Method and apparatus for damage and removal of fat

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of method and apparatus are provided for damaging and/or removing portions of subcutaneous fatty tissue while leaving the overlying dermal layer of the skin substantially undamaged. One or more hollow needles can be provided that include an arrangement within the lumen configured to retain or damage portions of fatty tissue that enter the lumen. Properties of the needle can be selected such that the needle can be inserted into skin and pass through the dermal layer, allowing fatty tissue to enter the distal portion of the lumen as it is advanced further, and then leaving the dermis undamaged when withdrawn. Such exemplary apparatus can include a plurality of such needles, a reciprocating arrangement to mechanically advance and withdraw the one or more needles, and/or a vibrating arrangement.

1 . An apparatus for affecting subcutaneous fatty tissue, comprising:
 at least one hollow needle arrangement comprising a central lumen; and   at least one protrusion provided along at least one portion of an interior wall of the needle arrangement and proximal to a distal end of the at least one needle arrangement,   wherein the at least one protrusion is structured to contact a portion of the subcutaneous fatty tissue when the at least one hollow needle arrangement is inserted into skin tissue such that at least a distal portion thereof is located within the subcutaneous fatty tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the at least one needle arrangement is configured to be inserted into skin tissue, pass through a dermal layer thereof, and prevent a significant portion of the dermal tissue from entering the central lumen. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the distal end of the at least one needle arrangement is provided as an angled tip, and wherein an angle of the tip is between about 30 degrees and about 50 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a diameter of the central lumen of the at least one needle arrangement is about 1 mm. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a size of the at least one needle arrangement is between 14 gauge and 19 gauge. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a reciprocating arrangement configured to repeatedly insert and withdraw the at least one needle arrangement from a skin tissue. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the reciprocating arrangement comprises an actuator and a control arrangement. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protrusion is configured to retain at least one sample of the subcutaneous fatty tissue within the central lumen when the at least one needle arrangement is withdrawn from the skin tissue. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one protrusion occludes less than about 50% of the cross-sectional area of the central lumen. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one needle arrangement comprises a plurality of the hollow needle arrangements, and wherein the hollow needle arrangements are mechanically coupled to a substrate. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one protrusion comprises a flap pivotally affixed to the portion of the interior wall. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one protrusion comprises an angled barb directed toward the proximal end of the needle arrangement. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one needle arrangement comprises a plurality of the hollow needle arrangements, and wherein the hollow needle arrangements are mechanically coupled to a substrate. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protrusion is configured to generate mechanical damage in the portion of the subcutaneous fatty tissue. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one protrusion comprises a wire extending across at least a portion of the lumen. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one needle arrangement comprises a plurality of the hollow needle arrangements, and wherein the hollow needle arrangements are mechanically coupled to a substrate. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a low-pressure source provided in communication with the central lumen. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method for affecting subcutaneous fatty tissue, comprising:
 inserting at least one hollow needle arrangement into a skin tissue until at least a distal portion of the needle arrangement is located within the subcutaneous fatty tissue; and   withdrawing the at least one hollow needle arrangement from the skin tissue;   wherein the at least one hollow needle arrangement is configured to substantially prevent dermal tissue from entering a lumen of the at least one hollow needle arrangement and to allow a portion of the subcutaneous fatty tissue to enter the lumen of the at least one hollow needle arrangement;   wherein the at least one hollow needle arrangement comprises at least one protrusion provided along at least one portion of an interior wall of the needle arrangement; and   wherein the at least one protrusion is configured to affect the portion of the subcutaneous fatty tissue.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 removing a sample of the portion of the fatty tissue from the skin tissue when the at least one hollow needle arrangement is withdrawn from the skin tissue.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 Generating mechanical damage to the portion of the fatty tissue when the at least one hollow needle arrangement is inserted into the skin tissue.