Wound closure device and method for using same
First Claim
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1. A wound closure device for a wound in a region of skin which defines an epidermal layer and a germinal layer, said device comprising:
- a strip defining first and second end sections and a center section;
an adhesive layer covering the first and second end sections and the center section and adapted to adhesively secure each of the sections to the epidermal layer;
said center section defining a selected convex shape and comprising a resilient material which operates to allow the center section to be flattened during application of the strip to the epidermal layer and then to return to a convex shape after the adhesive layer has secured the sections to the epidermal layer, thereby everting the skin under the center section in order to enhance alignment of the germinal layer across the wound.
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Abstract
A wound closure device includes an elongated strip which defines first and second end sections and a central section. The central section includes a resilient element which defines a convex, generally cylindrical shape. In use, the entire strip, including both the end sections and the central section, is adhesively affixed to the skin with the resilient element flattened. Then the resilient element is allowed to return to its initial convex shape, thereby everting the skin in order to align both the epidermis and the germinal layer of the skin across the wound.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A wound closure device for a wound in a region of skin which defines an epidermal layer and a germinal layer, said device comprising:
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a strip defining first and second end sections and a center section; an adhesive layer covering the first and second end sections and the center section and adapted to adhesively secure each of the sections to the epidermal layer; said center section defining a selected convex shape and comprising a resilient material which operates to allow the center section to be flattened during application of the strip to the epidermal layer and then to return to a convex shape after the adhesive layer has secured the sections to the epidermal layer, thereby everting the skin under the center section in order to enhance alignment of the germinal layer across the wound. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A wound closure device for a wound in a region of skin which defines an epidermal layer and a germinal layer, said device comprising:
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a strip defining first and second end sections and a center section; an adhesive layer covering the first and second end sections and the center section and adapted to adhesively secure each of the sections to the epidermal layer; means, included in the center section of the strip, for resiliently everting the skin under the center section after the strip has been adhesively secured to the skin in order to enhance alignment of the germinal layer across the wound, said everting means being collapsible during application of the flexible strip to the skin to allow the center section to be securely adhesively bonded to the skin prior to eversion of the skin. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A wound closure device for a wound in a region of skin which defines an epidermal layer and a germinal layer, said device comprising:
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a flexible, elongated strip which defines an underside; a resilient, semi-rigid element bonded to a central portion of the underside of the strip, said resilient element defining a generally cylindrical curvature; and a layer of adhesive secured to the resilient element and exposed portions of the underside of the strip to adhesively bond both the resilient element and the underside of the strip to the epidermal layer; said flexible strip, resilient element, and layer of adhesive cooperating to allow the resilient element to be flattened during application of the flexible strip to the epidermal layer and then to return to a convex curvature after the layer of adhesive has secured the strip and the resilient element to the epidermal layer, thereby everting the skin under the resilient element in order to enhance alignment of the germinal layer across the wound. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of closing a wound in a region of skin which defines an epidermal layer and a germinal layer, said method comprising the following steps:
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apposing the marginal edges of the wound; applying an adhesive strip across the wound to the apposed epidermal layers; and everting the skin with the adhesive strip in a region which includes the wound, by an amount sufficient to appose the germinal layer across the wound in order to minimize scar tissue formation. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification