A Robust Next-Generation Technology for Partial-Thickness Skin Grafts

Skin grafts are used when large areas of skin are damaged (e.g., burns, wounds, skin infections). Autologous skin grafts are often used for the grafting to be successful. A full-thickness graft includes the epidermis and the entire dermis. Full-thickness skin grafts are painful and may result in significant scarring in the donor site.

Traditionally, surgical procedures have used biologically passive approaches to repair injured tissues by removing, re-attaching, or stabilizing damaged, severed, fractured, or problematic tissues with sutures, stabilization, or fixation devices. Common post-op complications and challenges may arise due to variables beyond clinicians’ control, including the severity of the wound, comorbidities, patient biology, other factors, and the body’s inability to heal properly to its original state.

We have a proprietary technology for producing full-thickness skin grafts in one week. A small skin sample (pouch) is taken, and in seven days, three 4”x4” patches of a patient’s own skin can be grown. The proposed approach will lead to reduced pain, less scarring, and improved wound healing. This transformative innovation is a promising modality for facilitating wound healing.