its internal member for suction and supply of fluid or gas, respectively. Although Figure 10 shows the use of an internal member 100 for fluid or gas supply, it should be understood that the internal member 100 could also be positioned externally of the cannula 98, and be positioned to direct the fluid or gas through the 99 window of the cannula. In an alternate embodiment, the internal member could be an electrode or similar device that is designed to melt fatty material after it is aspirated through window 99. In this application, internal member 100 could provide microwave energy, ultra waves sonic or heat energy during liposuction.

Figures 11a-b show alternate designs for the energy-powered liposuction handpiece of the present invention, each of which uses a "Y" shaped cannula. Figure 11a shows a hand piece 110 type "rod" connected to a pneumatic hose 112, while figure 11b shows a hand piece 113 type "gun handle" connected to a pneumatic hose 114. A cannula 116 in the form of "Y", which has a region of driving arm 118, a vacuum branching region 120, and an insertion tip region 122, is connected to the leading portion of each hand piece 110 and 113. The tip 124 of the cannula 116 may be narrowed to a point or spatula shape as shown in Figures 8a-b, or it may be blunt-ended, bullet-shaped, or assume any other desired configuration. The suction from the source 126, which may be a syringe, pump, or other suitable device, is directed through the vacuum hose 128 to the vacuum branch region 120 and into the tip insert region 122. As discussed above, the cannula 116 is hollow and allows the fatty tissue to be withdrawn from the patient toward the insertion tip region, through the vacuum branching region and into a collection container (not shown), under the pressure exerted by the source 126. The branch 118 of the driving arm is connected to the handpiece 110 or 113 and, as described in detail above, the hand piece 110 or 113 causes the cannula 116 to be reciprocated back and forth. The lever 130 or the trigger 132 can be used to vary the tipping speed or simply to turn the tilting movement on and off. Figures 11a-b show that the same cannula 116 can be adjusted on different types of hand pieces, and it should be understood that the cannula 10 shown in figures 1a-b can also be adjusted on different styles of hand pieces in a Similarly. Although the invention has been described in terms of its preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (74)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A hand piece for liposuction powered by energy, consisting of: a housing held by hand; a tilting member mounted within said housing and having an exterior portion to said housing held by hand; a cannula; a connector mounted on the cannula and releasably connected to the portion of the swinging member outside the housing; and a vacuum line in fluid communication with the cannula.

2. The handpiece according to claim 1, further characterized in that the latch mechanism is a spring-biased push button which, when depressed, allows the connector to slide on the swinging member and when extended fit into the pivoting member. an opening in the connector for securing the connector on said swinging member.

3. The handpiece according to claim 2, further characterized in that the connector includes a tongue region placed on the spring biased pressure button, said tongue region being movable to actuate the spring biased push button.

4. - The handpiece according to claim 1 further characterized in that the tilting member has a polygonal shape.

5. The handpiece according to claim 4 further characterized in that the tilting member is square.

6. The handpiece according to claim 1 further characterized in that it consists additionally of a releasing member placed inside the housing held by hand to release the swinging member from the housing held by hand.

7. The handpiece according to claim 1 further characterized in that the connector holds the cannula in a position radially offset from the longitudinal axis of the swinging member.

8. The handpiece according to claim 7 further characterized in that the vacuum line is a vacuum hose fixed to the housing supported by the hand and is parallel thereto, and said position radially offset from the longitudinal axis of said member swingarm is in axial alignment with the vacuum hose fixed to the housing held by hand.

9. The handpiece according to claim 1, further characterized in that it also comprises a means for removing the cannula from the connector.

10. A cannula connector for connecting a cannula to an energy-powered liposuction hand piece; consisting of: a body connect; a first opening formed in the connector body for connecting the connector body to a pivoting member of the energy-powered liposuction handpiece; a second opening formed in the connector body which is parallel to the first opening for securing the cannula to said connector body; and a tongue region formed in the connector body which is movable within the first aperture from a point external to the first aperture.

11. The cannula connector according to claim 10 further characterized in that the connector body is made of plastic material.

12. The cannula connector according to claim 10 further characterized in that the cannula is permanently secured within the second opening.

13. The cannula connector according to claim 12 further characterized in that the cannula extends through the connector body in such a way that the cannula has a vacuum hose coupling end placed on a first side of the connector body, and a cannula tip placed on a second side of the connector body.

14. The cannula connector according to claim 10 further characterized in that the second opening in the connector body consists of a pivoting member and a locking member, said pivoting member being pivotal to create an axis open to said second opening, the secure member positioned to secure a free end of the pivot member to the connector body.

15. The cannula connector in accordance with the claim 10 further characterized in that the first opening is in polygonal shape.

16. A cannula assembly for an energy-powered liposuction handpiece with a tilting member having a pivot axis comprising: a cannula having a tip, a base, and a longitudinal axis; a connector adhered to the base of said cannula; and means disposed on the connector for releasably adhering said connector to the swinging member in an orientation such that the longitudinal axis of the cannula is substantially parallel to and offset from the pivot axis.

17. The cannula according to claim 16 further characterized in that the opening in said connector is polygonal.

18. The cannula according to claim 16 further characterized in that the cannula extends through the cannula connector in such a manner that the tip and the base are exposed on opposite sides of the cannula connector.

19. The cannula according to claim 18 further characterized in that the base is wider in diameter than a remainder of the cannula.

20. - The cannula according to claim 18 further characterized in that the base is polygonal.

21. The cannula according to claim 16 further characterized in that the tip is spatula-shaped.

22. The cannula according to claim 21 further characterized in that the opening in the tip has a rectangular shape.

23. The cannula according to claim 21, further characterized in that the tip has a plurality of spaced apart openings spaced one from another in a longitudinal direction.

24. The cannula according to claim 23 further characterized in that each of the openings spaced apart have a rectangular shape.

25. The cannula according to claim 16 further characterized in that the tip has a blunt end.

26. The cannula according to claim 16 further characterized in that the tip has a bullet shape.

27. The cannula according to claim 16 further characterized in that the cannula connector consists of a hose coupling member projecting from a first side of the cannula connector, said hose coupling member having an opening that allows the Vacuum pressure is exerted through the cannula connector towards said cannula.

28. - The cannula according to claim 27 further characterized in that the hose coupling member is in axial alignment with the cannula.

29. The cannula according to claim 16 further characterized in that the cannula is removable from the cannula connector.

30. The cannula according to claim 29, further characterized in that the cannula connector comprises a pivoting member and a locking member, said pivoting member being pivotal to create an opening in said cannula connector for insertion of the cannula, secure member positioned to secure a free end of the pivot member when a cannula is placed in the opening.

31.- A hand piece of liposuction powered by energy, consisting of: a housing held by hand; a tilting member connected to the housing held by hand and having a front portion extending from a front side of the housing held by hand, the tilting member being movable towards and away from the front side in a tilting motion; a cannula; a connector releasably connects the cannula to the forward portion of the swinging member, whereby the cannula moves with a tilting movement in a fixed relationship with the swinging member; a vacuum line in fluid communication with the cannula.

32. The handpiece according to claim 31 further characterized in that it also comprises a speed control connected to the housing to regulate the tilting speed of the swinging member.

33. The handpiece according to claim 31 further characterized in that the cannula includes a plurality of window openings spaced apart along the longitudinal dimension of the cannula.

34. The handpiece according to claim 31 further characterized in that the swinging member is tilting at a speed in the range of 10-100., 000 cycles / minute.

35.- The handpiece according to claim 31 further characterized in that the connector is selectively detachable from the swinging member.

36.- The handpiece according to claim 35, further characterized in that the cannula is selectively detachable from the connector.

37.- The handpiece according to claim 31 further characterized in that the cannula is selectively detachable from the connector.

38.- The handpiece according to claim 31 further characterized in that the connector and the cannula are integral.

39.- The handpiece according to claim 31 further characterized in that the connector and the swinging member are integral.

40. - The handpiece according to claim 1 further characterized in that the vacuum line is a vacuum hose.

41.- The handpiece according to claim 40 further characterized in that it consists of a hose connector to connect the vacuum hose to the housing held by hand.

42.- The handpiece according to claim 40 further characterized in that the connector includes a hose coupling member which adjusts one end of the vacuum hose.

43.- The handpiece according to claim 40 further characterized in that the cannula passes through the connector and a base of said cannula engages the vacuum hose.

44.- The handpiece according to claim 31 further characterized in that the cannula is radially offset from an axis through the swinging member and is placed in alignment with one end of the vacuum line.

45.- The handpiece according to claim 31 further characterized in that the swinging member moves towards and away from the front side of the housing by an amount of less than 1 cm.

46.- The handpiece according to claim 45 further characterized because said amount is in the range of 0.1 mm to 6 mm.

47. - The handpiece according to claim 45 further characterized in that said amount is in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm.

48. The handpiece according to claim 31 further characterized in that the cannula includes a fat tissue evacuation member which evacuates the fatty tissue within the cannula.

