Coaxial suction system for laser lipolysis

Abstract

A surgical probe apparatus is disclosed including a handpiece which includes an optical system configured to deliver therapeutic light to provide treatment of an area of tissue; and at least one suction port configured to remove a byproduct of the treatment from the area of tissue in response to an applied vacuum.

1 . A surgical probe apparatus comprising:
 a handpiece comprising:
 an optical system configured to deliver therapeutic light to provide treatment of an area of tissue; and 
 at least one suction port configured to remove a byproduct of the treatment from the area of tissue in response to an applied vacuum. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the optical system comprises an optical fiber extending between a proximal end adapted to receive therapeutic light from a light source and a distal end adapted to emit said therapeutic light into the area of tissue, and
 wherein the at least one suction port is located proximal to the distal end of the optical fiber.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one suction port is set back from the distal end of the optical fiber towards the proximal end of the optical fiber. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a hollow treatment cannula surrounding at least a portion of the optical fiber;   a hollow suction cannula located proximal to the first cannula, said second cannula comprising the at least one suction port and adapted to, in response to the applied vacuum direct byproduct through the suction port away from the area of tissue.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the handpiece comprises a handle, and wherein the treatment cannula extends from an end proximal the handle to an end distal the handle, and the suction cannula extends from an end proximal the handle to an end distal the handle. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the suction cannula surrounds at least a portion of the treatment cannula. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the treatment cannula proximal its distal end extends along a first axis and at least a portion of the suction cannula proximal its distal end extends along a second axis substantially parallel to said first axis. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the exterior of the treatment cannula is in contact with at least a portion of the exterior of the suction cannula. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the exterior of the treatment cannula is in contact with at least a portion of the interior of the suction cannula. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein a tip of the end of the suction cannula distal the handle comprises the at least one suction port. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein a side of the suction cannula comprises the at least one suction port. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the suction cannula and the treatment cannula each comprise a first portion proximal the handle and a second portion distal said handle, wherein the first portion of the treatment cannula is positioned within but not coaxial with the first portion of the suction cannula, and wherein the second portion of the treatment cannula is positioned within and coaxial with the second portion of the suction cannula. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the distal end of the optical fiber is positioned such that substantially no therapeutic light emitted from said distal end impinges on the suction cannula. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the distal end of the optical fiber is positioned such that at least a portion of the therapeutic light emitted from said distal end impinges on the suction cannula. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum unit configured to selectively generate the applied vacuum at the at least one suction port. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the vacuum unit is further configure to selectively produce positive pressure at the at least one suction port. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising
 a sensor located proximal the distal end of the optical fiber, said sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative one or more properties of the area of tissue;   a sensing cannula comprising said sensor, said sensing cannula extending from an end proximal the handle to an end distal the handle.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of the temperature of the area of tissue. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a processor adapted to receive the signal and control the delivery of therapeutic light based on the signal. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 providing a surgical probe comprising
 a handpiece comprising:
 an optical system configured to deliver therapeutic light; and 
 at least one suction: port 
 
 inserting a portion of the surgical probe into a patient through an incision to an area of tissue; 
 using the optical system, delivering therapeutic light to treat the area of tissue; 
 applying vacuum to the suction port to remove a byproduct of the treatment. 
   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the therapeutic light comprises laser light. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the laser light comprises infrared laser light. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the handpiece comprises
 a hollow treatment cannula surrounding at least a portion of the optical delivery system; and   a hollow suction cannula located proximal to the first cannula, said second cannula comprising the at least one suction port;   and wherein the applying vacuum comprises applying vacuum to the suction cannula.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 delivering therapeutic light to a portion of the area of tissue located proximal to an end of the suction cannula, and   advancing the end of the suction cannula into said portion of the area of tissue.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 directing a portion of the treatment light onto the suction cannula to heat said suction cannula;   advancing the heated suction cannula through the portion of the area of tissue.