U.S. patent application number 16/020769 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-25 for method of improving elasticity of tissue of living body.
The applicant listed for this patent is Young Jae KIM. Invention is credited to Young Jae KIM.
Application Number | 20180303477 16/020769 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50826144 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180303477 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Young Jae |
October 25, 2018 |
METHOD OF IMPROVING ELASTICITY OF TISSUE OF LIVING BODY
Abstract
A method of improving elasticity of a tissue of a living body,
the method including: forming a through-hole in the living body;
inserting an insertion path forming unit, which includes a pipe
member including a pipe and a support member including a support
rod, into the through-hole in a state where the pipe member and the
support member are assembled; removing the support member from the
insertion path forming unit; coupling a medical thread supply unit
to the pipe member; pushing the medical thread from behind by using
a push unit; and removing the push unit, the medical thread supply
unit, and the pipe member.
Inventors: |
KIM; Young Jae; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KIM; Young Jae |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
50826144 |
Appl. No.: |
16/020769 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13706108 |
Dec 5, 2012 |
10010317 |
|
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16020769 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2017/06052
20130101; A61B 17/06166 20130101; A61B 2017/00792 20130101; A61B
17/0482 20130101; A61B 2017/06042 20130101; A61B 2017/06176
20130101; A61B 17/0469 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/04 20060101
A61B017/04; A61B 17/06 20060101 A61B017/06 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A method of lifting surgery comprising: providing a suture
comprising a thread, barbs projected from the thread, and a thread
support connected to a point of the thread, wherein the barbs
projected from the thread are inclined facing the thread support
such that an acute angle is formed between projection of the barbs
from the thread and extension of the thread toward the thread
support at the projection from the thread; forming a through-hole
at a first location of skin of a subject; inserting a hollow pipe
through the piercing into underneath skin; while maintaining the
hollow pipe underneath skin, inserting the suture through the
hollow pipe such that the thread support reaches a target area
underneath a second location of skin distanced from the first
location and that the barbs remaining underneath the skin are
inclined facing the thread support; removing the hollow pipe out of
underneath skin through the piercing, which leaves the thread
support at the desired area under the second location of skin and
the barbs inclined facing the thread support located at the desired
area under the second location; subsequently, fixing the thread
support at the target area underneath the second location of the
facial skin of the subject with the thread extending underneath the
facial skin between the target area and the through-hole, in which
the acute angles are formed between the barbs and the direction
toward the target area.
22. A suture device comprising: a thread; barbs projected from the
thread; and a thread support connected to a point of the thread,
wherein the barbs projected from the thread are inclined facing the
thread support such that an acute angle is formed between
projection of the barbs from the thread and extension of the thread
toward the thread support at the projection from the thread.
23. A tissue lifting surgery kit comprising: a suture device
comprising a thread, barbs projected from the thread, and a thread
support connected to a point of the thread; a piercing device
comprising a tip configured for forming a piercing into skin of a
subject; and a hollow pipe configured for inserting through the
piercing into underneath skin.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-105943, filed on 24
Sep. 2012, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a surgical method for
improving elasticity in a tissue. Specifically, the disclosure
relates to a method of improving elasticity of a tissue by using a
medical thread.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A medical thread has been used for a long time to connect or
suture a damaged muscular, vascular, or nervous tissue or a
surgically incised tissue. Also, a medical thread is used for a
double eyelid surgery or a surgery for removing sagging or wrinkles
from a skin or a tissue due to aging, reduced skin elasticity,
external wound, overuse, or necrosis. A lift surgery which lifts up
a loose skin or tissue and removes wrinkles on a face, jaw, neck,
abdomen, vagina, breast, or hip by using a medical thread and a
needle has been highlighted because it does not require excessive
incision, minimizes scars, and causes slight bleeding and
swelling.
[0004] However, in a conventional lift surgery using a medical
thread, in order to insert and fix the medical thread into a body,
one insertion through-hole is formed at a point of the body into
which the medical thread is inserted and at least one fixed
through-hole is formed at a point of the body to which the medical
thread is fixed, the medical thread is inserted through the
insertion through-hole, is pushed from behind such that a front end
portion of the medical thread passes through the fixed through-hole
to stick out of the fixed through-hole, and is knotted, and then a
skin with the knot is sutured or a skin incision is closed.
[0005] However, since the medical thread passes through the
insertion through-hole to be inserted into the skin, passes through
the fixed through-hole to be discharged from the body, and then is
inserted into the body to be fixed, the conventional lift surgery
has problems in that a plurality of through-holes have to be
formed, it is difficult to insert the medical thread into the body,
it takes a lot of time to perform the conventional lift surgery,
and there is a high risk because of a high level of anesthesia.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure provides a method of improving
elasticity of a tissue of a living body by using a medical
thread.
[0007] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided a method of improving elasticity of a tissue of a living
body, the method including: forming a through-hole in the living
body; inserting an insertion path forming unit, which includes a
pipe member including a pipe that is hollow and forms a path
through which a medical thread is to be inserted and a support
member including a support rod that is inserted into the pipe of
the pipe member and has a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the
pipe member, into the through-hole in a state where the pipe member
and the support member are assembled; removing the support member
from the insertion path forming unit; coupling a medical thread
supply unit to the pipe member; pushing the medical thread from
behind by using a push unit that may slide in the pipe of the pipe
member in a longitudinal direction of the pipe of the pipe member
and pushes the medical thread through the pipe of the pipe member;
and removing the push unit, the medical thread supply unit, and the
pipe member.
[0008] An inclined insertion unit which is tapered may be formed on
an outer surface of an end portion of the pipe member.
[0009] A two-step inclined portion which is tapered at an angle
greater than an angle of the inclined insertion unit may be formed
on an end portion of the inclined insertion unit.
[0010] The inclined insertion unit may further include at least one
cut line that is formed in parallel to an axial direction of the
pipe member to branch the end portion of the pipe member.
[0011] The pipe member may include a coupling unit including a
mount groove that is hollow and tapered and receives the medical
thread supply unit therein, and the medical thread supply unit
includes a medical thread retaining unit including a supply pipe
that is hollow and retains the medical thread to be inserted
therein, wherein the medical thread retaining unit includes a
connector having a complementary shape to the mount groove of the
pipe member, wherein the medical thread retaining unit is coupled
to the mount groove via the connector.
[0012] A medical thread support for fixing the medical thread in
the tissue of the living body may be formed on an end portion of
the medical thread.
[0013] The medical thread may have a loop shape and the medical
thread support may be disposed at a position where both ends of the
medical thread are adjoined.
[0014] The medical thread support may have a truncated cone shape
whose diameter increases away from a side where the medical thread
is inserted toward an opposite side.
[0015] The medical thread may include barbs that obliquely protrude
toward an end portion of the medical thread at a side where the
medical thread is inserted.
[0016] A maximum diameter of the medical thread support may be the
same as or less than an inner diameter of the pipe of the pipe
member.
[0017] A shoulder portion that protrudes inward in a radial
direction may be formed on an inner surface of the mount
groove.
[0018] The pipe member may include a coupling unit including a
mount groove that is hollow and tapered and receives the medical
thread supply unit therein, and the medical thread supply unit may
include the medical thread and a medical thread support that is
formed on an end portion of the medical thread and fixes the
medical thread in the tissue of the living body.
[0019] The through-hole may be formed by using a through-hole
forming unit that is additionally disposed on the insertion path
forming unit.
[0020] The push unit may include a push rod that has a length great
enough to pass through and stick out of the insertion path forming
unit and the medical thread supply unit.
[0021] The method may further include, after the removing of the
push unit, the medical thread supply unit, and the pipe member,
adjusting an elasticity improvement direction of the tissue of the
living body by pushing in a predetermined direction the tissue of
the living body into which the medical thread has been inserted.
The living body is living bodies of animals including human. The
tissue may be a soft tissue such as a subcutaneous tissue, a
muscular tissue, or a connective tissue whose elasticity needs to
be improved, and may be a tissue on a face, neck, breast, arm, leg
or et cetera.
DRAWINGS
[0022] The above and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent by describing in detail
exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached
drawings in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an insertion path
forming unit which is assembled, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
insertion path forming unit of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIGS. 3A and 3B are enlarged views illustrating a portion A
of FIG. 2, according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0026] FIGS. 4A through 4E are enlarged views illustrating a
portion B of FIG. 2, according to various embodiments of the
present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a through-hole
forming unit additionally disposed on the insertion path forming
unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a push unit
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 7A is a perspective view illustrating a medical thread
supply unit according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 7B is a partial enlarged view illustrating a portion C
of FIG. 7A;
[0031] FIG. 8 is a perspective view for explaining an operation of
forming a through-hole in a skin by using the through-hole forming
unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0032] FIGS. 9A through 9M are perspective views for explaining a
method of improving elasticity of a living body, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0033] FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views for explaining an
order in which elements are used in the method for improving the
elasticity of the living body, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 11 is a view for explaining a selective operation of
designing a position where a through-hole is to be formed and a
position where elasticity is to be improved, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 12 is a view for explaining a selective operation of
performing anesthesia, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a position at which the
insertion path forming unit may be inserted in the method of
improving the elasticity of the tissue of the living body, wherein
ORL denotes an orbital rim ligament and ZL denotes a zygomatic
ligament, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0037] FIG. 14 is a view illustrating anatomical positions through
which the insertion path forming unit passes; and
[0038] FIGS. 15A through 15E are views for explaining a position at
which the medical thread is inserted, a position at which the
medical thread is fixed, and a direction in which barbs protrude in
each portion of the living body.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] Expressions such as "at least one of," when preceding a list
of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify
the individual elements of the list.
[0040] The present invention will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary
embodiments of the invention are shown. In the drawings, sizes of
specific portions may be exaggerated for clarity. Accordingly,
relative proportions of sizes of elements are not limited to those
in the drawings of the present invention.
[0041] A method of improving elasticity of a tissue of a living
body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be
performed by using an insertion path forming unit that forms an
introduction path through which a medical thread is introduced, a
medical thread supply unit that supplies the medical thread, and a
push unit that pushes the medical thread from behind by sliding in
a longitudinal direction of the insertion path forming unit, and by
further using a through-hole forming unit that forms a through-hole
in the tissue of the living body into which the medical thread is
to be inserted if necessary.
[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an insertion path
forming unit 100 which is assembled, according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view
illustrating the insertion path forming unit 100 of FIG. 1.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the method of improving
elasticity of the tissue of the living body uses the insertion path
forming unit 100 including: a pipe member 120 including a hollow
pipe 124 that forms an insertion path; and a support member 110
including a support rod 114 that is inserted into the pipe 124 of
the pipe member 120 and has a stiffness greater than that of the
pipe member 120.
[0044] Since the pipe member 120 of the insertion path forming unit
100 moves forward in a tissue of the living body, the pipe member
120 is formed of an elastic material having predetermined
flexibility in order not to damage the tissue. For example, the
pipe 124 of the pipe member 120 may be formed of a silicon
material.
[0045] The pipe member 120 has flexibility and thus is not easy to
move forward in the tissue of the living body. In order to solve
this problem, the support member 110 of the insertion path forming
unit 100 is inserted into the pipe member 120 to provide a desired
level of stiffness to the pipe member 120.
[0046] The support member 110 includes the support rod 114 that
elongates from a support unit 116 that extends in a longitudinal
direction from a handle 112 of the support member 110 which an
operator (or a surgeon) holds. A front end portion 118 is formed on
the support rod 114 opposite to the handle 112.
[0047] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the insertion path forming unit 100 moves
rightward in the tissue of the living body.
[0048] The support rod 114 of the support member 110 may be
slidably inserted into the pipe 124 of the pipe member 120, and may
be separated from the pipe 124 of the pipe member 120 when the
operator pulls the handle 112 backward (leftward in FIGS. 1 and
2).
[0049] The pipe member 120 includes a coupling unit 122 including a
mount groove 126 into which an insertion unit 108 protruding with a
diameter less than that of the support unit 116 formed on the
handle 112 of the support member 110 is inserted. An inner surface
of the mount groove 126 is inclined as the mount groove 126 is
tapered to change its diameter.
[0050] A shoulder portion 126a protruding inward in a radial
direction is formed on the inner surface of the mount groove 126 to
receive any to-be-coupled member.
[0051] Accordingly, the front end portion 118 of the support member
110 passes through the mount groove 126 of the pipe member 120 and
is disposed inside the pipe 124 not to pass through an inclined
insertion unit 128 of the pipe member 120. In a state where the
support member 120 is completely inserted into the pipe member 120,
the front end portion 118 of the support member 110 extends
substantially to the inclined insertion unit 128 of the pipe member
120 and supports the inclined insertion unit 128.
[0052] FIGS. 3A and 3B are enlarged views illustrating a portion A
of FIG. 2, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 3A, the front end portion 118 of the
support rod 114 of the support member 110 may be formed to have a
partially oval cross-sectional shape. Referring to FIG. 3B, the
front end portion 118 of the support rod 114 of the support member
110 may be formed to have a partially circular cross-sectional
shape. Since the support rod 114 is inserted into the pipe 124 of
the pipe member 120, an outer diameter of the support rod 114 may
be the same as or less than an inner diameter of the pipe 124 of
the pipe member 120.
[0054] FIGS. 4A through 4E are enlarged views illustrating the
inclined insertion unit 128 when the pipe member 120 passes through
the tissue of the living body, according to embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 4A through 4E, the inclined insertion
unit 128 is formed on an end portion of the pipe 124 of the pipe
member 120 to be tapered, and a two-step inclined portion 129 that
is tapered at an angle greater than that of the inclined insertion
unit 128 is formed on an end portion of the inclined insertion unit
128.
[0056] An outlet 127 which is hollow is formed at the center of the
two-step inclined portion 129. A medical thread assembly including
a medical thread and a support is discharged through the outlet
127. An inner diameter D1 of the outlet 127 has a size great enough
for the medical thread assembly to pass through the outlet 127. The
medical thread assembly is formed to have a size less than that of
the inner diameter D1, and may pass through the outlet 127 while
elastically expanding the outlet 127, instead of loosely passing
through the outlet 127.
[0057] In FIG. 4A, in order for the medical thread assembly to pass
through the outlet 127 while elastically expanding the outlet 127,
no cut line is formed on the inclined insertion unit 128. However,
in FIG. 4B, one cut line 125 is formed on the inclined insertion
unit 128 in parallel to the longitudinal direction. Accordingly,
when the medical thread assembly passes through and is discharged
from the outlet 127, the inclined insertion unit 128 is curved
along the cut line 125, thereby enabling the medical thread
assembly to easily pass through and be discharged from the outlet
127.
[0058] In FIG. 4C, two cut lines 125 are formed to face each other
about the outlet 127. In FIG. 4D, three cut lines 125 are formed at
intervals of 120.degree. about the outlet 127. In FIG. 4E, four cut
lines 125 are formed at intervals of 90.degree. about the outlet
127.
[0059] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a through-hole
forming unit 200 additionally disposed on the insertion path
forming unit 100 to form a through-hole in the living body,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The
through-hole forming unit 200 is provided in order to mark a start
position of the insertion path forming unit 100 and to secure a
substantial movement path through which the insertion path forming
unit 100 moves in the tissue.
[0060] The through-hole forming unit 200 includes a through-hole
unit 214 that is formed on an end portion of a long through-hole
rod 212 in order to form a through-hole in the tissue, and a handle
210 that is formed on an end portion of the through-hole rod 212
opposite to the through-hole unit 214.
[0061] An operation of pushing the medical thread from behind in
the method of the present disclosure is performed by using a push
unit 300 for pushing the medical thread in a medical thread supply
unit 400 (see FIG. 7A) coupled to the pipe member 120 after the
support member 110 is removed from the insertion path forming unit
100 of FIG. 1.
[0062] The push unit 300 includes a handle 310 which the operator
holds, a push rod 312 that extends from the handle 310, and a push
unit 314 that is formed on an end portion of the push rod 312 and
pushes the medical thread by contacting the medical thread.
[0063] The push rod 312 is formed to have a length great enough to
pass through and stick out of the insertion path forming unit 100
and the medical thread supply unit 400.
[0064] FIG. 7A is a perspective view illustrating the medical
thread supply unit 400 that supplies the medical thread, according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7B is an enlarged
view illustrating a portion C of FIG. 7A.
[0065] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the medical thread supply unit
400 is connected to the pipe member 120 after the support member
110 is removed in a state where the insertion path forming unit 100
is inserted into the tissue of the living body, a path through
which the medical thread is inserted is secured, and the pipe
member 120 is kept inserted into the tissue of the living body.
[0066] The pipe member 120 includes the coupling unit 122 including
the mount groove 126 (see FIG. 2) to which the medical thread
supply unit 400 is connected. The medical thread supply unit 400
includes a medical thread retaining unit 420 in which a medical
thread 410 to be inserted is retained inside a supply pipe 426.
[0067] In this case, the medical thread retaining unit 420 includes
a main body 422 on which a connector 424 having a complementary
shape to the mount groove 126 of the pipe member 120 and coupled to
the mount groove 126 is formed.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 7B, a medical thread support 414 for
fixing the medical thread 410 in the tissue of the living body is
formed on an end portion of the medical thread 410, and is disposed
inside the supply pipe 426.
[0069] In the medical thread supply unit 400 of FIGS. 7A and 7B,
the medical thread 410 has a loop shape and the medical thread
support 414 is disposed at a position where both ends of the
medical thread 410 are adjoined. In this case, the medical thread
support 414 may have a truncated cone shape whose diameter
increases away from a side where the medical thread 410 is inserted
(right side in FIGS. 7A and 7B) toward an opposite side (left side
in FIGS. 7A and 7B). That is, as shown in FIG. 7B, a diameter D1 of
an end portion of the medical thread support 414 at a side where
the medical thread 410 is inserted is less than a diameter D2 of an
opposite end portion of the medical thread support 414, and an
inner diameter D3 of the supply pipe 426 may be the same as or
greater than the diameter D2 of the medical thread support 414.
[0070] In order to define a position of the medical thread support
414 in the supply pipe 426, a knot 412 is formed on an end portion
of the medical thread 410 in a longitudinal direction of the
medical thread 410.
[0071] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a position P1 at
which a medical thread is inserted into a face and a position P2 at
which the medical thread is fixed, according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure. That is, a through-hole is formed by
inserting the through-hole forming unit 200 at the position P1
where the medical thread is introduced into a tissue, and the
medical thread is inserted into the tissue by the insertion path
forming unit 100 inserted at the position P1, and is fixed to the
tissue by the medical thread support 414 at the position P2.
[0072] FIGS. 9A through 9M are perspective views for explaining an
order in which elements are used in the method for improving the
elasticity of the tissue of the living body, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0073] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9A, a through-hole is formed at the
position P1 of the living body by using the through-hole forming
unit 200. Next, the operator introduces the insertion path forming
unit 100 at the position P1 from which the through-hole forming
unit 200 is taken out as shown in FIG. 9B. In a state where the
support member 110 is coupled to the pipe member 120, the insertion
path forming unit 100 is inserted into the tissue of the living
body. In this case, since the pipe member 120 is flexible, it is
not easy for the pipe member 120 to be introduced into the tissue.
However, since the support member 110 having a stiffness greater
than that of the pipe member 120 is inserted into the pipe member
120 and acts as a frame of the pipe member 120, the insertion path
forming unit 100 may be easily introduced substantially to the
position P2 in the tissue.
[0074] Referring to FIG. 9C, once an end portion of the insertion
path forming unit 100 is introduced substantially to the position
P2 of the tissue, the operator separates only the support member
110 backward from the insertion path forming unit 100 in a state
where the pipe member 120 is inserted into the tissue.
[0075] Referring to FIGS. 9D and 9E, the medical thread supply unit
400 is inserted into the pipe member 120 from which the support
member 110 has been separated. In this case, since the shoulder
portion 126a protruding inward in the radial direction is formed on
the inner surface of the mount groove 126, when an end portion of
the medical thread supply unit 400 is received in the mount groove
136 of the pipe member 120, an end portion of the supply pipe 426
(see FIG. 7A) is mounted on the shoulder portion 126a.
[0076] In a state where the medical thread supply unit 400 is
coupled to the pipe member 120 of the insertion path forming unit
100, the push unit 300 is prepared as shown in FIG. 9F and the
operator pushes the medical thread 410 of the medical thread supply
unit 400 connected to the pipe member 120 from behind by using the
push unit 300 as shown in FIGS. 9G and 9H.
[0077] Once the operator pushes the medical thread 410 of the
medical thread supply unit 400 by using the push unit 300, the
medical thread 410 passes through the supply pipe 426 of the
medical thread supply unit 400, is guided into the pipe member 120
of the insertion path forming unit 100, and is discharged through
the outlet 127 of the inclined insertion unit 128 formed on the end
portion of the pipe member 120.
[0078] When the medical thread 410 is discharged through the
inclined insertion unit 128 of the pipe member 120, the inclined
insertion unit 128 may be curved such that a diameter of the
inclined insertion unit 128 is increased to easily discharge the
medical thread 410. For example, as shown in FIG. 9J, the diameter
of the inclined insertion unit 128 is increased along cut lines
formed on the inclined insertion unit 128, and the medical thread
410 and the medical thread support 414 are discharged through the
outlet 127 of the inclined insertion unit 128 whose diameter has
been increased.
[0079] Referring to FIG. 9K, the operator additionally pushes the
push unit 300 and accurately locates the medical thread support 414
of the medical thread 410 at a fixed position in the tissue. Since
the medical thread support 414 has a truncated cone shape and may
move only in one direction toward a smaller diameter, a position of
the medical thread support 414 is determined by additionally
pushing the push unit 300.
[0080] Once the medical thread support 414 reaches and is fixed to
a predetermined position, as shown in FIG. 9I, the push unit 400,
the medical thread supply unit 400, and the pipe member 120 of the
insertion path forming unit are moved backward to be taken out.
Accordingly, the medical thread 410 is completely discharged from
the inclined insertion unit 128 and is disposed in the tissue.
[0081] Referring to FIG. 9M, the medical thread support 414 of the
medical thread 410 is fixed to a predetermined point of the tissue
due to its truncated cone shape, and barbs 413 formed on the
medical thread 410 catch hold of the tissue. To this end, the
medical thread 410 includes the barbs 413 that obliquely protrude
toward an end portion of the medical thread 410 at a side where the
medical thread 410 is inserted (right side in FIG. 9M).
[0082] Next, the operator adjusts a direction in which elasticity
of the tissue of the living body is to be improved by pushing the
tissue of the living body in a predetermined direction when the
medical thread 410 is fixedly inserted.
[0083] The medical thread support 414 of the medical thread 410 may
be formed of a non-absorbable material which is not absorbed into
the living body, or an absorbable material as desired. For example,
the medical thread support 414 of the medical thread 410 may be
formed of, but is not limited to, nylon, polypropylene (e.g.,
polypropylene mesh), polyvinylidene fluoride, polyester, stainless
steel, gold, titanium, silicon, medpore, gore-tex, mesh, polyactic
acid, polydioxanone (PDO, PDS), or a copolymer of lactic acid and
glycolic acid. When the medical thread support 414 of the medical
thread 410 is formed of an absorbable material that may be absorbed
into the living body, the medical thread support 414 does not have
to be removed after suture is performed in the living body.
[0084] A length of the medical thread support 414 of the medical
thread 410 may range, for example, from about 1 mm to about 10 mm,
but the present embodiment is not limited thereto and the length of
the medical thread support 414 may be adjusted according to where
and why to use the medical thread support 414. A diameter of a
front end of the medical thread support 414 whose diameter is
relatively small may range from about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm and a
diameter of a rear end of the medical thread support 414 whose
diameter is relatively large may range from about 0.5 mm to about 5
mm, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto and the
diameters may be adjusted according to a thickness and use of the
medical thread 410.
[0085] One, two, three, or four or more medical threads 410 with
the barbs 413 may be used, and the number of the medical threads
410 may be appropriately adjusted according to a thickness and use
of the medical threads 410, and each of the medical threads 410 may
be obtained by twisting or braiding a single strand or multiple
strands.
[0086] The barbs 413 may be arranged on the medical thread 410
according to a desired configuration, and may be formed by using
any of appropriate methods including well-known methods in the
field. Examples of the well-known methods may include injection
molding using pressure, stamping, and cutting by knife or laser. A
desired number of acute angular cuts are made by using the medical
thread 410. A size of each of the barbs 413 may be appropriately
adjusted according to a use within the scope of the present
disclosure. For example, a depth of each of the barbs 413 formed on
the medical thread 410 may range from about 30 microns (.mu.) to
about 100.mu., and may be adjusted according to a diameter of the
medical thread 410. A distance between the barbs 413 formed on the
medical thread 410 may range from about 100.mu. to about 1 mm, or
more.
[0087] The medical thread 410 may be formed of any of various
materials, for example, a polymer material, a metal material, and a
biological material. For example, the medical thread 410 may be
formed of, but is not limited to, a non-absorbable material such as
polypropylene, gold, stainless steel, titanium, nylon,
polyvinylidene fluoride, polyester, or braided silk, or an
absorbable material such as polydioxanone (PDO, PDS).
[0088] FIGS. 10a and 10B are perspective views for explaining an
operation of inserting the medical thread 410, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 10A and 10B are a
modified example of FIGS. 9G and 9I.
[0089] Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, a structure of the medical
thread supply unit 400 of FIGS. 9G and 9I is modified. The medical
thread supply unit 400 of FIGS. 10a and 10B includes the medical
thread 410 and the medical thread support 414 that is formed on an
end portion of the medical thread 410 and fixes the medical thread
410 in the tissue of the living body. That is, the medical thread
supply unit 400 of FIGS. 10A and 10B is obtained by omitting the
medical thread retaining unit 420 from the medical thread supply
unit 400 of FIG. 7A.
[0090] Accordingly, referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the medical
thread supply unit 400 including the medical thread 410 and the
medical thread support 414 that is formed on the end portion of the
medical thread 410 is inserted into an end portion of the push rod
312 of the push unit 300, is fixed to be separable from the push
rod 312, and is inserted into the pipe member 120 to push the
medical thread 410.
[0091] The method of improving the elasticity of the tissue of the
living body according to the present disclosure may be applied to a
tissue whose elasticity needs to be improved such as a subcutaneous
tissue, a muscular tissue, or a connective tissue. Also, the method
may be applied to a tissue on a mid-face, a forehead, a cheek, a
jaw, a neck, a breast, or a joint. FIGS. 15A through 15E are views
illustrating a position P1 at which the medical thread 410 is
inserted and a position P2 at which the medical thread 410 is fixed
on a forehead (see FIG. 15A), a neck (see FIG. 15B), a cheek (see
FIG. 15C), a jaw (see FIG. 15D), and a breast (see FIG. 15E), and
illustrating the barbs 413 that obliquely protrude toward an end
portion of the medical thread at a side where the medical thread is
inserted.
[0092] The method of improving the elasticity of the tissue of the
living body of the present disclosure will be described in further
detail. However, the present embodiment is not limited to the
following description.
[0093] Operation 1: Design
[0094] A position where a through-hole is to be formed in a face
and a position where elasticity of the tissue is to be improved are
designed as follows (see FIG. 11). [0095] (1) Mark a point that is
horizontally connected to a mouth corner. [0096] (2) Mark a
marionette's line. [0097] (3) Mark a nasolabial groove line. [0098]
(4) Mark the through-hole position on the nasolabial groove line.
[0099] (5) Mark a direction in which elasticity is to be improved
by pushing up with a hand. [0100] (6) Recheck the direction in
which elasticity is to be improved and mark another direction in
which elasticity is to be improved. [0101] (7) Perform steps (1)
through (6) on an opposite side of the face. [0102] (8) When a tear
through under the eye is to be corrected, mark another hole in the
face.
[0103] Operation 2: Anesthesia
[0104] Anesthesia is performed by using a mixture of 5 cc of saline
and 5 cc of 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 to 1:100,000 epinephrine as
an anesthetic solution, a maximum dosage for infiltration local
anesthesia is 7 mg/kg for lidocaine with epinephrine and is 4.5
mg/kg for lidocaine without epinephrine, not to exceed 300 mg.
[0105] The anesthetic solution is injected into a central portion
of the face at the through-hole position marked on the nasolabial
groove line. First, 1 cc or more of diluted local anesthetic
solution is injected around a bone at an infraorbital nerve, a
syringe is exchanged and a needle is moved slightly backward to
change a direction, and 1 cc or more of local anesthetic solution
is injected around a periosteum in the middle (see FIG. 12).
[0106] Operation 3: Surgery
[0107] As shown in FIG. 13, a surgery is performed from an outer
portion of the face to an inner portion of the face. In principle,
one through-hole is formed. However, when a distance between a
positions where the medical thread 410 is inserted and a position
where the medical thread 410 is inserted again is too large or
directions in which the tissue is to be lifted are excessively
different, two or more through-holes may be performed.
[0108] The insertion path forming unit 100 including the pipe
member 120 and the support member 110 which are assembled is
inserted into a through-hole, the tissue is held with a hand, and
the insertion path forming unit 100 is inserted from a subcutaneous
fat layer to a periosteum under the eye while being rotated. When
there is a resistance of the tissue, the insertion path forming
unit 100 is inserted while being rotated without being forcibly
inserted. When the insertion path forming unit 100 reaches an area
under the eye, the operator softly presses a bone under the eye to
protect the eyeball. FIG. 14 is a view illustrating anatomical
positions through which the insertion path forming unit 100 passes.
