Abstract: A container for a tissue implantable solid filler material is disclosed. The filler material can be directly inserted into a cavity within the tissue or into a shell can be inserted into the cavity which either already contains the filler or has the filler added thereto during implantation. Methods for packaging the filler material are also disclosed.

Abstract: An endoscopic assisted mastopexy, with or without augmentation, or an endoscopic assisted reduction mammoplasty is disclosed in which an incision is made at a point on the body remote from the breast which is not ordinarily visible, such as in a preexisting scar, under an armpit or elsewhere accessible to the upper hemisphere of the breast. In the mastopexy with augmentation, dissection is carried up to the fascia of the pectoralis muscle and above the fascia and with the scope for visualization, an endotube is inserted from the incision over the pectoral fascia. A tissue expander is inserted and inflated to dissect the fascia away from the muscle to form a posterior pocket and then removed. With blind dissection, with external palpation, using scissors, from the incision, the skin is undermined in the upper quadrant.

Abstract: A surgical procedure for tissue dissection is disclosed in which an incision is made in a human body. A hollow tissue expander is then inserted into the incision to a point where a space or cavity or pocket is desired. Fluid is forced into the expander to cause it to expand an separate two layers of tissue to form the space or cavity or pocket. The expander can be used to dissect or create spaces: (1) within subcutaneous fat; (2) between skin and bone; skin and muscle or skin and fascia; (3) between fat and bone; fat and muscle; fat and fascia; (4) between peritoneum and muscle; peritoneum and fascia; (5) between bladder and other tissue; (6) between nerves and other tissue; (7) between blood vessels and other tissues; (8) between muscle and other tissues. The tissue expander can, in fact, be used any place in the body where a surgeon could or would use other instruments to create spaces in, dissect or separate soft tissues.

Abstract: A surgical procedure is an endoscopic assisted abdominoplasty. This procedure eschews the use of abdominal incisions and obtains the desired result with no visible scars on the abdomen of the patient. A traditional or standard abdominoplasty (also called a dermolipectomy of the abdomen) has always required a surgical incision in the abdomen followed by surgical removal of part of the skin, the underlying fat layer, and suturing the opening. The endoscopic assisted abdominoplasty shown herein uses two small hidden incisions, one in the umbilicus or on the abdomen or other areas, in pre-existing scars or other areas such as under the armpit for introduction of the surgical instruments, and a small incision within the pubic hair line for endoscopic and/or direct observation and control of the procedure.

Abstract: A surgical procedure for breast augmentation is disclosed in which an incision is made at a point on the body remote from the breast which is not ordinarily visible, such as in a pre-nexisting scar, under an armpit or inside the navel or umbilicus. An endotube which has an obturator with a bullet shaped tip is introduced into this incision and pushed from the incision, staying just above the fascia of the interior abdominal and chest wall, and below the subcutaneous tissue and fat, to a position behind the breast. The obturator is removed and an endoscope used to verify the proper location of the tunnel. The endotube is removed leaving a temporary tunnel leading to a space behind the breast. A hollow prosthesis is rolled up tightly, positioned inside the end of the endotube and pushed into the tunnel behind the breast. The prosthesis is held in place by the hand of the surgeon on the breast and the endotube removed. The prosthesis is pumped full of saline solution to about a 50% overfill.

Abstract: A novel surgical procedure is an endoscopic assisted abdominoplasty. This procedure eschews the use of abdominal incisions and obtains the desired result with no visible scars on the abdomen of the patient. A traditional or standard abdominoplasty (also called a dermolipectomy of the abdomen) has always required a surgical incision in the abdomen followed by surgical removal of part of the skin, the underlying fat layer, and suturing the opening. The endoscopic assisted abdominoplasty shown herein uses two small incisions, one in the umbilicus for introduction of the surgical instruments, and a small incision within the pubic hair line for endoscopic observation and control of the procedure. While observing the procedure through the endoscope, the surgical instruments are inserted through the umbilicular incision to remove fat (by liposuction) and plicate and repair the muscles (by use of a tenaculum and fascial staples or a single instrument which combines the function of these instruments).

