Method for Ultrasonic Dissection of Tissues
Methods for dissecting tissues are provided. The methods comprise selecting a tissue site comprising dermis and subdermal fat connected to the dermis, and applying ultrasonic energy to the tissue to remove at least a portion of the subdermal fat from the dermis, wherein the ultrasonic energy is applied to minimize damage to the dermis.
1 . A system for separating dermal tissue from subdermal fat, the system comprising:
an ultrasonic probe having a wide blade for efficiently delivering ultrasonic energy along a wide surface area.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic probe is configured to deliver ultrasonic energy at a frequency of at least 60 kHz to a dermal-fat junction.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the ultrasonic probe has a blunt tip and is configured to emulsify or melt fat.
4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the ultrasonic probe is sharp configured to cut subdermal fat from dermis while delivering ultrasonic energy.
5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a cooling device separate from the ultrasonic probe to cool a selection of tissue.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the selection of tissue comprises a sheet of dermis and subdermal fat connected to the dermis.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the cooling device is configured to cool a surface of the sheet of dermis while the ultrasonic probe delivers ultrasonic energy at a dermal-fat junction.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the cooling device comprises a solid supporting cold surface configured to directly contact the dermis of the selection of tissue.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the selection of tissue comprises tissue that has been removed from a cadaver or animal source.
10 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the cooling device comprises a cooling jacket configured to directly contact the dermis.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the cooling jacket is configured to receive a cooling fluid.
12 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the cooling device is configured to provide a cooling fluid in direct contact with the dermis.
13 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the subdermal fat is attached to a cadaver, and the ultrasonic energy is applied to separate the dermis from the cadaver.
14 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the cooling device is configured to supply a cooling fluid to the dermal-fat junction.
15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic probe is configured to deliver pulsed ultrasonic energy.
16 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic probe is configured to deliver continuous ultrasonic energy.
17 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic probe is configured to deliver ultrasonic energy at a frequency of at least 20 kHz to a dermal-fat junction.
18 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic probe is configured to deliver ultrasonic energy at a frequency between 20 kHz and 100 kHz to a dermal-fat junction.