WO2015056282A1

WO2015056282A1 - Microcannula for suctioning adipose tissue

Info

Publication number: WO2015056282A1
Application number: PCT/IT2014/000266
Authority: WO
Inventors: Angelo TRIVISONNO
Original assignee: Trivisonno Angelo
Priority date: 2013-10-16
Filing date: 2014-10-09
Publication date: 2015-04-23
Also published as: ITRM20130570A1

Abstract

A microcannula (1) for suctioning adipose tissue, comprising a hollow tubular body (2) with a cylindrical outer surface presenting a plurality of through holes (3) positioned on a portion of the tubular body (2) closer to said distal end (2b) and arranged in a single row parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the microcannula (1).

Description

DESCRIPTION

MICROCANNULA FOR SUCTIONING ADIPOSE TISSUE

This invention concerns a microcaimula designed to allow the extraction of adipose tissue and other cell populations, with a greater yield of adipose stem cells.

The removal of adipose tissue, with particular interest in a greater yield of adipose stem cells, is currently achieved by means of cannulas with a large number of holes, arranged in rows in various directions and on various sides, connected to a source of suction, generally a syringe.

In particular, "multiperforated" cannulas currently exist, that is to say cannulas with a plurality of suction holes, which allow the removal of adipose tissue and adipose stem cells. These holes are distributed over the cylindrical outer surface of the cannula in order to cover a good part of the angular development of the cannula. In this way, the cannula can function in a number of suction directions at the same time.

For example, solutions are known in which the holes are distributed in a plurality of rows parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cannula and in which the rows are angularly distributed around the longitudinal axis of the cannula.

In addition, other known types of cannulas present projections of about 1 mm around the holes, which protrude with respect to the cylindrical development of the outer surface of the cannula.

The diameter of the holes is generally greater than 2 mm.

The solutions described above lead to particularly aggressive suction, especially if they come into contact with the deep dermis, due to the above-mentioned projections. Microcannulas with microprojections at the suction holes are, in fact, indicated for deeper suction, but are too aggressive if used in contact with the deep dermis.

In addition, the above-mentioned arrangement of the holes, covering a good part of the angular development of the cannula, extends the suction over a plurality of directions around the cannula, and this is particularly disadvantageous since the suction takes place also in areas where there are fewer adipose stem cells. This makes these cannulas both less efficient and unsuited to concentrating the suction on the specific areas where the procedure is to be carried out.

The aim of this invention is, therefore, to provide a microcannula for suction that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

More specifically, the aim of this invention is to provide a microcannula for suction which is minimally aggressive for the tissues during the procedure.

An additional aim of the invention is to provide a microcannula for suction with excellent efficacy as regards stem cell yield.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a microcannula for suction with excellent control during the procedure.

This aim is fully achieved by the microcannula for suctioning adipose tissue according to this invention as characterised in the appended claims.

The technical features of the invention, with reference to the above aims, are clearly described in the appended claims and its advantages are more apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred, non-limiting example embodiment of the invention and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a microcannula according to this invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are two different cross-section views of the microcannula of

Figure 1, according to two different cross-section planes at right angles to each other;

Figure 4 shows a cross section of the microcannula of Figure 1 through the plane IV-IV of Figure 3.

In the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety an microcannula according to this invention.

The microcannula 1 comprises a hollow tubular body 2 extending along the entire length of the microcannula 1, or most of the length, and preferably made from metal material that can be sterilised and which has sufficient features of mechanical resistance and flexional rigidity.

The tubular body 2 extends along its longitudinal axis "X", constituting the main direction of development of the tubular body 2, for a length "L" preferably between 10 and 15 mm.

The tubular body 2 presents a proximal end 2a and a distal end 2b opposite the proximal end 2a, these ends marking the limits of a section of the tubular body 2 with a constant external diameter "D". This external diameter "D" is preferably between 1.5 and 2 mm.

The distal end 2b is closed and rounded and is preferably defined by a tip 2c tapering away from the central part of the tubular body 2.

The tubular body 2 presents a plurality of through holes 3 positioned on a portion closer to the distal end 2b, and also presents an inner tube 4 designed to place the through holes 3 in fluid communication with the proximal end 2a.

The through holes 3 are preferably circular in shape and between 0.8 and 1.2 mm in diameter "d".

The inner tube 4 preferably has a diameter between 1.3 and 1.8 mm.

Advantageously, the holes 3 are distributed over the outer surface of the tubular body 2 in such a way as to involve a single, reduced width, longitudinal area of the outer surface of the tubular body 2, preferably an area with an angular width around the longitudinal axis "X" less than 90°. This makes it possible to have all the holes 3 on the same side of the tubular body 2, concentrating the suction in a clearly defined area which can be precisely determined.

Preferably, in accordance with the embodiment illustrated, this is achieved by arranging the holes 3 in a single row parallel to the longitudinal axis "X" of the tubular body 2. In this configuration, the holes 3 are circular and present their centres aligned along a line parallel to the longitudinal axis "X" of the tubular body 2.

In this configuration, the holes 3 are spaced at a distance of between 20 and 15 mm apart. Preferably, the hole 3 in the most distal position (that is to say the one closest to the distal end 2b) presents a distance "dl" from the distal end 2b of around 2 mm.

There are between three and six holes 3, preferably three or four.

In accordance with possible technical embodiments not shown but which lie within the scope of the invention, the holes 3 could be arranged in any way as long as they are inside the above-mentioned longitudinal area with an angular width around the longitudinal axis "X" less than 90°.

In another embodiment, equally valid for the purposes of this invention, this longitudinal area in which the holes 3 are present could have an angular width around the longitudinal axis "X" greater than 90°, for example where the proportions between the diameter "d" of the holes 3 and the outer diameter "D" exceed this angular width. In this case, the embodiment described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which the holes 3 are arranged in a single row parallel to the longitudinal axis "X" of the tubular body 2, thus all on the same side, lies totally within the scope of the invention.

Advantageously, the tubular body 2 presents an outer cylindrical surface with a constant outer diameter, at the level of said holes 3. In other words, the outer surface of the tubular body at the level of (or close to) the holes 3 is even, without projections, protrusions or roughness. This is achieved by constructing the above- described tubular body 2 by perforating, along radial directions, a perfectly cylindrical hollow metal bar.

The microcannula 1 also comprises coupling means 5, of the substantially known type (for example "luer-lock" or similar), fitted on the proximal end 2a of the cylindrical body 2 and connectable to a source of suction, for example a syringe (not illustrated).

These coupling means 5 preferably present a mark identifying the position of the row of holes 3, making it possible to know the position of the holes 3 when the microcannula 1 is inserted in a patient's tissues.

The invention described above can be modified in various ways, all within the scope of the invention.

For example, in accordance with an embodiment not illustrated, the tubular body 2 could have a non-circular cross-section, for example it could be elliptical. Moreover, in addition to or instead of this variation, the shape of the holes could be non-circular, for example elliptical. Nevertheless, the precepts described above also apply to these variations. The present invention achieves the preset aims, overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.

The positioning of the holes in a limited longitudinal strip of the microcannula, and more so in the case of holes aligned along the longitudinal axis, makes it possible to concentrate the suction only in the desired area (for example towards the deep dermis, in contact with the hypodermis, rich in stem cells), achieving effective suction while avoiding suction in areas where this is not desired (that is to say in areas with a lesser concentration of stem cells).

The absence of projections or protrusions on the outer surface of the cylindrical body also prevents the backward and forward movement of the microcannula during the liposuction procedure from tearing the dermis, thus achieving excellent removal.

This is further assisted by the presence of a limited number of holes (equal to or fewer than six), educing the aggressiveness of the microcannula.

The reduced diameter of the microcannula, but above all that of the holes (smaller with respect to prior art), also means that the particles of suctioned tissue are extremely small.

Claims

1. A microcannula for suctioning adipose tissue, comprising a hollow tubular body (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and with a proximal end (2a), equipped with coupling means (5) that can be connected to a source of suction, and a distal end (2b) opposite the proximal end (2a), said tubular body (2) presenting a plurality of through holes (3) positioned on a portion of the tubular body (2) closer to said distal end (2b), characterised in that said through holes (3) are arranged in a single row parallel to said longitudinal axis (X).

2. A microcannula according to claim 1, in which said holes (3) are between 0.8 and 1.2 mm in diameter (d).

3. A microcannula according to claim 1 or 2, in which said holes (3) are between three and six in number, preferably three or four.

4. A microcannula according to any of the foregoing claims, in which said holes (3) are between 20 and 15 mm apart (P), preferably between 10 and 15 mm.

5. A microcannula according to any of the foregoing claims, in which the most distal hole (3) of the row is less than 5 mm, preferably 2 mm, from the distal end (2b).

6. A microcannula according to any of the foregoing claims, in which said tubular body (2) presents an outer cylindrical surface with a constant outer diameter, at the level of said holes (3).

7. A microcannula according to any of the foregoing claims, in which said distal end (2b) is closed and rounded and is preferably tapered.

8. A microcannula according to any of the foregoing claims, in which said tubular body (2) presents an outer diameter (D) between 1.5 and 2 mm.

9. A microcannula according to any of the foregoing claims, in which said tubular body (2) presents an inner tube (4) that places said holes (3) in fluid communication with said proximal end (2a) and in which said inner tube (4) presents a diameter between 1.3 and 1.8 mm.

10. A microcannula according to any of the foregoing claims, in which said coupling means (5) present a mark identifying the position of the row of holes (3), this mark being normally visible even when said cylindrical body (2) is inserted in a patient's tissues.