APPARATUS FOR THE CLOSURE OF WIDE SKIN DEFECTS BY STRETCHING OF SKIN

Title:

APPARATUS FOR THE CLOSURE OF WIDE SKIN DEFECTS BY STRETCHING OF SKIN

Document Type and Number:

WIPO Patent Application WO1994026173

Kind Code:

A3

Abstract:

An apparatus for closing wide skin defects may be used with two long interdermal needles configured for insertion underneath skin close to margins of a skin defect. The skin closing apparatus may include two U-shaped retaining members configured as a flange connecting two legs and forming a U-shaped profile. Each of the legs may include a sharp hook at the end of the leg adapted for piercing the skin and engaging one of the long interdermal needles. Each retaining member may include a pivoting platform that pivots up to 20 DEG from an initial position indicated by a detent mechanism. A contracting mechanism such as a screw may connect the retaining members and approximate the interdermal needles, while bringing the skin margins together until final closure of the skin defect results. The skin closing apparatus may also include a clutch mechanism configured to disengage the screw from a knob or handle, when a predetermined force is met or exceeded. A visual or auditory element may also be provided to indicate the amount of force applied to the skin. A retractor may be packaged with the skin closing apparatus and long interdermal needles in a presterilized kit. The retractor may exhibit atraumatic ends having curved edges. The retractor may also exhibit english and metric measuring scales to aid in placing the skin closing apparatus and long interdermal needles about the skin defect. The device may be configured as a single use device utilized with gamma sterilization. In the event the device is configured for multiple uses, any conventional sterilization method may be utilized.

Inventors:

HIRSHOWITZ BERNARD (IL)
LEVY AMNON (IL)
GILAT ALEXANDER R (IL)
ROGEL EITAN (IL)
STEIN JEFFREY (IL)
BORGIA JULIAN (IL)
PUTNAM CHARLES (IL)
DICEZARE PAUL (IL)
RODAK DANIEL (IL)
WHITLOCK THOMAS (IL)

Application Number:

PCT/US1994/005029

Publication Date:

January 19, 1995

Filing Date:

May 03, 1994

Export Citation:

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Assignee:

LIFE MEDICAL SCIENCES INC (US)
HIRSHOWITZ BERNARD (US)
LEVY AMNON (US)
GILAT ALEXANDER R (US)
ROGEL EITAN (US)
STEIN JEFFREY (US)
BORGIA JULIAN (US)
PUTNAM CHARLES (US)
DICEZARE PAUL (US)
RODAK DANIEL (US)
WHITLOCK THOMAS (US)

International Classes:

A61B17/08; A61B17/06; A61B19/00; (IPC1-7): A61B17/08

Foreign References:

SU1412751A1	1988-07-30
SU1457906A1	1989-02-15
DE3834358C1	1990-04-12
FR2289153A1	1976-05-28
US3866607A	1975-02-18
US4896680A	1990-01-30
US3926193A	1975-12-16
DE110664C
US3385299A	1968-05-28
DE3722899A1	1989-01-19

Other References: