Method and apparatus for tissue grafting and copying

US11832845B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The General Hospital Corporation · US

Inventors

• Richard Rox Anderson · Boston, US
• William A. Farinelli · Danvers, US
• Walfre Franco · Westborough, US
• Joshua Tam · Boston, US
• Fernanda H. Sakamoto · Boston, US
• Apostolos G. Doukas · Belmont, US
• Martin Purschke · Milton Village, US
• Min Yao · Madison, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 6, 2020
• Grant date: Dec 5, 2023
• Expiry date: Nov 3, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/3225
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of apparatus and method for obtaining one or more portions of biological tissue (“micrografts”) to form grafts are provided. For example, a hollow tube can be inserted into tissue at a donor site, and a pin provided within the tube can facilitate controlled removal of the micrograft from the tube. Micrografts can be harvested and directly implanted into an overlying biocompatible matrix through coordinated motion of the tube and pin. A needle can be provided around the tube to facilitate a direct implantation of a micrograft into a remote recipient site or matrix. The exemplary apparatus can include a plurality of such tubes and pins for simultaneous harvesting and/or implanting of a plurality of micrografts. The harvested micrografts can have a small dimension, e.g., less than about 1 mm, which can promote healing of the donor site and/or viability of the harvested tissue.