Patent ID: 6254597
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: A61B,A61C,A61F,A61M,B23K

Abstract:
An in vivo surgical method of aspirating soft tissue from a patient comprising:inserting an aspiration cannula through the patient's epidermis, so that a distal end of the cannula is positioned in an area of soft tissue and a portion of the area of soft tissue is within an aspiration inlet port, the cannula being provided with a central lumen in communication with the aspiration inlet port adjacent the cannula distal end;transmitting air and fluid through a fluid and energy guide, the fluid and energy guide longitudinally extending within the central lumen;generating atomized fluid particles in an interaction zone located in close proximity to the aspiration inlet port, using the air and fluid transmitted through the fluid and energy guide;providing electromagnetic energy from an energy source to an electromagnetic energy transmitting means operatively mounted within the fluid and energy guide;transmitting the electromagnetic energy from an output end of the electromagnetic energy transmitting means into the interaction zone, the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength which is substantially absorbed by a portion of atomized fluid particles in the interaction zone, the absorption of the electromagnetic energy by the portion of atomized fluid particles causing the portion of atomized fluid particles to expand and impart disruptive mechanical cutting forces onto the portion of the area of soft tissue within the aspiration inlet port; andproviding a source of aspiration at a proximal end of the cannula to aspirate soft tissue through said aspiration inlet port and the cannula.