Abstract: A portable and disposable device is provided for processing harvested dermal tissue. The device includes a housing presenting a handle having a gripping surface and a cutting head attached to the handle. A cutting assembly is supported by the cutting head and includes a plurality of spaced cutting blades that are rotatable with respect to the housing. A receptacle is disposed downstream of the cutting assembly and receives the sliced tissue from the cutting blades. The device is thus operable to slice harvested tissue into strips, and further into fine particles, that can be used for transplantation onto a wound site.

Abstract: A portable and disposable device is provided for processing harvested dermal tissue. The device includes a housing presenting a handle having a gripping surface and a cutting head attached to the handle. A cutting assembly is supported by the cutting head and includes a plurality of spaced cutting blades that are rotatable with respect to the housing. A receptacle is disposed downstream of the cutting assembly and receives the sliced tissue from the cutting blades. The device is thus operable to slice harvested tissue into strips, and further into fine particles, that can be used for transplantation onto a wound site.

Abstract: A wound dressing includes a chamber (12) defining a treatment space (14) and at least one opening (20) communicating with the treatment space. In one embodiment, a plurality of channels are defined on an inner wall of the chamber. In another embodiment, a tube (31) extends through the chamber and into the treatment space and defines a plurality of openings (35) in a portion of the tube extending into the treatment space. In yet another embodiment, a tube extends through the chamber and into the treatment space and comprises a plurality of branches (37) extending to different regions of the treatment space.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to enable the direct gene transfer of genetic material into a target cell site (“microseeding”), as a means of obtaining long term expression of native or non-native polypeptides in a host. The apparatus includes a matrix of microneedles that oscillate at a predetermined frequency and receive the genetic material from a delivery system that is integrated with the apparatus.

Abstract: A portable and disposable device is provided for processing harvested dermal tissue. The device includes a housing presenting a handle having a gripping surface and a cutting head attached to the handle. A cutting assembly is supported by the cutting head and includes a plurality of spaced cutting blades that are rotatable with respect to the housing. A receptacle is disposed downstream of the cutting assembly and receives the sliced tissue from the cutting blades. The device is thus operable to slice harvested tissue into strips, and further into fine particles, that can be used for transplantation onto a wound site.

Abstract: A wound dressing includes a base, a chamber, a tube, and a portal. The chamber extends from the base to define a treatment space. The tube has a first end coupled to the chamber. The tube communicates with the treatment space. The portal is coupled to a second end of the tube.

Abstract: A portable and disposable device is provided for processing harvested dermal tissue. The device includes a housing presenting a handle having a gripping surface and a cutting head attached to the handle. A cutting assembly is supported by the cutting head and includes a plurality of spaced cutting blades that are rotatable with respect to the housing. A receptacle is disposed downstream of the cutting assembly and receives the sliced tissue from the cutting blades. The device is thus operable to slice harvested tissue into strips, and further into fine particles, that can be used for transplantation onto a wound site.

Abstract: A dermal tissue harvesting apparatus is provided having a handle attached to a housing. The housing defines a base having a forward base portion spaced apart from a rearward base portion by a slot extending through the base. The forward base portion is offset higher than the rearward base portion. A ramp is provided that supports a cutting blade at an angle relative to the base. The blade defines a cutting edge that extends through the slot. The blade depth can either be fixed on the ramp, or adjustable.

Abstract: A dermal tissue transplantation system combining a tissue particle harvester, a tissue particle collector, and a chambered dressing. The system provides a harvester capable of harvesting tissue from a donor site on the order of about 100 microns. The integrated tissue particle collector provides a means for collecting the harvested tissue for in situ cultivation in a chambered dressing at the wound site.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to enable the direct gene transfer of genetic material into a target cell site (“microseeding”), as a means of obtaining long term expression of native or non-native polypeptides in a host. The apparatus includes a matrix of microneedles that oscillate at a predetermined frequency and receive the genetic material from a delivery system that is integrated with the apparatus.

