Constant Pressure Syringe for Liposuction Fat Grafting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for autologous fat grafting through liposuction are impractical and unreliable due to the need for delicate handling and high vacuum pressures, which damage adipocytes and reduce efficiency, especially when large volumes are involved.
Innovation Solution
A closed system comprising a low-pressure, multiple-opening cannula, a constant controlled low-pressure syringe mechanism, and a multi-port routing valve with duckbill valves for minimal adipocyte damage, allowing for efficient harvesting and re-injection of fat with reduced pressure exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high vacuum pressure (one atmosphere) is used for liposuction, then harvesting efficiency is improved, but adipocyte damage increases making the tissue unsuitable for grafting
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts vacuum pressure levels based on the operational phase: high vacuum (one atmosphere) is applied during the harvesting phase to maximize efficiency, then automatically reduced to low vacuum (one half atmosphere or less) during the grafting phase to protect adipocytes. This dynamic pressure adjustment resolves the contradiction between harvesting efficiency and tissue viability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic alternation between high-pressure harvesting cycles and low-pressure grafting cycles. The vacuum pressure is periodically switched between high and low levels to sequentially achieve efficient fat removal and gentle tissue reconstruction, allowing both high productivity and low damage to be achieved at different time intervals.
2Reliability
If low vacuum pressure (one half atmosphere) is used for liposuction, then adipocyte damage is reduced improving graft survival, but harvesting efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pressure is dynamically adjusted to be high during harvesting to ensure productivity, then automatically reduced to low during grafting to ensure reliability and graft survival. This temporal separation of pressure levels allows both high efficiency and high survival rates to be achieved in their respective phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically alternates between high-pressure harvesting mode and low-pressure grafting mode. During harvesting periods, high vacuum maximizes efficiency; during grafting periods, low vacuum maximizes adipocyte survival. This periodic switching resolves the productivity-reliability contradiction.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple manual steps (harvesting, separating, concentrating, re-grafting) are performed separately, then processing precision is improved, but operative time increases making the process arduous
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges harvesting, separating, concentrating, and re-grafting operations into a single integrated closed-loop apparatus. The syringe assembly with multiple ports and valves combines functions that were previously performed by separate manual steps, reducing operative time while maintaining processing precision through controlled automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The syringe assembly serves multiple functions: it harvests fat through high vacuum, separates and concentrates adipocytes through controlled low vacuum, and re-grafts the tissue through the same device. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate devices and manual transfer steps, significantly reducing operative time while preserving precision.
4Quantity of substance
If large volumes of fat are harvested and re-grafted, then volume restoration is improved, but the process becomes extremely arduous and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines all processing steps into one continuous closed-loop operation, allowing large volumes of fat to be harvested, processed, and re-grafted without manual intervention or transfer between devices. This integration maintains high operational efficiency even when processing large quantities of tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed-loop system enables continuous operation for harvesting and re-grafting large volumes of fat without interruption or manual resetting. The syringe assembly automatically cycles through harvesting and grafting phases, maintaining continuous productive action throughout the procedure regardless of the total volume being processed.
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
This system minimizes adipocyte damage and increases efficiency by maintaining low pressures throughout the harvesting and re-injection process, reducing operative time and labor while maintaining graft viability and take.
Implementation Method 1
a spring inside the syringe holder that is compressed when the plunger is pushed in and that automatically returns the plunger to its initial position when compressed
Implementation Method 2
A multi-port routing valve interconnects these three components with several ports of the routing valve having internal duck bill valves for one way routing of the aspirate
Data Source
AI summary
A closed system for harvesting fat through liposuction, concentrating the aspirate so obtained, and then re-injecting the concentrated fat into a patient comprises as its main components a low pressure cannula having between about 7 to 12 side holes of about 1-2 mm by 2.0 to 4.0 mm, a spring loaded syringe holder with a constant force or coiled ribbon spring to apply a substantially constant pressure over the fill excursion of the plunger, and a preferably flexible collection bag which is also preferably graduated, cylindrical over most of its body and funnel shaped at its bottom, all of which are connected through flexible tubings to a multi-port valve. The multi-port valve has two flutter/duck bill valves which restrict the fluid flow to a one way direction which effectively allows the syringe to be used to pump fat out of a patient and into a collection bag in a continuous manner. After the bags are centrifuged to concentrate the fat, the excess fluids are separated and the valve is re-connected to permit the syringe pump to reverse fluid flow to graft the concentrated fat back into the patient.