Ultrasonic Probe Notch for Septa Severing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for treating cellulite, such as cutting septa, require significant force and can result in undesirable contact with other tissues, posing challenges in effectively addressing the dimpled appearance of the skin.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic probe that transmits energy along a shaft with a notch at the distal end, allowing for the severing of fibrous tissue without requiring excessive force, and is designed to fragment or emulsify adipose tissue, reducing tissue contact surface area and enhancing cutting efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a cutting instrument is used to physically cut through the fibrous tissue of the septa, then the septa can be severed to allow skin to move with fat cells, but significant force must be applied by the surgeon which can thrust the cutting instrument forward or sideways into the patient, potentially resulting in undesirable contact with other tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cutting with ultrasonic vibration-based cutting. The ultrasonic probe generates high-frequency vibrations that sever the septa through vibrational energy rather than direct mechanical force applied by the surgeon's hand, eliminating the thrusting problem while maintaining effective tissue separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cutting mechanism from static mechanical force to dynamic ultrasonic vibration. By transforming the cutting action into high-frequency oscillations, the system achieves effective tissue severing with minimal applied force, preventing instrument displacement and unwanted tissue contact.
2Reliability
If a cutting instrument is used to sever the septa, then the dimpling on the outer surface of the skin can be reduced, but the surgeon must apply enough force to physically cut through the fibrous tissue which creates risk of instrument thrusting
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic probe replaces manual cutting instruments, converting the cutting action into controlled ultrasonic vibrations. This substitution maintains reliable septa severing while dramatically improving ease of operation, as the surgeon simply guides the probe without needing to apply significant cutting force.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic probe performs the cutting action through its own vibrational energy rather than relying on the surgeon's mechanical force. The instrument essentially cuts itself through ultrasonic oscillations, making the procedure easier to control while maintaining effective tissue severing.
3Productivity
If traditional mechanical cutting is used to treat cellulite, then the septa can be cut to allow skin movement, but the process requires significant surgical force and carries risk of tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical cutting with ultrasonic vibration-based tissue severing. This substitution maintains high productivity in treating cellulite by efficiently separating septa while reducing the risk of tissue damage through controlled vibrational energy rather than blunt mechanical force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts potentially harmful mechanical thrusting forces into beneficial controlled ultrasonic vibrations. The energy that could cause unwanted instrument movement and tissue damage is transformed into precise, localized vibrational cutting that severs septa effectively while minimizing harm to surrounding tissues.
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 ultrasonic probe efficiently severs septa and emulsifies adipose tissue, effectively treating cellulite with reduced risk of tissue damage and allowing for a smoother skin surface, while minimizing the force required by the surgeon.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic probe for conducting ultrasonic energy to a surgical site for use in severing fibrous tissue
Implementation Method 2
The ultrasonic energy conducted through the ultrasonic probe to the cutting surface will sever the fibrous tissue in the notch
Data Source
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AI summary
An ultrasonic probe transmits ultrasonic energy along a shaft from a proximate end to a distal end. The ultrasonic probe includes at least one notch on its distal end. Fibrous tissue, such as septa that connect skin layers to muscle layers of animal tissue, can be positioned within the notch so that it is in contact with at least a portion of the distal end of the ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic energy conducted through the ultrasonic probe to the distal end will sever the fibrous tissue in the notch. The ultrasonic probe is also designed, in embodiments, to fragment or emulsify adipose tissue, as part of an ultrasonic assisted lipoplasty (UAL) procedure.