PIXEL ARRAY MEDICAL SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS
Systems, instruments, and methods are described in which a scalpet device comprises a housing configured to include a scalpet assembly. The scalpet assembly includes a scalpet array and one or more guide plates. The scalpet array includes a set of scalpets, and in embodiments the set of scalpets include multiple scalpets. The guide plate maintains a configuration of the set of scalpets. The set of scalpets is configured to be deployed from and retracted into the housing, and is configured to generate incised skin pixels at a target site when deployed. The incised skin pixels are harvested.
1 . A method, comprising:
positioning at a target site a housing comprising a scalpet assembly, wherein the scalpet assembly includes a scalpet array and at least one guide plate, wherein the scalpet array includes a plurality of scalpets, wherein the at least one guide plate maintains a configuration of the plurality of scalpets;
deploying the scalpet array from the housing into tissue at the target site and generating a plurality of incised skin pixels at the target site when deployed, wherein the deploying includes coupling a force of a drive system of the scalpet assembly to the scalpet array;
retracting the scalpet array into the housing from the target site.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the drive system is configured to apply rotational force to the scalpet array, wherein the rotational force is configured to rotate at least a set of the plurality of scalpets.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the drive system comprises a geared drive system.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the geared drive system comprises a gear component driven to deliver a rotational force to the scalpet array.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the gear component includes a gear.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein each scalpet is coupled to the gear.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein each scalpet comprises the gear.
8 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the drive system comprises a frictional drive system.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the frictional drive system generates frictional forces through a compressive component of at least a set of the plurality of scalpets, wherein the frictional forces rotate at least a set of the plurality of scalpets.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the compressive component includes an elastomeric ring.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein each scalpet is coupled to the elastomeric ring.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein each scalpet comprises the elastomeric ring.
13 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the drive system comprises a helical drive system.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the helical drive system comprises a push plate moving up and down relative to the scalpet array.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the push plate comprises a plurality of openings aligning the plurality of scalpets, wherein at least one opening of the plurality of openings includes a notch receiving a helical component of at least one scalpet.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the helical component includes an external thread.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein a scalpet is coupled to a sleeve comprising the helical component.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein a scalpet comprises the helical component.
19 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the drive system comprises a slotted drive system.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the slotted drive system comprises a drive rod coupling with a slotted component of the scalpet array and moving scalpet array up and down.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the slotted component includes a slot receiving the drive rod.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein each scalpet comprises the slot.
23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein each scalpet comprises a sleeve, and the sleeve comprises the slot.
24 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the drive system comprises an inner helical drive system.
25 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the inner helical drive system comprises a push plate moving up and down relative to the scalpet array.
26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the push plate comprises a plurality of openings aligning the plurality of scalpets, wherein at least one opening of the plurality of openings receives a helical component of at least one scalpet.
27 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the helical component includes a threaded insert.
28 . The method of claim 27 , wherein a scalpet receives the helical component.
29 . The method of claim 27 , wherein a scalpet comprises the helical component.
30 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the scalpet assembly transmits an axial force to the target site.
31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the axial force comprises a continuous axial force.
32 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the axial force comprises a continuous axial force and an impact force.
33 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the axial force comprises an impact force.
34 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one scalpet of the scalpet array comprises a cylindrical scalpet including a cutting surface on a distal end of the scalpet.
35 . The method of claim 34 , wherein the cutting surface includes a sharpened edge.
36 . The method of claim 34 , wherein the cutting surface includes at least one sharpened point.
37 . The method of claim 34 , wherein the cutting surface includes a serrated edge.
38 . The method of claim 34 , wherein the cutting surface includes at least one radius of curvature.
39 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one scalpet of the scalpet array comprises a rectangular scalpet including a cutting surface on a distal end of the scalpet.
40 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the cutting surface includes a sharpened edge.
41 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the cutting surface includes at least one sharpened point.
42 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the cutting surface includes a serrated edge.
43 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one scalpet of the scalpet array comprises a through orifice.
44 . The method of claim 1 , comprising an extrusion system configured to include a plurality of extrusion pins.
45 . The method of claim 44 , wherein the plurality of extrusion pins correspond to the plurality of scalpets.
46 . The method of claim 44 , wherein each extrusion pin is aligned with a corresponding scalpet of the plurality of scalpets.
47 . The method of claim 44 , wherein the plurality of extrusion pins clears the plurality of incised skin plugs from an interior of the plurality of scalpets.
48 . The method of claim 44 , wherein the plurality of extrusion pins inject the plurality of incised skin plugs into a fractional defect at a recipient site.
49 . The method of claim 44 , wherein the plurality of extrusion pins inject the plurality of incised skin plugs into pixel canisters of a docking station.
50 . The method of claim 44 , wherein the extrusion system includes an ejector component coupled to the plurality of extrusion pins, wherein the ejector component controls movement of the plurality of extrusion pins into and out of an interior region of the plurality of scalpets.
51 . The method of claim 1 , comprising a docking station including a plurality of pixel receptacles, wherein the docking station receives the plurality of incised skin plugs removed from the target site.
52 . The method of claim 51 , wherein the docking station maintains orientation of the plurality of incised skin plugs removed from the target site.
53 . The method of claim 51 , wherein the docking station is reshaped between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the second configuration aligns the plurality of pixel receptacles with the plurality of scalpets of the scalpet array.
54 . The method of claim 53 , wherein the first configuration places the plurality of pixel receptacles in relatively closer proximity than the second configuration.
55 . The method of claim 51 , wherein the docking station comprises an elastomeric material.
56 . The method of claim 51 , comprising an adherent substrate capturing the plurality of incised skin pixels from the docking station.
57 . The method of claim 56 , wherein the adherent substrate maintains relative positioning of the plurality of incised skin pixels during transfer to and application at a recipient site.
58 . The method of claim 57 , wherein the adherent substrate applies the incised skin pixels to the skin defects at the recipient site.
59 . The method of claim 57 , wherein the adherent substrate aligns the incised skin pixels with the skin defects at the recipient site.
60 . The method of claim 59 , wherein the adherent substrate inserts each incised skin pixel into a corresponding skin defect at the recipient site.
61 . The method of claim 1 , comprising a vibration system coupled to the scalpet array.
62 . The method of claim 61 , wherein the vibration system couples vibratory force to the scalpet array.
63 . The method of claim 1 , comprising an electromagnetic system coupled to the scalpet array.
64 . The method of claim 63 , wherein the electromagnetic system couples electromagnetic energy to the scalpet array, wherein the electromagnetic energy includes at least one of radio frequency (RF) energy, laser energy, and ultrasonic energy.
65 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one guide plate includes a plurality of guide plates.
66 . The method of claim 65 , comprising a plurality of spacers controlling and maintaining a distance between the plurality of guide plates.
67 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one guide plate establishes the configuration of the plurality of scalpets.
68 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one guide plate transfers the force to the target site.
69 . The method of claim 1 , comprising adjusting a position of the plurality of scalpets, wherein the adjustable position controls a depth of insertion of the plurality of scalpets at the target site when the scalpet array is deployed.
70 . The method of 69 , comprising using the at least one guide plate in the adjustment of the position of the plurality of scalpets.
71 . The method of claim 1 , comprising a vacuum system coupled to the housing, wherein the vacuum system generates a vacuum at the target site, wherein the vacuum comprises pressure relatively lower than ambient air pressure.
72 . The method of claim 71 , wherein the scalpet array maintains the vacuum at the target site.
73 . The method of claim 72 , wherein the vacuum evacuates the incised skin pixels from the target site via the plurality of scalpets.
74 . The method of claim 71 , wherein the housing maintains the vacuum at the target site.
75 . The method of claim 74 , wherein the vacuum evacuates the incised skin pixels from the target site via the housing.
76 . The method of claim 1 , comprising a vacuum component.
77 . The method of claim 76 , wherein the vacuum component evacuates the incised skin pixels from the target site.
78 . The method of claim 76 , wherein the vacuum component evacuates subdermal fat via voids generated at the target site from the incised skin pixels.
79 . The method of claim 76 , wherein the vacuum component includes a vacuum manifold coupled to a vacuum source.
80 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the drive system comprises an oscillating drive system oscillating at least one scalpet of the scalpet array.
81 . The method of claim 80 , wherein the oscillating drive system comprises a drive plate oscillating between two positions.
82 . The method of claim 81 , wherein the oscillating drive system comprises a drive pin having a distal end coupling with the at least one scalpet.
83 . The method of claim 82 , wherein the drive plate includes at least one of an orifice and a slot receiving a proximal end of the drive pin.
84 . The method of claim 1 , comprising an adherent substrate capturing the plurality of incised skin pixels.
85 . The method of claim 84 , wherein the adherent substrate comprises at least one of a flexible substrate and a semi-porous membrane.
86 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the target site includes a recipient site, wherein the incised skin pixels generate skin defects at the recipient site.
87 . The method of claim 86 , wherein the skin defects evoke neovascularization in the incised skin pixels inserted at the recipient site.
88 . The method of claim 86 , wherein the skin defects evoke a wound healing response in the incised skin pixels inserted at the recipient site.
89 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the target site includes a donor site, wherein the plurality of incised skin pixels is harvested at the donor site.
90 . The method of claim 89 , wherein the target site includes a recipient site, wherein the incised skin pixels generate skin defects at the recipient site.
