| abstract |
Target tissue may be removed from a subject using a cannula (30) that has an interior cavity and an orifice (37) configured to permit material to enter the cavity. This is accomplished by generating a negative pressure in the cavity so that a portion of the tissue is drawn into the orifice. Fluid is then delivered, via a conduit (35), so that the fluid exits the conduit within the cavity and impinges against the portion of the tissue that was drawn into the orifice. The fluid is delivered at a pressure and temperature that causes the tissue to soften, liquefy, or gellify. The tissue that has been softened, liquefied, or gel I if ied is then suctioned away. The matter that was suctioned away is collected and gravity separated, and fat that is suitable for implantation in the subject is extracted from a selected layer (e.g., the top half) of the supernatant of the gravity-separated matter. |