Abstract: A tissue expander configured to be worn by a user having a shell having an aperture formed within the shell to receive tissue expanded by a distracting force. The shell has a skirt providing a skin contact surface area against the skin of the patient, the aperture defining an aperture surface area, wherein the skin contact surface area is greater than the aperture surface area, and wherein the skirt is non-fixedly attached to the skin of the patient and slides laterally outwardly.

Abstract: A brassiere having cups with an inner layer, an outer layer, and at least one sheet of thin malleable material forming a middle layer between the inner layer and outer layer, the at least one sheet being enclosed and configured to rigidify.

Abstract: A brace for retaining an organ in an expanded state configured to adhere and substantially conform to an external surface of the organ includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and at least one sheet of thin malleable material forming a middle layer between the inner layer and outer layer, the at least one sheet being enclosed and configured to rigidify and maintain the organ in an expanded state upon application of a vacuum. The brace can be incorporated into a brassiere.

Abstract: A closed system for harvesting fat through liposuction, concentrating the aspirate so obtained, and then re-injecting the concentrated fat into a patient comprises as its main components a low pressure cannula having between about 7 to 12 side holes of about 1-2 mm by 2.0 to 4.0 mm, a spring loaded syringe holder with a constant force or coiled ribbon spring to apply a substantially constant pressure over the fill excursion of the plunger, and a preferably flexible collection bag which is also preferably graduated, cylindrical over most of its body and funnel shaped at its bottom, all of which are connected through flexible tubings to a multi-port valve. The multi-port valve has two flutter/duck bill valves which restrict the fluid flow to a one way direction which effectively allows the syringe to be used to pump fat out of a patient and into a collection bag in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A vibrating hand held surgical instrument for loosening tissue of a patient for liposuction or body contouring procedures. The instrument includes a motor connected to a vibration actuator having an eccentric rotating mass and an end effector for engaging tissue operatively connected to the vibration actuator, wherein the motor rotates the eccentric mass to cause the end effector to vibrate to loosen tissue. A flexible shaft having first end and second ends dampen the vibration to the motor and to the operator handle.

Abstract: A tissue expander configured to be worn by a user having a shell having an aperture formed within the shell to receive tissue expanded by a distracting force. The shell has a skirt providing a skin contact surface area against the skin of the patient, the aperture defining an aperture surface area, wherein the skin contact surface area is greater than the aperture surface area, and wherein the skirt is non-fixedly attached to the skin of the patient and slides laterally outwardly.

Abstract: A brace for retaining an organ in an expanded state configured to adhere and substantially conform to an external surface of the organ includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and at least one sheet of thin malleable material forming a middle layer between the inner layer and outer layer, the at least one sheet being enclosed and configured to rigidify and maintain the organ in an expanded state upon application of a vacuum. The brace can be incorporated into a brassiere.

Abstract: A passive stent for retaining an organ in an expanded state configured to adhere and substantially conform to an external surface of the organ may include an inner layer, an outer layer, and a middle layer that is enclosed by the inner layer and the outer layer, comprising a plurality of components configured to interlock and maintain the organ in an expanded state upon application of a vacuum. A method for retaining an organ in an expanded state may include applying at least one force to the organ to place the organ in the expanded state; applying a passive stent to an external surface of the organ; and applying a vacuum to the passive stent sufficient to cause a plurality of components of at least one layer of the passive stent to interlock, where the at least one layer is configured to maintain the organ in the expanded state after interlocking.

Abstract: Surgical tools and kits for performing methods include a grommet with cylindrical shaft, cutting tip, annular flange with suture retaining anchoring fixture; a grommet jig for extending between adjacent grommets and guiding a needle therebetween; a family of needles with single and double pointed ends, reinforced eyelets, stops to limit inadvertent exiting, double shaft construction with a longitudinal gap and sharpened, slicing ends, including a “J” shape embodiment; a bone anchor with ring to secure sutures about a patient's clavicle; a tissue dissector having radially extending cones to nick taut connecting tissues; a tissue rasp having a series of crisscrossing grooves along an end; a tissue mesher comprising one or more blocks having a matrix of holes for damping a plurality of needles and a supporting framework; and a kit device and a method of surgically inserting an internal mesh brassiere under the breast skin.

