Skin Harvesting System Reduces Pain During Grafting Procedures

A novel system gathers healthy skin grafts for transplant to wound and burn sites with considerably more comfort for the patients compared to current epidermal graft harvesting methods.

The CelluTome Epidermal Harvesting System consists of a harvester secured around the thigh, which contains suction microdomes at the gathering site. A vacuum head unit is placed around the harvester head providing heat and vacuum to activate the microdomes, which then slowly and gently lift the skin without affecting the vasculature beneath. Tegaderm film is then applied to the microdomes sticking through the harvester’s pores, and a lever cuts them all away from the skin in one swipe, leaving a layer of skin on the surface of the film. Donor site healing occurs within two to three weeks.


The harvested skin contains undamaged donor site epidermis down to the basal layer, including basal keratinocytes. The microdome patch is then placed directly on the graft site, where the cells secrete growth factors that encourage cells to extend. Among the factors secreted are vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α), platelet derived growth factors (PDGF-AA, PDGF-AB BB), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and granulocyte-stimulating growth factor (G-CSF). The CelluTome Epidermal Harvesting System is a product of Kinetic Concepts Inc. (KCI; San Antonio, TX, USA).

“The CelluTome System allows for a simplified and convenient way to harvest epidermis and provide autologous epidermal micrografts,” said Prof. Robert Kirsner, MD, PhD, of the department of dermatology and cutaneous surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine (FL, USA). “Our experience, to date, confirms harvesting with minimal, if any, pain and scarring and, most importantly, the ability to heal patients’ wounds.”

“The CelluTome System makes grafting accessible to a broader range of clinicians and patients than ever before,” said Joe Woody, president and CEO of KCI. “This new product is a complementary and innovative addition to our existing product portfolio of transformational healing solutions.”

Related Links:
Kinetic Concepts Inc.
University of Miami School of Medicine