Exemplary embodiments of apparatus and method for harvesting small portions of tissue (“micrografts”) to form grafts can be provided. For example, a hollow tube can be inserted into tissue at a donor site, where a distal end of the hollow tube can have two or more points or extensions to facilitate separation of the micrografts from the surrounding tissue. The exemplary apparatus can be provided that includes a plurality of such tubes for simultaneous harvesting of a plurality of micrografts. The harvested micrografts can have a small dimension, e.g., less than about 1 mm, or less than about 0.3 mm, which can promote healing of the donor site and/or viability of the harvested tissue. The micrografts can be approximately cylindrical or strip-shaped, and can be placed in a biocompatible matrix to form a graft or directly into tissue at the recipient site. Such exemplary micrografts can be obtained from skin or other types of tissue, e.g., various internal organs.

For producing a skin opening for minimally invasive surgery an instrument is employed, comprising a grip (10) and a puncture awl (16). The puncture awl (16) is provided on the distal end of a grip (10), which distal end forms a stop surface (12), which limits the penetration depth of the puncture awl (16).

A device for a medical procedure is provided that includes a handle axially supporting on one side a rigid needle forming a trocar provided to pierce skin, a sealing plug covering at least the rigid needle, and an elongated protective tube mounted on the handle on another side of said handle, said elongated protective tube containing a needle forming a cannula.

An apparatus for opening or closing a tissue opening in a biological subject, the apparatus including at least two flexible arms coupled to a tissue surface in use, each arm being curved outwardly in a mid-portion to accommodate a tissue opening therebetween and a biasing mechanism that selectively biases opposing ends of each arm to thereby at least one of bias mid-portions of the arms apart to assist in at least partially opening the tissue opening; and bias mid-portions of the arms towards each other to assist in at least partially closing the tissue opening.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that comprise an introducer apparatus for facilitating subcutaneous implantation of a medical device. In certain instances, the apparatus may include a housing, an inserter configured to pass the medical device through the housing, and a tunneler configured to form a subcutaneous pocket for the medical device.

Systems, instruments, methods, and compositions are described involving removing a portion of the epidermis within a donor site on a subject, and harvesting dermal plugs within the donor site. An injectable filler is formed by mincing the dermal plugs. The injectable filler is configured for injecting into a recipient site on the subject.

A dilation assembly comprises an expandable and contractible main body having a corrugated outer surface, a guide cannula configured to be disposed through the main body to guide a movement of the main body, and an anchor configured to fix the main body in a target position.

Subcutaneous implantation tools and methods of implanting a subcutaneous device using the same. The tool may include a tool body having a longitudinally extending recess having a distal opening and having a tunneler at a distal end of the tool body extending from the distal opening of the recess. The tool may include a plunger slidably fitting within at least a portion of the tool body recess. The recess may be configured to receive an implantable device and the tunneler preferably extends distally from the recess at a position laterally displaced from the device when the device is so located in the recess. Movement of the plunger distally within the recess advances the device distally out of the recess and alongside of and exterior to the tunneler.

A device and method is provided to gain access to interior body regions. The system includes a safety needle assembly, a blade assembly, an obturator assembly, and a dilator assembly. The safety needle assembly accesses an interior body region, after which the blade assembly expands the pathway created by the safety needle assembly. The obturator then further expands the pathway and delivers the dilator assembly to the desired location. The safety needle assembly, obturator assembly, and blade assembly are removed, leaving the dilator assembly in place for future procedures.

A device and method is provided to gain access to interior body regions. The system includes a stylet needle assembly, a safety needle assembly, a blade assembly, a retractable obturator assembly, and a dilator assembly. The safety needle assembly accesses an interior body region, after which the blade assembly expands the pathway created by the safety needle assembly. The obturator then further expands the pathway and delivers the dilator assembly to the desired location. The safety needle assembly, obturator assembly, and blade assembly are removed, leaving the dilator assembly in place for future procedures.