Granted Patent B2

US 9,414,856 · App. 14/019,292 · Granted Aug 16, 2016

Abstract

Claims (58)

1. A method for generating and transferring micrografts, the method comprising:

providing a device comprising a housing having an open configuration and a closed configuration; a micrograft generating station; and a micrograft transferring station;

obtaining a cartridge comprising a frame having a hollow inner portion, a removable first plate comprising a mesh grid, and a removable second plate comprising a mesh grid;

inserting a skin graft between the first and the second removable plates such that the skin graft is aligned with the mesh grids in the first and the second removable plates;

inserting the cartridge into the micrograft generating station;

engaging the micrograft generating station, thereby generating a plurality of micrografts; and

engaging the micrograft transferring station, thereby transferring the plurality of micrografts to a substrate.

2. The method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the cartridge in an assembled configuration, the mesh grid of the first removable plate and the mesh grid of the second removable plate are aligned with the hollow inner portion of the frame, and the mesh grid of the first plate is aligned with the mesh grid of the second removable plate.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein engaging the micrograft generating station comprises:

inserting the cartridge into the micrograft generating station of the device while the housing is in the open configuration; and

transforming the housing from the open configuration to the closed configuration, thereby generating the plurality of micrografts.

4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein engaging the micrograft transferring station comprises:

inserting the cartridge into the micrograft transferring station of the device while the housing is in the open configuration;

inserting the substrate below the cartridge; and

transforming the housing from the open configuration to the closed configuration, thereby transferring the plurality of micrografts to the substrate.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the substrate is a medical dressing.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the graft is an autograft.

7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising prior to the providing step:

harvesting the skin graft.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein harvesting comprises:

raising a blister; and

cutting the blister to obtain the skin graft.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein said step of raising a blister comprises:

contacting a harvesting device having a hole to skin; and

applying heat and/or vacuum pressure, thereby raising the blister.

10. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

expanding the plurality of micrografts; and

applying the expanded plurality of micrografts to a patient recipient site.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the patient recipient site is an area of depigmented skin that has been prepared to receive the skin graft.

12. A method for generating and transferring micrografts, the method comprising:

providing a device comprising a base member, a micrograft generating station integrated with the base member; and a micrograft transferring station integrated with the base member;

obtaining a cartridge comprising a frame having a hollow inner portion, a removable first plate comprising a mesh grid, and a removable second plate comprising a mesh grid;

inserting a skin graft into the cartridge;

inserting the cartridge into the device;

engaging the micrograft generating station, thereby generating a plurality of micrografts; and

engaging the micrograft transferring station, thereby transferring the plurality of micrografts to a substrate.

13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein

the cartridge in an assembled configuration, the mesh grid of the first removable plate and the mesh grid of the second removable plate are aligned with the hollow inner portion of the frame, and the mesh grid of the first removable plate is aligned with the mesh grid of the second removable plate; and

inserting the skin graft between the first and second removable plates such that the graft is aligned with the mesh grids in the first and second removable plates.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein engaging the micrograft generating station comprises:

inserting the cartridge into the micrograft generating station while a frame of the device is in an open configuration; and

transforming the frame of the device from the open configuration to a closed configuration, thereby generating the plurality of micrografts.

15. The method according to claim 13 , wherein engaging the micrograft transferring station comprises:

inserting the cartridge into the micrograft transferring station while a frame of the device is in an open configuration;

inserting a substrate below the cartridge; and

transforming the frame of the device from the open configuration to a closed configuration, thereby transferring the plurality of micrografts to the substrate.

16. The method according to claim 12 , further comprising prior to the providing step: harvesting the skin graft.

17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein harvesting comprises:

raising a blister; and

cutting the blister to obtain the skin graft.

18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein said step of raising a blister comprises:

contacting a harvesting device having a hole to skin; and

applying heat and/or vacuum pressure, thereby raising the blister.

19. The method according to claim 12 , further comprising:

expanding the plurality of micrografts; and

applying the expanded plurality of micrografts to a patient recipient site.

20. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the patient recipient site is an area of depigmented skin that has been prepared to receive the skin graft.

Assignments (10)