Abstract: Direct gene transfer of genetic material into an external or internal target cell site (“microseeding”), in optional combination with a wound treatment chamber, are particularly effective as a means of obtaining long term expression of native or non-native polypeptides in a host. A wide variety of proteins and materials can be expressed, either for secretion into the general blood and lymphatic system, or to alter the properties of the protein, for example, to not express proteins eliciting an immune response. The use of the optional wound chamber system for gene transfer to skin target sites also allows non-invasive assessment of the success of transfer by assaying for the presence of the expressed protein in wound fluid, in contrast to the prior art use of invasive techniques, such as biopsies, in order to achieve the same assessment of early expression.

Abstract: Devices and methods for enhancing the healing of wounds, especially chronic wounds (e.g., diabetic wounds), involving the use of keratinocytes and transformed cells are described. A cell-coated transplantable solid support (e.g., beads coated with keratinocytes and/or transformed cells), are placed in an enclosure. The enclosure, in turn, is placed in the wound for use as an interactive wound healing promoter.

Abstract: Direct gene transfer of genetic material into an external or internal target cell site ("microseeding"), in optional combination with a wound treatment chamber, are particularly effective as a means of obtaining long term expression of native or non-native polypeptides in a host. A wide variety of proteins and materials can be expressed, either for secretion into the general blood and lymphatic system, or to alter the properties of the protein, for example, to not express proteins eliciting an immune response. The use of the optional wound chamber system for gene transfer to skin target sites also allows non-invasive assessment of the success of transfer by assaying for the presence of the expressed protein in wound fluid, in contrast to the prior art use of invasive techniques, such as biopsies, in order to achieve the same assessment of early expression.

Abstract: Direct gene transfer of genetic material into an external or internal target cell site ("microseeding"), in optional combination with a wound treatment chamber, are particularly effective as a way of obtaining long term expression of native or non-native polypeptides in a host. A wide variety of proteins and materials can be expressed, either for secretion into the general blood and lymphatic system, or to alter the properties of the protein, for example, to not express proteins eliciting an immune response. The use of the optional wound chamber system for gene transfer to skin target sites also allows non-invasive assessment of the success of transfer by assaying for the presence of the expressed protein in wound fluid, in contrast to the prior art use of invasive techniques, such as biopsies, in order to achieve the same assessment of early expression.

Abstract: A DNA molecule encoding a secretable mature epidermal growth factor (EGF) polypeptide is delivered to a skin wound. The cells that take up the recombinant DNA construct express soluble EGF that is secreted into surrounding fluid. The presence of the EGF accelerates, by a statistically significant amount, the healing time of a wound treated in this manner.The DNA molecule can be a genetic construction that expresses an EGF encoding portion that differs from the naturally occurring EGF precursor gene in that the only coding region retained from the precursor gene is that of the mature EGF polypeptide. Amino-terminal EGF-like repeats and the carboxy-terminal hydrophobic sequence that anchors natural EGF to the cell membrane are not present in the genetic construction.

Abstract: Gene transfer of genetic material with viral vectors or plasmid, in combination with a wound treatment chamber, into keratinocytes, especially those including a high percentage of epidermal stem cells, has been demonstrated to be particularly effective as a means of implanting genetically engineered cells and obtaining long term survival. By employing the wound chamber system, direct in vivo gene transfer can also be done to exposed cells in an open wound. Skin stem cells which are located in the hair follicles are used to greatly enhance long term survival. The use of the wound chamber system for gene transfer also allows non-invasive assessment of the success of transfer by assaying for the presence of the expressed protein in wound fluid, in contrast to the prior art use of invasive techniques, such as biopsies, in order to achieve the same assessment of early expression.

Abstract: A treatment system according to the invention comprises a chamber, treatment fluid, treatment additives, control over treatment variables and monitoring capabilities. The chamber encloses a predetermined surface area about the wound. The chamber provides protection from the wound from the surrounding non-sterile environment, control of treatment variables, containment for continuous fluid treatment, an effective delivery system, an effective interface between the wound and the environment, direct monitoring of wound physiology and wound diagnosis. The treatment system provides monitoring of the wound which is essential to enhancing the healing process. Monitoring constitutes extraction and analysis of the system fluid and clinical wound diagnosis. The system provides visual monitoring of the wound itself as well as the fluid within the system. The monitoring features of the system, in addition to the precise control over treatment variables, facilitates research.