Power assisted lipoplasty

Abstract

Devices with a motor that, when connected to a cannula, rotates the cannula while removing adipose tissue from a surgical site. The device provides a direct pathway, for aspirated adipose tissue, from a tip of the cannula to a location where tubing is attached to the device. The pathway does not pass through the motor that provides the angular rotation of the cannula. Instead, the path for the adipose tissue passes through a removable coupler that is connected to the cannula. The cannula may also have a direct flow path for adipose tissue that does not pass through the motor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for use in removing adipose tissue from a surgical site, the device comprising:
 a removable coupler configured to be connected to a cannula so that a channel of the cannula and a channel of the removable coupler provide a pathway for flow of the adipose tissue from the surgical site; and   a motor connected to the removable coupler,   wherein the motor includes a central axis and the removable coupler includes a central axis that is offset from the central axis of the motor.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein when the removable coupler is connected to a cannula, wherein the channel of the cannula and the channel of the removable coupler are substantially collinear. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a gear connected to the motor, wherein the motor rotates the gear at least 90°.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the motor rotates the gear clockwise and counterclockwise. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the channel of the removable coupler is tapered. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a channel and the removable coupler is positioned within the channel of the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the removable coupler has a surface that contacts a portion of the motor to prevent rotation of the removable coupler. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the removable coupler includes a plurality of features, and the housing includes a plurality of features configured to engage the features of the removable coupler for connecting the motor to the removable coupler.