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United States Patent | 6,699,237 |
Weber , et al. | March 2, 2004 |
A device is described that can be used by surgeons to provide accurate tissue-lifting and tightening maneuvers that uses minimal external incisions, enhances accuracy, reduces inadvertent consequences while speeding the procedure. The device is comprised of a shaft with a relatively planar but possibly lenticulate or even slightly curved tip that can divide and energize various tissue planes causing net contraction via the fibrous tissue modification. Various forms of energy can also be delivered to cause desirable tissue alterations.
Inventors: | Weber; Paul J. (Fort Lauderdale, FL), Weber; Michael Robert (Palm Harbor, FL), Da Silva; Luiz B. (Danville, CA) |
Assignee: |
Pearl Technology Holdings, LLC
(Livermore,
CA)
|
Appl. No.: | 10/037,053 |
Filed: | December 31, 2001 |
Application Number | Filing Date | Patent Number | Issue Date | ||
475635 | Dec., 1999 | 6440121 | |||
478172 | Jan., 2000 | 6432101 | |||
588436 | Jun., 2000 | 6391023 | |||
749497 | Dec., 2000 | ||||
Current U.S. Class: | 606/2 ; 606/13; 606/9 |
Current International Class: | A61B 18/14 (20060101); A61B 17/00 (20060101); A61N 7/00 (20060101); A61B 18/08 (20060101); A61B 18/18 (20060101); A61B 18/04 (20060101); A61B 18/20 (20060101); A61B 18/00 (20060101); A61B 18/22 (20060101); A61N 7/02 (20060101); A61B 018/18 () |
Field of Search: | 606/9,27-45,48-52 |
5514131 | May 1996 | Edwards et al. |
6033398 | March 2000 | Farley et al. |
6135999 | October 2000 | Fanton et al. |
6203540 | March 2001 | Weber |
6391023 | May 2002 | Weber et al. |
6419674 | July 2002 | Bowser et al. |
6432101 | August 2002 | Weber et al. |
6440121 | August 2002 | Weber et al. |
6461357 | October 2002 | Sharkey et al. |