Devices and methods for reducing the appearance of cellulite

Abstract

Methods and devices for use in reducing the appearance of dimpled skin or other undesirable appearance of skin in a cellulitic region of a patient are provided. The methods include the steps of disrupting fibrous septae located beneath the skin of a cellulitic region and introducing a composition beneath the skin, the composition being effective to reduce or prevent regrowth of the fibrous septae.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for reducing the appearance of dimpled skin or other undesirable appearance of skin in a cellulitic region of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
 disrupting fibrous septae located beneath the skin of the cellulitic region; and   introducing a composition beneath the skin of the cellulitic region, the presence of the introduced composition being effective to reduce or prevent regrowth of the disrupted fibrous septae.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of disrupting comprises introducing an enzyme effective to digest the septae. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a hyaluronic acid gel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the composition further comprises an active agent. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the active agent is an enzyme. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of disrupting comprising introducing a cannula beneath skin of the cellulitic region. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the cannula has blade effective to sever the septae. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the cannula comprises a disrupting element comprising a tube having an aperture set apart from a distal tip of the tube, the aperture including a sharp beveled edge. 
     
     
         9 . A device for reducing the appearance of cellulite in a patient, the device comprising:
 a handpiece; and   an assembly couplable to the handpiece and including distal portion comprising:
 a disrupting element configured and effective to cause disruption of fibrous septae in the cellulitic region; and 
 a cannula for introducing a composition into the cellulitic region to create separation between tissue planes and reduce or prevent regrowth of the fibrous septae. 
   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the disrupting element comprises a tube having a cutting edge. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the disrupting element comprises a tube having an aperture set apart from a distal tip of the tube. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the disrupting element comprises a tube having an aperture having a sharp edge set apart from a distal tip of the tube. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the disrupting element comprises a tube having an aperture set apart from a distal tip of the tube, the aperture including a sharp beveled edge. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the assembly comprises an outer tube and an inner tube slidable within the outer tube.