Laser Lipo Glossary

µsec

one millionth of a second (10-6 sec

anesthesia

the loss of sensation, especially that of pain, induced by drugs, especially as a means of facilitating safe surgical procedures

anesthetic

an agent that causes loss of sensation

cannula

a small tube inserted into the body for draining off fluid or introducing medication; in laser lipo, the cannula is often the delivery mechanism for the laser fiber

blood clot

the formation or presence of a thrombus (coagulated blood attached at the site of its formation) in a blood vessel

capillary, capillaries

a minute, thin-walled vessel; particularly one of the smallest blood vessels connecting arteries and veins, but used also for the smallest lymphatic and biliary vessels

collagen

a fibrous protein constituent in skin and other connective tissues; it is converted into a glue-like gelatin when exposed to extreme heat, thus resulting in the skin tightening effects of laser lipo

collateral damage

damage incidental to the main activity; in liposuction, damage caused to surrounding tissue not in the targeted treatment area

compression garment

prescriptive clothing that provides postoperative support, prevents vein thrombosis, and reduces swelling

dilute, diluted

reduced in strength, as a chemical by admixture; weak; in laser lipo, dilute epinephrine is used in tumescent liposuction when delivering local anesthesia to shrink the capillaries and reduce or eliminate bleeding

diode

a device through which current can pass freely in only one direction

epinephrine

a commercial form of a hormone that is secreted in response to stress; in full strength it is used chiefly as a heart stimulant and to relax the bronchi in asthma; in laser lipo, it is diluted and used to constrict the blood vessels to prevent blood loss during and after surgery

general anesthesia

a state of total unconsciousness resulting from general anesthetic drugs; a variety of drugs are given to the patient that have different effects with the overall aim of ensuring unconsciousness, amnesia (forgetfulness) and analgesia (pain relief)

hematoma

localized swelling filled with blood resulting from a break in a blood vessel; can be a bruise, but can also develop in organs

inpatient

a patient who is admitted to a hospital or clinic for treatment that requires at least one overnight stay

lipolysis

the breakdown of fat stored in fat cells; in laser-assisted lipolysis, or laser lipo, this process is achieved by way of a laser fiber, generally through a cannula

local anesthesia

a technique to render part of the body insensitive to pain without affecting consciousness; allows patients to undergo surgical procedures with reduced pain and distress

Nd-YAG

neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet; a crystal that is used as a lasing medium for solid-state lasers

nm

nanometer; an SI unit of length, equal to a thousand-millionth of a meter (10-9 m)

outpatient

a patient who is not hospitalized overnight but who visits a hospital, clinic, or associated facility for diagnosis or treatment

pulse duration (pulse width)

the interval between (a) the time, during the first transition, that the pulse amplitude reaches a specified fraction (level) of its final amplitude, and (b) the time the pulse amplitude drops, on the last transition, to the same level

thrombosis

the development of a blood clot in the circulatory system

tumescent anesthesia

a technique for delivering local anesthesia over a an extensive region of skin and subcutaneous tissue with a large volume of very dilute lidocaine and epinephrine that causes the tissue to become swollen and firm, or tumescent, and reduces blood loss and other risks

wavelength

the distance between one peak of a wave of light, heat, or other energy and the next corresponding peak