Retention suture bridge

Claim 2

A bridge device for use with a retention suture looped about an incision, the suture thus partially below the surface of the skin with two exposed end parts of the suture extending out of and above exit points in the skin, the bridge device (described with reference to a side elevation view) comprising a longitudinal central portion defining length, transverse breath, a bottom surface, and two ends, and a foot portion at each end of the central portion, each foot portion defining a body part with a junction-end connected in abutment to one end of said central portion of the bridge, a terminal end opposite the junction end, and a contact surface extending along the bottom of the foot, the bottom surfaces of the central portion and junction ends being flush at said abutment connection, said feet being oriented such that the entire contact surface of the body part and terminal end of each foot is lower in elevation than the entire bottom surface of the central portion of the bridge, the bridge further comprising at least two suture receiving means spaced a selected distance apart lengthwise on said central portion, said suture receiving means each adapted to engage said exposed suture end part (extending upward from an exit point) at a contact point along its length, said receiving means thus maintaining said contact points of said exposed suture end parts apart by said selected distance, said contact surfaces of the feet being totally outward of said suture receiving means on the central portion, whereby the bridge is placeable upon the skin with its longitudinal axis generally transverse to the incision, the exposed parts of the suture being extendible from said exit points to said suture receiving means and secured upon said central portion, thus maintaining the exposed parts above the exit points out of contact with the skin.

Claim 3

A device according to claim 1 wherein the central and feet portions comprise a one-piece construction.

Claim 4

A device according to claim 2 wherein the suture receiving means comprise longitudinally spaced-apart slots disposed transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the central portion, the suture ends being receivable and retained apart in and by selected slots.

Claim 5

A device according to claim 2 wherein the suture receiving means comprise a plurality of openings spaced apart longitudinally along the central portion, the suture ends being receivable and retained apart in selected openings.

Claim 6

A device according to claim 1 wherein the bridge comprises two complementary portions, relatively adjustable axially.

Claim 7

A device according to claim 1 wherein said contact surfaces are generally flat and continuous.

Claim 8

A device according to claim 1 wherein said central and feet portions of the bridge define a generally crescent-shaped arch.

Claim 9

A device according to claim 7 wherein said central portion is curved thus defining a first radius of curvature, and wherein a circle tangent to said feet portions would define a slightly greater radius of curvature.

Claim 10

A device according to claim 1 wherein said end portions and central portions of the bridge together comprise a generally flat beam which is curved to define a generally flat plane, a cross-section of the beam having greater width transverse to the plane than height within the plane.

Claim 11

A device according to claim 1 wherein said suture-receiving means comprises at least one pair of suture-receiving elements spaced apart and defining a line that extends between and through them lengthwise on said central portion.

Claim 12

A device according to claim 10 wherein said suture-receiving means is formed by at least two apertures in said central portion.

Claim 13

A device according to claim 1 wherein said obtuse angle is about 145*.

Claim 14

A device according to claim 10 further comprising suture guide means on said central portion intermediate said suture-engaging elements.

Claim 15

A device according to claim 13 wherein the suture guide means captively engages the suture.

Claim 16

A device according to claim 13 wherein the suture guide means is formed as a tunnel through which the suture is threaded.

Claim 17

A device according to claim 13 wherein the suture guide means is formed as a vertical peg extending up from the superior surface and around which the suture can be tied.

Claim 18

A device according to claim 16 wherein the peg is undercut at its base so that the diameter of superior portion of peg exceeds the diameter of inferior portion around which the suture is tied and secured.

Claim 19

A device according to claim 1 wherein the bridge has a flexible part between the central portion and at least one end portion permitting this end portion to pivot relative to the central portion.

Claim 20

A device according to claim 18 wherein said flexible part is a hinge joint.

Claim 21

A bridge device for use with a retention suture looped about an incision, the suture thus partially below the surface of the skin with two exposed end parts of the suture extending out of and above exit points in the skin, the bridge device (described with reference to a side elevation view comprising a longitudinal central portion defining length, transverse breath, a bottom surface, and two ends, and a foot portion at each end of the central portion, each foot portion defining a body part with a junction-end connected in abutment to one end of said central portion of the bridge, a terminal end opposite the junction end, and a contact surface extending along the bottom of the foot, the bottom surfaces of the central portion and junction ends being flush at said abutment connection, said feet being oriented such that the entire contact surface of the body part and terminal end of each foot is lower in elevation than the entire bottom suRface of the central portion of the bridge, the bridge further comprising at least two suture receiving means spaced a selected distance apart lengthwise on said central portion, said suture receiving means each adapted to engage said exposed suture end part (extending upward from an exit point) at a contact point along its length, said receiving means thus maintaining said contact points of said exposed suture end parts apart by said selected distance, said contact surfaces of said feet being totally outward of said suture receiving means on the central portion, the bridge further comprising means on said central portion adjacent said suture receiving means for engaging a part of the suture secured thereon and varying the tension in said suture while the suture remains secured, whereby the bridge is placeable upon the skin with its longitudinal axis generally transverse to the incision, the exposed parts of the suture being extendible from said exit points to said suture receiving means and secured upon said central portion, thus maintaining the exposed parts above the exit points out of contact with the skin.