Abstract: A brassiere comprising a first aperture, a second aperture, a first shell and a second shell. The first shell has a first rim extending laterally outwardly therefrom, the first aperture dimensioned and configured to receive one or both of the first shell and first rim. The first rim non-fixedly positionable in contact with skin of a wearer. The second shell has a second rim extending laterally outwardly therefrom. The second aperture is dimensioned and configured to receive one or both of the second shell and second rim, the second rim non-fixedly positionable in contact with skin of the wearer wherein the first and second rims are slidable outwardly while maintaining contact with the skin.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a soft tissue site, and augmenting the soft tissue site, such as the breast(s), scar, depression, or other defect, of a subject through use of devices that exert a distractive force on the breast(s) and grafting of autologous fat tissue such as domes and sealing rims for surrounding each of the soft tissue site and a regulated pump. The method for preparing the soft tissue site, and enhancing fat graft results, entails application of the distracting force to the targeted soft tissue site at least intermittently for some period of time and preferably several weeks prior to the graft procedure. A rotated aspect of the invention includes following the preparation steps by transfer of fat from other areas of the subject to the subject's soft tissue site, and then reapplication of the distractive force to the soft tissue site that received the autologous fat graft.

Abstract: A brassiere including a first aperture, a second aperture, a first shell and a second shell. The first shell has a first rim extending laterally outwardly therefrom, the first aperture dimensioned and configured to receive one or both of the first shell and first rim. The first rim non-fixedly positionable in contact with skin of a wearer. The second shell has a second rim extending laterally outwardly therefrom. The second aperture is dimensioned and configured to receive one or both of the second shell and second rim, the second rim non-fixedly positionable in contact with skin of the wearer wherein the first and second rims are slidable outwardly while maintaining contact with the skin.

Abstract: A vibrating hand held surgical instrument for loosening tissue of a patient for liposuction or body contouring procedures. The instrument includes a motor connected to a vibration actuator having an eccentric rotating mass and an end effector for engaging tissue operatively connected to the vibration actuator, wherein the motor rotates the eccentric mass to cause the end effector to vibrate to loosen tissue. A flexible shaft having first end and second ends dampen the vibration to the motor and to the operator handle.

Abstract: A tissue approximation device for wound closure having a first arm having a proximal end and a distal end, a second arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the second arm connected to the first arm. A first rake member is connected to the distal end of the first arm and has a first plurality of tissue engaging members extending therefrom to engage tissue. A second rake member is attached to the distal end of the second arm, the second rake member having a second plurality of tissue engaging members extending therefrom to engage tissue. A transverse bar can extend through the first and second rake members such that the first and second rake members movable along the transverse bar. Systems and methods for wound closure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vibrating hand held surgical instrument for loosening tissue of a patient for liposuction or body contouring procedures. The instrument includes a motor connected to a vibration actuator having an eccentric rotating mass and an end effector for engaging tissue operatively connected to the vibration actuator, wherein the motor rotates the eccentric mass to cause the end effector to vibrate to loosen tissue. A flexible shaft having first end and second ends dampen the vibration to the motor and to the operator handle.

Abstract: A tissue approximation device for wound closure having a first arm having a proximal end and a distal end, a second arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the second arm connected to the first arm. A first rake member is connected to the distal end of the first arm and has a first plurality of tissue engaging members extending therefrom to engage tissue. A second rake member is attached to the distal end of the second arm, the second rake member having a second plurality of tissue engaging members extending therefrom to engage tissue. A transverse bar can extend through the first and second rake members such that the first and second rake members movable along the transverse bar. Systems and methods for wound closure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tissue expander having a shell, an opening in the shell in communication with an external vacuum source to apply a vacuum within the shell and impart a distracting force to expand tissue, and a rim connected to the shell and adapted to be in contact with a skin of a patient. The rim is non-fixedly attached to the skin of the patient and moves laterally outwardly with respect to the shell under application of the vacuum.

Abstract: A tissue expander configured to be worn by a user having a shell having an aperture formed within the shell to receive tissue expanded by a distracting force. The shell has a skirt providing a skin contact surface area against the skin of the patient, the aperture defining an aperture surface area, wherein the skin contact surface area is greater than the aperture surface area, and wherein the skirt is non-fixedly attached to the skin of the patient and slides laterally outwardly.

Abstract: A brace for retaining an organ in an expanded state configured to adhere and substantially conform to an external surface of the organ includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and at least one sheet of thin malleable material forming a middle layer between the inner layer and outer layer, the at least one sheet being enclosed and configured to rigidify and maintain the organ in an expanded state upon application of a vacuum. The brace can be incorporated into a brassiere.

Abstract: A passive stent for retaining an organ in an expanded state configured to adhere and substantially conform to an external surface of the organ may include an inner layer, an outer layer, and a middle layer that is enclosed by the inner layer and the outer layer, comprising a plurality of components configured to interlock and maintain the organ in an expanded state upon application of a vacuum. A method for retaining an organ in an expanded state may include applying at least one force to the organ to place the organ in the expanded state; applying a passive stent to an external surface of the organ; and applying a vacuum to the passive stent sufficient to cause a plurality of components of at least one layer of the passive stent to interlock, where the at least one layer is configured to maintain the organ in the expanded state after interlocking.