METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INHIBITING SCAR FORMATION
First Claim
1. A method for inhibiting scar formation in a healing wound on a skin surface, said method comprising applying a downward force on the healing wound while simultaneously applying a lateral compression force to tissue across the wound.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Scar formation is inhibited by simultaneously applying a vertical force and a lateral compression to the wound site during the healing process. Apparatus for applying such simultaneous forces comprise a backing and a tissue displacement device. The backing holds the tissue displacement device over the wound. The tissue displacement device may be expanded to both apply the vertical force against the wound and to draw the backing radially or laterally inward to apply the desired compression forces to the wound.
67 Citations
23 Claims
- 1. A method for inhibiting scar formation in a healing wound on a skin surface, said method comprising applying a downward force on the healing wound while simultaneously applying a lateral compression force to tissue across the wound.
- 2. A method as in claim 2, wherein the forces are applied at a time beginning from 1 day to 30 days after the wound began to heal.
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13. Apparatus for inhibiting scar formation in a healing wound on a skin surface, said apparatus comprising:
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an expandable structure with a relatively non-distensible bottom surface for engaging the wound and a relatively distensible top surface which moves upwardly away from the bottom surface when actuated; and a backing having two lateral regions adapted to adhere to skin on opposites of the wound and a central section adapted to cover the expandable structure when placed over the wound; wherein expansion of the expandable structure causes the lower surface to apply downward pressure against the wound and adjacent tissue and simultaneously causes the top surface to rise and draw the lateral regions of the backing inwardly to laterally compress the tissue adjacent the wound. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification