Patent US5047047A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5047047A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wound closing device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-04-13
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Granted: 1991-09-10
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Expires: 2010-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A wound closing device includes a body having first and second arms interconnected to allow relative angular movement therebetween, and at least one skin-engaging member carried by each arm the body having a closed position where free ends of the skin-engaging members are moved toward each other to penetrate skin surround the wound. The wound closing device can be integrally formed from a strip of bendable material to urge the arms to the closed position, and the arms are movable to an open position to space the free ends of the skin-engaging members to span the wound. The skin-engaging members can be hollow to introduce medication into a wound and can have various configurations, spacing and dimensions dependent upon the wound to be closed.
Inventors
- 👤 Inbae Yoon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/08; A61B17/085; A61B17/083; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F2013/00361; A61F2013/00365; A61F2013/00451
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A wound closing device comprising a first arm having an inner end and an outer end and carrying at least one skin-engaging member extending from said first arm at a position between said inner and outer ends and having a free end for penetrating the skin; a second arm having an inner end and an outer end and carrying at least one skin-engaging member extending from said second arm at a position between said inner and outer ends and having a free end for penetrating the skin; means interconnecting said inner ends of said first and second arms for allowing angular movement thereof relative to each other between an open position where said free ends of said first and second arm skin-engaging members are spaced from each other to span a wound and a closed position where said free ends of said first and second arm skin-engaging members are moved toward each other to penetrate the skin surrounding the wound; and means angularly urging said first and second arms about said interconnecting means toward said closed position whereby said free ends of said first and second arm skin-engaging members are urged toward each other when said skin-engaging members penetrate the skin to facilitate healing of the wound.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
A wound closing device comprising a first arm having an inner end and an outer end and carrying at least one skin-engaging member extending from said first arm at a position between said inner and outer ends and having a free end for penetrating the skin; a second arm having an inner end and an outer end and carrying at least one skin-engaging member extending from said second arm at a position between said inner and outer ends and having a free end for penetrating the skin; means interconnecting said inner ends of said first and second arms for allowing angular movement thereof relative to each other between an open position where said free ends of said first and second arm skin-engaging members are spaced from each other to span a wound and a closed position where said free ends of said first and second arm skin-engaging members are moved toward each other to penetrate the skin surrounding the wound; and means angularly urging said first and second arms about said interconnecting means toward said closed position whereby said free ends of said first and second arm skin-engaging members are urged toward each other when said skin-engaging members penetrate the skin to facilitate healing of the wound.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second arms are substantially planar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A wound closing device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said skin-engaging members extend toward said interconnecting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 2 wherein said first and second arms define an angle of about 170° to about 190° when said first and second arms are in said closed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 1 and further comprising bandage means attached to said first and second arms for covering the wound.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 5 wherein said bandage means includes at least one adhesive surface for retaining said bandage means on skin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 5 wherein said bandage means carries a beneficial, body-treating composition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 1 wherein said urging means also urges said first and second arms to said open position when said first and second arms are moved a predetermined distance toward said open position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second arms carry a beneficial, body-treating composition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 1 wherein said skin-engaging members carry a beneficial, body-treating composition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second arms have an adhesive surface for retaining said first and second arms on the skin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 1 wherein said first arm, said second arm and said interconnecting means are integrally formed of a single strip of material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 12 wherein said strip of material is spring-like to define said urging means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 13 wherein said skin-engaging members are integrally formed with said first and second arms.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 1 wherein said skin-engaging members have curved configurations.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said skin-engaging members is hollow whereby medication can be introduced into a wound through said at least on hollow skin-engaging member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 1 and further comprising means for limiting angular movement of said arms toward said open position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 17 wherein said angular movement limiting means including abutment means protruding from said first and second arms.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
100 words
A wound closing device comprising a strip of bendable material defining first and second arms interconnected by an intermediate portion; and skin-engaging members extending from said first and second arms; said strip of bendable material having a normal closed position in which said skin-engaging members penetrate the skin around a wound and are directed toward said intermediate portion and said strip of bendable material allowing movement of said first and second arms about said intermediate portion away from said normal closed position to an open position in which said skin-engaging members are spaced from each other to span a wound.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
100 words
A wound closing device comprising a strip of bendable material defining first and second arms interconnected by an intermediate portion; and skin-engaging members extending from said first and second arms; said strip of bendable material having a normal closed position in which said skin-engaging members penetrate the skin around a wound and are directed toward said intermediate portion and said strip of bendable material allowing movement of said first and second arms about said intermediate portion away from said normal closed position to an open position in which said skin-engaging members are spaced from each other to span a wound.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 19 wherein said strip of bendable material has slots therein and said skin-engaging members are formed from material from said slots.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 20 wherein said strip of bendable material has spring-like properties.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
119 words
A wound closing device comprising body means for extending across a wound including first and second movable arms adapted to be disposed on opposite sides of the wound; at least one first skin-engaging member extending from an end connected with said first arm to a free end directed toward said second arm at least one second skin-engaging member extending from an end connected with said second arm to a free end directed toward said first arm; and said first and second skin-engaging members having curved configurations whereby each of said first and second skin-engaging members follows a single path when penetrating the skin and being removed from the skin in response to movement of said first and second arms.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
119 words
A wound closing device comprising body means for extending across a wound including first and second movable arms adapted to be disposed on opposite sides of the wound; at least one first skin-engaging member extending from an end connected with said first arm to a free end directed toward said second arm at least one second skin-engaging member extending from an end connected with said second arm to a free end directed toward said first arm; and said first and second skin-engaging members having curved configurations whereby each of said first and second skin-engaging members follows a single path when penetrating the skin and being removed from the skin in response to movement of said first and second arms.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 22 wherein said bendable material is plastic.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
