Method and Apparatus for Creating a Modified Tissue Graft

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for creating a modified tissue graft, wherein an anatomical site at which the modified tissue graft is to be placed is identified, desired characteristics for the modified tissue graft are identified based at least upon the anatomical site, one or more types of graft modifications and regions of the tissue graft to be modified are identified to achieve the desired characteristics; and at least a first area and a second area of the exterior surface of the tissue graft are modified by compressing, cutting and/or removing one or more portions thereof to create first designed surface features which cause the tissue graft to have first characteristics in the first area and second designed surface features which cause the tissue graft to have second characteristics in the second area.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of creating a modified tissue graft for connection at an anatomical site of a human body, comprising the steps of:
 (a) obtaining a tissue graft from a location different than said anatomical site, said tissue graft having an exterior surface;   (b) identifying said anatomical site at which said modified tissue graft is to be placed;   (c) identifying desired characteristics for said modified tissue graft, based at least upon the anatomical site;   (d) identify one or more types of graft modifications and regions of said tissue graft to be modified, to achieve the desired characteristics; and   (e) target resurfacing said tissue graft by using at least one template to modify at least a first area of said exterior surface of said tissue graft by compressing, cutting and/or removing one or more portions of said exterior surface of said tissue graft to create one or more first designed surface features which cause said modified tissue graft to have first characteristics in said first area and to modify at least a second area of said exterior surface of said tissue graft by compressing, cutting and/or removing one or more portions of said exterior surface of said tissue graft to create one or more second designed surface features which cause said tissue graft to have second characteristics in said second area.   
     
     
         2 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said modified tissue graft is an external tissue graft. 
     
     
         3 . The method in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said first and second designed surface features are configured to promote wound healing. 
     
     
         4 . The method in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said first and second designed surface features are configured to reduce scarring. 
     
     
         5 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising associating one or more medicants with at least one of said first and second designed surface features. 
     
     
         6 . The method in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said one or more medicants comprise at least one of: an antibiotic, a growth factor, and a chemotherapeutic. 
     
     
         7 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said step of identifying desired characteristics is further based upon characteristics of an injury or wound at said anatomical site. 
     
     
         8 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said desired characteristics comprise one or more of: stress reduction, glide, adhesion, traction, scar reduction, osseous healing and/or integration, disease control and increased rate of healing. 
     
     
         9 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said first and second designed surface features comprise one or more of: a cut, a pocket, a fold, a void, a slot, and a slit. 
     
     
         10 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said first area comprises a first side of said tissue graft and said second area comprises a second side of said tissue graft. 
     
     
         11 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said first area comprises a first end of said tissue graft and said second area comprises a second end of said tissue graft. 
     
     
         12 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said at least one template comprises a die. 
     
     
         13 . The method in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein said die comprises one or more cutting elements. 
     
     
         14 . The method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said step of using said at least one template comprises pressing said die into said exterior surface of said tissue graft. 
     
     
         15 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said tissue graft comprises human cadaveric tissue. 
     
     
         16 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said tissue graft comprises amniotic and/or chorionic tissue. 
     
     
         17 . The method in accordance with  claim 16  wherein said amniotic and/or chorionic tissue comprises genetically altered human de-cellular amniotic and/or chorionic tissue.