91 . The method of claim 90 , comprising an adherent substrate capturing the plurality of incised skin pixels at the donor site and transferring the plurality of incised skin pixels to the recipient site.
92 . The method of claim 91 , wherein the adherent substrate maintains relative positioning of the plurality of incised skin pixels during transfer to and application at the recipient site.
93 . The method of claim 91 , wherein the adherent substrate applies the incised skin pixels to the skin defects at the recipient site.
94 . The method of claim 91 , wherein the adherent substrate aligns the incised skin pixels with the skin defects at the recipient site.
95 . The method of claim 94 , wherein the adherent substrate inserts each incised skin pixel into a corresponding skin defect at the recipient site.
96 . The method of claim 90 , comprising applying at least one bandage at the target site.
97 . The method of claim 96 , wherein the at least one bandage applies force to close the target site.
98 . The method of claim 96 , wherein the at least one bandage applies directional force to control a direction of the closure at the target site.
99 . The method of claim 1 , comprising a cutting member transecting the incised skin pixels.
100 . The method of claim 99 , comprising an adherent substrate capturing the incised skin pixels.
101 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the incised skin pixels include hair follicles.
102 . A method, comprising:
positioning at a target site a housing comprising a scalpet assembly, wherein the scalpet assembly includes a scalpet array and a guide plate, wherein the scalpet array includes a set of scalpets, wherein the guide plate maintains a configuration of the set of scalpets;
deploying the scalpet array from the housing into tissue at the target site and generating incised skin pixels at a target site when deployed, wherein the deploying includes coupling a force of a drive system of the scalpet assembly to the scalpet array;
retracting the scalpet array into the housing from the target site.
103 . A method, comprising:
positioning at a target site a housing comprising a scalpet assembly, wherein the scalpet assembly includes a scalpet array and an extrusion array, wherein the scalpet array includes a plurality of scalpets and at least one guide plate configured to establish an alignment of the plurality of scalpets, wherein the extrusion array includes a plurality of extrusion pins corresponding to and aligned relative to the plurality of scalpets;
deploying the scalpet array from the housing into tissue at the target site and generating a plurality of incised skin pixels at the target site when deployed;
retracting the scalpet array into the housing from the target site;
inserting the plurality of extrusion pins into and clearing an interior of the plurality of scalpets.
104 . A method, comprising:
positioning at a target site a housing comprising a scalpet assembly, wherein the scalpet assembly includes a scalpet array and an extrusion array, wherein the scalpet array includes a plurality of scalpets and at least one guide plate configured to establish an alignment of the plurality of scalpets, wherein the extrusion array includes a plurality of extrusion pins corresponding to and aligned relative to the plurality of scalpets;
deploying the scalpet array from the housing into tissue at the target site and generating a plurality of incised skin pixels at the target site when deployed, wherein the deploying includes coupling a force of a drive system of the scalpet assembly to the scalpet array;
retracting the scalpet array into the housing from the target site;
inserting the plurality of extrusion pins into and clearing an interior of the plurality of scalpets.
105 . A method, comprising:
positioning at a target site a housing comprising a scalpet assembly, wherein the scalpet assembly includes a scalpet array and a guide plate, wherein the scalpet array includes a set of scalpets, wherein the guide plate maintains a configuration of the set of scalpets;
deploying the scalpet array from the housing at each target site of a plurality of target sites and generating incised skin pixels at each target site when deployed, wherein the deploying includes coupling a force of a drive system of the scalpet assembly to the scalpet array;
retracting the scalpet array into the housing from the target site.
106 . A method, comprising:
positioning at a target site a housing comprising a scalpet assembly, wherein the scalpet assembly includes a scalpet array and at least one guide plate, wherein the scalpet array includes a plurality of scalpets, wherein the at least one guide plate maintains a configuration of the plurality of scalpets;
deploying the scalpet array from the housing into tissue at the target site and generating incised skin pixels at a target site when deployed, wherein the deploying comprises separately deploying each scalpet of the scalpet array from the housing in succession, wherein the deploying includes coupling a force of a drive system of the scalpet assembly to the scalpet array;
retracting the scalpet array into the housing from the target site.
107 . A method, comprising:
positioning at a target site a housing comprising a scalpet assembly, wherein the scalpet assembly includes a scalpet array and at least one guide plate, wherein the scalpet array includes a set of scalpets, wherein the at least one guide plate maintains a configuration of the set of scalpets;
deploying the scalpet array from the housing into tissue at the target site and generating incised skin pixels at a target site when deployed, wherein the deploying comprises separately deploying each scalpet of the scalpet array from the housing in succession, wherein the deploying includes coupling a force of a drive system of the scalpet assembly to the scalpet array;
retracting the scalpet array into the housing from the target site.