It’s now entirely possible to treat severe burns with skin grafts in just half an hour. ReCell is a product by Avita Medical that uses regenerative medicine technology to literally grow skin. It is a small kit that comes with a syringe which has a nozzle at the end of it instead of a needle. That’s for spraying the grown replacement skin on the affected area.
The kit contains a special solution that can trigger the growth of keratinocytes and melanocytes (which are types of skin cells) in just around 30 minutes. In that short period of time, the sample used would have reproduced at such a rate that it becomes 80 times larger than the original amount. The usual process of making skin grafts in a lab actually takes weeks.
How ReCell Works
The recommended procedure is to use a sample from the patient’s own skin. In this way, the replacement skin won’t be rejected by the patient’s body. There is also less risk of incurring disease or infection unlike when the sample comes from a donor. The stated benefits are that burns heal faster and that there is less scarring afterwards. The process begins by taking a small biopsy of the patient’s healthy skin. This sample is then placed into the ReCell kit, where it is treated with enzymes to separate the cells. These cells are then suspended in the special solution, which is sprayed onto the burn site.
The ReCell system is designed to be user-friendly, allowing medical professionals to perform the procedure at the patient’s bedside. This is particularly beneficial in emergency situations where time is of the essence. The ability to quickly generate a large amount of skin cells can make a significant difference in the patient’s recovery process.
Global Availability and Future Prospects
ReCell is already available in Canada, Australia, and Europe. The system is still undergoing clinical tests in the US. The ongoing trials in the United States are crucial for gaining FDA approval, which would allow ReCell to be used more widely in American hospitals and burn centers. The success of these trials could pave the way for the technology to become a standard treatment for severe burns and other skin injuries.
In addition to treating burns, ReCell has potential applications in other areas of medicine. For example, it could be used to treat chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers, which are notoriously difficult to heal. The technology could also be adapted for use in cosmetic procedures, such as scar revision and skin rejuvenation.
The development of ReCell represents a significant advancement in the field of regenerative medicine. Traditional skin grafting methods are time-consuming and often result in significant scarring. By contrast, ReCell offers a faster, less invasive alternative that can improve patient outcomes. The ability to use the patient’s own cells reduces the risk of rejection and infection, making the procedure safer and more effective.
As the technology continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see even more innovative applications for ReCell and similar products. Researchers are constantly exploring new ways to harness the body’s natural healing processes, and the success of ReCell is a promising indication of what the future holds.
In conclusion, ReCell by Avita Medical is a groundbreaking product that has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of severe burns and other skin injuries. Its ability to quickly generate large amounts of skin cells using the patient’s own tissue offers numerous benefits, including faster healing times and reduced scarring. With ongoing clinical trials and potential applications beyond burn treatment, ReCell is poised to make a significant impact in the field of regenerative medicine.
Via gizmodo
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