Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A device for removal of fatty tissue, comprising: a handpiece; a probe attached to said handpiece, said probe being constructed of ultrasonically conductive material for delivering ultrasonic energy to surrounding tissue along the outer surface of said probe; an ultrasonic means acoustically connected to said probe for imparting ultrasonic vibrations to said probe; and a damping body externally mounted on a distal portion of said outer surface of said probe, the proximal portion of the probe being exposed for tissue contact, said external damping body being exposed for contact with surrounding tissue in an area of the probe where application of ultrasonic energy to surrounding tissue is not desired, said damping body having an acoustic impedance substantially greater than said probe, to effect the damping of longitudinal vibrations of ultrasonic energy in said portion of said outer surface of said probe.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A device for removal of fatty tissue, comprising: a handpiece; a probe attached to said handpiece, said probe being constructed of ultrasonically conductive material for delivering ultrasonic energy to surrounding tissue along the outer surface of said probe; an ultrasonic means acoustically connected to said probe for imparting ultrasonic vibrations to said probe; and a damping body externally mounted on a distal portion of said outer surface of said probe, the proximal portion of the probe being exposed for tissue contact, said external damping body being exposed for contact with surrounding tissue in an area of the probe where application of ultrasonic energy to surrounding tissue is not desired, said damping body having an acoustic impedance substantially greater than said probe, to effect the damping of longitudinal vibrations of ultrasonic energy in said portion of said outer surface of said probe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said probe is constructed from a first material having a first acoustic impedance; and said damping body is constructed from a second material having a second acoustic impedance, said second acoustic impedance being greater than said first acoustic impedance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said first material is a metal; and said second material is a plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said metal is titanium; and said plastic is polytetrafluorethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said probe is solid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said probe is hollow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising an opening in said probe for aspiration of said fatty tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising an opening in said damping body for aspiration of said fatty tissue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a jacket partially covering said damping body, said jacket being acoustically connected to said ultrasonic means, said jacket having an acoustic impedance approximately matching said acoustic impedance of said probe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said acoustical connection between said ultrasonic means and said jacket is achieved by means of said probe.