49.- The handpiece according to claim 48 further characterized in that the fat tissue evacuation member is an electrode that emits energy selected from the group consisting of heat, ultrasonic waves, microwaves, and radio frequency waves.

50.- The handpiece according to claim 48 further characterized in that the fat tissue evacuation member is positioned externally of the cannula.

51.- The handpiece according to claim 48, further characterized in that the fat tissue evacuation member is placed inside the cannula.

52. The handpiece according to claim 31, further characterized in that it also comprises a means for selectively fixing a tilting distance for the tilting member.

53. The handpiece according to claim 31 further characterized in that it additionally comprises a means for directing fatty tissue out of an opening in the cannula for lipoinjection.

54. - A hand piece of liposuction powered by energy, consisting of: a housing held by hand; a tilting member connected to the housing held by hand; a cannula having a longitudinal axis; a connector connecting the cannula to the swinging member; a vacuum hose connected to the base of said cannula; and means disposed on the exterior of said housing for aligning a portion of the vacuum hose with the longitudinal axis of the cannula.

55.- The handpiece according to claim 54 further characterized in that the vacuum hose is optically clear.

56.- The handpiece according to claim 54 further characterized in that the means arranged on the outside of the housing for aligning a portion of the vacuum hose with the longitudinal axis of the cannula consist of at least one slot having an opening on at least one side that allows the vacuum hose to be selectively adjusted within the hose connector and pulled from the hose connector.

57.- The handpiece according to claim 54, further characterized in that the connector radially decentrates the cannula from an axis through the swinging member and aligns said base of the cannula with one end of the vacuum hose.

58.- The hand piece according to claim 54 further characterized in that it additionally comprises a speed control connected to the housing for regulating the tilting speed of the swinging member.

59.- The handpiece according to claim 58 further characterized in that the speed control is placed on a first side of the housing and the vacuum hose is placed on a second side of the housing in which it is opposite the first side.

60.- The handpiece according to claim 54 further characterized in that the means arranged on the outside of the housing for aligning a portion of the vacuum hose with the longitudinal axis of the cannula keep said vacuum hose stationary during tilting of the cannula by the swinging member.

61.- The handpiece according to claim 54 further characterized in that the connector is selectively detachable from the swinging member.

62.- The handpiece according to claim 61, further characterized in that the cannula is selectively detachable from the connector.

63.- The handpiece according to claim 54, further characterized in that the cannula is selectively detachable from the connector.

64.- The handpiece according to claim 54 further characterized in that the connector and the cannula are integral.

65. - The handpiece according to claim 54 further characterized in that the connector and the swinging member are integral.

66.- A liposuction device that consists of: a liposuction handpiece; a source of vacuum; a vacuum hose that connects the vacuum source to the liposuction handpiece; an in-line filter placed inside the vacuum hose to collect fat tissue removed from a patient with the liposuction handpiece, said in-line filter allows blood to pass through the filter while retaining the fatty tissue; and a washing line in fluid communication with the filter.

67.- A liposuction device, consisting of: a liposuction hand piece powered by energy that has a tilting cannula; a source of vacuum; a vacuum hose that connects to the vacuum source with the tilting cannula of the liposuction handpiece; and a means for adjusting the vacuum pressure exerted by the vacuum source to different levels suitable for removing different types of tissues.

68.- The liposuction device according to claim 67 further characterized in that the liposuction handpiece powered by energy includes a means for regulating the tilting speed of the tilting cannula.

69.- The liposuction device according to claim 67 further characterized in that the liposuction handpiece powered by energy includes a means for adjusting the swiveling stroke length of the tilting cannula.

70.- A cannula, consisting of: a region of insertion tip for insertion within a patient; a vacuum source arm having a first end connected to the insert tip region, the insert tip region and the vacuum source arm being hollow and allowing vacuum pressure to be exerted therethrough, said The vacuum source arm has a second end for connection to a vacuum source; and a drive arm having a first end connected to the insertion tip region and a second end connectable to a liposuction piece driven by energy which drives the drive arm in a tilting manner.

71.- The cannula according to claim 70 further characterized in that the region of insertion tip has a narrow tip.

72. The cannula according to claim 70 further characterized in that the driving arm is in axial alignment with the insertion tip region.

73.- A hand piece of liposuction powered by energy that consists of: a housing; a tilting member mounted within the housing and having an exterior portion to said housing; a cannula releasably adhered to the portion of the outer swinging member of said housing; and a vacuum line in fluid communication with the cannula.

74. - The power-driven liposuction handpiece according to claim 73 further characterized in that the cannula is releasably adhered to the swinging member by a connector that pivots between the open and closed position to releasably secure the cannula.