Surgical incision and closure apparatus

• US 9,050,086 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2014
• Issued: 06/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zipline Medical, Inc. (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Zipline Medical, Inc. (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Belson, Amir, Storne, Eric, Schaer, Alan, Rathi, Pankaj, Ichiryu, Keiichiro, D'Aquanni, Peter, Clauson, Luke
• Primary Examiner(s): STRANSKY, KATRINA MARIE
• Application Number:
  US14/180,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20150105822A1
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• Field of Search: 606213-218, 600/562, 602/50, 602/52, 602/53, 602/54, 602/58, 602 41- 43
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0466 Suture bridges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/085 with adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00889 antimicrobial, disinfectant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/086 having flexible threads, filaments, laces or wires, e.g. parallel threads, extending laterally from a strip, e.g. for tying to opposing threads extending from a similar strip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/088 Sliding fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter

Abstract

An apparatus for closing a surgical incision comprises left and right base panels, a plurality of closure components, and a plurality of left and right axial supports coupled to the respective base panels. The closure components couple the left and right base panels to each other laterally and have left and right ends coupled to the respective base panels. The closure components are positioned laterally across the left and right panels, the left axial supports are disposed between pairs of left closure component ends, the right axial supports are disposed between pairs of right closure component ends, and the left and right axial supports are offset from one another such that a serpentine arrangement of consecutive closure components and axial supports is formed. The apparatus can be made of antimicrobial materials or materials impregnated with antimicrobial agents. A flexible adhesive cover can be provided over the apparatus when in use.

Claims

1. A method for closing an incision in a patient'"'"'s skin, the method comprising:

adhering a bottom portion of an incision closure appliance adjacent the incision, the bottom portion having a first elasticity and being coupled to a middle portion having a second elasticity lower than the first elasticity; and

drawing lateral edges of a top portion of the incision closure appliance together to compress the incision between the lateral edges, wherein the top portion is coupled to the middle portion and has a third elasticity lower than the first and second elasticities such that there is an elasticity gradient of decreasing elasticity from the bottom portion to the middle portion to the top portion,

wherein the elasticity gradient provides sufficient stiffness for the incision closure appliance such that movement of tissue laterally adjacent the appliance when covering the incision and surrounding tissue does not substantially distend the covered incision and surrounding tissue while minimizing blistering and adhesion loss due to movement of the tissue laterally adjacent the appliance when covering the incision and adjacent tissue.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing a securing layer over the incision closure appliance such that the securing layer extends over the lateral edges of the top portion.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the incision closure appliance is axially flexible in response to axial stretching of the incision and surrounding tissue covered by the incision closure appliance.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein movement of a first tissue region adjacent a periphery of the bottom portion substantially translates into a same movement of a second tissue region adjacent the periphery of the bottom portion and opposite the first tissue region.