Pixel array medical devices and methods

Abstract

Pixel array medical devices, systems and methods are described for skin grafting and skin resection procedures. The procedures involve applying a scalpet array to a target skin site. The scalpet array comprises scalpets positioned on an investing plate. Skin pixels are circumferentially incised at a target skin site by applying a load via the scalpet array onto subjacent skin surface that includes the target skin site. Incised skin pixels are captured on an adherent substrate, where the incised skin pixels are extruded through the scalpet array. Bases of incised skin pixels extruded through the scalpet array are then transected.

1 . A method comprising:
 applying a scalpet array to a target skin site, wherein the scalpet array comprises a plurality of scalpets positioned on an investing plate, wherein the investing plate is a perforated plate;   circumferentially incising skin pixels at the target skin site by applying a load via the scalpet array onto subjacent skin surface that includes the target skin site;   capturing a plurality of incised skin pixels on an adherent substrate, wherein the incised skin pixels are extruded through the scalpet array; and   transecting bases of incised skin pixels extruded through the scalpet array.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the applying the load comprises applying the load with a dermatome. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising configuring at least one dimension of the scalpet array to be consistent with at least one dimension of the dermatome. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , comprising providing the scalpet array as a separate component from the dermatome. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , comprising applying the scalpet array directly to the target skin site. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , comprising removeably coupling the scalpet array to the dermatome. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising coupling the adherent substrate to the dermatome. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , comprising coupling the adherent substrate to the dermatome prior to the applying of the load. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , comprising coupling the adherent substrate to the dermatome following the applying of the load. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising:
 coupling the scalpet array to the dermatome prior to the applying of the load;   replacing the scalpet array with the adherent substrate following the applying of the load.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the transecting comprises transecting with a cutting member that is a component of the dermatome. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising configuring each scalpet of the plurality of scalpets with a beveled surface. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the applying the load comprises applying the load with a drum dermatome. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising configuring at least one dimension of the scalpet array to be consistent with at least one dimension of a drum of the drum dermatome. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising coupling the adherent substrate to the drum prior to the applying of the load. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising coupling the adherent substrate to the drum following the applying of the load. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising providing the scalpet array as a separate component from the drum dermatome. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising placing the scalpet array directly on the target skin site prior to the applying of the load. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising coupling the adherent substrate to the drum prior to the applying of the load. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising removeably coupling the scalpet array to the drum dermatome prior to the applying of the load, and applying the drum dermatome with the scalpet array to the target skin site. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , comprising replacing the scalpet array with the adherent substrate following the applying of the load. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , comprising applying a template plate directly to a skin surface. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the template plate is a perforated plate comprising a first pattern of perforations. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of scalpets comprise a second pattern. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the second pattern matches the first pattern. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the scalpet array is configured to be applied over the template plate in a manner resulting in mating of the plurality of scalpets with perforations in the template plate. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising forming the scalpet array as an integral component of the drum dermatome. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the transecting comprises transecting with a cutting member. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , comprising coupling the cutting member to the drum dermatome. 
     
     
         30 . A system comprising:
 a scalpet array comprising a plurality of scalpets secured on an investing plate, wherein the scalpet array is configured for application to a skin surface;   a loading member, wherein the loading member is configured to apply via the scalpet array a load onto the skin surface subjacent the scalpet array;   an adherent substrate configured to capture incised skin plugs extruded through the scalpet array as a result of application of the load; and   a cutting member, wherein the cutting member transects bases of the incised skin plugs extruded through the scalpet array.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the loading member comprises a dermatome. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein at least one dimension of the scalpet array fits at least one dimension of the dermatome. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the adherent membrane is coupled to the loading member. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the loading member comprises a dermatome, wherein the adherent substrate is carried on a component of the dermatome. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the cutting member is coupled to the loading member. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the loading member comprises a dermatome, wherein the cutting member is a component of the dermatome. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein each scalpet of the plurality of scalpets comprises a beveled surface. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the loading member comprises a drum dermatome. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein at least one dimension of the scalpet array fits at least one dimension of a drum of the drum dermatome. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the scalpet array is separate from the drum dermatome. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the cutting member is coupled to the drum dermatome. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the cutting member is internal to the drum. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the cutting member is external to the drum. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the adherent substrate is coupled to the drum. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the drum is an array drum comprising the scalpet array. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the array drum is detachable. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the array drum is disposable. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the adherent substrate is coupled to an interior of the array drum. 
     
     
         49 . A system comprising:
 a scalpet array comprising a plurality of scalpets secured on an investing plate, wherein the scalpet array is configured for application to a skin surface; and   an adherent substrate configured to capture incised skin pixels extruded through the scalpet array as a result of application of a load onto the skin surface subjacent the scalpet array, wherein the scalpet array is independent of the adherent substrate.   
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the adherent substrate is coupled to a dermatome, wherein the dermatome is configured to apply the load via the scalpet array. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the dermatome includes a cutting member, wherein the cutting member transects bases of the incised skin plugs extruded through the scalpet array. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the dermatome is a drum dermatome comprising a drum. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the adherent substrate is carried on the drum. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein at least one dimension of the scalpet array is in proportion with at least one dimension of the drum. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the drum is an array drum comprising the scalpet array. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the array drum is detachable. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the array drum is disposable. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 55 , wherein the adherent substrate is coupled to an interior of the array drum. 
     
     
         59 - 90 . (canceled)