US3782387A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and methods for obtaining and making skin grafts
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-02-29
•
Granted: 1974-01-01
•
Expires: 1992-02-29
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method are provided for obtaining skin grafts and making skin grafts by subjecting a donor site to vacuum to produce blistering of the epidermal layer and removing and transferring the blister to the recipient site.
Inventors
- 👤 R Falabella
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/322; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00544; A61B17/30; A61B2017/306
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus for obtaining epidermic grafts comprising a vacuum source, an hermetic vessel connected to said vacuum source and placed under vacuum thereby, a plurality of hemispherical cup shaped suction capsules connected to said hermetic vessel and adapted to be placed on an epidermal layer to be collected and transverse flange means surrounding the edge of said cup shaped capsule engaging and forming a seal with said epidermal layer to prevent relative movement of the epidermal and flange.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus for obtaining epidermic grafts comprising a vacuum source, an hermetic vessel connected to said vacuum source and placed under vacuum thereby, a plurality of hemispherical cup shaped suction capsules connected to said hermetic vessel and adapted to be placed on an epidermal layer to be collected and transverse flange means surrounding the edge of said cup shaped capsule engaging and forming a seal with said epidermal layer to prevent relative movement of the epidermal and flange.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus for obtaining epidermic grafts as claimed in claim 1 having a manifold connected to said hermetic vessel and a plurality of said hemispherical cup shaped suction capsules connected to said manifold whereby said cups are under uniform vacuum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus for obtaining epidermic grafts as claimed in claim 1 having vacuum measuring means connected to said hermetic vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the edges of said plurality of suction capsules are connected to one another by a flexible sheet having a sealing projection around its periphery.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
76 words
A mEthod of epidermal grafting comprising the steps of: a. forming a blister of the epidermal layer of a donor skin site; b. removing said blister from the donor site by cutting around its periphery; c. transferring the blister from the donor site to the recipient site with the dermal face exposed; d. attaching the dermal face of said blister to the recipient site; and e. smoothing said blister onto the contour of the recipient site.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
76 words
A mEthod of epidermal grafting comprising the steps of: a. forming a blister of the epidermal layer of a donor skin site; b. removing said blister from the donor site by cutting around its periphery; c. transferring the blister from the donor site to the recipient site with the dermal face exposed; d. attaching the dermal face of said blister to the recipient site; and e. smoothing said blister onto the contour of the recipient site.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the blister is transferred by placing the external surface thereof onto a smooth plate and applied by pressing said plate and blister with the dermal face onto the recipient site and removing said plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the blister is formed by subjecting the donor site to a vacuum of about 200 mm. of mercury.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |