Pixel Array Dermatome for Fractional Skin Resection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for managing skin laxity and burns often result in visible scarring, prolonged healing times, and limitations in skin graft harvesting, particularly due to the need for extensive incisions and donor site deformities.
Innovation Solution
The development of a Pixel Array Dermatome (PAD) system that allows for fractional resection and harvesting of skin grafts using a scalpet array and adherent membrane, enabling minimally invasive procedures with reduced scarring and repeated harvesting from the same donor site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If traditional surgical methods are used to resect redundant lax skin, then skin tightening is achieved, but extensive visible scarring occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the continuous skin resection into multiple discrete pixel-sized incisions arranged in an array pattern. This fractional approach allows skin tightening to be achieved through numerous small removals rather than one large incision, significantly reducing visible scarring while maintaining the skin tightening effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by varying the density and distribution of pixel array incisions across different treatment zones. Areas requiring greater tightening receive higher density pixel removal, while sensitive areas with lower pixel density minimize scarring risk. This localized control optimizes the balance between skin tightening efficacy and scar visibility.
2Quantity of substance
If extensive incisions are made for skin graft harvesting, then sufficient skin graft material is obtained, but donor site deformity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent revolutionizes skin graft harvesting by segmenting the donor site into multiple pixel-sized incisions arranged in arrays. This allows harvesting of sufficient skin graft material through numerous tiny removals rather than large excisions, enabling the donor site to heal with minimal visible scarring and reduced deformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies discarding and recovering by removing pixel-sized skin segments for grafting while the remaining skin matrix stays intact. The intact matrix provides structural support for healing, and the discarded pixels are immediately utilized as graft material, maximizing tissue utilization while minimizing donor site damage.
3Quantity of substance
If repeated skin graft harvesting is needed, then sufficient graft material is available, but donor site damage accumulates
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array approach segments the donor site into numerous discrete locations, allowing systematic harvesting of skin grafts across multiple sessions. Each pixel location can be harvested independently, enabling repeated grafting procedures while distributing the impact across many small sites rather than compromising a single large donor area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing a pixel array map of the donor site before harvesting begins. This pre-planned grid system identifies all harvestable pixel locations, allowing surgeons to systematically harvest from predetermined sites across multiple procedures while preserving the overall structural integrity of the donor area.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If long incisions are used to hide scars around anatomical boundaries, then scar visibility is reduced, but incision length and surgical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by segmenting the incision into countless pixel-sized points distributed across the treatment area. Instead of one long incision extending around anatomical boundaries, numerous tiny pixel incisions are placed strategically, eliminating the need for long scar-hiding incisions while achieving similar cosmetic outcomes.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, instruments, methods, and compositions are described involving removing a portion of the epidermis within a donor site on a subject, and harvesting dermal plugs within the donor site. An injectable filler is formed by mincing the dermal plugs. The injectable filler is configured for injecting into a recipient site on the subject.