US6032675A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Freezing method for controlled removal of fatty tissue by liposuction
Assignee: Zeltiq Aesthetics Inc
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Filing: 1998-03-17
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Granted: 2000-03-07
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Expires: 2018-03-17
Abstract
Abstract A method for removing fatty tissue in a body combines cryosurgery and liposuction. Cryosurgery first destroys fatty tissue to be removed by controllably freezing the tissue, and facilitates removal of the fatty tissue. Liposuction subsequently removes the destroyed fatty tissue by aspiration.
Inventors
- 👤 Boris Rubinsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/02; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00084; A61B2017/00106; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/00336; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00023; A61B2018/00041; A61B2018/0231; A61B2018/0262; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61F; A61F7/00; A61F2007/0054; A61M; A61M2202/00; A61M2202/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
34 words
A method of removing fatty tissue in a body comprising: controllably freezing the fatty tissue at a cooling rate sufficient to destroy the fatty tissue; and removing the destroyed fatty tissue from the body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
34 words
A method of removing fatty tissue in a body comprising: controllably freezing the fatty tissue at a cooling rate sufficient to destroy the fatty tissue; and removing the destroyed fatty tissue from the body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein controllably freezing the fatty tissue comprises: inserting a probe in the fatty tissue; and internally cooling the probe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the probe is a cryosurgical probe, and the probe is internally cooled with a cryogen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein controllably freezing the fatty tissue comprises freezing at a rate which propagates a freezing interface in the order of approximately several millimeters per minute.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein removing the destroyed fatty tissue comprises performing a conventional liposuction procedure on the destroyed fatty tissue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein removing the destroyed fatty tissue comprises removal of the destroyed fatty tissue by a body's own immune system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein removing the destroyed fatty tissue comprises: inserting a probe into the destroyed fatty tissue, wherein the probe is connected to a vacuum source; and performing an aspiration of the destroyed fatty tissue using the probe and the vacuum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising monitoring the freezing process to control the extent of freezing the fatty tissue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 wherein monitoring comprises monitoring through palpation, image monitoring, or temperature monitoring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9 wherein image monitoring comprises magnetic resonance imaging, CT imaging, light imaging or ultrasound imaging.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising applying heat to a skin area surrounding the fatty tissue to prevent the skin area from freezing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising monitoring the freezing process, wherein monitoring comprises ultrasound imaging using one or more surface monitoring electrodes and applying heat to a skin area comprises placing a warm pad perfused with warm fluid on surfaces of the monitoring electrodes before placing the monitoring electrodes on the body and before mserting the probe into the fatty tissue.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 11 wherein applying heat to a skin comprises controlling a flow of warm fluid to a skin area underneath the monitoring electrodes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising introducing a tumescent fluid in the fatty tissue prior to controllably freezing the fatty tissue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising introducing a tumescent fluid in the fatty tissue after controllably freezing the fatty tissue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the tumescent fluid comprises a local anesthetic and a chemical capable of destroying fatty tissue.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the tumescent fluid comprises lidocaine and epinephrine.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
An improved method of performing liposuction comprising: applying heat to a skin area outside a fatty tissue to be removed; controllably freezing the fatty tissue at a cooling rate sufficient to destroy the fatty tissue; monitoring the freezing process to control the extent of freezing the fatty tissue; and removing the destroyed fatty tissue through a conventional liposuction procedure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
59 words
An improved method of performing liposuction comprising: applying heat to a skin area outside a fatty tissue to be removed; controllably freezing the fatty tissue at a cooling rate sufficient to destroy the fatty tissue; monitoring the freezing process to control the extent of freezing the fatty tissue; and removing the destroyed fatty tissue through a conventional liposuction procedure.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-07 | 2003-09-06 | 2004-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-07 | 2007-09-06 | 2008-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-07 | 2011-09-06 | 2012-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |