Device and system for micronizing tissue

Abstract

Disclosed herein are devices for micronizing an aspirate. Also disclosed herein are systems for micronizing an aspirate. The devices and systems may include a liposuction syringe for liquefying fat and/or an incubator for expansion of cells. Devices and systems may also include a handpiece with a handle, a motor disposed within the handle, a blade positionable within a syringe barrel containing an aspirate, the blade rotationally coupled to the motor by a drive shaft, and an end cap positioned along the drive shaft between the blade and the handle, the end cap including an opening through which the drive shaft extends, the end cap configured to seal the syringe barrel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for micronizing an aspirate, the system comprising:
 a handpiece, the handpiece including:
 a handle, 
 a motor disposed within the handle, 
 a blade positionable within a syringe barrel containing an aspirate, the blade rotationally coupled to the motor by a drive shaft, and 
 an end cap positioned along the drive shaft between the blade and the handle, the end cap including an opening through which the drive shaft extends, the end cap configured to seal the syringe barrel. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drive shaft slidingly engages with the opening of the end cap. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drive shaft comprises:
 a hollow, cylindrical outer sheath having a first end that engages the handle; and   a cylindrical inner shaft configured to rotate within the outer sheath, the inner shaft having
 a first end configured to engage an output shaft of the motor, and 
 a second end attached to the blade. 
   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a blade guard attached to the second end of the inner shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising the syringe barrel. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the syringe barrel is a 60 cc syringe barrel. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a control box, the control box including:
 a motor controller configured for controlling operation of the motor, and   a connector for the handpiece to the control box with a handpiece cable.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the control box further comprises a display and user inputs. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the control box further comprises a processor and a memory. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a foot pedal. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the pedal is connected to the control box with a pedal cable. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the aspirate is a fat aspirate obtained from a patient during liposuction. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising using the system of  claim 12  to micronize the fat aspirate. 
     
     
         14 . A method for micronizing an aspirate, the method comprising:
 loading an aspirate into a syringe barrel of a syringe;   inserting a blade into the syringe barrel;   connecting the blade to a handpiece, the handpiece including a motor for causing rotation of the blade;   causing the blade to rotate within the syringe barrel to micronize the aspirate.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein loading an aspirate comprises withdrawing a plunger of the syringe. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the plunger from the syringe barrel after loading the aspirate into the syringe barrel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising sealing an open end of the syringe barrel with an end cap. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a drive shaft extends through the end cap between the blade and the handpiece. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein causing the blade to rotate comprises pressing a pedal. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising moving the handpiece relative to the syringe barrel to move the blade through the aspirate.