Skin treatment devices and methods with pre-stressed configurations

摘要

Devices, bandages, kits and methods are described that can control or regulate the mechanical environment of a wound to ameliorate scar and/or keloid formation. The mechanical environment of a wound includes stress, strain, and any combination of stress and strain. The control of a wound's mechanical environment can be active, passive, dynamic, or static. The devices are configured to be removably secured to a skin surface in proximity to the wound site and shield the wound from endogenous and/or exogenous stress.

主权项

1. A system for treating a patient, comprising:
a first structure comprising a first layer comprising a planar sheet having a relaxed configuration and a strained configuration, the strained configuration having a predetermined strain, and a second layer comprising an adhesive configured to removably adhere to an epidermal skin surface and to resist relaxation of the first layer from the strained configuration to the relaxed configuration; and a second structure configured to releasably maintain the first structure in the strained configuration as the first structure is initially adhered to a skin surface and to permit stress transfer from the strained configuration of the first structure to the skin surface when the second structure is released.