Method and apparatus for tissue expansion

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide method and apparatus for facilitating stretching of a bio-logical tissue by forming a plurality of micro-slits in the tissue. Each micro-slit can be less than about 2 mm or less than about 1.5 mm long, or even less than about 1 mm, such that small gaps that can heal quickly can be formed when the tissue is stretched. The micro-slits can be formed using a plurality of cutting arrangements or an ablative laser. The micro-slits can be formed in various patterns, including staggered rows, circular or spiral patterns, or random patterns.

1 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . An apparatus for facilitating an expansion of a biological tissue, comprising:
 a plurality of cutting arrangements structured to form a plurality of spaced-apart micro-slits in the tissue, wherein each of the micro-slits has a length of extension along a surface of the tissue that is less than about 2 mm.   
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the length of extension of each of the micro-slits is less than about 1.5 mm. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the length of extension of each of the micro-slits is less than about 1 mm. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the cutting arrangements are provided on a plurality of blades. 
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the cutting arrangements are provided in a staggered pattern. 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the cutting arrangements are provided in at least one of a circular pattern and/or a spiral pattern. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the cutting arrangements are provided in a random pattern. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein a distance between proximal ends of adjacent ones of the micro-slits is greater than about 1/10 the length of the micro-slits. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the cutting arrangements are configured to form the micro-slits in a form of a plurality of substantially parallel lines of micro-slits, and wherein a distance between the lines of the micro-slits is between about ⅓ and about 3 times the length of the micro-slits. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the cutting arrangements are provided on a substrate that has a shape that is at least one of circular and/or cylindrical, and wherein the substrate is structured to be rolled over a portion of the tissue to form the micro-slits. 
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein at least one micro-slit has a form of a z-shaped incision in the tissue. 
     
     
         62 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the cutting arrangements are structured to form micro-incisions that extend substantially through an entire thickness of a portion of ex vivo tissue. 
     
     
         63 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the tissue comprises skin and the cutting arrangements are structured to form micro-incisions that extend substantially through an entire dermal layer of the tissue. 
     
     
         64 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the cutting arrangements are structured to form micro-incisions that extend through less than about one-third of the thickness of the tissue. 
     
     
         65 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein the cutting arrangements comprise an optical arrangement configured to direct optical energy onto the tissue to form the plurality of micro-slits in the tissue. 
     
     
         66 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , further comprising an optical energy source configured to provide the optical energy. 
     
     
         67 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the optical energy source comprises an ablative laser. 
     
     
         68 . A method for facilitating expansion of biological tissue, comprising:
 forming a plurality of spaced-apart micro-slits in the tissue, wherein a length of extension of each of the micro-slits along a surface of the tissue is less than about 2 mm.   
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein at least some of the micro-slits are provided in a form of a z-shape. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the micro-slits are formed using a plurality of blades. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the micro-slits are formed using optical energy.