Systems for improving the appearance of tissue
Systems and methods for treating tissue including an apparatus that applies or a method involving separating septa to eliminate or reduce the appearance of cellulite or liposuction in combination with separating septa to eliminate or reduce the appearance of cellulite. In one approach, an interventional tool is placed between tissue layers to engage and treat tissue layers between which fat deposits are contained.
1 . A method of disrupting a septum attached to skin using a device having a shaft, a disrupting element, and a sensing element, the method comprising:
moving the shaft below the skin to a treatment site;
contacting the septum with the sensing element;
pivoting the sensing element relative to the disrupting element to detect a force; and
disrupting the septum with the disrupting element based on the force being greater than a threshold indicating contact with the septum.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensing element is a link coupled to the shaft.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the disrupting the septum is performed automatically when the sensing element detects the force greater than the threshold.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the disrupting the septum is performed using radiofrequency energy.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
indicating, with an indicator of the device, to a user that the sensing element detects the force greater than the threshold,
wherein the disrupting is based on the user activating an actuator of the device.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the disrupting element is selectively made stiff or lax.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the disrupting the septum is operator controlled.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the disrupting the septum is computer controlled.
9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising deflecting the sensing element relative to the disrupting element to uncover the disrupting element when the septum contacts the sensing element.
10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising retracting a drive shaft pivotably attached to the sensing element through the shaft when the septum contacts the sensing element.
11 . A system for treating an expression of cellulite on skin of a patient, the system comprising:
a handle;
a shaft longitudinally extending from the handle, the shaft configured to be inserted through the skin and to be advanced under the skin to a treatment site;
a sensing element configured to contact a septum to detect a force applied by the septum;
a septa disrupting element at a distal portion of the shaft, wherein the sensing element is a link pivotably attached to the septa disrupting element; and
an actuator configured to actuate the septa disrupting element based on the force being greater than a threshold.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the septa disrupting element comprises a side opening hook.
13 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the septa disrupting element comprises a sharp edge.
14 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the shaft has a liposuction channel configured to be connected to a suction force, and a deployable paddle is in the shaft for removing material collected through the liposuction channel.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the shaft has a plurality of openings in communication with the liposuction channel for collecting material removed from an interventional site during liposuction.
16 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the handle includes the actuator configured to controllably provide energy to the septa disrupting element to selectively cut the septum.
17 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the septa disrupting element comprises an expandable linkage and a blade.
18 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising a drive shaft extending through the shaft, wherein the sensing element is pivotably attached to the drive shaft.
19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the drive shaft is spring-loaded.
20 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the sensing element covers the septa disrupting element in a first configuration, and the sensing element uncovers the septa disrupting element in a second configuration when the septa disrupting element is actuated.
21 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the septa disrupting element comprises an electrode.
22 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the electrode is configured to transmit radio-frequency energy when actuated.
23 . The system of claim 21 , wherein a deflection of the sensing element completes a circuit to transmit energy to the electrode when actuated.
24 . A method of disrupting a septum attached to skin using a device having a shaft, a disrupting element, and a sensing element, the method comprising:
moving the shaft below the skin to a treatment site;
contacting the septum with the sensing element;
deflecting the sensing element relative to the disrupting element to detect a force and to uncover the disrupting element; and
disrupting the septum with the disrupting element based on the force being greater than a threshold.
25 . A system for treating an expression of cellulite on skin of a patient, the system comprising:
a handle;
a shaft longitudinally extending from the handle, the shaft configured to be inserted through the skin and to be advanced under the skin to a treatment site;
a sensing element configured to contact a septum to detect a force;
a septa disrupting element at a distal portion of the shaft; and
an actuator configured to actuate the septa disrupting element based on the force being greater than a threshold,
wherein the sensing element covers the septa disrupting element in a first configuration, and the sensing element uncovers the septa disrupting element in a second configuration when the septa disrupting element is actuated.
26 . A system for treating an expression of cellulite on skin of a patient, the system comprising:
a handle;
a shaft longitudinally extending from the handle, the shaft configured to be inserted through the skin and to be advanced under the skin to a treatment site;
a sensing element configured to contact a septum to detect a force applied by the septum;
a drive shaft extending through the shaft, wherein the sensing element is pivotably attached to the drive shaft;
a septa disrupting element at a distal portion of the shaft; and
an actuator configured to actuate the septa disrupting element based on the force being greater than a threshold.
27 . The system of claim 26 , wherein the drive shaft is spring-loaded.