Abstract: A liposuction apparatus and method that uses a rotating or rotationally oscillating cannula. The advantages of the liposuction apparatus are as follows: reduced need for surgeon's arm motion and stress, reduced operating time, and increased fat volume removal per unit of instrument time use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for mechanically-assisted liposuction treatment. The apparatus includes a hand-holdable housing, an electro-cauterizing cannula assembly, and a reciprocation mechanism. The hand-holdable housing has a cavity adaptable for receipt of a portion of the electro-cauterizing cannula assembly. The electro-cauterizing cannula assembly has a distal end and a proximal end and at least one aspiration aperture about the distal end. The reciprocation mechanism is disposed within the housing and is operably associated with either the cannula so that the cannulas can be selectively caused to reciprocate relative to the housing. As the cannula is caused to reciprocate relative to the housing, the aspiration aperture formed through the distal end of the cannula assembly is caused to undergo periodic displacement.

Abstract: An ultrasonic liposuction device comprises a piezoelectric crystal transducer assembly that is connectable to a solid push rod that provides for the use of an interchangeable operative probe. The push rod is made of one material and the probe is made of a different material. The probe can be hollow, if aspiration of the fatty tissue is desired, or it can be solid.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification needle includes a body having an aspiration lumen therethrough along with a hub disposed at a proximal end of the needle body for engaging an ultrasonic handpiece in order to couple ultrasonic energy into a needle body. A tip is provided at a distal end of the needle body for penetrating tissue to be emulsified and a conical ultrasonic surface disposed at the tip is provided for focusing ultrasound in tissue beyond an end of the tip in order to promote cavitation in tissue beyond the tip end. The conical ultrasonic radiation surface extends from the lumen to the end of the tip.

Abstract: An infiltration cannula is provided. The infiltration cannula includes an axially elongated tube having a circular cross-section, a proximal end portion adapted to receive a treatment fluid and a distal end portion with a plurality of apertures disposed in a transverse sidewall of the distal end portion of the elongated tube for dispensing the treatment fluid. The cannula also includes a teflon coating disposed over and outer surface of the elongated member.

Abstract: In general the ultrasonic probe for improved fragmentation is comprised of a longitudinal shank having a proximal end, a distal end, and a shaft. The shaft joins the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end of the longitudinal shank has a connector for connecting the longitudinal shank to a source of ultrasonic vibrational energy. The distal end of the longitudinal shank may have a blunt or bullet-nosed tip. The shaft has one or more grooves near the tip which circumscribe the shaft of the longitudinal shank. The walls of the one or more grooves in the shaft of the longitudinal shank provide surface area on the distal end of the ultrasonic probe in planes generally perpendicular to the axis of the ultrasonic probe. The additional surface area increases the tissue fragmenting surface area of the distal end of the ultrasonic probe without increasing the diameter of the distal end of the ultrasonic probe.

Abstract: A liposuction device including sucking cannula member for sucking subcutaneous fat through an entry aperture, the sucking cannula member having defined therein said entry aperture and having a longitudinal axis; mechanical drive member for producing and transmitting a movement to the sucking cannula member and on which the sucking cannula member is mounted, the mechanical drive member having an entry for connecting an energy source thereto, and the movement of the sucking cannula member being a nutational movement which has a frequency ranging from 10 to 500 Hz and which comprises a vibrational component and a translational component, the vibrational component being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sucking cannula member and the translational component being in line with the longitudinal axis of the sucking cannula member and having an amplitude ranging from 2 mm up to but less than 1 cm; a housing for housing the mechanical drive member; and a free space provided between the sucking cannula memb

Abstract: A method of controlling fluid leakage from an incision following tumescent liposuction and other surgical procedures where large amounts of fluid are introduced into the body includes placing a highly absorbent pad composed of a softened polyvinyl acetate sponge over the incision and holding the pad in place using a flexible backing with adhesive on one side. The softened polyvinyl acetate sponge material can be placed over the incision in either an unexpanded dry state or an expanded dry state. In one embodiment, a liquid impermeable layer is formed on one side of the pad and positioned on the adhesive side of the backing to prevent the absorbed fluids from infiltrating the backing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for performing a liposuction procedure by means of a power-assisted liposuction device. The apparatus comprises a hand-holdable handle assembly (enclosing a gas driven reciprocating piston rod), a detachable cannula, an aspirator pump attached to the hand-holdable handle assembly and a foot pedal assembly that includes a vibrator element for regulating the supply of gas to the hand-holdable handle assembly. The hand-holdable handle assembly generally consists of a barrel, a hollow piston rod which reciprocates relative to the barrel, a seal body, an end cap (having a internal aspirated chamber), an atmospheric access return gallery, and a return spring chamber. Detachably coupled to the hand-holdable handle assembly by means of a quick disconnect is a hollow cannula, the distal end of which contains an aspiration aperture.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for performing liposuction in which the reciprocal motion of the cannula during the operation is automated. The apparatus includes a housing, a cannula and reciprocating arrangement to provide the motion for the cannula. In one arrangement, the suction being applied to the cannula to remove fatty tissue has the negative pressure created by the suction applied to the cannula to reciprocate it. In a second embodiment, a permanent magnet piston attached to the cannula is reciprocated by the use of electromagnets which simultaneously change polarity to apply a reciprocating force to the permanent magnet piston.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical liposuction apparatus comprises a piezoelectric cral transducer assembly is connectable with a push rod house within the housing which allows the use of interchangeable operative probe and tip. The probe can be hollow, if aspiration of the fatty tissue is desired, or it can be solid.