Patent Publication Number: US-2005137581-A1

Title: Liposuction/tubing coupling for providing rotational movement

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      Not Applicable  
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT  
      Not Applicable  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Surgical procedures involving lipoplasty are well-known in the art. Perhaps the most well-known and extensively performed of such procedures is tumescent liposuction, which employs a large volume of fluid, generally comprised of a very dilute epinephrine solution and a dilute anesthetic solution, that is infiltrated into a target fat compartment to produce swelling and firmness therein. In this regard, such fluid is operative to maintain the fat in a tumescent state while at the same time producing vasoconstriction and localized anesthesia. While the fat is maintained in such tumescent state, a liposuction cannula is systematically inserted into the fat compartment in a series of elongate paths. Such cannula, which is connected to a suction device, namely, surgical tubing operatively connected with a vacuum or suction mechanism, extracts the suspended fatty tissue in elongate cylindrical portion that eventually creates a network of many small tunnels running throughout the targeted fat compartment. Over time, within the targeted fat compartment, the series of tunnels formed collapse and ultimately cause the compartment to assume a desired contour.  
      Advantageously, the tumescent liposuction technique allows for large amounts of fat to be removed from the body with virtually no blood loss. Additionally, the tumescent technique has further proven to be less painful, minimizes post-operative recovery time, and can produce optimal cosmetic results as compared with other lipoplasty procedures.  
      Despite the popularity of such procedure, tumescent liposuction does have the drawback of being labor intensive for the surgeon performing the operation. In this regard, the surgeon performing such procedure must continuously shove the elongate liposuction cannula in and out of a fatty tissue compartment in a repetitious manner while continuously moving the cannula radially about the compartment. To perform such procedure typically requires the surgeon to continuously move and manipulate the cannula, as well as the suction tubing coupled therewith. As a consequence, a continuous twisting and kinking of the suction tubing coupled to the liposuction cannula typically occurs during such procedure that must continuously be untwisted as the cannula and tubing are moved about a patient. Otherwise the liposuction procedure will not be properly performed. While advances have been made with respect to automated liposuction cannula deployment, such as power-assisted cannula produced by MicroAire Surgical Instruments, LLC, of Charlottesville, Va., the same still do not address the issue of the continuous twisting and kinking of the suction tubing that is rigidly connected to the liposuction cannula.  
      Accordingly, there is a substantial need in the art for a fitting or coupling operative to substantially eliminate the continuous twisting and kinking of suction tubing utilized in combination with a liposuction cannula. There is additionally a need in the art for such a device that is of exceedingly simple construction, easy to utilize, inexpensive to manufacture, and can be readily integrated with existing liposuction cannulas and suction tubing utilized therewith.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above-identified deficiencies in the art. In this regard, the present invention is directed to a fitting or coupling interposeable between a liposuction cannula and suction tubing coupled therewith that is operative to provide independent rotational movement of either the liposuction cannula and/or suction tubing about a common axis while maintaining such elements in an operatively conjoined configuration.  
      According to a preferred embodiment, the device will simply comprise a conventional liposuction cannula having a proximal end defining a fitting to which may be connected the distal-most end of a section of suction tubing. With respect to the latter, the same will be configured to interconnect with the proximal end of the liposuction cannula such that both the proximal end of the cannula and the tubing connected therewith are free to independently rotate, preferably about a common axis. Such interconnection defined by the fitting or coupling may comprise a complementary annular groove and collar formed respectively upon either the proximal end of the liposuction cannula or suction tubing. To facilitate such rotational movement, it is contemplated that a simple ball bearing structure may be utilized. In alternative configurations, the invention may comprise an interface integrally formed upon the proximal end of the cannula that may be coupled to conventional suction tubing and enable the cannula and tubing connected therewith to independently rotate, preferably about a common axis while remaining operatively interconnected. Alternatively, the distal most end of the suction tubing may be provided with such an interface integrally formed thereon for operative interconnection with a conventional liposuction cannula that likewise permits such independent rotational movement. In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the fitting or coupling may be a completely separate element operatively connectable between the cannula and tubing. Still further, the invention may comprise an embodiment where the proximal end of the liposuction cannula and distal end of the suction tubing will interconnect to one another via a ball and socket arrangement to thus enable such respective elements to rotate freely, preferably about a common axis, relative one another.  
      The liposuction cannula and suction tubing may be fabricated from known materials in the art, and may be formed from a sterilizable material to thus enable the same to be utilized repeatedly or fashioned to be disposable in nature after a single use. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      These as well as other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a liposuction cannula operatively interconnected with a section of suction tubing, the liposuction cannula and suction tubing being operatively interconnected via an interface constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view showing a coupling interposed between a liposuction cannula and a section of suction tubing, said coupling being constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view showing a ball and socket-type interface between a liposuction cannula that is constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and sequences of steps for constructing and operating the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments and that they are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention.  
