Method for Ultrasonic Dissection of Tissues

Abstract

Methods for dissecting tissues are provided. The methods comprise selecting a tissue site comprising dermis and subdermal fat connected to the dermis, and applying ultrasonic energy to the tissue to remove at least a portion of the subdermal fat from the dermis, wherein the ultrasonic energy is applied to minimize damage to the dermis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for separating dermal tissue from subdermal fat, the system comprising:
 an ultrasonic probe having a wide blade for efficiently delivering ultrasonic energy along a wide surface area.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic probe is configured to deliver ultrasonic energy at a frequency of at least 60 kHz to a dermal-fat junction. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the ultrasonic probe has a blunt tip and is configured to emulsify or melt fat. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the ultrasonic probe is sharp configured to cut subdermal fat from dermis while delivering ultrasonic energy. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cooling device separate from the ultrasonic probe to cool a selection of tissue.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the selection of tissue comprises a sheet of dermis and subdermal fat connected to the dermis. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the cooling device is configured to cool a surface of the sheet of dermis while the ultrasonic probe delivers ultrasonic energy at a dermal-fat junction. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the cooling device comprises a solid supporting cold surface configured to directly contact the dermis of the selection of tissue. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the selection of tissue comprises tissue that has been removed from a cadaver or animal source. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the cooling device comprises a cooling jacket configured to directly contact the dermis. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the cooling jacket is configured to receive a cooling fluid. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the cooling device is configured to provide a cooling fluid in direct contact with the dermis. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the subdermal fat is attached to a cadaver, and the ultrasonic energy is applied to separate the dermis from the cadaver. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the cooling device is configured to supply a cooling fluid to the dermal-fat junction. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic probe is configured to deliver pulsed ultrasonic energy. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic probe is configured to deliver continuous ultrasonic energy. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic probe is configured to deliver ultrasonic energy at a frequency of at least 20 kHz to a dermal-fat junction. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic probe is configured to deliver ultrasonic energy at a frequency between 20 kHz and 100 kHz to a dermal-fat junction.