METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TISSUE EXPANSION
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide method and apparatus for facilitating stretching of a bio-logical tissue by forming a plurality of micro-slits in the tissue. Each micro-slit can be less than about 2 mm or less than about 1.5 mm long, or even less than about 1 mm, such that small gaps that can heal quickly can be formed when the tissue is stretched. The micro-slits can be formed using a plurality of cutting arrangements or an ablative laser. The micro-slits can be formed in various patterns, including staggered rows, circular or spiral patterns, or random patterns.
1 - 50 . (canceled)
51 . An apparatus for facilitating an expansion of a biological tissue, comprising:
a plurality of cutting arrangements structured to form a plurality of spaced-apart micro-slits in the tissue, wherein each of the micro-slits has a length of extension along a surface of the tissue that is less than about 2 mm.
52 . The apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the length of extension of each of the micro-slits is less than about 1.5 mm.
53 . The apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the length of extension of each of the micro-slits is less than about 1 mm.
54 . The apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the cutting arrangements are provided on a plurality of blades.
55 . The apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the cutting arrangements are provided in a staggered pattern.
56 . The apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the cutting arrangements are provided in at least one of a circular pattern and/or a spiral pattern.
57 . The apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the cutting arrangements are provided in a random pattern.
58 . The apparatus of claim 51 , wherein a distance between proximal ends of adjacent ones of the micro-slits is greater than about 1/10 the length of the micro-slits.
59 . The apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the cutting arrangements are configured to form the micro-slits in a form of a plurality of substantially parallel lines of micro-slits, and wherein a distance between the lines of the micro-slits is between about ⅓ and about 3 times the length of the micro-slits.
60 . The apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the cutting arrangements are provided on a substrate that has a shape that is at least one of circular and/or cylindrical, and wherein the substrate is structured to be rolled over a portion of the tissue to form the micro-slits.
61 . The apparatus of claim 51 , wherein at least one micro-slit has a form of a z-shaped incision in the tissue.
62 . The apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the cutting arrangements are structured to form micro-incisions that extend substantially through an entire thickness of a portion of ex vivo tissue.
63 . The apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the tissue comprises skin and the cutting arrangements are structured to form micro-incisions that extend substantially through an entire dermal layer of the tissue.
64 . The apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the cutting arrangements are structured to form micro-incisions that extend through less than about one-third of the thickness of the tissue.
65 . The apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the cutting arrangements comprise an optical arrangement configured to direct optical energy onto the tissue to form the plurality of micro-slits in the tissue.
66 . The apparatus of claim 65 , further comprising an optical energy source configured to provide the optical energy.
67 . The apparatus of claim 65 , wherein the optical energy source comprises an ablative laser.
68 . A method for facilitating expansion of biological tissue, comprising:
forming a plurality of spaced-apart micro-slits in the tissue, wherein a length of extension of each of the micro-slits along a surface of the tissue is less than about 2 mm.
69 . The method of claim 68 , wherein at least some of the micro-slits are provided in a form of a z-shape.
70 . The method of claim 68 , wherein the micro-slits are formed using a plurality of blades.
71 . The method of claim 68 , wherein the micro-slits are formed using optical energy.