Patent US3831608A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3831608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suture bridges
Assignee: Bio Medicus Inc
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Filing: 1972-11-24
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Granted: 1974-08-27
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Expires: 1992-11-24
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure is directed to a surgical bridge for supporting incision sutures under continuous tension. One form of the surgical bridge comprises an elongated member constructed to bridge the incision, and which is resiliently flexible under the influence of suture tension to compensate for swelling of the incision as it heals. In another form, the bridge includes slotted end guides which are respectively disposed under elevated suture support points, which structure precludes cutting or slicing of the patient''s skin by the suture itself upon pressured lateral movement of the bridge over the skin surface.
Inventors
- 👤 H Kletschka
- 👤 E Rafferty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/0466; A61B2017/0496
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A surgical bridge for supporting incision sutures under tension, comprising: a. a bridge member having first and second end portions joined by a connecting portion, the end portions being adapted to engage the surface of a patient''s skin on opposite sides of an incision, and the connecting portion being constructed to arch and be spaced from the incision; b. a pre-cut suture one end of which is secured to the first end portion of the bridge member; c. a stud member projecting upwardly from the second end portion and having a friction notch formed therein for securably receiving the opposite end of the pre-cut suture; d. said bridge member being constructed to resiliently flex under the influence of changing tension within the suture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A surgical bridge for supporting incision sutures under tension, comprising: a. a bridge member having first and second end portions joined by a connecting portion, the end portions being adapted to engage the surface of a patient''s skin on opposite sides of an incision, and the connecting portion being constructed to arch and be spaced from the incision; b. a pre-cut suture one end of which is secured to the first end portion of the bridge member; c. a stud member projecting upwardly from the second end portion and having a friction notch formed therein for securably receiving the opposite end of the pre-cut suture; d. said bridge member being constructed to resiliently flex under the influence of changing tension within the suture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device defined in claim 1, wherein the bridge member is elongated in shape, and each end portion comprises a pair of longitudinally extending projections defining a slot therebetween to guidably receive a suture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device defined in claim 2, wherein the end and connecting portions are of essentially uniform thickness, and further comprising a region of increased thickness at the inner suture supporting end of the slot, said thickened region being rounded to preclude damage to the suture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device defined by claim 1, and further comprising a surgical needle for the pre-cut suture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device defined by claim 4, wherein said opposite end of the pre-cut suture is integrally secured to the head of the surgical needle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device defined by claim 1, wherein said one end of the pre-cut suture is integrally formed with said first end portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device defined by claim 1, and further comprising a resilient pad disposed on the under surface of each end portion in a skin engaging position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device defined by claim 1, wherein the bridge member is formed from absorbable material capable of being assimilated by the human body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device defined by claim 1, wherein the bridge member is formed from non-absorbable material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device defined by claim 1, wherein the bridge member is formed from porous material capable of absorbing body fluids and admitting air to the incision.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
147 words
A surgical bridge for supporting incision sutures under tension, comprising: a. a bridge member having end portions joined by a connecting portion; b. the end portions being generally flat and adapted to engage the surface of a patient''s skin on opposte sides of an incision; c. the connecting portion being constructed to bridge the incision and adapted to receive and support a suture over the incision, and comprising sides which diverge longitudinally of the bridge and upwardly from the plane of the respective end portions and a top section which interconnects the sides, the juncture of the top section and each of the sides defining an elevated suture support point which overlies and is spaced from the associated end portion; d. each end portion having an opening formed therein below the associated suture support point and sized to preclude engagement of said end portion with the suture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
147 words
A surgical bridge for supporting incision sutures under tension, comprising: a. a bridge member having end portions joined by a connecting portion; b. the end portions being generally flat and adapted to engage the surface of a patient''s skin on opposte sides of an incision; c. the connecting portion being constructed to bridge the incision and adapted to receive and support a suture over the incision, and comprising sides which diverge longitudinally of the bridge and upwardly from the plane of the respective end portions and a top section which interconnects the sides, the juncture of the top section and each of the sides defining an elevated suture support point which overlies and is spaced from the associated end portion; d. each end portion having an opening formed therein below the associated suture support point and sized to preclude engagement of said end portion with the suture.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device defined by claim 11, wherein the bridge member is constructed to resiliently flex under the influence of changing tension of a suture supported thereby.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device defined by claim 11, wherein the bridge member is elongated in shape, and each end portion comprises a pair of longitudinally extending projections, and said opening comprises a slot defined between said projections.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device defined by claim 11, wherein the connecting portion is notched at each of said junctures to guidably retain the suture.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
143 words
A surgical bridge for supporting incision sutures under tension, comprising: a. an elongated bridge member having end portions joined by a connecting portion; b. the end portions being in part adapted to engage the surface of a patiEnt''s skin on opposite sides of an incision and said connecting portion being constructed to bridge the incision and adapted to receive and support a suture over the incision; c. each end portion comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending projections at least one of which is adapted to engage the patient''s skin surface, and one of which bends upwardly and away from the connecting portion in cantilever fashion to form a suture support member and elongated opening therebelow through which the suture can pass, the extreme end of each support member defining an elevated suture support point which overlies and is spaced from said elongated opening.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
143 words
A surgical bridge for supporting incision sutures under tension, comprising: a. an elongated bridge member having end portions joined by a connecting portion; b. the end portions being in part adapted to engage the surface of a patiEnt''s skin on opposite sides of an incision and said connecting portion being constructed to bridge the incision and adapted to receive and support a suture over the incision; c. each end portion comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending projections at least one of which is adapted to engage the patient''s skin surface, and one of which bends upwardly and away from the connecting portion in cantilever fashion to form a suture support member and elongated opening therebelow through which the suture can pass, the extreme end of each support member defining an elevated suture support point which overlies and is spaced from said elongated opening.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device defined by claim 15, wherein each cantilevered support member is constructed to resiliently flex under the influence of changing tension within the suture.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device defined by claim 15, wherein each cantilevered support member has a frictional slot formed therein to receive and retain the suture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device defined by claim 15, wherein the bridge member is resiliently flexible.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-26 | 1978-02-25 | 1978-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-26 | 1982-02-25 | 1982-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-26 | 1986-02-25 | 1986-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |