Force modulating tissue bridges, associated tools, kits, and methods
Inventors
Eaves, Felmont F. • Kazmer, David O. • Knight, Gary W. • Dietz, Timothy G. • Clem, William Eugene
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11051815-B2
Publication Date
2021-07-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
Force modulating tissue bridges, and associated applicators, kits and methods are provided. A force modulating tissue bridge can be a medical article for at least partially covering a wound and/or scar tissue. The medical article can include an elastic arch extending over an area, and a medial strut connected to the arch and extending into the area over which the central section extends.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a medical article for at least partially covering a wound and/or scar tissue using an elastically deformable body that provides a force-modulating tissue bridge. A body includes a central section extending over an area and flanges extending outwardly from opposite lower sections of the central section, and at least the central section is elastically configured to be deformed from an at rest configuration to an extended configuration and then return toward the at rest configuration in response to being released from the extended configuration.
When in the extended configuration, the lower sections are farther apart from one another than in the at rest configuration, thereby modulating force associated with the wound and/or scar tissue. The medical article further includes a first flange having opposite upper and lower surfaces that are each larger than a thickness defined between the upper and lower surfaces, and a foot pad connected to the first flange for at least partially moving with the first flange, the foot pad extending inwardly into the area over which the central section extends.
The foot pad comprises an outer sheet configured to be attached to tissue and an inner sheet positioned between the outer sheet and the first flange, where the inner sheet is stiffer than the outer sheet. In another configuration, the invention provides an arch with first and second medial struts extending into the area, with inner and outer layers forming stiffened structural struts. A medium is positioned at least partially between the first and second medial struts, and the medium can include a therapeutic agent and/or a silicone strip that is positioned between or mounted to the arch.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover four core inventive aspects: an elastically deformable wound/scar covering body with flanges that move farther apart when extended, an inwardly extending multilayer foot pad or medial strut with an outer attachable sheet and a stiffer inner sheet, an article-and-tool combination in which a portion of the tool extends into a space between the body and a portion of the foot pad or multilayer structure, and an alternate arch architecture using medial struts and a medium positioned between the medial struts.
Elastically deformable central section with flanges moving farther apart when extended
A medical article for at least partially covering a wound and/or scar tissue having a body with a central section extending over an area and flanges extending outwardly from opposite lower sections, where at least the central section is elastically configured to deform from an at rest configuration to an extended configuration and return toward the at rest configuration, and wherein the lower sections are farther apart in the extended configuration than in the at rest configuration.
Inwardly extending foot pad with outer sheet attachable to tissue and stiffer inner sheet
A first flange having opposite upper and lower surfaces each larger than a thickness defined between the upper and lower surfaces, and a foot pad connected to the first flange for at least partially moving with the first flange, the foot pad extending inwardly into the area, with the upper surface of the foot pad and the lower surface of the first flange facing toward one another, wherein the foot pad comprises an outer sheet configured to be attached to tissue and an inner sheet positioned between the outer sheet and the first flange, and wherein the inner sheet is stiffer than the outer sheet.
Tool-manipulated combination with tool portion extending into space between body and foot pad
In combination, a medical article and a tool for manipulating the medical article, where the medical article includes the elastically deformable central section and flanges and the inwardly extending foot pad connected to the first flange, and wherein a portion of the tool extends into a space between the body and at least a portion of the foot pad.
Arch with medial struts and a medium positioned between the medial struts
A medical article having an arch extending over an area, the arch comprising first and second lower sections opposite from one another; a first medial strut connected to the first lower section by way of at least a first foot plate and extending into the area over which the arch extends; a second medial strut connected to the second lower section by way of at least a second foot plate; and a medium configured to be positioned at least partially between the first and second medial struts.
Multilayer structure connected to an end section with stiffer inner sheet
A medical article having a body with a central section positioned between opposite end sections, where the central section is elastically configured to be deformed from an at rest configuration to an extended configuration and to return toward the at rest configuration; a first end section having opposite upper and lower surfaces each larger than a thickness defined between the upper and lower surfaces; and a multilayer structure connected to the body's first end section for at least partially moving with the first end section, extending inwardly into the area, with the upper surface of the multilayer structure and the lower surface of the body's first end section facing toward one another, wherein the multilayer structure comprises an outer sheet configured to be attached to tissue and an inner sheet positioned between the outer sheet and the body's first end section, and wherein the inner sheet is stiffer than the outer sheet.
The claims center on an elastically deformable wound/scar covering body that shifts configuration and includes inwardly extending multilayer structures with an outer sheet attachable to tissue and an inner sheet stiffer than the outer sheet. Additional coverage includes a tool combination and an arch-based formulation with a medium positioned between medial struts.
Stated Advantages
Reduces wound tension by force-modulating the wound/scar-covering tissue bridge through elastic deformation.
Documented Applications
At least partially covering a wound and/or scar tissue using a force-modulating tissue bridge medical article.
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