Abstract: A surgical procedure for breast augmentation is disclosed in which an incision is made inside the navel or umbilicus. An endotube which has an obturator with a bullet shaped tip is introduced into this incision and pushed from the umbilicus, staying just above the fascia of the interior abdominal and chest wall, and below the subcutaneous tissue and fat, to a position behind the breast. The obturator is removed and an endoscope used to verify the proper location of the tunnel. The endotube is removed leaving a temporary tunnel leading to a space behind the breast. A hollow prosthesis is rolled up tightly, positioned inside the end of the endotube and pushed into the tunnel behind the breast. The prosthesis is held in place by the hand of the surgeon on the breast and the endotube removed. The prosthesis is pumped full of saline solution to about a 50% overfill.

Abstract: A vacuum hood attachment for electrosurgical instruments has a hollow tubular body open at each end and a side opening for connection to a source of vacuum. One of said end openings is to be fitted on the end of an electrosurgical instrument of a pencil- or pen-like or other hand held construction having an electrocauterizing or electrocutting blade secured therein. The other open end of said tubular body surrounds the blade along part of the length thereof. On connection to a source of vacuum during use, the hood attachment withdraws vapors and smoke from an operating site to keep the same clear for observation by the surgeon. This hood attachment fits a variety of shapes of electrosurgical instruments and may fit around the end of the instrument and/or into a recess in the end of the instrument depending on the construction of the instrument. The hood attachment may be secured by friction fit or clamped, wedged or cemented into place.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle has a retractable tubular sheath slidably mounted on its forward end and movable relative thereto between a rearward retracted position exposing the front end of the needle and a forward protective position enclosing the front end of the needle. In one embodiment, a spring within the sheath urges the sheath to the forward protective position enclosing the front end of the needle. The rear of the sheath cooperates with pins on the needle to engage them upon relative rotation in one direction to allow rotation as a single unit to connect the needle to fluid ejection or withdrawal members. Relative rotation in the opposite direction disengages the pins allowing the sheath to be moved rearward causing the front end of the needle to protrude beyond the front end of the sheath and to lock the needle and sheath together upon further relative rotation in the opposite direction to disconnect and dispose of the needle without inadvertent injury by contact with the needle.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle has a retractable tubular sheath slidably mounted on its forward end and movable relative thereto between a rearward retracted position exposing the front end of the needle and a forward protective position enclosing the front end of the needle. In one embodiment, a spring within the sheath urges the sheath to the forward protective position enclosing the front end of the needle. The rear of the sheath cooperates with pins on the needle to engage them upon relative rotation in one direction to allow rotation as a single unit to connect the needle to fluid ejection or withdrawal members. Relative rotation in the opposite direction disengages the pins allowing the sheath to be moved rearward causing the front end of the needle to protrude beyond the front end of the sheath and to lock the needle and sheath together upon further relative rotation in the opposite direction to disconnect and dispose of the needle without inadvertent injury by contact with the needle.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter has an elongate small diameter flexible tubular front portion and a rear base portion which has an interior bore in communication with the interior of the tubular portion for connection to a needle or other fluid injection or withdrawal members. A thin flexible membrane seal formed of resilient stretchable material is secured over the opening at the rear of the catheter base. The elasticity of the membrane seal allows the beveled front end of a needle to be pushed through the membrane and puncture the seal as it passes through and will not tear, but will stretch as the forward motion of the needle continues and conform to the profile of front portion of the needle base and allow it to engage the interior of the catheter base. The needle may be inserted into the catheter in the usual manner and the needle and catheter may be used just as any standard catheter-needle assembly.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus comprises an electrosurgical generator for producing cutting and coagulation signals and has either pedal operated or hand operated switches for switching on and off and between cutting and coagulation signals. A cutting and coagulation probe is energized by the generator and has a handle portion and a probe element. An on/off switch controls energization of the probe element. A switch is operated to switch the probe element between the cutting current and coagulation current. A holder member removably supports the probe element and has an electric socket therein. The probe element is removably supported in the holder member and has an electric connector cooperable with the holder member socket to complete an electric connection to the probe element. An electric connector connects the probe element to the electrosurgical generator circuit. The on/off switch may be in the holder element or in a pedal operated switch.

