SURGICAL INCISION AND CLOSURE APPARATUS

摘要

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.

主权项

1. An incision closure appliance comprising:
a base including a left panel and a right panel, each panel having a tissue adherent lower surface, an upper surface, an inner lateral edge, and an outer lateral edge; left and right skirts coupled to the left and right panels, respectively, wherein each skirt extends laterally outwardly from the outer lateral edge of the panel to provide adhesive support to the base; left and right force distribution structures coupled to the left and right panels, respectively, wherein each force distribution structure is adapted to allow axial expansion of the panel along one of the inner or outer lateral edges and to limit one or more of lateral expansion across the panel or axial expansion along the opposite lateral edge, and a plurality of closure components which may be secured to the left and right panels to draw the panels together after the panels are adhered to tissue and an incision made therebetween.