65 words
A wound closing device comprising first and second arms each carrying at least one skin-engaging member for penetrating skin on opposite sides of a wound; means interconnecting said first and second arms for being disposed over said wound to position said first and second arms on opposite sides of the wound; and bandage means disposed at least at said interconnecting means for overlying the wound.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
65 words
A wound closing device comprising first and second arms each carrying at least one skin-engaging member for penetrating skin on opposite sides of a wound; means interconnecting said first and second arms for being disposed over said wound to position said first and second arms on opposite sides of the wound; and bandage means disposed at least at said interconnecting means for overlying the wound.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
A wound closing device comprising body means for positioning on opposing sides of a wound; and hollow skin-engaging means extending from said body means for penetrating the skin adjacent the wound and allowing introduction of medication into the wound.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
A wound closing device comprising body means for positioning on opposing sides of a wound; and hollow skin-engaging means extending from said body means for penetrating the skin adjacent the wound and allowing introduction of medication into the wound.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 25 wherein said hollow skin-engaging means has an open free distal end and an open proximal end disposed at said body means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 26 and further comprising removable cap means for closing said open proximal end of said hollow skin-engaging means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
106 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 25 wherein said body means includes a first arm having an inner end and an outer end, a second arm having an inner end and an outer end and means interconnecting said inner ends of said first and second arms for allowing said first and second arms to be angularly movable, and said hollow skin-engaging means includes at least one hollow skin-engaging member extending from said first arm at a position between said inner and outer ends and at least one hollow skin-engaging member extending from said second arm at a position between said inner and outer ends.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 28 wherein said interconnecting means urges said first and second arms to a closed position where said hollow skin-engaging members are urged toward each other.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
137 words
A wound closing device comprising a first arm carrying at least one skin-engaging member extending from said first arm and having a free end for penetrating the skin; a second arm carrying at least one skin-engaging member extending from said second arm and having a free end for penetrating the skin; means interconnecting said first and second arms for allowing angular movement thereof relative to each other between an open position where said free ends of said first and second arm skin-engaging members are spaced from each other to span a wound and a closed position where said free ends of said first and second arm skin-engaging members are moved toward each other to penetrate the skin surrounding the wound; and means extending from said first and second arms for limiting angular movement toward said open position.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
137 words
A wound closing device comprising a first arm carrying at least one skin-engaging member extending from said first arm and having a free end for penetrating the skin; a second arm carrying at least one skin-engaging member extending from said second arm and having a free end for penetrating the skin; means interconnecting said first and second arms for allowing angular movement thereof relative to each other between an open position where said free ends of said first and second arm skin-engaging members are spaced from each other to span a wound and a closed position where said free ends of said first and second arm skin-engaging members are moved toward each other to penetrate the skin surrounding the wound; and means extending from said first and second arms for limiting angular movement toward said open position.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
119 words
A wound closing device comprising body means for extending across a wound including first and second movable arms adapted to be disposed on opposite sides of the wound; at least one first skin-engaging member extending from an end connected with said first arm to a sharp free end directed toward said second arm; and at least one second skin-engaging member extending from an end connected with said second arm to a sharp free end directed toward said first arm said first and second skin-engaging members having legs extending from said body means to said free ends and said free ends extending angularly from said legs whereby said free end lock said first and second skin-engaging members in the skin.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
119 words
A wound closing device comprising body means for extending across a wound including first and second movable arms adapted to be disposed on opposite sides of the wound; at least one first skin-engaging member extending from an end connected with said first arm to a sharp free end directed toward said second arm; and at least one second skin-engaging member extending from an end connected with said second arm to a sharp free end directed toward said first arm said first and second skin-engaging members having legs extending from said body means to said free ends and said free ends extending angularly from said legs whereby said free end lock said first and second skin-engaging members in the skin.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 31 wherein said legs of said first and second skin-engaging members extend transversely from said first and second arms, respectively.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 31 wherein said legs of said first and second skin-engaging members extend angularly from said first and second arms, respectively, toward each other.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
77 words
A wound closing device comprising a strip of bendable material having opposing portions bendable relative to each other to assume an open curved position and a substantially flat closed position; a plurality of skin-engaging members extending from said opposing portions to penetrate skin on opposite sides of a wound substantially simultaneously when said strip is in said curved open position and to be embedded in the skin when said strip is in said substantially flat closed position.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
77 words
A wound closing device comprising a strip of bendable material having opposing portions bendable relative to each other to assume an open curved position and a substantially flat closed position; a plurality of skin-engaging members extending from said opposing portions to penetrate skin on opposite sides of a wound substantially simultaneously when said strip is in said curved open position and to be embedded in the skin when said strip is in said substantially flat closed position.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 34 wherein said bendable material has spring-like properties urging said strip to said closed position.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
30 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 34 and further comprising alignment means carried on said strip for aligning said wound closing device with a wound to be closed.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 36 wherein said alignment means includes a lateral stripe extending centrally across said strip.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 34 wherein said skin-engaging members are formed of legs terminating at bent sharp free ends.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 34 wherein said strip of bendable material is transparent.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 34 wherein said bendable material is rubber.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
14 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 34 wherein said bendable material metal.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
24 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 33 and further comprising means carried on said strip for indicating the edges of the wound.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
A wound closing device as recited in claim 33 wherein said indicating means includes a lateral stripe extending across said strip.
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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) | 1994-09-09 | 1995-03-11 | 1995-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-09 | 1999-03-11 | 1999-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-09 | 2003-03-11 | 2003-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |