Smart Cannula Technology: Tissue Sensing for Safer Gluteal Fat Grafting Surgery
Gluteal fat grafting, commonly known as the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedure, is among the fastest growing aesthetic procedures in the United States. Demand has more than doubled in the past five years despite highly publicized media reports of serious injuries and deaths. The BBL procedure involves liposuction of unwanted fat from the waist or thighs followed by injection of the fat into the buttocks using a thin tube, or cannula. During the injection, the cannula is passed blindly through tissue risking internal injuries, punctured blood vessels, and formation of deadly blood clots as fat enters the bloodstream. In 2017, a task force representing several plastic surgery associations reported that BBL complications killed an estimated 1 in 3,000 patients; in comparison, cosmetic procedures in general result in an estimated 1 in 50,000 deaths. Our tissue sensing technology alerts the surgeon when the cannula contacts muscle or blood so that it can be immediately repositioned. Increased safety measures of the type our technology would provide are in high demand as patients continue to choose BBL despite the risks.
Description
Currently, surgical instruments utilized for fat grafting are blindly passed through tissue. Our proprietary tissue-sensing technology distinguishes fat from muscle or blood by detecting a change in physical tissue properties. This novel design provides an audible alert or visual indicator (e.g. red light or blinking strobe) to notify the surgeon of the cannula location and tissue type. We have designed both a stand-alone ‘smart’ cannula as well as a ‘smart’ sleeve which can be used to retrofit an existing cannula.Applications
· Cosmetic gluteal fat grafting· Other fat harvesting applications
· Other fat grafting applications
Advantages
· Surgeon is immediately notified of cannula contact with muscle or blood· Prevents damage to internal organs or major blood vessels
· Increased safety profile for a high-demand cosmetic surgery