Atraumatic Tissue Morcelization for High Viability Cell Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for processing tissues like full thickness skin grafts and cartilage grafts are inadequate, as they struggle to harvest large grafts without creating painful and slow-healing donor sites, and they fail to achieve high cell viability and uniform application over irregular wound surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for atraumatically processing tissue into finely morcelized particles in a liquid medium, using a pair of cutting devices and an agitation device to slice the tissue into small, viable particulates that can be easily dispensed and applied uniformly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If full thickness skin grafts are harvested to maintain normal skin characteristics, then graft quality and aesthetic appearance are improved, but donor site healing becomes problematic requiring sutures and limiting graft size
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the full thickness skin graft into numerous small particulates (0.5-5 mm) that can be dispersed and applied throughout the wound bed. This segmentation allows the graft to cover large areas while each particle remains viable, eliminating the need for donor site closure while maintaining graft quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a liquid suspension medium to transport the tissue particulates from the donor site to the recipient site. The tissue is processed into a liquid suspension that can be easily delivered via syringe or spray, enabling precise application without requiring complex surgical techniques for donor site closure.
2Ease of operation
If split thickness skin grafts are used to enable donor site healing, then donor site comfort and healing are improved, but graft cosmetic appearance and thickness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the skin graft into individual particulates that can be applied throughout the wound bed, allowing the use of thinner split thickness grafts while maintaining adequate coverage and cosmetic appearance through distributed application rather than requiring a continuous thick graft layer.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional tissue processing methods are used to harvest large grafts, then graft quantity is improved, but cell viability and tissue integrity are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional harsh mechanical processing methods with a gentle enzymatic and chemical processing system. The tissue is treated with specific enzymes and processed through a controlled liquid suspension system that maintains cell viability while achieving the desired particulate size and graft quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the processing parameters by using controlled temperature, pH, and enzymatic conditions to process the tissue. These parameter changes allow the tissue to be processed into viable particulates without the damage caused by traditional mechanical methods, maintaining both quantity and quality.
4Area of stationary object
If meshed skin grafts are used to expand coverage area, then wound coverage is improved, but uniformity of application and cosmetic appearance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a liquid suspension delivery system to apply the tissue particulates uniformly across the wound bed. The liquid medium allows for precise control of distribution, ensuring even coverage without the meshed appearance and variability associated with traditional meshed grafts.
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
The process achieves high cell viability, allowing for the rapid processing of tissues into a liquid or paste form that can be precisely and uniformly applied, effectively addressing the limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
using a pair of cutting devices and an agitation device to slice the tissue into small, viable particulates
Implementation Method 2
using a pair of cutting devices and an agitation device to slice the tissue into small, viable particulates
Data Source
AI summary
A process and system provides for atraumatic preparation of morcelized Tissue Particles (MTPs), such as Full Thickness Skin Graft Particles (FTSGPs), cartilage particles and other organ tissue particles, in a liquid medium. The resultant tissue product may be a suspension of Tissue Particles in an aqueous solution and containing highly viable cells and may be rapidly prepared at bedside or in the operating room and conveniently delivered to a patient through a syringe or similar applicator. The MTPs may be used for surgical applications including wound healing, cosmetic surgery, and orthopedic cartilage repairs.