Pixel Array Dermatome Fractional Resection for Minimal Scarring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for addressing skin laxity, such as plastic surgery and electromagnetic devices, come with limitations like visible scarring, post-operative pain, and the need for extensive incisions, while skin grafting procedures face challenges like donor site deformity and limited availability of non-burned skin areas for harvesting.

Innovation Solution

The development of a Pixel Array Dermatome (PAD) system that fractionally resects skin and fat using a scalpet array with depth control, allowing for minimal invasive procedures with reduced scarring, enabling repeated harvesting of skin grafts without visible deformity at the donor site and shorter incisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If plastic surgery procedures are used to resect redundant lax skin, then skin tightening is achieved, but visible scarring and post-operative pain occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin tightnessVSAvoidvisible scarring

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the continuous skin resection into discrete pixel-sized segments (0.5-4.0mm diameter). The pixel array dermatome creates multiple small, distributed resection sites rather than one large incision, achieving skin tightening while minimizing visible scarring through fractional resection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different treatment intensities and patterns to different anatomical regions. The pixel array can be configured with varying densities and depths to match local skin characteristics and laxity severity, optimizing results while minimizing scarring in visible areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If conventional skin grafting is performed, then skin defects are covered, but donor site deformity and limited availability of non-burned skin occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin defect coverageVSAvoiddonor site deformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the donor site harvesting into pixel-sized units rather than large sheet removal. This fractional harvesting allows repeated grafting from the same donor site without creating visible deformity, as each pixel heals with minimal scarring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables recovery of the donor site after skin graft harvesting. The pixel array creates such small incisions that the donor site heals completely and can be reused for multiple grafting procedures, eliminating the single-use limitation of conventional harvesting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of operation

If electromagnetic devices are used for skin tightening, then non-invasive treatment is achieved, but effectiveness is limited to moderate laxity and side effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-invasive treatmentVSAvoidtreatment effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cutting function from electromagnetic energy and uses mechanical pixel-sized blades instead. This allows direct physical resection of skin and fat pixels, providing more reliable results for severe laxity while maintaining minimal invasiveness through small incision sizes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines mechanical cutting (scalpet array) with controlled depth mechanisms to achieve both precision and effectiveness. The hybrid approach of mechanical resection with controlled parameters provides superior results compared to electromagnetic methods alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Shape

If extensive incisions are made for skin resection, then skin laxity is corrected, but incision length and recovery time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin laxity correctionVSAvoidincision length

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the incision into numerous pixel-sized cuts distributed across the treatment area. The total linear length of individual pixels is minimal compared to conventional incisions, yet they collectively address extensive skin laxity through distributed resection and tightening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional linear incisions to two-dimensional distributed pixel arrays. This allows coverage of large surface areas with minimal linear incision length by spreading resection across multiple small points in a grid pattern

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20240252203A1Pixel array medical systems, devices and methods

Publication Date: 2024.08.01 SRGI HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

Embodiments include devices and methods configured to fractionally resect skin and/or fat. Fractional resection is applied as a stand-alone procedure in anatomical areas that are off-limits to conventional plastic surgery due to the poor tradeoff between the visibility of the incisional scar and amount of enhancement obtained. Fractional resection is also applied as an adjunct to established plastic surgery procedures such as liposuction, and is employed to significantly reduce the length of incisions required for a particular application. The shortening of incisions has application in both the aesthetic and reconstructive realms of plastic surgery.