| US 7,462,176 B2 | ||
| Device for suction-assisted lipectomy and method of using same | ||
| Lawrence S. Bass, Great Neck, N.Y. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Starion Instruments Corporation, Sunnyvale, Calif. (US) | ||
| Filed on Jul. 18, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/184,412. | ||
| Application 11/184412 is a continuation of application No. 10/410315, filed on Apr. 08, 2003, granted, now 6,918,903. | ||
| Application 10/410315 is a continuation of application No. 09/415543, filed on Oct. 08, 1999, granted, now 6,544,248. | ||
| Application 09/415543 is a continuation of application No. 08/908455, filed on Aug. 07, 1997, granted, now 6,102,885. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/022497, filed on Aug. 08, 1996. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2005/0256498 A1, Nov. 17, 2005 | ||
| This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer. | ||
| Int. Cl. A61M 31/00 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 604—511 | 8 Claims |
| 1. A method for removing tissue from a body, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a device comprising:
a hollow cannula having at least one opening in the distal end and means for connecting the cannula to a negative pressure
source at the proximal end;
a handle, operatively connected to the cannula, for use by a surgeon to direct and control the distal end of the device in
a surgical site and advance the cannula into and withdraw the cannula from the surgical site with the required control and
force;
a laser fiber having a light output operably positioned proximate the opening for transferring energy to tissue drawn into
the cannula through the at least one opening; and
means, operatively connected to the cannula, for delivering irrigation fluid to the vicinity of the laser fiber light output
and the opening;
inserting the device through relatively small skin incisions to gain access to the tissue to be removed;
maneuvering the device into and out of the tissue in order to traverse a large area of the tissue in successive passes of
the device in and out along the long axis of the device;
simultaneous with the maneuvering motion by the surgeon, applying suction through a suction channel formed in the cannula;
applying energy to the laser fiber during the advancement and withdrawal of the cannula; and
irrigating to provide cooling for the laser fiber and the opening and to reduce buildup of debris around the laser fiber and
within the cannula.
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