Patent ID: 8721666

Claim:
A method of facial reconstructive surgery using a self-anchoring tissue lifting device, which comprises an elongated mesh strip having a distal end and a proximal end situated longitudinally opposite the distal end, opposite top and bottom surfaces and opposite lateral edges, the top and bottom surfaces and the lateral edges being situated along a longitudinal length of the mesh strip between the distal end and the proximal end thereof, the device further having a tissue fixation portion situated at the distal end of the mesh strip, and a tissue engaging structure situated on the opposite lateral edges of the mesh strip, the tissue engaging structure including prickles that extend along the full longitudinal length of the mesh strip for holding the full longitudinal length of the mesh strip under tension, and a cover wrapped about the mesh strip at least along a portion of the longitudinal length thereof and being removable therefrom, the method comprising the steps of: cutting a sheet of mesh material to form said elongated mesh strip, and wherein the cutting step creates the prickles along the lateral edges of said elongated mesh strip that are formed by cut threads of said mesh material; forming a stab incision within the hairline of a temple region of a patient; inserting, by use of an applicator tool, the self-anchoring tissue lifting device through the stab incision; navigating the device, by way of the applicator tool, at least one of through and below the subcutaneous tissue layer of the patient's face; directing, with the applicator tool, the tissue fixation portion at the distal end of the mesh strip from the temporal area to the peak of the ipsilateral cheek of the patient's face to engage at least one of the malar fat pads to treat midface abnormalities and the ptotic tissue causing a jowl in the patient's face; releasing the tissue fixation portion from the applicator instrument and removing the applicator instrument from the stab incision, wherein the tissue fixation portion, the mesh strip and the cover remain implanted in the subcutaneous tissue as the applicator instrument is removed from the stab incision; and after removing the applicator instrument, removing the cover of the self-anchoring tissue lifting device from the stab incision and away from the mesh strip to expose the mesh strip to the subcutaneous tissue surrounding the mesh strip, wherein the tissue fixation portion and the mesh strip remain implanted in the subcutaneous tissue as the cover is removed from the stab incision.