Percutaneous cellulite removal system

Abstract

A percutaneous cellulite removal needle of the present invention can be used to make the appearance of cellulite less obvious by cutting the fibrous bridges that connect the skin to muscle/fascia or fibrous septae in the subcutaneous fat in a minimally invasive manner. The percutaneous cellulite removal needle of the present invention preferably includes a body having an internal chamber that ends at a laterally disposed aperture. A cutting mechanism is substantially positioned within the internal chamber in a retracted position and at least partially protrudes through the laterally disposed aperture in a cutting position. A situating mechanism transitions the cutting mechanism between the retracted position and the cutting position. The present invention also includes a method in which the percutaneous cellulite removal needle is inserted through the skin with the cutting mechanism in the retracted position. The cutting mechanism is then extruded so that the cutting mechanism is in the cutting position. Next the cutting mechanism is actuated, for example by rotating, to cut at least one the fibrous bridge or septae. These steps may be repeated to cut other fibrous bridges or septae reachable by the cutting mechanism. The cutting mechanism is then retracted and the percutaneous cellulite removal needle is removed.

1 . A needle for at least partially inserting at least one surgical instrument into a subcutaneous region, said needle comprising: 
 (a) a body comprising: 
 (i) a proximal end;  
 (ii) an outer peripheral surface;  
 (iii) at least one internal chamber defined within said outer peripheral surface; and  
 (iv) a distal end substantially opposite said proximal end;  
   (b) at least one laterally disposed aperture defined in said outer peripheral surface between said proximal end and said distal end, each at least one internal chamber ending at a respective at least one laterally disposed aperture;    (c) at least one cutting mechanism having at least one sharp side-edge substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said cutting mechanism, each said at least one cutting mechanism substantially positioned within a respective at least one internal chamber; and    (d) at least one situating mechanism suitable for transitioning a respective at least one cutting mechanism from within its respective internal chamber, through its respective laterally disposed aperture, and into said subcutaneous region.    
   
   
       2 . The needle of  claim 1 , wherein said distal end is adapted to penetrate tissue.  
   
   
       3 . The needle of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one cutting mechanism is for cutting fibrous bridges.  
   
   
       4 . The needle of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one surgical instrument substantially positioned within a respective at least one internal chamber and at least one situating mechanism suitable for transitioning a respective at least one surgical instrument from within its respective internal chamber, through its respective laterally disposed aperture, and into said subcutaneous region, wherein said surgical instrument is selected from a group consisting of: 
 (a) a cutting mechanism;    (b) a cautery;    (c) a harmonic scalpel    (d) rotary cutter;    (e) a laser cutter;    (f) an oscillating saw;    (g) an ultrasonic cutting apparatus;    (h) a saw blade;    (i) an endoscope;    (j) an aspirator; and    (k) an injector.    
   
   
       5 . The needle of  claim 1 , wherein each said at least one situating mechanism is selected from a group consisting of: 
 (a) an extrusion mechanism;    (b) a button;    (c) a lever;    (d) a handle;    (e) a dial; and    (f) a ratchet.    
   
   
       6 . The needle of  claim 1  further comprising at least one actuating mechanism for actuating a respective at least one cutting mechanism.  
   
   
       7 . The needle of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said at least one cutting mechanisms being a flexible cutting mechanism.  
   
   
       8 . The needle of  claim 1 , further comprising a guide surface for guiding said at least one cutting mechanism from its retracted position to its cutting position.  
   
   
       9 . The needle of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one sharp side-edge extending along the length of the portion of said cutting mechanism protruding into said subcutaneous region.  
   
   
       10 . A percutaneous cellulite removal needle for cutting fibrous bridges that connect skin to muscle/fascia in a minimally invasive manner, said percutaneous cellulite removal needle comprising: 
 (a) a body comprising: 
 (i) a proximal end;  
 (ii) an outer peripheral surface;  
 (iii) a first internal chamber defined within said outer peripheral surface; and  
 (iv) a distal end substantially opposite said proximal end;  
   (b) a first laterally disposed aperture defined in said outer peripheral surface between said proximal end and said distal end, said first internal chamber ending at said first laterally disposed aperture;    (c) a cutting mechanism having at least one sharp side-edge, said cutting mechanism substantially positioned within said first internal chamber in a retracted position and at least partially protrudes through said laterally disposed aperture in a cutting position, said at least one sharp side-edge along at least one-third of the length of the portion of said cutting mechanism protruding from said first internal chamber when said cutting mechanism is in said cutting position; and    (d) means for situating said cutting mechanism between said retracted position and said cutting position.    
   
   
       11 . The percutaneous cellulite removal needle of  claim 10 , wherein said means for situating is selected from a group consisting of: 
 (a) an extrusion mechanism;    (b) a button;    (c) a lever;    (d) a handle;    (e) a dial; and    (f) a ratchet.    
   
   
       12 . The percutaneous cellulite removal needle of  claim 10 , wherein said cutting mechanism is selected from a group consisting of: 
 (a) a flexible blade;    (b) a cautery;    (c) a harmonic scalpel;    (d) an ultrasonic cutting instrument;    (e) a rotary cutter;    (f) a laser cutter; and    (g) an oscillating saw.    
   
   
       13 . The percutaneous cellulite removal needle of  claim 10  further comprising an actuating mechanism for actuating said cutting mechanism.  
   
   
       14 . The percutaneous cellulite removal needle of  claim 13 , wherein said actuating mechanism causes said cutting mechanism to cut fibrous bridges.  
   
   
       15 . The percutaneous cellulite removal needle of  claim 13 , wherein said actuating mechanism is selected from a group consisting of: 
 (a) said body;    (b) a movable handle;    (c) a fixed handle;    (d) a lever;    (e) a dial;    (f) a ratchet;    (g) a button; and    (h) means for rotating said cutting mechanism.    
   
   
       16 . The percutaneous cellulite removal needle of  claim 10  further comprising a cover at least partially covering said first laterally disposed aperture.  
   
   
       17 . The percutaneous cellulite removal needle of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 (a) a second internal chamber defined within said outer peripheral surface;    (b) a second laterally disposed aperture defined in said outer peripheral surface between said proximal end and said distal end, said second internal chamber ending at said second laterally disposed aperture;    (c) a surgical instrument, said surgical instrument substantially positioned within said second internal chamber in a retracted position and at least partially protrudes through said laterally disposed aperture in an actuated position; and    (d) means for situating said surgical instrument between said retracted position and said actuated position.    
   
   
       18 . The percutaneous cellulite removal needle of  claim 10 , wherein said cutting mechanism is a flexible cutting mechanism.  
   
   
       19 . The percutaneous cellulite removal needle of  claim 10 , further comprising a guide surface for guiding said cutting mechanism from its retracted position to its cutting position.  
   
   
       20 . The percutaneous cellulite removal needle of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one sharp side-edge is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said cutting mechanism.  
   
   
       21 . A needle for at least partially inserting at least one surgical instrument into a subcutaneous region, said needle comprising: 
 (a) a body comprising: 
 (i) a proximal end;  
 (ii) an outer peripheral surface;  
 (iii) at least one internal chamber defined within said outer peripheral surface; and  
 (iv) a distal end substantially opposite said proximal end;  
   (b) at least one laterally disposed aperture defined in said outer peripheral surface between said proximal end and said distal end, each at least one internal chamber ending at a respective at least one laterally disposed aperture;    (c) at least one cutting mechanism having at least one sharp side-edge suitable for saw-like cutting, each said at least one cutting mechanism substantially positioned within a respective at least one internal chamber; and    (d) at least one situating mechanism suitable for transitioning a respective at least one cutting mechanism from within its respective internal chamber, through its respective laterally disposed aperture, and into said subcutaneous region.