METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MANIPULATING SUBDERMAL FAT
The present invention features methods of manipulating subdermal fat in a treatment area. Such methods include inserting a needle (e.g., a micro-coring needle) through the dermis to the subdermal fat layer in order to excise a portion of tissue from the treatment area. These insertions result in a portion of the dermis and a portion of subdermal fat to enter into the needle. Removal of the needle results in excision of the portion of dermis and subdermal fat that entered into the needle.
1 . A method of manipulating subdermal fat in a treatment area, said method comprising:
a. inserting a first needle into the dermis of said treatment area followed by
b. removing said needle from said treatment area, wherein:
said needle comprises a hollow tip and an elongated hollow shaft, said hollow tip is inserted to a depth that results in contact between said hollow tip and said subdermal fat, and said removal of said needle results in the excision of dermis and/or subdermal fat from said treatment area.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said needle is vibrated or rotated after insertion and prior to removal from said treatment area.
3 . The method of claim 1 or 2 , further comprising the application of a suction force to said needle while said tip is in contact with said subdermal fat, wherein said suction force results in subdermal fat being drawn into said needle.
4 . The method of any of claims 1 - 3 , wherein a suction force is applied to said treatment area after the removal of said needle, wherein said suction force results in subdermal fat being extruded from said treatment area.
5 . The method of any of claims 1 - 4 , further comprising mobilizing said subdermal fat in said treatment area prior to said insertion of a needle.
6 . The method of any of claims 1 - 5 further comprising mobilizing said subdermal fat in said treatment area after said removal of said needle from said treatment area.
7 . The method of any of claims 1 - 6 , further comprising mobilizing said subdermal fat in said treatment area while said needle is inserted into said treatment area.
8 . The method of any of claims 5 - 7 , wherein said mobilizing of said subdermal fat comprises introduction of a chemical agent that denatures fat cells in said subdermal fat.
9 . The method of any of claims 5 - 7 , wherein said mobilizing of said subdermal fat comprises application of ultrasound.
10 . The method of any of claims 5 - 7 , wherein said mobilizing of said subdermal fat comprises heating, cooling, or repeated cycles of heating or cooling of said subdermal fat.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein said heating or cooling of said subdermal fat comprises heating or cooling said needle and/or applying or removing heat from outside the dermis.
12 . The method of claim 10 or 11 , wherein said heating or cooling of said subdermal fat comprises heating or cooling said treatment area in the immediate proximity of the needle.
13 . The method of any of claims 5 - 7 , wherein said mobilizing of said subdermal fat comprises mechanically manipulating said subdermal fat.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein said mechanical manipulation is selected from the group consisting of applying pressure from outside the dermis or directly contacting the subdermal fat with a disruption tool.
15 . The method of any of claims 5 - 7 , wherein said mobilizing of said subdermal fat comprises the application of tumescent anesthesia.
16 . The method of any of claims 1 - 15 , further comprising repeating steps a. and b. at locations throughout said treatment area.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein steps a. and b. are repeated at between 5 and 100 locations per square centimeter of said treatment area.
18 . The method of any of claims 1 - 17 , wherein said needle is between 16 and 32 gauge.
19 . The method of any of claims 1 - 18 , wherein the areal fraction of skin removed is between 5% and 80%.
20 . The method of any of claims 1 - 19 , where the treatment area is between 1 cm 2 and 50 cm 2 .
21 . The method of any of claims 1 - 20 , wherein said treatment area comprises cellulite.
22 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising severing septae in the subdermal fat of said treatment area.
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein said severing of said septae comprises
i. deploying a wire comprising a bend into and through said needle such that said bend exits from said tip; and
ii. rotating said wire such that the end of said wire which has exited said tip contacts and severs said septae;
wherein said wire is deployed while said needle tip is in contact with said subdermal fat.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein a suction force is applied to said needle after said insertion but prior to said deploying of said wire.
25 . The methods of any of claims 1 - 24 , wherein said needle is a micro-coring needle.
26 . The methods of any of claims 1 - 25 , wherein said needle comprises a smooth hollow lumen free of protuberances or barbs.
27 . The methods of any of claims 1 - 26 , wherein said method further comprises inserting a second needle into said dermis proximate to said first needle.
28 . The method of claim 27 , wherein, when inserted, said second needle and said first needle are less than 1 cm, 5 mm, or 1 mm apart.
29 . The method of claim 27 or 28 , wherein said second need is heated, cooled, vibrated, or rotated to mobilize said subdermal fat.
30 . The method of any of claims 27 - 29 , wherein a chemical agent introduced into said second needle to disrupt said subdermal fat.
31 . The method of any one of claims 27 - 30 , wherein a liquid is injected into said treatment area via said second needle at a pressure sufficient to force fat through said first needle.
32 . The method of claim 31 , wherein said liquid is a solution of saline in water.