Micro-graft Matrix Device Using Hollow Cylindrical Skin Punching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing micro-graft matrices from full-thickness skin are limited by equipment complexity, time-consuming processes, and restricted skin removal capacity, often resulting in inadequate tissue for larger wound surfaces and subsequent scarring.
Innovation Solution
A device set comprising a film set with two coplanar films, an adhesive system, and a cutting device with hollow micro-punches or a laser, allowing for efficient creation of hollow-cylindrical cuts in the skin to produce a matrix of punched full-thickness skin parts that can be easily extracted and transplanted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If vacuum suction is used to remove skin parts, then split-thickness skin can be removed, but full-thickness skin removal is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The skin removal process is segmented into two distinct stages: first, hollow-cylindrical cuts are made through the skin to define full-thickness skin parts; second, these defined parts are lifted and removed using vacuum suction. This segmentation allows the cutting mechanism to achieve precise full-thickness removal while the vacuum system handles the extraction, resolving the contradiction between thickness removal and transplantation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow-cylindrical cuts act as an intermediary structure between the skin and the vacuum suction system. These cuts create defined skin parts that can be selectively lifted and removed, enabling the vacuum system to effectively remove full-thickness skin rather than just split-thickness skin. The intermediary cuts transform the vacuum's suction action into a controlled full-thickness removal process.
2Quantity of substance
If needle roller is used to punch skin parts, then full-thickness skin parts can be removed, but extraction and transplantation is extremely laborious to impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow-cylindrical cuts are merged with the vacuum suction system in a single integrated device. The cuts define skin parts that are immediately connected to the vacuum channels, allowing simultaneous cutting and extraction in one operation. This merging eliminates the separate, laborious steps of individual extraction and transplantation that characterized the needle roller method.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum suction system uses pneumatic principles to automatically lift and extract the punched skin parts through the hollow-cylindrical cuts. Instead of manual extraction, the vacuum channels create negative pressure that draws the skin parts upward and out of the skin in a controlled manner, making the transplantation process feasible and efficient.
3Quantity of substance
If sequential punching is used to remove skin parts, then full-thickness skin matrix can be produced, but the process is very time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple hollow-cylindrical cuts are merged into a single plate structure with interconnected vacuum channels. This allows simultaneous execution of multiple cuts and extractions in one operation rather than sequential processing. The plate with multiple holes and channels enables parallel production of multiple skin parts, dramatically increasing productivity while maintaining full-thickness skin matrix production.
4Quantity of substance
If large skin areas are removed continuously, then sufficient tissue for large wounds is achieved, but donor site scarring occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The skin removal is segmented into discrete hollow-cylindrical parts rather than continuous removal. This segmentation creates multiple small, separate extraction sites distributed across the donor area. Each small site heals without scarring, while collectively providing sufficient tissue for large wound coverage, thus resolving the contradiction between quantity removed and scarring prevention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid, extensive, and minimally invasive full-thickness skin removal with reduced morbidity and scarring, allowing for larger skin areas to be treated without continuous donor site damage, facilitating faster healing and hair transplantation.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive (10), by means of which an adhesive bond is created between the first film (1) and the skin, wherein a first adhesive strength is created between the first film (1) and the skin
Data Source
AI summary
A device set and a method for producing a micro-graft matrix with a plurality of punched full-thickness skin parts (12) from skin includes a film set of at least one first film (1) and one second film (2), which adhere to and are peelable from one another; an adhesive (10) to stick the first film (1) onto the skin; a cutting device with an adapter to provide a predefined distance to the skin and to make a plurality of hollow-cylindrical cuts vertical to the film set down to a predetermined depth in the skin underneath, the film set being respectively cut and divided, so that an outer portion of the second film can be peeled off and inner portions remain; and a third film (3), stuck in contact with the second film (2). The punched full-thickness skin parts can be extracted from the skin as the micro-graft matrix using the third film (3).