Liposuction cannula device and method

US6638238B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Paul J. Weber · Pompano Beach, US
• Steven R. Visuri · Livermore, US
• Matthew J. Everett · Livermore, US
• Luiz B. Da Silva · Danville, US
• Alwin Kolster · Anaheim, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 9, 1999
• Grant date: Oct 28, 2003
• Expiry date: Dec 9, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S604/902
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A liposuction apparatus and method optionally having a sonic or ultrasonic source with an axial lumen passage in which the shaft can be made to reciprocate (oscillate) in a non-rectilinear fashion. The apparatus may also contain the concomitant use of rectilinear reciprocation motion in addition to ultrasonic motion or energy along the shaft of the apparatus. The advantages of the liposuction apparatus are as follows: 1) non-rectilinear single shaft reciprocating cannula, 2) sonic or ultrasonic energy delivered to the distal tip, 3) rectilinear reciprocating cannula with ultrasonic energy along the shaft from the handle, and 4) any of the above reciprocating components powered by excess unused vacuum capacity in the liposuction aspirator (suction engine) apparatus. There are three (3) primary sources of energy applied to the cannula shaft: the first is the oscillating surgeon's arm motion (approximately 1-2 hertz); the reciprocating motion (of about 100 Hz); and the optional concomitant motion as delivered by the ultrasonic energy (e.g. 25 KHz).