Abstract: A vacuum apparatus for surgical aspirators comprises a motor and vacuum pump on a supporting base with an evacuated chamber surrounding them to reduce noise produced by the apparatus. The apparatus preferably comprises first and second hollow housings of one or more wall members defining an enclosure surrounding the motor and pump, the wall members of said housings spaced apart to define a vacuum chamber around the motor and vacuum pump. The enclosure has an opening to surrounding atmosphere through the supporting base or through a sealed opening through the housings. The pump outlet communicates with surrounding atmosphere. A passageway connects the vacuum chamber both to the vacuum pump inlet and the exterior of the apparatus.

Abstract: A laser surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a laser element mounted in a first hollow tubular member with a tapered open tip for insertion into a surgical site and having an opening at one for connection by a hollow tubing to a source of a purge gas for keeping the laser focusing lens free from smoke. A second tubular member fits on the first tubular member and extends substantially to the first tubular element tapered end. The second tubular member has a side opening for connection to a source of vacuum. A sleeve is slidably mounted on the second tubular member and is movable between a retracted position exposing the tip of the first tubular member and an extended position extending into the surgical site to provide a hood for withdrawal of smoke. The movement of the sleeve between retracted and extended positions provides for selected application of vacuum to the surgical site.

Abstract: A fat collection syringe is shown which has a barrel with an open end and a closed end with nipples for connection respectively to a source of high suction vacuum and to a collection needle. A plunger is longitudinally movable in the barrel to facilitate receiving collected material and has a longitudinal central passage for connection to a low suction vacuum for drawing a washing liquid through the material collected therein. The plunger central passage extends from end to end and has a scraper mounted on its inner end wall. A suction tube extends through the passage with a filter on its inner end and is positioned in engagement with the scraper. The outer end of the tube has a cap positioned thereon when vacuum is being applied to the nipple connected to high suction vacuum.

Abstract: A body fat injection syringe holder with a mechanism for retracting the barrel of a syringe to the plunger and a mechanism for retracting the plunger simultaneously retracting the plunger with the barrel. A trigger apparatus for variably controlling the rate of retraction of the barrel relative to the retraction of the plunger.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is disclosed comprising a hollow tubular member open at one for connection by a hollow tubing to a source of vacuum and a side opening adjacent to the open end. The opposite end of the tubular member includes a tapered hollow nose portion which may be integral with the tubular member or a separate piece. An electrocauterizing blade is secured in and has one end extending outward from the end of the nose portion and the other end positioned inside the tubular member. Electric heating is provided for the electrocauterizing blade through an electric lead extending through the tubular member and through the side opening for connection to a power source. The electric heating is usually provided by application of high frequency current but may be provided by resistance heating.

Abstract: A needle for atraumatic injection of particles of fat into the body of a patient is disclosed. The needle contains a through-bore which extends continuously between the proximal, intermediate, and distal portions thereof. The distal end of the needle has a generally conical configuration terminating in a relatively blunt, smooth surface. The needle is characterized by a plurality of radial ports equally spaced about the circumference of the intermediate portion adjacent the distal portion, and the cross-sectional area of each port corresponds with the cross-sectional area of the through-bore. When the needle is inserted into a given location below the skin of the body of a patient, and when particles of fat are delivered to the through-bore at the needle proximal portion, the particles are injected into the body via the ports.

Abstract: A process of reconstructing human body surface configurations is disclosed which includes the steps of withdrawing fat from subdermal layers in one portion of the human body and reinjecting the collected fat in other selected body portions in a controlled distribution. The collection step utilizes a specially-designed, vacuum-operated, collection syringe including apparatus to wash and filter undesirable particulate and fibrous material from the extracted fat. The injection step utilizes a specially designed mechanism for retracting the barrel of a syringe relative to the plunger, mechanism for retracting the plunger simultaneously with the retraction of the barrel, and apparatus for variably controlling the rate of retraction of the barrel relative to the retraction of the plunger. Details of the collection syringe and mechanism for operation of the injection syringe are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use in suction lipolysis consists of a long, narrow tube having a pointed or tapered closed end, for insertion into the body, and being open at the other end for connection to a source of vacuum. The tube has a side opening adjacent to the closed end for entry of fatty material during use. A passageway is provided, either as a separate passage inside the tube or a separate tube inside or outside the main tube, with an end opening inside the closed end of the main tube beyond the side opening. A handle surrounds and supports the main tube and passageway and includes a manually operated valve for venting the other end of the passageway or separate tube to allow air to enter the closed end portion of the main tube during use for clearing obstruction therein.