Devices and methods for reshaping cartilage structures
Described are methods of reshaping a cartilage structure. One such method comprises creating a virtual three dimensional image of the cartilage structure; manipulating the virtual three dimensional image of the cartilage structure so as to obtain a virtual three dimensional image of a desired final shape of the cartilage structure; creating a virtual prototype of a device to hold the cartilage structure in the desired final shape of the cartilage structure; manufacturing the device; lasing the cartilage structure; and fitting the manufactured device to the cartilage structure (e.g., ear).
1. A method of shaping a subject's ear to a desired shape and/or position, the method comprising:
analyzing the subject's ear to determine what the ear's desired shape and/or position is,
providing an ear trellis that comprises an encasing structure for the ear that includes an inner portion that corresponds to a portion of the ear's desired shape,
lasing the ear so as to stimulate chondrogenesis in the ear,
encasing at least a portion of the lased ear within the encasing structure so that the lased ear is able to form into the desired shape and/or position, and
maintaining the ear within the encasing structure thus to form the lased ear into the desired shape and/or position.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the encasing structure is maintained on the subject's ear for a period of at least three weeks.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the ear trellis comprises:
a first portion fitting over the helix of the subject's outer ear, and
a second portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end projecting from and attached to the first portion;
wherein, when the device is associated with the subject's ear, the second portion extends from the first portion, across the ear's anti-helix, and the distal end of the second portion fits into the ear's scapha under the helix at about the lower crura of the anti-helix and/or the fossa trangularis; and
wherein the first portion comprises a first surface configured to fit against and be attached to the skull, or the skin over the skull, behind the ear.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the second portion is of a length or has a bias such that when associated with the subject's ear, the second portion exerts pressure on its distal and proximal ends so as to force the first portion and the helix away from the distal end and towards the mastoid.
5. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the first portion has a single potential attachment point for the second portion.
6. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the first portion further comprises a projection that extends around the ear's helix and fits into the scapha.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the ear trellis comprises:
a first surface configured to fit against and be adhered to the subject's head behind the ear, and, upon fitting of the device onto the subject, hold the ear in a relative position with respect to the head; and
a second surface configured to fit against and be attached to the rear surface of the ear, wherein the second surface provides a shaping surface conforming to the ear's desired final shape.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the encasing step comprises affixing a first portion of the ear trellis to the subject's head.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein:
the ear trellis is installed to dispose a portion of the trellis at a position between the rear surface of the ear and the skull.
10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein:
the affixing step is accomplished by way of an adhesive bond between the subject's skin and the first portion.
11. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising:
positioning a projection of the ear trellis to extend across the helix and contact the front surface of the ear, the projection then having a bias effective to urge the ear toward a desired shape and/or position.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein:
a distal end of the projection is positioned in the ear's scapha under the helix at about the lower crura of the anti-helix and/or the fossa trangularis.
13. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising:
attaching a second portion of the ear trellis to the rear surface of the ear effective to urge the ear toward a desired shape and/or position.
14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein:
attaching the second portion of the ear trellis to the rear surface of the ear causes the trellis to apply tension to a portion of the rear surface of the ear effective to urge the ear toward a desired shape and/or position.
15. The method according to claim 1 , wherein:
the encasing step comprises disposing the ear trellis to sandwich the ear such that a first portion of the ear trellis is in contact with a portion of the rear surface of the ear and a second portion of the ear trellis is in contact with a portion of the front surface of the ear.