Lipogems is the first closed microfat stem-cell rich system, offering unrivalled potential.
Lipogems is much more than lipofilling or fat transfer. It is the latest in adipocyte transplant research, delivering superior, predictable results and an unrivalled potential to rejuvenate tissue.
While fat used as autologous dermal filler is not new, Lipogems transforms the capabilities of traditional aesthetic fat transfer, offering less complications, a high percentage of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and significantly less downtime.
“Fat injections (lipofilling) has been in use for around 20 years, but it has not been without some difficulties,” says Melbourne plastic surgeon Dr Bryan Mendelson. “The major difficulty has been obtaining a predictable outcome. The second difficulty is the avoidance of visible fat ‘lumps’ in areas where the skin is thin. This is particularly in the periorbital eyelid region, which requires volume replacement to correct ageing changes.”
“The reason I was attracted to Lipogems was the problem of fat lumps. Despite the most meticulous technique, I could not completely avoid the presence of fat lumps in the periorbital region. Patients absolutely hate the presence of lumps, however small. As a result, the possibility of this occurring was inhibiting my use of fat in the periorbital region, one of the regions most requiring soft tissue volume augmentation.”
The processing method
The Lipogems method consists of a single-use kit for the lipoaspiration, processing and deployment of adipose tissue. The entire process is carried out in one surgical step.
Through a minimal enzyme-free manipulation in a sealed, sterile device, there is a gradual reduction of the adipose clusters and the elimination of oily and hematic residue with a pro-inflammatory content. This is achieved by simply shaking the device.
The entire process is performed with immersion in a saline solution, which makes it possible to minimise any trauma to the cellular products.
This results in micro-fractured non-expanded adipose tissue intended for autologous use.
“The complete avoidance of complications, infection, prolonged bruising and lumps, is inherent in the Lipogems process,” says Dr Mendelson.
“The technique of harvesting for Lipogems is not different, but certainly the processing is entirely different. It provides an intensive washing system; it takes more than a litre of continuous washing with saline to wash 50.0ml of lipoaspirate. Then, the lipoaspirate is a pure, even-sized particle, glossy and golden in colour, hence the term ‘gems’.”
After fat extraction, the Lipogems system cleans and refines the adipose tissue in a six-step reduction process. During this process, the MSCs are activated to encourage the natural regeneration of tissue following reinjection.
“The Lipogems cannula contains stainless steel balls, which are agitated to microfracture the fat, which activates the pericytes into MSCs. These MSCs are maintained in the natural scaffold and protected by the fat cells,” explains Dr Mendelson.
“The Lipogems system was primarily developed as a technique of collecting and activating the MSCs in subcutaneous fat, which has been shown to be the largest source of stem cells in the body. This is beneficial for regenerative situations but the specific role in lipofilling has yet to be fully clarified.”
“However, it is clear that the amount of swelling resulting from lipofilling with the Lipogems is less than half of that with a traditional centrifuged fat system and the rate of resolution of swelling is dramatically reduced to be less than two weeks at the most. This leads to patient satisfaction, particularly in a situation where it is likely that the patient may be facing a second procedure in the future,” he says.
Significant results can still be seen 24 months on, and this is due to the MSCs action within the tissue. “By adding a combination of lipofilling of washed fat from the Lipogems chamber with activated MSCs, it is the quality of the healing process that is most evident,” he adds.
Lipogems in practice
Lipogems has a broad range of regenerative properties. It can be used in plastic surgery, cosmetic procedures, reconstructive surgery and the treatment of many diseases, promoting the natural regeneration process of tissues and heralding a new future of regenerative medicine.
“In aesthetic facial rejuvenation, virtually all patients require a restoration of the periorbital soft tissue volume of the bony orbital rim,” says Dr Mendelson. “This extends laterally into the temple, where volumising of the temples is commonly required as well as augmentation of the brow volume across the forehead. The requirement for temple lift and brow lift is decreased as a result of the volume replenishment from lipofilling.”
Dr Mendelson says all patients are advised that when lipofilling key areas, it is critical to avoid overfilling in case it leads to an overdone result. “Accordingly, the objective at the time of the procedure should be to obtain a full correction without true overcorrection, knowing that a result near the ideal outcome should be regarded as excellent. The patient should be forewarned about the possibility of requiring a secondary procedure,” he says.
“More scientific studies are required to determine the longevity of the result, but evidence points to the fact that washing the fat is the most important variable, more so than centrifuging, in obtaining a predictable result,” he says.
A simple and effective proprietary technology, Lipogems is a very different concept to normal transfer. Easy to inject and manage, it is minimally manipulated tissue for application in regenerative medicine. The product remains even and offers reproducible results.
The system can be used through very fine cannulas, resulting in less bruising and trauma for the patient. This offers a more pleasant patient experience, less downtime and faster recovery.
“With Lipogems, a less traumatic technique is used in which clumps of fat are microfractured by the shaking process of the stainless steel balls in the chamber. It is interesting when ‘fine’ particle aspirated fat is washed in the chamber; often what appears to be fine particles are actually linked with fibrous tissues, explaining why clumps or lumps of fat can be seen even with the aspiration with a fine cannula,” explains Dr Mendelson.
“There are many new technologies in terms of fat preparation coming along and so one cannot be dogged in the use of a particular system. The satisfaction I have obtained with Lipogems is the complete avoidance of complications and the knowledge that my experience in the emerging technology of MSCs has been heightened,” Dr Mendelson concludes.
Lipogems is available in Australia from Klinic Solutions. For more information call 0414 701 998 or email shaun.baldwin@klinicsolutions.com
