IP Library Granted Patent US 11,633,208
Granted Patent B2
US 11,633,208 · App. 16/741,535 · Granted Apr 25, 2023

System and method for clinical soil control for a skin grafting system

Inventors: Kelly Molinaro (Chicago, IL); Marvin A. Guiles (Stow, MA); Thomas J. Evans (Bedford, MA); Aaron McPherson (Boston, MA)
A61B17/322A61M37/0015A61B2017/00004A61B2017/3225
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,633,208
App. No.
16/741,535
Granted
Apr 25, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling clinical soil are provided. A system includes a device cover formed of a flexible polymer sheet defining an interior volume for a skin grafting device, and includes at least a first opening configured to receive a portion of the skin grafting device. The system further includes a cincture having a gasket configured to be affixed to a perimeter of the first opening of the device cover and to secure the device cover about the first opening to the skin grafting device to inhibit fluid ingress into the interior volume of the device cover during a skin grafting process performed using the skin grafting device.

Claims (20)

1. A skin grafting system comprising: a handheld device comprising a device housing forming an interior that secures a drive system; a cartridge comprising a plurality of hollow microneedles surrounded by a peripheral housing and configured to be operated by the handheld device to extend and retract during a skin grafting process; an absorptive material disposed within the peripheral housing and surrounding the plurality of hollow microneedles; a device cover formed of a flexible polymer sheet defining an interior volume for the handheld device, and including at least a first opening configured to receive the cartridge; and a cincture comprising: a gasket configured to be affixed to a perimeter of the first opening of the device cover and to secure the device cover about the first opening to at least one of the handheld device or the cartridge to inhibit fluid ingress into the interior volume of the device cover, and wherein the absorptive material is configured to inhibit fluid ingress into the interior of the handheld device via the cartridge, wherein the gasket is configured to surround the peripheral housing of the cartridge.

2. The skin grafting system of claim 1 , wherein the absorptive material is secured to an interior surface of the peripheral housing using adhesive.

3. The skin grafting system of claim 1 , wherein the absorptive material is positioned within the peripheral housing such that an interior edge of the absorptive material is substantially aligned with an opening of the peripheral housing.

4. The skin grafting system of claim 1 , wherein the absorptive material comprises polyacrylate fibers configured to absorb and retain fluids resulting from the skin grafting process.

5. The skin grafting system of claim 1 , wherein the absorptive material comprises hydrophilic fibers configured to wick and retain fluids resulting from the skin grafting process.

6. The skin grafting system of claim 1 , wherein the absorptive material comprises a plurality of layers, including a first layer comprising a hydrophilic material, and a second layer comprising a super absorbent polymer.

7. The skin grafting system of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of layers further comprises a third layer comprising polypropylene fiber.

8. The skin grafting system of claim 1 , wherein the flexible polymer sheet is comprised of thermoplastic polyurethane having a thickness within the range 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm, inclusive.

9. A skin grafting system comprising: a handheld device comprising a device housing forming an interior that secures a drive system; a cartridge comprising a plurality of hollow microneedles surrounded by a peripheral housing and configured to be operated by the drive system to extend and retract during a skin grafting process; a device cover formed of a flexible polymer sheet defining an interior volume for the handheld device, and including at least a first opening configured to receive the cartridge; and a cincture comprising: a gasket configured to be affixed to a perimeter of the first opening of the device cover and to secure the device cover about the first opening to the cartridge to inhibit fluid ingress into the interior volume of the device cover, wherein the gasket is configured to surround the peripheral housing of the cartridge.

10. The skin grafting system of claim 9 , wherein the device cover further includes a second opening, the second opening configured to receive the handheld device into the interior volume and enabling access to the handheld device during the skin grafting process.

11. The skin grafting system of claim 10 , wherein the second opening comprises a means for restricting a size of the second opening.

12. The skin grafting system of claim 9 , further comprising an absorptive material adhered to an interior of the peripheral housing and configured to inhibit fluid ingress into the interior of the handheld device.

13. The skin grafting system of claim 12 , wherein the absorptive material comprises hydrophilic fibers configured to wick away fluids from the plurality of microneedles.

14. The skin grafting system of claim 12 , wherein the absorptive material surrounds the plurality of microneedles.

15. The skin grafting system of claim 12 , wherein the absorptive material comprises a plurality of layers, including a first layer comprising a hydrophilic material, and a second layer comprising an absorbent polymer.

16. A clinical soil control system comprising: a device cover formed of a flexible polymer sheet defining an interior volume for a skin grafting device and including at least a first opening configured to receive a portion of the skin grafting device; an absorptive material disposed within a peripheral housing of a cartridge and surrounding a plurality of hollow microneedles of the cartridge, and a cincture comprising: a gasket configured to be affixed to a perimeter of the first opening of the device cover and to secure the device cover about the first opening to the skin grafting device to inhibit fluid ingress into the interior volume of the device cover during a skin grafting process performed using the skin grafting device, wherein the gasket is configured to surround the peripheral housing of the cartridge.

17. The clinical soil control system of claim 16 , wherein the flexible polymer sheet is comprised of thermoplastic polyurethane.

18. The clinical soil control system of claim 16 , wherein the flexible polymer sheet is translucent and white, blue, or yellow.

19. The clinical soil control system of claim 16 , wherein the device cover further includes a second opening, the second opening configured to receive the skin grafting device into the interior volume and sized to enable access to the skin grafting device during the skin grafting process.

20. The clinical soil control system of claim 19 , wherein the second opening includes an elastic band for restricting a size of the second opening.

Assignments (7)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 28, 2026
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075643/0462 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 20, 2025
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071672/0100 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2024
From: STOFFEL, KELLY
To: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
Reel/Frame 069497/0080 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 31, 2024
From: GUILES, MARVIN A.; EVANS, THOMAS J.; MCPHERSON, AARON
To: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
Reel/Frame 069094/0581 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2021
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 057927/0091 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2021
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 058040/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 14, 2021
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
Reel/Frame 057807/0297 →