Methods and handpiece for use in tissue dissection

A method for dissection of subcutaneous tissue, comprising:

• positioning a handpiece comprising a base, a conduit through a side of the handpiece and a tissue engaging chamber over a first region of target tissue,
• wherein the tissue engaging chamber is configured to allow elevation of a portion of the target tissue into the chamber, relative to surrounding tissue;
• coupling a guidance device to the handpiece,
• wherein the guidance device comprises a guidance track;
• elevating the target tissue into the tissue engaging chamber to a first position that is elevated relative to the surrounding tissue;
• engaging a cutting tool with the handpiece,
• wherein the cutting tool comprises a cutting blade with a distal end and a proximal end,
• wherein the cutting tool comprises a guide pin that interacts with the guidance track of the guidance device when the cutting tool is engaged with the handpiece;
• piercing the elevated tissue with the distal end of the cutting blade and advancing the distal end of the cutting blade into a subcutaneous region underlying the elevated target tissue;
• dissecting subcutaneous tissue in the subcutaneous region underlying the elevated target tissue with the distal end of the cutting blade by manipulating the cutting tool in a pattern defined by the interaction of the guidance track with the guide pin.

A method for dissection of subcutaneous tissue, comprising:

• positioning a handpiece comprising a base, a recessed area defined by an elevated perimeter wall and a top surface, and a vacuum port over a target tissue;
• connecting the vacuum port to a source of vacuum pressure and applying vacuum pressure to said target tissue, thereby elevating the target tissue into the recessed area, relative to surrounding tissue;
• contacting a cutting tool with the base of the handpiece,
• wherein the cutting tool comprises a cutting blade with a distal end and a proximal end,
• wherein the distal end of the cutting blade is configured to at least partially extend laterally from the cutting tool;
• advancing the cutting tool along the base of the handpiece so that the distal end of the cutting blade pierces the elevated tissue with the distal end of the cutting blade and the distal end of the cutting blade is positioned in a subcutaneous region underlying the elevated target tissue;
• moving the cutting tool laterally and longitudinally along the base of the handpiece to cause the distal end of the cutting blade to move in a corresponding pattern in the subcutaneous region underlying the elevated target tissue and sever subcutaneous tissue within the subcutaneous region underlying the elevated target tissue.

A method for dissection of subcutaneous tissue, the method comprising:

• providing tissue dissection system comprising (a) a handpiece comprising a base and a recessed area defined by an elevated perimeter wall, (b) a guidance track and (c) a cutting tool, the system configured for:
• (i) elevating a target tissue affected by cellulite to a defined elevation within the recessed chamber of the handpiece,
• wherein the elevated perimeter wall of the recessed area comprises at least one conduit;
• (ii) dissecting, with the cutting tool, subcutaneous tissue within the target tissue,
• wherein the subcutaneous tissue is dissected by coupling the guidance track to the handpiece, engaging the cutting tool with the guidance track, advancing the cutting tool along the guidance track to position the cutting tool within the at least one conduit;
• and
• wherein the guidance track is configured to cause the cutting tool to subcise tissue within a defined portion of the region underlying the elevated target tissue.