Method and apparatus for surgical dissection

Abstract

An apparatus for dissecting tissue in a substantially uniform plane of dissection includes a housing configured to be advanced under a tissue layer, and control one of a depth of dissection or tissue flap thickness. The housing thermally shields at least a portion of the tissue flap. A roller is coupled to the housing. The roller is configured to smoothly advance housing over tissue. An energy delivery device is coupled to housing. The energy delivery device is configured to be coupled to an energy source. The energy delivery device has a geometry that substantially defines a plane of dissection.

1 . A method of creating a tissue effect, comprising:
 providing an electro-surgical device that includes an energy delivery device with an energy delivery surface, a housing coupled to the electrode with a guide that provides for cutting a skin layer and an underlying thickness of subcutaneous tissue while preserving an adjacent plane of tissue;   positioning the energy delivery surface at the skin surface;   delivering sufficient energy from the energy delivery device to cut the skin surface, create a plane of dissection at a controlled depth with a substantially uniform thickness while minimizing injury to tissue or structures within the flap, wherein the plane of dissection is a surgical plane of soft tissue where different or the same soft tissue components have been separated from or within each other.