Devices and methods for tissue transfer

Abstract

Devices and methods for tissue transfer are described where a cannula may be inserted into the breast of a subject at one of several points of entry. Insertion of the cannula into the breast may be accomplished by using a guidance system to distinguish between tissue types. Once desirably positioned, the cannula may be withdrawn from the breast while automatically (or manually) injecting the fat in multiple deposits of adipose tissue or fat such that the deposited fat remains within the tract formed by the withdrawn cannula. Multiple tracts of the deposited fat may be injected within the breast until the breast has been desirably remodeled and/or augmented.

1 . A method of use of a tissue injection cannula of a tissue transfer system, the method comprising:
 introducing a distal end of the tissue injection cannula of the tissue transfer system percutaneously through an opening into a region of the body, the tissue transfer system including a handle assembly including (i) a handle, and (ii) an angled receiving section configured to removably receive at least one tissue reservoir, the angled receiving section extending from the handle at an acute angle.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the handle extends in-line with the tissue injection cannula. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue transfer system comprises an actuation mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising transferring tissue through the distal end of the tissue injection cannula. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tissue reservoir is removably attachable from the angled receiving section such that the at least one tissue reservoir extends at an angle relative to the handle to facilitate manipulation of the handle. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein an intersection between the handle and the at least one tissue reservoir provides a grip section to a user. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue injection cannula extends in-line with the handle such that the at least one tissue reservoir is angled relative to the tissue injection cannula. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue injection cannula defines at least one opening near or at the distal end of the tissue injection cannula and a proximal end of the tissue injection cannula is removably attachable to the handle. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tissue reservoir and the tissue injection cannula are in fluid communication with one another through the handle. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angled receiving section extends over the handle. 
     
     
         11 . A method of use of an injection cannula of a tissue injection system, the method comprising:
 introducing a distal end of the injection cannula of the tissue injection system percutaneously into a region of the body, the tissue injection system including (i) a handle, and (ii) a tissue harvesting cannula defining at least one opening near or at a distal end of the tissue harvesting cannula,   wherein a proximal end of the tissue harvesting cannula is removably attachable to the handle such that the tissue harvesting cannula is in fluid communication with a harvesting reservoir assembly and is couplable to an actuation mechanism, and   wherein the harvesting reservoir assembly is couplable to the handle.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the harvesting reservoir assembly is fluidly couplable to the handle. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the harvesting reservoir assembly is disposed externally relative to the handle. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the injection cannula is a tissue injection cannula. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the harvesting reservoir assembly is couplable to the handle via tubing extending between the harvesting reservoir assembly and the handle. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the harvesting reservoir assembly includes one or more individual cartridges. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more individual cartridges are tissue cartridges. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the harvesting reservoir assembly includes a plurality of individual cartridges. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising a processor to control at least one of a harvesting rate, a harvesting pressure, or a harvesting flow rate. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , comprising a processor to control at least one of injection tissue identification, or an injection rate.