Surgical incision and closure apparatus

A method of making a closure device for closing a wound or an incision, comprising:

• forming a first base panel, wherein the first base panel comprises:
• a first upper surface,
• a first lower surface, and
• a first adhesive on the first lower surface;
• coupling a plurality of first supports to the first upper surface such that the plurality of first supports are longitudinally spaced-apart relative to each other;
• forming a second base panel, wherein the second base panel comprises:
• a second upper surface,
• a second lower surface, and
• a second adhesive on the second lower surface;
• coupling a plurality of second supports to the second upper surface such that the plurality of second supports are longitudinally spaced-apart relative to each other;
• and
• forming a plurality of lateral ties that are configured to couple the first base panel and the second base panel to each other,
• wherein each lateral tie has (i) a first end that is permanently fixed relative to a respective support of the plurality of first supports of the first base panel and (ii) a second end that is reversibly and adjustably coupled to a respective support of the plurality of second supports that opposes the respective support to which the first end is permanently fixed, thereby allowing the plurality of lateral ties to draw the first base panel and the second base panel laterally together to compress a wound or an incision covered by the closure device,
• wherein coupling the plurality of first supports, coupling the plurality of second supports, and forming the plurality of lateral ties comprises arranging the plurality of first supports, the plurality of second supports, and the plurality of lateral ties in a serpentine arrangement,
• wherein, in the serpentine arrangement, each lateral tie couples a different pair of the plurality of first supports and the plurality of second supports to each other,
• wherein, in the serpentine arrangement, at least one of the plurality of first supports is permanently fixed to the first ends of a respective two lateral ties of the plurality of lateral ties, and
• wherein, in the serpentine arrangement, at least one of the plurality of second supports is reversibly and adjustably coupled to the second ends of a respective two lateral ties of the plurality of lateral ties.