Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating fatty tissue to facilitate liposuction removal of fat and, by additional heating, to enable denaturing of the tissue structure. The apparatus uses microwave energy, applied by a cannula to the fatty tissue, as a means to facilitate fat removal. The microwave energy is delivered at a frequency range chosen to optimize energy coupling directly to the fatty tissue, while insuring the attenuation of the radiation level to a safe level in a relatively short distance. The cannula is provided with internal channels to simultaneously provide fluid and remove the mixture of fluid and fatty tissue. Since the microwave frequency is selected to insure direct coupling with the fat tissue, it is not necessary to introduce water to promote coupling, and if water is introduced for cooling or irrigation purposes, no salts need to be added to the water for purposes of microwave energy coupling.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical liposuction apparatus comprises a piezoelectric crystal transducer assembly is connectable to an interchangeable operative probe and a damping body attached to the probe. The probe can be hollow, if aspiration of the fatty tissue is desired, or it can be solid. The damping body is largely formed of a plastic material, to prevent the propagation of the ultrasonic waves from that portion of the probe where the damping body is mounted, to the surrounding biological tissues. Prevention of propagation of the ultrasonic energy from a portion of the probe prevents unwanted heating of that part of the surrounding tissues. The damping body can be removable or permanently affixed, such as by welding. The damping body can have a metal jacket covering a portion of the surface of the damping body, or the damping body can be entirely made of plastic. The damping body can also have an opening or a plurality of openings for aspiration of the fatty tissue.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical liposuction apparatus comprises a piezoelectric crystal transducer assembly is connectable to an interchangeable operative probe and tip. The probe can be hollow, if aspiration of the fatty tissue is desired, or it can be solid. The tip is largely formed of a plastic material, to prevent the propagation of the ultrasonic waves to the distal end of the apparatus. Prevention of propagation of the ultrasonic energy to the distal end prevents unwanted damage of the tissues by an excessively hot tip. The tip can be removable or permanently affixed by a weld. The tip can have a metal jacket covering the lateral surfaces of the plastic tip body, to assist penetration of the fatty tissue, or the tip can be entirely made of plastic. The tip can also have an opening or series of openings for aspiration of the fatty tissue.

Abstract: A method of removing human body fatty tissue includes inserting an ultrasonic aspirating probe into the body in the area of the fatty tissue between the flesh, including blood vessels and arteries, and the muscle. The probe is ultrasonically vibrated at high frequencies and low amplitudes creating localized tissue separation and frictional heat. This heat causes the fatty tissue surrounding the probe to melt. The probe is specially adapted to provide a localized flow of irrigating fluid. This fluid serves to emulsify the melted and separated fat. The emulsified fat is then aspirated through specially designed orifices from the body using suction.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe tip is provided with improved characteristics for removing material during surgery on a cataract or the like, and reducing the removed material into smaller particles. The tip includes a body section and a cutting section with a passage extending through both sections. Aspiration is provided to the passage means through a collector passageway within a smooth, cylindrical head. An annular sharpened edge on the cutting section removes the material and emulsifies the particles. The cutting section is an enlarged chamber to receive a core stream of liquid from the operation site drawn into and defined by the smaller passage in the body section to generate vortex action clearing the operation site, reducing the size of the particles to prevent clogging and prevent cavitation. The interior surface of the enlarged chamber can be roughened, such as by etching, in order to provide additional emulsification action. The tip is fabricated of titanium and used on conventional ultrasonic handpieces.

Abstract: An ultrasonic, surgical and dental probe comprises a piezoelectric crystal transducer assembly positioned in compression between a pair of body members in a housing. Each body member along with the transducer assembly is mounted on a hollow connecting rod. An interchangeable operative tip, disposed within the hollow connecting rod, is releasably secured to the housing. In a first embodiment, one end of the tip contains a keyhole slot that snap fits to a transverse pin in the housing. In another embodiment, the body of the tip contains a set of threads which engages a corresponding set of threads formed on the inner wall of the connecting rod. Also disclosed is a unique dental descaling tip used in conjunction with the ultrasonic probe. The working end of the tip which contacts the surface of the teeth contains a first orifice. The orifice discharges fluid for irrigation as the working end of the tip cuts into accretions formed on the teeth during ultrasonic vibration.