Pixel array medical devices and methods
Systems, instruments or devices, and methods or procedures are described in which a scalpet array is applied to a target site with the use of a pattern. The scalpet array comprises scalpets positioned on a device. Skin pixels are incised at the target site via application of a load through the scalpet array. A recipient site is prepared by positioning the pattern at the recipient site and applying the scalpet array to generate skin defects. The incised skin pixels are applied at the skin defects of the recipient site.
1. A method comprising:
aligning a scalpet array of a device at a donor site, wherein the scalpet array comprises at least one scalpet arranged in a configuration, wherein the aligning comprises aligning the scalpet array with perforations of a guide plate placed at the donor site;
incising skin pixels at the donor site with the scalpet array;
capturing the incised skin pixels; and
removing the incised skin pixels from the donor site.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one scalpet comprises a plurality of scalpets arranged in the configuration.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one scalpet comprises a single scalpet, and the aligning comprises repeatedly applying the scalpet array to the donor site according to an order.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the incising generates incised skin pixels in the configuration.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the incised skin pixels comprise at least one hair follicle.
6. The method of claim 1 , comprising generating skin defects at a recipient site with the scalpet array, wherein the generating comprises generating the skin defects with a same configuration as the incised skin pixels of the donor site.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the incising comprises circumferentially incising skin pixels at the donor site by applying a load via the scalpet array onto subjacent skin surface at the donor site.
8. The method of claim 1 , comprising transecting bases of incised skin pixels generated during the incising.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the transecting comprises transecting with a cutting member.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the capturing comprises capturing the incised skin pixels on an adherent substrate and maintaining the configuration.
11. The method of claim 10 , comprising aligning the incised skin pixels on the adherent substrate, wherein the incised skin pixels include hair follicles.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the removing comprises pulling the adherent substrate away from the donor site and transecting bases of the incised skin pixels during the pulling.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the adherent substrate comprises a flexible substrate.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the adherent substrate comprises a semi-porous membrane.
15. The method of claim 10 , comprising applying the incised skin pixels at a recipient site, wherein the applying of the incised skin pixels comprises applying the incised skin pixels from the adherent substrate directly to skin defects at the recipient site.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the applying of the incised skin pixels comprises aligning the incised skin pixels with the skin defects at the donor site.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the aligning comprises mass aligning of the incised skin pixels according to the configuration.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the incised skin pixels include hair follicles.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the applying of the incised skin pixels at the recipient site comprises inserting the incised skin pixels into the skin defects at the recipient site.
20. The method of claim 19 , comprising applying a bandage to the recipient site following the applying of the incised skin pixels at the recipient site, wherein the bandage generates a force at the recipient site.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the bandage comprises an adherent membrane.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the bandage is configured to capture the incised skin pixels at the donor site.
23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the bandage is configured to stabilize the incised skin pixels inserted at the recipient site.
24. The method of claim 21 , wherein the bandage is configured to promote neovascularization of the incised skin pixels inserted at the recipient site.
25. The method of claim 21 , wherein the bandage is configured to promote alignment of the incised skin pixels inserted at the recipient site.
26. The method of claim 1 , comprising applying a bandage to the donor site following the incising of the skin pixels, wherein the bandage closes the donor site and controls a direction that the skin defects of the donor site are closed.
27. The method of claim 1 , wherein a shape of each scalpet of the scalpet array is elliptical.
28. The method of claim 1 , wherein a shape of each scalpet of the scalpet array is circular.
29. The method of claim 1 , wherein a shape of each scalpet of the scalpet array is semicircular.
30. The method of claim 1 , wherein a shape of each scalpet of the scalpet array is one of square, rectangular, and flat.
31. The method of claim 1 , wherein each scalpet of the plurality of scalpets includes a beveled surface.
32. The method of claim 1 , wherein each scalpet of the plurality of scalpets includes at least one pointed surface.
33. The method of claim 1 , wherein each scalpet of the plurality of scalpets includes at least one needle.
34. The method of claim 33 , wherein the at least one needle comprises at least one needle including multiple points.
35. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one scalpet of the scalpet array comprises a through orifice.
36. The method of claim 1 , wherein the scalpet array is removeably coupled to the device.
37. The method of claim 1 , wherein the scalpet array is disposable.
38. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one diametric dimension of each scalpet of the scalpet array is approximately in a range 0.5 millimeters to 4.0 millimeters.
39. The method of claim 1 , wherein the incised skin pixels include hair follicles.