Pixel array medical devices and methods

Abstract

Systems, instruments, and methods are described in which an apparatus comprises a housing including a scalpet device. The scalpet device includes a scalpet array that includes scalpets arranged in a pattern. The scalpets are deployable from the housing to generate incised skin pixels at a target site. The housing is positioned and the scalpet array is deployed into tissue at the target site. Incised skin pixels are generated when the target site is a donor site, and skin defects are generated when the target site is a recipient site. The incised skin pixels are harvested.

1 - 105 . (canceled) 
     
     
         106 . A system, comprising:
 a handpiece;   a scalpet assembly configured to be removably coupled to the handpiece, and comprising a scalpet array including a plurality of scalpets, wherein each scalpet comprises a distal end including a circular cutting surface configured for fractional resection, and a lumen configured to pass tissue from the distal end, wherein the scalpet array is configured to be deployed into tissue at a resection site to incise and remove skin pixels.   
     
     
         107 . The system of  claim 106 , wherein the scalpet array is configured to be removably coupled to the scalpet assembly. 
     
     
         108 . The system of  claim 107 , wherein the handpiece comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end includes an actuator and the distal end includes a receiver. 
     
     
         109 . The system of  claim 108 , wherein the proximal end is configured to be handheld, and the actuator is configured to control a state of the scalpet array. 
     
     
         110 . The system of  claim 109 , wherein the scalpet array is configured to be deployed and retracted relative to the scalpet assembly in response to activation of the actuator. 
     
     
         111 . The system of  claim 110 , wherein the scalpet array is configured to be deployed in response to activation of the actuator. 
     
     
         112 . The system of  claim 111 , wherein the scalpet array is configured to be retracted in response to activation of the actuator. 
     
     
         113 . The system of  claim 110 , wherein the scalpet assembly includes a housing configured to be removably coupled to the receiver. 
     
     
         114 . The system of  claim 113 , wherein the scalpet array is configured to be deployed and retracted relative to the housing in response to activation of the actuator. 
     
     
         115 . The system of  claim 113 , wherein the scalpet assembly includes a substrate, wherein the scalpet array is coupled to the substrate. 
     
     
         116 . The system of  claim 114 , wherein the substrate and the plurality of scalpets are configured to be deployed and retracted relative to the housing in response to activation of the actuator. 
     
     
         117 . The system of  claim 106 , comprising a vacuum component coupled to at least one of the scalpet assembly and the scalpet array, wherein the vacuum component is configured to generate vacuum pressure to evacuate the plurality of incised skin pixels. 
     
     
         118 . The system of  claim 106 , comprising a radio frequency (RF) component coupled to at least one of the scalpet assembly and the scalpet array, wherein the RF component is configured to provide at least one of rotational energy, vibrational energy, thermal energy, and acoustic energy. 
     
     
         119 . The system of  claim 106 , comprising a vacuum component and a radio frequency (RF) component coupled to at least one of the scalpet assembly and the scalpet array. 
     
     
         120 . The system of  claim 119 , wherein the vacuum component is configured to generate vacuum pressure to evacuate the plurality of incised skin pixels. 
     
     
         121 . The system of  claim 119 , wherein the RF component is configured to provide at least one of rotational energy, vibrational energy, thermal energy, and acoustic energy to at least one of the scalpet device and the scalpet array. 
     
     
         122 . The system of  claim 106 , wherein the resection site includes a donor site, wherein the skin pixels are harvested at the donor site. 
     
     
         123 . The system of  claim 122 , wherein the resection site includes a recipient site, wherein the incised skin pixels generate skin defects at the recipient site. 
     
     
         124 . The system of  claim 123 , wherein incised skin pixels are transferred from the resection site via the plurality of scalpets, wherein the incised skin pixels are configured for fractional skin grafting at the recipient site. 
     
     
         125 . The system of  claim 106 , wherein each scalpet includes a beveled surface. 
     
     
         126 . The system of  claim 106 , wherein each scalpet includes at least one pointed surface. 
     
     
         127 . The system of  claim 106 , wherein each scalpet includes at least one needle. 
     
     
         128 . The system of  claim 127 , wherein the at least one needle comprises at least one needle including multiple points. 
     
     
         129 . The system of  claim 106 , wherein the plurality of scalpets comprise a through orifice. 
     
     
         130 . The system of  claim 106 , wherein at least one diametric dimension of the plurality of scalpets is approximately in a range 0.5 millimeters to 4.0 millimeters.