Fat Grafting Cannula Impedance Tissue Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

During fat grafting procedures, there is a risk of injecting processed fat into muscle tissue instead of fat tissue, which can lead to serious complications such as fat embolism, highlighting the need for a method to accurately discern between fat and muscle tissue to ensure safe injection practices.

Innovation Solution

A fat grafting cannula equipped with electrodes coupled to an impedance detection circuit that determines tissue type by measuring impedance between the electrodes, alerting the surgeon if the cannula is inserted into muscle tissue to prevent injection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fat grafting cannula is inserted into subcutaneous tissue to inject processed fat, then the procedure can restore volume and improve body contour, but the risk of inserting too deep into muscle tissue increases, causing fat embolism and patient death

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of fat grafting procedureVSAvoidrisk of fat embolism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The impedance detection circuit performs preliminary detection of tissue type before fat injection occurs. By measuring impedance at the distal end of the cannula prior to injecting processed fat, the system identifies whether the cannula is in fat or muscle tissue in advance, preventing fat embolism before it can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides real-time feedback to the surgeon through visual or audible signals indicating whether the cannula is positioned in safe fat tissue or dangerous muscle tissue. This continuous feedback loop allows the surgeon to adjust cannula position immediately, preventing harmful fat injection into muscle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the surgeon proceeds with fat injection without tissue type detection, then the procedure is faster and simpler, but the risk of injecting fat into muscle tissue and causing embolism increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of fat grafting procedureVSAvoidsafety of fat injection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cannula system performs self-detection of tissue type through integrated electrodes and impedance detection circuitry. The system serves its own safety function by automatically identifying tissue type and providing feedback, eliminating the need for separate manual assessment methods while maintaining procedure speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If tissue type detection is performed using electrodes and impedance measurement, then accurate discrimination between fat and muscle tissue is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of tissue type identificationVSAvoidcomplexity of cannula system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrodes serve multiple functions: they detect tissue type through impedance measurement, and can also be used for fat aspiration during liposuction. The impedance detection circuit is integrated into the existing electrosurgical generator, allowing one system to perform both detection and treatment functions without requiring separate dedicated devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively prevents fat embolisms by ensuring accurate tissue identification, allowing surgeons to avoid injecting processed fat into muscle tissue, thereby enhancing safety during fat grafting procedures.

Implementation Method 1

at least two electrodes associated with the shaft and coupled to an impedance detection circuit; and the impedance detection circuit that determines the impedance between the at least two electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Impedance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS20230079881A1Devices, systems and methods for sensing and discerning between fat and muscle tissue during medical procedures

Publication Date: 2023.03.16 APYX MEDICAL CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to devices, systems, and methods for sensing and discerning whether a distal portion of a fat grafting cannula or probe is disposed in fat tissue or muscle tissue during fat grafting procedures. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a fat grafting cannula or probe is provided including first and second electrodes. Each electrode is coupled to a circuit, e.g., disposed in an electrosurgical generator. During a fat grafting procedure, the electrodes contact patient tissue. Based on signals received from each electrode, the circuit is configured to determine whether a distal portion of the fat grafting cannula is disposed in a fat tissue or muscle tissue. If the circuit determines that the fat grafting cannula is disposed in muscle tissue, the surgeon operating the fat grafting cannula is alerted to ensure that processed fat is not injected into the muscle tissue of the patient.