Claim 22

A bridge device for use with a retention suture looped about an incision, the suture thus partially below the surface of the skin with two exposed end parts of the suture extending out of and above exit points in the skin, the bridge device (described with reference to a side elevation view comprising a longitudinal central portion defining length, transverse breath, a bottom surface, and two ends, and a foot portion at each end of the central portion, each foot portion defining a body part with a junction-end connected in abutment to one end of said central portion of the bridge, a terminal end opposite the junction end, and a contact surface extending along the bottom of the foot, the bottom surfaces of the central portion and junction ends being flush at said abutment connection, said feet being oriented such that the entire contact surface of the body part and terminal end of each foot is lower in elevation than the entire bottom suRface of the central portion of the bridge, the bridge further comprising at least two suture receiving means spaced a selected distance apart lengthwise on said central portion, said suture receiving means each adapted to engage said exposed suture end part (extending upward from an exit point) at a contact point along its length, said receiving means thus maintaining said contact points of said exposed suture end parts apart by said selected distance, said contact surfaces of said feet being totally outward of said suture receiving means on the central portion, the bridge further comprising means on said central portion adjacent said suture receiving means for engaging a part of the suture secured thereon and varying the tension in said suture while the suture remains secured, whereby the bridge is placeable upon the skin with its longitudinal axis generally transverse to the incision, the exposed parts of the suture being extendible from said exit points to said suture receiving means and secured upon said central portion, thus maintaining the exposed parts above the exit points out of contact with the skin.

Claim 23

A device according to claim 20 wherein the means for varying tension comprises a plurality of upstanding projections on an upper surface of the bridge, the suture being selectively positionable about at least one projection.

Claim 24

A bridge device for use with a retention suture looped about an incision, the suture thus partially below the surface of the skin with two exposed end parts of the suture extending out of and above exit points in the skin, the bridge device (described with reference to a side elevation view) comprising a longitudinal central portion defining length, transverse breath, a bottom surface, and two ends, and a foot portion at each end of the central portion, each foot portion defining a body part with a junction-end connected in abutment to one end of said central portion of the bridge, a terminal end opposite the junction end, and a contact surface extending along the bottom of the foot, the bottom surfaces of the central portion and junction ends being flush at said abutment connection, said feet being oriented such that the planes extending generally along the two contact surfaces of said feet intersect and define between them an obtuse angle that diverges downward with the entire contact surface of the body part and the terminal end of each foot being lower in elevation than the entire bottom surface of the central portion, the bridge further comprising at least two suture receiving means spaced a selected distance apart lengthwise on said central portion, said suture receiving means each adapted to engage said exposed suture end part (extending upward from an exit point) at a contact point along its length, said receiving means thus maintaining said contact points of said exposed suture end parts apart by said selected distance, said contact surfaces of the feet being totally outward of said suture receiving means on the central portion, whereby the bridge is placeable upon the skin with its longitudinal axis generally transverse to the incision, the exposed parts of the suture being extendible from said exit points to said suture receiving means and secured upon said central portion, thus maintaining the exposed parts above the exit points out of contact with the skin.

Claim 25

A bridge device for use with a retention suture looped about an incision, the suture thus partially below the surface of the skin with two exposed end parts of the suture extending out of and above exit points in the skin, the bridge device (described with reference to a side elevation view) comprising a longitudinal central portion defining length, transverse breath, a bottom surface, and two ends, and a foot portion at each end of the central portion, each foot portion defining a body part with a junction-end connected in abutment to one end of said central portion of the bridge, a terminal end opposite the junction end, and a contact surface extending along the bottom of the foot, the bottom surfaces of the central portion and junction ends being flush at said abutment connection, said feet being oriented such that the planes extending generally along the two contact surfaces of said feet intersect and define between them an obtuse angle that diverges downward with the entire contact surface of the body part and the terminal end of each foot being lower in elevation than the entire bottom surface of the central portion, the bridge further comprising at least two suture receiving means spaced a selected distance apart lengthwise on said central portion, said suture receiving means each adapted to engage said exposed suture end part (extending upward from an exit point) at a contact point along its length, said receiving means thus maintaining said contact points of said exposed suture end parts apart by said selected distance, said contact surfaces of the feet being totally outward of said suture receiving means on the central portion, whereby the bridge is placeable upon the skin with its longitudinal axis generally transverse to the incision, the exposed parts of the suture being extendible from said exit points to said suture receiving means and secured upon said central portion, thus maintaining the exposed parts above the exit points out of contact with the skin.