초록

The present invention provides a device and method for safely applying cyanoacrylate or other adhesives to skin lacerations.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A wound approximation device, the device comprising: a cyanoacrylate wound-sealing adhesive; and a solid resilient sheet comprising an opening, wherein the opening is of a sufficient size such that it surrounds a skin wound and exposes a margin of skin surrounding the wound

What is claimed is: 1. A wound approximation device, the device comprising: a cyanoacrylate wound-sealing adhesive; and a solid resilient sheet comprising an opening, wherein the opening is of a sufficient size such that it surrounds a skin wound and exposes a margin of skin surrounding the wound when the resilient sheet in a stretched form is placed against the skin, wherein the resilient sheet is configured to approximate the wound when allowed to relax into an unstretched form when placed against the skin, and wherein a portion of the resilient sheet adjacent to the opening and opposite to a side of the resilient sheet to be placed against the skin is coated with a low surface energy material which does not form a strong bond with a the cured cyanoacrylate wound-sealing adhesive, such when the cyanoacrylate wound-sealing adhesive is applied through the opening to the margin of skin surrounding the approximated wound so as to seal the wound upon curing, the resilient sheet can be removed from against the skin without disturbing the cured cyanoacrylate adhesive sealing the wound. 2. The wound approximation device of claim 1, wherein the resilient sheet comprises an elastomer. 3. The wound approximation device of claim 1, wherein the resilient sheet comprises a vinyl sheet. 4. The wound approximation device of claim 1, wherein the resilient sheet comprises a urethane sheet. 5. The wound approximation device of claim 1, wherein the portion of the resilient sheet adjacent to the opening and opposite to a side of the resilient sheet to be placed against the skin comprises a vinyl. 6. The wound approximation device of claim 1, wherein the portion of the resilient sheet adjacent to the opening and opposite to a side of the resilient sheet to be placed against the skin comprises a urethane. 7. The wound approximation device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the resilient sheet to be placed against the skin comprises a backing adhesive. 8. The wound approximation device of claim 7, wherein the backing adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive. 9. The wound approximation device of claim 8, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive comprises a butyl acrylate. 10. The wound approximation device of claim 1, wherein the cyanoacrylate wound sealing adhesive comprises a butyl cyanoacrylate or an octyl cyanoacrylate. 11. A method of sealing a wound, the method comprising the steps of: providing a wound approximation device, the device comprising a solid resilient sheet comprising an opening, wherein a portion of the resilient sheet adjacent to the opening and opposite to a side of the resilient sheet to be placed against the skin is coated with a low surface energy material which does not form a strong bond with a cured cyanoacrylate adhesive; applying tension to the resilient sheet whereby the opening is enlarged to a sufficient size such that it can surround a skin wound and expose a margin of skin surrounding the wound; pressing the resilient sheet under tension against the skin to form a bond to the skin, such that the opening surrounds the skin wound and exposes a margin of skin surrounding the wound; releasing the tension in the resilient sheet, whereby the wound is approximated; applying a cyanoacrylate adhesive through the opening to the margin of skin surrounding the approximated wound; allowing the cyanoacrylate adhesive to cure, whereby the wound is sealed; and removing the resilient sheet from against the skin without disturbing the cured cyanoacrylate adhesive sealing the wound. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: debriding the approximated wound. 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: irrigating the approximated wound. 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: disinfecting the approximated wound. 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising suturing the approximated wound, wherein suturing is conducted before applying a cyanoacrylate adhesive through the opening to the margin of skin surrounding the approximated wound. 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising stapling the approximated wound, wherein stapling is conducted before applying a cyanoacrylate adhesive through the opening to the margin of skin surrounding the approximated wound. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the resilient sheet comprises a urethane sheet. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the resilient sheet comprises an elastomer. 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the resilient sheet comprises a vinyl sheet. 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the portion of the resilient sheet adjacent to the opening and opposite to a side of the resilient sheet to be placed against the skin comprises a vinyl. 21. The method of claim 11, wherein the portion of the resilient sheet adjacent to the opening and opposite to a side of the resilient sheet to be placed against the skin comprises a urethane. 22. The method of claim 11, wherein a portion of the resilient sheet to be placed against the skin comprises a backing adhesive. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the backing adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive comprises a butyl acrylate. 25. The method of claim 11, wherein the cyanoacrylate adhesive comprises a butyl cyanoacrylate or an octyl cyanoacrylate.