US6494876B1 — Disposable liposuction device and method

Claim 1

Independent Claim 148 words

A liposuction device, comprising a reciprocating member having two opposite surfaces, wherein one of said surfaces is in fluid communication with a first source of fluid under a first pressure that is greater than ambient pressure through a valve that is switchable between a first configuration in which said fluid is permitted to flow through said valve and a second configuration in which said fluid is substantially blocked from flowing through said valve, wherein the other of said surfaces is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid at a substantially fixed second pressure that is greater than ambient pressure, and a control device operatively connected to said valve for switching said valve between said first and second configurations, wherein the areas of said two opposite surfaces and said pressures are selected in combination so that said reciprocating member reciprocates in response to said valve being switched.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 148 words

A liposuction device, comprising a reciprocating member having two opposite surfaces, wherein one of said surfaces is in fluid communication with a first source of fluid under a first pressure that is greater than ambient pressure through a valve that is switchable between a first configuration in which said fluid is permitted to flow through said valve and a second configuration in which said fluid is substantially blocked from flowing through said valve, wherein the other of said surfaces is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid at a substantially fixed second pressure that is greater than ambient pressure, and a control device operatively connected to said valve for switching said valve between said first and second configurations, wherein the areas of said two opposite surfaces and said pressures are selected in combination so that said reciprocating member reciprocates in response to said valve being switched.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 34 words

The liposuction device of claim 1 , wherein said first and said second source of fluid are the same source of fluid, and wherein said first pressure and said second pressure are substantially equal.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 35 words

The liposuction device of claim 1 , wherein said valve is normally in said second configuration and wherein said control mechanism must provide energy to said valve to maintain said valve in said first configuration.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 30 words

The liposuction device of claim 3 , wherein said control device includes an electrical circuit that supplies electrical current to said valve to maintain said valve in said first configuration.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 38 words

The liposuction device of claim 4 , further comprising a battery housed in a housing that contains said reciprocating member for providing the electrical power needed by said electrical circuit to maintain said valve in said first configuration.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

The liposuction device of claim 4 , wherein said electrical circuit is adapted to supply a pulse of electrical current having a duration of about 20 ms.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 25 words

The liposuction device of 6 , wherein said electrical circuit is adapted to provide for repeating said pulse of electrical current at an adjustable frequency.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 25 words

The liposuction device of 6 , wherein said electrical circuit is adapted to provide for repeating said pulse of electrical current at an adjustable frequency.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 32 words

The liposuction device of claim 5 , wherein said battery is adapted to provide sufficient power to power the device for about 12 hours of operation at about 800 cycles per minute.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 21 words

The liposuction device of claim 8 , wherein said battery is adapted to be substantially depleted after said duration of time.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 38 words

The liposuction device of claim 1 , wherein said reciprocating member includes an extension portion extending from one of said surfaces in the direction of reciprocation, said extension portion sealingly engaging a chamber for receiving said extension portion.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 24 words

The liposuction device of claim 1 , further comprising alignment members extending from said reciprocating member for preventing said reciprocating member from rotating axially.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 134 words

A method for liposuction, comprising providing a hand-held liposuction device containing a reciprocating member having two opposite surfaces, wherein one of said surfaces is in fluid communication with a first source of fluid under a first pressure that is greater than ambient pressure through a valve that is switchable between a first configuration in which said fluid is permitted to flow through said valve and a second configuration in which said fluid is substantially blocked from flowing through said valve, wherein the other of said surfaces is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid at a substantially fixed second pressure that is greater than ambient pressure, an electrical circuit operatively connected to said valve for switching said valve between said first and second configurations, and a battery for powering said electrical circuit.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 134 words

A method for liposuction, comprising providing a hand-held liposuction device containing a reciprocating member having two opposite surfaces, wherein one of said surfaces is in fluid communication with a first source of fluid under a first pressure that is greater than ambient pressure through a valve that is switchable between a first configuration in which said fluid is permitted to flow through said valve and a second configuration in which said fluid is substantially blocked from flowing through said valve, wherein the other of said surfaces is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid at a substantially fixed second pressure that is greater than ambient pressure, an electrical circuit operatively connected to said valve for switching said valve between said first and second configurations, and a battery for powering said electrical circuit.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 12 , further comprising producing a current pulse by said electrical circuit for switching said valve, said current pulse having a duration of about 20 ms.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method of claim 12 , further comprising producing a plurality of current pulses by said electrical circuit each having a duration of about 20 ms and varying the frequency of said current pulses to vary the frequency of said reciprocating member.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-12-16	2006-06-17	2006-12-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-12-16	2010-06-17	2010-12-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-12-16	2014-06-17	2014-12-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Disposable liposuction device and method

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