When the insertion path forming unit 100 reaches a desired
position, only the support member 110 is removed. Next, the medical
thread supply unit 400 is coupled to the pipe member 120, the
medical thread 410 having a loop shape is cut, and the medical
thread 410 is gently pushed from behind by the push unit 300. When
the medical thread 410 reaches the desired position, the operator
softly presses the bone under the eye, and removes the push unit
300, the medical thread supply unit 400, and the pipe member 120.
In a state where the medical thread 410 having two ends is
tightened, the tissue is pushed several times in a predetermined
direction to adjust an elasticity improvement direction. In this
case, the medical thread 410 should not be strongly pulled because
the medical thread support 414 may be separated. When the medical
thread 410 is cut by using scissors, the medical thread 410 is cut
one end after the other end while the tissue is deeply pressed. In
order to prevent a dimple in the tissue, an area around the
through-hole is pinched. The same steps are performed in another
lifting direction and on an opposite side of the face. When the
through-hole is large, the through-hole is tied with nylon 6-0 or
7-0, and the nylon is removed 2 or 3 days after the surgery.
[0109] As described above, a method of improving elasticity of a
tissue of a living body of the present disclosure has the following
advantages.
[0110] First, since a support fixed to the tissue of the living
body is formed on a medical thread that is inserted, and thus only
a through-hole for inserting an end portion of the medical thread
into the tissue of the living body needs to be formed in the tissue
of the living body, damage to the tissue of the living body may be
reduced.
[0111] Second, since a surgery for preventing wrinkles of a skin
may end only by inserting the medical thread into one through-hole,
the surgery may be simplified.
[0112] Third, since an end portion of an insertion path forming
unit for inserting the medical thread into a through-hole is
tapered such that the medical thread may pass through the insertion
path forming unit and the end portion of the insertion path forming
unit may be easily introduced into the tissue of the living body,
frication during introduction into the tissue of the living body
may be reduced.
[0113] Fourth, a pipe member of the insertion path forming unit
into which the medical thread is inserted is flexible and thus may
not easily move in the tissue of the living body. However, since
the insertion path forming unit moves forward in the tissue of the
living body in a state where a support member having a stiffness
greater than that of the pipe member is inserted into the pipe
member, an insertion path may be easily formed.
[0114] Fifth, since a frictional force applied when the insertion
path forming unit is introduced may be further reduced by forming a
tapered two-step inclined portion that is tapered at an angle
greater than that of an inclined insertion unit on the inclined
insertion unit that is formed on an end portion of the insertion
path forming unit, a surgery may be facilitated.
[0115] Sixth, since a cut line is formed on an end portion of the
inclined insertion unit, the medical thread on which the support
for supporting the medical thread at a predetermined point in the
tissue is formed may be easily separated from the inclined
insertion unit.
[0116] Seventh, since an additional push unit is provided such that
the medical thread whose stiffness is not sufficient may be
introduced into the tissue of the living body, the medical thread
may be introduced into the tissue of the living body without
difficulty with the help of the push unit.
[0117] Eighth, since a medical thread supply unit may be inserted
into the pipe member after an insertion path of the medical thread
is formed and thus the medical thread does not interfere when the
insertion path is formed, the insertion path may be easily formed
and damage to the medical thread may be avoided.
[0118] Ninth, since an operation of inserting the medical thread is
facilitated, a total time taken to perform the operation of
inserting the medical thread may be reduced.
[0119] Tenth, the medical thread may be inserted into a
predetermined position of the tissue of the living body and may be
firmly fixed to the predetermined position.
[0120] Eleventh, since the medical thread which may lift up the
tissue is inserted into the living body, a loose skin or tissue may
be lifted and wrinkles may be removed.
[0121] While the present disclosure has been particularly shown and
described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various
changes in form and details may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by
the following claims.
[0122] In particular, although a method of improving elasticity of
a tissue of a living body of the present disclosure has been
described by referring to a lift surgery (so called, facelift) for
reducing wrinkles of a face skin, the present disclosure is not
limited thereto. The method may be used for aesthetic enhancement
to lift a loose skin or tissue and reduce wrinkles on any of
various portions of bodies including human and non-human animal
bodies, and may also be used for medical treatment to improve
elasticity of a tissue of a living body. Accordingly, the technical
scope of the present invention has to be defined by the appended
claims.
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