Method and apparatus for creating a modified tissue graft
In a method of creating a modified tissue graft, at least one exterior surface of a graft is modified by compressing, cutting and/or removing one or more portions thereof to create designed surface features which cause the tissue graft to have characteristics for a specific anatomical area. Medicants are associated with the surface features of the tissue graft, or with a second graft or layer which is associated with a base tissue graft. The tissue graft may be modified by pressing a specially configured template or die having blades thereon into the tissue graft to create a pattern of partial depth cuts.
1 . A multi-layer, medicated, reconstructive tissue graft comprising:
a base tissue graft having a top surface and a bottom surface, said base tissue graft modified by compressing, cutting and/or removing one or more portions of either or both said top surface and said bottom surface to create one or more designed surface features;
a second graft layer or sheet applied to either or both said top surface and said bottom surface of said base tissue graft; and
one or more medicants associated with said multi-layer reconstructive graft.
2 . The multi-layer graft in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said one or more medicants are associated with said designed surface features and said second graft layer is placed over said designed surface features.
3 . The multi-layer graft in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said medicants are associated with said second graft layer or sheet.
4 . The multi-layer graft in accordance with claim 3 , wherein said second graft layer or sheet comprises a amnion membrane allograft and said one or more medicants are associated with said allograft.
5 . The multi-layer graft in accordance with claim 3 , wherein said second graft layer or sheet comprises a sheet and said medicants are associated with said sheet.
6 . The multi-layer graft in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said one or more medicants are injected or inserted into said base tissue graft through said second graft layer or sheet.
7 . The multi-layer graft in accordance with claim 6 , wherein said one or more medicants are injected using a needle which is passed through said second graft layer or sheet.
8 . The multi-layer graft in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said base tissue graft is configured to comprise human tissue.
9 . The multi-layer graft in accordance with claim 8 , wherein said human tissue is configured to comprise soft, non-bone tissue.
10 . The multi-layer graft in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said one or more medicants comprise at least one of: an antibiotic, a hormone, a growth factor, and a chemo-therapeutic agent.
11 . The multi-layer graft in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said second graft layer or sheet comprises an amnion membrane allograft.
12 . The multi-layer graft in accordance with claim 1 , wherein a template or die having one or more blades is used to compress, cut and/or remove said one or more portions of either or both said top surface and said bottom surface.
13 . The multi-layer graft in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said designed surface features are designed to have characteristics which depend upon an anatomical site at which the graft is to be placed.