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 method for dissecting tissues, comprising:
selecting tissue from a cadaver or animal source, the tissue comprising dermis and subdermal fat connected to the dermis;
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; and
cooling the dermis while applying the ultrasonic energy by contacting the dermis with a cooling jacket.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the dermis is not heated to greater than 50° C. during application of the ultrasonic energy.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the entire dermis is not heated to greater than 50° C. during application of the ultrasonic energy.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic energy is applied at a frequency of at least 20 kHz.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic energy is pulsed.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic energy is applied at a junction between the dermis and subdermal fat.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic energy is applied to cut, melt, or emulsify fat.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein substantially all the subdermal fat is removed from the dermis.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subdermal fat is attached to a cadaver, and the ultrasonic energy is applied to separate the dermis from the cadaver.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subdermal fat and dermis are in the form of a sheet of tissue.
11 . A method for dissecting tissues, comprising:
selecting tissue from a cadaver or animal source, the tissue comprising dermis and subdermal fat connected to the dermis;
cooling the dermis, wherein the cooling is performed by contacting the dermis with a cooling jacket; and
applying ultrasonic energy to the tissue to separate at least a portion of the subdermal fat from the dermis.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the dermis is not heated to greater than 50° C. during application of the ultrasonic energy.
13 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the entire dermis is not heated to greater than 50° C. during application of the ultrasonic energy.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic energy is applied at a frequency of at least 20 kHz.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic energy is pulsed.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic energy is applied at a junction between the dermis and subdermal fat.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic energy is applied to cut, melt, or emulsify fat.
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein substantially all the subdermal fat is removed from the dermis.
19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subdermal fat is attached to a cadaver, and the ultrasonic energy is applied to separate the dermis from the cadaver.
20 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subdermal fat and dermis are in the form of a sheet.
21 . The method of claim 1 , wherein cooling the dermis comprises freezing the dermis.