CANNULA ASSEMBLY SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Systems and methods for fat injection or liposuction including or involving a cannula that is configured to provide feedback concerning depth within tissue or the environment into which the cannula is placed.
1 . An aesthetic treatment system, comprising:
a cannula assembly defining an elongate profile and having a proximal end portion and
a distal end portion, the cannula assembly being configured to inject or collect fat; and
an ultrasound transducer configured at the distal end portion.
2 . The aesthetic treatment system of claim 1 further comprising:
a light emitter configured at the distal end portion.
3 . The aesthetic treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound transducer is configured to send and receive an ultrasound energy, wherein the system is configured to analyze the ultrasound energy to assess a depth of the cannula assembly within tissue.
4 . The aesthetic treatment system of claim 2 , wherein the light emitter is configured to provide transillumination for tracking the cannula assembly within tissue.
5 . The aesthetic treatment system of claim 2 , wherein the light emitter is configured to provide depth information of the cannula assembly within tissue.
6 . The aesthetic treatment system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to process ultrasound energy information.
7 . The aesthetic treatment system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to process light energy information.
8 . The aesthetic treatment system of claim 1 , further comprising a display, wherein the controller is configured to process and present ultrasound energy information or light energy information on the display.
9 . The aesthetic treatment system of claim 1 , wherein A-scans are presented on a display.
10 . The aesthetic treatment system of claim 1 , wherein a highly comprehensive or a full ultrasonic image is presented on a display.
11 . The aesthetic treatment system of claim 1 , wherein a digital display is employed to provide depth information.
12 . The aesthetic treatment system of claim 1 , further comprising an LED that flashes or changes color to represent a depth of the cannula assembly.
13 . The aesthetic treatment system of claim 1 , further comprising a standard cannula and a sleeve including depth assessment structure and functionality and being sized and shaped to engage and attach to the standard cannula.
14 . The aesthetic treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the cannula assembly is steerable.
15 . The aesthetic treatment system of claim 1 , wherein the cannula assembly is longitudinally flexible.