Device for suction-assisted lipectomy and method of using same

A method for performing a lipectomy 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 directing and controlling the distal end in a site and advancing the cannula into and withdrawing the cannula from the site with the required control and force;
• and
• energy transfer means, operatively positioned inside the cannula proximate the opening and operatively connected to an energy source, for transferring energy to biological tissue drawn into the cannula through at least one opening;
• inserting the device through relatively small incisions to gain access to biological tissue to be removed;
• simultaneous with the maneuvering motion, applying suction through a suction channel formed in the cannula;
• and
• applying energy to the energy transfer means during the advancement and withdrawal of the cannula.

A method for performing a biological tissue biopsy 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 directing and controlling the distal end in a site and advancing the cannula into and withdrawing the cannula from the site with the required control and force;
• and
• energy transfer means, operatively positioned inside the cannula proximate the opening and operatively connected to an energy source, for transferring energy to the biological tissue drawn into the cannula through at least one opening;
• inserting the device through a relatively small incision to gain access to the biological tissue at a target site;
• maneuvering the device relative to the biological tissue in order to traverse the target site in successive passes of the device;
• simultaneous with the maneuvering motion, applying suction through a suction channel formed in the cannula;
• applying energy to the energy transfer means during the maneuvering of the cannula;:and
• irrigating to provide cooling for the energy transfer means and the opening and to reduce buildup of debris around the energy transfer means and within the cannula.

A method for performing biological tissue removal comprising the steps:

• 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 directing and controlling the distal end in the target site and advancing the cannula into and withdrawing the cannula from the target site with the required control and force;
• energy transfer means, operatively positioned inside the cannula proximate the opening and operatively connected to an energy source, for transferring energy to biological tissue drawn into the cannula through at least one opening;
• and means, operatively connected to the cannula, for delivering irrigation fluid to the vicinity of the energy transfer means;
• inserting the device through a relatively small incision to gain access to the target biological tissue to be removed;
• maneuvering the device relative to the target tissue in order to traverse the target biological tissue in successive passes of the device;
• simultaneous with the maneuvering motion by the surgeon, applying suction through a suction channel formed in the cannula;
• and
• applying energy to the energy transfer means during the advancement and withdrawal of the cannula.

A method for performing biological tissue destruction 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 directing and controlling the distal end in a target site having biological tissue and advancing the cannula into and withdrawing the cannula from the target site with the required control and force;
• energy transfer means, operatively positioned inside the cannula proximate the opening and operatively connected to an energy source, for transferring energy to the target biological tissue drawn into the cannula through at least one opening;
• and means, operatively connected to the cannula, for delivering irrigation fluid to the vicinity of the energy transfer means;
• inserting the device through relatively small skin incisions to gain access to the target biological tissue to be destroyed;
• maneuvering the device into and out of the target biological tissue in order to traverse a large area of the target biological tissue in successive passes of the device;
• simultaneous with the maneuvering step, applying suction through a suction channel formed in the cannula;
• applying energy to the energy transfer means during the advancement and withdrawal of the cannula.