      Referring now to the drawings, and initially to  FIG. 1 , there is perspectively illustrated a liposuction cannula  12  having a section of suction tubing  14  operatively connected thereto and extending therefrom. At the juncture between the liposuction cannula and suction tubing is an interface  10  that is operative to enable the liposuction and cannula and/or suction tubing to rotate freely relative one another, as reflected by circular paths A,B, about the juncture at which the suction tubing is coupled to the cannula. In this regard, by enabling such elements, namely, the liposuction cannula  12  and suction tubing  14 , to rotate freely relative one another about the juncture at which the same are operatively coupled, any type of twisting or kinking of the suction tubing is substantially, if not completely, eliminated.  
      With respect to the interface  10  operative to provide such rotational movement at the juncture at which the liposuction cannula is coupled to the suction tubing, the same may comprise any of a variety of simple couplings or fittings known in the art. Illustrative of such embodiments include those depicted in  FIGS. 2-4 , respectively.  
      With respect to the former, such interface  10  may comprise a simple coupling  16  between the proximal end  12   a  of the liposuction cannula  12  with the distal-most end  14   a  of the suction tubing  14 . In such embodiment, the liposuction cannula  12  is provided with an annular collar  18  about which is attached the distal-most end  14   a  of the suction tubing  14 , the latter having an annular rim  20  formed about the distal end thereof to interconnect with the annular collar  18  formed upon the liposuction cannula. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, by virtue of such interconnection, the liposuction cannula  12  is freely able to rotate about axis “C” in the manner indicated by the letter “D” whereas the lumen of the suction tubing is also able to rotate about axis “C” in the manner illustrated by letter “E”.  
      In an alternative embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , the coupling  16  will comprise a fitting  22  formed as a separate component&#39;and interconnectable intermediate the proximal end  12   a  of the liposuction cannula  12  and the distal end  14   a  of the suction tubing  14 . In such embodiment, fitting  22  will be provided with a first annular groove  24  operative to engage with an annular collar  18  formed on the proximal end of the liposuction cannula  12  and enable the cannula to rotate in the manner described with respect to  FIG. 2 . Likewise, the fitting will interconnect with the distal-most end  14   a  of suction tubing  14  via a second annular groove  26 , the latter engageable with annular collar  28 , to enable the same also to rotate in the manner discussed above. To facilitate such rotational movement, it is expressly contemplated that the couplings or fittings of the present invention may be provided with ball bearings or other similar structures that can facilitate rotational movement of the liposuction cannula and/or suction tubing operatively interconnected therewith.  
      In yet a further embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , the interface comprises a ball and socket arrangement  30  whereby a ball type fitting  32  is formed upon the proximal end  12  of the liposuction cannula  12  about which is interconnected the distal-most end  14   a  of suction tubing  14 . With respect to the latter, it is contemplated that the distal-most end  14   a  of suction tubing will be provided with a socket-like structure  34  operative to serve the dual purpose of forming a secure, fluid interconnection between such elements but at the same allowing the liposuction cannula and suction tubing to rotate relative one another about axis “C”.  
      The couplings or fittings defined in the interface  10  of the present invention may be fabricated from any of a variety of well-known materials. Specifically, it is contemplated that the couplings or fittings may be formed as integral components of either the liposuction cannula  12  and/or suction tubing  14 , and thus either fabricated from a sterilizable material for reuse or otherwise fabricated for disposal following a single use. It will likewise be appreciated that the couplings or fittings of the present invention may be fabricated to conform to any of a variety of standardized dimensions to thus enable the same to be readily integrated with existing surgical equipment. brief description of the drawings  
      Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the particular combination of parts and steps described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices and methods within the spirit and scope of the invention. In this regard, it is expressly envisioned that the fittings, couplings, and/or interfaces of the present invention may take a variety of simple mechanical forms that will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. For example, it will be readily appreciated that the annular recess or groove in the annular collar formed upon the proximal end  12   a  of liposuction cannula  12  and suction tubing  14 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 , can be reversed with the annular rim being formed on the proximal end  12   a  of liposuction cannula  12  and annular groove formed upon the distal end  14   a  of tubing  14 . Likewise, the ball and socket arrangement  30  depicted in  FIG. 4  may be reversed such that the socket structure is formed upon the proximal end  12   a  of liposuction cannula  12  whereas the ball type fitting is formed upon the distal end  14   a  of suction tubing  14 .