Tissue expansion and approximation device
First Claim
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1. A constant tension tissue expansion and approximation device for helping to restore skin to an open wound area of a patient who has relative healthier skin outward of and surrounding the open wound area, the device comprising:
- a) a frame including means thereon forming boundaries which define a path that extends in an axial direction, the path having remote and near ends, the frame having an exposed surface positionable to overlie the patient'"'"'s skin,b) a slider coupled to said frame and movable along said path, where said boundaries of the path define and control any non-axial displacement of the slider when it is moved axially along said path,c) engaging means carried by said slider for releasably engaging the healthier skin, andd) force application means urging said slider to move in the direction from said remote end of the path toward said near end of the path, said force application means providing a generally continuous force of generally constant magnitude on said slider regardless of the location of the slider along said path.
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Abstract
A device applies continuous tension to skin adjacent an ulcerative area, to expand and approximate this skin until it covers the ulcerative area. The new device includes a frame which defines a path in which sliders move under the force of a constant tension spring. Each slider includes a hook-like element that engages and pulls the skin until the skin on opposite sides of the ulcerative area comes together.
122 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A constant tension tissue expansion and approximation device for helping to restore skin to an open wound area of a patient who has relative healthier skin outward of and surrounding the open wound area, the device comprising:
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a) a frame including means thereon forming boundaries which define a path that extends in an axial direction, the path having remote and near ends, the frame having an exposed surface positionable to overlie the patient'"'"'s skin, b) a slider coupled to said frame and movable along said path, where said boundaries of the path define and control any non-axial displacement of the slider when it is moved axially along said path, c) engaging means carried by said slider for releasably engaging the healthier skin, and d) force application means urging said slider to move in the direction from said remote end of the path toward said near end of the path, said force application means providing a generally continuous force of generally constant magnitude on said slider regardless of the location of the slider along said path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 39)
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33. A constant tension tissue expansion and approximation device for helping to restore skin to an open wound area of a patient who has relatively healthier skin outward of and surrounding the open wound area, the device comprising:
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a) a frame including means thereon forming boundaries which define a path that extends in an axial direction, the path having remote and near ends, b) a slider coupled to said frame and movable along said path, where said boundaries of the path define and control any non-axial displacement of the slider, c) engaging means carried by said slider for releasably engaging the healthier skin, and d) force application means urging said slider to move in the direction from said remote end of the path toward said near end of the path, said force application means providing a generally continuous force of generally constant magnitude on said slider regardless of the location of the slider along said path. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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37. A method for treating a patient'"'"'s open wound which is surrounded by healthier skin, comprising:
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a) engaging at least one edge of the healthier skin, b) urging said engaged edge of skin in a direction to cover said open wound, where said urging comprises applying a generally continuous force of generally constant magnitude to said edge of skin, and c) applying said generally continuous force of generally constant magnitude slowly for a period of time until said edge has extended and at least partially covers said open wound. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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40. A constant tension issue expansion and approximation device for helping to restore skin to an open wound area of a patient who has relatively healthier skin outward of and surrounding the open wound area, the device comprising:
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a) a frame including means thereon forming boundaries which define a path that extends in an axial direction, the path having remote and near ends, b) a slider coupled to said frame and movable along said path, where said boundaries of the path define and control any non-axial displacement of the slider, c) engaging means carried by said slider for releasably engaging the healthier skin, and d) force application means urging said slider to move in the direction from said remote end of the path toward said near end of the path, said force application means providing a generally continuous force of generally constant magnitude on said slider regardless of the location of the slider along said path.
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Specification