Method and apparatus for skin stabilization and positioning

• US 10,092,354 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2014
• Issued: 10/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation (Mass General Brigham, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation (Mass General Brigham, Inc.)
• Inventors: Manstein, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): YABUT, DIANE D
• Application Number:
  US14/461,203
• Publication Number:
  US 20140358133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,516 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/203 applying laser energy to the outside of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00452 Skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00458 Deeper parts of the skin, e.g. treatment of vascular disorders or port wine stains
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0047 Upper parts of the skin, e.g. skin peeling or treatment of wrinkles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2005 with beam delivery through an interstitially insertable device, e.g. needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150022 for capillary blood or interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/150748 Having means for aiding positioning of the piercing device at a location where the body is to be pierced means for aiding positioning of devices for bringing media into the body A61M5/427, locating blood vessels A61B5/489
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/15136 by use of radiation, e.g. laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 39/02 Devices for locating such points
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0007 having means for enhancing the permeation of substances through the epidermis, e.g. using suction or depression, electric or magnetic fields, sound waves or chemical agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 37/00 Other apparatus for introducing media into the body for reproduction or fertilisation A61B17/425; apparatus for iontophoresis or cataphoresis A61N1/30; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin salt baths A61H33/04

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of a method, device, and apparatus for positioning an apparatus on a location of a tissue. For example, a substantially rigid film over an area of tissue to be treated can be provided. The film can include a positioning arrangement that facilitates a particular spatial engagement with the apparatus. The exemplary method can further include applying a portion of the film to a portion of a surface of the tissue and positioning the apparatus at the location by the engagement of the film to the apparatus using the feature of the film.

Claims

1. A system for ablating at least one particular location of a biological tissue, comprising:

a film configured to engage with at least one portion of a surface of the tissue that includes the at least one particular location; and

a device comprising a source of ablative electromagnetic radiation,

wherein the film comprises at least one first feature, and the device comprises at least one second feature,

wherein at least one portion of the film comprises an ablatable material,

wherein the at least one first feature is structured or configured to engage with the at least one second feature of the device to position the device over the particular location, such that, in operation, the device ablates a hole in the film over the at least one particular location such that the ablated hole passes through the entire thickness of the film, and further ablates a hole in the tissue at the at least one particular location when the device is activated.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the film comprises at least one of a plastic or a polymer.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the source of ablative electromagnetic radiation comprises an ablative laser.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the film is engaged with the surface of the tissue using at least one of a surgical glue, a cyanoacrylate compound, a cement, a glue, an epoxy, or a curable polymer.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one first feature comprises a first track arrangement and the at least one second feature comprises a second track arrangement, and wherein the at least one first and second track arrangements are configured to engage one another such that the device is constrained to follow a particular path over the film.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein each of the first and second track arrangements comprises at least one of a guide, a ridge, a groove, or a track.

7. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

at least one marker provided at least one of on or proximal to the at least one first track arrangement; and

at least one sensor associated with the device,

wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect the at least one marker when the first and second track arrangements are engaged with one another and the device is located at a certain position relative to the film.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one marker includes at least one of a bump, a notch, a magnetic element, or a pigmented marking.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to provide a signal to control an aspect of the device when it detects the at least one marker.

10. A method for affecting a biological tissue at at least one particular location, comprising:

adhering a film comprising an ablatable material to at least one portion of a surface of the tissue that includes the at least one location, wherein the film comprises at least one first feature;

providing a device comprising a source of ablative electromagnetic radiation and at least one second feature,

engaging the at least one first feature with the at least one second feature to position the device at a certain position relative to the at least one particular location; and

activating the device to ablate a hole in the film over the at least one particular location such that the ablated hole passes through the entire thickness of the film, and to further ablate a hole in the tissue at the at least one particular location.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one first feature comprises a first track arrangement and the at least one second feature comprises a second track arrangement;

and further comprising engaging the at least one first and second track arrangements with one another such that the device is constrained to follow a particular path over the film.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second track arrangements comprises at least one of a guide, a ridge, a groove, or a track.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing at least one marker provided at least one of on or proximal to the at least one first track arrangement;

providing at least one sensor associated with the device; and

with the at least one sensor, detecting the at least one marker when the first and second track arrangements are engaged with one another and the device is located at a certain position relative to the film.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one marker includes at least one of a bump, a notch, a magnetic element, or a pigmented marking.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising, with the at least one sensor, providing a signal to control an aspect of the device when the at least one sensor detects the at least one marker.